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For the greater good

Prologue:

It had been almost 60 years since the great war between the carnivores and the herbivores had ended. The carnivores had won the war. To be more precise, the tigers had won the war.

After it became clear that the war had been won, the tigers had also subjugated the other carnivores and driven them out of the jungle.

The Great Khan, which was the title of all the leaders of the tigers since the dawn of time, who ascended the throne at that time, had called a meeting of all the animal species to announce the terms of a lasting peace. Reluctantly, representatives were sent by most of the herbivore races for the meeting. The Great Khan, in a show of force had lined up the heads of all the beaten carnivores around his throne. His best warriors, all of them battlehardened veterans of the war, were posted around the great hall, making no heel of their desire for flesh and blood.

"For there to be lasting peace, my warriors must be fed."

Had demanded the Great Khan. His voice echoed around the great hall, even if he spoke in a low voice.

"That implies they will hunt and they will kill."

This statement was met with murmurs and sporadic shouts.

"Then nothing has changed. We will continue to be slaughtered so that you can live in abundance!"

At that comment the warriors around the hall begun to stir. But before something could happen the Great Khan had stopped the intervention of his warriors with a simple wave of his hand. His smile was that of a hunter who saw his prey before him.

"Yes, we will continue to satisfy our hunger for you. This is a natural law. The strong, that is us, eat the weak, that is you. But I would like to offer you a way out. A possibility of how we can steer this barbarism at least a little bit into orderly channels."

He leaned forward on his throne and propped himself up on his knees, his hand held in a scholars cradle. The eyes of the entire jungle were focused upon him.

"My warriors will stop hunting, at least for the very most part. In exchange, each species in the jungle will make a sacrifice every other week. This sacrifice will come to us of its own free will and will offer itself to us as a tribute for the peace we all enjoy."

With that said, he opened his hands in an offering posture. Then he paused and let what he had said sink in for a moment. He sat back and tickled one of his concubines who were constantly gathered around his throne under the chin.

Just before there could be tumult and unrest among those present, he raised his hand and rose from his throne. He made a couple of paces towards the gathered animals, his hands held open.

"Should the sacrifice not appear willingly, my warriors will fetch a sacrifice, or two or three... depending on how much resistance is shown. And before you revolt now. Remember what quantities my warriors can consume when they are in a rage. One, in words One..."

He held up a long clawed finger.

"... Sacrifice every two weeks, is a reasonable offer. We will let you live your life, we will trade, and we will not stop your trade. In fact I encourage you to live a good live. You shall live well and without fear that the jaguars sneak around the houses at night or that the wolves lie in wait for you in the thicket. We will take care of your safety. We..."

His hand roamed over the hall and included the warriors of his tribe.

"...have chased away the other carnivores, have seen to it that the war has ended, and will practice frugality for the good of us all."

His voice had taken on a solemn tone and a benevolent smile played around his lips. He brought his hands back in front of him and formed the most perfect scholars cradle again. He approached the large table where the representatives of all races were seated and propped his huge paws on the edge of the table. He brought his voice down to a very low tone and looked to the left and the right as he continued.

"Will you accept this offer? Or will my warriors go hunting again tomorrow and take what they need to live?"

Murmurs dominated the table as the animals conferred. The Great Khan staightend himself up again and waited patiently. He had nothing to lose after all. He would get his meat, he always did. One way, or the other, it didn't matter.

From one end of the table there was a shout.

"So we will be nothing but cattle for you. Fast breeding and docile cattle, that will come of his own tuition to the slaughter block?"

The Great Khan turned in the general direction from where the shout came and with a smile he noded.

"If you will call yourself so, well yes, then you will be cattle. Cattle which lives in peace, may prosper, and yes, every other week will come to my slaughter block and lay it's head down on it's own tuition. Or cattle, that will live in ever lasting fear of when my warriors will raid it's settlement for sustanance. It is entirely your choice to make."

From the other side of the table came another shout and the Great Khan turned around to face the next one to adress him.

"But, one member of our community, every other week... We are not that many... The others have more members. Don't our lives weigh heavier than theirs?"

A murmur went around as the animals turned to the speaker. The Great Khan shrugged his shoulders.

"Settle this among yourselves. I share the burden on all shoulders. Each species is treated equally. There is no one under me who has an advantage and no one whom I treat differently from all others. Then mate, have offspring. I don't care which of you comes through this portal the week after next. Old, young, healthy, weak... it doesn't matter. One sacrifice for each species, every two weeks, or my warriors will make sure my belly is filled."

He turned around and slowly strode to his throne.

"Don't get me wrong. I am not forced to make this offer. We will continue with the old ways as happily as ever. I don't care who is on my plate, but someone will be on it."

There was something definitive about his statement. He turned and settled elegantly on his throne. His look of that kind that did not allow any disobidience what so ever. One of his concubines snuggled up to him and in a show of absolute confidence he kissed her passionately.

"Be glad that we have decided not to multiply any further so as not to have to increase the tribute."

One of the tapirs finally got up and stepped forth from the gathering. Slowly it came to his throne. Reverently, it knelt before him in total subjugation and held out both hands.

"Sire... Great Khan. We accept your offer. It will not be easy, but we recognize the magnanimity of this offer and will fulfill our part of the bargain."

Her voice was firm and there was a great deal of pride in it. The Great Khan contemplated the gesture for a moment before rising. He was quite a bit taller than the female kneeling before him, so he had to bend down to grab her hand and pull her to her feet. Now that she was in front of him, he could look at her better. She was a healthy female, a strong mother, and would make a level-headed leader for her tribe.

"What is your name?"

He asked in a calm, benevolent voice.

"Lima, Sire."

She replied without hesitation keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Your name I will remember. May your tribe prosper."

He turned to the rest of the assembly and assumed the posture of a ruler.

"So be it."

His voice echoed once more throughout the hall, this time there was a jubilant tone in it.

"From this day forward, my warriors will no longer hunt while tribute is paid. Here's to all of us living a better life."

He raised both arms and shouted.

"For the greater Good."

...

For the greater Good:

Today, 60 years after the predatory cats took over, life in the jungle had indeed improved significantly. Most species had been able to increase their numbers significantly, others had a harder time. It had turned out to be true, that without the need to hunt for their food and without most of the other predators, the deathrate in the herbivore community had dropped significantly. Under the self-government of the herbivores, population control programs had been set up in the meantime to stop the uncontrolled reproduction among some of the species.

But all in all, everyone was happy with the measures and a mostly carefree life in the community, even with the carnivores was possible. Trade flourished and at night it was safe even in the jungle. A couple of times there had been problems when other carnivores wanted to sneak back in, but that was also stopped.

The Great Khan and his descendants had always kept the agreements and the herbivores had also fulfilled their part of the agreement.

It had turned out, because of the birth-rich years after the agreement, that there were privileges for the families, which provided one of the sacrifices for the carnivores. And thus already shortly after the agreement a kind of competition had arisen from the fact that the individual species tried to outdo themselves, in which they admitted only the healthiest, the best of their kind for this honor. For the tigers this was truly a bonus, with which they had not counted, but against which they had also nothing to object.

