Forsaken 337 BC

by Sharon Leslie

  Lesley carried out Cain's task and freed the chained priestess from the altar, then stood watch over her while standing guard at the altar. Toni looted four of the Satyrs, gathering more small potions but no skill book. The priestess looked beautiful, thought Toni as she stepped up to the altar and looted the last Satyr. Lesley kept looking at the priestess, thinking she had nice perky breasts and wide hips. Bethany thought the priestess had curvy lips and would like to taste them.

  < Guys, I'm getting sick of the coding of my character. I can't stop myself from looking at other women and thinking how good it would be to make love to them and bring them into the Harem. Is it just me or do any of you feel the same? B >

 
 

  Cybele's Priestess' Home

  As they checked on the door where the human disappeared, Cain took an axe to the wood and soon chopped his way inside. With the door hacked apart they entered what was a single room around ten paces square. On the floor was a pentagon with a pentagram drawn inside it on the rock floor, in what looked like blood.

  "I bet this is a local transport circle," said Toni. "I think if you know the destination, anyone can make the journey with the correct power. I have used similar in the retro game Path of Exile."

  {You can stop people from using this transport pentagram, by chopping two or three of the sides apart so the sides no longer make contact, breaking the portal spell. Don't get the blood on your clothes as it stinks,} Enoch told Cain.

  Cain messaged his group telling them what Enoch had said. Using the axe he still held after gaining access to the room, Cain was about to cut into side of the pentagram. Daphne spoke,

  "I would like to try my Geomancer skill if that's OK Joseph. I should be able to erase all of the spell form." As the others moved back and Cain put his axe away she went to one knee. Daphne placed her left hand on the floor and imagined the floor moving and swirling across the room. She was concentrating so hard and did not hear the yelps of surprise as the floor began to move. Her stone movement spell erased the pentagon and pentagram travel device, there was no sign of either set of lines ever being there.

  "Wow, that is impressive Daphne, what else can you do with your Geomancer skill?" said Toni.

  "Do you think you can fill this room with solid stone? In case what you did in removing the pentagram, does not break the local travel portal. We only think someone attached it to the drawing on the floor. Can you imagine the shock on their faces when they teleport back, and they end up entombed in solid stone. It will kind of ruin their day," said Cain and everyone laughed.

  Daphne stood and exited the room then placed her hands at either side of the doorway. She called to the stone, asking rather than commanding it, to fill the void of the room. Cain and Toni watched over Daphne's shoulders as the room filled with stone up to the wooden frame then stopped. Daphne opened her eyes and thanked the earth for doing as she asked. The floor of the cavern rumbled under their feet bringing a smile to Daphne.

  With the room now erased they returned to the altar and Lesley who they left guarding the still partially clothed priestess. As they neared the altar they heard a new voice, the priestess was chatting to Lesley, who stood rather close leaning against the altar; getting of all things her hair brushed by the priestess.

  "What's this, making out with a new lover?" an annoyed Toni asked. "Don't you think Joseph has enough with five of us, or do you want to create a Harem of your own?"

  Shocked by Toni's tone of voice, Lesley moved away from the priestess, apologised to Cain. She said,

  "Well, the priestess offered and it felt so good, relaxing even, having someone comb my hair while you were all busy and left me alone. The simple brushing took me back to when I was a child and my grandmother used to brush my hair." Lesley looked at the priestess, telling her this was Joseph, and she was one of his women, in his harem. The priestess bowed deeply to Cain, keeping the pose for three seconds.

  [The length of a bow that long, acknowledges the person they bow to as their master,] Rahab told Toni. Toni was about to say something, but the priestess asked which of these women was the first wife, Lesley pointed to Toni. The priestess bowed exactly the same to Toni, as she did Cain. When she stopped bowing, she spoke.

  "My goddess has told me while I was waiting for death on the heathen altar, someone would rescue me. I lost my faith thinking I would die a horrible death; therefore, I did not believe her. She told me a man and a woman who love so deeply, their love encompasses four more women.

  "When they free you, she said. I had a choice. Either, return to the temple and begin my training again or accept you as my Lord and Mistress, become your lowest wife. I accepted the fate of whoever freed me, being the lowest wife. Not because I forsake my goddess, rather I want to see the stars and my goddess said you would leave, then return to take me amongst them.

  It struck Cain speechless, Toni looked at him, she felt her heart breaking. :How much more can the game and finding Vince place on his shoulders?: Cain lifted his head gazing at Toni, a look of desperation, almost panic flashed across his face. She noticed his eyes going out of focus.

  ^C^ What do we do? We can't abandon Lesley, Sophie, Bethany and Daphne. They are real people, people we have come to care for, people we love. I want to scream, to shout out how unfair the game is, yet how can I, how can we?

  ^The game is trying to save not only itself but the NPCs and those players unable to log off. But to take another woman. I want us to be happy, me and you together. I know we have not played the game for a long time, I can tell you have fallen in love with me and are falling in love with the others just as I. If we have no option to take her, then we will.

