Fear enclosed Michael in it's icy grip as he flew towards the temple of Isis. Something had gone badly wrong when Sofia had attempted to take her revenge on Ademus. Paul hadn't told him everything, but Michael knew that Sofia had wanted to avenge her mother's death. Paul obviously had not forseen her reaction else he surely would have risked allowing her to be present at the sacrifice. Spying the temple a short distance away, Michael swooped down, calling to John and Marie as he did so. By the time he reached th courtyard, they were waiting for him.

"What brings you here at this time of night, Michael?" John asked. Michael took a couple of seconds to gather his thoughts before replying. "Paul has sent me. He is with Sofia and Kieran at the tribesmen's camp. He would have travelled himself, but Francois and his men are also camped there with some American soldiers, looking for Paul and Kieran so that they may kill them in vengance for the death of Ademus upon the altar of Amun-Ra. Paul requests you to travel to the camp with all haste as Sofia has reacted badly to the sacrifice." He replied. John nodded.

"Paul should have waited to pass that sentence on Ademus." Marie said.
"No. We know what tradition states on that matter. If Paul had hesitated in passing down the judgement of Amun-Ra upon Ademus when he did, Isfet would have come upon the World until such a time as Amun-Ra was once again appeased and Maat restored. Paul had no choice in this." John replied. Michael turned to leave, "I have to go back to the temple of Bast and prepare for the festival." He said, once more taking the shape of a hwak. John turned to Marie, "We have no time to spare, we must leave now if we are to arrive at Saeed's camp before Re-Horakhte rises." He said.
Francois awoke the following morning to hear crying outside the tent. Looking out he saw a large number of people gathered at the entrance to the tent he had been told the old stallion, Osiris, slept in. "What is going on?" He asked Saeed.
"I am vey sorry that we have woken you, but we are consumed with grief. Osiris awaits the arrival of the White stallion to lead him home." Saeed replied.
"Is the White stallion, not Paul?" Francois asked.
"The Highest of High Priests is able to take the shape of a white stallion, but he is not the White stallion. The stallion of which we speak is older even than the Highest of High Priests. Paul rode the White stallion upto the courtyard of Bast's temple the day it was finished. Such a sight had never been seen in all our land. Paul was not Egyptian and there had never been horses in Egypt before that time. The White stallion comes for a horse when they are ready to die, so that he may lead them on their last journey home. Maybe he will also come for Paul when it is time for him to die so they may return to where they came from." Saeed replied. Francois was puzzled by this, he had considered Paul to be Egyptian, just choosing a new name to fit the times. That he had come from a country outside Egypt had never crossed his mind.
Inside the tent, John and Marie were frantically working with Paul to help Sofia recover from her reaction to the sacrifice. "There is nowhere we can take her in Egypt that can be kept secret for long, Paul. Not even the Triaxial Temple itself. At the same time, trying to get her out of Egypt and back home, is going to be even harder. If Francois gets a whiff of what is going on, every route out of the country will be blocked by the French army. We are facing a hopeless situation." John said. Paul looked up at him. "We must try. Even if for a short time, the Triaxial Temple is the only place that both Sofia and Kieran will be safe. I can do nothing until the Festival of Bast is finished. Once the celebrations at my temple are completed, I can appoint them in their rightful positions at Amun-Ra's temple. Francois and his men will not be able to gain access until Amun-Ra, Bast and Isis deem the time is right. Then, it will be too late for him to do anything. By that time, both Kieran and Sofia will be appointed High Priest and Priestess at the temple of Amun-Ra and my period of rest will have finished." Paul replied. "What about the White stallion. Saeed will have told Francois all about that by now. He will be expected by noon. If he does not come, then francois will be suspicious and determined to gain access to this tent." Martin said. Paul nodded. "This is a problem. But, it is easily solved. Marie, you need to be ready to get Sofia out of this tent as soon as there is sufficient distraction. Kieran will help you with this. John, I must ask you to undertake the greatest risk by playing the part of Osiris. You will know what you must do, but for a short time, I must leave the tent." He said. the others nodded, as Paul left the tent from the back, grateful to Saeed that that particular side of the tent had been placed so that it faced onto the bank of the dried riverbed. Quietly making his way along the bottom of the bank, he turned towards the desert, taking the shape of a White stallion as he did so. Still hidden from view of the camp, he worked round the back of it, taking care not to leave a mark by which he could be followed. When he judged himself to be sufficiently far from the camp so that his arrival back could not be pre-empted, he threw caution to the wind and started to gallop across the sand towards the camp. He came to a sudden halt in full view of the entire camp and reared up, screaming with joy.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know there was anyone in here. I only came to brush Osiris." Martin looked round to see a young girl stood at the entrance of the tent. The stallion snorted in greeting and started to try and stand. It was quickly clear that his legs were no longer string enough to support him, as they kept giving way under him. Martin understood, the stallion was Paul.

"What craziness possessed you to do this to yourself? You are not young any more, you are not upto galloping the distance you did carrying Kieran." The young girl burst out.

