We Kneel For No Man
These are our words, the words we chant at the beginning of each day. The words Our Lady taught us. To give us strength, to give us courage for any trial that lies ahead. Our Lady leads the chant, from her platform high above, looking down and over us. Our Lady will chant, the initiates and I repeat, heads bowed in deference. Not until we have proven ourselves, and the brand of the Snake marks us as a brother may we gaze upon Our Lady's beauty. With the chant over, it is time to prepare for training. The few clothes we wear are shed. My shirt and kilt, carefully laid to my side. They are the dress we wear for battle, chosen for us by Our Lady. They must be treated with the same respect, for they belong to Her, as in turn do each of us.
Naked I stand, head still bowed. The morning's sun beating down on my neck and back. A bead of sweat begins its slow trickle downwards, following the contours of my body. The body She has sculpted. I am naked save for my collar and chastity belt, both are symbols of our devotion to her, and She holds the key to both. I still remember the day both were put on, the embarrassment I felt at being naked in front of Her. Exposed and vulnerable, heat rising in my face as my heart raced and head rushed. Now I feel honoured that She would look upon my naked flesh, a privilege given to few.
My arms are tied high over my head, leaving my back exposed, ready to be marked as Her's. She teaches me that pain is simply an extension of her touch, something to be loved as She is. It was a hard lesson at first, each lash of the whip causing screams of agony. Each cut of her knife, searing pain. Now when She marks me, I am just as vocal but the screams are now of ecstasy for her pain, for her.
"Are you ready?" She whispers softly into my ear.
"Yes my Lady, thank you My Lady" Comes my reply, already I tense in anticipation.
She puts her blade to my throat, lifting my chin before dragging back across my shoulders and down. It begins to bite into my flesh and I feel the warm trickle of blood escape to run down my back along with my sweat. I gasp in sheer delight.
My training for the day has begun.