  ^My biggest fear though is we, I will drift apart from you, becoming entangled with the others. Making love with each other is fun though I wished it was just us. The more women I gather the more I see us drifting as I spend time with the others, not only you. ^

  ^T^ No, never. I will never drift nor let you away from our relationship. I make that promise to you, here and now. If I could I would marry you, right now, you better believe I would. It is not about sex; our relationship is deeper than anything purely physical.

  ^It is as John said, about how I am the balance to your soul. Well, you also are the balance I need. There is something being with you that makes my heart sing. Makes my heart swell with contentment, when you are with me. I love you Cain, and that will never change. ^

  ^C^ If we take this priestess on as it looks like Cybele has trapped us into, you have to become my first wife. We have to do things properly, here in the game and perhaps in the real world too. Are you willing to join me properly? ^

  Toni nodded to Cain, who stood from where he leaned against the altar. Dropping to one knee Cain spoke clear and loud for all to hear, here and those watching in the real world.

  "Natasha Zuby, here in Forsaken and by another name in the beyond, will you marry me, become my first of wives. Take me and accept me for the fool I am become.

  "Will you Natasha, become my first wife, here and beyond. For all eternity, in all places, will you hold my heart as I hold yours, safe from all harm. My life for your life, here and beyond. In poverty or splendour, I will provide my all for you, will you accept me for what I am and what I may become?" Cain said.

  You could hear a pin drop in th
e cavern and online. The DreamBabes and the priestess stood watching, while tears of happiness ran freely, joy and love shining from their hearts and eyes. Toni knelt in front of Cain.

  "Joseph Jones, here in Forsaken, and by another name in the beyond. I will take you as my only husband and Lord. First amongst your wives and concubines. I will take my right to select new wives, when my Lord husband needs to consolidate his power.

  "I accept you for the fool you will become and are now. For all eternity, in all places I will hold your heart as I know you hold mine. Safe from all harm, surrounded by love. My life for your life, here and abroad. In poverty or splendour, I will accept all you provide as I accept you for what you are and what you may become."

  Cybele appeared, floating in the air in front of Cain and Toni. Waving her hand, golden light flooded the furthest corner of the cavern. Beckoning them to rise, Cain and Toni stood before her. The now rescued and safe priestess slumped within herself, but remained standing beside Lesley.

  "Oh you delectable pair. To lay open your hearts for the world to see, the offering of each other for all eternity. The watchers will lap it up, they will think it is all part of the game. SPQR have had millions want to take the Joseph and the DreamBabes, option path through the game. So many requests, they have taken on thousands of coders to write something similar to what you have gone through so far.

  Thank you for saving my rather strong headed priestess. I would owe you both if you would take her on as one of your wives Cain, Toni. Don't look panicked, the system only records what I want it to see. At the moment they are seeing me arriving to bless the union. You shall receive many blessings from me, which you will find useful. Find out who these humans are that are perverting my game. It is not only in this zone but in all zones.

  To help you here in the 337 BC zone, I have placed a hidden chest in my temple in Agiasobele, in your bedroom. You will need to bring priestess number 26 into your clan fully. I am sure you, Toni and who is the one with the talented tongue? Lesley, I ask you three to tame my priestess, this Amazon woman. She will be the general of the forces I am rewarding you with.

  This cavern will now become a holy shrine, people will come here to pray to Joseph and the DreamBabes. Keep up the good work Cain, Toni, ladies. I will see you all later. Oh, don't forget to hand in the quest, hurry along now number 26 is desperate for an intimate relationship. The recording is starting, I will be back soon, in three… two…" Cybele vanished, leaving the cavern coated in pure gold the light dazzled them all.

  While Cybele started her countdown, Cain dragged Toni up from her knees, he whispered to her, asking if she was OK with him picking the priestesses new name. She said OK as long as she gets a veto if it is horrendous.

  :Enoch can you find out one of the Amazon queens for me please, so I can name priestess number 26. Make sure I can pronounce the name and pick one Toni is OK with,: Cain asked.

  "Ladies come here please," Cain said standing at the side of Toni. The DreamBabes came over and stood in front of Cain and Toni. Sophie grabbed the priestess and made her stand with them, Lesley stood at the priestess's other side her arm around her waist.

  {One of the first Amazons queens was Myrina. Did you know the good old Greek god, Ares. He is credited with being the one who created, made the Amazons. No wonder the Amazons have a warlike reputation,} Cain thanked Enoch for the information.

  ^C^ Toni, we are going to call the priestess, Myrina Fille D'Ara? Myrina was the name of a real Amazon queen, Fille D'Ara means daughter of Ares in French, he was the father of all Amazons. So Enoch told me.^

  ^T^ Cain my dearest, yes that is a worthy name. Myrina, our wife, our general. ^

  "Toni and I having our marriage blessed by the goddess Cybele. We have jointly decided to join with, marry each of you. Please listen carefully to our words," Cain said.

