Chapter 25

Susan prepared herself in the small bath adjoining the inner chamber in the Temple. She hadn't been in the temple since Barbara's induction to the eleventh order as her first official duty as High Priestess some six months past. That was another odd thing. The rod wasn't calling for higher orders for those well deserving of them. She was alone in the temple. Having bid others to give her privacy, even Jane. She was about to do something she had never done; She was going to pray to Aphrodite.

She dried her hair and brushed it out. Then spot dried the last drops of moisture from her body. She stepped nude into the chamber.

Outside the doors were shut and sealed. The inner chamber also. Susan was safe from intrusion against virtually any weapon still upon the earth.

Since Jane's reunion with Steve, a steady stream of glass sheets and objects had flowed from his manufacturing plant in California to the University in Austria. Likewise to Jane's estate. Both temples were now sheathed in molecularly bonded glass panels that would deflect a howitzer shell. As were many of the buildings at the University. They had lost their edge of total secrecy. Too many people had seen the blue eminence from the Temples and witnessed other events like the nude procession back to the dorm.

The energy vortexes had focused the worlds attention to the two locations. It would only be a matter of time before someone tried to force an entry or perform an act of terrorism against the Sisterhood. Against this, the two locations had become virtual fortresses. Unassuming as they were to the casual observer.

Any of the dorms and most the other buildings could be sealed by any of the Sisterhood with her amulet. Even in the buildings not yet fully protected there were safe havens that all knew of. Special sheets would pass oxygen in one direction and carbon-dioxide and methane in the other to insure safe breathing air inside the enclosures. They would stop any chemical or biological weapon that could be leveled against them. Special facilities would purify and recycle waste water. There were stocks of dehydrated foods and other provisions. The Sisterhood could sustain a concerted siege attack of almost two years. Long before that, any of the upper orders would use their powers to repel any such attack.

In secret locations in the temples and elsewhere there were other means of persuasion; crystal caskets of gold.

The Sisterhood had maintained it's investment strategy, pulling back just what was needed for it's operations and slowly building up stocks of resources for the future. The rest of the slow growth of the now ten-billion dollars worth of assets had been invested into secure slow growth real estate properties. A substantial quantity of land was owned. Some of it around Rowe University and around Jane's estate. Construction was underway at both locations for glassworks manufacturing facilities for the technology that the Sisterhood controlled through Steve, who couldn't have been happier. Rather than direct capital gain, he was given free access to whatever assets he needed to produce the items for the Sisterhood or whatever he deemed appropriate to produce. He had a carte-blanche account to draw upon at his whim.

On paper it would appear that he was just a growing manufacture who was silly enough to devote his entire production to just a few large volume customers. The cash flow balanced. Taxes were paid on time.

In locations where the Sisterhood had completed their studies and gone out into the world, safe houses were being constructed. There was a virtual community of them surrounding Steven's manufacturing plants for those who had chosen to work on his growing technology. The plants themselves were also thus protected. There were also safe houses nearby all the major airports that the Sisterhood traveled through. The locations of which were known to all who traveled. If they could once reach one of these locations, they would be safe from outside events for two years. The Sisterhood was preparing for a siege that would surely come.

This, and a hundred other things were on Susan's mind as she stepped out into the chamber.

She didn't quite know how to proceed. She thought momentarily about getting down on her knees. No, that wasn't the way. She sat down of the bed and began to compose her thoughts.

"Aphrodite ... I don't really know the proper way to go about this. You've never asked that we worship you. You've asked that we honor you and protect your trust in us, and that we have done and are doing.

"But now I need to talk to you. There are questions I don't have the knowledge or the means to answer. Important questions that affect your Sisterhood.

"Jane and I have sought the answers within ourselves and our sphere of influence. We have used the tools that have been given to us to the farthest extent of their abilities and our own. The greatest of these tools being our knowledge and the Rod's of Aphrodite and Sappho. The lesser of these being the amulets that all your Sisters now bear. We are at an end of our perception over these questions.

