The religion of the wheels was both a polytheistic approach, as well as intensely respectful. There were still private religions. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, - there were still small groups who worshipped privately and would often consult with Kari when needed. As a society, they embraced the best of many theologies. All children were baptized, but in the name of the life-spirit, not of a specific deity. All youths were mitzvahed, welcomed down the path of adulthood. Kari's main hurdle had been to build a society of respect for all people, all beliefs.
Perhaps the most surprising development had been the growth in followers of Inanna. In truth, they weren't following the ancient beliefs of the goddess from Sumeria. Like so many deities, Inanna had morphed and comingled with the central idea of Gaia -- of mother earth. Inanna still represented fertility, but she had come to mean more to those who followed her on the wheel. She had come to mean Earth -- their celestial mother. Lately, she had even heard some of the younger people referring to their planet as Inanna. Kari walked gingerly around it, not wanting to put her own stamp on any of it -- but instead trying to guide the new sect as she did all of the other religions. She kept a gentle eye on them, and was sure to push them more toward the center whenever someone became to fervent or adamant in their beliefs at the risk of compromising others.
Once at the altar, Kari accepted the scroll from Yoskomo and stepped up, unfurling the papyrus and clearing her throat.
"We gather today, to celebrate Earth," she began. "On this day, in her Northern Hemisphere, she tips back toward the sun and the days begin growing longer. Life begins to stir anew. In the ancient days, this was a seasonal event -- but as we float here high above our mother planet, that renewal of life is even more important. As her last humans age and die childless, we are just beginning to thrive, to grow.""As Earth waivers, our remaining brothers and sisters are laboring for us. They are taking the weapons of war, the countless bombs stockpiled over centuries and using them as they once did in the sacred book, the bible. In that story, they beat their swords into plowshares -- they took the tools of war and used them for farming. Now, they are taking the non-nuclear devices bombing the countless abandoned cities and pounding them into rubble. Once those cities have been laid to ruin, they will let nature take its course. The winds and rains will wash them smooth, the birds will carry seeds, the deer and bison will be allowed to return. By the time we are ready to go home, there will be none of our brothers and sisters left. In seven generations we will number over five million and the last of our cousins will have perished. The planet we go to will be wild, and we will go there not to tame it, but to forge a harmonious existence with the oceans and prairies. We will take our energy from the sun and take no more than we can replenish."
"We must wait, but for now we will remember and celebrate. As our ancestors have done since before we could write things down, we will celebrate this day of renewal. Be joyous, be strong. Sing. Sing songs of new life!"
A great cheer erupted and music did play and people did sing. They sang the songs of old earth of new earth, folk songs and anthems, nursery rhymes and even songs created on the wheels themselves. There was food upon food, and even sweets for the children.
Kari was asked to confer blessings on many new unions, newborn children and unborn childen. Children were constantly swarming around her, enchanted by this beautiful, ethereal woman.
The hour grew late, and soon the children were packed off. Kari made sure of the whereabouts of Nuying. She was pleased to see Nuying had forgotten about her prior obsession and was now gathered in group of peers her age in an impromptu drum and dance circle.
The free adults then set off, making their way solemnly to Section 3.
The ritual now was one that Kari had indeed inspired, but had never intended to be an annual event. Her union with Pax had been one of necessity and loneliness and the rituals she had observed had been just as much to ease her own mind as they'd been to honor the ancients.
However, the word had spread (by way of Grace, who was now partnered with a lovely woman in the third array). Kari had been forced to tell the story many times, and the first Spring Equinox, she had been approached by six women who had waited to become pregnant because of their jobs and schedules.
"Can I be Inanna?" one of them had asked. If Kari recalled correctly, it had been Bergid who was now the leading genetic engineer and was making massive strides toward at least immunity against any of the known viruses on earth, and possibly toward that magic bullet -- the true 'healing' virus that would bolster anyone's system to the point of universal immunity.
"What?" Kari had asked.
"Well, you can't do it," they had argued. "You just had a child, you're not eligible to become pregnant for a while. We'd like to have a lottery, one of us to be the surrogate for Inanna, any of the unattached men to be the Shepherd.
And just like that, a surprisingly progressive yet ancient ritual was rolled into the fabric of the Wheel society. Every year, there were more volunteers -- mated couples even petitioning to be considered in the mix. Three of the four lesbians on their array ended up having one of their natural children in this fashion (liquor and ceremony can do a lot).
Of course, there was more than one coupling that happened on Equinox Eve. As had been done in the distant past, once the sacred couple was chosen, the other people gathered would pair off and celebrate the very act of creation in a private -- or public -- way.
