tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/If you think that the Triaxial Temple is nothing more than a myth, then you should not trust what you see. Trust my voice and the words that I speak: The Triaxial Temple exists. It has existed from before time was fully understood by man. To kill me, you must first destroy the temple. therein lies your problem - the temple can only be destroyed by me, and I have no wish to do so.MokoFeed2009-11-21T12:09:32+01:00tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-08-13:/2009/08/14/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-cont-6719378/MsMotty2009-08-14T00:38:59+02:002009-08-14T00:38:59+02:00 <p><span>"You have arrived safely. For that I am grateful. Sofia seems stable, but she is nowhere near recovering from the reaction." Paul said as they arrived in the temple.</span></p> <p><span>"Francois is out there looking for tracks by the Southern entrance. We saw him at a distance. He did not spot us and we left no tracks to show our route, so we should be safe for the time being." Said John, as he finished his ritual of greeting Paul and the statue of Isis with Marie.<br>"You killed an entire army?" Martin asked.<br>"I killed 80 men sent to destroy the temple of Bast, Saska and myself. As for Alexander and his army, they never arrived at the temple, they vanished en-route to Egypt. It was not my doing, his invasion was not to be. His successor Alexander the Great was destined to lead Egypt. His arrival was foretold in the skies for many Centuries before his birth. When he came to Bast's temple to be crowned Pharaoh, I told him some of what was foretold about his destiny. The rest, which was written down during the time of the Triaxial Temple is still stored here. The time for it's release is close at hand, but not yet." Paul replied.<br>"I understand you have your traditions, but 80 men? Another 36 this year? That's nothing to do with tradition. It's mass murder." Martin said.<br>"Martin, you do not understand the traditions, you cannot call any of us mass murderers for what we have done in our lifetimes." Marie said.<br>"No, Marie. To the outside World we are mass murderers, there is no escaping that. No matter how long ago, we were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of men in the name of tradition. It is we who do not understand how the modern world views us. We can no longer do right in the eyes of the World. If we sacrifice a goat we are cruel, make a human sacrifice and we are murderers and cannibals. When we were much younger, the world was different to how it is now, human sacrifice was part of life for every tribe in every country, now it is seen as sacrilige to kill someone. Yet politicians around the world have indulged in sacrificing the lives of a great many more men than even I in the name af freedom. Worse, they willingly sacrifice women in the cause of their beliefs. Are they any worse than we are for what they do? No, but history is written by the winners, and in their eyes we are evil." Replied Paul. Marie pondered his words, watching Martin as he walked around the temple taking in ecerything. Kieran was standing in front of one of the walls studying it intently. "Uncle Paul, if this temple was hidden from the world before my father became High Priest at Amun-Ra's temple, how come he is pictured here with you?" He asked. Paul walked over.<br>"Kieran, that is not your father pictured with me. That is your Grandfather, Nicklaus, Amun-Ra's first High Priest and my very good friend." He replied.<br>"I wish he were still alive. When you give up the High Priesthood, is that it? You die soon after?" Kieran asked.<br>"I do not know. I do not believe your Grandfather wished to die when he did, with your father being still young, but it happened. Being High Priest or Priestess does not give us immunity from death, as Claire's death proves." Paul replied.<br>"You really loved her, didn't you?" Marie said, walking up to him.<br>"At least I avenged her death at the hands of Ademus, If only I had left the temple earlier that night, Claire would still be alive and we would not be in this mess we find ourselves in." Paul replied.<br>"Paul, Sofia is starting to come round, you should be with her." John called over. Paul hurried over, kneeling by his daughter.<br><em>"Sofia, do not panic. I am here as I promised you I would be. You must be strong now and fight against the pull of darkness. I am with you Sofia, at all times, you must not give up now."</em> Sofia heard the words, stronger than she had heard the voice before. She recognised it as her father's and struggled to reply to him. Happiness surged through her body as she heard herself speak his name and felt his arms round her, seeing the inside of a temple sh did not recognise. "You must rest now, Sofia. Do not fear sleep, you have won the fight and avenged your mother's death at the hands of Ademus." Paul said, helping her to her feet and across to the quarters.<br></span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-cont-6719378/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-08-03:/2009/08/03/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-cont-6646086/MsMotty2009-08-03T22:48:23+02:002009-08-13T23:58:19+02:00 <p><span>"So, many of you believe Paul responsible for the deaths of those tourists last year? What makes you think that he would something like that?" Martin asked Marie as the walked along.<br>"It wouldn't be the first time Paul has done something like that. True, it has been many centuries since he did something like that, but no one who serves the temples would think he has changed since then." She replied.<br>"What do you mean? He has done something similar before?"<br>"80 men sacrificed over the period of Bast's festival. That festival only runs for 10 days, our old week, so you can understand our reasoning. Those 80 men were a small part of an army sent to take control of Egypt by Alexander. Up until our temple they had had it easy. Everyone had renounced their God or Goddess, just like during the French invasion we are under. Pharaoh even handed his crown over. Alexander took the crown, believeing himself to be our ruler. He did not know that by decree of the Triaxial Power, the only recognised Pharoah of Egypt is one crowned by the Highest of High Priests, meaning Paul. We tried to resist, but we gave up out of compassion for our staff. I know that it took a threat to the life of Claire, Sofia's mother, before Nicklaus, Kieran's Grandfather, gave up. He would have ciontinued their resistance, but he was fearful of what Paul might do, they may have been friends, but Claire was the woman Paul loved. The temple of Anubis was destroyed due to the resistance of the High Priest and Priestess there. They sacrificed themselves on the altar of Anubis as the flames raged round them. Paul, however, captured the 81 men and their general. Killed the general there and then in front of his men, sacrificed 80 of them to Bast and sent the 81st back to Alexander clutching the clothes of his general and the heart of the 80th as warning." John butted in.<br>"What did Alexander the Great do?" Martin asked.<br>"This was Alexander the Great's ancestor, also named Alexander. He took almost his entire army with him to try and kill Paul. All of them vanished. Not a trace has ever been found of them or what happened." John said.<br>"Alexander the Great also came to Egypt, but, when he went to Bast's temple, he left his arms and fighting men behind. That made all the difference, I think. Paul crowned him Pharaoh of Egypt." Marie continued.<br>"You thik he killed an entire army?!" Martin said.<br>"Nothing has ever been proved about that. The tourists is more than possible, given the fuss made by them over Michael's appointment." Said Kieran.</span></p> <p><span>"Fuss?"</span></p> <p><span>"We can't escape the fact that every temple is open to the public in the day, so, sacrifices have to be made either when the temple is closed at the evening, or when the temple is open. Tradition dictates that the appointment of a High Priest or Priestess should take place in the full light of the Sun.So it was that, as part of the ritual of initiation, Michael had to sacrifice a goat, drink of it's blood and eat of it's flesh to become High Priest. Unfortunately, the temple was full of tourists, and some of them took exception to what happened and started hurling abuse at Michael for what he did. You don't need anyone to tell you how angry Paul was at that. He was still ranting about it after the temple had closed for the day, staorming out, saying that he would have no one call him cruel or insinuate such things of his staff. We don't know what happened after he left the temple, only that he returned the following morning and seemed much calmer, which is strange, because, if Paul is angry over something, it will take more than one night to calm him down." John said.</span></p> <p><span>"It puzzles me, that, knowing what he does about Paul, Francois would still want rid of him." Said Martin.</span></p> <p><span>Marie nodded, but pointed to a mound a short way off. "The triaxial Temple. We must tread carefully. If Paul has set a trap, it would not do for one of us to get caught in it. I would suppose Paul took the Eastern route in, expecting Francois to take the Southern route and that he will have placed any traps there. We should still be able to gain access by the Western route, though." She said. John nodded his agreement and set off in the direction of the mound.</span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2009/08/03/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-cont-6646086/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-07-21:/2009/07/21/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-6563449/MsMotty2009-07-21T23:48:32+02:002009-07-21T23:48:32+02:00 <p><span>"I see Francois in the distance. He is ahead of us." Said Martin. Marie followed his gaze. "Unless he is following the tracks of Paul and Sofia, he is headed in the wrong direction for the Triaxial Temple. I find it strange that there are no troops with him." She replied.<br>"I heard a rumour, when we were following Paul and Kieran last night, that many of his men think he has lost the plot. They think that, he was part of the plan to attack Paul and Saska, knowing that most of the men on that mission would lose their lives; including the General, Marc De la Cre. My own men would not follow his orders." Martin said. John stood up and watched Francois. " He is looking for tracks, if they are Paul's he is searching for, he will find none, unless he was stupid enough to take that route." He said.<br>"Why would that route be stupid?" Said Martin.<br>"Because that route, which runs right past the entrance to the Triaxial Temple, was the one he was taking to the temple of Isis when Saska lost her life. It is a well known route. Last year the bodies of 6 tourists were found on that route, disfigured, their throats and hearts ripped out. Their bodies were found on top of the sand that covers the Triaxial Temple, exactly where the altar is. There is suspicion amongst those of us who serve the temples that Paul sacrificed them himself, as their punishment for mocking the traditions of appointment for a High Priest." Said Marie, stretching. "So, why would Francois think to take that route? Unless Paul left tracks of some sort leading him in that direction." Said Martin.</span></p> <p><span>" A trap. That is the only explanation. Paul expected Francois to try and follow him. Saska is his daughter, he would allow nothing to happen to her that he did not know would happen, hence his anxiety at what happened last night. Kieren is his nephew, again, Paul has vowed to protect him until he is appointed High Priest of the temple of Amun-Ra. Francois is out to kill Kieran. Francois' death would buy Paul a lot of time - enough to bring his daughter back to full health and appoint her and Kieran in their rightful role with in Amun-Ra's temple." Said John.