My book - Triaxial Power - all three parts

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

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

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

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

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

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.
"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.
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.
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.

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.

"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 their 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.
"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.

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. "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." 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.
"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.

"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, his 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.