Infinite Sacrifice Read Online Free PDF Page A

sighs.
    “By all means, let me assist you to
your chamber.” I help him to the bed and lay him down on the linen
sheets. After lighting his lamp for him, I ask him again if he
needs anything, and he shakes his head. I walk out on the rooftop
terrace before retiring in the dream chamber. The sky is burning
red on the horizon.
     
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
     
    Bastet and I are feasting at a
table displaying an assortment of fruits, breads, and meats. I turn
and see she has both her hands full of a large melon. She gorges on
it; the juices drip down her perfect face.
    I awake and shake Nun’s scrawny
form to his feet. “I expect you to come inside the temple to assist
me tonight.”
    “ Inside the temple, Master? Slaves are
forbidden.”
    “Yes, I am aware of that, which is
why you will need to purify yourself at the public bath and enter
through the workshop entrance. You will wear this.”
    I throw him my fine linen
loincloth. He holds it gingerly, since slaves are not allowed
clothes, let alone linen.
    “What if someone catches me? I
could be killed for an offense such as this?”
    “Do not question me! You must obey
my wishes. If you do not obey me, I will cast out those who depend
on you!”
    I knew that threatening to throw
out his useless, ailing mother would put an end to his
misbehaving.
    He looks down. “I beg forgiveness,
Master. Please tell me where to meet you.”
     
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
     
    On my way into the temple, I see a
slight movement on the rooftop. There, swallowed by the darkness,
stands an astronomer-priest squinting to the starlit sky, solving
some perplexing mystery of the cosmos. I walk into the grand
library, where I bow to Khons, busy writing at his desk.
    “Sokaris.” He replaces his reed
into his ink flask and asks, “How can I assist you?”
    “I did not mean to interrupt you.”
I bow.
    “Oh no, I was simply writing a
draft on the periodic returns of the two heavenly bodies, the moon
and the sun.” He stretches and straightens his gnarled legs. “What
are you in search of?”
    “I request the use of the library.
I am in search of fertility concerns and rituals.”
    He looks up, squinting as he
searches his personal archives within his mind, then beckons me to
follow. I slowly walk behind his hunched form earned from many
years of slumping over a desk, writing volume upon volume. We walk
into the cavernous adjoining room, where shelves filled with books
reach to an extreme height and tables are stacked with giant rolls
of pure leather.
    He makes his way through the
shelves, holding onto them for support. “This library is shrouded
in great secrecy, as it holds many sacred rituals, writings, and
secrets of the inner sanctum of religion itself. These secrets
could harm the Pharaoh, the priests, and all of Egypt.” He pauses
and opens his arms around him, drawing attention to the
never-ending sea of books. “This is for all of
posterity!”
    He smiles proudly, narrows one eye,
and points to an area reached only by ladder. Once I climb to the
designated area, I scan the bindings of books painted with golden
symbols.
    The Book of Driving Away Lions,
Repulsing Crocodiles, and Repelling Reptiles; The Protection of the
Hour, Protection of the Body, Spells for Repelling the Evil Eye;
The Book of Capture; Knowing all the Secrets of the Laboratory; The
Book of Smiting Demons; Book of Medicinal Cures for Fertility and
Contraceptive Purpose.
    I open it up while still on the
ladder and find a contraceptive charm of mixing honey with natron.
I replace the book and climb down, bowing to Khons in thanks. He
watches me, deep in thought, as I leave.
    I’m stirring up the sticky mixture
when Nun enters, crouching.
    “Did anyone notice you?”
    Dripping with sweat, he pants, “I
was stopped by two guards at the passageway between the workshop
and the temple. I told them I was your apprentice, and they asked
why I was coming through the workshop entrance. I