The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Sanctified

I was undressed, bathed, beat with powdered brushes and clothed in white. My nails were trimmed and my face they did not touch. Lah- ee did her job well and the servants around me nodded their heads in approval as I stood up.

The gown they put me in was thin as rice paper. It's long sleeves billowed out and poured down beside the loose pleats of my skirt. I was utterly naked beneath and felt exposed with how transparent the material looked to be.

"Recite the holy words and accept the blood of sanctification. Once that is done we will escort you to  your fiancé and then back to your bed chambers. Do you understand Princess?"

I nodded and they led me away to the central gardens. We stood at the arched threshold and I looked out upon the congregation of people surrounding the altar. They were high people from high places and all of them bowed to the King who ascended the altar.

I watched my father bring his hand down and the people take their seats. I could see General Yakmens large, haunched shoulders from where he sat in the first row closest to the altar. His gold, flamed head piece signifying his status as high general shimmered beneath the warm light of lanterns that adorned the air above everyone. They were strung along golden twine and small flames burned behind the ivory paper walls.

I felt my mouth go dry as my father extended a hand towards me.

"Let us congratulate the flowering of Princess Serri Bayor of Miran. Today she shall be sanctified by blood. A representation and acknowledgment of her purity."

Everyone turned to look at me and I felt their heavy gazes on my body. A hand at my back pushed me forward and I made my way down the stone path towards the altar. With every step I took, the fabric of my dress shifted and parted around my thighs and legs. I had felt naked standing still but now I felt bare as the cold nights air caressed my exposed skin.

General Yakmens brown, pebble eyes roved over my body and I felt ever burning sweep as they greedily took me in.

How could I bed this man? How could I let his sausage fingers touch me? I had to take a few steadying breathes as I ascended the altar and took my fathers outstretched hand. It was rough and callused and he gripped me hard, inflicting a small dose of pain as my fingers were crushed against eachother.  I dared not to wince and he gave me a tight smile, bringing me to kneel beside him.

I hate you. I hate you so much. I will never forgive you. You took my mothers life as well as my sisters and now you will take mine.

My father spoke over me, reciting the holy words and instructed me to do the same. I said every word with calm, focused precision. I would not stutter or show fear.

He reached beside him and took the gold emerald encrusted goblet from the pedestal.

"Let us sanctify you and pour out the blood which you have let as a symbol of your purity."

In my mind I reach for his sword, pulling it from its wooden sheath so fast he would not have time to react. He would look down at me horrified as I brought the long, slender metal up into his neck, and through his head, feeling and hearing the  sound of tissue and bone parting then splintering as the tip juts out from the crown of his head. It would be a clean kill. Not a drop of blood would fall on my hands and I would stay there, holding the golden hilt and looking into his wide eyes. Death you have dealt, death you shall part. Then I would run. Run as fast as I could to the gates. I knew I wouldn't make it very far before the guards hooked me with a spear or sliced my head clean off my shoulders. I would never make it outside the place walls. I would never taste freedom.

The thought faltered as a warm liquid was poured down my forehead and nose. It streamed down my cheeks and neck to stain my white dress below. The blood seeped through the fabric and I felt my nipples peak from the dampness.

"Pure shall you be till blood leaves thee." Everyone recited in unison.

I found my mouth to be moving but my voice nowhere.