The Lost Colony

Chapter 29

Silla and Sparr exchanged a glance. As at the temple, the chef was kept too busy for them to spend much time together, especially now that Sparr was also acting as guard, and training Drian and Tuck. He was fond of the woman. Silla wasn't part of the sexualized, preposterous facade that the rest of the Origin adhered to. She was obliged to play no role. Silla cooked, that was all. Their conversations were among the most honest and bare of any Sparr had enjoyed. Only Efreem spoke as plainly, and he bordered on desperately quiet.

"Why do you walk so much?" Silla regarded him through sleepy eyes. Her mornings and evenings were frantically busy, preparing either breakfast or dinner for the pilgrims. Sparr suspected that afternoons in the wagon were among her few chances to rest.

"The beasts are slow," he observed, pointing to the draybeasts that grudgingly strained at their yolks. "I can walk faster than them. Plus, I like the exercise."

Silla smiled indulgently. Sparr found her Asian features exotic and alluring. "Okay," she said. She sat back. "But you might want to save some of your strength. I hear there's something planned for tonight. I'm not sure if it requires an Animal."

***

In fact, Sparr found himself more fatigued than usual that evening. Not only did his guard duties require him to walk flank more often than not, training Tuck and Drian was growing more demanding. The two were becoming more controlled and sure with their weapons. They no longer took wild swings, or left themselves badly exposed after an attack. Plus, Sparr was frequently reminded that the youths were at least ten years younger than he. Though they mostly trained against each other, Sparr would sometimes face off with one of the two at the end of their session.

"I thought I had you," said Drian. He was drawing in heavy lungfuls of breath, still recovering from their match.

"You did," Sparr said. He too, was panting with fatigue. "If you had fully committed on that last attack I think you would have hit me."

"Yeah, sure," Drian replied. "Last time I tried that you thumped me pretty good."

"It's not always clear," Sparr agreed. "But, caution does keep you alive." When he was their age, Sparr was playing basketball at Georgetown, still ignoring his coach's warnings not to drive to the hoop when the opposing team's bigs were lurking. One attempt in four might result in a spectacular dunk or layup. The rest of the time he'd more likely have the ball swatted back into his face.

Back at the camp, Grom served wine while Silla finished preparing dinner. The chef was turning several spits of roasting animals which, on Earth, might have been rabbit. The smell was intoxicating. As he sometimes did, Sparr helped serve the pilgrims, then took a seat at the back.

As the group finished dinner, Liette began her lesson.

"I still remember the first time I saw Shong," she began. "The sight today is no less captivating, I hope you'll all agree." The group murmured their assent as the priestess continued. "Tonight we will discuss the fourth stage in Omm's journey."

Sparr's mind wandered. Shong was indeed impressive. The city dominated the valley, its physical presence far outweighing that of the cluster of small towns along the pilgrim route. On the other hand, the trade being conducted both by pilgrim caravans and merchants was mostly focused away from the dead city. The area was still a center of commerce, but it was as Efreem had said, only pilgrims and scavengers trekked the final kilometers to the city itself.

"... and now a much-deserved distraction that I hope you'll all enjoy!" Liette stood, urging the pilgrims to join her. "A private and beautiful moment. If you'll follow me."

A large tent had been erected at the edge of the camp, just deep enough into the gloom of the night to reveal that it was lit from within by candles. Their flickering light danced against the inside of the tent as Liette and two of the princes guided the pilgrims close. Every meter or so, a gap in the tent fabric allowed those on the outside to peer into the tent without themselves being seen.

Sparr held back. Whatever show the pilgrims had been invited to witness wasn't meant for him. But just as he began to turn away, Liette signaled him. When he moved to follow her, the priestess rounded the far corner of the tent to wait for him. It was the darkest corner, and the most private. The priestess waved him to her side.

"You may watch the show with me," Liette offered. Carefully, she parted the gap in the fabric to peer within. Sparr was tall enough to look through above her.

Four people occupied the tent, two maidens, and two princes. Sparr recognized Velyn at once. The redhead had helped bathe him the first day in the temple. She and Phia had sucked him to hardness that day, a memorable but too brief encounter. The other girl he recognized as one of the new 'talent', who Liette had purchased just before the pilgrimage began. Talia was petite, with a spill of tight brunette locks well down her back. Sparr had more than once admired her perfectly round ass. Both wore pale, almost sheer white robes, and knelt on a pile of furs which occupied the middle of the tent.

In one corner a prince sat, equipped with a small drum, and dressed in the usual attire of the princes, tight-fitting yellow trousers and vest. The candlelight danced across his body, and threw shadows across lean muscles. As the crowd found places from which to observe the voyeuristic scene, he began tapping out a slow rhythm.

The fourth occupant, surely a prince, was barely recognizable. He stood at one end of the tent, wrapped in fine white cloth, much like the maidens. The wrapping reminded Sparr of a mummy, leaving only the youth's mouth exposed. Like a mummy, he was unmoving.

With a giggle, the maidens embraced. Velyn started with a chaste kiss, then a hungrier one, offering her open mouth. As Talia slowly responded, the redhead wrapped her arms around the brunette. "It's okay," Velyn said, her voice so soft as to be audible only to those nearest the couple. "It will be nice, you'll see."

Talia had been with the temple less than two weeks. She had appeared in a few of the simpler dances the maidens put on, but Sparr doubted she had been acclimated to the more s****l aspects of their duties. This would be her debut.

As the two kissed, Velyn tenderly began to loosen Talia's robe. Pale cloth first opened, then fell away. The brunette's skin was warm in the light of the candles. She had a girlish figure with slim breasts, a flat belly and slender legs. As the redhead kissed down her neck, Talia sighed.

"Aren't you curious about my body?" Velyn said. She pulled back just enough for her new friend to see the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"I... yes," Talia said. Almost clumsily, as if somehow unfamiliar with the simple garment, the newcomer undressed her fellow maiden. In contrast, the redhead's body was fuller. Velyn's breasts were heavier, her hips more pronounced, and body softer. Smiling in wonder, Talia ran her hands down Velyn's neck to her breasts. "They're nice," she said.

Velyn giggled. "You can kiss them if you like."

The two had been kneeling on the furs, but now the redhead nudged them both to lay down. She guided Talia's mouth to a breast.

"Oh," Talia said. Briefly, she hesitated, before circling Velyn's n****e with her tongue.

"Yes, like that," Velyn said. She stroked the brunette's hair.

Talia slowly relaxed. She guided first one breast then the other to her mouth, sliding her tongue in a gentle circle. "Yours are bigger than mine," the brunette said, before drawing a n****e between her lips.

"Mmmmm," Velyn groaned. "Your body is beautiful, Talia, and that feels so good. Don't stop." She wriggled against the furs.