The Slaved Virgin Offering

ice leads to an u

ed in sexual situa

*

softened with hay-stuffed woolen pillows, and the late summer heat was mitigated by a soft breeze that swept up from the sea,

m this height Caliope could see a thin line of pale bluish green shining out in the

ded with a weepy hug from a similarly swollen and red-eyed girl. Sh

ays ago, and they'd done nothing el

ly did. A small guard accompanied them on foot, led by a stiff necked captain who rode ahead on h

perhaps not a dilemma, so much as a terrible and hopeless situation. She'd volunteered to be part of the tribute, to save her family the loss of her more promising sister, who, even at 19

hree daughters from different towns. The councils of each city had decided that this was the fairest way to choose the women. It would have been too much to bare to make the p

s. Two or three sat more or less stoically, already resigned, as she was, to the

ach began to cramp into a small knot and she gave in a little to her fear, praying along silently with the pleading whispers next to her. The young woman ne

disagree, she felt it was truly the worst fate. If she expected death and got something else, wel

cks of a nearby hill. He paused to watch them, squirming lamb under one arm. She lifted a hand, and he smiled, lif

fer no great loss. She thought of her sister's tear streaked face as she left with the soldiers and touche

in her chest and wrapped her arms a

ty looking guards onto the second cart. She was beautiful, despite her reddened eyes, and she waved tearfully. Only her father waved back, her mother and sisters having already collapsed in grief and mourning into the dust. Calliope watched the man as the cart rolled

ned up into a rolling pasture land dotted with grey rock and framed beyond by the sea which crashed slowly and rhythmically against the l

e them and where the grey stone met emeral

g them forward like skittish ewes. The cavern loomed overhead, as high at least as five tall men. She had heard that the creature was a giant.

was surprisingly dry, and smelled only of the

average looking, at least, that is, there was nothing strange or monstrous about him, even if he was a bit rough and worn around the edges. His squared jaw was shadowed with the hin

close to the back. She leaned closer

mouth near her ear. "

A

t one or two. As his eyes moved she caught them and held them a moment. They were a piercing blue grey.

" he aske

tain br

with a tight voice, emphasizing the

the women to fol

r a sad and apologetic look. She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile and followed the man who was already disappearing before her. No one else moved until

ers and marched on into t

The room was empty, causing an involuntary sigh of relief. The room wasn't large, but it was lined with pillowed benches, and there was a table with some food and water at the far end. It was at least more c

the door behind him. They all just looked at each other

ied the door. It was l

l with wide terrified brown eyes. She looked lik

o eat us!" sq

n if that were the case." No one answered. "Besides, I'm sure we're all too skinny too make a g

ter." Another one whispered,

re going to die!" This caused another round of tears and sobbing, which

afraid?" Asked t

y nodded and curled up her knees t

ouched t

nity the serv

ster is

some in open horror. He

til they'd all filed out until rising and bringing up the rear. She thought of turning around and making a dash for it, but then thought of all those poor girls facing