Every eve to the full moon and to the new moon, one could observe a procession to the large temple. There, the tigers had their official residence since time immemorial. A large pyramid, built several hundred years ago. The way there was lined with warriors who lit the way for the victims with torches. The sacrifices were treated with great respect. None of the warriors, no matter how hungry, would lay a hand on any of the sacrifices. The protocol had to be strictly followed. This had been negotiated after the agreement. The sacrifices came of their own free will, no one forced them, and so they would be treated with respect and not simply slaughtered and devoured.

The atmosphere on the way was always calm, and there was a certain awe in passing through a coridor of almost 300 tigers before arriving at the temple, where the priestesses welcomed one. Whenever the last sacrifice had entered the path, the warriors followed the procession to the temple. It was an unwritten law that as soon as the warriors followed the sacrifices, the window of opportunity for untimely stragglers was closed. In the years following the agreement, it had happened only once that a species could not provide a sacrifice in time. The responce from the tigers came swift and with great force. The massacre that followed was like a nightmare from which there was no waking up. The elders had spoken of an example, of which there would never be another one. Since then, all the sacrifices were always present before the warriors even opened the way.

This year, too, all the sacrifices were already present when the warriors came from the temple and opened the corridor. All of the sacrifices wore their black cloaks and patiently awaited the arrival of the tigers. When they finally arrived all of the sacrifices turned to the path. One of the priestesses had led the warriors and was now standing in front of the torch-lit path to the temple.

"Greetings to you, who of your own free will take the path of all flesh."

Her voice was filled with reverence as she spoke in a low tone.

"You are due honor and respect. Now follow me to the temple and we will ensure that your families can continue to live in peace."

The priestess turned around and walked back through the corridor in slow but expansive steps. The sacrifices, all wrapped in hooded cloaks, followed her devoutly and silently. When the last ones entered the path, the warriors followed them. As the path progressed, more and more warriors followed the procession until finally all 300 followed the sacrifices quietly and at a respectful distance. There was no talking on the way to the temple. Silence reigned, interrupted only by the crackling of torches and the crunching of footsteps on the forest floor.

As the procession came along, the temple came into sight. In the dark of the night, it loomed over the path as a huge dark monument of death. Under normal circumstances the herbivores did not come near the temple. Even if the agreement said, the tigers would not hunt, there was a unspoken law, that no herbivore would get near the temple. After all, animals got lost in the jungle all the time, and some of them were never found again. Noone with a will to live would ever openly accuse the tigers of hunting actively, but you could never know.

At the temple, the procession was greeted by a small group of priestesses. All of which wore ceremonial garb and were decorated with colorful ribbons. The sacrifices were welcomed and led into the temple. The warriors carrying the torches approached a big trough filled with water. The torches were ceremonially extinguished in the water to symbolize the end of the lives that had just entered the temple. After that the warriors went back to their barracks. Meanwhile the sacrifices were led deeper into the temple, where they were prepared by the priestesses for the sacrifice they would make. The priestesses led them into a large courtyard where benches had been placed. Two priestesses were waiting there on a small stone platform.

"Honored guests."

Began the younger of the two.

"Gather yourselves here. Take your seats."

She gestured to the benches that were scattered throughout. It took a while for everyone to gather and quiet to return. The priestess smiled, her fangs clearly visible.

"As is the custom, you will speak once again with the High Priestess before making the ultimate sacrifice. Only those who have actually come to the temple of their own free will shall participate in this sacrifice and renew the covenant between the carnivores and the herbivores. Be assured, we appreciate your sacrifice and we will accept it with the due respect with which it was made to us. No one here shall suffer. The sacrifice will be painless and quick. Do not be afraid."

Her voice was solemn and calm. And as she pointed to a large portal whose doors bore a stillized tiger skull, they were opened by two great warriors. From the portal came another priestess and performed a welcoming gesture.

"The High Priestess will now receive you. Please enter one at a time. Do not be afraid."

The sacrifices hesitated a bit until the first one rose and slowly strode to the portal. Just before the door, it turned around once more. Briefly, the face could be seen. It was a young tapir. Then it entered into the chamber of the High Priestess and the portal was closed.

The Chamber was a somewhat big room, lit by oil lambs scattered around the corners. It was a calm atmosphere. There were a few priestesses tending to various tasks and at the other end there was another door leading off to somewhere deeper in the temple.

"Welcome, child."

The voice of the high priest sounded old, but full of love. She sat on a throne that was cut from a block of stone. Its corners and edges had been polished smooth over the centuries and the inscriptions, once carved into the hard stone with the outermost precision, were now only legible in some places. The High Priestess herself looked as if she were even older than the throne. Her fur was grayed and her ears frayed. Her eyes were completely blind and her hearty smile toothless. Her hands, dainty for her race, were outstretched toward the newcomer.

"Come. Come here, I won't bite."

There was such incredible warmth in her voice, as if she were talking to a grandchild. The sacrifice stepped closer to her and extended a hand. The High Priestess grasped it gently and felt it completely.

"Do not be afraid. Let me look at you for a moment."

The victim knelt down before the throne and flipped back her hood. Slowly, the High Priestess raised her hands and gently touched the sacrifice's face.

"Oh... you are still very young. What is your name?"

"I am called Shirya Lima's Daughter, venerable High Priestess."

A brief stirring went through the High Priestess as she continued to touch the young tapir's face, gradually sliding her hands lower.

"The name sounds familiar. Tell me my child, are you here of your own free will?"

"Yes. I have come of my own free will to honor our agreement and to do my part."

The young tapir's voice sounded firm, but the fear and knowledge of what was about to happen sounded clear in it. The High Priestess nodded. While her hand passed over the sacrifice's chest.

"Tell me my child, have you borne offspring yet?"

Shirya blushed slightly.

"No, venerable High Priestess."

The High Priestess let her hand slide to the sacrifice's belly.

"What a shame. You would have made a good mother. Very fertile."

The toothless smile of the High Priestess appeared again and she took her hands from Shirya.

"Stand up child. You will be a worthy sacrifice for the community. You have my blessing. Go with Rayas, she will take you to the ritual chambers and show you the way. Do not be afraid. All will be well."

She touched the young tapir's cheek once more before Shirya stood up and was met by another priestess. Unlike the High Priestess, this one was young, muscular and athletic. She towered over Shirya by almost half a meter. But there was also great understanding and an unexpected warmth in her eyes. Her voice sounded gentler than one would have expected from a feline predator over six feet tall.

"Follow me. I will take you to the baths. We will cleanse you and you shall relax."

With an elegant wave of her hand, she directed her down a corridor lit with small oil lamps. Shirya led the way and Rayas could see her trembling. After a short walk, the corridor led into a small room with several doors leading off it. In front of each of the doors stood a tall warrior. Their bodies were decorated with scars and in some places leather straps were wrapped around their arms and legs in elaborate patterns. They were tall, muscular, and looked menacing, but at the same time they seemed completely relaxed.

