Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

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    I was on the rooftop of the temple and walked to a well in the center. I looked into the deep hole and saw in the reflection Nebu, holding the scales, weighing my heart against a feather. I was frightened by a sound behind me. I turned to see a giant ostrich run by.
    I roll the scroll back up and burn it in the fire above the altar.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    Later that night, after the last purification of the day, Nebu inquires, “I am relieved to hear Bastet passed your palm reading, but I am anxious to hear of her dream.”
    “Yes, she has truly been a remarkable subject.” I lie, “She displayed an amazing ability to connect with the spirit world.”
    Nebu raises her painted eyebrows in interest. “What have you interpreted?”
    “There is no need for me to interpret since she had direct communication facilitated by Serapis.”
    She pulls back in surprise, never having had direct contact with him herself. I unroll the scroll and let her read:
    I was walking up to the statue of Serapis and saw my own dead form laid out as an offering. The statue of Serapis came alive, took his sacred offering of donkey meat, and put it in front of me. I came to life and ate the flesh.
    Nebu rolls the scroll back up and hands it to me. I don’t need to tell her that those are the portents of long life, promotion, and divine acceptance.
    “Serapis has spoken, then, and picked for us. I, his dutiful wife, will make sure his will is granted.”
    She humbly bows and walks off to notify her apprentices in the harem room.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    I’ve never wanted a woman more. My own wife, chosen by my father to secure our lands to the east of Memphis, thought to be attractive by most standards, is a wife for a man; Bastet is a wife for a god! In moments, I disregard all that is sacred to me, worshipping only Bastet.
    That evening I retire to my own quarters provided beside the temple. I walk past the peasants putting their livestock safely away for the night, the farmers digging the grime from under their fingernails before supper, and the serenely empty crop fields. As I make my way down the row of simple sandstone dwellings, I watch the smoke lift from cooking fires on rooftops and blend into the darkening sky. Nun rushes to open the gate to the courtyard, and I wave away the plate of food offered as I head straight into my room.
    Earlier that morning, I sent Nun on the half-day’s walk back outside Memphis to fetch my tailless black cat, Sehket. All the wooden lamps were lit within, and I search the sparse room. My soul is finally at ease once Sehket’s large, golden eyes stare up at me. I find Nun outside rubbing honey on blisters he acquired from his errand. I strike the small gong at the entranceway for him to serve me, and he limps inside carrying warm water from the fire. Nun washes, oils, and dries my feet, then retires to his woolen blanket beside the mud-baked firepot outside. Before getting into bed, I throw back the sheet and am relieved to find the bed empty. Sehket takes her usual place on my chest as I fall asleep to her loud purr, secure she’d protect me from the serpents that plague me.
    It’s a glorious dawn, and I’m sitting in an orchard in the sun when something catches my eye. A flashing light surges out from an unfamiliar temple. Dark clouds start to gather, so I run to the temple for shelter. I enter and stand before a large statue of Edjo. The statue comes to life and hands me a deep cup. I drink from it, seeking refreshment, yet find it is warm beer, and I spit it out.
    I awake, nudge Sehket off of me, and drop to my knees by my bed. After such a nightmare, I recite the prayer: “Hail to thee, Isis my mother, thou good dream which art seen by night or by day. Driven forth are all evil filthy things which Seth, the son of Nut, has made. Even as Ra is vindicated against his enemies, so I am vindicated against my enemies.”
    The next afternoon, coming from my midday purification and heading to the dream chamber, I hear a faint noise within and pause outside the entranceway to listen. It is her voice. A voice I imprinted on days ago, chanting:
    “Hathor, Goddess of Love
Make him think only of me.
My lovely charms he can’t resist.
My lover coax him to be.
The first part of my prayer fulfilled,
Hathor, you healed my strife,
Removed Edjo from Nebu’s favor,
Secured me in line for wife.
The second, I prayed to pass.
He helped me in my quest.
Now that I am