Doctor Who: Virgin New Adventures - Bernice Summerfield [075] - The Sword Of Forever by Jim Mortimore

Author:Jim Mortimore
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
Publisher: Virgin
Published: 1998-06-27T22:00:00+00:00

14

LOCH NESS: 2595

Bernice was taken into the cellar of the house and told to undress. Then she was given clothing resembling a pair of white pyjamas and was told to put it on. A few moments later, Newton and Kepler came in holding a white cotton hood, a hangman’s noose and a stone goblet full of aromatic liquid.

Bernice eyed the noose suspiciously. ‘Just because you’ve got me dolled up like Wee Willie Winkie doesn’t mean I won’t black your eye if you try to put that on me.’

Newton spoke softly, the words unfamiliar, though the language – Egyptian – was easily recognizable.

Bernice frowned.

Kepler said, ‘Ma’at. ‘Righteousness, truth and justice’.’

Newton added, ‘This means you.’

‘It is also a word symbolic of Freemasonry –’

‘Therefore, you are also symbolic of Freemasonry –’

‘Since the concept of Ma’at clearly applies to you as well.’

Bernice chewed thoughtfully on her lip. ‘You wouldn’t be trying to sell me a line, now, would you?’

‘Of course we are –’

‘It’s your only alternative –’

‘– to death.’

Kepler held out the stone goblet.

Bernice shrugged and grinned. ‘Times like this I’m glad I didn’t stay a nun.’ She downed the drink in one. A moment later the hood and noose were secured around her head and neck, and she was led from the cellar.

Bernice reviewed what she had read in London of the Masonic initiation ceremony. It was a ceremony designed to emulate the ancient-Egyptian king-making ceremony, carried out traditionally in the Pyramid of Unas. A candidate was presented to the sky, symbolized by the chamber roof, and adorned with two crowns to symbolize Upper and Lower Egypt, and was then made to drink a powerful drug. The candidate then lay near death through the night, to awake the following morning with stories of a near-death experience, which confirmed him to the people as the new king.

Her head began to spin as she thought this. Fear? Too late to worry now. She took a few more steps and found herself stumbling.

She fell to her knees, supported by the two agents, one on either side.

A voice she did not recognize began to speak.

‘Almighty and eternal God, Architect and Ruler of the Universe, at whose creative fiat all things were first made, we the frail creatures of Thy providence humbly implore Thee to pour down upon this convocation, assembled in Thy Holy Name, the continued dew of Thy blessing. More especially we beseech Thee to impart Thy grace to this, Thy servant, who seeks to partake with us in the secrets of the stars. Endue him with such fortitude that, in the hour of trial, he fail not but, passing safely under Thy protection through the dark valley of the shadow of death, he may finally rise from the tomb of transgression to shine as the stars, for ever and ever.’

As the words rumbled on, Bernice felt her head begin to spin. By the end of the prayer she remained upright only because she was being supported. Then the support was removed and she fell. She

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