"You mean I should have trusted his life to Michael? He would have not known where he was going, I would have had to guide him myself. I would have been less upto that than I was carrying Kieran, Sofia. Do not remonstrate with me on this. It is done and can not be changed." Paul shot back. Martin was worried to see him. He had been speaking to some of the French soldiers as they had followed the tracks along the riverbed. They had told him plenty about Paul, that he was held in the utmost respect by every High Priest. Some of them had spoken about his abilities as a fighter. They had been the remainder of a regiment that had ambushed Paul and the Highest of High Priestesses, Saska a few months previously. They told about the fight in graphic detail. One of them, Olivier, had been badly wounded and lucky to escape with his life. Even so, he spoke about Paul with admiration:

"We were led by Amun-Ra's High Priest, Ademus to a hiding place overlooking the main route between the temples of Bast and Isis. 2 horses were pointed out to our General, Marc, and identified as Highest of High Priests, Paul and Highest of High Priestesses, Saska. Saska was identified as a golden chestnut mare and Paul as a pure white stallion. They were travelling along the road, totally unaware of us. We were given the command to circle round them and close in by Marc. At this time Paul became aware of us and started to canter, urging Saska to do the same. Suddenly, with out warning or reason, Saska stopped and started back towards us. This seemed to enrage Paul, and I heard him shout her name, even though he was still in the form of a stallion. After trying to turn Saska away from us, Paul turned back towards the temple of Isis, only to find that we had cut off his escape. He seemed to know that we were going to kill Saska as he moved to the side of her, trying to protect her. Eventually he had to move slightly away from her in order to give himself room. We took our chance and closed round her. Marc had his gun ready and shot her. We thought that Paul would run off towards the temple of Isis, and were prepared to chase him. He didn't, he whipped round, changing shape, becoming a tiger. Marc had no time to lift his gun to defend himself, and I doubt it would have done him much good if he had. In the split second it took us to realise that Paul was going to fight us, Marc was dead. We were so shocked that we started backing away from him, we were not prepared for anything like that. No one had ever trained us to deal with a situation where your adversary can change shape at will. I have never been so worried for my life as I was at that time. I knew that, if we fought him, we might kill him, but our losses would be significant, maybe only one of us would survive if we were lucky. Paul challenged us, he dared us to take him on, told us what would happen if we did. 7 of our men thought they might stand a chance and rushed at him, they emboldened the rest of us, or we would have stood where we were, too frightened to take him on. Their heroism did not last long, they hard barely drawn blood from Paul, before they too were dead. We continued to fight him because it was what we had been trained to do. I was lucky, I anticipated his attack on me and managed to jump clear as he struck out at me. By this time we knew that our numbers were starting to take a toll on him, but his strike at my chest still went deep, and I was lucky that I jumped back when I did or I would have been dead also. Only a few seconds after he had struck me, Paul dropped to the ground. We thought that we had managed it, that he was dead. One of the men walked over and bent over his body, to see if our hopes were confirmed. Paul moved like lightening, his head lifted from the ground, his jaws clamped round the neck of that young man and dragged him down to his death. In the distance we saw some of the tribesmen of the desert charging towards us. Some of the men were supporting me by this time, lest I should fall. They almost carried me to safety, running for our lives as the tribesmen came after us. I was shocked to later hear that Paul had survived."
"But you still did this to yourself father. Do you think I am filled with joy to see you like this, unable to stand, weak? You say that you are going to your rest this year, but how long for, a year? You are never able to rest as long as you need. Mother was right about you, you do not possess the sense to rest sufficiently, to refresh your body. I know you need to find the successor of Saska as Bast's High Priestess, and prepare to appoint the Highest of High Priestesses, but there is no rush, you know that as well as I do." Sofia told him. Paul's face hardly betrayed his emotions, but Martin could tell that he was angered by her words.
" I am resting here am I not? I should be looking after my priests and priestesses and yet I am here, resting. I am Highest of High Priests in Egypt, I have no help for the moment in this. When Emma is ready to fulfil her role in life, then I will have a better chance to rest fully. Until that time I must concern myself with ensuring that our traditions are upheld. This is the reason I sent you here before the sacrifice. It was only afterwards that Francois knew of the switch, that he was enlightened to the sentence passed on Ademus this morning. Had you been there, the sentence would never have been carried out, as your impatience to avenge your mother would have given away the truth much sooner. I am here only to ensure the continues safety of you and Kieran. You are my daughter, you were brought up within the traditions, and should know by now how it must be. Yet you challenge me and question my desicions as if I am incapable of acting of my own accord." Paul replied, his voice sharp, his face full of anger. Then his expression softened slightly, "Speaking of traditions, this is for you, Sofia. It is only right that you avenge your mother." He said, handing a blood soaked bundle to her. Martin already knew that it would contain Ademus's heart. Sofia took the bundle from Paul and unwrapped it. "Why did you not eat it? You swore that you would avenge Mum and Saska." She asked.

"I took my revenge on Ademus. Who do you think made his body scrifice to Amun-Ra, Kieran or Michael? No. As Highest of High Priests, and High Priest of the Triaxial Temple, with the authority of Amun-Ra I sentenced him to immediate death upon the altar of Amun-Ra for his crimes against our traditions. It was me who slit his throat and, as the human embodiment of Amun-Ra ate of his flesh and drank his blood. I have fulfiled my promise to avenge Saska and your mother. Now is the time for you to take your revenge." Paul replied. Saska looked uncertainly at Martin, he knew the question in her mind and answered it. "I am not going to stand in the way of your traditions." He said.

Saska nodded and lifted Ademus's heart to her mouth, biting into it. Within a spilt second of biting into it, she fell to the ground. The transformation in Paul was dramatic. He leapt to his feet, running over to his daughter. Kneeling by her side, he lifted her into a sitting postition and moved Ademus's heart away from her mouth. Martin was worried for the young girl. Had Paul know that this would happen?

"Get Saeed, tell him that Amun-Ra's High Priestess is in distress." Paul said. Martin didn't waste any time. He jumped to his feet, running from the tent, over to where the tribesmen were. Saeed looked up as he raced over. "What is wrong?" He asked.

