Thread: The Sacrifice (eragon8864 & A Gilt Clochard)

The blight had settled across the land once more. Every ten years, it would do so. Cattle would starve, children would die at birth, nothing would grow, and the rivers ran dry. Long ago, an agreement had been made with the Demon who was the cause of all their suffering a virgin sacrifice would be made, and he would withdraw the blight for another ten years. The kingdom's religious elders would gather from great distances in the spring of the blight year to seek out and select their sacrifice ever so carefully. The sacrifice had to be a virginal female, devoid of corruption and vice. While the kingdom was not a cesspool of sin, it could not be said that finding such a maid was easy. Certainly, it was more difficult in the capitol where they gathered, and so they would turn their eyes to the rural villages, seeking word of maidens who met the requirement. This was how they discovered Larei. Larei was seventeen, and had not known the touch of a man-- indeed, she had never even been kissed. She was kindhearted, good natured, and charitable. She was the pride of her village and the jewel of her family. She was working in the field one day, trying to encourage their wheat to grow under the hot sun. She wore a broad hat to protect her fair skin, a plain white dress gracing her long, lithe form. Her long, brown hair fell past her waist, restricted from her neck by a ribbon. She carried buckets of water, mostly muddied due to the low rivers and high quantities of silt, to carefully water small patches of wheat. The cicadas and hush of the wind were loud enough that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching behind her until it was too late. She awoke in a chamber lit by candles, surrounded by hooded men. Larei, awake, one of them said, Do you know why you are here? Larei tried to see who had spoken, but could not tell which hooded figure it had been. No, I do not. Where am I? What's going on? You have been chosen, Larei, for a high purpose. She didn't know what he meant, and she trembled in fear on the floor, How do you mean? You have been selected as the Blight Sacrifice. Larei stared, wide-eyed, as the words filtered through her mind. The Blight Sacrifice? She had heard the stories, as everyone had, but she never knew... never expected... Her heart pounded in her chest as the realization sank in. I am... I am to be killed? F-for the blight to end? You are indeed to be sacrificed. A willing heart is not required, but we pray you will go in peace, for the sake of your soul. Will you submit? Larei's eyes misted as she understood. She would be sacrificed, and the blight would end for another ten years. Her life for the lives of the entire kingdom. Her village. Her family... She nodded, barely whispering, I will. Then come, be purified. She was led to a chamber where she was handed off to seven women. They led her to another room where she was carefully bathed and cleansed, her hair washed and neatly combed, then every unnecessary hair removed from her body. It was painful at times, but she reminded herself, again and again, how this would save her people from illness, starvation, and thirst. She was put in a thin white linen shift, so fine her form could be seen through it. She was led back to the hooded men, and she covered herself demurely with her arms as they led her down a long hall to a cave. There, she was made to lie on an altar, where her hands and feet were bound. She blushed, knowing they could see through the thin gown, but knowing it would not matter soon. Oh, Great Demon of Blight, began one of the men, chanting words that had been spoken every ten years for several centuries, We pray you take this virginal sacrifice, a maiden pure of heart and mind, and give in return our ten years of peace, to allow us our prosperity as you have done time again before. The hooded figures bowed and backed out of the room. Larei closed her eyes and swallowed, praying this would not be too painful...