</span></p> <p><span>"We should move, Francois is heading in our direction, he will see us quite soon." Said Kieran, moving behind one of the dunes, the others following him and starting for the Triaxial Temple.</span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2009/07/21/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-twelve-6563449/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-07-06:/2009/07/07/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-11-cont-6462823/MsMotty2009-07-07T00:00:11+02:002009-07-11T00:22:19+02:00 <p>"You are mad, Francois. Marc took 50 man with him to kill Paul and only 15 of us survived. You were not there that day to see the destruction wreaked upon us. 35 men eviscerated, Marc had his windpipe and chest crushed and his heart ripped out. When I was dragged away the whole area was awash with the blood and guts of OUR men. Paul recieved injuries, but how severe can they have been for him to recover as quickly as he did? To lead only 20 men against him now, would be sheer folly. He knows that you will follow him and will ambush you. No, I will not accompany you on this suicide mission. I will stay here a while and then make my return to base." Olivier said as Francois outlined his plan of attack.<br>"Paul has an American officer hostage, we must go after him." Francois shot back.<br>"No way. Martin would have gone willingly with this Paul guy. I'm going nowhere, Martin is the one I take orders from and he ain't ordered me to go nowhere at your command. Besides, if what Olivier says, I ain't having my body sent back home in that sort of state. I didn't sign up to that." One of the American soldiers said, the others agreeing with him. Francois stormed from the tent, intent on following Paul.<br>"Olivier, you weren't having a joke on us with what happened that day were you?" The American asked after Francois had left. Olivier lifted his shirt to reveal the scars. "I was one of the lucky ones, if you could call those of us who survived lucky. My General and 35 of my friends were massacered by 1 man that day. 15 of us staggered from the field of battle, most badly wounded. It is a miracle we survived to tell the tale." He said. " And now Francios has gone after him, we may never see him alive again."<br>Sofia heard her name being spoken, but the voice sounded as if it was coming from a distance. She was lying on something soft, but her brain didn't seem to want to work. She could faintly hear someone crying, but her hearing and tounch seemed to be the only senses that worked. She felt paralysed and her eyes wouldn't open. Where was her father, why wasn't he helping her like he had promised he would after her first sacrifice?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2009/07/07/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-11-cont-6462823/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2009-01-08:/2009/01/09/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-eleven-cont1-5346550/MsMotty2009-01-09T00:45:27+01:002009-01-09T19:58:05+01:00 <p><span><span>Sofia was vaguely aware of voices inside the tent. She heard someone talking about the White stallion and getting ready to go. She tried to move, but her body seemed to be paralysed.</span></span></p> <p><span><br></span></p> <p><span><span>Paul once again reared, screaming with joy. The camp fell silent, their attention on this amazing stallion, his pure white coat, dazzling in the sunlight. Francois was shocked. He had seen Paul in the guise of a white stallion before, the first time he had visited Bast's temple, but this stallion could not possibly be Paul. There was an answering whinny from inside the tent of Osiris, and the crowd parted as the old stallion, walked out, to greet this old friend, who would lead him on his journey home. As the crowd closed behind him, Marie, Kieran and Martin carried Sofia from the tent and started hurrying back towards Amun-Ra's temple.<br>The old stallion approached Paul, whinying joyfully. Paul lowered his head, breathing on the old stallion, and rubbing his head against his neck. Then he turned away from the camp and gallopped out into the desert, the old stallion following willingly.</span></span></p> <p><span><br></span></p> <p><span><span>Francois watched the two stallions gallop away with the rest of the crowd until, they vanished into the haze. He turned to Saeed. "What makes you think that the White stallion will come for Paul when it is his time to die?" He asked. Saeed turned towards him, "You know that Paul favours the shape of the horse when he changes shape. He arrived in Egypt on the back of the White stallion, and his favoured shape is of a pure white stallion, the only explanation is that he and the White stallion are brothers. Divine offspring of the Gods. The temple of Bast was built long before Egypt as a united nation existed. We were still split into upper and lower Egypt when Paul rode to the courtyard of Bast's temple. How could he have known any such temple was being built if he was the child of a mortal couple? No the White stallion will come for Paul when it is his time, and take his brother home to reside where he truely belongs, with the Gods." He replied.</span></span></p> <p><span><br></span></p> <p><span><span>Francois thought over what Saeed had said about Paul, and remembered what Ademus had told him when he had been planning to attack Bast's temple <em>"Followers of the goddess say that her blood flows in his veins." </em>Had Ademus known that Paul could be the son of the Gods. It seemed unlikely to Francois, but in Ancient Greek civilization had not Hercules been the son of Zeus? Surely it would not be hard to present such a story to the ancient Egyptians themselves upon your arrival in their country? It would explain to them why you looked different to them, even the White stallion could be explained away by that story. But Paul did not seem to possess anything extraordinary about him other than his vast knowledge, which given his supposed age was no surprise.<br>Francois resolved to discuss the matter further with Martin and wandered over to the tent that Osiris had been in, only to find it empty.<br>"We must turn now and pick up Marie and the others. Francois may even now suspect where we are headed and attampt to catch us" Paul said to John as they walked parallel to the riverbed. John nodded and started to pick his way down the bank as he spotted Marie hurrying along with Keiran and Martin, Paul following him.<br>"You got out OK then?" John asked Marie who nodded. "It feels like it went almost too well." She replied. Paul nodded, looking concerned. "We must move quickly if we are to get to the Triaxial Temple today. I will carry Sofia. John, Marie, I ask you to look after Keiran and Martin. They also must get to the Triaxial Temple, but their need is not as urgent. Keep hidden, and try to ensure that Francois - who will follow us - does not see you. If he sees you he will kill you without thought. Yes, even you Martin. I must run now. I will meet you infront of the altar of the Triaxial Temple this evening." Paul said, lifting his daughter onto his back and taking the shape of a black stallion, before gallopping away.<br>"We had better start our journey then. We cannot follow Pauls route for fear of leading Francois to the Triaxial Temple, but we can still get there by this evening, going another route." Marie said, leading the way up the river bank.</span></span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2009/01/09/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-eleven-cont1-5346550/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2008-03-04:/2008/03/04/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-eleven-3813509/MsMotty2008-03-04T02:57:07+01:002008-03-04T02:57:07+01:00 <p>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.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"Paul should have waited to pass that sentence on Ademus." Marie said.<br>"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.<br>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.<br>"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.<br>"Is the White stallion, not Paul?" Francois asked.<br>"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.<br>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.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2008/03/04/triaxial-power-sacred-vow-chapter-eleven-3813509/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2008-02-04:/2008/02/04/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten_co~3676073/MsMotty2008-02-04T02:22:10+01:002008-03-03T23:44:08+01:00 <p>"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.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"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:</p> <p><em>"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."<br></em>"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.<br>" 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.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>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?</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Michael came into the tent frightened, "What do you want me to do, Paul?" He asked.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2008/02/04/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten_co~3676073/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-09-30:/2007/09/30/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten_co~3064442/MsMotty2007-09-30T21:06:09+02:002007-09-30T22:21:30+02:00 <p>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. <br>"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.<br>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. <em>"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."</em> Martin looked round the tent, trying to find the source of the voice, but it was deserted save for him and the stallion. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/09/30/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten_co~3064442/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-08-26:/2007/08/27/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten~2875526/MsMotty2007-08-27T00:13:00+02:002007-09-30T19:36:37+02:00 <p>"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.<br><em>"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."</em> 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. <em>"Get on my back and hold tightly to the reins. We run for our lives to the tribesmen of the desert."</em> 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. <em>"They are out to capture you using their cars; you must leave the road and use the sand to your advantage."</em> 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. <em>"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."</em> 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.<br>"You are alright, Paul?" Kieran asked as Paul galloped on. <em>"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."</em> 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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/08/27/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_ten~2875526/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-08-22:/2007/08/22/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine_c~2853860/MsMotty2007-08-22T22:52:36+02:002007-08-22T22:52:36+02:00 <p>"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&rsquo;s altar. It is considered the ultimate sacrifice, for a High Priest or Priestess to kill themselves upon the altar of their temple&rsquo;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.