The Enemy Within by Neil Port

Author:Neil Port [Dr. Neil Port]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: na
Publisher: Neil Port Independent Press
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10: The Shadow

Tishari lifted his arms up to a sky dusted with stars. His God’s planet had risen. It rivalled Aphrodite (Venus) in strength and rode above it, an auspicious sign. ‘Aris’ (Mars) was sometimes further away, or its brilliance was lost near the setting or rising sun, but now it was at its strongest. His God was at his strongest.

He sang out the ancient prayer in the ancient Greek of the Mycenae. Hundreds of years ago, a longer version had been translated into the newer Greek of Hómeros (Homer), but this version was older, a very special one.

“Ares, exceeding in strength, doughty in heart, mighty with spear. Father of warlike Nike (Victory). Sceptred king of manliness. Hear us now, thou giver of dauntless youth! Drive away bitter cowardice and fill our hearts with the power of thy fury.”

The clearing in the forest was lit by flaming torches, causing shadows that danced. At one end, there was a cage, empty now. The ten men had the hoods of their dark robes pulled forwards, concealing their grinning faces, as they looked down at the tiny sobbing figure stretched naked across the wooden table.

The small boy had seen what was coming for him, as this was the second sacrifice of this evening. He had screamed in terror and struggled to get free as they came and dragged him across to the table, still slick with the blood of his young sister.

He would get no mercy here. The sacrifice of his sister had already filled the men with the power and rage of their God.

Vanara raised the sacrificial knife about his head, ready to plunge it into the boy’s heart. It was a makeshift altar, but this ceremony had to be held under the stars. It dated back to a time when their God had no temples.

There was something pathetic about the boy, not much more than eight. He was half starved, his ribs showing. He had vomited and pissed himself in the horror that had surrounded him. Snot poured out of his nose.

Vanara found he had to swallow just a tiny bit of sympathy, but pity was the enemy of Ares. He sent a personal prayer to his great God to strengthen his arm and his courage, while Tishari was still singing the hymn to their God.

“You whirl your fiery sphere among the planets in their sevenfold courses. Just as your blazing steed bears you above the firmament.”

It seemed as if Aris itself bowed down to watch this sacrifice to his glory, as Vanara plunged his arm down in a mighty stroke, drunk with the strength and power of his God.

As he did it, and the blood sprayed up over his arm, and a terrible animal shriek answered them, echoing across the clearing.

It had come.

* * *

The Shadow

Mohini refused Emre’s offer of food and dismissed Inanna and Aranyani before she hurried home. They would be back in the daimon realm absorbing energy. They might need it.

It was later than she wished and she eyed the darkness around the house nervously as she called for the gate to be unlocked.

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