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Tales Of Morveria: The Restless Priestess

A Sabaarii's Search for Happiness and Meaning Awakens the Darkness of Her Past.

By Mantrid Brizon

Part Four: Unveiling

It's been days since the first visit to the hospital, which are now routine. The ladies of the temple have adapted with remarkable speed; each day they eagerly prepare to help the sickly children who've been afflicted by the mysterious plague. Their acolyte, however, has struggled. Nailah's entire life has been sheltered from the darkness of the world, and now the youngling initiates, girls half her age, are more capable of handling it than she is. Nailah seeks comfort when she can. She lay in her bed with her back to her lover as she clings to Brevin's arms. They wrap around her waist, clinging to her voluptuous form and giving her the sense of safety that she craves.

Her secret lover is all that gives her strength now. Not even prayer to The One makes her feel secure, at least not the way it used to. This startled her, but what else is she to do but continue as she has and place her hopes in a future with Brevin? With each passing day she's increasingly eager to leave the temple, to forsake the life of a priestess and become Brevin's bride. She wants to tend his house, share his bed, feel his seed growing within her, give birth to his children and live a quiet and peaceful life, a life away from war, away from disease, and without interruptions by raiders. Perhaps it's a fantasy, but it's all she has to give her strength.

“My love?" She begins, giving his arms a squeeze.

“Yes, my sweetroll?"

“Hehe! I like that name." Nailah giggles, slowly rolling over to face her lover. “How long?"

“I don't know... Perhaps only a few days..."

“What [will] we do, then?" She presses him for answers.

“I believe the best idea is to plea to your vicar for your release, so that we may marry."

“You [will] speak to her?!"

“Yes."

“And [do] you believe that [will] work?"

“Yes, I believe so. You're an adult, Nailah. Females, especially beast folk, cannot be expected to live a life of seclusion and celibacy. The One wants you to go forth and multiply, and I wish to be your husband, to lead you. I believe if I appeal to her in good faith, she'll see reason." He assures her, giving her body a little squeeze before kissing her lovingly on the lips.

Though he speaks with confidence, and does his best to placate her, his expression is one of uncertainty. He cannot mask it. However, Nailah knows that he's sincere and that he wants nothing more than to claim her. Her hopes and dreams of rising in the ranks have long since faded away, replaced with new hopes and dreams; she dreams of marriage and motherhood, now. She doesn't press the issue, content to remain in his arms, cuddling with him in her bed after yet another night of carnal passion. Soon, it will all be coming to an end, but there is hope just beyond the horizon.

After their usual routine of cleaning each other and de-scenting her bedsheets, Brevin pulls on his clothes and gives her one last kiss before creeping down the hall. He takes a few steps toward the corner, where a window waits for him, already opened. Nailah watches him, her head poking through the crack of her partially opened door.

“You! Stop!" A voice suddenly shouts.

Whirling around, Brevin finds himself face to face with one of the Unfettered! Nailah's eyes grow wide as the mercenary draws his sword. Brevin holds up his hands in surrender but the warrior raises his arm, readying to strike! Without an ounce of hesitation or thought, Nailah races out of her bedchamber to stop him. She would die for her mate, and she knows in her heart that he would die for her.

“No! Wait!" She cries out.

Turning toward the sound, the warrior stops in his tracks at the sight of the Sabaarii woman, who runs through the hall without a stitch of clothing. Her large, downright massive breasts bounce as she races toward them. Having lost his manhood before he could taste the fruit of a woman's loins, the Unfettered in hardly amused.

“Please, [do] not hurt him!" Nailah pleads.

She throws herself at the armored warrior and grabs the Unfettered's wrist. The man yanks but struggles to break free from the female's grasp, to her silent surprise.

“Let go! Help! ALARM!!!" The Unfettered roars, before shoving Nailah away.

Nailah stumbles back only to regain her balance with the aid of her long and tapering tail. She's left stunned. Is she truly so strong?! The shouting awakens many of the young ladies, a few of whom rub their eyes as they open their doors and peek into the corridor. Nailah dashes up to Brevin and embraces him.

“Please, I beg you not to hurt him!" She pleads, peering over her shoulder at the steel-clad warrior.

