I did throw a major curve didn't I? I STILL don't know where that chapter came from…Hmmm…*Gives Plot Bunnies A Suspicious Look. Plot Bunnies Hide Under The Bed* Well, no matter…on with the show. The goddess belongs to my twisted mind; so don't get to close!

Chapter 21--Preparations

Cal was waiting in the underground temple when hi Lady returned. "Welcome, High Priestess," he said and bowed. He eyed Lana lustfully. "She is very young," he said.

Nightsong shrugged. "We have one day. Tomorrow will be the full moon. She must be prepared by then," she said.

Cal grinned. "May I have her? Please, High Priestess?" he asked.

Nightsong slapped him so hard she knocked him sprawling. "You are not to touch her in any way or I will geld you myself before giving you to Kishara," she snapped. "Go about your business!"

Cal paled at her fury. He scrambled from the room on his hands and knees to get out of his elder sister's sight.

Muttering, Nightsong had her priestesses take the girl away and went into a huge room that was the chapel. A large stone alter sat in front of a twelve-foot tall statue made of obsidian. It was a woman, but she had a snake's body below the waist, eyes like a snake, and four arms with taloned fingers. She held a severed head in one clawed hand, Kishara, goddess of death and blood, a foul and dark goddess who demanded blood sacrifices from her priestesses. Many of them were assassins. Few worshipped her now and those that did kept it a secret.

Nightsong knelt and began to pray to her goddess. She had to please her or her own followers would give her life to the Lady of Death. She prayed for hours before collapsing in exhaustion before the alter.

*Meanwhile*

Lana felt like she was waking from a dream. She vaguely remembered hands washing her like one would wash a horse. She opened her eyes and realized to her complete humiliation that she was naked except iron bracelets around her wrists and ankles. She was lying on several thick furs. She leaped up and used one of the furs to cover herself. Looking around she realized she was locked in a cage like an animal. She sank to the floor.

A woman entered the room an hour later. It was the woman she'd bumped into in the city. "So you are awake, my child. That is good," she said.

"Who are you? What is this place?" Lana demanded.

The woman laughed rather cruelly. "I see no reason to answer any of your questions. Tomorrow you'll die on Kishara's alter. It will be very painful by the way and unfortunately your head must be clear, so you'll just have to endure the pain," she said.

"I won't meekly allow this!" Lana shouted.

She laughed again. "But you will. I'll use my mind control and you'll lie down upon the alter willingly. I'll not release the spell until you are bound then the ritual will begin. Sweet dreams," she said and left the room.

Lana wept for a long time before falling into a restless sleep. Someone entering the room awaked her. She was startled to see an Elf. "Who are you?" she asked.

"Randari, I brought you some food," he said.

Lana hadn't noticed the tray until then. "Please, can't you help me?" she pleaded.

Frightened green eyes flew to meet hers. "I cannot. I'm sorry!" he said.

Lana then noticed the iron collar around the Elf's neck. "If you help me we could both be free, please," she said.

"I can't," Randari repeated.

"That's right, my dear, he can't," Nightsong said from behind them.

Lana gasped. She hadn't heard her come in.

Randari started so violently that he almost dropped the tray. "High Priestess, I didn't…" he began. He stopped when he saw how cold her eyes were.

"Leave the food and get out. I'll deal with you later," Nightsong snapped.

Trembling, Randari shoved the food into the cage and nearly ran from the room.

Lana gathered her courage. "He didn't do anything," she said. "Please don't hurt him."

"He wasn't given permission to speak to you. A slave must remember his place. He won't help you because he doesn't want to end up like his parents. He witnessed their sacrifice and he knows what happens. Resign yourself to your doom, girl. There is no escape," Nightsong said. Turning, she left the room…….

Not looking good is it? Sorry this wasn't up yesterday, but my computer refused to let me connect. R/R please!! Thank ye!