&rdquo; Paul said. &ldquo;I feel that there is something you have not told me about the sacrifice today.&rdquo; Francois said. Paul looked down at the floor and avoided his gaze for a few seconds. &ldquo;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&rsquo;s service was ended as of this morning. I was instructed to appoint Kieran as High Priest and to make Ademus&rsquo;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&rsquo;s great father, so I agreed. As I told you, I was never convinced of Ademus&rsquo;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.&rdquo; Paul finally said. &ldquo;So, for that, it was decided that he should be sacrificed?!&rdquo; Francois shouted. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Paul shouted back. The commotion brought Kieran and Michael hurrying from the priest&rsquo;s quarters to see what was happening. &ldquo;Kieran&rsquo;s life should have been forfeit today and I will see to it that he is killed.&rdquo; Francois said. Paul stood up, &ldquo;If that is your wish, then it will be me you have to kill first. Kieran&rsquo;s life is bound to Amun-Ra and will only be ended by his will alone, not yours.&rdquo; He replied, turning and walking away, carrying Ademus&lsquo;s heart. &ldquo;Then you will have to watch your back, as your release will come sooner than you think.&rdquo; Francois replied walking from the temple. Paul turned to Kieran, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He said, leading the way out into the courtyard. &ldquo;They will see you leaving, and follow to the hiding place.&rdquo; Michael said. &ldquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/08/22/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine_c~2853860/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-06-17:/2007/06/18/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine_c~2471800/MsMotty2007-06-18T00:47:58+02:002007-06-19T00:50:03+02:00 <p>"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.<br>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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/06/18/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine_c~2471800/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-06-10:/2007/06/10/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine~2429958/MsMotty2007-06-10T23:54:53+02:002007-06-10T23:54:53+02:00 <p>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&rsquo;s statue once more. Francois watched him finish his prayer, kiss the feet of the statue, stand and walk away, back to the Priest&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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. &ldquo;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.)&rdquo; At the same time, he drew the dagger swiftly across Kieran&rsquo;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&rsquo;s neck to his navel. He worked quickly, slicing the flesh from Kieran&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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. &ldquo;I warned you to stay away from the ceremony, Francois. Now you must pay the consequences of your actions.&rdquo; Paul said, lifting the cup to his lips again. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/06/10/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_nine~2429958/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-15:/2007/04/15/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight_~2098685/MsMotty2007-04-15T23:06:53+02:002007-04-15T23:06:53+02:00 <p>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.<br>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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/15/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight_~2098685/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-12:/2007/04/13/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight_~2081885/MsMotty2007-04-13T00:11:47+02:002007-04-13T00:11:47+02:00 <p><em>" 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." </em>Paul heard Bast speak to him and knew that she was close. He nodded his head in reluctant agreement. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He replied. &ldquo;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&rsquo;s successor as High Priestess of my temple. If you are needed, you will be called from your rest by me.&rdquo; Bast replied, touching his shoulder. Paul bowed his head, as he turned to meet her. &ldquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo; Paul said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Bast replied. Paul just nodded. &ldquo;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&rsquo;s temple for the sacrifice. I will carry out the ritual with Michael&rsquo;s assistance as I know that is what you want. I will drink of the victim&rsquo;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&rsquo;s temple.&rdquo; 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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight_~2081885/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-10:/2007/04/10/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight~2068582/MsMotty2007-04-10T23:07:35+02:002007-04-10T23:07:35+02:00 <p>"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.<br>"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.<br>"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. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/10/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_eight~2068582/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-05:/2007/04/06/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven_~2041420/MsMotty2007-04-06T00:59:01+02:002007-04-06T00:59:01+02:00 <p>Paul remembered that he had thought about making a human sacrifice to Bast during the festival, and that it would now be near impossible with the troops about. He would have to use all his skill and knowledge if he were to carry out his plan. Feeling more drained than ever, he sat down heavily on one of the chairs in Ademus's room. "I cannot allow you to return to your temple tonight, Paul. You are not well. It may be that, as you say, you are starting to feel old and need a rest, but I will not allow you to make such a journey while you are in this state. I will inform Michael and your staff that you will be staying here tonight and will return to your temple after the ceremony tomorrow evening." Ademus said, walking over to him. Kieran was also shocked to see Paul looking so old and weak. He had seen him only the previous day, when he was travelling as an Arabian stallion to give Ademus the warning about the temple and, although he had still looked old, he had seemed full of energy. "I must return to my temple. To spend the night away without the goddess's explicit permission would be tantamount to treason. I thank you for your kind offer, Ademus, but I must return to Bast's temple." Paul replied, struggling to his feet. He had no sooner stood up, however, than his legs gave way under him and he collapsed back into the chair. "Paul, I can not allow you to return to your temple while you are in this state. I am sure that Bast would not mind if you were to spend the night at Amun-Ra's temple." Ademus said.<br>"Ademus is right. You would do yourself more harm trying to return to Bast's temple before tomorrow evening. I know that, as my life is forfeit to Amun-Ra, my opinion is of little importance to someone such as yourself, but it would not be wise for you to try and return to your temple tonight." Kieran added, before leaving Ademus's room. "You are both right. I have not the strength in me to stand let alone make the journey to my temple. Do not be alarmed by what you see, Ademus as there have been times during my long life when I have been weakened so that I am unable to get out of bed in the morning. These past 2 days I have done more than is wise, and as such, this feeling of age come upon me. All I ask of you is that you will consent for me to sleep outside so that I may feel the wind on my face. Tomorrow I will be refreshed and more able to carry out my duties as High Priest of Bast's temple." Paul replied. Ademus sighed, got up from his chair and helped Paul out to the courtyard. Some of the priests and priestesses helped him to construct a make-shift bed. Making sure that Paul was comfortable, Ademus left him and went back to his own quarters.<br>Left alone, Paul lay on his back looking up at the sky. The urge to wander far from Egypt was strong . He remembered what he had told Francois about running with the wild herds of horses in the deserts. It would be good to do that again after he had found Saska's successor as High Priestess of Bast's temple. But before he ran with herds he would return to the country of his birth, from where he had been called by Bast to worship her when he had still been young. He still had friends in that country who worshipped Bast, maybe he would stay with them for a while. Once he felt his strength returning, he would travel again, revisit places he had remembered from many years ago when he had last rested. Would they still be as untainted as he remembered? In the distance he heard the call of a wild stallion. He so wanted to answer the call, to leave now and run with herd that was surely not so far from Amun-Ra's temple. He tried to force himself to stay in the courtyard, but felt as if he were moving towards the open gate that led to the wild herd only a couple of miles away. He gave into the urge and decided to run with the herd until morning. Standing up, he felt the weakness leave his legs and all his tiredness fell away from him. Turning his head to locate exactly where the herd was, he started to jog towards the waiting herd.<br>Ademus woke the following morning to the sound of screams in the courtyard. He rushed out to find that there was no sign of Paul anywhere. The bed they had made for him had hardly been slept in, and there were no footprints to show where he had gone. Despair overwhelmed him and he sank to his knees praying for a miracle. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/06/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven_~2041420/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-02:/2007/04/02/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven_~2021994/MsMotty2007-04-02T20:41:39+02:002007-04-02T20:41:39+02:00 <p>At Amun-Ra's temple, Paul started to look at the priests recruited to serve the god of the French troops. Ademus thought that most of them would make willing victims and indeed, most of them volunteered, but Paul dismissed all of them except for one, Kieran. Paul knew that Kieran knew that it was to Amun-Ra that he gave his life, not the French god. Kieran remembered the stories he had been told by his father about human sacrifices and the time one temple, his father had never told him which one, had sacrificed 3 men on the same day during a festival to ask for the grace of their deity to fall on them during the coming year. He had seen the paintings depicting Paul's appointment, and knew him well. As such, he felt honoured that Paul had chosen him to give his life to the appeasement of Amun-Ra. However, he could not help but notice that Paul did not seem to happy at choosing Kieran for the sacrifice. "How much time do we have before the temple is destroyed, Paul?" Ademus asked him. Paul closed his eyes for a few seconds. "You have until noon on Saturday to make the sacrifice and reinstate Amun-Ra. If you wait any longer, his wrathwill be worsened and it may be that he does not stop with the destruction of his own temple, but destroys all the others who have abandoned their god or goddess for the second time." Paul replied. Ademus nodded, his priests had founf the statues of Amun-Ra stored in a building not too far away and had been put to work bringing them back to the temple. If all went well, Paul's warning would keep the French troops away for fear of losing their lives. He also knew that it would be the last time he saw Paul befor he left Egypt. He decided that it would be worth his while to go to the festival the following week. "If we have so little time then the sacrifice should be made tomorrow evening. The troops will have left the temple by then to take refuge at your temple until the danger has passed. We should, therefore be safe from any attack." He said. Paul nodded his agreement. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/02/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven_~2021994/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-04-01:/2007/04/01/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven~2016259/MsMotty2007-04-01T21:08:57+02:002007-04-01T21:08:57+02:00 <p>"Will you help me find a suitable candidate for the sacrifice, Paul?" Ademus asked him the following morning. They were sat in Paul's quarters after Paul had taken refuge at the first sign of the tourists. He was feeling tired from the previous day and had no great longing to go out in public again until the festival. However, helping Ademus to organize the sacrifice appealed to him, even though he already knew who the victim would be, and was slightly reluctant to help. "If we are to find a suitable candidate, we must first return to your temple. Sometimes the most willing come from those without true devotion to the gods. It would be wise to search amongst those recruited to worship the French god as they may read the signs wrong and believe that they are giving their life to <em>their </em>god. If none can be found there then we will look further a field. I am sure that there will be at least one willing to give their life for their god." Paul replied, getting to his feet. Ademus noted that he looked considerably older than the day before. His body shook as he steadied himself against the table and there was a slight quiver to his voice. "Are you sure you are alright to go out today, Paul? You do not look well." Ademus said.<br>"I will be fine, it is just that I am starting to feel old. I need a rest from this life for a while after the festival and your sacrifice until I feel quite young again, then I shall return to the temple ready to fully serve the goddess." Paul replied. Ademus was surprised that Paul would leave his temple for any length of time just for a rest. Last time Paul had left his temple for a length of time had been when Ademus had been appointed High Priest and that had been to visit friends.  "Surely that is not the only reason you will be taking a rest after the festival and sacrifice?" He asked. Paul shook his head. "I go first to find Saska's true successor and Bast's High Priest. Then I will take my rest." He replied. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/04/01/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_seven~2016259/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-31:/2007/03/31/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six_co~2010687/MsMotty2007-03-31T21:00:14+02:002007-03-31T21:00:14+02:00 <p>Back at his own temple, Paul knelt in front of Bast's statue, "great goddess, I have done as you have asked me and given Ademus warning of Amun-Ra's wrath. I have shown him what he must do to try and appease your great father. All I ask is that you and Amun-Ra look kindly upon me and allow me release from this life." He said, kissing the feet of the statue. <em>"There will be no release from your service yet, Paul. After the festival, I will allow you to rest, but no more than that can I give you."</em> Paul looked behind him to see Bast seated in his throne. He got to his feet and walked over to her. After kissing her feet in greeting, he sat in the throne next to her. "A rest after the festival, I can not accept it. I have lived this life long enough and begin to feel the passing years in my body. I know who will be chosen as the sacrificial victim and that Ademus will ask me to carry out the sacrifice as he does not know what he is doing. I can not and will not bring myself to make that sacrifice. How could I be expected by you or your father to kill that person? There will come a day when my knowledge is no longer enough to repel invaders and the temple will finally be destroyed. I know that day will not be long in coming. If you will not grant me release from your service, then I must continue in this wretched existence." He replied.<br>"Ademus is making preparations for the sacrifice thanks to your knowledge, Francois has decidied that your temple should be protected thanks to your knowledge. Men today may be cruel, but they will not turn against you because of your knowledge. There may, as you say, come a day when men have no need of knowledge such as yours, that is when myself, Amun-Ra and Isis will release you from your service. Until then, take the rest on offer, appoint Saska's daughter as Highest of High Priestesses and search fro my High Priestess in Britain, for it is there where she resides. You should not feel that your existence is wretched Paul, and I know that you do not truly feel that way. It is the events of recent months that have left you wearied by your long life. You knew when you took the vow what you were entering into, when you sealed your devotion to me by drinking the blood and eating the meat of the sacrifice. I know that you were angered by those tourists at Michael's appointment last year, but was there any need to take your anger out on them in such a fashion as you did? I know that you would feel that you had every right as they were belittling your traditions. You must know that these day's such practises are seen as cruel. You are right with what you told Ademus, though. Very soon you will be making human sacrifices again, as it will be considered wrong to sacrifice animals." Bast replied. Paul nodded in weary agreement, he knew that there was no point in arguing with the goddess. Feeling drained, he got up, kissed Bast's feet, and went to his quarters. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/31/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six_co~2010687/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-30:/2007/03/30/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six_co~2005959/MsMotty2007-03-30T22:30:08+02:002007-03-30T22:57:46+02:00 <p>"You mean that tradition dictates that I should have made a human sacrifice when I was appointed High Priest?" Ademus asked. Paul nodded. "A human sacrifice was considered the most appropriate way to bind a High Priest or Priestess to a temple - it was proof that they were prepared to kill someone in order to defend the temple. It was also considered the most appropriate way to ask forgiveness for any wrongdoing. I know that the scene in front of you seem repulsive, but that is how it was. Of course, now, to make a human sacrifice is to commit murder, in the eyes of modern society. Also it is often hard to find a willing victim, for the one to be sacrificed must, at least, know what will happen. I fear that we may soon be pushed back towards human sacrifice, however, after the fuss that was made upon Michael's appointment. Do not think that you can just kill someone upon the altar either, for tradition dictates that, as the human embodiment of Amun-Ra, you must eat the meat of the sacrifice and drink his blood. Yes, <em>his</em> blood, not a woman, but a man. I know that there would be a great many women who would willingly offer their life in sacrifice to Amun-Ra, but tradition dictates that to kill a woman, even in sacrifice is to commit murder." Paul replied. Ademus thought back to Michael's appointment the previous year. The unfortunate problem was that, as the temple's were now public, sacrifices had to be made either after the temple had closed it's doors to the public, or, in the case of Michael's appointment, while the temple was open. Ademus could still remember the look of anger on Paul's face at the group of tourists who had started calling them names, when Michael had killed the goat. Ademus hadn't been able to see the problem, the goat had been killed quickly and definitely had not suffered in any way, yet those tourists had treated them with the contempt you might have expected them to show towards a murderer. Paul had said nothing at the time, but his face had said much more than his words later. He would have no one call him cruel, or insinuate such things of his staff. He had stormed out of the temple and had not been seen until the following morning, when he seemed to be much happier. Strangely, the following morning, it had been reported that the tourists who had been calling Michael the previous day had gone missing. Their bodies had turned up a few days later, horribly disfigured, their throats ripped out, and hearts missing. There had been no witnesses to their disappearance, and, so no one knew who had killed them. Ademus was starting to wander whether it had been Paul, but surely, he would not have killed them, would he? Ademus turned back to the scene before them, the crowds were now dispersing and going home, the excitement over. Soon there was only Nicklaus and the younger Paul left. Ademus watched the younger version of Paul walk up to Nicklaus and greet him. Nicklaus lifted the cup containing the victim's blood and drank from it again. Then he passed the cup to the younger version of Paul and watched him drink from it. Ademus watched the younger Paul eat some of the victim's flesh before he turned away again. When he looked back again, the temple was empty. There was no body on the altar, no statue of Amun-Ra behind it, only the figure of the French troop's god. "Why did you drink the blood and eat the flesh?" He asked Paul. "Nicklaus and myself were good friends. When he was appointed High Priest, he invited me to the ceremony. As High Priest of Bast's temple, I went, for I could not risk the wrath of her great father falling upon my temple. It was Nicklaus who suggested that I should drink the blood and eat the flesh. That is why I have brought you warning of Amun-Ra's wrath. By that act, I am bound to this temple. I am bound to every temple in Egypt by the wish of the goddess. It is by the will of the gods that I live and the decision of when I die lies with them Of them all I am devoted to Bast first, and then Amun-Ra and Isis, then the rest. Therefore, the final decision of my life and death rests with those 3." Paul replied. Ademus was shocked by Paul's revelation. It explained why he knew everything about every temple's history, he was bound to each and every one of them. It was his devotion to Bast that had kept his temple safe from every army that had dared to attack it. Bast's sacred book no longer seemed as important to him, as he knew that Paul would live as long as Bast, Amun-Ra and Isis decreed. He looked out at the temple again, tomorrow he would start making preparations to re-instate the statues of Amun-Ra, if they could be found. He would try and find a male sacrificial victim willing to give their life to Amun-Ra's temple, and would ask Paul to be present at the ceremony, since he was bound to the temple. He looked back at Paul, but he had gone as quietly as he had arrived, leaving no trace of the direction he had taken or how long he had been absent. Ademus noticed Kieran stood at the door, "When did Paul leave?" He asked. Kieran shrugged, "I just came to see if he was still here. So he has been gone at least a minute." He replied. "I am going to have to learn how to be that quiet." Ademus replied. Kieran just smiled and walked away. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/30/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six_co~2005959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-29:/2007/03/29/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six~2000549/MsMotty2007-03-29T23:18:55+02:002007-03-30T00:36:12+02:00 <p><em>"You won't beat me this time Paul, I have the advantage over you.