"These questions now delay the growth of your love over the face of the earth. We are vigilant in our studies and preparations. We seek always to spread your love and grace to the furthest extent of our reach. We seek to deal with the outside world with compassion and understanding, keeping love in our hearts. We are unaffected by the pettiness of rumor, bigotry and hatred. We are vigilant always in protecting the sacred trust that you have given us. We are studying and refining the technology of the rods, in preparation of introducing them to the rest of the earth. But we lack direction. We are as a rudderless ship upon the seas. Jane and I provide what direction we see needed to provide for the safety of those aboard, and to continue to bring others on board. But we lack a destination. We are adrift with the currents.

"Will you talk with me?" Susan asked, half- meekly.

She sat there and waited.

Susan became aware of a presence. At the moment, it was not profound. It was more of like feeling eyes on the back of your head, like someone was watching you.

Susan looked around the chamber, her eyes sweeping around it in a repeating arc as she turned all the way to look behind her, then back again around the chamber. Her gaze returning once more by the door, as if she had missed something.

Suddenly she found herself looking at the most incredibly beautiful woman that she had ever seen in her life. It was as if the gods had come and queried her mind over what the specification for the most perfect body was. She was tall, but not over six foot. Maybe about five foot nine or ten inches. She was slender, but her slenderness was not from weakness, it was firmness of body. She was muscular, but not in a detracting manner. She had high firm breasts with clearly defined delineation between the different segments. Her rib cage was discernible, but just barely. It in no way detracted from the perfect line that descended to her narrow waist. From there the line expanded gracefully out to her hips, which were prominent, but narrower than her shoulders. From there, the outside curve flowed smoothly downwards, blending perfectly in the strong, muscular -but sleek- legs. The inside of the hips marked the starting of two gradually descending valleys that dropped to either side of the two labial lips. Unobscured by hair. Their curves soft and rounded on either side of the center cleft which sported a prominent ridge of tissue wrapped around a shiny bud of her erect clitoris.

Susan looked upward to the face, which was angelic in repose. It was narrow, with a strong but narrow nose. The cheekbones high and strong. On her head was the finest, silken, baby-fine, golden tresses. They cascaded down over her ears to splash upon the strong shoulders. Her skin was a curious mix of alabaster and bronze. As if she had sunbathed nude since childhood under a gentle sun. The lips were full and soft and sensual. Just enough natural darkening to delineate them from the rest of the face. Looking upward the eyes held a hint of oriental heritage. They were deep-set and sapphire blue. The same sapphire blue as the rod shone, in it's full brilliance.

At that instant, Susan became aware that she was staring, and who she was staring at. She suddenly dropped her eyes in panic.

"That's okay, you can look. I quite like this vessel myself. I so seldom get to wear one near as nice. You are the first one who has called me in quite some time." a voice that was beyond beauty said.

Susan found herself drinking in the beauty once more, as if it were the first sip of spring water after a long trip in the desert. She fought for her voice with all her being.

"Should I kneel or bow or something?" Susan croaked.

"If you feel like it. I'm not a big admirer of groveling... 'groveling'. Such a wonderfully rich and diverse language. I quite enjoy it's texture across my tongue." said the voice, which was known to Susan.

"You are Aphrodite, I have heard your voice before." Susan heard herself say.

The woman smiled, like the first rays of sun touching the wildflowers in a mountain meadow.

"Yes, and you, are Susan Celia Rowe. Susan as a warm companion to your dear, valued friends. Doctor Rowe as a title of honor of what you have achieved among those of your world. And more to your honor, my new High Priestess. I would feel pleased to address you as Susan." said the woman.

"I am honored." Susan said, dropping her gaze.

"If you must be." said the woman, a bit sadly, "But it is not my desire."

"How may I please you." Susan asked, still looking downward...

"By meeting mine eye. As I felt in your heart as you called me. You sought a... 'chat', as with an old friend. I envy you that. It is a warmth I have seldom known." said Aphrodite, sadly.

Susan found herself looking up.

"You, envy me?" Susan asked in wonder.

"We are not dissimilar, Susan ... Is this not how you conduct your ministry? You desire to be 'just one of the girls', though you are not. You desire freely given love, as do I. This thing is as precious to you as it is to me. The warmth of a companion, who chooses to be your companion of their own free will. Is this not truly the highest honor to you, that you know?" Aphrodite asked.