"The young girl, Sofia, Amun-Ra's High Priestess, she is in trouble. Paul sent me to get you." Martin replied. He was shaking with fear at what he had seen. Saeed stood up, his face worried. "Come with me, there is obviously a problem, or the Highest of High Priests would not have sent you." He said, walking back towards the tent. Martin followed him, wondering what they would find when they got back.

Paul looked up as Saeed walked into the tent. "I must get her back to Amun-Ra's temple without Francois knowing what has happened. Her reaction is the most severe I have seen in my life." He said. Saeed shook his head. "That will not be possible to achieve. We can stop him looking in this tent and seeing what has happened, but trying to remove her from the camp will make far too much noise." He replied. Paul nodded, "Send Michael then. I must trust him with our lives." He replied.

Michael came into the tent frightened, "What do you want me to do, Paul?" He asked.

"Go to the temple of Isis. Tell Marie and John that Sofia is in dire need of their help. Once you have done this, return to Bast's temple until I send for you. Leave the sacred book on display until I get back. Read the copy in my quarters, and use it to help you prepare for the festival. Once Sofia is well, I will return." Paul told him. Michael nodded, turned and walked from the tent.

Saeed approached Michael. "It must be you and Kieran that I speak with as the Highest of High Priests in Egypt is spent. Why are these invading troops after the grandson of High Priest Nicklaus?" He asked them. "The great Amun-Ra instructed me to make Ademus's life forfiet upon his altar this evening and appoint Kieran as High Priest of the temple in his place. It has not gone down well with the leader of the French invaders, Francois, and he will bring the American troops round to his way of thinking. In Ademus they had no opposition to what they were doing throughout Egypt. In Kieran they have someone who will do everything in his power to stop them." Paul replied weakly from one of the tents. "Then Kieran will be hidden and you also Highest of High Priests. Kieran can easily be disguised as one of our own people, but you must take your equine form. There will be provisions for you to rest for a few days until you are quite able to return to your temple. Michael, I know will only stay the night, and will sleep amongst our own falcons until day break, safe in the knowledge that he will not be noticed." Saeed said. Michael nodded and took the shape of a flacon, consenting to be placed with those belonging to the tribesmen. Kieran was disguised as one of their young men and taken to one of tents. "And now Highest of High Priests, the tent you are in is reserved for your use alone, you will find adequate provision for your rest." Said Saeed. There was no answer, looking in the tent; he saw that Paul had fallen asleep, now in the shape of an old, bright bay stallion.
"They can not be much farther ahead. I see tents in the distance. They have taken refuge with one of the desert tribes." Francois said. He knew that the tribes were loyal to Paul and would soon be loyal to Kieran also, which worried him. "Do we go in guns blazing, or hold fire till we know whether or not they are there?" The American officer asked. "It would be wise if we were not to fire any shots. If we can secure their backing, they will be extremely useful allies to us." Francois replied. A few minutes later, they reached the guards at the entrance to the camp. "Can you tell me if an Arabian stallion has come this way tonight?" Francois asked. In response, the guards started to laugh. Saeed walked over. "We have many Arabian horses here. However, none has come this way since early evening. I am sorry that you have had a wasted journey, but please, come and join us for the night. We have a spare tent in which you can sleep." He said, leading the way into the camp.
Paul awoke with a snort as Francois and the Americans walked past his tent. "What was that?" The American officer asked. "That was our old stallion, Osiris. He is fleet of foot and never leaves a hoof mark to follow him by. It is our custom to provide our best and oldest horses with a tent to sleep in. You can look if you like." Saeed replied. "Can I ask your name?" Francois asked. "My name is Saeed. May I ask the name of you and your friend?" Came the answer. "My name is Francois, and this is Martin." Francois replied. Martin looked into the tent and found himself looking at a beautiful stallion, lying at the far end of the tent, pulling at the pile of hay that had been placed upon the floor for it. "You friends will be in the tent next door." Said Saeed. Martin nodded and walked into the tent. He had seen photos of Arabian horses and seen them in the show ring in America, but had never seen one so close as this. The stallion paid no attention to him as he walked up to him and stroked his neck. "It would be unwise of you to try and hunt down Kieran, Martin. You would bring Amun-Ra's wrath upon the whole world, by that action. Both the temple of Amun-Ra and my own temple, Bast's temple, are no threat to your country's policies. I lie here in front of you unable to defend myself. I have not the strength to stand, and you could easily kill me, yet you treat me with kindness. Kieran would be a much more useful ally to you than Ademus would ever have been. He had no loyalty to anyone, and was only interested in furthering himself. It was his lack of loyalty to Amun-Ra that lead to his death this evening, not my personal dislike of him. After next weekend, I go to find the successor of our late High Priestess, and my period of rest. I do not know how long I will be away from my temple, it may be a few months, or it may be a year or more. I will only return when I feel ready, or am called to return by the goddess." Martin looked round the tent, trying to find the source of the voice, but it was deserted save for him and the stallion.

