Females of Vulvar Read online

  “Stand, Tobias Hart,” the Chief Priestess said with a smile. “You have completed the mission successfully. In the name of the Goddess-Queens, I declare you are now free.”

  The crowd cheered behind me. I stood self-consciously, knowing not what I should say.

  Finally, I found my voice, “Thank you, Your Excellency.”

  My mother rushed forward and embraced me, showering my face with kisses to the point I thought I might die of embarrassment. Releasing me at last, she stepped back with tears in her eyes.

  “Hail, Tobias Hart,” my mother said.

  “Hail, mother,” I said. “It’s good to see you once again.”

  “I’m pleased with your safe return, my son. And, I’m proud of your achievement on behalf of the Goddess-Queens.”

  “Thank you, mother, and it’s good to be home.”

  Melriel touched my arm. I turned to look at her. She had tears in her eyes too as she removed the unlocking device from around her neck. She offered it to me.

  “By the will of the Goddess-Queens, you are now free, Tobias Hart,” she said sadly. “You may remove the tube when it suits you. I am broken-hearted to lose the services of such a fine male.”

  “Thank you, mistress,” I said.

  Melriel flung herself on me and buried her face against my shoulder. I felt the wetness of her tears on my neck as she wept. After a while, she regained control of her emotions and looked up at me through tear-filled eyes.

  “It is no longer mistress,” she said. “You may call me Melriel.”

  Then she released me and stepped back. I felt someone roundly slap me on the back. I turned, and my old teacher and friend enveloped me in an affectionate hug. Releasing me, he stepped back but laid his hands on my shoulders.

  “It seems you have had quite an adventure young Tobias Hart,” Amanuensis said.

  “Yes, teacher, quite an adventure,” I said. “I hope to tell you all about it, including how something you forced me to learn saved my life.”

  “What?” Amanuensis said, feigning confusion. “You mean to say something I taught you penetrated that dull head of yours?”

  We both laughed. After a few more words with Amanuensis, I turned to scan the crowd, looking for Idril. My heart sank with disappointment when I caught sight of her mounted on her baacaas, riding away at the head of the column of her warriors.

  In a panic, I turned to my mother.

  “Why has Idril departed so suddenly?” I said. “I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye.”

  My mother smiled knowingly. “Do not worry, my son. Idril will be at the banquet the city is hosting tonight in honor of our returning heroes.”

  I knew then I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing Idril again. Somehow, I had to stay on this world. I resolved to speak with my mother about it as soon as the occasion presented itself.

  ◆◆◆

  On the grounds of the great hall, the Kohtuhree of Priestesses served a sumptuous midday meal with plenty of Irie, the tasty light-bodied but potent wine of Vulvar. Then the crowd dispersed, and people went their separate ways.

  My mother took me to her home until time for the banquet, which she had told me the Anax, the elected head of the city, was hosting at her official residence.

  Once we arrived at my mother’s home, we sat outside on the wide porch in front of her house with another glass of Irie and talked. I told her all about the quest and the strange beings we had encountered in Saba.

  “It has long been rumored that creatures still live in Saba,” my mother said. “But, until now, no one has visited there anytime in the past 600 years to confirm it.”

  With the adventure tale behind us, it seemed a good time to broach the topic foremost on my mind.

  “Mother, is it possible for me to make a request to the Goddess-Queens?”

  “What kind of request?”

  “I don’t wish to leave this world,” I said. “I wish to petition them for permission to remain on Vulvar.”

  “But, I thought you were eager to return home to your planet, Tobias.”

  “Things have changed,” I said. “I’ve learned that my mother is alive. Auntie Jayne and uncle are both long dead. Nothing is waiting for me back on Earth. I wish to make a life here.”

  My mother was silent for a long while, gazing out at her splendid gardens. Then she turned and looked me in the eye.

  “I’m uncertain the Goddess-Queens would entertain such a request, Tobias. I could inquire of the High Priestess about it. But, first, you must understand something.”