“What is this man doing in here?! Why are you naked?!?!"

Nailah eyes grow wide upon realizing the gravity of the situation. She was so startled by Brevin being spotted that she'd forgotten to dress herself!

“You'd both better come with me..." The Unfettered growls, sheathing his sword as three more warriors appear, following the loud cries.

Left with no other alternative, Nailah and Brevin surrender. She's dragged by the upper arm, still naked, while the first Unfettered warrior grips Brevin's tunic near the neck. Nailah's face flushes as she can see the young ladies' reactions. They gasp at her nudity, which they've been trained to treat with human levels of anxiety. They whisper amongst each other and question their elder's situation, still oblivious to the realities of sex, despite many having already enduring their first bleed. It pains Nailah that they've seen death before they've seen love, but such is the way of this world.

Tavisha and the other human acolytes emerge, staring in shock and horror as the warriors lead them into Tavisha's office. None have seen Nailah's womanly flesh before. She was always the definition of loyalty and faith, at least as far as beast folk are concerned. More Unfettered emerge and quickly begin a search for more intruders. They start with Nailah's bedchamber, to her embarrassment. Within moments, Brevin finds himself in a chair across from Tavisha's desk, two swords and a rifle aimed at him. He gulps, waiting for the vicar to speak even one word, but all she does is glare, her eyes afire.

Nailah, still naked, sits on a stool a distance away. Clava, one of the acolyte-teachers, had given her a blanket to cover herself but Tavisha snatched it away in anger. She stares at the terrified man, deathly silent. From time to time, her eyes turn toward Nailah. Whenever the Sabaarii begins to speak, she's silenced by her vicar with a simple gesture, a dismissive raising of her hand. Tavisha makes it clear that she wants to wait for word from the Captain of the Unfettered. He returns in short order.

“The temple is secured, ma'am. He's the only intruder. However, we did find these..." He replies, presenting her with the tea pot and satchel that carries Nailah's dried caps of neberum. “They were in her nightstand, hidden behind her winter blanket."

“By Adonai..." Tavisha sighs and hangs her head in shame.

“The pot has residue. It's been used... Quite a few times." He adds.

“How long has this been going on?!" Tavisha snaps, lifting her head and staring daggers at Brevin and Nailah.

Neither lover dares answer her. One of the Unfettered grabs Brevin by the shoulder, yanking him back and toward a sword, which points at his spine.

“Speak!" He snarls, lifting his sword and placing an edge against his throat.

“Several months, ma'am!" Brevin's shaky voice exclaims.

“Truly?!"

“Yes, Tavisha." Nailah begins.

“Why?! Why, Nailah?!?!" Tavisha turns to her friend and acolyte.

“You know." The Sabaarii coldly retorts, her eyes narrowed with anger.

“Did you do this to spite me? Is this some sort of punishment? ... Did Brevin force himself on you?!"

“No. Brevin never force[d] me. I did it because I [am a] woman."

“... What?!"

“You [did] not promote me to vicar! You keep me celibate for many years after my cycles begin! I try to do good! I try to be proper, but you deny me! I try talking to you about my urges, but you ignore[d] me! I needed you, but you push[ed] me away and mate with your husband on your desk!" Nailah snarls, pointing a clawed finger at her vicar.

The Unfettered glance between each other while the group of acolyte-teachers, there to sit in judgement of Nailah and her lover, whisper behind Tavisha's back. Tavisha's expression changes, her eyes widening, lips sinking and cheeks reddening. Even the humans can hear her nervous gulp.

“You... You saw that?"

“Yes... I could not control my urges, and with no help or comfort from you, I surrendered to Brevin. I gave him my body, freely and happily!"

“M-may I speak?!" Brevin asks, his fearful eyes staring at the blade that hovers over his throat.

Tavisha nods her head, and with a motion of her hand the Unfettered warrior pulls the blade away.

“This is not how I wanted this to happen, but I was intending to speak with you." He begins.

“Oh, really?" Tavisha scoffs as she narrows her eyes, scanning Brevin with suspicion.

“Yes!"

“After months of keeping a secret affair?! She surrendered her purity and lied to me, lied to the temple, lied to Adonai! Now you expect me to believe you?! Had you not been caught, would we have ever spoken?!?!" Tavisha roars.