"The Highest of the 2 High Priests of the temple of Bast has lost his mind. He is old and frail, and will not present you with a problem. The younger High Priest, will be the problem, he is strong and still only in his 20's. I do not feel that the High Priest of this temple will be a problem. He has not yet been fully appointed, so could be over thrown easily and replaced with some one more suitable." Francois said. The American officer nodded his agreement and was about to answer when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking up he saw a hawk hovering above the temple. "Is it normal for hawks to be flying at this time of day in Egypt?" He asked. Francois looked up. "That is no ordinary hawk. They are planning to smuggle Kieran from the temple to safety. We must follow them. The hawk is better known to me as the younger of Bast's 2 High Priests." Francois replied starting towards the exit of the courtyard. The American officer followed him, intrigued.
"I have been seen. Francois and the American officer are heading towards the courtyard now. You will have to run for your lives. The American has a regiment of troops with him. Make quick you escape, Paul and Kieran, I will gain height and join you shortly." Michael said to Paul. "Come Kieran, we have no time to waste." He said, changing shape. In place of Paul there now stood a dark Bay Arabian Stallion. "Get on my back and hold tightly to the reins. We run for our lives to the tribesmen of the desert." He said. Kieran quickly swung up onto Paul's back, and just had time to steady himself, before Paul galloped from the courtyard and swept towards the desert. "You said that it would be a pure white stallion, not a bay." The American officer said, as he and Francois ran for their cars. "He is trying to throw us off the trail, by using a different colour that is all. The stallion you saw thundering from the temple is the Highest of Bast's two High Priests. And the man on his back was Kieran." Francois replied. They turned their cars round and started to follow the quickly retreating stallion and rider. "They are out to capture you using their cars; you must leave the road and use the sand to your advantage." Michael called out. Paul swerved from the road, quite a distance, and changed direction again. He was now travelling directly west, towards a dry riverbed a mile away. "Hold tight, the route I take is steep, but once we are down, we will be safe. There is no safe way down to the river bed for many miles further back from the route I take." Paul told Kieran, who gripped tightly with his knees, and grabbed at Paul's mane. The slope was only a few strides away and he could feel Paul shortening his stride as he approached, suddenly he lurched forwards as they started down the slope, Paul's hind legs sliding under him and his front legs jumping forwards to keep his balance. After what seemed an eternity, they reached the riverbed and Paul changed direction and started to gallop North-West towards where the tribe was based. "They've gone straight down the slope. There is no way we can get down in the cars. We'll either have to go farther down or get out and walk." Said one of the soldiers to Francois as they stopped short of the edge of the slope. "Then we will walk, there may not be a safe way down for the vehicles, so we have no choice." Francois replied, getting out of his car and walking to the side of the valley and looking down the slope. The American officer and his men followed him. "It is a long way down; we'll have to be mighty careful not to lose anyone." He said. Francois nodded, and started down the slope, the loose sand almost giving way underfoot. The others followed him, picking their way carefully down the side of the valley until they reached the bottom. "They went North-West, the hoof prints lead that way." One of the soldiers said pointing in the direction that Paul and Kieran had taken.
"You are alright, Paul?" Kieran asked as Paul galloped on. "Yes, I am fine, my run with the wild herd last night and the sacrifice have refreshed me sufficiently for this journey. I will rest when we reach the tribe, before heading back to my temple. We are nearly there now." Paul replied. In reality, he was spent, running on adrenaline alone. The thought that they were almost upon the tribesmen kept his legs from giving way. He could make out their tents in the distance and gave a shrill whinny that he knew would rouse those on watch to his arrival. Suddenly, he was amongst them, Kieran was grabbed from his back, and strong arms were holding him up, guiding him to a tent where he could rest. Michael swooped down from the sky, alighting not long after Paul and Kieran had arrived. "The American officer and his soldiers are approaching on foot; they will be arriving in a few hours. Paul, Kieran and I must be kept from their sight or they will kill all of you for hiding Kieran." He said.

"Is it normal for a High Priest to sacrifice themselves?" Francios asked. Paul thought for a moment. "I have never seen it happen yet, but I believe that the High Priest and Priestess of the temple of Anubis, when they were shut in the temple, before it was set alight, killed themselves to ask the forgiveness of Anubis. If I were to be put in a similar predicament, I would have no hesitation in sacrificing myself upon Bast’s altar. It is considered the ultimate sacrifice, for a High Priest or Priestess to kill themselves upon the altar of their temple’s deity. I hope that it would never come to that, but if it did, then I know what must be done. It would be an interesting experience, for the goddess tells me that when I am finally released from my service to her, I shall learn the identity of my parents. I never knew them; I was abandoned as a baby and brought up by another couple, until I was called to serve the goddess. You will find that many of the original High Priests and Priestesses did not know the identity of their parents. Nicklaus was raised by his Grandparents and never learned about his parents as they were never mentioned. Saska, like me, was abandoned as a baby and raised by an old couple.” Paul said. “I feel that there is something you have not told me about the sacrifice today.” Francois said. Paul looked down at the floor and avoided his gaze for a few seconds. “You are quite right, I did think that you had noticed, but I doubt that the priests did, and if they noticed, I very much doubt that they cared. Earlier today, I was instructed by Amun-Ra to appoint a new High Priest of his temple as Ademus’s service was ended as of this morning. I was instructed to appoint Kieran as High Priest and to make Ademus’s body sacrifice to Amun-Ra for his crimes against this temple. I was reluctant at first, but it would have been disastrous for me to think of disobeying Bast’s great father, so I agreed. As I told you, I was never convinced of Ademus’s credentials as High Priest. From day one, he has been bad news for this temple. Tradition dictates that whether animal or human, a sacrifice must be killed quickly and without suffering. Ademus was unable to do that, he did not slit the throat of the sacrificial goat; he tried to stab it through the heart. I was not there that day, as I was in one of my periods of rest, but I was told of the events that had happened upon my return.” Paul finally said. “So, for that, it was decided that he should be sacrificed?!” Francois shouted. “Ademus is no great loss to this temple or his family, they are dead and he has no living relatives. His greatest crime was to stand idly by while your troops desecrated this temple and destroyed the sacred book of Amun-Ra. A High Priest is bound to defend his temple to the last beat of his heart, Nicklaus, if given the chance would have done that, as would his son and Kieran. Ademus was only chosen, as there were no others suitable, I know, as I looked myself. I told Amun-Ra that he would not make the best High Priest in the world, but he was the best of the priests at that time. Since then Kieran has been appointed as a priest and tradition dictates that, since he is descended from the first High Priest, he must be promoted to that position.” Paul shouted back. The commotion brought Kieran and Michael hurrying from the priest’s quarters to see what was happening. “Kieran’s life should have been forfeit today and I will see to it that he is killed.” Francois said. Paul stood up, “If that is your wish, then it will be me you have to kill first. Kieran’s life is bound to Amun-Ra and will only be ended by his will alone, not yours.” He replied, turning and walking away, carrying Ademus‘s heart. “Then you will have to watch your back, as your release will come sooner than you think.” Francois replied walking from the temple. Paul turned to Kieran, “You must leave the temple immediately, Francois will try to hunt you down before your ceremony of appointment, and kill you. Until you have been fully appointed, the full protection of Amun-Ra will not reside in your veins. I will take you to a safe place. Michael will accompany us on the journey also.” He said, leading the way out into the courtyard. “They will see you leaving, and follow to the hiding place.” Michael said. “Only if I were to go as a pure white Arabian stallion, would I be recognised. You must walk a short distance from the temple to make it seem as if you are going back to Bast’s temple, when you are certain that you will not be seen, take the shape of a hawk and tell me what you see. By the time, you have done that; Kieran and I will be ready to leave. At all times, Michael, you must look out for danger, as we will be travelling quickly and I will not always be able to tell if we are being followed. I will be in the guise of a bay Arabian stallion, and Kieran will be disguised as one of the tribesmen from the desert. They are loyal to Amun-Ra and Bast. Above all they are loyal to the High Priests of those temples and will offer their protection to Kieran until he is appointed fully High Priest.” Paul said, grabbing some clothes from the High Priests Quarters. Michael nodded and headed out of the temple. He kept looking around as he walked, it was a quiet evening, the sun was just starting to set, which would provide cover for Kieran’s escape. When he was finally certain he was not being followed, he jumped into the air changing into a hawk as he did so. Gaining height, he started to scan the area around the temple. He could see Francois, stood outside the front entrance of the temple, speaking to some one, swooping nearer to investigate; he almost dropped from the air with shock. Francois was talking to an officer from the US Army.

