Isis Trial of the Goddess Chapter 2 and a Note

Bad News: My Dell laptop AC Adapter died on Christmas Eve. So  So until I can get replacement parts I can't write articles.  For now it'll  be sample chapters from my novels.  Isis: Trial of the Goddess will lead it off, followed by Casssandra Cookbook/A Recipe For Success, and The Sneakers. So without further interruption Isis: Trial of the Goddess Chapter 2:

Chapter 2

I get more and more anxious with each step as we approach the two golden doors. The journey down the corridor isn’t that far but it feels like I’m walking a mile with each step. I’d think being among my fellow gods for the first time would make me uneasy. It doesn’t. What makes me tense is not knowing what offense I violated or how they’ll punish me.

When Horus opens the golden doors my body tenses with anticipation about what could possibly be on the other side. It can’t be good if it took both of Osiris’ sons to escort me here.

I let out a sigh of relief as we step into the room. It’s not a jail cell thank God. Behind those large golden doors is a large room decorated with the same wall paintings as the corridor. On each side of the golden doors we passed through are several rows of wooden pews. In the center of the room is a large golden bench like the one judges sit at. Anubis did say that the elders would hear my case; it looks like they’re allowing me to have a day in court.

I take deep breaths as Horus and Anubis lead me down the aisle into the center of the room in front of the golden bench. Horus then leaves my side and walks through the pair of golden doors behind the bench. A few minutes pass before he returns. As he stands at my side I’m awe-struck. Dozens of deities I only heard about in childhood stories walk past me and take their places in the trial that’s about to start.

Five older looking gods take seats behind the bench. Two are old women; three are old men. The oldest looking man sits in the center of the bench. He’s bald except for a white beard that frames his dark face. He’s dressed in a red caftan and purple robe that make his tall strong frame look all the more intimidating. On his right side sits one of the old women. She wears a sky blue gown and her hair is as white as a cloud. Next to her sits a man with gray skin with a texture like a stone. He’s clean-shaven and the chiseled lines in his hard face make him look more rugged. The charcoal caftan and black robe he wears remind me of the ground. On the left side of the old man with the beard sits another woman who is a bit younger than the other three. She wears a white gown and black pectoral collar. The middle-aged man sitting next to her has gray hair cut short to the scalp. He wears a white kilt, gold pectoral collar and a white shawl. When he smiles at me I look away.

I watch as the other gods take their place in the courtroom. One young woman wearing a short blue dress with a large white ostrich feather in her hair takes a seat at the small table next to the judge’s bench with the scroll. A stout dark skinned man dressed in a white caftan and scarlet robe stands next to a pair of thrones across from the judge’s bench.

The room falls silent as two deities enter the room and approach the thrones. A tall voluptuous bronze skinned woman dressed in pleated white gown, jeweled golden pectoral collar, bracelets and sandals eases into her seat. The confident way she carries herself tells me that she’s Queen of New Heliopolis. She smiles at me as the Pharaoh flops into the throne next to hers. He isn’t dressed as formally as she is for court. The dowdy white caftan and green robe he has on are what a common man would wear. The only gold he wears is on his belt. When I look at his somber face I’m shocked. Could this man be my father?

The remaining gods take their seats in the gallery behind me. When the stout man standing next to the bench speaks the whole room becomes silent. The young woman at the small table pulls the feather from her hair and starts writing on the scroll.

“Court is now in session.” He says. “All are to remain in the courtroom until directed to leave by the Elders.”

“Thank you Thoth.” The old man sitting at the center of the bench says. “Present the charges brought against the goddess.”

“Great Ra, Isis the daughter of the Pharaoh Osiris and the Nubian Keer-Sheba is charged with allowing hatred into her heart. She is also charged with forsaking her Heliopolitan heritage and worshipping another God.”

Ra looks down at me. His intense glare pierces me to the soul. I put on my bravest face and make eye contact with him as he addresses me.

“These are serious charges goddess. How do you answer them?” Ra asks.

That’s a good question. I don’t know much about the law except what my late husband Joe taught me. And I doubt American legal arguments would be effective in a Heliopolitan court. Sure I can defend myself against murder charges, but how do I defend myself against hatred in my heart and my religious beliefs? What would I plead to such abstract charges? Would guilty or not guilty even be a valid plea in such a case?

I decide to risk it and say not guilty. Before I can speak the Queen jumps off her throne and rushes over to stand beside me.

“Great Ra, Isis has no understanding of our system of laws. She was born of a mortal woman and raised in mortal culture.” She says.

Ra cuts a harsh look at the queen. I don’t think they like each other.

“It is no concern of yours Isis.” Ra says. “A New Heliopolitan whether birthed by goddess or mortal is under the jurisdiction of judgment by the Elders. She will state her case.”

I’m about to speak for myself for the second time when Queen Isis gives me a stern look that makes me decide to remain silent.

“Elders, I only ask for a few days to teach Isis about our laws.” Isis says. “From my instruction she will be able to defend herself in our court.”

“Isis why involve yourself in this proceeding?” The stone-faced man says. “Out of all of us it should be you who would most want to see this goddess face punishment.”

Isis scowls at the old man before she speaks. “Elders, it would be unjust for us to try Isis without giving her an opportunity to understand the charges and the concepts behind the laws she is accused of violating. I only ask for some time to prepare her so that she can have a fair trial in our court.”

The Elder gods confer among themselves before Ra speaks.

“We will grant you the remainder of this day to prepare your case Isis.” Ra says. “Because the goddess is not educated in our laws, she will not speak for herself in these proceedings. You will be her counsel in this case. Whatever judgment the she receives will be based upon your defense.”

Isis looks directly into Ra’s eyes. The smile she gives him lets him know that she’s not afraid of him. That scares the crap out of me.

“Thank you great Ra.” Isis says politely.

“If that is all then court will be adjourned.” Ra says. “We will reconvene here tomorrow at this time.”

The gods get up out of the pews and walk through the doors I came through. The Elders leave the bench and walk through the doors behind their bench. Thoth and the woman with the feather follow them. In a few minutes the room is empty of all the gods except for members of the royal family and myself.

I wonder what they’re going to do with me. What do gods do with their prisoners? Are Horus and Anubis going to take me to a deep dark cell somewhere until court starts again?

“Mother, where shall I escort Isis?” Anubis asks.

“Take her to my quarters.” Isis says.

Horus gives his mother a perplexed look. He’s probably wondering why she’s helping me. I’d like the answer to that question myself.

“Mother, what are you doing?” He asks. “Why are you involving yourself in this trial? Gods have to defend themselves in court.”

“She cannot defend herself in these proceedings son. And since her father will not protect her I shall.” Isis says glaring at the man sitting in the throne.

Isis takes my hand and leads me around the bench and through the golden doors. Horus and Anubis follow us. As we go through the doors, I look back and see my father still sitting in his throne quietly with a forlorn look on his face. I wish he had said something too.