Then Susan saw the personage of Aphrodite as an individual. She felt the intense loneliness behind the eyes. The desire to be 'liked' for ones self, not for what one might do for another. She felt compassion for her.

"Yes. Please, will you sit with me? I would feel most pleased to call you my... friend." Susan said, motioning to the bed.

Aphrodite seemed taken aback. She seemed to sway a moment from the impact of the words. She closed her eyes a moment, as if to compose herself. When she opened them there seemed to be just a hint of extra sparkle to her electric blue eyes.

"Yes. I would like that as well. Although I feel as a cat in this body. The spryness leads to the desire for movement. But I will be... pleased to join you." Aphrodite said.

She moved, with the grace of a cat, as she walked forward and slid onto the bed by Susan.

Susan felt quivery inside over her own boldness.

"What shall we talk about?" asked Aphrodite.

"I'm not sure now where to begin." Susan said, uneasily, but keeping her head up.

"Say what is on your mind." Aphrodite said.

Susan did her best to think why she had been driven to call her. She was entranced by the beauty before her.

"You are lovely beyond words." Susan said.

"Thank you. You are quite lovely yourself. My own beauty stems from you. This is the way your mind saw me. I am quite pleased with your perception. " replied Aphrodite, looking at her skin and touching her legs softly.

"You are without form?" Susan asked.

"All but the form of my heart. I am ... much as a thought in one of those wonderful cubes that Steven has enchanted with being. I quite envy the magic of your days." Aphrodite said.

Susan seemed set back again. She recovered quickly.

"This is not what I expected of you." she said, shyly.

"You are disappointed?" Aphrodite asked.

"Oh no! You are all that I could dream. I just did not expect ... you to be so friendly." Susan replied.

"I have not always been. Friendship is a fickle mistress. It can caress like the stroke of a lover and the next moment strike like an asp, causing great pain." Aphrodite mused.

"Perhaps they are not truly friends then, for is not true friendship; the open sharing of hearts without the fear of painful return?" Susan asked.

Suddenly she felt contrite. Was she lecturing the great Aphrodite?

Aphrodite seemed not to notice, she seemed to contemplate.

"One would hope that it was ever so. This is what we would all desire, but it is seldom so. But I shall trust you with my heart. For I feel a great sense of purity in your own heart." Aphrodite said.

"I could not hurt you without hurting myself a thousand fold." Susan half cried.

"And I feel the same. So let us speak not further of it. We are friends." Aphrodite said, taking Susan's hand and squeezing it softly.

Susan felt tears of joy forming in her eyes. The touch of Aphrodite's hand was like the gently touch of the sun upon the skin. Like the touch of her mother when she was young.

"Come, tell me your heart. There is knowledge you seek." Aphrodite said, smiling at her warmly.

"Yes ... Since I began my induction as your High Priestess, there has been no discharge from any of the Sisterhood's wombs. This has troubled many." Susan said.

"An unquestionable sign that I watched over the Sisterhood. I sought to comfort with this. Perhaps it was not perceived as such. How do you feel about it?" Aphrodite asked.

"For myself. I have not missed it. I have felt relief. For I know that you would not keep the joy of children from those you loved. For others, they fear it is a sign that they will not know the joy of children." Susan replied.

"I see. Have each sister open her heart unto her amulet. Those who desire shall have their cycle returned one year from the night of your induction as my High Priestess. They may delay this event by choice. The cycle shall return three moon cycles after their requests." Aphrodite said.

"Thank you. It will be done." Susan replied.

"And what is your own desire on this?" Aphrodite asked.

"I do not know really. There are questions I await that shall sway my answer." Susan replied, distantly.

"Yes. Your fear of Ronald not loving you as before." Aphrodite said.

"Will he?" Susan asked.

"I cannot say." Aphrodite replied.

"You don't guide his heart?" Susan asked.

Aphrodite smiled.

"No more than you. I value freedom of choice as much as you. I will touch a heart in reward for honorable action. But I seek not to guide them. No more than you. I will guide a heart that is open to my guidance of it's own choice. Would you have me guide his heart when you yourself anguish over the concept?" Aphrodite asked.

"No. I desire his choice to be true." Susan replied, but sadly.

