You kept asking for it, so here it is.

Fertility Rite

Chapter One: An Offer Is Made

High Elf Archer took a deep drink from her wine and frowned.

It had bee two days since they had arrived in Water Town, during which they'd spent most of their time accompanying Priestess to various religious services and meetings. And while she certainly believed in and prayed to the Gods of Law and Order, she wasn't as devout in her faith as some, and she found the constant prayers and hyms somehow hollow. Anyone who needed to be constantly reaffirming their faith was probably making up for something.

Even Priestess seemed to be lagging somewhat, and she was perhaps the most devout person High Elf Archer knew.

Looking across a room, she saw where Orcbolg was standing with a representative of the City Guard: no doubt he was being forced to recant their run-in with the bandits at the Inn of the Dancing Cow yet again. They'd reported the incident to the Guards as soon as they reached Water Town, and the testimony of the terrified young women they'd rescued supported everything they'd said. Not even Orcbolgs admission that he'd willfully and intentionally killed one of the slavers raised an eyebrow, and instead had been put down to necessary use of force under the circumstances. She'd been a little worried about him; to the best of her knowledge, he'd never taken a human life before, lest not someone truly human and not a Non-Prayer Character, and it was said to be something that could eat a person up from the inside. She'd questioned him about it the first time they were alone, and he'd simply shrugged it off, stating again that the slavers were worse than goblins, and just as worthy of his mercy.

There was no bloodlust, no desire to go out and kill every salver he could find, but nore would he loose any sleep for removing one from the world.

"Hello." a soft voice brought High Elf Archer back to the present, and she looked around to see Sword Maiden walking towards her, a look of serenity on the Archbishops face, "I've been meaning to offer my congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Your Grace." The Ranger nodded, "Although, I have to say that I am somewhat surprised: more than a few of your colleagues have been less than understanding."

"They're not Adventurers: they don't understand how... unconventional we can be." Sword Maiden chuckled, "Although I will admit a certain amount of surprises that a certain someone wasn't involved." her sightless eyes located Priestess in the room with almost unnerving ease, "You'd have to be as blind as I am not to see how she feels about him."

"It's complicated." the Ranger frowned slightly; it wasn't the one of the usual questions, but yet again someone was prying into her home life, "She's still not quite seventeen..."

"And you're still hoping that she finds someone else, so you don't have to share your husband with a third woman?"

"Not exactly. More we don't want her to rush into a relationship if all she's feeling is a childish crush and not true love. If she still feels the same way when she turns eighteen, we'll discuss the matter."

"Very understanding of you."

"There are four people in our marriage as it is: understanding is part of everyday life."

"And yet I sense something is amiss." Sword Maiden tilted her head to one side slightly, "You're sad about something?"

"Are you asking as a Cleric, a possible friend or out of general curiosity?" High Elf Archer asked dryly.

"I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there are aspects of all three. Goblin Slayer is...dear to me, but not in the same way that he is to your or your wives. But I would also like for you to consider me your friend, and if needed, your confessor."

The Range took another drink from her wine: perhaps it would be good to get it off her chest?

"Guild Girl and Cow Girl have both fallen pregnant with Orcbolgs children, the latter with twins. And while I couldn't be happier for them..."

"You wish to bear his child too?"

"Very much so. But Humans and Elves...well, it can take time. Years."

"I have heard as much before." Sword Maiden nodded, "You're far from the first mixed-race couple to have difficulty falling pregnant. Have you discussed it with the others?"

"Only in the broadest of senses. They seem to be of the impression that we just need to, well, try harder."

"And how is your sex life? Do you make love regularly?"

High Elf Archer almost choked on her wine. She looked round, expecting to see either scorn or myth on the other woman's face, but instead saw genuine concern.

"Yes, we make love almost every day." She admitted once she managed to stop coughing, "He's a healthy young man by the standards of your people, but he does have three wives."

"So, the spirit is willing even if the flesh is weak." Sword Maiden nodded contemplatively, "Have you considered...other options?"

"I don't follow." the Ranger looked at the Archbishop blankly, starting to feel the effects of the wine.

"Our peoples have been, for want of a better word, mixing, for thousands of years." Sword Maiden took a step closer, lowering her voice, "And as I said, you are far from the first couple to have some difficulties in procreation. Over the centuries, certain ways have been found to assist the matter. Certain Rituals that can be performed to call upon the Gods to bless the couple with a child." she hesitated, "They do require a certain amount of openness with the Priest or Priestess performing the Rite, but I'm sure your young friend would be willing to oblige if I explained what needed to be done."

"No!" High Elf Archer shook her head, "She's still little more than a child herself. Yes, she may be an Adventurer, but in many ways, she's still an innocent."

"Then perhaps I could offer my assistance?" the Archbishop actually blushed, "I owe Goblin Slayer, and the rest of your party, a great debt, one that far exceeds simple payment for a completed Quest." she took the Elf's hands in her own, "Please, allow me to bring you happiness in exchange for the peace you granted me?"

High Elf Archer's mouth went suddenly dry.

"What exactly does this Rite entail?" she managed to ask, suddenly very aware of just how close the other woman was.

"There are many options, many differing opinions on what works best." Sword Maiden bit her lower lip, "I have never performed it myself, but from what I have read and been told, I believe that our best option would be if I joined the two of you in your bed tonight, and held you in my arms and blessed your union while Goblin Slayer made love to you."

The Rangers mouth fell open: if she was understanding what was being said, then the Archbishop of the Supreme God had just asked to join her marriage bed. Yes, she shared it with Cow Girl and Guild Girl, but they were her wives, and she loved them as much as she did Orcbolg. But for the first time, someone from the outside was asking to join them.

Priestess didn't really count, least not in her mind.

She looked at Sword Maiden: even in her official vestments, she was stunningly beautiful, with a body many women half her age would kill for. Her long, golden blond hair hung down almost to the floor, while the blindfold she wore to cover her damaged eyes only added a hint of mystery to her. Her body was, well, that of a goddess; a perfect hourglass with a bust that put even Cow Girl to shame. And given all the time High Elf Archer had spent getting to know her wives bodies, she considered herself something of an expert on the matter. And despite being older than the young farmer, there was no hint of sag, not an ounce of fat to be seen.

High Elf Archer didn't know how Sword Maiden managed it, but she hoped that she aged half as gracefully.

But if she did go ahead with what was being proposed, it would be a betrayal of her wedding vows, to forsake all others besides Orcbolg, Cow Girl and Guild Girl until death separated them. Even if it was only to help her conceive the child she so desperately wanted, there was no getting around that it was a selfish, not selfless, act. How would she explain it when they got home? Keeping it a secret was unthinkable, as there were no secrets in their home. Her wives were were keen on the idea of her falling pregnant, so was it possible that they'd understand? Or even approve?

If only they were back at Frontier Town, or the others had joined them this time, she could ask them directly. But time was of the essence, if she was to fall pregnant that month, and so there wasn't even the option of sending a letter home and waiting for a response.

"If I said yes, and I'm not saying I am," She took a deep breath and looked around to make sure that nobody was listening in, "When and where would we do this?"

To Be Continued...