A Pound of Flesh Temple of Carnal Love (Kalinda)

[Coraline]

There was one place situated on the second level of the upper horizon that was well known to both Vysstichi living beneath the ground and common folks trampling ground above their heads. This place was officially called The Temple of Carnal Love, but most of the people was calling it comfort for money. This Temple was situated in the wealthy center of the new city, at the side ally of the central passage.

Like the majority of the buildings situated in this part of the caverns, the ceiling of the cave was used as the roof of the structure, and thus the front was going up from the ground to the ceiling. The floors were paved in smooth expensive red and white tiles that made a checkered pattern on the floor. And when one stepped into the main hall they could feel the steam from various sauna rooms which were found in the back. Each steam room was made from using both meticulous craftsmanship and engineering, the sauna rooms consisted of a square room built of wood with benches inside, each bench contained a clean white towel for the guest or guests and in the center of the benches was a short stubby brick stove that had a completely metal top while under it burning coals flickered with there jovial brightness and intensity. Next to the stove was a bucket with a ladle. It was simple scoop water from the ladle pour it on the top the heated metal quickly evaporates the water creating steam, the more steam you want the more you pour water on the metal stove. It was a wonderful and relaxing place, where one could enjoy a private steam bath within or with a group in the larger public one. The price for this was 20 crowns plus a tip for the shrine maiden whom would be bringing another pale of coal or water bucket upon request. The money that was given for this pleasurable experience went back into the shrines maintenance and upkeep and was considered a donation to the shrine itself.

As one further entered the shrine they would be overwhelmed, belittled if not stupefied by a gigantic pool circled by stone benches, heavy and bulky to move, but rather comfortable for sitting among other things. Many patrons enjoyed a relaxing swim as did the shrine maidens themselves. The water was cool and refreshing as it was crystal clear, and was open to the public for those who wished to partake in the indulgence. In fact in this center room, was a large stone slab that was taller then the depth of the water, and from this platform a marble carving of Haya stood above the water. Haya was depicted as a voluptuous vixen of sorts, with a towel that flowed downward then to the side covering her private areas but exposing her curves and hips along with her entire back area.

Wine and Champagne was always on tap, and the luscious shrine maidens could be seen going to and from the wine cellar frequently. When the bottle of wine was delivered, it was in a silver vase like pot which was filled with ice. They in fact had a single Elementalist below, freezing water. It was a rare treat indeed, extra cold, and exotic as not many people were afforded the luxury of ice on a hot day. It costed around 50 crowns for a personal bottle of wine, and 100 crowns for a bottle of champagne plus a tip for the shrine maiden. It was a very frequent occurrence to have the maidens offering free cups of wine, that could be taken down with a few sips. As a few free drinks, could have a person spending up crowns like a madman in overindulgence.

From the center, to the back there was sauna rooms. And from the left wing, to the right wing there were massage parlors.

Each true priestess was not only a practitioner of either mysticism or necromancy, but another function of the priestesses could be classified as therapeutic massage therapists. There gentle embrace kneading on your back, hamstrings, ankles thighs and neck were probably the single greatest reason for coming to this place. Both wings were set up with a few rows of stone slabs, and to cover there hardness was a fur blanket which one rested upon rather then under plus a pillow for your face. Sessions like these could be costly if one spent the day, but your average one hour session costed around 40 crowns plus tip for the hardworking shrine maidens.

Now there were not priests, only shrine maidens to be exact.

The males that were often seen standing with vigilance and grace were in fact sentries, sometimes when things were to much for a guest. They could become unruly and disruptive, if not a hazard to themselves and the maidens. There job was similar to that of a bouncer at a bar, only without the I will snuff you attitude. They were calm, and never hesitated to be of service giving directions to and from one place to another but would not hesitate tossing someone out if necessary. And the shrine maidens themselves that were seen pretty much everywhere were not hapless, they were in fact necromancers and mystics or both, and they were pretty impressive with there chosen craft. In times when there shrine was threatened, or themselves you could imagine just how fearsome and tenacious one of these female priestesses, let alone a few dozen.