"You have the power to guide his heart were you to choose. The anguish you feel is your battle against your desire to do so. You have chosen not to. Then be at peace with your choice. But fear not. It is not his love for you that he questions. It is his own sense of purpose and worth now that his quest for the rod is complete. He questions his worthiness for your love. I know you feel him so. You have chosen wisely for a mate. He is worthy of a love such as yours. He will find himself, then his heart will be unfettered with questions. I feel you will have many happy years." Aphrodite said.

"Thank you. But I know he questions else as well. Age has hardly touched my body since I came into your flock. I am grateful for this, but he feels the touch of age himself. He fears that we shall grow apart as our bodies grow different." Susan said.

"Yes, I feel his heart. I feel a great debt to his efforts. He shall not go unrewarded for this. He shall age into the prime of a man and there remain for the remainder of his days. Should you wed, his days will match yours. You shall pass into paradise together. This I have done for Steven and Judy's love as well. He will know all the days of her love too. As a symbol of my gratefulness for their efforts, any man that shall wed to the Sisterhood shall match the days of the woman of his choice, lest they willingly part thereafter. Then he shall feel the natural touch of age. But let them not know of this lest it sway their true choice to be bonded for loves own purpose." Aphrodite said.

"You are kind and generous with your love." Susan replied.

"As are you, my gentle sister. Pray, continue with thy questions." Aphrodite said.

Susan thought for a moment.

"The rod has not called for higher orders since it touched upon Barbara's womb." Susan said.

"The rod not only rewards for worthiness, but it is tuned to provide leaders as needed. Much of it's work has been supplanted by the amulets. It is not immune to desire for devotion. It will come to terms with the amulets as Sister-cousins. Striving unto the same goal. You may encourage this. Let all sisters bid their amulets to put great questions unto the rods. Those here, unto the rod of my name. Those under Jane's bidding unto the Rod of Sappho. These questions will inform the rods where leadership is needed, and it will call to match these needs. It will also encourage the bond of Sisterhood and purpose between the rods and amulets." Aphrodite said.

"Yes, I can see that now." Susan said, thoughtfully.

"Your perception is a joy for me to behold. I am pleased that you were chosen to be my High Priestess." Aphrodite said, tousling Susan's hair.

Susan remembered Jill's comment in Tutorville and felt a great pride of receiving affection from Aphrodite.

"Thank you. You did not choose me yourself?" she asked.

"No. You were chosen by Jane's heart. I but enthusiastically approved of that choice. Yours is the purest heart that has touched the rod since mine. I am greatly pleased by this." Aphrodite said.

"Thank you, but I feel I am just plain Susan. I don't perceive that my questions are any easier than another's." Susan said.

"Perhaps not the questions. It is your answers that set you apart. Pray, continue with your queries." Aphrodite said.

"Whither direction do we go from here. Perhaps -through our shortsightedness- we have lost the protection of secrecy. The world now focuses upon us. We have prepared and continue to prepare for our protection, but where is our direction?" Susan asked.

"It was not your shortsightedness that sacrificed your secrecy. You have been true to the trust of your vows. You could not have known my purpose when I purged the earth of the plague of the fire of the atom. Else wise you have performed great deeds of honor and love. Such deeds do not go unnoticed in the world, being things of such rarity. Your secrecy was a small price to pay to insure against mankind's own shortsightedness. They were as children playing with matches, oblivious to the danger of fire.

"As to your direction, you now must learn to guide the world to a state of love and prosperity. Through your control of the technology that the study to create the rod has supplied you. The loss of the fire of the atom has left a vacuum of need in the world. Your technology may help fill that vacuum. There is a great need in the world fed by the many lonely hearts that the rod may not touch. The cubes may provide a friend to all. The leaders of the world robbed of tools of force, are without direction. They are in need of a uniting purpose. That purpose may be guided to supplying the answers to the true needs of the earth. The abolition of hunger, pestilence, bigotry, hatred and avarice. When all have prosperity, there is no need of avarice. When all have understanding the causes of bigotry and hatred vanish. When all have food and health, the need of war in eliminated. When all have purpose, the idleness of indecision is abolished. When united in purpose, the loneliness of isolation is relieved.