Kyriana met Kari by the pool and offered to help her prepare. This aspect had also evolved, voluntary handmaidens would gather to assist the priestess in her duties of purification and readiness. Kyriana and three other women laid Kari out in a secluded grove and massaged with scented oils and perfumes.
"Who do you think will get drawn, this year?" asked Kyriana.
"I don't know," said Kari. Thirty-five volunteers this year, more than ever with guests in from other wheels as well."
"Did you enter?" asked Kyriana, slyly.
"As a matter of fact, I did," murmured Kari. "I checked with the doctor and he said I'm clear for one more, one of my own no less. I doubt I'll get it, but you never know."
The women began to sing first, and then the men. From the waterfall to the glade, they formed a line and sang a song replete with harmonies."
"I am ready, now I'm ready shepherd. Will you not come in.
"Open the door my lady, lady. Open the door so we can begin."
The song continued and Kari stopped halfway to the pool. The handmaidens removed her robe and she continued forward, her glistening naked body shining in the steamy air of the section.
She arrived at the pool and stepped in, walking slowly until the water closed over her head. In the still rumbling of the water, she said a prayer to Enki and thanked him for his gift of watery life. Turning, she began walking again, emerging like the first woman from the waters of ancient oceans.
"Tell the story," cried Kyriana. "Tell the story of the first time."
She smiled, and recited it again -- telling the story of Kari and Pax, two young and fearful people who seemed so far away from today -- but felt just like yesterday, as well.
"Now we ask for names," she said. "Now we see who will stand in the place of Inanna and who will be Dumuzi in her bed."
A basket was passed to her and she reached in to pull out a slip of paper.
"Inanna will be... me?"
She looked at the paper with disbelief, but didn't have time to question it because a great cheer went up from all around.
Next she picked the man's name.
"Dumuzi, will be... Pax Trentor? Really?"
The shouts were deafening and she couldn't even make herself heard to argue as they were borne on shoulders toward the sacred bed, still placed in the sacred grove -- but now beneath a tent.
Once they were delivered to the tent, many more cheers went up as the sides of the tent were lowered and they were left with Pax, Kari, ad Kyriana inside.
"This whole thing was a setu
p, wasn't it?" asked Kari.
Kyriana nodded vigorously and couldn't stop smiling. Pax, however, looked just as dumbstruck as Kari.
"I didn't have anything to do with it," he insisted.
"Of course you didn't, Pax," said Kyriana, his mate of twenty years. "You'd never be devious enough to do such a thing. I, on the other hand, am fully capable of subterfuge. Besides, it wasn't all that sneaky. The fact is, Patricia is one of the most genetically healthy individuals in the system. You two make healthy, wonderful babies. Beyond that, I'm selfish, I want to see one more lovely child who has my husband for a father. As for me, I'm out of chances."
"But Kyriana," objected Kari. "He's your husband."
"Yes, and a hell of a lifemate he is. Truth is, Kari, we both know you and Pax might make love, but you'll never get each other's heart. You are my dear, wonderful, sister. I also want to see our marvelous priestess have one more child."
With that, she kissed each of them and left the tent.
Pax sat down beside Kari on the bed. The two of them remained there in an awkward silence for quite some time.
"How does this go again?" asked Pax. "It's been a while."
"Just... just give me a moment, Pax. "
Kari stood up and went to the corner of the tent, closing her eyes and saying a silent prayer.
"Goddess Inanna, quicken my womb. I invite you in. Fill me with your spirit, bless me with your love. Goddess Inanna, call on Enki, your kindred God and quicken the loins of this lover. Let the waters of life surge ad flourish within him so that he might pour himself into me. Bless me, fill me with your spirit and I will lay with this man in love and joy, welcoming the life we create with your sanction."
She took a deep breath then truly opened up her soul in a manner of an invitation. More than she had ever experienced, she suddenly felt transformed and infused with a peaceful force that took over her body.
She was no longer Kari. She was Inanna.
She crossed to the tent flap and looked out at to the wild beyond. Revelers were gathered in groups, some kissing, some doing more, others simply laughing and celebrating. She looked up and through the glass panels she saw her home -- the great blue orb in the skies where her children were dying. She closed her eyes and could feel the thriving life in the sections beyond, the arrays beyond. She took joy in the hundreds of children who would soon become thousands and eventually millions, ready to return to her planet.
She felt a touch on her shoulder and turned to see the man who seemed like both a man and a complete stranger at the same time.
She hungered for him.
"Come, Dumuzi," she said, seductively. "We have much honey to make."
Their lovemaking was intense, and lustful...and sacred.
After hours of coupling, surprising for both of them at their age, Pax entered her a final time. She was on her back and he was above her, sliding into her with familiarity and surprise at the passionate, groaning woman who he had never known before. In their brief interlude so many years before, she had been a generous and passionate lover. Now, it was as though she was possessed. Her back was arched in ecstasy, her eyes beckoned him hungrily with every thrust.