"I knew that Kieran would be killed. I did not know that you had cannibalistic tendancies, to drink his blood and eat his flesh." Francois replied. Paul laughed. "That is what it is called now, is it? I had never thought of it that way, that I might be a cannibal. It is an intersting thought, never mentioned by Michael or Ademus. But surely you must have realised what went on when I took you on the tour of my temple." Paul replied. Francois thought back to the tour. He had seen the paintings depicting the appointment of Paul, they had not shown the actual act of killing the victim, but they had shown Paul drinking the blood and eating the flesh. "Yes, you remeber, and if you had seen the images at this temple when you were a priest, they shown the same things, Nicklaus drinking the blood and eating the flesh of the sacrifice. That is how it was laid down in the tradition of every temple in Egypt and it is still held dear today. Of course, now we do not make human sacrifices anymore, but this was the exception. The anger of Amun-Ra could only be sated by human sacrifice. If we had been able to sacrifice a goat, we would have done, but when this temple last abandoned Amun-Ra, they did not make their peace with him when they returned to worshipping him, unlike the other temples, who offered a sacrifice within days of the invasion being crushed. I trust that you are satisfied that Kieran did not suffer." Paul said. Francois nodded. "He would not have had time. You drew the dagger across his throat that quickly; I am surprised that he knows he is dead. I saw you speak to him, just before he was laid upon the altar. What did you say?" He replied. "I told him that his ancestors would have been proud of him, for I knew his grandfather many years ago. That is why I picked him for sacrifice; his family has a proud history connected with this temple. Kieran never knew his grandfather for he was aged when Kieran's father was born and died not long after." Paul said.
Francois was surprised to find he was standing across the altar from Paul, he could not remember moving from where he had been watching the ceremony. "Now, you must pay the consequences of staying to watch the ceremony, Francois. Because you have been witness to what has happened, you also must drink of Kieran's blood and eat his flesh." Paul said, holding the cup out to him. Fearful of what might happen if he refused; Francois took the cup and drank from it. The taste of blood filled his senses; it was intoxicating, making him feel slightly drunk. He passed the cup back to Paul, who raised it to his lips and drank deeply, before placing the empty cup on the altar. Paul then took a piece of Kieran's flesh from the plate and passed it to Francois. This had been the part he had been dreading, having to eat another human being's flesh. He tentatively took a bite. The taste overloaded his senses, and he felt his legs shaking under him, Paul was standing by him quickly and helped him to a seat. Francois finished the piece Paul had given him as quickly as he could, and watched Paul walk back towards him with the plate. He hoped that Paul would not give him any more; as he felt that, he would collapse any moment if made to go through the process again. Paul sat next to him and started to eat the flesh that was left on the plate. Once he had finished he turned to Francois. Only Kieran's heart was left on the plate. "You should not worry, the same thing happens to everyone the first time they drink the blood and eat the flesh of a human sacrifice. That is because; it is a serious undertaking to sacrifice a person on the altar of a god or goddess. Saska almost fainted after eating of the victim's flesh, and Nicklaus was unable to carry out his duties for 2 days, it affected him so much. Even I was affected by the taste of human flesh and blood. I have been told that I passed out on the floor and was sick after eating the victim's flesh. It is the only part of my appointment that I cannot fully remember. With the passing years it became easier until now I am immune to the effects." He said. "Just how many human sacrifices have you made?" Francois asked. Paul thought for a few moments. "Possibly about 60 over my lifetime thus far. The first when I was appointed High Priest and the last today." He finally replied. "It is a strange fact that if Kieran had not volunteered himself as the sacrificial victim, he would have been appointed the next High Priest as it would have been Ademus whose life was made forfeit upon the altar. I am still not convinced of his credentials as High Priest. His was a rushed appointment when the last High Priest left his post because he had fallen in love as his father had before him. The last High Priest was Kieran's father, and his grandfather was Nicklaus himself. Those two were the best High Priests this temple will ever see. Nicklaus would have refused the invaders who destroyed the temple of Anubis, but the High Priestess and other priests over ruled him. He never forgot what had happened. If he had not fallen in love, we would not have been making a human sacrifice today, for Amun-Ra would not have held his actions against him. My heart is saddened at sacrificing Kieran, but I know that if his grandfather had still been here, he would have sacrificed himself upon Amun-Ra's altar." Paul said.