The lead priestess who was in charge of the temple was a master mystic, she was powerful and someone not to trifle with despite her warm smile and almost shy attitude. Underneath that clever masque she wore, she was always scrutinizing the guests while monitoring her priestesses. Which meant the high mistress of the temple was always wandering around, carefully observing making sure things were going smoothly and occasionally welcomed visitors. She would be the person to meet, if you wanted to gain admittance to the bottom floor of the Temple of Carnal Love.

At the very bottom or the very core of the Haya temple, after going through the secret passage shown by the High Mistress was a beautiful jade tiled flooring and wall and ceiling. Its shades of black and emerald green hues where very pleasurable to look at. And down this long hall two lanterns every forty feet draped down from the wall, turning circle after circle and sending dim light on everything around. Then after one finished walking through the large hall they would be greeted by high double doors which when opened would lead them to the actual shrine itself.

Inside the shrine were four priestesses. They were hand chosen and dedicated their time and worship, one to the north one to the south one to east and one to the west. They were constanly chanting, praying to Haya in a way that was so different from the worship that happened in the rooms above, darker and more violent. The temple of Carnal Love was only a cover for the real temple and deceivingly innocent. Haya was the goddess of Lust, of Sensuality, but she was also the Mistress of Aeternia, the Aelyrian Hell.

In the center of the shrine, surrounded by black marble walls, there was a large pedestal that held a heart shaped ruby. Underneath the ruby, was a spot where one could kneel and worship. A statue of Haya, displayed as a naked woman of impossible beauty could be found at one of the walls. There was a small stone bench in front of it … the sacrifices were placed on it, the living sacrifices … The four priestesses that worked in the shrine were mystics of some skill and would never hesitate to kill a person that was trying to steal their most valuable tribute to Haya, the Goddess of Lust …

Upon entering the temple her eyes focused on the statue, Haya was lovely she was the essance of seduction and power. With a curved smile Coraline took in the atmosphere of the temple. The witch prefered to use the sharp end of a knife then sweet whispers to lure a man, but she did enjoy the lusty romps. Once the men had served their purpose which was her own personal gratification they met the sharp end of a knife or the fabric of a pillow once they drifted off to slumber. Coraline did enjoy the sins of the flesh and pulling the strings of man and making them dance like a puppet.

Which reminds me I am in much need of some poison so that I may complete the calling. Secretly she hoped that some of her sisters had survived the fire not because she had loved them, their was just strength in numbers.

Walking towards the high priestess Coraline said softly so not to be overheard. " I am a sister of the black asp. I wish to prey to Haya."

[Kalinda]

She met the High Priestess of Haya in front of the gigantic pool that dominated the public part of the temple. Floh’l was watching her sisters, making sure that everything was in order, that neither visitors nor priestesses caused problems.

Behind her a couple of human men were lying at the edge of the pool, almost naked, drinking wine from golden cups. Vysstichi women in red and black robes were serving them. Priestesses were pretending to be nothing more than servants, desperate to please their guests from the surface.

It was all a game of course. The priestesses of Haya would never lower herself to such things without a reason. Those clueless humans were used to gain information. Some eventually became a sacrifice in one of the secret parts of the temple, and yet others were converted to Haya’s cause or enslaved.

Floh’l herself did of course never participate in such things. She was the one who coordinated everything, who conversed with Matrons, with Masters and Archmages, who pulled the strings. She was a middle aged woman, strong, not unappealing, with silver hair and crimson eyes that seemed to be able to look right into a person’s soul, who missed nothing, forgot nothing.

She barely took note of Coraline, barely showed any interest in the human woman. She pretended to be watching the people at the pool. Only when Coraline mentioned that she was a sister of the black asp, did she turn around and look at her.

“The black asp is known to me”, she spoke, revealing neither how much she knew or how she had found out.