Rayas nodded to one of the warriors and he gave way through one of the doors. The room behind the door was in semi-darkness and Shirya could not directly see what was inside. She hesitated. Only when Rayas gently put a hand on her shoulder did Shirya start to move again. As they passed the door, the warrior closed it behind them. The noise sounded terribly final and Shirya flinched. Frightened, she looked over her shoulder. But all she could see were the glowing pupils of the predator that stood behind her. Rayas smiled gently.

"Don't be afraid. Nothing will happen to you here."

Shirya shook her head. She was visibly trembling and unable to move.

"Yes, it will, I will die here."

Rayas closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again there was an incredible calmness in them. It was as if one could see deep into her soul.

"Yes Shirya Lima's daughter, you will die in this temple. But not here and not now."

Rayas very gently pushed her further into the room and pointed to a cushion, next to a small basin.

"Sit down there. I will help you cleanse yourself and prepare for the rituals."

Shirya began to sob. Her body shook and after she sat down, she finally burst into tears. Rayas already grew familiar with this. It was the case almost every time the sacrifices finally became aware of what it meant to go the way of the flesh. She sat down next to Shirya and put an arm around her shoulders. After some initial hesitation, Shirya finally leaned toward the priestess.

"It's all right. Let it out. I understand your fear, it's perfectly normal."

Rayas hugged the young tapir to her, feeling her whole body shake from the crying spasms. Rayas was patient. They had made it a promise that sacrifices that came of their own free will would be treated with all due respect. And who was without fear when he knew that he would die no matter what. Even in a hopeless fight, there was a possibility of at least surviving. In this "fight" there was no survival. She would die. This was one hundred percent certain. Rayas was full of compassion for the young female lying in her arms and crying. It was not the destiny of young animals to go this way. Actually it had been intended that the old and the weak went the way of the flesh. That was the way nature intended, but the old ones had turned it around very quickly and now the strongest and healthiest had been coming to the temple this way for years. A disgrace.

Rayas squeezed Shirya once more and then took her face in both hands.

"It's alright...shhhh...calm down, child."

She wiped the tears from the young sacrifice's face.

"You are a strong young female. Show me your strength now. Show me that you deserve the respect, and not your elders who were too cowardly to walk the path themselves."

Shirya's eyes overflowed with tears, but there was a fire in them, a small one, and it threatened to go out at any moment, but it still kindled. She sobbed again and sniffled. But she slowly calmed down. Rayas' smile was still full of warmth and affection.

"That's right. I want you to attend the ceremony with your head held high. You will show everyone. You will show them what it means to be a descendant of Lima, the female who made the agreement with us."

Shirya swallowed. Her eyes were full of sadness and full of fear. But she stopped trembling and after a moment she finally nodded. Rayas stroked her cheek.

"Brave girl!"

Rayas let go of her cheeks and leaned back a little.

"And now, let me look at you. Stand up."

Shirya hesitantly got up and stopped in front of Rayas. She was a little hesitant. In front of the blind high priestess, it had been something else, but to be examined with an examining gaze by Rayas, who could kill and devour her without a second thought, was something else entirely. Like being in a meat inspection. Rayas' smile remained unchanged. She just seemed like a perfectly friendly person.

"Oh it's such a shame. Look at you. You are perfect. In every way, the perfect female stands before me. Put down that cloak, you won't be needing it anymore."

Rayas' voice still sounded so kind and so sensitive. Shirya hesitated, but then she took off the black cloak. Like much of the rituals, it was symbolic. It represented the connection to death that the sacrifices made when they crossed over. Now that she was in the temple, in the home of death itself, she no longer needed the cloak.

She now stood before Rayas completely naked, with her hands scantily covering her nakedness. Rayas, who herself was clad only in a loincloth and a few decorative ribbons, stepped into the small pool. Elegantly, she extended her clawed hand to Shirya.

"Come. Let me cleanse you for the rituals. The water is warm."

The twinkle in Rayas' eyes suggested so much, but none of it was evil. She seemed almost playful as she stood there, up to her hips in water that almost seemed to glow. Shirya took her hand. With hesitant steps, she came down the three steps to the small pool and carefully stepped into the water. It was really warm. Pleasantly warm and it smelled of various flowers. Rayas guided her to a stone that lay like a stool in the pool and gestured her to sit down. Shirya sat down and the water reached her navel. It was strangely relaxing.

"That's right. Relax. There's nothing to be afraid of here. Just the two of us."

Rayas' voice seemed like a calm rain and she began to pour water over Shirya's body with a bowl. She started at her shoulders and slowly poured the water over Shirya. As the water began to trickle down her body, it seemed to wash away some of her stress and fear. The sound of the pouring water was strangely soothing and Shirya closed her eyes, trying to enjoy the whole procedure. When the young tapir was completely wet, Rayas began to stroke the water off her body. Very gently and without haste. Her huge hands felt warm and soft as they slid over the whole of Shirya's body. Finally, Rayas took her head and gently laid it on the back of her neck.

"Your hair and face are left. Relax. Nothing will happen to you here."

Whispered Rayas as she began to pour water over Shirya again. This time she poured the cleansing wet over her forehead and it ran down her face and head, washing away the tears from earlier. Rayas again stroked the water out of her hair and face. She was incredibly tender the whole time, it felt almost sensual. Shirya almost regretted it when Rayas indicated that this part of the ritual was now finished.

"Your body is now pure."

She said as she elegantly stepped out of the basin. Her wet fur glistened in the low light of the camber. She walked over to a stone table on which lay a cushion. Behind the table were various jars and pots and somewhere there in the semi-darkness incense was burning.

"Come here, Shirya Lima's daughter. We want to prepare you for the rites. Your body may be pure, but your soul still needs to be prepared."

With an inviting smile Rayas tapped her hand on the table.

"Lie down here and relax your body, so that I will be able to relax your soul."

Shirya rose. Hesitantly, she came closer. She knew there was no going back. The last turning back would have been when the high priestess asked her if she had come of her own free will. The further the rituals would progress, the closer she would come to her death. She gulped and tears gathered in her eyes. But she put one foot in front of the other and finally stood before the table.

"I am proud of you."

Said Rayas and helped her lie down on the table. The stone was surprisingly comfortable. So many sacrifices had lain here over the centuries that the stone was already worn in many places and had formed an approximate fit. Rayas gently laid Shirya's head on the pillow. It smelled nicely of herbs and dried flowers. She lay completely helpless on the stone and saw the priestess standing over her. This would probably be about the last thing she would see later.

Rayas smiled softly and turned around to fetch something from the shelf behind her. As she turned back to Shirya, she carried a jar in front of her.

"I will anoint you with the sacred oils and will draw them sacred runes on your fur. So that later you will feel no pain and be completely relaxed to face your ancestors."

