Switch to Winlay's story

Even when the High Priest left the room with the crude comment Winlay felt no anxiety. Neither the sound of the door locking nor the evidence in the room that evoked confusing memories could shatter the sense of serenity that was almost dreamlike. Winlay ran her hand along the top of the couch where she had squirmed like a bitch in heat, took in her robes lying in a heap on the floor, a half drunk glass of brandy and even the smear of blood that stained both the sheets and her thighs. She knew she should be upset by the memories but in spite of the undeniable evidence, everything was well in the world.

She calmly wrapped her chest with the cotton binding cloth and then slipped into the grey robes that she couldn't even remember removing. She was still looking in vain for her underwear when she heard the quiet sound of a key scraping in the lock of the door. It seemed to take forever for the door to finally open to allow a church Herald to step into the room.

"Forgive me your Holiness, I knocked several times." Something about the Herald's nervous voice was familiar, but Winlay was wondering how she could have possible have missed the knocking on the door.

"I bring urgent news from the Imperial Palace." The Herald continued moving into the room past Winlay circling the room in a quick but purposeful survey before turning to face her and throwing back her hood.

"Mika?" Winlay asked in pleased surprise. How could her friend be here? Wearing Herald's robes???

"Mika?" Winlay asked again, she knew she should feel afraid or angry or something, all she could feel was a profound sense of contentment. Even when Mika took her head in her hands and examined the Voice's golden hair net, Winlay was confident that everything was all right.

"Winlay, what has he done to you?" Mika murmured as she touched the golden web carefully, "What is this?"

"It’s mine Mika, his Holiness gave it to me. I'm going to be his Voice." She watched passively as Mika pulled it from her hair and then with a flash of white stars the peaceful state was suddenly gone. A torrent of emotions crashed into her conscience, all the feelings from the past several hours fought for recognition. Her fear and anger combined with the disgust she felt as she remembered Beldan pawing at her body as she squirmed against him like a cat in heat. Turning her head to the side Winlay emptied the contents of her stomach all over the High Priest's discarded robes.

"Oh Landers, what have I done?" She felt Mika's arms hold her tightly as she cried out in anguish.

"It's alright Winlay." Mika crooned softly "It's going to be OK, but we have to leave now."