  “What, mother?”

  “There are no free males on this world,” my mother said soberly. “Nor will there ever be. Yet, the Goddess-Queens have made you free. I’m certain they would never allow you to remain on Vulvar as a free male.”

  I nodded. “I expected as much,” I said. “But something has happened. Something changed for me during the expedition.”

  “What changed, Tobias?”

  “I’ve fallen in love, mother.”

  My mother smiled sadly. “You’ve fallen in love with Idril, I suppose.”

  “Yes,” I said. “I don’t want to live without her. I’m willing to become her slave if she will only have me.”

  “Have you some reason to believe Idril requites your affections?”

  “I’m certain she became fond of me during the expedition,” I said. “She never told me so in words, but based on how she behaved toward me, I’m convinced she feels affection for me on some level.”

  “Have you revealed your feelings to Idril?”

  “No,” I said. “I didn’t feel it was appropriate until Melriel no longer owned me.”

  My mother nodded in agreement.

  “Tobias, love between a male and female is not a part of the culture here,” she said. “It would never be like the relationships on Earth. You could never marry. You could never copulate with Idril without risking death. It isn’t certain they would allow Idril to bear your children even through artificial insemination.”

  “I don’t care about any of that,” I said. “I want to be with Idril. I want to belong to her. And, if it is the will of the Goddess-Queens, I’m happy to continue as a breeder, the main purpose for which they brought me here.”

  My mother nodded again. “I understand. I still vividly recall the feelings I had for your father. But, as much as I’d love being able to continue seeing you, Tobias, I’d rather see you return to Earth where you could meet a nice female, get married, have children, and lead a normal life.”

  “But, that isn’t what I want,” I said. “I want to belong to Idril.”

  “I’ll do this much,” my mother said. “First, I will speak to Idril this evening to learn her thoughts about this. If it seems she returns your feelings, that she desires you, then I’ll speak to the High Priestess on your behalf.”

  “That’s all I ask, mother,” I said.

  “But, know this, Tobias,” my mother said. “The Goddess-Queens rule according to their whims. They do not take into account the wishes of mere mortals on this world. Even if the High Priestess might be persuaded to intervene on your behalf, there is still no guarantee that the Goddess-Queens will assent to your request.”

  “I’d at least like to present the request,” I said, “rather than merely accept banishment back to Earth knowing I’d never see Idril again.”

  “All right,” my mother said. “We will see what we might do. Now, go wash and rest, my son. I’ll call you when it’s time to leave for the banquet.”

  “Yes, mother,” I said, getting up. I turned and went to the room my mother had shown me to before we had gone outside.

  After bathing, I lay down on the bed to rest but was unable to sleep. I wasn’t sure I could ever sleep again until the most pressing matter in my life was resolved. I couldn’t lose Idril.

  Chapter 23

  The Banquet

  The residence of the Anax was palatial by Vulvarian standards. It was an estate provided at the e
xpense of the city for the use of its chief executive. A great feast was held in honor of the members of the expedition in celebration of our successful quest on behalf of the Goddess-Queens.

  My mother had told me since it had been citizens of Thiva that had undertaken and completed the arduous mission, the council expected Thiva to receive favored status from the Goddess-Queens for years to come. With obvious embarrassment, my mother admitted she would enjoy even more favorable treatment from her peers in the government because her son had played a vital role in the successful quest.

  It was clear as we had traveled to the home of the Anax how grateful the entire city was for the efforts of the expedition team. The citizens had festooned buildings and bridges with garlands of flowers and had strung lines of shimmering, colorful lanterns throughout the city. The Anax had declared a holiday.

  Crowds gathered in the city square and other public places to sing, dance, and to share food and drink. It had turned into a city-wide festival with shouting, laughter, and merrymaking everywhere. At least for the night, they relaxed the distinction between female masters and male slaves. They allowed even the slaves to gather together to take part in the festive celebration.

