SWORD MAIDEN OF SEKHMET

Chapter 25: Inside the Temple

Ashayt walked towards the temple between the two rows of obelisks, mentally reciting the names of the Gods inscribed on them as she passed: Osiris, Lord of the Afterlife... Isis, his sister and also his wife... Horus, their son...Maat, Goddess of Truth and Justice...

Then her attention was captured by the figure of Bekenamen who waited for her on the steps.

Until this moment, she had seen him only as a priest, but now she could also recognise the warrior in the man: he stood tall and proud, his gaze seeming to take everything in - alert, watchful. Though she had never seen him do so, she could easily imagine him wielding spear or sword.

He smiled as he saw her approaching and, once again, she was struck by its warmth. She smiled back.

He bowed.

"My Lady."

"Guardian," she replied.

He reached out to take her hand and - for a split second - she hesitated. Then scolding herself for her caution, she allowed him to take it and lead her through the high entrance. But it had been a shock: this was the first time she had been touched by a man who was neither her Father nor one of her brothers - and it felt strange. Once inside, he released her hand and she was surprised to find she missed the warmth and strength of his fingers.

Directly ahead, was the dark passageway that sloped down to the Sanctuary and up which she had walked only a few days earlier. Turning to the left, Bekenamen led her through a high doorway into a vast hall, its ceiling supported by many columns.

She had expected something more sombre, but it was full of colour and life, lit by oil lamps that hung from the ceiling in baskets, or flickered in niches along the walls. The columns were covered with brightly-painted hieroglyphs and pictures, and their tops fanned out like opening lotus flowers to support the ceiling. Everywhere she looked there were pictures of The Goddess and the air was smoky with the scent of incense.

It was beautiful.

At the far end from where they stood, was a large statue of Sekhmet, with an altar in front. A ceremony was in progress and a senior priest was reciting prayers and invocations, while other priests received offerings from the kneeling worshippers and placed them on the altar.

Nearer to the entrance, other visitors and priests were talking quietly, some standing, some seated on elegantly fashioned chairs.

"This is the Outer-Temple," he explained, "where public ceremonies take place, open to all. It is also a place where our priests can meet visitors and benefactors to discuss the business of the Temple."

"I can see that The Temple prospers," Ashayt said.

"It does," Bekenamen replied proudly. "It is one of the greatest Temples to our Goddess in the whole of the Black Land."

"So it is a good life - being a Priest?" she asked, unable to hide a note of irony in her voice.

"Of course," he replied defensively, rising to her tone. "It is very hard to begin with, as a novice, with long years of learning and training. But the hardships are worth it: in our society Priests are equal to nobles - and second only to the Pharaoh."

"And are your duties so very hard?" Ashayt asked teasingly, remembering the beautiful young woman who had been welcomed by Bekenamen on her first day.

"Not hard, but they are many. The High Priest is staying with his family in the city, so now I have his duties as well as my own. He is old and unwell and Osiris may soon be welcoming him into the Afterlife."