"That's it. That's the way, lover," she said, urging him to greater heights. "It's time now. It's time for one more. Spill into me again."
Kari/Inanna felt the warm rivulets of life pouring into her. She reveled at the feeling and pulled Pax even closer to her, embracing the body of a man for what she knew would be the final time of her life. As Pax softened and rolled off of her, she was blessed with a vision so real she knew it must be true.
She saw their son, the son she and Pax had just created. He was old -- ancient. He was dressed in a long flowing robe, and beside him was a woman as old as him, also dressed in white. They were holding hands and their faces were peaceful.
The breeze was blowing.
The planet was green and verdant.
Behind them stood the six generations of children, the wheel children who had only known of Earth as a legend -- as a great sphere of wonder in the sky.
Her children would lead them home.
THE END
Danica
Danica knelt at her mother's grave, gently stroking the marker stone with one hand. Tears streamed down her face, but only the occasional sob shook her. Her mother's long illness had prepared Danica for this day long ago, as much as anyone could be prepared for the death of a parent.
She laid the flowers in front of the headstone, whispering, "I love you, Mom. I'll miss you." Staring at the stone, Danica wondered, What would you think of me, if you could see me now?
As if sensing her sister's thoughts, Devan lay a hand on Danica's shoulder and softly said, "She'd be proud of you, Danica. She always was proud of you. You were a good girl with an honest trade, and no mother could ask for more. I think she would be beaming if she could see you now, though. You stood up and did what was right, and you did it on your own."
Danica looked up at her sister, "You think so?"
Devan nodded and smiled, "I know so."
Danica rose to her feet, and Devan hugged her, whispering into her ear, "I'm proud of you too, Danica. It broke my heart to see you hiding in my shadow, like it was your place, and not living up to your potential. I didn't know what to do, so I just tried to encourage you whenever I could."
"You were always so beautiful and powerful. I felt like nothing beside you," Danica responded.
"Now you know better." Nodding toward the others, gathered a respectful distance away while the sisters shared a private moment, Devan added, "There's your proof. To them, I'm just Danica's sister, and that's the way it should be. I'm so glad to see you taking control of your life."
Danica sighed, "Zoraster gave me little choice."
"Don't worry about that right now. You can tell me more later." Hugging Danica again, Devan whispered, "I was always jealous of your boobs, you know. I've seen men walk into walls and about knock themselves out staring at them."
Danica chuckled and hugged her sister tighter. They both laughed when their stomachs rumbled in perfect unison.
"I think we both need something to eat," Devan remarked.
"Come on inside, and I'll make us something," Danica's father suggested.
Danica looked over at her father and said, "There's a reason Mom never let you near the kitchen, Dad. You can't boil water without burning it – I'm cooking. You and Daniel are going to take Brandon somewhere so you men won't be in our way."
Daniel exclaimed, "Thank the gods!"
Scowling at his son, Danica's father warned, "I'll remember that, Son. I think I can find your mother's recipe for boiled hay."
Daniel held up his hands defensively and backed away, drawing a laugh from everyone.
Chuckling, Danica's father admitted, "It will be nice to have some real food in this house for once, though."
Danica looked over at Devan and said, "I know you're almost as helpless as Dad, but you don't get off so easy. You'll be running to the root cellar for us."
Devan groaned in response to that.
Danica asked her father, "Do you have any hands helping out right now?"
"We told them to take a few days off, and that we'd send for them, when Devan came to get us."
"Okay, it's just us then." Turning to her assembled friends, Danica said, "Let's go find out what we have and get started. I'm starving."
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
Ebonar stood in Danica's strangely bare room, staring at the corpse of his Master. "It appears you underestimated those two," he muttered. "I have my instructions – things will continue as you ordered."
"Who are you to take his place?"
Ebonar scowled and turned to face Camilla, who was standing in the doorway to Danica's abandoned room. Staring hard at her, his voice tightly controlled, Ebonar replied, "I am in charge here, Camilla. Allow me to demonstrate."
Ebonar spoke a word of magic and Camilla collapsed to the floor on her knees, s
creaming and holding her head. The pain lasted for only moments, but it was more than long enough for Camilla to understand that this man indeed held secrets known only to Zoraster.
Turning away from the kneeling woman, Ebonar ordered, "Send servants to clean these rooms in one hour. After that, they are to be sealed, and only opened upon my orders. Spread the word that I am calling council for this evening as well, at the usual time. It is time for everyone to know that things will continue as always, under my direction. Close the door behind you."
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Erotica: Volume 1 (Sci-Fi & Fantasy Erotica Series) Page 8