  At the banquet, I was the one who felt embarrassment from all the attention showered upon me. Many of those who sat on the council approached me to offer their thanks for accomplishing the critical mission. The Anax herself wrung my hands and offered her thanks, as did Gaylia, the Chief Priestess. My embarrassment was because I knew that the other members of the expedition had contributed as much, many of them far more, to the success of our endeavor. It seemed the officials were giving me far too much credit. I’d only contributed some specialized knowledge not readily available on Vulvar.

  To my delight, even Amanuensis, my delightfully eccentric former teacher, appeared at the banquet. I was sure my mother had him included as a guest for my benefit. Amanuensis made much of the floor-length, formal tunic my mother had outfitted me with for the banquet. It was white and trimmed in red, the color of the warriors. He was also wearing an elegant looking formal tunic and new sandals for the occasion. I’d never seen him so well dressed.

  Amanuensis clasped my shoulders and, to my surprise, openly wept as he told me how proud he was of his former student. My heart swelled with affection for the older man who I held in the highest esteem. His words meant far more to me than all those spoken by the government officials.

  My heart skipped a beat when I saw Idril sweep into the banquet hall. She wore a long formal female tunic trimmed in the color of the warriors. Someone had tailored it perfectly to her fetching feminine form. A plaited garland of colorful flowers graced her head of scarlet hair. While I wanted nothing more than to rush to her side just to bask in her presence, I did not. Well-wishers of her Kohtuhree of Warriors had mobbed her the moment she had stepped into the room, congratulating her on her accomplishment of the mission to Saba. I kept my eyes on her, however, waiting for my chance to spend time with her.

  While distracted by the noble Idril, someone touched me lightly on the back. I turned to find it was Melriel, who also looked ravishing in a beautiful formal tunic trimmed in gold. But sadness was evident in her eyes. Still, she tried to smile bravely and embraced me.

  “I suppose you removed the tube as soon as you arrived at your mother’s home,” Melriel teased, whispering into my ear.

  “No, mistress,” I whispered back. “After bathing, I put it back on before dressing for the banquet.”

  Melriel took a step back and looked at me with astonishment.

  “What?” she said with wide eyes. “Why? You’re no longer required to wear it.”

  “It suits me,” I said, blushing slightly. “I feel naked without it. And, wearing it reminds me of the wonderful mistress I once had the honor to serve.”

  Melriel beamed. “Careful, Tobias Hart,” she said. “If you continue to speak in that manner, I may petition the Goddess-Queens to renege on their promise and to make you remain on Vulvar as my pleasure slave.”

  “Worse fates could befall me, mistress,” I said with a bow.

  While we both laughed, Melriel did not understand how much I wished she had the influence with the Goddess-Queens to persuade them to renege on their promise. Though not for a reason she might have imagined.

  The Chief Priestess came by and interrupted our conversation. She whisked Melriel away to meet others from the Kohtuhree of Priestesses. As Gaylia pulled her away, Melriel glanced back wistfully over her shoulder and mouthed her apologies for leaving me.

  With Melriel gone, I returned my gaze to across the hall where I’d last seen Idril standing. Immediately, I felt the warmth of redness spreading to my neck and ears when I saw my mother and Idril engaged in deep conversation in a semi-private corner of the hall. Fearing the worst, I imagined my mother demanding to know Idril’s intentions toward her son.

  I reached for and grabbed another chalice of Irie from the tray of a passing server to steady my nerves. As I sipped the potent wine, Idril looked in my direction, flashing me a radiant smile. Then she turned back to my mother and embraced her. After a few more words, she turned and walked in my direction, making my heart skip a beat.

  Now that I was to have her attention, I wondered what I should say. Should I declare my love for her? Should I say anything at all? I needn’t have struggled with deciding what to say as Idril spoke first.

  “Hail, Tobias Hart,” she said with a wide grin.

  “Hail, commander,” I said.

  Idril laughed loudly. “I think we can dispense with the formalities tonight. You may call me Idril.”