“Yes!!! ... I care for Nailah... I love her! If you won't promote her to vicar, then release her from the temple and I will take her. She can come home and live with me, and I will marry her."

“Hah! Speak the truth!" She angrily retorts.

“I am! ... I give you my word, release her and I will marry her! I will speak the vows in this very temple!" He insists.

“Stop lying!"

“I'IM NOT LYING!!!" He roars, startling everyone. “... Why won't you release her?! It's happened before!"

Nailah's long ears perk up. What is he talking about? Is he speaking of Yralissa and the other ladies who'd been 'transferred' throughout Nailah's tenure? The transfers stopped when Gianna died and Tavisha took control of the temple. Had all those other ladies been married?! Was Tavisha sabotaging their chances at marriage and family on purpose?! Nailah's mind reels; she slumps forward and shakes her head, trying to come to terms with her vicar's own devious nature.

“Tell me the truth! You have a fetish for the women of the beast folk, don't you?! Or is it that you just wanted to feel the tight hole of a temple maiden, regardless of who?! You wanted to break a virgin's sweet loins, didn't you?!?!"

“Alright..."

Brevin sighs and Nailah's eyes widen. She looks to him and her mouth drops open as he suddenly closes his eyes, sighs and hangs his head.

“I will admit that when I first came here to work, I was warned to avoid the beast women. I should've listened but I didn't, for I was also pure and very curious about females... I struggled to get to know women in the village, and I thought it would be easier to meet a young lady here, a lady without any experience, a virgin like myself. I found many here to be attractive, and despite wanting only to grow my confidence, I knew that I couldn't ignore my natural desires. A sinful thought entered my mind. I wondered if bedding a temple maiden, a woman kept celibate for so long, would be as easy as it would be pleasurable, and then I met Nailah..." He speaks softly, turning his head to gaze upon his lover.

“So, you admit to lying to me!" Tavisha flashes a twisted grin.

“NO! ... I merely ignored what initiated this turn of events... You see, I saw her attraction, one which I shared. I allowed her to speak to me and came to know her. I saw how badly she wanted me, and so I allowed her bestial nature to overwhelm her, forcing her to give in to her carnal desires. I ignored my boss' warnings and my own conscience. I recognized the wrongness of using her, and yet I took her purity, giving her mine in return. I didn't do it only for pleasure... In the short time that we've had together, before we shared a bed, and all of the time afterward, I came to know her.

Nailah is a wonderful woman with a good soul. She's a kind, caring and compassionate woman with many talents. Even for a woman of the beast races, she's exceptional. I believe you know this. I care for her. It pains me to be away from her. I think about her when I try to sleep. I look forward to my work because I know she'll be here. Whenever I would leave her bedchamber after a passionate night, I would feel filthy. I felt this way not because I had used her body for pleasure but because I was not taking her home with me, to live beside me. I felt like I was abandoning her, every time I left without her. That's not at all what I'd intended... I love her, and I wish to care for her in the way Adonai commands."

“Aww!" Nailah coos, her smile returning and eyes watering with happy tears.

“Our nightly visits began for the wrong reasons, and I admit that, but they continued because she has wrapped herself around my heart. I took great risks just to see her. Had all I desired was sex, there is brothel I could visit, and a much shorter walk than the temple. I ask you to release her. I will draft her ownership papers and give her the collar and tag, as required by law, but she will not be a slave. I will marry her and take her home where she will be my wife. I will love her and honor her, and give her the best life I can afford... Please... I need her!"

“Oh, Brevin!" Nailah coos, joyous tears streaming down her face.

Tavisha stares at Brevin, whose eyes are soft and sincere. She, like everyone else, can see that he means every word that he's spoken. With hands clasped together, she covers her mouth with her fists, her thumbs supporting her chin. Nailah turns to her vicar and examines her. Why does she stare at Brevin so intently? Is she considering his proposal? Is she about to release her?! Tavisha lets out a long and heavy breath, exhaling deeply through her nose.

“... No! Nailah belongs to The Order. She belongs with us."

Nailah's heart sinks, her mouth dropping open in shock and horror.

“Belongs?" He raises an eyebrow.

