name's Set."
"Know the names 'o them others?" the Phone-cian inquired sotto voce.
She shook her head. "The killeys 'ere claimin' ta be priests an' all are always tellin' us about this un and that, but how's a girl to remember all them stoopid foreign names?"
They moved to the center of the back area now, well away from the entry but not quite to the rows of benches. The tart had hissed that those seats were reserved for those who were believers—chumps who actually forked over coin and paid homage to these weird gods from far off. "Them's Egyptian idols," the man told her. She didn't respond, except to shrug. He listened intently to the voices murmuring in the background, quickly identifying a chanted prayer to Set. It came from the ranks of idols flanking the central one. Some low-level magick was in use, whether to convey the sound from actual devotees elsewhere or to create it through enchantment. The same was true of the accompanying instruments. Despite the dim illumination and the heavy smoke from incense smouldering in pots near the altar, the scar-faced man was able to identify the other statues. To Set's right were Anubis the jackal-headed, the hippo-goddess Tuart, and four strange, chimerical figures. Crocodile-headed Sebek was near Set's left, along with five other unknown depictions of entities. Each bore a perverted ankh- dagger and some form of seep-ter or rod. The form of each idol was typical of those of modern Egyptian make.
A trio of women in cowled robes suddenly appeared in the front of the underground temple, filing out from behind the ass-headed statue of Set. Two shook sistrums as one came forth and swung a thurible before the idol. The fumes washed around the statue of the evil deity, rising slowly in the heavy air of the subceller. Then a priest-like figure robed in red and wearing a mask in the shape of a jackal's head stepped forth.
"Set is Master!" the masked cleric boomed.
"The Red One is Mighty," came the intoned response from the cluster of worshippers seated on the benches. The cleric began anointing the statue with some unguent as another dozen of the faithful—more dregs of Scathach—entered and took seats.
"All will serve Set, even as these great ones of AEgypt do," the mock-priest called from within his metal mask. Again the assembly responded. A litany of praises and claims followed, until the man finally stepped forward, raising his voice even louder.
"You are lowly now, but when Set rules this land called Lyonnesse you will be as nobles!" He paused as the congregation made noises of agreement. "Through his son and servant, Anubis, the great Set will grant this to you and me. As a jackal, Anubis steals through the night; as a wolf, the son of Set slays all those who oppress you, who deny us all our right to the luxuries and wealth they horde for themselves!"
The roar of the crowd echoed through the vaulted basement. There were now at least fifty gathered, and more were streaming down into the temple.
'I 'adn't 'erd 'ere was so many buyin' this rubbish!" The girl said in disbelief.
"Shut yer dirty yapper," threatened a big fellow standing near them in the rear. "Yer the rubbish, doxy, 'lessen yer listens and takes 'eed!"
"All over this city, throughout the kingdom, yes, even into the realms around, is the might of Set and Anubis spreading. Soon the power of the red one will triumph over all false lords and oppressive ones. There will come men who will lead us—you, me, all of the outlaws and poor and common folk. We will dethrone kings and place new leaders upon those thrones. Then Set will rule our land and we will be free."
Another wave of cries rang through the crowded temple.
"The time is near. I know it for truth. You must know it and tell all trusted folk of it. Once we asked for your alms, for great Set was weak in this land. Now his might waxes. We do not ask coins from you any longer, no! We give you them!"
There came choruses of shouts for such largess, calls to
"Know the names 'o them others?" the Phone-cian inquired sotto voce.
She shook her head. "The killeys 'ere claimin' ta be priests an' all are always tellin' us about this un and that, but how's a girl to remember all them stoopid foreign names?"
They moved to the center of the back area now, well away from the entry but not quite to the rows of benches. The tart had hissed that those seats were reserved for those who were believers—chumps who actually forked over coin and paid homage to these weird gods from far off. "Them's Egyptian idols," the man told her. She didn't respond, except to shrug. He listened intently to the voices murmuring in the background, quickly identifying a chanted prayer to Set. It came from the ranks of idols flanking the central one. Some low-level magick was in use, whether to convey the sound from actual devotees elsewhere or to create it through enchantment. The same was true of the accompanying instruments. Despite the dim illumination and the heavy smoke from incense smouldering in pots near the altar, the scar-faced man was able to identify the other statues. To Set's right were Anubis the jackal-headed, the hippo-goddess Tuart, and four strange, chimerical figures. Crocodile-headed Sebek was near Set's left, along with five other unknown depictions of entities. Each bore a perverted ankh- dagger and some form of seep-ter or rod. The form of each idol was typical of those of modern Egyptian make.
A trio of women in cowled robes suddenly appeared in the front of the underground temple, filing out from behind the ass-headed statue of Set. Two shook sistrums as one came forth and swung a thurible before the idol. The fumes washed around the statue of the evil deity, rising slowly in the heavy air of the subceller. Then a priest-like figure robed in red and wearing a mask in the shape of a jackal's head stepped forth.
"Set is Master!" the masked cleric boomed.
"The Red One is Mighty," came the intoned response from the cluster of worshippers seated on the benches. The cleric began anointing the statue with some unguent as another dozen of the faithful—more dregs of Scathach—entered and took seats.
"All will serve Set, even as these great ones of AEgypt do," the mock-priest called from within his metal mask. Again the assembly responded. A litany of praises and claims followed, until the man finally stepped forward, raising his voice even louder.
"You are lowly now, but when Set rules this land called Lyonnesse you will be as nobles!" He paused as the congregation made noises of agreement. "Through his son and servant, Anubis, the great Set will grant this to you and me. As a jackal, Anubis steals through the night; as a wolf, the son of Set slays all those who oppress you, who deny us all our right to the luxuries and wealth they horde for themselves!"
The roar of the crowd echoed through the vaulted basement. There were now at least fifty gathered, and more were streaming down into the temple.
'I 'adn't 'erd 'ere was so many buyin' this rubbish!" The girl said in disbelief.
"Shut yer dirty yapper," threatened a big fellow standing near them in the rear. "Yer the rubbish, doxy, 'lessen yer listens and takes 'eed!"
"All over this city, throughout the kingdom, yes, even into the realms around, is the might of Set and Anubis spreading. Soon the power of the red one will triumph over all false lords and oppressive ones. There will come men who will lead us—you, me, all of the outlaws and poor and common folk. We will dethrone kings and place new leaders upon those thrones. Then Set will rule our land and we will be free."
Another wave of cries rang through the crowded temple.
"The time is near. I know it for truth. You must know it and tell all trusted folk of it. Once we asked for your alms, for great Set was weak in this land. Now his might waxes. We do not ask coins from you any longer, no! We give you them!"
There came choruses of shouts for such largess, calls to
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