Rayas spoke in a low voice, which carried a soothing warmth in it. Shirya nodded slightly and Rayas dipped her hand into the jar. The oil that dripped from her hand onto Shirya's chest was warm and smelled entrancing. She knew the smell well. It was an intoxicant that was also popular with the young. It put one into a long-lasting, relaxed state of mind and reliably relieved even severe pain. She now understood how they were going to make it so that sacrifices passed into the afterlife without pain. She normally did not advocate the use of the drug, but she could only welcome its use here. While Rayas began anointing her body, Shirya was already noticing the effects of the drug. She drifted very slowly into a consistent, pleasant high. Her worries and fears fell away from her bit by bit and she gave herself completely to Rayas' ministrations. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her muscles did let go and she, for the first time since she had decided to become the sacrifice for her tribe, completely realxed. Only when Rayas penetrated her intimate area did something like resistance sprout in her once again. But she was already too indifferent and so she allowed Rayas to spread her legs and examine her genitals. Just when it became pleasant again and Shirya wanted to indulge in this massage, Rayas stopped. Shirya was about to ask why she had stopped when Rayas' face came into her field of vision. For the first time since she had met the priestess, no smile adorned her face. On the contrary. The priestess' expression was serious. Not angry, but she was clearly displeased with something. Her voice sounded as if through a fog to Shirya.

"Child, speak. Are you still a virgin?"

Shirya grinned and nodded. She hadn't found the right one yet. But it didn't matter now. Tomorrow she would already be dead. Why should she be upset about it now. But Rayas seemed to be uncomfortable with this. She called something in a dialect that Shirya did not understand. Shortly after, another tiger came into her field of vision. Shirya continued to grin. From her position, she could see under the carnivore's loincloth. It was a male warrior. A mighty big warrior who had a mighty big little warrior. It amused her magnificently. While above her Rayas and the big warrior were heatedly arguing about something she didn't understand. She was tempted to touch the little warrior, which danced and bopped in front of her eyes, while its owner gestured with Rayas. She slowly raised her hand and brought it closer and closer to the warrior's loincloth.

"... Come here little man let me give you a kiss..."

she murmured, beaming with joy, but before she could grab it, the warrior turned and disappeared. Rayas looked down at her and saw the disappointed expression on Shirya's face. She was so completely high that she didn't quite understand what Rayas was telling her now, but it had something to do with the fact that the Great Khan had refused to ever accept a sacrifice that had not experienced all the varieties of life.

It was not often that they had to greet virgin sacrifices. Usually the sacrifices were old enough and had already gained some experience. But every now and then it happened that a sacrifice entered the temple who had not yet performed coitus with a partner. In most cases this was not a major problem, a priest or priestess was found to take care of the problem. But in Shirya's case, things were a little different. The Great Khan had decreed that descendants of the Lima family should be treated with special care. After all, it had been Lima who had made the agreement possible. Shirya was the first of Lima's family to enter the temple as a virgin. It was a problem now, who would live up to the claim the Great Khan had placed on them. Rayas had sent the warrior, who was standing guard outside the door so that they would not be disturbed until Rayas had cleared the room again, to instruct the high priestess. While waiting for the warrior's return, she continued with the preparations for the rituals. Shirya seemed to pay no further attention to the proceedings. On the one hand, Rayas was glad about it, on the other hand, she didn't want to keep her completely in the dark. But there was still some time before she had to let her know more. Maybe the drugs would have lost some of their effect by then.

"Turn over, please."

She whispered, waiting for Shirya to slowly and awkwardly turn onto her stomach. Rayas' smile had returned. She began to spread the oil on Shirya's back as well, massaging it in gently. The soft moans of the young sacrifice and the occasional wails when she found a muscle that was tense almost made her laugh. She took her time and worked Shirya carefully. There would be no solution to this problem anytime soon. Rayas slowly worked her way down her back to Shirya's buttocks. She had a small, tight bottom. Like the rest of the tapir, her buttocks were perfectly shaped and molded her hips into a nice overall package. Rayas massaged the muscles thoroughly and deeply. Shirya's moans and squeals gained volume and Rayas almost fell in love with the sweet sounds the sacrifice on her table was making.

"Such a shame. Someone else could have had so much fun with you. Just hearing that sweet voice..."

Sined Rayas as she once again reached deep into Shirya's muscles.

"Nyaaa..."

Protested Shirya, biting into the pillow. It was less painful and much more arousing what the priestess was doing to her. Rayas worked her way down and massaged Shirya's legs. While massaging her thighs, Rayas couldn't help but notice that Shirya was very wet by now, and that wasn't oil collecting there. The priestess was tempted to take advantage of the situation, in Shirya's condition she would probably even approve. But she held back. If it got out, it would only mean trouble. She would grab one of the warriors later and have a lot of fun with him. She concentrated on her task again and finished massaging Shirya's legs.

Just as she put the jar back on the shelf behind the table, the door opened and the High Priestess entered the room. She came slowly into the room. Although she was blind, she found her way around surprisingly well. Rayas stepped in front of the table on which Shirya was writhing and knelt before the High Priestess and bowed her head.

"Rise my child."

She said in a calm, loving voice. Rayas rose gracefully and stopped in front of the table.

"A tricky situation this sacrifice puts me in. And you are quite sure Rayas?"

The priestess affirmed and gave way to the table. The High Priestess approached the table and Shirya recognized her directly. Her eyes widened and a bright smile formed on her lips.

"Grandmother..."

Shirya extended a hand to the High Priestess and she gently grasped it.

"Yes my child, I am here."

Her smile and voice were full of warmth and when the High Priestess stroked Shirya's hand it was as if she was stroking her own flesh and blood.

"Tell me my child, is it true that you have not yet joined a partner?"

Shirya grinned and shook her head.

"No grandmother, they were all so stupid. No one was good enough for the great-great-great granddaughter of the tribal elders."

Narrated Shirya, slurring her words a bit. The High Priestess noded and then turned to Rayas.

"How far along are you here my child?"

"I have completed the anointing. Only the runes and ceremonial bindings are missing."

Gave Rayas to understand. Her voice was low and there was something like sadness in it.

"My child, as always you have done an excellent job, but be careful not to get too attached to the sacrifices. The task is hard enough as it is."

Rayas nodded silently. She knew what the High Priestess meant with that, and she would try hard to not get cought in this conflict of hearts.

"The Great Khan will attend to this matter personally. Escort her to his chambers and make sure she can conduct herself accordingly. Once this matter is taken care of, you will draw the runes and make the bindings."

Rayas nodded again. Her eyes had regained at least some of her resolve.

"Yes, High Priestess, as you wish."

The High Priestess smiled and placed her hand on Rayas.

"Good child."

And with that, she walked back to the door. Rayas was left alone with Shirya. Shirya looked after the old tiger, as she left the room.

"Grandmother, where are you going? Stay here!"

Rayas smiled. The effect of the drugs made her forget whom she was facing. Rank and function lost their meaning. But no one had ever called the High Priestess Grandmother before.

"Come Shirya, we must move on. There are a few little things to do."

Shirya turned on her side and looked up at Rayas with a transfigured expression.

"Oh, what's there to do?"

She grinned and sat up slowly, swaying. The effect would soon wear off. Especially if she now had to walk all the way to the current Great Khan's chambers.

"We're going to take a little walk. I have a very special young man who would like to meet you."

Shirya's eyes widened for a moment.

"A man? You mean, for him to... with me..."

She formed a ring with her right hand and, grinning, inserted her left index finger into the ring, giggling like a little girl. Rayas watched the spectacle and couldn't help grinning. She nodded. Shirya's grin widened.