Paul stood in front of the statue of Amun-Ra before the ceremony. Closing his eyes, he knelt in front of the statue and kissed the feet. "You place a great deal of importance upon kissing feet." Said a voice behind him. Slightly angered at the interruption to his private thoughts and prayer, Paul stood and turned towards the voice. "You must leave this temple, Francois. It is not wise for you to stay and watch this ceremony. We seek Amun-Ra's forgiveness, and having the leader of the invading country's troops present would not help us in our cause." He said. Francois was slightly shocked at the tone of Paul's voice. "I only wish to see that Kieran is killed with minmal suffering." He replied. "If you stay, what you see will repulse you. But, if you insist, then you will be party to something that will mean you are once more bound to defend this temple." Paul said, turning away from him and kneeling in front of Amun-Ra’s statue once more. Francois watched him finish his prayer, kiss the feet of the statue, stand and walk away, back to the Priest’s quarters. A sudden sense of dread filled him. Had Ademus not said that Paul prayed before every sacrifice he made? Surely, this was Amun-Ra’s temple and as Ademus was High Priest, he would be the one to carry out the sacrifice, not Paul. A few minutes later, Michael walked out with 2 cups, and a large plate upon which lay a covered ceremonial dagger. He placed the plate and dagger to one side on a small table next to the altar, and the cups at one end of the altar, next to each other. Having done this he returned to the back of the temple. After a few more minutes, Paul came back out, dressed in ceremonial robes. Francois was suddenly fearful. Ademus had said that Paul would want revenge on the person responsible for Saska’s death. Surely, Paul would not kill Ademus on the altar of his temple. He watched Paul pick the dagger up and inspect it, running his thumb along it to make quite sure that it was sharp enough. Satisfied, he placed the dagger back on the plate. The staff of the temple walked out next and, kneeling, formed a semi circle round the altar. Finally Michael and Ademus walked out, clad in white robes with Kieran who was bare-chested and seemed somewhat different in appearance, as did Ademus. Michael walked in front of Kieran carrying a book and Ademus behind him. Francois moved towards the temple staff and stood to one side so that he could still see all that happened. He noted that, unlike all he had been taught in school, Kieran was not bound, or dragged to the altar. He did not seem frightened at what would happen. Francois realised that Kieran was willingly walking to his death, knowing what would happen to him. Francois watched Kieran walk up to Paul, kneel in front of him and kiss his feet. Paul placed his hand upon Kieran’s head in blessing and spoke a few words to him that no one else heard. Then Ademus helped Kieran onto the altar and tilted his head back, while Michael held the book he had been carrying up to Paul. He watched Paul take the dagger and place the point of it against the top of Kieran’s neck, pressing against the skin. Paul started to read from the book, his voice echoing round the temple as he recited the words in the language of the ancients. He watched the temple staff echo some of the words and speak back to him, bowing to the ground as they did so. Francois could not understand all the words that were spoken, but suddenly he heard Paul speak the last few words in a language he understood, German. “Können Sie Ihr Blut hat gesetzt den Ärger von Amun-Ra und Ihr Fleisch befriedigt seinen Hunger. (May your blood sate the anger of Amun-Ra and your flesh satisfy his hunger.)” At the same time, he drew the dagger swiftly across Kieran’s neck. Francois was shocked at the speed Paul had moved. Kieran lay dead upon the altar, his throat slit, the blood pouring from the open wound into the 2 cups either side of his body. Paul did not waste any time, he again drew the dagger quickly down the middle of Kieran’s neck to his navel. He worked quickly, slicing the flesh from Kieran’s body and placing it on the plate. All the time, blood continued to flow into the 2 cups. Finally, the flow of blood stopped, as Paul placed the dagger besides the plate, now piled with Kieran’s flesh, and on the top of the pile, his heart. Paul picked up the cup nearest to him; his hands covered with blood, lifted it to his lips and drank from it. Francois was starting to feel physically sick at what he was seeing, but he could not turn away, no matter how hard he tried. Paul offered the cup to Ademus who took it with shaking hands, drank from it, and then passed it to Michael, who drank from it and placed the cup back on the altar. Paul then took a piece of Kieran’s flesh from the plate and ate it before passing a piece first to Ademus, who was still shaking and then Michael. Of the two, Michael seemed to be less bothered by what had happened. After Michael had eaten the flesh Paul had given him, some of the priests came up to the altar, lifted Kieran’s body from it and carried it to their quarters, the others followed them, one carrying the second cup. Ademus and Michael bowed to Paul and left him, following the temple staff. Soon Paul was left alone behind the altar. “I warned you to stay away from the ceremony, Francois. Now you must pay the consequences of your actions.” Paul said, lifting the cup to his lips again.

