Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

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 told them I was confused. After a moment they let me pass.”
    “Oh yes, I forgot they had guards at that door,” I say, barely listening.
    Noticing this, Nun says flatly, “What do you need assistance with, Master?”
    “I need you to guard the entrance to this room. Play this flute to warn me if anyone should approach.”
    He eyes me questioningly, wondering why I would need the door watched, when in walks Bastet, glowing.
    Nun takes one look at her, and dread sweeps across his face. “You are provoking the gods! We will all be judged for this!”
    I give him a seething look and spit, “On the streets!”
    Nun exhales, reaches for the flute, and goes back into the corridor. Bastet stands there smiling, not allowing the ominous comments from Nun to faze her.
    “Dance for me. Not Serapis but me,” I say as I lean back on my altar to observe.
    Her body starts moving, and I can hear the imagined beat. She spins, and her eyes follow me. After a few minutes, I can’t resist any longer and remove my loincloth. I coat myself in the contraceptive, then pick her small frame up easily and shove my sacred Omina on the floor. I