Read Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice for Free Online Page B

Trembling, he tucks the letter into his robe’s deep pocket.
    “Oh, you are shaking. Have you not had your breakfast yet?” I notice the untouched tray of breads, figs, and wine on the three-legged low table beside his desk. “You have not touched a morsel.” I click my tongue twice. “We must not spoil this offering.”
    I turn back to see Khons, quaking as he grips his desk for support, and I motion him to sit on a cushion at the table.
    He shakes his head and says, “I am waiting for Aapep to come and assist me into the city.”
    “Well, that is perfect. Have a seat, and we can put something in our bellies while you wait.”
    He glances toward the door, searching for some way out. I smile, knowing he can’t make his way down the corridor without assistance. Hesitant, he hobbles over, protecting the pocket.
    “What business do you have in the city this early?”
    He coughs a few times, clearly trying to gain time to think. “I requested permission to record the execution of your slave this morning. I think it will be important to document it.”
    How clever he thinks he is.
    I stare at his face—so odd with its many tiny spots—a thing of rarity among people of dark skin.
    “Oh yes, yes. Good idea. You are so wise, Khons.”
    I touch his hand, and he recoils slightly. I draw back, place goblets in front of us, and fill them, the scarlet liquid spinning for a moment as Khons watches the door.
    “Ah, thank you, truly a feast. Khons, can you fetch me that knife on your desk to cut the bread?”
    As he turns his back to get the sharp knife, I spill the contents of a small flask into his goblet.
    He returns and says, “ I will do the honor of cutting, thank you.”
    I smile. He thinks I might harm him with the knife. He slices the wide flatbread, wraps the knife in linen, and tucks it away in the satchel worn at his side. I can hardly contain my laughter—he thinks he avoided a threat! Khons picks up his goblet with a tremorring, spotted hand and drinks thirstily. He replaces it and is mid-chew on a large piece of bread when he begins to choke.
    He spits his bread at me and gasps out, “You murderer! You have Nun’s blood on your hands and now mine!”
    He reaches up, holding his neck, gagging as frothy blood dribbles out of the corners of his mouth.
    He drops to the floor and gurgles, “May Ra eat your heart!”
    One last rattle and his eyes go blank as his breathing ceases. In haste, I wipe his mouth, pick up his bony body, and place it at his desk. Putting the inked reed in his hand, I leave it propped on an empty piece of paper. Aapep will soon be here and surmise he died alone. I drink my wine and spill the poisoned wine into a linen cloth, wiping out any remnants. As I am leaving, I realize I forgot the most important thing! I reach into his robe and remove the vital scroll.
    Foolish Khons.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    Once home, I take the letter out in the safety of my dwelling and read his perfect writing:
    Most Esteemed Vizier,
I write to you with heavy guilt and shame that I did not have the courage or pure heart to speak out in court yesterday. I had a difficult time deciding if the life of a slave was equal to the life of a skilled and trusted priest. It took a night of soul-searching and much lamenting to realize that my heart would not be light on Anubis’s scales if an innocent slave were put to death, wrongly accused. I was present in the dream chamber awaiting my incubation when I overheard two lovers talking of a secret and forbidden meeting.
The male, who I can identify as Sokaris, Dream Magician of the House of Life, reassured the female, the Royal Daughter, that all would be well with his slave watching out for them. I have to confess, at risk of punishment on my own part, that I thought little of this lustful crime. I respect Sokaris, feel he is a valuable member to the House of Life, and thought so little of the offense taken so seriously by the righteous temple priests. I