Ava moved automatically through her morning routine. She always woke with the rising sun to bathe alone. The bathhouse was a well-kept but shared area. Ava had no shame or embarrassment about showing her own naked body, but there was something about watching the other maidens bathe that made her stomach squirm in a way she couldn’t explain.
It was built around a hot spring, so the water was always toasty and bubbling. She stroked a smooth marble pillar as the steam opened her pores. She loved being here alone. It felt like a tiny paradise where she could prepare for the day before her. She mentally made a list of the tasks she needed to complete. It was an average Tuesday, so after bathing she would assist the priestesses with their rituals. Then, she would collect herbs from the temple garden to make bread for her fellow maidens and servants.
She leaned against a warm stone while rubbing soap around her soft torso, basking in the sweet aroma of lavender. She tried to concentrate on cleaning herself, but she kept pondering her curious interaction from the evening before.
Ava was no stranger to helping people in need. The temple had been a refuge for women long before she’d been born. They welcomed the abused, the hungry, those in labor, and any woman from the villages surrounding Arlen.
Men had been forbidden from entering, for a time. Being a seaside town was a blessing and a curse. Since the war started, visiting sailors would dock their ships in Arlen as they gathered supplies. As the years of conflict had dragged on, the soldiers became more aggressive and more lecherous. It had gotten to the point where some had trespassed onto the temple grounds. Despite the women’s pleas, the village leader, Timon, had done nothing to stop the increasingly reprehensible behavior of the visiting warriors.
Ava shook her head, trying to rid herself of such unpleasant thoughts. Instead, she wondered if the mysterious woman would return. There was something alluring about the smoothness and confidence in her voice. Even though she’d been caught in wrong doing, Damalia seemed to carry a sense of self-assurance that was completely fascinating.
Also, Ava had never seen such beautiful hands. Her fingers were long and elegant and her skin was like ivory. She wondered what the rest of her looked like. She ran a soapy palm up her thigh, imagining it was someone else's hand...
Her musings were interrupted by the presence of a young servant girl.
“Ava!” she squeaked. “You’re needed at temple gates. There are women asking for you.” Ava sighed and dried off. She’d have to save that fantasy for another time. She braided her damp, blonde hair as she moved through the marble halls of the temple, her sandals clicking loudly in the silence of morning. As she neared the entrance, she heard a distressed moaning. As expected, someone in the town had gone into labor. Ava recognized her as Mia, a woman who made jams in the village.
Mia was covered in sweat and clutching her heavy belly. With her husband at war, she was accompanied by her concerned looking sister-in-law, Ren. “It’s s-starting,” she panted.
Ava rushed over to greet them. She had gotten to know Mia and Ren throughout the pregnancy. They often offered prayers and small gifts to Eupheme. She found both women to be exceedingly kind and enjoyable to talk to. Ava grabbed one of Mia’s arms to help her through the entrance.
“Everything will be alright,” she assured the scared looking women. “We’ve done this plenty of times, we’ll take care of you.”
As they began moving up the steps, a figure blocked their way. It was Kalliope, the newly appointed head priestess. Her large nose and grey skin gave her a vulture like appearance. Ava found something unsettling about her presence. Her shrewd, humorless eyes caused uneasiness to rattle through her bones.
Kalliope stepped before the three women. “She cannot enter until she has paid her tithe.”
Ava felt her heart clench in surprise. “What?” she breathed.
Mia was unable to speak through her painful groans. Ren looked between Ava and the priestess in obvious distress. “We don’t have the money! Timon hasn’t given her her husband's war wages yet!”
“That is not our problem,” Kalliope stated, matter-of-factly.
Ava gave a deep bow despite the arm that was resting heavily on her shoulder. She felt bile in her throat. “Honorable Priestess, when did this rule become instituted?”
“Now. Eupheme wants her temple well kept. This temple does not run on its own; tithes are a necessary part of life and are required for all who enter.”
Ava had been assisting in deliveries since her childhood when she was just a servant. She was aware of how dangerous it could be if no one was coaching a mother through labor. “I-, I-,” Ava stuttered.
“You- You- what?” Kalliope replied seriously. It was highly uncommon to request anything of the high priestesses, let alone question their judgement. This was the longest conversation she’d ever had with the woman.
Ava tried to think quickly. There was almost no time between Mia’s contractions. If she didn’t do something soon, the baby would be born in the dirt outside the temple. “I will forgo my meals today, as a way to pay for her funds.”
Kalliope gave a harsh laugh. “How much do you think your meager bread costs?”
“Please. I will go without meals until Mia’s debt is repaid. The women were unaware of the new rule.”
The head priestess looked unconvinced.
“I’ll pick up any extra duties that you want.” Ava leaned in closer. “What would Eupheme think if we allowed a child to be born in the dirt? If we had the mother unnecessarily suffer?”
Kalliope eyed her warily. “This is the last time any mothers will be allowed without paying tithes upfront. We’ll discuss your additional duties and food restrictions later.” She turned and left to wake the other women who would assist in the birth.
Ava gave a silent prayer of thanks. Her relief at helping Mia warred against the devastation and inner turmoil she felt. Now she was only supposed to help the wealthy? Wasn’t that against everything she'd been taught growing up? Was this really the goddess’s new will?
She turned to face Ren, who was staring at her with wide eyes. Ren temporarily released Mia’s arm to place a tender kiss on Ava’s forehead. The contact caused a burning in the blonde’s belly that she couldn’t quite explain. It was the same feeling she got when bathing with the other maidens.
“Thank you,” Ren whispered into her ear. “We’ll send the wages as soon as possible.”
Ava could feel her face turn pink. “No need to thank me, this is what the goddess would want.”
The three women hobbled into the labor hall as the other maidens and servants appeared at the new arrival.
It was going to be an interesting day.
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