“Yes. Belongs..."

“You speak as though she were a slave." Brevin points out.

“Don't you dare try to manipulate my words!" Tavisha roars, leaping out of her chair and slamming her palms onto her desk. “She is a member of the clergy, and I will not discount her progress because of this incident! She will once again accept celibacy and work to become vicar! Only then will she have the choice to claim a husband... Until then, you are henceforth forbidden from entering the temple grounds for any reason!" Tavisha chirps, a rather prideful smile on her face.

“Tavisha!" Nailah exclaims.

“No, Nailah!"

“But, Tavisha-!"

“I said 'no!' ... This is for your own good." Tavisha insists.

“How can you claim to know what's in her best interest. You won't even listen to her!" Brevin interjects.

“Show him to the gates, and if he should resist or dares to return... Kill him."

“Yes, ma'am." The Unfettered warriors nod.

Like the ruthless mercenaries they are, they drag Brevin away and shove him beyond the gates. Nailah, still stripped of any clothes, is commanded to return to her bed chamber. She walks the halls with an arm covering her breasts and a hand cupping her groin. The ladies, many of them quite young, are shocked and horrified by the sight of their beloved acolyte's humiliation and are thoroughly confused by this turn of events. Even the other acolytes, who were originally in the room to condemn Brevin's behavior and Nailah's weakness, find themselves torn between pitying the lovers and being thoroughly disgusted by Tavisha's rather sadistic reprimand.

Once in her bed chamber, Nailah drops to her knees and begins to cry. She weeps into her palms, her anger, pain and sorrow mixing into a whirlwind of emotion. The Sabaarii has never felt anything like this before. It's an agony she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy, even Tavisha. It's only made worse by her humiliation; she listens to the voices of the ladies in the hallway as they question other elders about what's just occurred, and their own youthful condemnations of Nailah's behavior.

“Please, Adonai... This world [is] very dark. I [am] not strong. I beg you... Help me." She whispers, her palms overflowing with her tears.

She prays and whimpers and cries for many hours, curled into a ball, resting on her forearms and knees. She cannot bring herself to touch her bed, nor can she find the strength to rise up and dress herself. Eventually, her weariness is as powerful as her shame and humiliation. She begins to sway. With her strength depleted, she lay on her side and rests atop the cold floor without any padding or even a blanket to cover her. Despite her exhaustion, falling asleep is still a struggle; her mind refuses to rest. It isn't until the sun rises, peeking over the horizon and warming her naked body, that she's finally taken by exhaustion.

The nightmares return, the sounds of battle echoing throughout her mind. Screaming warriors, crying children, the roaring of fires; these sounds haunt her. The soldier who carries her suddenly lets go, grunting as metal clanks. She falls to the ground and lands with a hard thud, jolting awake at that very moment. Opening her eyes, her chest heaves as she pants for air. She pushes herself up and feels the soreness in her entire body. The floor does not make a very good bed. Glancing at the window, she finds that the sun has set. How long has she been asleep? Why has no one awoken her? Who carried out her duties?

Sniffing the air, she smells a strange odor. At first, she wonders if it's her, lifting an arm and using a clawed hand to cradle one of her breasts before sniffing herself. Twisting her upper body, she looks toward the door only to find the source of the smell. A large bowl of what was once stew sits just out of arm's reach. She crawls toward it and peers inside of the bowl. The ingredients are already congealing. Her pointy ears twitch and she scurries away from the door, which slowly creaks open. A human's hand enters, pushing very gently, very cautiously. With an arm reaching across her chest and covering her breasts, Nailah watches and waits.

A woman pokes her head inside and scans the room, only to quickly shift her attention to the Sabaarii of the water-kin. It's Clava, the acolyte-teacher who abruptly interrupted her and Brevin, appeared suspicious of them, but said nothing. She was present in Tavisha's office and so tenderly offered her a blanket to cover her nudity. She watched as their vicar refused Brevin's request, banished him and further humiliated Nailah. Entering the room, Clava slowly closes the door behind her. In one hand she holds a platter, carefully balancing the contents which includes a plate, a small rice bowl, a wooden goblet and a pitcher of water.

“You're awake." The acolyte-teacher begins.