Kieran was knelt in prayer to Amun-Ra in his room when he realised that he was not alone. Ademus stood behind him. "It has been decreed that I can not sacrifice you to Amun-Ra this evening. The sacrifice is to be carried out by someone with more authority than myself. You should be glad of this news for a sacrificial victim should be killed quickly, with minimal fuss. I am unable to do that, I did not know how to make a sacrifice to Amun-Ra when I was appointed High Priest and I have no more idea of what to do now." Ademus said. Kieran was not surprised by the news, but pretended to be shocked and went along with what Ademus was telling him. "Then who will make my body sacrifice to Amun-Ra?" He asked. He already knew who would carry out the sacrifice, but wanted to hear Ademus tell him. Hearing Ademus admit that Paul was of higher authority than him, would give Kieran a lot of pleasure. "Paul has been asked to carry out the duty. He is the Highest of High Priests in Egypt, and as such, is over me. You will be killed quickly by Paul. I spoke to John at the temple of Isis, he has been there a long time and has witnessed Paul make many sacrifices. He told me that Paul is not one to waste time killing a victim, when the act is to be done, it is done, sometimes so quickly that no one is quite sure at first whether or not he has killed the victim. But you must not expect compassion from him as it rare that he will have any such feeling for a sacrificial victim." Ademus said. Kieran nodded, His father had told him the same thing when he was younger. Paul had never been one to display any emotion in front of any one. kieran supposed it was because Paul had seen so much, that nothing could cause him to feel an emotion, as it would not be new to him. Sofia had told him, that if she wanted emotion when she was growing up, it was Claire she turned to, not Paul. This was different though, surely Paul had never had to kill someone that he knew, how would he react to that? Ademus turned and left him to his prayers. Not long after Paul walked into the room. "I can not sacrifice you to Amun-Ra this evening. I have been instructed by Amun-Ra to appoint a new High Priest in place of Ademus, and to make Sofia High Priestess. There is another life that will be made forfeit upon the altar today." He said, his face expressionless as always. Before Kieran could query what was happening, Paul turned and walked from the room.
Francois was standing outside the courtyard, waiting for Ademus, when he heard raised voices. He could not make out what was being said, but it sounded like there were 2 people, one male and one female. The female voice seemed to be pleading with the male voice. Francois suddenly realised why he could not make out what was being said, they were speaking in a different language, the language of the ancients. Suddenly he heard the male voice speaking as if to put an end to the conversation and recognised it as Paul's. "I have made my decision, to go against it would bring the wrath of Amun-Ra upon us all. You can say as you wish, Sofia, but my decision is final." Wondering what had been going on, Francois walked into the courtyard only to find in deserted. There was no sign of Paul or the girl he had been speaking to. Sofia he had called her. The name sounded familiar, and then he remembered Ademus telling him about Claire's daughter, Sofia, who had just been made a priestess. Ademus had killed Claire the previous year to stop her from revealing his plans to get rid of Paul and Saska to Paul. Not that it had done him any good. Paul had know what was going on, and had survived the attack, killing Marc and many of the soldiers with him. The question was how Paul knew Sofia and what they had been arguing about. Ademus had said that he had been uneasy, as she was out to avenge her mother's death. Also Paul was intent on taking his revenge on the one responsible for Saska's death, Ademus. Something strange was going on with this sacrifice and Francois determined to stay and watch what happened.

" It must be you who makes make the sacrifice to Amun-Ra today, Paul. It has been decreed by Amun-Ra himself. Ademus has been deemed unworthy of the post of High Priest, and his service terminated, this morning. Some one else is to be appointed High Priest by yourself, and Sofia is to be appointed High Priestess very soon. She would be willing, but will not know what she is doing. You have made this sacrifice many times and know what you must do. You will be asked to carry out the task for him and you must accept. If anyone else is allowed to make the sacrifice, the victim will suffer immeasurably, but if it is you who makes the sacrifice then the suffering will be none." Paul heard Bast speak to him and knew that she was close. He nodded his head in reluctant agreement. “Great goddess, if it has been decreed by your father, then I will not argue. All I ask is your guidance on the army America has gathered in the East, and what I should do.” He replied. “For now, the sacrifice will be enough. The US Army is strong, but it will take them longer to reach Egypt than you think. They are currently busy fighting in Iraq, but soon that war will be ended and their President will seek a new target. I do not think you realise just how far you travelled last night, but that is no matter. Trust your instincts, take your rest after the festival, find Saska’s successor as High Priestess of my temple. If you are needed, you will be called from your rest by me.” Bast replied, touching his shoulder. Paul bowed his head, as he turned to meet her. “I can not help but worry, goddess. I still remember the fear in those horses last night. It may be some time before the US Army arrives, but when they do, they will destroy everything that goes against their President’s policy, including our temple. There will be nothing that I can say or do to stop them. Your book must be preserved. Allow me to take it to a safe place when I go to my rest. We have a copy that can be left on display and used in the ceremonies, written in the language of myself and Michael.” Paul said. “You are wrong Paul. You can stop them, but I can not tell you how at this time. It will be revealed to you when it is time. You are quite right about the book, however. I will consent for you to remove it into safe-keeping with your friend Joseph. I know that is where you will take it. On no account must it be opened by him, until such a time as it is needed. When that time comes, both yourself and my book will be the weapon with which the US Army are stopped. It will not be you who tells Joseph to open the book, but me. When the time comes you will be called to the Triaxial Temple. Once you arrive back, you must not leave this temple once, unless I or my Father tells you to. It is imperative to the destruction of America that you follow our wishes at all times when you return. You will know more when the time comes.” Bast replied. Paul just nodded. “If it is the wish of you and your great father, then I could not disobey if I tried. I will return with Michael to Amun-Ra’s temple for the sacrifice. I will carry out the ritual with Michael’s assistance as I know that is what you want. I will drink of the victim’s blood and offer the cup to Amun-Ra's High Priest, and then Michael. I will eat his flesh and then share his body with Amun-Ra's High Priest and Michael. What is left will be shared amongst the priests and priestesses of Amun-Ra’s temple.” He replied. Bast smiled down at him, before turning and walking away. The fact that Ademus was no longer High Priest meant that he would not have to wait too much longer to have his revenge for Saska and Claire's deaths. Sofia must be kept from the ceremony that evening, he knew, as her impatience at having to wait to avenge her mothers death had grown daily since she had been made a priestess. It surprised Paul that Ademus had not noticed the resembelence between Claire and Sofia and realised his dangerous position. He walked to his quarters and sat down, lost in thought. He wondered just how Ademus would react to the news that he was no longer High Priest. Suddenly he felt a strong urge to visit the Triaxial Temple before the sacrifice. He felt the need to consult with Amun-Ra also before the sacrifice. If Ademus was no longer High Priest, he could be tried and sentenced for crimes against Amun-Ra's temple. He would be found guilty of treason against Amun-Ra, and the only sentence was immediate death. Paul jumped to his feet and almost ran down the path t the Triaxial Temple. Arriving, he took a moment to catch his breath. There in front of the altar, was Amun-Ra, with Isis and Bast. "Do you really need to try Ademus for his crimes, Paul? You know as well as Ademus, that he is guilty of allowing my temple to be defaced, my sacred book to be destroyed, and disowning me. You know the sentence for those crimes is immediate death upon my altar." Amun-Ra said. Paul nodded his agreement. "I was unsure whether, in this modern age the old traditions still prevailed as much. I know that most have been eroded by modern rules, but hoped that this one still stood. Ademus will be made to pay for his crimes against you." He replied.