"Where is he?"

She mimicked a snarling tiger and pawed with her hand. Rayas smiled so broadly that her fangs were revealed.

"In the Great Khan's chambers. It's a bit of a walk, we shouldn't dawdle."

Shirya's gaze darkened.

"Sooo far?"

Now she sounded like a little girl and looked pleadingly at Rayas.

"Carry me!"

She said with a pouty look on her face. Rayas shook her head. It was really a shame to sacrifice this young girl. She would talk to the Great Khan when she had the chance. This kind of thing should not happen again.

"No, you will walk. It's good for you, it wakes you up, and you especially need it right now."

Shirya's gaze clouded further and she looked at Rayas seriously.

"You just want this to end quickly so you can slaughter me and devour me. Come on, be honest. It's true, isn't it?"

Her tone was surprisingly serious and the humor that had been in her voice until just now was completely gone. When Rayas looked into Shirya's face, she saw a broken spirit there. She took the young woman's face in her hands and lifted it a little to look into her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, but it's the rules. You agreed to them yourself. Your own tribe betrayed you when they let you go instead of letting anyone else go."

Tears formed in the priestess' eyes.

"And no, I don't want to get this over with as quickly as possible. But our time is limited, and the Great Khan, you don't keep him waiting."

Shirya closed her eyes. She reached for the priestess' hands and gently pulled them away from her face. When she opened her eyes again, there was a determination in them that Rayas had not seen there before.

"Then take me to him, and I will show him what a herbivore is capable of."

Rayas took a deep breath and regained her composure. She noded and opened the door leading forth from the chamber of preparations. She led Shirya through the temple. Past chambers and rooms where the tigers were already preparing other sacrifices for sacrifice. They all sat there, blissfully waiting for their executioners. Then came the rooms where they were finally "processed" after the ceremonial sacrifice. Shirya closed her eyes and quickly followed Rayas. These were things a herbivore should not see. Then they passed the barracks where the warriors lived and eagerly awaited the feast in excited anticipation. After that, the temple got somewhat silent. So deep in the structure, there were not so many inhabitants. When they finally reached a large double door, in front of which stood two tall and richly decorated warriors, Shirya knew they had reached their destination.

As they neared them, the guards looked Rayas as well as Shirya up and down, with decidedly more than casual interest, but for completely different reasons. Shirya stayed back a bit, while Rayas spoke to the guards, in that strange dialect they used so Shirya couldn't understand them. It took a moment, but the guards finally bowed and gave way. They opened the doors and behind the doors there was silence and darkness. Rayas thanked the guards and entered the rooms behind the doors. Shirya hesitated, but when the warriors also bowed to her and pointed to the doors with a welcoming gesture, she slowly started to move. As she crossed the threshold into the darkness, she felt queasy. She knew the predatory cats were capable of seeing quite well even in near darkness. But she was practically blind in this darkness.

"Rayas, where are you?"

She whispered. Out of seemingly nowhere, the priestess' large, heavy hand gently rested on her shoulder.

"I am here. Do not be afraid. The Great Khan's chambers are always kept in darkness. We are in the deepest chambers of the temple. There is no natural light here. But when your eyes become accustomed to the darkness, you too will be able to see."

Rayas' voice was soft and full of awe. Entering the Great Khan's chambers was usually reserved for the High Priestess, his concubines, and a few of the Great Khan's direct subordinates. Rayas herself was in these chambers for the first time.

"Follow me, I will lead you to him."

She added, grasping Shirya's hand. It was a good thing she couldn't see anything yet. The walls of the room were covered with the skins of the defeated tribes. In a cruel display of power, the Great Khan had skinned his enemies and kept their skins and furs as trophies. It was very macabre. Rayas turned into a corridor and led Shirya past the Great Khan's harem. There was a boisterous atmosphere in the concubines' chambers. As they passed one of the doors, one of the concubines stood there looking at Rayas and her companion.

"Is that her?"

Rayas stopped and bowed.

"Yes. We are on our way to the Great Khan."

It was a benevolent but also slightly condescending smile that graced the concubine's face.

"Let me take a look at you."

She said, stepping into the hallway. She was taller than Rayas, more muscular. Her scars told of the battles she had fought. On the battlefield and in her leader's chambers. Rayas stepped aside and the concubine looked at Shirya, who was clearly uncomfortable.

"You are right Rayas, it is a shame. But the rules of the agreement are clear."

The concubine turned to Shirya and took her hand. Her hands were rougher than Rayas', but her grip was still gentle.

"My thanks to you for the sacrifice you are willing to make for the community."

Shirya remained silent, it was just too bizarre. She simply nodded and the concubine gave way.

"Go now. The Great Khan does not like to wait. He is in good spirits today. Marfil and Ébano took good care of him today."

Rayas nodded and turned to go. She grabbed Shirya's hand again.

"Come Shirya, we should keep going."

Shirya followed Rayas hesitantly. When they had gone a little further, they stood in front of another door. It was large, richly decorated, and the only way that led any further. Rayas turned to Shirya.

"Listen to me. Do you realize what's going to happen in there?"

Her voice was quiet but insistent. Shirya looked up at her. The expression on her face was inscrutable.

"Yes. The Great Khan will rape me so that I may have experienced all the varieties of life before I shall die."

Shirya's voice sounded detached, as if she had accepted this was inevitable. Rayas stroked her cheek.

"No. He will not rape you. The Great Khan is a loving ruler. He is careful to respect the traditions and the rules of the community. He will perform the act with you, there is no question about that, but there will be no violence involved."

Rayas smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Shirya's face.

"You should be proud. There aren't many herbivores who can claim to have ever performed coitus with a tiger, and certainly not with the Great Khan himself."

Shirya seemed unconvinced.

"Besides, his little Khan, he's pretty big too."

The grin on Rayas' face spoke volumes. Shirya couldn't suppress a smile. Rayas pulled her a little closer and hugged her.

"Now get in there and show the Great Khan what it means to be a descendant of Lima."

Shirya hesitated.

"You're not coming?"

Rayas shook her head.

"I am not allowed to enter the Great Khan's chamber. But I have great faith in you. You can do it!"

Shirya gulped and looked toward the large door. It took a while, but then she took a deep breath and nodded. Rayas pulled the door open and Shirya entered the Great Khan's chamber.

Behind her, Rayas closed the door again. It was quite dark in the spacious chamber, but a small oil lamp was burning in one corner. Shirya's eyes had become accustomed to the darkness and she could roughly make out what was in the chamber. To her right was a large sleeping area with all kinds of pelts and pillows. To her left, low cabinets and shelves were set up and lined the walls. In front of her, in the darkest shadows, stood a great stone throne. And on this throne he sat. He was completely naked, not even some decorative ribbons or anything. In his chambers, he did not need such things. He had leaned back, his elbow resting on the armrest of the throne and his head resting on his hand. He had one leg propped up over the armrest on the other side, and his pupils and teeth seemed to glow in the semi-darkness. She felt him scrutinizing her. But it was a different feeling from Rayas or the concubine. She didn't feel like her flesh was being appraised. This one felt different. It excited her. For her part, she stared at the Great Khan. He was really tall. A handsome warrior. Muscular, trained to the peak of his physical development. And while she was looking at him, her eyes also fell on the little Khan. Whereby the term " little " did not apply here at all. She had already seen some, but none was even close to this caliber. Admittedly, most of the men she had seen naked so far had also been significantly smaller in every other respect. She blushed at the thought.