  “As you wish,” I said with a bow. “Hail, Idril.”

  “I just had an enlightening conversation with your mother,” Idril said. “It is obvious she loves her son very much.”

  I nodded. “It has been a pleasure to get to know my mother after our long separation.”

  “Tell me, have you seen the back gardens yet?” Idril said. “They are so lovely in the light of the moons.”

  “No, I haven’t had the pleasure,” I said.

  Idril slipped her arm inside mine.

  “Then, by all means, walk with me,” she said. “I’d love showing them to you.”

  Together, arm in arm, we strolled across the banquet hall. We attracted more than a few bewildered stares from curious onlookers as we proceeded out through a rear doorway to the back lawns.

  For several moments, Idril pretended to explain to me the intricacies of the gardens as she stood close to me, still clinging to my arm.

  “Don’t you agree the gardens look spectacular by the light of the moons?” she said.

  “Yes,” I said, looking up at the night sky. “You know, I still haven’t become accustomed to seeing two moons above. We have only one moon back on Earth.”

  Idril gazed into my eyes. “When I was a little girl, my mother once told me a story about our moons,” she said.

  “Did she?” I said. “Will you share it?”

  “Mother told me our moons are two lovers, a male, and a female. Once, they were mortals on Vulvar. But, since they could not be lovers here, they became celestial bodies and moved to the heavens where they could spend eternity together undisturbed.”

  “Nice story,” I said. “But, so very non-Vulvarian.”

  Idril laughed. “Ha. No, it is not a very Vulvarian story.”

  We were both quiet for a time, then Idril looked at me with a serious expression.

  “Your mother tells me you wish to remain on Vulvar,” she said.

  “Yes, that is my wish.”

  “She also told me you wish to become my slave.”

  “That too is my wish. I know I cannot remain on Vulvar as a free male. I’d be happy to stay here on this world belonging to you, Idril.”

  “You desire me?” she said.

  Though phrased as a question, her words had sounded more like a statement.

  “I love you, Idril,” I said. “I love you as I’ve loved n
o one in my entire life. I can’t imagine never seeing you again. I don’t want to imagine it.”

  Idril sighed. “Tobias, it’s so complicated, these feelings.”

  “Yes, here on Vulvar, I know the circumstances complicate such feelings. But I want so much to spend my life with you. I’m willing to accept the ways of this world.”

  “It is only fair that I reveal that I too have developed feelings for you, Tobias Hart,” Idril said. “Yet I must also tell you I find the feelings utterly confusing. I can’t honestly say I’m even happy to have them.”

  “Still, it pleased me to hear the words you’ve spoken,” I said.

  “I’m uncertain a relationship could work with us here,” Idril said. “Certainly, were I to own you, I’d never treat you as a slave when we were alone. But, in public, in the presence of my friends, my peers, and others, that is exactly how I’d have to treat you for the sake of appearances. Would you not find it hurtful?”

  “I could live with it,” I said, suddenly fearful I was about to feel rejection.

  “Of course, you know there would always be things we could not share,” Idril said.

  “Yes, copulating, as one example,” I said.

  Idril grinned. “Yes, copulating for one. Not that I might never wish it, but if we did so and somehow it became known, the government authorities would subject you to a cruel and painful death. And, I would bear the responsibility for it.”

  “I think there are plenty of other ways to express love and affection to someone that wouldn’t violate any Vulvarian laws or social customs,” I said.

  “Well, perhaps they wouldn’t violate the letter of the laws and norms,” Idril smirked. “But, I’m uncertain others would consider the acts appropriate between a male slave and his female mistress.”

  “So, are you unwilling to have me?” I said.

  “May I be honest with you, Tobias?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “I know your mother wishes for you to return to Earth,” she said. “In all honesty, I find myself in agreement with her. I think you would have a far better life ahead of you on your home planet than here. And, I hope you understand, it is precisely because I have these feelings for you that allow me to say this. I want the best for you, dear Tobias.”