</em> Michael shouted as they raced away from Bast's temple towards the temple of Amun-Ra. <em>"I doubt it. You see, I have all my feet on the floor already, you do not, so therefore, you have to land before you can claim victory. Anyway, there is no way that you will catch me."</em> Paul shouted back. He was doing something he loved, using the gift the goddess had given him. Travelling across Egypt as an Arabian stallion, with Michael travelling as a hawk in a race to see who was the quickest. Knowing that Michael had a slight advantage over him, he put his head down and lengthened his stride, snorting with the effort.<br>Kieran, who had not long been made a priest at Amun-Ra's temple, was out walking when he heard the cry of the hawk and knew that not too far behind would be the Arabian stallion. He heard the stallion's hooves thundering over the sand and readied himself to vault onto it's back. The stallion came charging towards him, shortened it's stride, Kieran grabbed at the mane as he swung up onto it's back and leaned forwards as the stallion lengthened his stride. Snorting with excitement, the stallion picked up speed as they neared the temple of Amun-Ra. Once inside the courtyard, Kieran jumped from it's back and watched it rear in joy. "Tell me what brings you here today, uncle Paul." He said, as Paul stepped towards him. "I come to give counsel to Ademus and bring him warning." Paul replied, walking into the temple.<br><em>"You are smart, Ademus, but you know nothing. Twice now, your temple has abandoned Amun-Ra without hesitation, but you will not abandon him again."</em> Ademus heard Paul speaking to him in his mind and knew that he must be near. "You will not face me, or are you scared of me, Paul?" He said. "No I am not scared of you, Ademus, but I bring you a warning. You allowed Amun-Ra's temple to be defaced by these invaders and stood by idly while they burned his sacred book. His anger knows no bounds and he will descend upon you as a lion upon his prey and destroy you and the temple. You would be advised to incur the wrath of these invaders and try to appease Amun-Ra in the tradition of your temple, rather than face the full fury of his wrath." Paul replied, stepping out of the shadows. "And what do you know of this temple's traditions that I do not?" Ademus sneered. "More than you will ever be able to learn. There used to be harmony between our temples when I was younger, but when you abandoned Amun-Ra the first time, we drifted apart. The traditions of your temple are similar to those of mine. You must make a sacrifice to the great god Amun-Ra, asking his forgiveness for your lack of loyalty. Seal your commitment to him. The traditions of your temple are written all around you, yet you do not see them. Walk with me, and I will teach you, what your temple holds dear in it's traditions." Paul said, walking back into the shadows. Ademus followed him, intrigued, but slightly afraid. He knew that Paul knew he had betrayed him and Saska to the French troops, and Paul would not rest until he had taken his revenge on Ademus. The darkness enveloped him, and when they stepped into the sunlight again, the temple seemed different, somehow. Looking round he saw jubilant crowds filling the main area of the temple. Behind the altar stood a man who was raising a cup to his lips to drink from it. <br>"What is happening?" Ademus asked. "These are the events of the day when the first High Priest, Nicklaus, of this temple was appointed. As you may remember from the day you were appointed, he made a sacrifice of "Meat and blood" to Amun-Ra and, as his final act of devotion, ate the meat of the sacrifice and drank the blood." Paul replied. Ademus looked back at the scene, just to the side, standing at the front of the crowds, he could see Paul, but he looked so much younger. "I remember making a sacrifice to Amun-Ra on the day I was appointed, but I do not see how the invaders would be angered if I were to sacrifice a goat to ask Amun-Ra's forgiveness." He said. Paul's face darkened. <em>"Sacrifice a goat?</em> Have you learned nothing of your temple's traditions? Look at the scene in front of you. Does that look like a goat they have sacrificed to the great father of Bast? You really believe that a goat would appease Amun-Ra's anger? You will follow what the scene shows you or you may find <em>yourself</em> the sacrificial victim." Paul shouted. Ademus was slightly taken aback by the harshness of Paul's words. He knew that Paul had made a human sacrifice to Bast when he was appointed High Priest, and many more since then, but surely, the temple of Amun-Ra was more civilised than that. When he again looked at the scene in front of him, however, he was horrified, for there upon the altar was the body of a man, Nicklaus was eating the flesh of the victim, and the cup he had seen him raise to his lips contained the victims blood. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_six~2000549/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-29:/2007/03/29/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1999189/MsMotty2007-03-29T19:17:25+02:002007-03-29T19:32:25+02:00 <p>Francois was shocked at what Paul told him. He vaguely remembered something from his history lessons at school about an attack on Egypt which had been abruptly stopped at one temple. His teacher had said that it was a legend, that there was no real fact behind it. But that attack had been centuries ago. And this temple would have been constructed in the time of ancient Egypt, which was even further back. If Paul had been at the temple since it had been built, then he must be the oldest man in the world, without doubt. Then another thought occurred to him, was it possibly the attack that Ademus had spoken of, the one where Paul had sacrificed the attacking troops horrifically? "I heard about an attack on Egypt when I was at school, but that was centuries ago. And Ademus told me about a whole troops of soldiers you sacrificed to Bast during a festival except for two, the leader who you killed the day he was captured, in front of his soldiers and one who was sent back to his chief with the heart of the last to be killed and the belongings of the troop leader. How could you remember something that long ago so easily?" He asked. Paul smiled at him. <em>"You should not question the knowledge of those without age. In your country, I would not exist, purely because I have no age. Bast has endowed me with this gift, and if it means that I will live for as long as she decides, without death, then so be it. I have always done what is best for this temple, which is why those men were killed when they attacked."</em>The words sounded in Francois's head, and he knew that Paul had spoken them, even though he hadn't made a sound. "Come, let me show you round my temple. You will see much more if I show you, than if you parted with money on a guided tour." Paul said, walking away from Francois. He had no choice but to follow, hoping that Paul would not feel it worth the trouble to kill him.<br>When Francois left the temple later that day, having seen every part of it, even the parts that were not open to the public and having been told more about not just the temple of Bast, but the others in Egypt, with a detailed history of each one, he felt that it was wrong to attack the temple. It should be left alone. The artefacts that could be plundered and sold to museums round the world, would not look as impressive if removed from the temple as they did inside the temple. Also, no museum would be able to detail the history of each piece as well as Paul could. That was another thing, Paul knew everything, that could be known. He had spoken about what he had seen and done, with out it sounding as if he were boasting about it. Ademus had tried to make out that he knew more than anyone else, but Francois now knew that in reality, Ademus didn't know much at all. The point Paul had made about being at Amun-Ra's temple when it had been attacked, was interesting. He had said that Francois hadn't seen him, what did he mean by that, also the bit about running with the wild horses in the deserts and flying with the eagles and hawks. How could he possibly have done any of those things? As he thought this over, he remembered Ademus's words that morning, "The followers of Bast are not all they seem to be." He wasn't sure what that meant, did it mean that Paul was not human, or did that statement not apply to him? Another thing that bothered Francois had been Paul's warning about Ademus's loyalty. He had said not to trust him, did Paul know what Ademus had told him that morning? Or was it Paul's way of getting Francois and his troops away from Amun-Ra's temple so that he could take his revenge on Ademus? As he was pondering these thoughts he heard the cry of a hawk followed closely by the defiant scream of a wild stallion. Looking up he could see the hawk hovering above Bast's temple, and when he turned to look behind him he saw a wild looking pure white Arabian stallion in the temple courtyard being tended to by some of the priests. Suddenly the stallion reared up, screaming it's annoyance, scattering the priests, before thundering out of the courtyard, past Francois and away in the general direction of Amun-Ra's temple. He noticed the hawk swoop down and follow the stallion, who was bucking in apparant joy. The stallion stopped little way off, waiting for the hawk. As the hawk reached the stallion, it reared, screaming with joy and galloped off again, leaving Francois speechless with amazment. He knew that the tribesmen occasionally caught the wild horses to ride them in battle, but he had never seen them ride a pure white horse before. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1999189/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-28:/2007/03/28/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1993797/MsMotty2007-03-28T21:06:29+02:002007-03-28T21:39:21+02:00 <p>"This temple is the oldest in Egypt and I have served it diligently from the day it was built and I will only leave when it no longer stands. I see that you are fascinated by what you see, both in the temple and also by me. I would advise you not to enquire as to my age, it is no longer important to me, I will only tell you that I have no age. I was born, appointed to this temple when I was still a young man and will only leave this life of the goddess's grace. The roof of the temple was a gift made to us by a foreign King in thanks for our help to his armies during one of those wars Europeans seem to be so keen on. Some of his troops came to our temple, lost, injured, dispirited and hungry. We took them in cared for them, provided them with food, water and medicine. When they finally got home they informed their country of the help we gave them, and so it reached their king, and he came to visit the temple. At first I was reluctant to allow him access, but I was persuaded and he was impressed by everything he saw and said that it must be preserved as much as possible and so ordered that a factory in his country, should construct a roof for the temple. I miss the days when we did not have a roof, but it helps to protect the floor from being damaged by the acidic rain that we seem to have so much of these days. You may think it strange in a country where there is little rain to start with, but in my opinion that means there is more cause to protect the floor and pews. The statue of the goddess shows her in her human form, not as these books represent her. Those pictures were taken from other temples which have always been ready to abandon their god or goddess at a moments notice. It was their willingness to change so readily that led