"Why did you let him sleep alone out in the courtyard Ademus?" Michael demanded when he arrived a few minutes later. "I did not know that this would happen or I would have made him sleep in my room. I know that it is my fault, I thought that he was listening to me when he said he would stay the night. Never for one moment did I think that he would just disappear." Ademus replied. Kieran came out into the courtyard. "You know as well as I that Paul was in no fit state to do anything last night. I helped to make that bed, and he had to be held up by 2 people at all times. I suppose that this is all rather convenient for you, Ademus. It means that you can put off making the sacrifice until Paul is found. Did you not think how suspicious it would look to the rest of us? You were the driving force behind the French attack that led to Saska's death, and you had hoped that Paul would not survive, so that you would have no obstruction to you helping the French to conquer Egypt. It must have been a shock for you to find out that he had survived, and so you needed a new plan. If Paul were to suddenly go missing on the morning of your sacrifice to Amun-Ra, who would there be to stop you causing the destruction of every temple in Egypt? No one." He said, his words having the desired effect on Ademus. "You think that I have gotten rid of Paul? May I remind you, Kieran, that it is your life that is to be made forfeit to Amun-Ra this evening, not mine." Ademus snapped as he walked from the courtyard. Kieran turned to Michael, "You know what happened, as well as I do. Paul heard the call of a wild stallion and decided to follow it. Whether he comes back today or not is either here nor there, but we need to ensure that the sacrifice goes ahead whether or not he is here. Ademus's time as High Priest ended this morning, though he does not realise yet." He said. Michael nodded. "Paul only left for the night. I see him returning now." Kieran followed Michael's gaze to see the pure white stallion approaching, trotting confidenty, and full of health.
"Where have you been? We have all been worried for your safety." Michael demanded as Paul approached them. "I was called to from afar, warned of a danger that threatens not just Egypt, but the whole world. I ran with a herd of horses last night. Most of them were wild, but there were some tame ones, turned loose by their owners in the countries to the East in order to save them. They spoke of a vast army gathering in those lands to the East of Egypt. My curiosity was aroused and I felt that I must learn of their plans. I turned from the herd and headed towards the East. I travelled many miles from Egypt before I found the army of which the horses spoke. It is vast, consisting of many battalions and could easily overthrow the French troops currently stationed here. The sight of the army filled me with a deep sense of dread of what they may be planning, but I could not leave where they were without finding out where they came from or where they were headed. Moving closer I discovered that the army is from the USA and that they are headed eventually towards Egypt. Their leader intends to conquer all those countries that disagree with her policies, whatever they may be. If Egypt is to be safe, we must secure the protection of Amun-Ra today." Paul replied.
"Ademus cannot make the sacrifice, his service to Amun-Ra was terminated this morning. He is no longer High Priest of this temple." Kieran said. Paul turned towards him and smiled. "I know that Amun-Ra has terminated Ademus's service to the temple, and soon, so shall Ademus. Michael and myself must return to our own temple for a little while, so that I may consult with the goddess on these developments. It may be that she will advise me of our role in protecting our temple and, ultimately Egypt. You know what you must do Kieran. Ademus must suspect nothing, nor that I have returned, until myself and Michael come back to the temple later. Prepare for the sacrifice as your father taught you, with prayer to Amun-Ra. Nothing must be allowed to appear out of place. I will speak to you later. Come Michael." Paul replied, leading the way out of the courtyard. Kieran watched them leave and turned and walked back into the temple. "Has Michael left yet?" Ademus demanded of him. Kieran bowed, "Yes, High Priest, he has left to return to his own temple." He replied. Ademus smiled. "That is good. You played a very good role of accusing me of getting rid of Paul, Kieran. I commend your actions. You know as well as me that all this about the worship of Amun-Ra and so on is a load of rubbish. The sooner it is ended, the better." He said. Kieran nodded his agreement, and continued to his own room. He was wondering what Paul had in store for Ademus when he returned to the temple later.