“If you wish to pray, sister, if you wish to truly honor the goddess and not spend your time with fools such as these …” She gestured towards the men at the pool who didn’t seem to have any idea how dangerous this place truly was. “… we have private prayer chambers where nothing will interrupt your worship.”

[Coraline]

The young witch was also familure with the ruse of the temple, and hoped that if she could not find an appropriate sacrifice here then, she would be directed to a place to purchase poisions that would make her lover more easy to deal with.

To be so close to speaking with Haya and have it taken away still angered her, and she would have her revenge on the paladin. Of course like the spider she would play with the fly before she made the kill.

For the moment Coraline decided not to ask how much the priestess knew of her order. All she was sure would be revealed in time. She had hoped that their were sisters that survived, so that they could rebuild the order. After all their was more strength in numbers.

With a cat like smile she looked at the men, who were enjoying the warmth of their bath. One of them would make an ideal plaything and an ideal sacrifice to the goddess of lust.

" Yes I would wish to worship without the sheep. Tell me are their any boars below that I can bleed? It is part of the ritual." If the priestess was knowledgable about her order she would know of the blood letting ritual. While she did wish to give homage to the goddess she also wished for Haya to speak to her so that Coraline could do her bidding.

[Kalinda]

„We have no boars, but there are goats and chicken. If those are not sufficient, something can be arranged, and one of my servants will go to the market and bring you what you need though”, Floh’l answered the young woman’s question. “But for now, follow me. You need not face those fools any longer.” With that she meant the half naked fools that were getting drunk at the pool, that thought worshipping Haya was about sharing their bed with as many people as possible, that wouldn’t recognize the goddess if she were standing right next to them.

The High Priestess led the witch away from the pools and the sauna, deeper into the temple, down a set of stairs. The air was a lot cooler down here due to the absence of steam and hot water. It wasn’t cold, but pleasant. Red and white marble still dominated here. It was a lot more quiet than above. There were no men here, only women, most of them vysstichi, priestesses in red and black robes that walked about silently.

Floh’l took Coraline into a hallway where doors could be found to the left and to the right. She opened one and gave her a sign to step into the room behind. That room was dominated by an altar upon which a statue of Haya, depicted as a naked woman of impossible beauty stood. A bench stood in front of it. A small stone table could be found next to the bench. Various tools that were needed for the sacrifice – knives, handkerchiefs and a bowl with water to wash one’s hands after the deed was done - were lying on it. There was also a small pool in the corner should the person who prayed here wish to bathe.

[Coraline]

It seemed that the high pristess did not get her meaning nor was familuare with her sisterhoods rituals. " Yes they are fools I do wish to prey to the goddess." She said as she followed the high pristess to the secret chambers of the temple. Here the true worshipped and could find solace from the lust crazed men.

Upon being guided to the room she looked at the statue and smiled. The goddess was beautiful, powerful and cunning all characteristics that Coraline wished to eminate. Seeing the tools for the bleeding she smiled a cat like smile. The ritual of the calling would need to be done again if her goddess was to speak to her.

" I will need a man to complete the ritual. I shall have to bed him then drug him and then kill him and ware his blood. This will have to be done to complete the calling, and for Haya to speak to me. Can this be arranged?" The witch was tired of being subtle and decided to get to the point of her desires. As far as she knew she was the only survivor of the black asps and wished to hear the words that Haya would speak to her.

From the brightening she was born she felt bound to her and wished to do her bidding.

[Kalinda]

„This can easily be arranged“, the High Priestess said. She stood in the doorway and watched Coraline take a look at the room and familiarize herself with the tools that could be found within. “A man from the pools will be brought to you. You only need to say what kind of man you would like to have.” Floh’l did not seem to be shocked that Coraline was so direct. She did not mind at all. A vysstichi was never subtle when it came to her worship. A vysstichi was proud and violent and strong and did not hide her desires. In front of the goddess they all told the truth.