to the destruction of the original temple of Anubis. I know that they fought hard to stop your troops destroying their artefacts and that you suffered heavy losses not incurred at any of the other temples. You received no resistance at the temple of Amun-Ra because Ademus is not as devoted to Amun-Ra as he should be. It is his lack of devotion to the great father of Bast that makes the relations between our temples so strained. I know he has told you about the sacred book of Bast, because he desires it for his own use. The book will remain at this temple for as long as the goddess decrees so." Paul said. "How is it that you know how bad our losses were at the temple of Anubis, and that there was no resistance at the temple of Amun-Ra?" Francois asked him. "As I told you, I have no age. I am in close contact with the goddess, and so I know and see everything. I do not have any need to leave this temple to find things out, yet it is the one freedom I allow myself. If I did not leave the temple, then I would be reliant on information alone, unable to find things out for myself. It is my greatest joy to be able to wander Egypt and beyond. I saw the coming of every war that has been fought since this temple was built, I have met every religious leader that has lived since that time, and I have always used my knowledge to help others where I can. It would be unwise to think that the followers of Bast are only to be found in Egypt, they are spread throughout your known world. I have seen islands that you have not yet discovered, species that you have long believed to be extinct, and those that have yet to be found. I have run with the wild herds of horses in the deserts, flown with the eagles and hawks, and swum the depths of the oceans. I was at every temple you ransacked, although you did not see me. You cannot trust Ademus, as he would abandon you at the first sign of trouble, which will be sooner than you think. Twice his temple has abandoned Amun-Ra. It is two times too many, and the wrath of Amun-Ra will be great, and his retribution swift. If you have troops there, you would be advised to move them, also from the other temples that have abandoned their god or goddess for the second time. You will be safe at our temple and the temple of Anubis, as neither have wavered in their devotion to their deity. It was the unwavering devotion of the High Priest and Priestess of the original temple of Anubis that led to it's destruction." Paul replied. He didn't look at Francois, but out over his temple as if he were making certain that there was no one watching him. Francois was slightly intimidated by Paul, he was fairly tall and well-built despite the fact he looked an old man. "You keep mentioning the original temple of Anubis and it's destruction. What happened, exactly?" He asked Paul. <br>"The original temple of Anubis was built not long after ours and only a few miles away. Well do I remember the High Priest and Priestess at that time being devoted to serving Anubis. There has always been harmony between our temples, even now, when they have been forced to abandon the worship of Anubis in favour of the god you have introduced to this country. There came a time many years ago, before you were born, when Egypt was subject to a fierce and brutal attack from another country, I do not fully remember from whence they came, but I remember the fear and panic they caused. They decreed that we must forsake the deities that we worshipped and bow down to their gods and goddesses. The only 2 temples that would not comply with this ruling were ours and the temple of Anubis. The leader of the invaders was not pleased by our defiance and it was decided that both temples should be destroyed and all the staff of each killed in public. They descended upon the temple of Anubis first, Killing the servants and lower priests and priestesses. Those that were higher up the order and the High Priest and Priestess were shut in the temple, which was then set alight. Of all the staff that had been employed by that temple, none survived." Paul said, there was sadness in his eyes at recalling what had happened. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/28/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1993797/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-27:/2007/03/28/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1988703/MsMotty2007-03-28T00:41:53+02:002007-03-28T01:45:29+02:00 <p>Paul stood facing the statue of Bast in the main area of the temple. It would be a little while before the tourists came, which gave him time to look round thoroughly and decide what he should do about the book. It must be moved, surely, or would the French leave his temple be as they had done for so long. No other temple in Egypt was home to such wealth as his and yet they had systematically ransacked each and every one of its treasures. <em>"My book must remain at the temple, Paul. The leader of the French troops is coming to visit today. They may attack in a few weeks, or they may not attack the temple at all. What happens is up to you. Meet the leader today when he comes and show him round the temple. Use all your knowledge to make him see sense. If you can persuade him to let my temple be, the rewards will be great." </em>Paul heard the words behind him and knew that it was Bast herself who had spoken them. He turned to see her standing away from the altar. "Great goddess, if you say the book must remain at the temple, then so be it. I will show the leader of these troops round your temple and try my best to persuade him to leave it be." Paul said, bowing to kiss her feet. "It is your temple as much as mine, Paul. Remember that at all times. I must go now, before the doors are opened." Bast said, turning away from Paul. He watched her walk away and then turned his attention to making sure that the temple was in pristine condition and that everything was in it's proper place. Hearing the servants open the doors, he turned and walked back to his quarters.<br>Francois stepped through the doors into the main temple area and was amazed by the sight that greeted him. Most of the temples either had a stone roof or no roof at all. The temple of Bast had a roof made entirely of glass, yet that could not be possible given it's age. The temple seemed to have been designed in a similar fashion to a church, with intricately carved pews set either side of an aisle. The floor was marble, as were the pews. The walls were also covered with ornate decoration, art-work depicting scenes from Egypt's and the temple's history. The most amazing thing about the temple was the altar area. Behind the altar, which seemed to be made entirely of marble, there was a golden statue of the goddess with her arms open. Francois had expected the goddess to be portrayed as in the books, a woman with the head of a cat. But the statue in the temple showed a beautiful woman. Either side of the altar were 2 statues of cats also made from gold. In front of the altar were 2 golden thrones. One was larger and had more decoration on it than the other. Francois felt that they must be where the 2 High Priests would sit for an hour while the rest of the temple staff paid their respects to them. While he was taking all this in, he was unaware that he was being watched. <br>"Does it have to be you who shows him round the temple, highest of High Priests?" Michael asked. "Yes, the goddess has told me what I must do, and I will not waver in my devotion to her in these dark days." Paul replied, walking out from the back of the temple towards the altar. He walked behind the altar aware all the time of the eyes of the tourists upon him and bent to kiss the feet of the goddess. He then turned and walked back in front of the altar and sat down in his throne. Michael walked out after Paul had taken his seat and walked up to him, kissed his feet, and sat beside him. Then one by one, the priests and priestesses and staff of the temple walked out and kissed the feet of Paul and Michael before walking to stand at one side of the altar. Once the last servant had kissed Michael's feet and taken his place at the end of the line, Paul got to his feet and raised his hand in blessing before sitting back down. Michael then stood up and walked away from his seat to join the temple staff and they all bowed down in front of Paul. Once they had stood up again, they one by one departed from the altar area to resume their duties around the temple going through the same routine as they had at the start of the hour. Paul remained seated in his throne for a few more minutes, gazeing out over the main area of the temple as if he were looking for someone. Finally, he got to his feet and walked back behind the altar, kissed the feet of the goddess and walked as if to go back to his quarters. Francois had watched the proceedings with fascination, the devotion of the temple staff to their high priests was amazing. "You are the new leader of the French troops that have ransacked the temples around Egypt, yes?" Said a voice behind him. Turning, he saw Paul standing slightly away from him. "Yes I am. I was advised to come to the temple today. . ." He started to reply, but Paul held his hand up as if signalling an end to his reply. Francois was feeling slightly worried by Paul's presence. There may have been tourists in the temple, but it would only take one word from him and the temple would be cleared of the public. What if Paul decided to subject him to the same fate as Marc or the leader of the last invading troops? He would not be able to do anything to stop him. The same thought seemed to have occurred to Paul as he kept casting glances round the temple, checking to see if he was being watched. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/28/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five_c~1988703/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-27:/2007/03/27/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five~1982322/MsMotty2007-03-27T01:45:49+02:002007-03-27T17:09:30+02:00 <p>"You must attack the temple of Bast within the next week, or if you will wait, then it will be the end of the month before you can safely attack the temple. After the end of next week, you will be destroyed if you try to attack Bast's temple. They say that during the time of her festival the goddess walks among her followers and destroys all who would attack her temple. I do not follow with that belief after I heard what happened to the last invaders. Only one lived to tell the tale, and he was horrified by what he was witness to." Ademus said to Francois, who had been appointed leader of the French troops after Marc's death. "What happened?" Francois asked. "I only have what I have been told by the High Priest at the temple of Isis to go on, for it was before I was born, but it was horrific what happened to them. The last invaders of Egypt came sweeping through the country, forcing the temples to abandon their deities or be killed. The High Priest at the temple of Bast, Paul, refused to allow his temple to be forced into anything. The chief of the invaders decided then, that the temple should be destroyed and those who served it, killed in public. His troops attacked the temple the day before the main festival, but were ambushed by the priests and taken captive. It was decided that all but 2 would be sacrificed during the course of the festival, in honour of the goddess. The troop leader was deemed not worthy of being sacrificed during the festival, and so was sacrificed in front of his men, the same day. You will remember that Marc's heart was ripped from his body after Paul killed him. It is the first time I have known Paul to display such compassion to his victims, for no such compassion was displayed to the leader of the last invaders. He was stripped to the waist and forcibly