Chapter 12

Cast of Characters

Bast - Goddess of cats, protection, joy, dance, music, family, and love
Sekhmet - Goddess of fire, war, and dance
Hathor - Goddess of the sky, dance, love, beauty, joy, motherhood, foreign lands, mining, music, and fertility.
Serket - Goddess of scorpions, medicine, magic, and healing venomous stings and bites
Maat - Goddess of Truth and Justice
Tefnut - Goddess of Rain, Air, Moisture, Weather, Dew, Fertility, and Water
Mut - Queen of the goddesses and lady of heaven

Isis - Goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom (wife of Ra)
Ra - God of the Sun, the major god of Egypt

Epaphus - Greek Mythology demi-god - Son of Zeus, Io, and a King of Egypt
Ephus - the man, husband of Bast and all her sisters at present

Brothers of Bast and Sekhmet

Thoth - God of knowledge
Sobek - God of the Nile, the Army, military, fertility and of crocodiles
Anhur - God of war and the sky bearer - Full brother of Bast and Sekhmet
Horus - Ancient God of the sky and kingship

Karen - neighbor of Ephus
Tina - Karen’s daughter
Dr. Quinn Markov - Doctor of ancient Egyptology and Mythology

Ephus was staring at the spot where Bast had just been, then turned to stare at a widely smiling Thoth.

“With the exception of Sobek I think that this test won’t be much to you.” Thoth was telling Ephus. “Let’s see, first there is Anhur. He has been trying to free both of his sisters for a long time. I don’t think he will object to you freeing Bast. Then there is Shu I have felt his displeasure at having Bast confined to his realm of the sky. He is all for freeing her”

“Yes, I was a little unsure of him.” Ephus told Thoth.

“Then there is Min he is far too busy with his females to care. Khonsu and Apophis were close to Bast and they also would like her freed. Horus,” here Thoth sighed. “Horus has always done what...”

There was a commotion of light and sound then Thoth backed up and sighed. Suddenly a tall man with a falcon on his shoulder appeared.

“Is this him Thoth?” The man’s deep voice boomed out.

“Yes that’s him, what are you...” Thoth started.

“You know why I am here, as long as I have been, I would not like an unworthy to be with our sister. Either one of them, though,” here the man took a deep breath and sniffed Ephus. “I can tell that both of them have had him. It appears several times. You must be worthy if you have had Sekhmet more than once.” Leaning close he whispered, “she is a strange one our sister Sekhmet!”

There was a rumbling outside the building then they heard Sekhmet, “I heard that Horus! Don’t think you can worm yourself back into my body anytime soon!”

Horus shook his head then smiled at Ephus. “Indeed you are worthy brother to be! I look forward to seeing more of you and this ritual you have that has Isis bragging about you!” With a wave of his arm Horus was gone.

Thoth’s smile increasing he said, “I think we can safely say that we won’t have any trouble from Horus either.”

“So that only leaves Sobek.” With a heavy sigh Ephus sat in his nearest chair. “I am finding it hard to even guess what he might do.”

“I am afraid I am at a loss also. I may possess all knowledge but I cannot predict everything. People and gods are usually predictable. In rare instances there are a few that are almost completely unpredictable. You are one of the few humans, now a part god that I have much trouble predicting. Sobek is one of the few gods that I have trouble with also. Even given his love of a fight and war, he still can confound me most of the time.” Thoth imparted to him.

Ephus was nodding his head as Thoth was explaining. Though he felt he was in rare company he was still at a loss as to what Sobek might do.

“So any chance you might know when this test will be?” Ephus asked.

Thoth’s face fell as he shook his head no, “I am afraid I don’t have an answer for you yet. As Ra said it will depend more on you and what energy you collect. The mere fact that Ra actually had the power to leave the God’s realm means that it won’t be long now.” Thoth was suddenly serious as he stared at Ephus. “Brother you have seven of the eight gods that are giving the test on your side. I feel that many of them have already decided what their test for you will be.”

“So you think I have most of this test beat already huh?” Ephus asked.

“Yes brother. I also think that they will make Sobek go last. I believe so that they may be with you when Sobek

gives his part of the test. I feel there is more going on here than meets the eye. Something about when Sobek was here doesn’t add up. I will figure it out soon have no doubt brother.” Thoth told Ephus then with a nod Thoth also disappeared.

Ephus shook his head, just like he thought before they were starting to come out of the wood work! Suddenly he heard the giggling laughs of six female voices. Sighing he thought it was going to be a long day it seemed.

Ephus had just finished eating when there was a timid knock at his back door. Timid? Slowly he walked toward the door when it opened! Shaking his head he thought this had to be the work of one or more of the goddesses. Suddenly Tina walked in with several young women behind her.

“Hey Tina! Where is this love god you were talking about I only see...” A tall blonde was saying then Ephus made the mistake of looking at all of them. “I ... I must undress we all must.”

Ephus’s mouth dropped open there had to be at least ten of them with Tina! “Stop!” He said as all of them stood still half of their clothes on the floor. “Tina! Where is your mother?”

“Sir, she said she had to go somewhere today but will be back in time for her union with you tomorrow. You can therefore take me again without her interfering. I have felt so empty for you! Please I need you to fill me with the seed again. I brought all of my friends that I could so you had a good quality group.” Tina said though she was trembling as she thought Ephus might be mad at her.

Sighing Ephus thought it was a good thing he finished eating. “Alright I will take all of you but I want it understood. From now on if something like this is in your mind you are to ask me first. No more just bringing people here without my permission.”

Tina hung her head thinking that Ephus might make her watch and not touch her at all. “Yes sir,” Tina said as large tears began to fall from her eyes. “I will take any punishment you merit I deserve.”

Shocked a moment Ephus gently lifted her head. “I am not mad at you Just remember so this doesn’t happen again ok?”

A genuine smile lit up Tina’s face as she nodded vigorously. For the next hour and a half Ephus was a revolving door, for as soon as one finished another would climb on. Finally Tina was the only one left.

“I know the last time it hurt you Tina. I want to go slower this time ok?” Ephus asked her.