Heat 12 Teaser - For the Glory of the Gods
Hey guys! I have a small teaser for you of my story coming out in Heat Issue #12. It's called, "For the Glory of the Gods", and has been beautifully illustrated by Simul.
You can order Heat 12 here. https://www.sofawolf.com/products/heat-12
This issue also includes stories by
Tony Greyfox, Kandrel, Darkend, Rechan, and Slip Wolf. Not only that, there are comics and poems by many other great talented people.
The book will be out at Anthrocon next, July 9-12th, and is available for pre-order now. Not only that, I'll be at Anthrocon next month.
Sanis kneels down next to me, a paw gently rubbing my side. "Do you know why I became an initiate of Bacchus?"
"No."
"Growing up, I always had the gnawing feeling of hunger in my belly. My family did their best to keep everyone fed, but it wasn't an easy life. One dry spring, when the grapes wouldn't grow and we were facing the loss of our home, I traveled on my own to supplicate myself on the altar of Bacchus, seeking aid for my family. The priests liked what they saw and asked me to join the Cult."
He smiles, "It was the happiest day of my life. I was no longer just a poor fox hoping for good harvests. There was a god out there that needed serving, and I had something to offer him. I have never regretted my decision to become an initiate, and since then the harvests at home have been good."
Sanis had told me a little about the rituals: the wine, the dancing, and the orgies that were held in the god's name. I learned more from the Brotherhood, and that told me all I wanted to know. Devotion to Bacchus was shown not through the quest for knowledge or devotion to the hunt, but by ritualistic ecstasy and madness. It seemed?wrong.
"You gave your body to the god."
The fox chuckles. "That I did. I gave the god everything I could muster, and some things I didn't know I could. Do you know what I have out of all that?"
"You have desecrated yourself in the name of Bacchus."
Sanis cuffs me hard between the ears. "No, you stupid fool! I have contentment! I have reached out and felt the presence of my god, and I know through my service I have made him happy, and he has helped my family in return. I may live in this little shack with you, but I have peace! But if you want to talk about desecrating bodies, let's talk about you. You stink of that scented oil they made you use, and I expect you to bathe and maintain a reasonable sense of cleanliness."
I grumble. "You know that hurt."
"It was supposed to."