“Yes..."

“Did you sleep well?"

Nailah shakes her head, her eyes fixated on the cold, drab floor.

“That was a silly question... I'm sorry... About what happened yesterday. None of us knew why she'd brought us there."

“It [is] alright." Nailah murmurs.

“No, it isn't..." Clava sets the platter before the Sabaarii and kneels beside her. “What she did was beyond cruel. I knew she could be a stern woman, but I never thought-"

“Why, Clava?" Nailah interrupts her, lifting her head and revealing her tear-filled eyes. “Why [does] Tavisha not want me to have [a] husband? Why [am] I not allowed [the] happiness of [a] family?"

“... She's afraid." Clava reluctantly answers.

“Why [is] she afraid?"

“Nailah..." Clava hesitates.

“Please, tell me!"

“I don't wish to offend you..." The human tries to avoid the topic, turning away from the Sabaarii.

“I must know! Please, you [do] not need to fear me! I [am] your friend! I [will] not be offended!" Nailah pleads, reaching out and grabbing Clava's wrist with a clawed hand.

Clava looks at her fingers, each capped with a sharp claw. There's a stillness in the air, a tension growing between the two. Nailah can see the unease, the discomfort, the fear. She loosens her grip before pulling her hand away, tucking it beneath her bosom and grabbing her own body.

“Sorry..." Nailah whimpers, her lips contorted in sorrow, her eyes narrowed as the tears stream down her cheeks, leaving glistening streams on her face. “I [am] very confused. I only want to understand... What [is] wrong with me?"

Unable to hold back any longer, the beast woman covers her face with her palms and begins to weep. Clava watches her for a moment, her spirit wounded by the pitiful sight. Her heart aches. She's torn by what is right and what's commanded of her. Nailah had always been good. She was always dependable and righteous; she'd never caused trouble before. She was like no other. To see her in such pain distresses the human, who can feel the confusion and stinging in her chest as if Nailah's agony was her own.

Unable to follow her orders, Clava brings herself down to match Nailah, leans in and drapes her arms over the Sabaarii. She rests a hand on Nailah's back while the other begins petting the back of her head, the way a mother would comfort a small child. The Sabaarii clings to the human and cries, her tears soaking into the breast of Clava's dress. The young acolyte-teacher, not much older than Nailah herself, shushes her so sweetly and rests her cheek atop her head.

“Shh... It's alright."

“No, it [is] not." Nailah sobs.

“Everything will be alright. Please, Nailah..."

“I only want to understand... Please, Clava..." She continues to weep.

“There are differences, Nailah... Things about the beast folk that make some uneasy..." Clava suddenly begins.

Nailah lifts her head and looks up at the human, who dabs beneath her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Your kind are more dangerous than us; humans have always been physically disadvantaged. The Peryava and Uvanii poses the gift of flight, the Korutan can knock down walls with their bare hands, the Vostii have dexterity to match their teeth and claws, and the Sabaarii are the most guileful of the beast races. Sabaarii, especially the amphibious water-kin, are the most threatening of them all. As if that wasn't enough, all the beast races possess abilities and instincts that humans do not. Only our minds surpass the beast folk, Nailah, and that isn't much..."

“But I never threaten[ed] anyone! I never harm! I [do] good! We worship [the] same god!" Nailah retorts.

“Yes, but you're a beast woman... Humans don't have the instincts of the beast races. We have urges, but we don't have them to the same degree... Our sense of modesty, our self-control... When your kind reach a certain point in their lives, they can become... Difficult." Clava continues, her expression now that of shame. “I think she only wanted to protect you, to save you from yourself."

“Save me from myself? By denying me happiness?! ... What of [the] others? What of Yralissa? I now know that others [have] left [the] temple and took husbands. Why [am] I forbidden?!"

“Because your kind are greater, Nailah. Sabaarii are the most cunning, the most dangerous. You have always been exceptional... I believe Tavisha was afraid that if you surrendered to your urges, that you'd prove to be difficult to control. You might become dangerous and hurt us... I believe that she wanted to prove that, with enough constraint, you could become something more."

“More? ... More than what?!"

“More than a beast woman..."

