CW- Sexual harassment
The women gathered again in their great dining hall. Almost every evening they were given the same information: no one had found Zoe and there were no leads on the murderer. Tonight was different. There was an electricity in the air and a look of nervousness that was painted on the leaders sitting before them.
“We have some news,” the town leader, Timone, sighed before the women of the temple. “A soldier was killed by the baths today.”
It felt as if the air had been sucked from the room. Ava gasped. She had been to the baths earlier that day! What if the murderer had been watching? She could have easily been killed!
She shuddered and thought of the soldier that had harassed her. Maybe he was the one that had met such a horrible, grisly fate.
“This just confirms that the work we’re doing is necessary,” Timone continued. “The murderer must be targeting the temple directly now.”
“Did anyone catch sight of him? The murderer?” a servant piped up.
“Yes. Another man was nearby and witnessed the display.”
This led to another round of gasps and whispering, which Timone quickly silenced with a wave of his hands.
“Unfortunately, he’s hardly been able to speak about it. We believe he’s in shock. He….well,” Timone cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to alarm any of you, but he said it was a monster.”
A monster?
“He didn’t get a good look since the creature retreated to the hills soon after. It must be living up in the mountains. I will need to gather an elite group of soldiers to go and extract it. The path to the mountains is treacherous and not well known. It will take some time before we are prepared and we will need to find an expert guide in the town. We are hoping that it will stay away for the time being since it knows it has been spotted.”
“A m-moster?” one of the younger servants whispered. “What have we done to upset the gods so horribly?”
Kalliope shot to her feet and spoke for the first time. “We must increase the amount of tithes the villagers are giving us! It is necessary that the temple remains immaculate. It is the only way Eupheme can protect us from such a beast.”
Timone nodded. “I agree. I will demand tithes from all people living in the town. Since what we are facing is inhumane, we will need all of the help we can get. We also must add additional soldiers here to protect you.”
Ava could feel the knot in her stomach tighten. First a monster, and now more soldiers? No, that was unacceptable. The men patrolling the temple were worse than any unknown creature.
Ava made her decision. She needed to speak with Timone tonight.
Nothing noteworthy was brought up during the duration of the meeting. When the gathering came to an end, Kalliope dismissed all women to return to their individual duties. Ava lingered behind awkwardly, waiting for Timone to be free. Ava walked behind him before she could lose her nerve.
“Ah, hello,” she started.
He turned, and his handsome features lit up when he saw her. “Hello to you too. What’s your name?”
“I am Ava, one of the maidens of the temple. I was hoping I could speak with you.”
His broad smile widened. “Of course, Ava,” his dark eyes darted around the room. “Not here though, I think it would be best to have some privacy.”
“Oh, are you sure? I don’t mind-”
“Yes, I think it would be for the best. I want you to feel comfortable, and I know that none of you can relax around Kalliope,” he winked conspiratorially.
Ava gave a small laugh. “Yes, that is fairly true.”
“Here, come follow me.”
Ava was surprised when he took her by the hand and led her down an unfamiliar pathway. Timone’s office and living area was makeshift. Only the priestesses were granted private quarters, but he had been given special permission to stay at the temple.
He gestured at her to sit before moving towards the back of his room.
“Can I offer you something to drink?”
Ava’s mouth felt dry with nerves. “Yes, actually. Water would be great.”
“Of course.” He pulled out a large clay jug and poured some liquid into a mug. She gratefully brought it to her lips, but pulled the cup away when she noticed it reeked of alcohol.
“What is this?” she coughed.
“I thought I’d give you something special. You look like you need to relax. So what’s troubling you?”
She set the cup of foul liquid aside. She needed to have a clear head for this conversation. “It has to do with your soldiers…”
“What about them?”
“Some of them,” she paused, “not all, but some have acted inappropriately.”
He gave her a look of concern. “I’m sorry to hear that. Could you elaborate?”
“Many maiden’s have complained of your men touching them while passing in the halls. Some, like myself, have had men approach them at the bathhouse. It is making us all very uncomfortable.”
“Well that is completely unacceptable,” he replied seriously.
Ava breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you agree.”
“But I can’t blame them.”
Ava could feel her bones freeze. She must have misheard him. “W-What?”
“I mean, look at you. You’re practically an angel sitting here and you’re fully clothed. I’m sure your naked body would make Aphrodite jealous.”
“Ah,” she started uncomfortably. “I’m not sure about that…”
“Oh, I’m almost certain. Of course, I would need to see it for myself first.”
Ava squirmed awkwardly in her chair, suddenly wishing they were in a public space.
“Sir, I do not think it makes a difference. You said yourself that those kinds of actions were not acceptable.”
He slowly walked behind her, massaging a calloused hand into her shoulder.
“Yes, but if I am to chastise one of my men properly, then I should know the mindset he was in. You do want me to chastise him, don’t you? I’m sure the other maiden’s would appreciate him being made an example of.”
She stood and turned to face him. She stepped back, but he followed her, the space between them shrinking.
“I-, I-” she stuttered.
That’s when he pushed the gossamer fabric off her shoulder, exposing a slender collar bone and her left breast.
For a moment she was frozen, as she had been the day those men had grabbed her at the market. She was snapped from her paralysis when he ran his forefinger over her nipple.
Her hand sprung into action as she roughly slapped him in the face, giving it all of her strength. Her voice was louder and deeper than it had ever been before. Words tumbled from her mouth without her consent, as though something else was controlling her.
“The Goddess Eupheme commands you to stop! Continue and you shall face divine punishment!”
Genuine fear flickered in Timone’s eyes as he quickly removed his hands from her. Then his expression darkened.
“In the name of Eupheme? I didn’t realize you held the power of your goddess, little maiden. What a bold young woman you are to invoke her as a priestess would.”
He was right, only priestesses were able to speak for Eupheme. It was unheard of for a maiden to call upon her power. Before Ava could answer, Timone pointed to the door, shooing her away.
“You are dismissed for now Ava, but I’m sure we’ll talk soon. I must meet with the priestesses. I’m sure they’ll be interested to learn of the power you hold. Maybe you’ll even be promoted. Regardless, be prepared for another special meeting in the morning.”
Ava pulled her dress tightly over her shoulders before leaving Timone behind her. She had a horrible feeling that everything was about to get much worse.
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