"Do you like what you see?"

His voice was dark, masculine, yet gentle. No aggresiveness resonated in it at all. She hadn't expected it. She had assumed that the ruler of the predatory cats would sound much more brutal.

"Sire... Great Khan. I..."

The smile on his face widened.

"...Shh shh... relax... For now, we are just two animals trying to unite. We are not hunter and prey, nor are we ruler and subject."

He said calmly as he slowly sat up.

"Unless..."

He tilted his head to one side and opened his hand in an inviting gesture.

"... unless, you want it that way..."

Shirya shook her head. Her cheeks were positively glowing. He made a beckoning gesture.

"Come closer, child. Show me your body."

Shirya hesitated for a moment, her body wanting to go to him, but her instincts resisted as best they could. She put a foot forward, but continued to hesitate. The Great Khan kept his smile, he was patient. There was no need to rush this here and now.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

He extended a hand to her and waited. Shirya swallowed her fear. Maybe Rayas was right and he wouldn't rape her, at least not like that. She could see from his body that he also liked what he saw. She gathered all her courage and started to walk towards him. She tried to move as feminine as possible without overdoing it. She put one foot in front of the other and swayed her slender hips with each step. Slowly she found her smile again. She liked the thought of having at least a little power over the great predator before her. Unconsciously, the Great Khan had placed his hand on his member and had begun to stroke it as he stared over at Shirya again with his mouth slightly open. His hand had continued to reach out to her.

"Oh, so you do know how to seduce a man."

He said when she was almost at him. His eyes roamed over her body. She could, now that she had stepped so close to him, literally feel his gaze. It sent ice cold shivers down her spine. His smell was also so much more intense now. He smelled spicy, masculine, with a hint of mochus. She stopped in front of him, legs slightly apart, pelvis shifted to one side and one arm crossed in front of her body, which lifted up her breasts a bit, letting them seem even bigger as they were. She waited a small moment, taking in his scent and his gaze. She also could not help but look at his body closely. Everything about him literally screamed, I have the power here, I am superior to you, I could do with you what I want and you could not do anything against it. And yet he did not even made one move, he did not need to. She shuddered. It was an amazingly positive feeling. She was completely at his mercy. No chance of escape, no chance of victory. He would literally devour her, skin and hair and everything. But somehow that didn't seem to bother her at all at this moment when it was all about her carnal desires. She grasped his hand tremblingly. Her hand seemed so small and dainty in his paw. He closed his hand around hers and gently pulled her towards him. She stood right in front of him, and could feel his hot breath on her breasts. He deeply inhaled her scent and smiled. His hands touched her tenderly on her flanks, caressing her curves.

"Oh yes, you are truly perfect."

He purred and slowly rose from his throne. He was almost one and a half times her height. As he stood before her, she walked straight up to his chest. She looked up at him with honor, and then her gaze wandered downward. Standing at the level of her belly button, little Khan demanded attention.

"Ooohhh..."

Escaped her. The Great Khan looked down at her and grinned. He knew the reaction of most women who saw his member for the first time.

"Go ahead..."

He whispered and there was more than just a request in his voice. With trembling hands Shirya reached for him. He was warm, soft and yet hard and she felt him pulsating in her hand. She giggled, but did not let go of him again. His large, heavy hand stroked over her head, behind her ears and under her chin. Gently, he lifted her head to look into her eyes. There was desire, impatience and greed in his gaze, but also understanding, lust and compassion. He leaned down to her and kissed her. This was completely unexpected for her, but she did not resist it, but returned the kiss. His hands moved down over her neck and back and clasped her bottom. When he grasped, Shirya squealed, it was more the shock than anything else. Effortlessly, he lifted her up until she was at his eye level. She wrapped her legs around his chest and hugged him. Only now did she break the kiss, breathing heavily. Now it was her gaze that had greed in it. Before he could say anything she kissed him again intimately. He returned the kiss and deepened it. With both hands he kneaded her cheeks and every time he squeezed she twitched and whenever she had the chance she moaned briefly. Slowly he walked over to his bed. He knelt down and withdrew from the intimate kiss. Threads of saliva still connected the two and there was uncertainty in her gaze for a moment. As his hand released her buttocks and slid back up her back, he let his claws run over her back. He could feel her fur stand up and a shiver run through her. He put his hand on her back and leaned forward. She clung to him tighter for a moment. But then let go when she realized where they were.

"I'm scared."

She said softly, looking him in the eye. She seemed infinitely vulnerable at that moment. It turned him on to no end. He smiled mildly and after setting her down on the bed, he gently stroked her cheek.

"I know."

He said quietly and pulled his second hand from under her buttocks. He framed her face with his paws and gently stroked her face.

"You don't have to be afraid. Not here, not now. I won't do anything to you that you don't want."

She nodded hesitantly and his smile widened. His hands slid from her cheeks down over her neck to her breasts. Although her breasts were not really small for her species, his hands covered them completely. He caressed them. They were soft, shapely and just right for her figure. Gently he began to massage them and Shirya moaned softly every time he pulled again on one of her nipples or kneaded a little harder. Within no time her nipples were rock hard and swollen deep red. Every touch sent electric jolts through her body and Shirya began to breathe faster. The tiger crouching over her let go of her breasts and stroked his hands over her flanks to her pelvis. Shirya was breathing heavily and it was easy to see that she was very aroused. He slid back a bit and bent down. First he kissed and licked her breasts. He nibbled on her hard nipples and enjoyed the sounds she made. Then he began to let his kisses travel further and further down, over her belly, her belly button to her mons. Once there, he waited a moment, letting Shirya moan and beg in her desire for more attention. When he had his fill of the young woman's movements he brought his mouth up to the level of her crotch. When he finally let his rough tongue run over her outer labia, Shirya sucked in a sharp breath and her whole body reared up. She reached for his head and got a grip on his ears. Instead of pushing him away, however, she pulled him even tighter against her. Her moans filled the room and it seemed like she was reaching higher spheres with each breath.

"Ohhh... my god... ooohooo... my... not there... not thereaaahaaaa...."

He licked and sucked on her labia and clitoris. His rough tongue provided additional stimulation and soon, her muscles began to twitch and she wrapped her legs tightly around his head. Her stomach muscles tightened and she reared up above him. Still clawing at his ears, she pressed him even harder against her genitals.

"Aaahh... hnnnn... aaarrrgg..."

She screamed into the room when she finally came. All her muscles began to spasm and she finally let herself fall backwards. Heavily convulsing she experienced her orgasm. When she slowly came down, her breathing was heavy and she saw stars dancing in front of her eyes. Finally, she let go of the Great Khan's ears as well. Grinning, he pulled his mouth out from between her thighs. With pleasure he licked the wet from his lips and nose.