A pain envelopes Nailah's heart, a pain so great that it envelopes every facet of her being. It burns her skin, freezes her heart, and claws at her very soul. It's the pain of loathing, the pain of self-hatred. Why would Adonai create such a conflicting creature as her? Why would The One allow a brutish primitive such as herself to live amongst the regal and elegant humans? Why must she be so physically imposing and yet so impulsive, so bestial, and so inferior? For what possible purpose would a loving deity create such stark inequality?!

Overwhelmed both emotionally and physically, Nailah collapses in Clava's arms and sobs. Clava cradles her, softly rubbing her back and gently rocking her.

“I realize that Adonai gives us all gifts. Some beast folk have flight, some have strength, some see in the dark and some thrive beneath the waves... Humans have intellect; we create civilizations. That doesn't mean that you're any less valuable in the eyes of 'The One.'" Clava speaks with such softness, such love. “Adonai created your life, as sacred as mine or Brevin's or Tavisha's. All life is sacred, Nailah. Brevin loves you, and I believe that you have a right to be happy. I believe 'The One' desires that. If Adonai didn't intend for you to have Brevin, then I don't think the beast folk would be capable of having children with humans."

“What [are] you saying?" Nailah looks up at her.

“Humans and beast folk can have children. Those children are often greater than both parents. If 'The One' did not intend for your kind and mine to share lives, that wouldn't be the case... Tavisha is wrong."

Pulling a hand away, Clava reaches into a small pocket of her dress. Nailah's ears twitch at the sound of crinkling parchment. The Sabaarii watches the human's hand and wipes her tears away, sniffling as she tries to compose herself. Clava retrieves a note.

“After what she did, no one wanted to further humiliate you... We left you alone... I came earlier and left the bowl of stew; in case you awoke, I thought you should have food." Clava begins.

“Thank you, Clava. You [are a] good woman."

“As I returned to my duties, I saw Brevin outside, He was a distance from the gates."

“Brevin?!"

“The Unfettered kept him at bay. He began-"

“Did [the] Unfettered hurt him?!" Nailah interrupts.

“No. He began to leave but then he saw me through the window. He recognized me. I pointed to a corner where he could hide. I waited for them to move away and I called out to him from the corner. He was waiting." Clava continues.

“What [did] he say?!" Nailah's eyes light up.

“I apologized for what happened, told him that I believed he was sincere and then asked if I could help. He gave me this note... Asked me not to look at it." Clava finishes, glancing at the folded parchment before presenting it to Nailah.

“Oh... But I [do] not understand letters." Nailah whimpers. “Please?"

The women look into each other's eyes. Nailah's gaze pleads for help. It tugs at Clava's heartstrings and so she slowly opens the note. To their surprise, the note contains no writing at all. A series of five sketches depict his message. Simple slashes number their order. The first drawing depicts two full moons, the largest near the center of the sky. The next full moons are in two days. The second image shows a simple depiction of Nailah walking away from her bedchamber, the third displays the window where Brevin often slipped out of the temple, the forth is the hidden corner of the outer wall, and the fifth is Nailah, on the other side of the wall, leaving an effigy of the temple with a human who looks like Brevin.

Nailah and Clava look to each other, their gaze uneasy. Despite all that she's said, will Clava keep the secret? Perhaps she'll turn her in and protect herself? Perhaps she'll help the Sabaarii and aid in Nailah's escape?! Clava clears her throat and sets the parchment into Nailah's hand, then abruptly rises to her feet and makes her way for the door.

“You [will] not tell?!" Nailah asks, worry in her voice.

Clava pauses, her hands clinging to the edge of the now partially opened door.

“Eat and rest... You need your strength." Clava murmurs, her eyes gazing into the hall.

She disappears into the darkness and leaves Nailah to worry. Perhaps she should escape right now, in case she tells Tavisha? If she did that, how would she find Brevin? Would his scent still be there for her to follow? Would the town guards find her and bring her back? Her only clothes are those of an acolyte of The Order, and she certainly won't wander the darkened streets naked. Her grumbling stomach distracts her and so Nailah feasts on the meal that Clava had brought for her. The portions are considerable. Would Clava go to such lengths to care for Nailah only to make her life even more miserable? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Only time will tell...