Aster and the Egyptian Mystery

By EBF Scanlon

Isis, goddess of Egyptian mythology. Sacred words written by Isis are stolen from her temple. Isis tries to locate the papyri with the help of temple maiden descendants and her son, Horus, transfixed in the body of a falcon. Ninetieth-century archeologist found the sarcophagus with papyri inside. He smuggles it to England; later it turns up in the British Museum. A young trainee curator, in fact a modern-day fairy called Aster, discovers them in the vault. Aster is taken to Isiss temple in London and hears the story of these papyri. She relates her tale to the fairy council elders and asks them for help. The fairy queen, Narcissus, aids in the return of sacred documents to Isis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris NZ
• Release date: Nov 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781499097597

EBF Scanlon

Born in Leith, Scotland. Now in New Zealand, retired. Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wife. I write to keep my mind occupied, and when grandchildren were younger, I told them stories. I was a registered nurse for many years. I like reading regency novels, cooking, writing, and gardening when able to do so. I love listening to music (classical, easy listen, country) and watching TV.

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Copyright © 2015 by EBF Scanlon.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/15/2015

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

DEDICATION

Thanks to my sister Frances for all her advice and support.

Without her time and input this story might never have been written

My thanks to my editor/proof-reader. You have guided me in the right direction

EBF. Scanlon

Chapter 1

Egypt 3000 BC

Sacmis was kneeling on the floor in front of the high alter her head bowed silently as she prayed. She was a young serving girl in the temple of Isis close to the palace of the Pharaoh Nekazure. Slowly she lifted her head, her eyes moving warily from side to side, watching for the other followers who served Isis. There were only a few serving maidens, all engrossed in their devotions. Sacmis stood and turned slowly around to make sure no-one was behind her. Cautiously she made her way to the back of the altar and opened a large wooden box. Careful to remain unseen she lifted several parchments, hid them under her garments and made her way quickly to a door hidden by a tapestry.

Silently and as quickly as her legs could carry her Sacmis made her way to the palace of the king.

Pharaoh was pacing in his apartments; round and round; back and forth; twisting and thumping one hand against the other. He stopped at a table on which were scattered several papyri scrolls, his face twisted in an evil sneer. A young girl spoke as she lay crying, prostrate on the floor before her king and god.

Oh Son of Ra. I have brought what you seek, my gracious and most powerful master, magnificent pharaoh you are Horus incarnate.

Pharaoh had several official titles, relating to his unique status…that of being both king and god. It was also believed at that time by his subjects that he was the incarnation of the god Horus also often referred to as the son of Ra

Nekazure picked up a few of the scrolls, quickly scanning them. Staring wildly at one after another, snarling and seething, he threw them to the back of the table in disgust. Several tense minutes passed before he turned. His mouth still set in a twisted sneer, he turned to the young slave girl and spat out!

"Where are the last few scrolls? Have you kept them? Or perhaps you have sold them? Tell me. Did anyone else assist you? Do they have the rest of the papyri? Tell me girl! Where are the last few scrolls? Tell NOW! Or you die!

Sacmis, the traitor, rose to her knees but kept her head bent low in veneration. She placed her hands flat on the floor and she pleaded,

I am so very sorry my great, magnificent and wondrous Pharaoh. Please forgive me. These were all that were in the box. I brought them straight to you, oh magnificent son of Ra. I had no one with me.

Take this vile snivelling little being and put her in the depths of the dungeons, until I verify her story, roared Pharaoh "and send Ahmose to me, quickly".

While he waited, Pharaoh brooded over the story a loyal priest in his household had reported about an ancient chant with power to confer immortality and raise the dead from the underworld. It was said to have been written on papyri by the hand of the Goddess Isis and placed in the protection of her loyal priestesses. Pharaoh pondered its true location; if not in the temple where else could it be?

Ahmose came into the office with his head bowed and knelt at the side of his pharaoh.

He asked, what is your wish my lord Ra?

Take your best soldiers and go to the temple of Isis. Find me the papyri of Isis and kill anyone you find there. Commanded Nekazure.

*     *     *

Several serving maidens were huddled together in the temple. They were very worried and discussed their predicament.

We must tell Isis. said one

She will already know, said another.

A third added through her tears, We must tell her now. Let us kneel before her and ask her forgiveness.

Easy for you to say, said an old woman experiencing great pain and stiffness on moving.

"Dear mother of Horus. Isis our saintly saviour, serene mistress of magical beauty, help us; please!

We beseech thee. We have searched everywhere but there is no sign of the betrayer," pleaded a tall, dark-haired woman adorned in a simple Egyptian gown of yellow like the morning sun.

Sparkling around her neck she wore a chain of gold, attached to which was a large, single heart shaped sapphire pendant in a striking cobalt blue, clear and deep as the sky before dawn. Holding her hands upward to the face of the goddess she loved but keeping her eyes lowered in respect she continued,

We beg of you, mother, forgive us; oh! Our Queen! All of your scrolls with the holy words set down by your hand are gone. We lie at your feet in shame; pity us and do with us as you will.

With that she laid prostrate on the ground, her face touching the floor in submission.

Another hand maiden said,

Give us strength, dear sweet lady, to endure our fate, before she too lay prostrate on the floor.

We come to you humbly, our guiding spirit, in all humility, our mother of all things magical, sobbed a very young and beautiful girl with shining, jet-black hair flowing in waves down her back.

Isis, mother of Horus the falcon, strike down the unbelievers. We are innocent victims. Beloved Goddess! shouted the old woman who knelt behind the others. She was bent over with age and struggled as she tried to lay her twisted bones on the ground. Her face was wise and creased, though etched with pain; her hands were badly misshapen. Despite her pain she bravely and solemnly held them up in respect and praise to Isis.

Loud, thumping suddenly erupted from the massive oak doors of the temple followed by a resounding crash as they collapsed, torn from