held down on the altar, while Paul prayed to the goddess, as he does before every sacrifice he makes. He then turned to the leader, tore open his chest and ripped his still beating heart from his body and ate it in front of everyone. The other troop members who had been chosen to be sacrificed, were treated with slightly more diginty, their thorats were slit first, and then their flesh sliced from their bodies. The one remaining soldier was sent back to his chief with the heart of the last to be sacrificed, and the belongings of his leader, as warning of what he was up against." Ademus replied. Francois felt physically sick at what he had been told. He could not understand how Paul was held in such revere by the other High Priests, when he was obviously evil. "How do you rate my chance of success in taking the temple by storm?" He asked. Ademus thought for a moment. "Good, if you kill the second of the 2 High Priests, Michael. He is still learning, and should be easliy disposed of. You already know that Paul is a formidable opponent. Not even I would dare to face him in combat, but he can be weakened by sheer numbers. Followers of the goddess say that her blood flows in his veins. If that is so, you will not be able to kill him. Do not ask me how old he is, as all I know is that he was anointed High Priest when the temple was built and has been there ever since. It may be that he is immortal, the goddess's chosen representative on Earth, but be aware that the followers of Bast are not all they seem to be." Ademus said. "You say there are 2 High Priests. How will I tell them apart?" Francois asked. "Go to the temple today. This is the day that all the priests and priestesses pay their respect to the High Priests for 1 hour. You will know Paul by the fact that the younger of the 2, Michael, will pay respect to him by kissing his feet. You may even remember him from your time as a priest at this temple. Also, Paul will not wait around after the hour is over. It is not in his nature to mingle with the public, and, if he had his way, the temple would not be open to the public. Only for the fact that they need the money generated by the guided tours, did he consent to open the temple's doors every day to the tourists. Michael will mingle with the public and often takes guided tours. You would be advised to part with some of your money and go on one, the knowledge you will gain could prove invaluable to your mission. Paul thinks that I am ignorant of the treasures housed in his temple, but I have seen enough when I have visited, to know that the artefacts contained within the temple walls would be extremely valuable to any museum wishing to expand their collection. The most valuable of these treasures is the sacred book of Bast. It is said to have been written by the gods and can be read by anyone, as it is written in all languages. Paul will not give the book up without a fight, because of the secrets it contains, and may even now be planning to move it to a safe haven while the temple is threatened." Ademus replied. He hoped that the French would be able to capture the book. If they did, then he would be able to prove once and for all just how blood-thirsty Bast's followers actually were. Maybe it would also tell him how to get rid of Paul. Ademus was often frustrated by Paul's knowledge of everything to do with their history, even knowing everything about all the temples and their history. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/27/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_five~1982322/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-25:/2007/03/25/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four_c~1974102/MsMotty2007-03-25T20:08:55+02:002007-03-25T20:08:55+02:00 <p>Most of the time the temple was open to the public, Paul hid himself away in his quarters. He had no great desire to meet the public or show them round the temple. Michael was much more enthusiastic about it, taking guided tours and answering the visitors questions as best he could. Today however, Paul would have to face the public. It was the first Tuesday of the month, which meant that the High Priests would sit in front of the statue of the goddess while the priests, priestesses and temple staff paid their respect to them. It would only be for an hour, but it always felt much longer to Paul. After a few more minutes, Michael left Paul's room, going through the same ritual as when he had greeted him earlier. Finally left alone, Paul allowed himself time to wake fully and think about the temple's fate. The French would probably not destroy all the artefacts, rather they would remove them from the temple and sell them to some museum for their own profit. But what of the book? That could not be sold. It must be taken from the temple before the French troops arrived and taken to a safe place. Paul thought back to the help the temple had recieved last time Egypt had been attacked. He could not remember fully the identity of the group, but remembered the country they had come from. Maybe there was somewhere in that country where the book could be kept safe. The other problem was how to get it out of Egypt. the french troops were everywhere and would easily spot the book, and be prepared to kill whoever held it in their quest to own it. Paul knew that the French would know about Bast's book. Ademus would have told them about it, and it would be Ademus who wanted it more than the French. Ademus wanted to get rid of him, and probably thought that the book would tell him how to get rid of Paul. The final problem was that there were only 2 weeks to Bast's main festival. If he were to take the book now, he must be sure that he could return to Egypt before then. Feeling despair at the fate of the temple, Paul prayed to the goddess for a miracle. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/25/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four_c~1974102/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-23:/2007/03/24/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four_c~1963840/MsMotty2007-03-24T00:08:55+01:002007-03-25T19:50:23+02:00 <p>The temple had only just been built in honour of Bast and he had been chosen out of all her followers to be High Priest. Saska had been chosen as High Priestess and they had been appointed together. They had sealed their commitment to the goddess with a human sacrifice. They had eaten the victim's flesh and drank his blood as their final act of devotion. How different things were now. The new High Priest, Michael, had been appointed last year and had sacrificed a goat to show his commitment. That wasn't to say that he wouldn't have made a human sacrifice, it was just that such things were now frowned upon, and no one, not even Amun-Ra was above the law. Paul remembered Ademus telling him about the French troops that had come to Amun-Ra's temple, "They destroyed everything they could, removed all the statues and images of Amun-Ra and replaced them with those of their god. They even destroyed the sacred book of Amun-Ra." It had taken a lot of self restraint to stop Paul from ripping Ademus limb from limb. Ademus had betrayed both him and Saska's movements to the French troops, leading to Saska's death. All over Egypt there had been stories of the French troops defacing the temples in that way. It worried Paul. Bast's temple was the oldest and largest of the temples. Well, whatever, the French wanted when they came to this temple, he would do all in his power to stop them. Hearing footsteps outside his room, he got out of bed and silently crossed the room to his door. Opening it, he saw Michael standing outside, just about to knock. "I'm so sorry to disturb you, Highest of High Priests, but I was awakened in the night by a fear of what should happen to the temple if the French arrive." He said, kneeling in front of Paul and kissing his feet. Paul moved to one side to allow Michael access to the room. "Whatever the French want, they cannot be as bad as the last invaders who came before you were even born. You will note that the temple of Anubis appears to have been built much later than the others. It is not new. The temple of Anubis was built not long after ours. It only appears to be new, because it has been rebuilt and not even where it originally stood. Last time Egypt was invaded in such a way, we feared for our lives." Paul replied. Michael turned towards him, "What happened to the original temple of Anubis?" He asked. Paul closed his eyes for a moment as if trying to remember the exact details. "As I told you, the temple of Anubis was built not long after our own, only a few miles away from our own. For many years there was peace in Egypt, the temple's worshipped their deities and most were happy. One day, however, invaders came sweeping through the country. Their leader decreed that we should abandon our deities and worship their own instead. Many temples complied, some to protect their temple staff, others because they have no real loyalty. Only 2 temples resisted, our own and the temple of Anubis. The Triaxial temple cannot be counted as it had already been buried underground. As you can imagine, the leader of the invaders was not pleased at our defiance. He sent orders that bothe temples be destroyed and the temple staff killed. They descended upon the temple of Anubis like a swarm of locusts, killing the servants and even followers who were worshipping. They made prisoners of the Priests and Priestesses and shut them in the temple with the High Priest and Priestess. They called all those who lived near to come and see what they would do to those who opposed them. When they had gathered a crowd, they set fire to the temple. We were lucky to survive the fate of the temple of Anubis, when the invaders attacked us, we were celebrating our main festival, when the goddess herself walks amongst us. They were destroyed and those temples that had deserted their deities went back to worshipping them as if nothing had even happened. They did not care what had happened to the temple of Anubis. We were left to care for the followers and give them somewhere to worship Anubis until such a time as their temple could be rebuilt." Paul said. Michael's face paled. "Could the French do that to us?" He asked. Paul shook his head. "They would not dare. It may be that they would do the same to us as they did to the temple of Amun-Ra, destroying everything they can and replacing all the statues and images of the goddess with those of their god. Ademus thinks it unlikely that anything will happen to our temple, he does not think that Bast is important enough." Paul replied. His anger towards Ademus grew daily, he should never have been appointed High Priest of Amun-ra's temple, but there had been no other candidate suited to the role. Little did Ademus know that Bast's temple was the greatest of treasure troves, full of ancient artifacts, some older than the temple itself. His main worry was Bast's sacred book. Paul knew that it was a priceless treasure, written by the gods themselves, on gold sheet and the covers inlaid with numerous precious stones, some of which Paul had never seen before. It could be read by anyone as it was written in all languages but only ever visible to the reader in one, their own. It was a work of art as much as the temple's bible. People flocked from all over Egypt to see the temple and have a tour. Paul had been reluctant to open the temple to the tourists, preffering to keep it closed to all but followers of the goddess. However, everything cost money these days, and so the temple had to pay it's way as did every other temple in Egypt. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/24/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four_c~1963840/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-23:/2007/03/23/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four~1963124/MsMotty2007-03-23T21:40:56+01:002007-03-25T19:49:48+02:00 <p><em>"Paul, you have taken the vow to serve my temple and followers for the rest of your life. You have agreed to preside over it's festivals and to ensure that no harm comes to those who look to you for my guidance. You have sealed your commitment to me by your sacrifice of meat and blood. Therefore, it is my great pleasure to bestow upon you the title of High Priest. May your devotion to Bast never fail and her great father, Amun-Ra watch and protect you."</em> Paul awoke with a start. It took him a few seconds to remember that he was in his quarters in the temple. He wondered briefly whether Saska had been having the same dream before he remembered that she was dead, relieved of her service to Bast after being badly injured in a fight against enemies of the temple a few months before. Paul had also been involved in the fight alongside Saska, but they had been heavily outnumbered and it had been Paul who had recovered, not Saska. That had been because Saska had tied her strength to her daughter, Emma. Saska's daughter had recently visited the temple and met Paul for the first time since she had been born. Paul wondered why he had been remembering the day he was appointed High Priest, as it hadn't been a recent event. He could remember the day well, even thought it had been many years ago. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/23/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_four~1963124/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-22:/2007/03/22/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_three_~1955679/MsMotty2007-03-22T20:13:06+01:002007-03-25T19:49:20+02:00 <p>"You must be Emma. Micah was telling me about you yesterday. And these must be your adoptive parents." Paul said as he reached them. He held his hand out to her adoptive parents a smile on his face. They recognised him immediately as the man they had seen in the background when they had adopted Emma. "We were told that you were Emma's grandfather, we didn't expect to see you here to be honest. We expected to see Saska today. Where is she?" Emma's adoptive father asked. "I am not Emma's grandfather. I was there when she was born as Saska had no other family to be there with her. Unfortuantely Saska left no contact details for you, or I would have informed you of her death last month. I know that she meant to make contact with you at some point this year, but, unfortunately, she did not get that chance." Paul replied. He looked at Emma and noticed that she was upset. It would not do for her to be seen crying in the main temple. Her adoptive parents were showing no emotion in their faces. "I understand that this has come as a bit of a shock to you. If you wish, we can continue with our conversation in my quarters." He continued leading them towards the back of the temple. Michael was coming out of the door when he saw Paul approaching with Emma and quickly moved to one side. "The priests have placed refreshments in your quarters Highest of High Priests." He said, beginning to bow in order to kiss Paul's feet. Paul stopped him with one look. "Thank you Michael. You should resume your duties in the temple, I believe that there are guided tours to be taken." He replied a slight sharpness to his voice. Michael nodded and hurried off. "Are you always so sharp with your staff?" Emma's adoptive father asked. Paul shook his head, "Michael is still learning how to be a High Priest. Sometimes he is so eager about his job that he neglects his duties. You must know that this is not my temple, it was not Saska's temple either. Myself and Saska were High Priest and Priestess of a temple that no longer stands. After it fell we were made Hghest of High Priests and Priestesses in Egypt. This temple is my home as it was Saska's. I am sorry, but I do not believe you told me your name when we met." Paul replied. He sat down and indicated for the other to do the same. "My name is Robert and my wife's name is Liz." Robert replied. Paul nodded. "I will thank you on behalf of Saska for bringing up her daughter well. I know that she considered bringing Emma up here at the temple, but it is no life for any child to have, being surrounded by traditions saying what they can and cannot do all the time. Also, we would not have had the time to give to her education. Therefore I believe that Saska made the right choice, when she decided that it would be best for Emma to be adopted." Paul said. Emma looked a little awkward at his words. "I never told anyone at college what my mother did for a living, because I didn't think they would believe that it was a viable job. Even now I don't really understand exactly what it was my mum did." She said. Paul thought for a moment. "The job of High Priestess is difficult to explain. It is a job for life. You are not appointed High Priestess, you are born High Priestess. It is the same with a High Priest. There are only 2 current High Priests who were not born into the position, Ademus at Amun-Ra's temple and Michael. Ademus is only a stand-in High Priest until the one who was born into the role is old enough to take it on. Michael Has only recently been appointed High Priest of this temple, for there was not really a High Priest here. There is a lot more to the job than I could tell you now. It is something that is learnt over a preiod of time from currwent High Priests and Priestesses. You cannot learn the job from a book. It takes a life-time to master and is a job for life." Paul replied. Robert and Liz looked confused, but Emma knew what Paul meant: Since Saska was dead, she was the Highest of High Priestesses in Egypt. "I don't think I could take the job on so soon. I am still in college." She said. Paul smiled. "Then you wait until you feel ready. Saska's strength is in you already. You trust your instincts to know when you are ready." Paul replied. When Emma left the temple later she felt somewhat different. She now knew more about her mother and where her own path in life lay. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/22/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_three_~1955679/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:triaxial-power.blog.co.uk,2007-03-21:/2007/03/21/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_three_~1950224/MsMotty2007-03-21T23:30:57+01:002007-03-21T23:30:57+01:00 <p>"All that you know of Saska's daughter is that she was raised in Britain. How do you ever hope to find her?" Andrew asked. Paul could not reply, the task seemed almost hopeless. There would be many girls around the age of Saska's daughter, it would almost be beyond hope that he would know which one was her. He had no information to go on, as he did not know the surname of the couple who had adopted her. He felt dispair at the thought of finding the young girl before he went to his rest.</p> <p>Micah looked up from his work. "There's a girl at college with me called Emma who's adopted. She only recently found out who her mother was, but she won't talk about it as she says she's too embarrassed to say what her mother does for a living. There's a good chance that she won't be Saska's daughter, but she's a good starting point." He said. Paul and Andrew nodded their agreement. If Emma was in Micah's year then she would be around the right age for Saska's daughter. Paul resolved to try and do a talk at Micah's college, he had been asked often enough by educational establishments around the world to pass on his knowledge of ancient Egypt. His knowledge was deemed greater than any of the books written on the subject, or indeed, that which could be offered by historians. He knew that Micah's college would love him to give a talk on ancient history as they had been the most vociferous in their requests ever since Micah had mentioned in passing, that his uncle was a High Priest at Bast's temple.</p> <p>"Do you think I should go to Micah's college to giva a talk on ancient Egypt, while I am searching for Saska's daughter?" Paul asked Michael later that evening. Michael thought for a moment. "If the goddess means you to find Saska's daughter, who could very well be the girl in Micah's class, then I think you should give a talk, even if this Emma isn't Saska's daughter, the information you will give them will be invaluble. I think that you should take some of the guided tours as well. I know some things about the temple, but not to the extent that you do. The tourists would be more willing to part with their money, if they had such a knowledgeable guide as yourself." He replied. The answer hit a sore spot with Paul. The tourists were a bit of a sore point with him. It had been Saska who had finally persuaded him that they were a good idea 3 years ago. She had taken the guided tours then. When Michael joined, his enthusiasm for the tours was admirable and so Paul had allowed them to continue. Only if there was an important visitor to the temple, such as royalty or foreign dignataries, would Paul deign to give a guided tour. He had no great love for the tourists, he could split them into different catergories just by looking at them. By and large, the American ones always mis-pronounced names, and were known for being very loud and rude. The Japanese ones always seemed to want to take pictures. Then there were the British tourists. They could be of 2 types: drunken and civil. The drunken ones were worse in Paul's eyes than the Americans, they poked fun at everyone and considered themselves batter than anyone else. The civil ones weren't too bad, he supposed, they were interested in every thing they were told and were the most likely to ask questions. <br>Andrew and his sons arrived back at their hotel to find a familiar face waiting in the reception. "Emma, what are you doing here?" Micah asked her. She looked a bit awkward, "Mum and Dad, thought that the trip to see the temples would help my coursework. We've been traipsing round all the ones they think are important, but there's no information there anymore." She replied. "Have you been to Bast's temple yet? You should try that one. If you want, we could go back tomorrow, uncle Paul might give you some information. If he's not feeling well, then Michael is alway's willing to help." Micah replied. Andrew looked over at them, "Micah, rather than traipsing back to uncle Paul's why don't you and Emma team up? Paul gave you plenty of information today, if you need any more in the morning then we'll go back." He said. The following morning, Emma said that she had enough information, but wouldn't mind visiting the temple to try and get some photo's to back up the evidence. Micah was quick to join her and her parents.<br>Paul was contemplating whether or not he should go back to bed, when Michael knocked on his door. "Micah's back. He's brought that Emma girl with him and her adoptive parents." He said. That made Paul's mind up and he slowly got to his feet. "Thank you, Michael, I will be out shortly to see them." He replied. Emma watched the old man walk out of the priest's quarters and go over to the statue behind the altar and kneel in front of it for a moment. His face looked somehow familiar, she couldn't place him though. Paul looked over at Emma and Micah and knew instinctively that Emma was Saska's daughter. The way she carried herself was the same, there was a power that radiated from her, that gave her away. <em>"She has visited Amun-Ra's temple and Ademus did not know her. Perhaps he did not believe it possible that Saska should have a successor." </em>He thought as he walked over towards her. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://triaxial-power.blog.co.uk/2007/03/21/triaxial_power_sacred_vow_chapter_three_~1950224/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>