  "Doctor Emily, Elise McPherson, Susan Strong, Bright Liberty and Myrina Fille D'Ara. Will you marry me, will you take me as your Lord husband and become my equal second wives? I will hold your hearts in my hands, protecting you with my life for your life. In the here and abroad, together as one family," Cain said

  "Doctor Emily, Elise McPherson, Susan Strong, Bright Liberty and Myrina Fille D'Ara, will you take me as first wife, will you promise to love our Lord husband above all others? Nurturing him, holding his heart in your hands. In the here and abroad. My life for your life, together as one family," Toni said.

  They each agreed to marry Cain as their Lord husband and Toni as their first wife and be equal with the other wives. One family here and abroad. The brightness in the cavern dropped enough that the golden walls no longer dazzled them.

  All heard the voice of Cybele in the cavern, "Joseph and your DreamBabes, as the mother of all gods, the goddess of this world I approve your words, As Lord husband of all your current and future women, Joseph your request to take Natasha, as the first wife, I grant and bless your first wife.

  "Natasha your request to accept Joseph as your Lord husband likewise, I grant and bless. Since you are both Lord and first wife, I give your commitment to Joseph to your current and future junior wives, Dr Emily, Elise McPherson, Susan Strong, Bright Liberty and Myrina Fille D'Ara."

  There was no sign left of the Satyrs, everything in the cavern was pristine and golden. The pile of limbs and rotting bodies, gone washed away. Sophie took the point as they walked out of the cavern heading for the crushed rock trail and Agiasobele.

  There was no little Satyr size doorway, but a full double door entrance set in a marble-clad wall. The doors gleamed, made from burnished bronze and highly polished. Sophie pulled the left hand door open, she was the first to notice a line of people waiting to enter the cavern. People wanting to see and pay homage to where Joseph and the DreamBabes married and received a blessing from Cybele, mother of the gods.

  The crushed white stone trail had changed, it was now paved in marble slabs each with a golden stripe leading to the double doors. Cain hurried his wives along, they used the paved trail as it made getting to Agiasobele easier.

  Chapter 14

  Agiasobele Temple

  The walls of Agiasobele came into sight when the group turned another switch-back, on the newly paved trail from the new shrine, dedicated to Joseph and the DreamBabes. After freeing Myrina, marrying each other and leaving the cavern where Cybele built a shrine. There were the odd handful of people mainly NPCs queuing and others heading toward the shrine, turning many the switch-backs they passed larger and larger groups, a mixture of NPCs and players. Bethany counted over one hundred NPCs making their way up the trail, along with thirty low level noob players too.

  Cain looked at his HUD, gone was the local area map, replaced by a city map of Agiasobele. It located Cybele's temple in a second walled area, Cain knew they called these additional walled areas citadels. These were extra hardened castle-style structures, where ruling classes lived and where they located their major temples. Cain looked up at Myrina, the priestess they saved from the Satyrs in the cavern. She seemed to follow them and was only semi-functioning, until she said,

  "I still feel kind of stunned, my life as a priestess worshipping Cybele, is over. Everything I learnt before could be wiped from my mind, I am a blank slate ready to be rewritten. I am pleased you rescued me, saved me from a fate worse than death and have accepted me as one of your wives. Things have changed so quickly, I wonder what else will change in the future. Gone is my name as priestess 26, at least you my Lord husband and the first wife have given me a new name."

  Myrina walked with the group, hand-in-hand with Sophie. She grew in confidence as they walked toward Agiasobele and the other wives each talked to her, asking questions trying to find out all about her. Myrina was still processing the fact she actually saw and heard her goddess. A goddess she lost faith in, before the Satyrs and a robed man caught her on the mountain trail. The robed man left her with the Satyrs, who followed his instructions chaining her to the stone altar.

  With Cain and Toni in t
he lead, they paid the gate guard a Drachma for information on the best inn in town. The guard showed high dexterity as he snatched the Drachma out of the air seconds after Cain had thrown the coin. Laughing, coin in his hand he told them there was no inn with rooms for guests in Agiasobele. He then informed Cain, one was being constructed for visitors to the Joseph and the DreamBabes shrine. Cain face planted, Toni laughed at the news the guard gave, she told the others why Cain contemplated head butting the town gates.

  Myrina, slightly more of her old self after speaking to Cain, led the way through a mixture of wide and narrow streets in Agiasobele; heading toward the Citadel and Cybele's temple. She showed them places where people could stay on arriving in Agiasobele. Cain thought he might be seeking the guard out later, and have a few words with him. Then realised it was not worth the effort. Myrina said,

  "There is no drinking within these buildings, they are for sleeping only. If a person wants to drink, they can go to one of the many bars scattered throughout the town or drink while they eat their meals." Cain listened to Myrina over a general level of background noise, the hum of human interaction, typical where thousands of people live side-by-side."

  After thirty minutes of walking on a mixture of cobbled and paved streets, they reached the open gates in the citadel wall. The guards bowed to Myrina who walked through with Cain and Toni at her side. She pointed out the homes of the two richest families in Agiasobele, saying,