Read Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice for Free Online

that I’ll confess. She opens her mouth to speak, but I bring a bent finger up to my lips subtly in message. She quiets and smiles with her eyes as the guards take her away.
    “Certainly, priest, you may speak.”
    “I have information that I cannot withhold that may shed light on this daughter’s corruption.”
    “Continue.”
    “About forty days past, my slave, Nun, from house of Sokaris, requested a dream be interpreted by me. As that is my priestly profession, I obliged, as any benevolent master would. He dreamt of grabbing the wooden staff out of Serapis’s hand and taking it for himself. I interpreted this to mean my slave coveted something of Serapis’s. He continued on, saying he took the staff and sailed downstream with it, a strong portent of violence, as even laymen know. I told my slave a different interpretation for fear of feeding his desires, but I worried that an event such as this would take place as his dream foretold. I have it documented in the scry book if the court so wishes proof.”
    The vizier nods respectfully and commands a guard to hasten to the temple to fetch the journal.
    “On more than five occasions, I have had my priestly linen loincloths taken from my dwellings when only Nun had access to them. Of course, I flogged him for it, but he confessed nothing. I have since dreamt that Serapis himself has come to me, seeking vengeance for my slave’s violent and forceful actions upon his Royal Daughter. After hearing today how she has been disgraced, I know who is undoubtedly to blame.”
    “Where is this slave, Nun, from the house of Sokaris?”
    “He is right outside this court.”
    “Seize him! Sokaris, take the guards to collect him and bring him to me!”
    As I walk out with the guards behind me, I comfort myself.
    He’s a slave, of little use to the world. I’m a learned and destined priest in the esteemed House of Life. The gods would surely rather have my homage and service than this lowly slave. Bastet committed no wrong. We simply made a mistake and Nun would help us rectify it: a sacrifice for our repentance.
    In the commotion, the crowds step aside as the armed court guards march behind me. I see Nun sitting cross-legged by the side of the building. He stirs and rises to bow as if we’ll pass him. When we stop before him, he looks up, shocked.
    “There is the accused.” I stare down into his green eyes.
    They seize his thin, frail frame and drag him into the court screaming.
    “Silence the prisoner!” the vizier demands.
    One of the guards grabs a wool rag and stuffs it into the slave’s mouth.
    “Are you Nun, slave of the house of Sokaris?”
    Nun tries to spit the cloth out to answer.
    The vizier shouts, “Nod or shake!”
    Nun quickly nods with his eyes wide in fear.
    “Have you entered the Temple of Serapis, even though it is forbidden by the Pharaoh?”
    He again tries to spit the cloth out.
    The vizier screams, “Nod or shake, slave!”
    The vizier’s slaves fan him furiously to cool his reddened face.
    Nun pauses here, hangs his shoulders, and looks around at me, eyes narrowed.
    “Do you understand the question?” the vizier shouts.
    Nun turns back and nods.
    “Answer, then! Have you entered the Temple of Serapis, even though it is forbidden by the Pharaoh?” he shouts louder as though Nun is deaf.
    Nun looks again at me, this time defeated, and nods his head. The court is buzzing.
    The vizier then asks, after the noise dies down a bit, “Have you wronged Serapis, committing a crime against him, violating his Royal Daughter?”
    Nun seems torn by this statement, and I smile inside, knowing that the wording is auspicious. He shrinks further in defeat and nods. The room explodes with noise.
    “Silence, or I will have the court closed!” The vizier turns to his guards. “Bring out the girl!”
    As soon as Bastet looks around, she takes in Nun standing there in front of the courts. I hope she understands, but she appears confused. I hold my breath and