Patiently he waited for her to catch her breath. It didn't take long for her to calm down again. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm and her vagina pulsed gently with each breath.

"Are you ready?"

He asked quietly, looking up at her. She swallowed and nodded. He slid closer to her so that he was kneeling practically right between her thighs. He placed his member on her abdomen. It seemed obscenely large compared to her petite figure. It was going to be a challenge. She looked down at herself and saw his manhood lying on top of her.

"Oh my god... it's never going to fit..."

She meekly admitted. He put a finger to her lips.

"Don't be afraid. We'll be very careful and we're not in a hurry."

He said calmly. She nodded hesitantly. Gently he leaned back until his member slowly slid into position. Gently he stabilized her pelvis with one hand and with the other he directed his manhood towards her entrance. Carefully, he applied a little pressure and waited for her to give in and let him enter.

"Relax. The more you struggle, the more it will hurt."

She gritted her teeth and tried to relax. But her body was not ready to welcome a carnivore. He was very patient and gave her time. When he finally noticed that her muscles were slowly letting go, he gently entered her. Her hands tightened in the furs that lay on the bed and she squeezed out a pain-distorted moan. He knew the next step would be painful. He stopped his movement and held out his hand to her.

"Bite down on this. It will hurt for a moment, but it will get better after that."

She looked at him. There were tears in her eyes, her breathing was labored, and her body refused to relax. She looked at his hand and she bit his paw without hesitation. He didn't even flinch. Even when she brought her hands to her aid and tightened her claws in his forearm. He just nodded silently and concentrated on his task. Carefully, he pushed in deeper until he felt resistance. He took a deep breath and looked up at her. In her eyes burned a fire that he could not quite interpret. Was it hatred, lust, pain? It didn't matter. She blinked and he shoved. The moment her hymen tore was the moment she almost bit a piece of flesh out of his hand. Blood trickled down his forearm where her fingernails had dug into his skin and from the corner of her mouth dripped his blood as well. Her blood trickled elsewhere. Still he did not flinch. His benevolent smile still graced his face. He paused with his movement to give her a chance to get used to the new situation. Shirya had narrowed her eyes and was crying out her pain into his hand. Benevolently, he let go of her pelvis and brought his hand to her cheek. Carefully, he wiped away her tears.

"You are so brave. I'm very proud of you."

He whispered. She kept her eyes closed and sobbed. He continued to stroke her. He could slowly feel her relax again. It would be a moment before he could move again.

"It's okay. Take a deep breath and relax. Very slowly."

He continued to whisper. It seemed like the right thing for him to do. She nodded and tried to breathe deeply. She let go of his hand. When she tasted his blood, she opened her eyes and looked at his hand and forearm in horror. She was about to launch into an apology when he put his finger to her lips again.

"It's all right. Don't worry about it. Relax."

He said and stroked her cheek. Carefully, he began to move again. Very slowly and in small movements. With each thrust, she sucked in a sharp breath and held it until he had almost slipped out of her again. He still remained patient, allowing her the time she needed to get used to his size. He took his hand to her hip again and lifted one of her legs with the other. Her moans were still rather painful, but a different tone was slowly mixing in. He could feel her using her muscles to help him slide out, and by letting go to make it easier for him to slide in. She finally welcomed him. Very carefully he penetrated her a little deeper with each thrust. Her moans became louder again. This time they were filled with her lust and her horniness. She clawed at the skins again, but this time to push herself further against the tiger that just filled her completely. She bit down hard on her lip hoping not to moan so loudly.

Outside the Great Khan's door, Rayas sat listening at the door. The sounds coming from inside had already had their effect on her. Her fingers were deep in her vagina and she moved them quickly. Her breath went in quick irregular puffs. She bit down on the finger of her other hand to muffle her own moans as she pleasured herself. She imagined herself in Shirya's place. And the louder Shirya moaned, the more Rayas strained.

Inside, Shirya was approaching her second climax and the Great Khan was also slowly but surely reaching that point. He was by now holding both of Shirya's legs up and ramming his member into her. Shirya's face was wet from her tears, but she was moaning for more and he gave her everything he had. He had his head up and his teeth bared. His breath went in rhythm with his thrusts.

"Ahhn... haahnn... yeah... soon..."

She pressed out while she clung to the skins to avoid being pushed over the bed by him. He felt the muscles in her legs slowly tighten and she steadily grew tighter. The added friction almost drove him out of his mind. He tensed up. He would not cum before she did. He increased the tempo once more and her moans increasingly turned into cries of pleasure.

"Yes... yes... yesss..."

And then she reared up and screamed her orgasm into the room. Her muscles tensed and she jerked violently in his grip. He couldn't hold back any longer either. Along with her twitching, he released his seed inside her. He filled her vagina and his seed was pushed past him to the outside. Shirya's back arched and her pelvis lifted against him. He held her tight and pulsed inside her several more times before his tension also collapsed. Breathing heavily, neither noticed the muffled cry outside the door.

The Great Khan lay on top of Shirya's body, breathing in deep, long gasps, visibly pleased with the result of his effort. Shirya took a little longer to gather her thoughts and really realize what had just happened. The heavy body lying on top of her, the penis still inside her but slowly getting smaller, the fact that she had just had sex with the Great Khan himself, and the fact that now there was practically nothing standing in the way of her sacrifice. She breathed heavily and as the afterglow of the orgasm slowly subsided, her fear of what would happen now came up again.

Tears gathered in her eyes and she began to sob. The Great Khan rose from Shirya and looked into her eyes. There was a deep sadness in his gaze, but his expression was firm and determined. Tenderly, he wiped her tears from her cheek.

"I am sorry, child. But this is the way. The way of all flesh."

His voice was still calm and full of love, but the forced hardness that resonated in it was impossible to miss. His comfort did little to help her. He sat down beside her and watched her body shake.

"Come here."

He said softly and gently pulled her towards him. She climbed onto his lap and cried into his chest. He hugged her and held her close.

"It's all right. Let it all out."

He stroked her back and rested his head against hers. Her tears dripped onto his chest and soaked his fur. He began humming an ancient nursery rhyme and slowly rocked back and forth. It looked ridiculous, but it seemed to be working. Her twitching slowly subsided and she seemed to calm down. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat and listened to his breathing. It had been a hard day for the young tapir. The Great Khan was full of compassion and continued to pet her. He looked down at the pile of misery on his lap and doubted his conviction. He chewed his lip. But if he showed weakness now, he would jeopardize the agreement that had already brought them, as well as the herbivores, 60 years of peace and prosperity. It would all fall apart. They would have to hunt again. The animals would live in fear again. In the end, more animals would die and there would be less prosperity for everyone. It would be fairer thou. Survival of the fittest. Just as nature had once intended.

He kissed her on her head and continued to caress her. She only sobbed now and then, but the tears continued to run down her cheeks.

"Do you need some more time?"

He finally asked softly. Shirya nodded and buried herself deeper into his chest.

"It's all right. You have all the time in the world."

He lied, but it would violate their agreement if he coerced her now.

