Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

crocodiles. Thick columns of three heights guard the entrance as statues of justice judge all who enter. The most important people in Memphis are there: the Pharaoh's vizier, the high priests, scribes, and many of the lower priests. It’s unusual to have an event such as this occur within temple walls. I sit with others from the House of Life on the benches provided under the covered section of the roofless court. Khons attends with his son, Aapep, and I nod to him in respect.
    The vizier presiding speaks from his great chair in the center under a canopy held by slaves. “We are all witness to a most disrespectful and defiling crime. This is an offense not only against all those honoring the gods but a crime against Serapis himself!”
    The priests all nod in agreement.
    “Bring her in.” He motions to the guards, grey eyes flashing.
    Bastet looks so small between the two towering guards. She looks like such a child now—a faint shadow of the woman who glowed before me in my dream chamber. Her powerful force that has compelled my allegiance and charmed my worship has deserted her, and she now stands before the court, shaking. She’s forced to stand before the vizier in direct sun.
    “Bastet, daughter of Ketuh, is it true you are carrying a child in your womb?”
    “Yes, High One.”
    The audience is a mass of bald heads all shaking in disgust.
    “Nebu, reigning wife of Serapis of The House of Life temple, has testified you took an oath of celibacy as her initiated Royal Daughter.”
    “Yes, oh High One.”
    “Is this child the spawn of man?”
    “Yes, High One.”
    “Who is the man who has disrespected Serapis and has caused the gods to seek earthly judgment upon him?"
    What will I do if she says my name!
    I clench my fists.
    “I cannot say. Have mercy on me, High One.” She begins to cry and covers her face with her delicate hands.
    Now the audience breaks out in murmurs as some get up in anger to leave. I feel a wave of relief that I might be able to escape this disgrace and still help her.
    “If you will not answer, we will have no choice but to sentence you to death by spear. You will be granted mercy for your unborn child’s soul, and your punishment will be carried out upon its birth.”
    Bastet merely shakes her head and bows. The vizier nods for the guards to take her back to her prison.
    I stand up and state with head bowed, “I humbly offer my testimony up to the Pharaoh.”
    Bastet looks worried, obviously fearful that I’ll confess. She opens her mouth to speak, but I bring a bent finger up to my lips subtly in message. She quiets and smiles with her eyes as the guards take her away.
    “Certainly, priest, you may speak.”
    “I have information that I cannot withhold that may shed light on this daughter’s corruption.”
    “Continue.”
    “About forty days past, my slave, Nun, from house of Sokaris, requested a dream be interpreted by me. As that is my priestly profession, I obliged, as any benevolent master would. He dreamt of grabbing the wooden staff out of Serapis’s hand and taking it for himself. I interpreted this to mean my slave coveted something of Serapis’s. He continued on, saying he took the staff and sailed downstream with it, a strong portent of violence, as even laymen know. I told my slave a different interpretation for fear of feeding his desires, but I worried that an event such as this would take place as his dream foretold. I have it documented in the scry book if the court so wishes proof.”
    The vizier nods respectfully and commands a guard to hasten to the temple to fetch the journal.
    “On more than five occasions, I have had my priestly linen loincloths taken from my dwellings when only Nun had access to them. Of course, I flogged him for it, but he confessed nothing. I have since dreamt that Serapis himself has come to me, seeking vengeance for my slave’s violent and forceful actions upon his Royal Daughter. After hearing today how she has been disgraced, I know who is undoubtedly to blame.”
    “Where is this slave, Nun, from the house of Sokaris?”
    “He is right outside this court.”
    “Seize him! Sokaris, take the guards to collect him and bring him to me!”
    As I walk out with the guards behind me, I comfort myself.
    He’s a slave, of little use to the world. I’m a learned and destined priest in the esteemed House of Life. The gods would surely rather have my homage and service than this lowly slave. Bastet committed no wrong. We