Winlay's new staff and four Wings of Angels

Beldan knew Winlay would still be feeling the Calypso powder for a while, but now it was time for his new Seraph to meet her Angels. Each of the girls was a virgin he had chosen from among the recent initiates, attending to each young woman's fervor in the Church of Xelta, her good humour, health, physical symmetry and potential for sensual arousal, with an assortment of physical types so any eye would find one especially appealing.

And with a woman like Winlay leading the Angels, she would build their erotic potential into a sweet and compelling force that would help him rise up higher and higher. Soon no one would stand against him.

Oracle Beldan dressed Winlay in her Seraph's robes, not failing to notice that her nipples and pussy lips were still decidedly swollen. With all the silken folds in place, he led her out toward the courtyard, speaking quietly as they walked. He could see the effects of the powder still adding a slightly floating motion to her gait and her posture.

"I have picked your first Flight of Angels myself, though it will be yours to break and train them in their new ways," Beldan murmured to Winlay. "I am well satisfied with your service of your passions to the Church, and I have seen in these candidates that same spark of passion to be kindled as your own passions have been," he said. "Each of them has demonstrated lustful interest when witnessing the acts of physical love, not turning away or cringing, but shining brighter in its light. I chose your first Flight for obedience, religious devotion, good health and erotic potential, so they should blossom under your hand. But if any fail to rise to their calling, no matter," Beldan said. "Dismiss them and the Church will find better uses according to their gifts."

They passed an arched doorway. Winlay recognized Sister Anna's face and briefly met her gaze. Anna gave Winlay a tiny smile and inclined her head as they passed. Beldan continued, oblivious.

"I have taken the liberty to appoint a small staff," Beldan said. "Sister Mandragora, your Healer. Sister Quill, your Keeper." Beldan laughed at the expression on Winlay's face. "Yes, the Angels will need their own record keeper for their special mission. Sister Quill has a biography of each Angel, should you need special insight." He cleared his throat. "And Sister Cassilda, who has a wealth of broad and useful experience which she gained before she saw the light of Xelta's inspiration, reformed her ways and joined the Church. And of course your dear Captain Shizuna Ringor and her squad will be with you and your Angels."

Assembled in the courtyard were twenty-four young women in initiates' robes, standing in four rows of six. At the front were three women in Church robes. Sister Mandragora and Sister Quill were distinguished by their particular robes as Healer and Keeper. The third, in dark grey, must be Sister Cassilda. To the side was an armed squad of Guards led by Captain Shizuna Ringor.

Beldan motioned to Cassilda and conferred with her in whispers. Satisfied, he nodded.

"Seraph Winlay Grace," he said. "Meet your Angels."

Winlay walked with her new assistants along the ranks of young initiates. When they reached the first row, Sister Cassilda spoke up.

"Lark Wing, present yourselves."

"Sister Arrow!" the rank leader said. The other five young women seemed to match her eagerness and energy.

"Dove Wing, present yourselves," Cassilda prompted the second rank.

"Sister Mistral," said the first young woman. The other five repeated their names. Dove Wing's women seemed gentler and more reserved than Lark's. Winlay heard the tones of more high-born society in their speech.

"Swan Wing, present yourselves," Cassilda continued.

"Sister Isadora," the first young woman said. Swan Wing seemed most physically confident and balanced of the Angels.

"Magpie Wing," Cassilda prompted the fourth rank.

"Sister Snowbell," said the first woman in the row, followed by her row-mates. Winlay sensed that Magpie Wing had the young women with livelier personalities that the novitiate could not suppress.

"Seraph," Beldan said. "Lead your Angels in noonsong, then Xelta's Charge. It will comfort and steady these girls. For the Angels must always know they are of the Church, so it will be your duty to be their prayer and song leader as well as their instructress and directress of the Church's will for their duties."

"Be silent a moment, Angels," Winlay said. "I must find my voice." She sang a simple round of notes until her singing voice, neglected these past several weeks, steadied and strengthened. "Noonsong. Now, with me, all!"

Winlay led the Angels in the noon blessing familiar to novices and initiates. They were a little ragged, but improved as the verses continued. Lark Wing was loudest, Dove Wing was quietest, and Magpie Wing most uneven. Leaving a minute of silence for the song to settle, she then led the young women in Xelta's Charge, the brief challenge for all to rise to their best nature and act from it.

Winlay looked to Beldan, who nodded and smiled.

"Sister Cassilda," Beldan said. "Is the Fifth Wing ready for review, or shall I leave the Seraph to take the Angels in her tender hands?"

"Prophet," Cassilda replied in a confident tone...