There was a knock at the door and the Great Khan looked up. In the dialect peculiar to them, he asked something and received a muffled answer. You could tell by his tone that he was not very happy. The door opened and one of his concubines stood in the doorway and behind her stood Rayas. Something seemed very embarrassing to the priestess. The concubine and the Great Khan conversed briefly in that strange dialect and finally the Great Khan laughed heartily. The concubine entered the chamber and Rayas followed her with his head bowed. They both came closer to the bed. Between Rayas' thighs there was still a distinct glimmer in the scanty light. The Great Khan smiled. It did not bother him much that his subjects were indulging in these thoughts. On the contrary, it spurred him on to continue acting as a role model for his tribe. His concubine gestured to Shirya, who remained on his lap and buried herself in his chest. Tenderly, he stroked her back. After a brief exchange, between the concubine and the Great Khan, the concubine knelt beside Shirya and embraced her as well.

"There is no shame in being afraid of death."

She said calmly.

"The greatest warriors are afraid to face their ancestors. For fear of having failed in life and having brought shame upon themselves as well."

She told in a completely calm tone.

"Look at me once, child."

Carefully she took the young woman's head and turned it towards her. With puffy eyes and a completely pained face, Shirya looked up at her.

"You have nothing to blame yourself for. You have brought no shame upon yourself, and the decision to give your life for that of hundreds of others of your kind will be highly credited by your ancestors. You have nothing to fear."

Gently, the concubine wiped the tears from Shirya's cheeks. And stroked her head.

"You have been so brave so far. Not many have walked the path as gracefully as you. Don't hang your head."

Shirya did not move. Her gaze only swung back and forth between Rayas, who stood behind the concubine and still kept her head bowed, and the concubine. Tenderly, the concubine placed her forehead against Shirya's and left it there for a moment before sitting in front of Shirya again.

"Don't be afraid, you won't finish the path alone. Rayas will accompany you to the end. Have courage. Walk tall. Show everyone how strong you are."

Shirya's lips trembled, but she said nothing. The concubine looked to Rayas, who was now approaching. The Great Khan stroked her back again and then leaned back a bit to look her in the eyes better. His eyes reflected calmness and strength, his expression seemed serious but loving. When he spoke his voice was full of warmth.

"It is time, child. Go with Rayas. Your destiny awaits."

It was not easy for him to lie to her. How could it be the destiny of a young, healthy, fertile animal to end up on the slaughter bench. But there was no way back.

Shirya hesitated, she sniffled once more and swallowed hard, then she nodded. Slowly, trembling, she pushed herself off his lap. As she stood in front of him she swayed slightly. Rayas stood behind her and held her so she wouldn't just collapse. The Great Khan and his concubine slowly rose. When he stood in front of her, she hugged him again. Now ranks and statuses no longer mattered. Tenderly he returned the embrace. It was visibly difficult for him to break the embrace, but he would be strong. For his tribe, for the agreement and also for Shirya. Wordlessly, she turned and headed for the door. Rayas followed her.

When they had gone and he was alone with his concubine she looked at him.

"Please tell me it won't be like this every time."

The Great Khan shook his head and looked toward the door.

"No. I will speak to the community. It can't be like this. That was not the spirit of the agreement. Of course, my great-great-grandfather said that only sacrifices should come who go the way of their own free will and no one should be forced, but it had been intended from the beginning that the old and the sick should go the way."

He looked at his hand, which bore Shirya's bite mark.

"I'm going to change that!"

...

The way of all flesh:

Shirya and Rayas walked wordlessly back along the path they had walked just moments before.

When they passed the chamber where the victims were waiting for the ceremony, they were almost empty. It was really going frighteningly fast.

"Don't look."

Whispered Rayas. And tried to lead her back to her preparation room faster. Shirya did not resist. She seemed apathetic, impassive. When Rayas closed the door behind them, it was as if she locked out the world. There was absolute silence in the small room. The smell of incense and herbs seemed much more intense to Shirya now than before. Also, now that her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the room seemed very bright. Rayas had gone ahead and was already standing in the small pool again, holding out his hand to her.

"Come. We will clean you once more."

Her voice seemed forcedly calm, her turmoil was palpable. But she really tried to be calm and relaxed. Shirya hesitantly took her hand and got into the pool. As before, she took a seat on the stone and let Rayas wash her. They washed the tears, sweat, saliva and spilled semen from Shirya's body, but the fear remained. When Rayas finished washing, she led Shirya back to the stone table and began anointing Shirya with the sacred oils. Shirya tentatively reached for Rayas' hand and looked at her pleadingly.

"How long will I have to wait before..."

She swallowed hard and could not finish the sentence. Rayas took her hand and squeezed it.

"You won't. We will, right after we are done here, go to the ritual chamber. You shall suffer no longer."

Shirya smiled weakly. She was terrified, but she was also glad that it would be quick then, and she would not have to wait much longer for the ritual. Rayas worked quickly but thoroughly, anointing her body with the oils and then drawing the runes that marked Shirya as an offering to the community. Shirya could already feel the effects of the drugs again. She drifted into a state that could be called weightless. Her worries and fears gradually fell away from her and a certain euphoria became noticeable. After Rayas completed the anointings, she sat Shirya on the table and began the ritual binding. She calmly explained to Shirya why she was bound, that it was for her own safety. She tied her arms and hands behind her back with an elaborately braided ribbon. More ribbons were tied around both legs and her waist. It was not painful and the ribbons were pretty. When all was done, Rayas led Shirya out of the room and past the preparation chambers, to a large red portal in front of which two priestesses waited. As they approached, the priestesses opened the portal with a bow. Rayas strode ahead and crossed the portal, Shirya following her. In her trance she fortunately did not recognize everything. The room Rayas brought her into was red. Not that it had been painted red at any time. The stone that made up the rest of the pyramid had been soaked in blood over the years that it had taken on that color. At the very front on the altar, another sacrifice was being carefully lifted onto a stretcher and carried outside through one of the side doors. The altar was a massive block of stone standing on a pedestal. Behind it stood a massive priest. His fur had been shorn and his skin blackened with soot. His face was adorned with a skull applied with white lime. He was huge, muscle-bound and covered with scars. His arms were adorned with countless cuts, all of which seemed to be fresh. Just then, he added another cut. When he looked up, his face was adorned with a mask of sadness. When he greeted Rayas, his voice was sounding exhausted. As Rayas climbed the stairs to the altar, she could see that his body was covered with blood. Wordlessly, Rayas turned to Shirya and she too approached the altar.

"Be welcome child. At the end of your journey, you shall be allowed to cross over without suffering or torment."

The priest greeted his next sacrifice and spread his hands over the blood-soaked altar. His voice sounded exhausted, but benevolent. Like a shepherd leading his flock into the barn in the evening.

"Lay down to rest and receive peace."

Shirya lay down on the altar and positioned her arms, bound behind her back, in a hollow that seemed made for it.

"Close your eyes and breathe deeply."

Shirya closed her eyes. The last thing she saw was Rayas putting her hands on her cheeks and stroking them tenderly. Then she took a deep breath.

...