Pendant of Bast (closed for Asa)

“Now everybody knows about Ra’s nightly journey, the journey that takes him through the Egyptian underworld. Every night Apep, the great serpent tries to capture and kill Ra, now here comes the interesting part. But before I come to this interesting part, how many of you here know that cats actually are able to kill snakes?”

Luke McAllister looked out over the crowd of students, so far he knew, he was the youngest lecturer this University had ever had. Of course, having studied History like a religion kind of helped, on days like today the Dean phoned him up and asked him to lecture a specific group of students. A few hands was raised and he smiled brightly,

“Great! So here comes the interesting part. Bastet, the goddess of cats, OK sure she did not start out as the goddess of cats, she more started out as a healer, her name literally meaning ‘she of the ointment jar’.”

He grinned as a few chuckled filled the room,

“Yeah I also found that pretty hilarious, she was first seen as a goddess with the head of any type of feline as there was a belief that cats had healing powers. Now look I own a cat and I can tell you, stroking that fur when I’m stressed out, relaxes me along with that purr and I’m sure that many of you feel exactly the same. So who knows, maybe that was what they were on about? Right after a few years of worshiping jars, the people decided, ‘Hey, let’s make her something we can draw and not look completely stupid’, so they took a cat as several households had them, stuck it to a killer body...well of course, you don’t want an ugly deity now would you? And Voila! You have Bastet or as she is commonly known now, Bast.

Now Bast was a daughter of Ra, the sun god, so you can see where this is heading right? You have a sun god that gets chased by a giant snake; you get a goddess of cats...”

“She killed Apep?”

Luke snapped his fingers and pointed at the girl who said it,

“Bast and Sekhmet killed Apep and that is how Ra can sail unhindered on his barge through the underworld. So let’s take a closer look at Bast...No Mr Cullins, we are not going to disrobe the hot lady in your text book so stop ogling her.”

General laughter washed through the room,

“Now we know that Bast is the goddess of cats, she is a daughter of Ra, but she is also associated with the Moon. Now there is numerous questions as to why, the most popular belief being that cats’ eyes can shine in moonlight. I say that the answer is quite simple. If a cat goes out to hunt, when does it go out? Miss Montenegro?”

“Uhmmm...at night?”

“You had your hand up about owning a cat so I’m surprised that you had to think about it. Yes at night a cat is most active, sure it hops around during the day as well, but it like to go hunt at night. So Mr Cullins, what is the brightest thing at night in a desert?”

“The moon.”

“Right! The moon, so now you have a creature that goes out hunting at night, when the moon is out and the brighter the moon, the more of those pesky rodents that is feeding on your valuable grain they kill. So hey, the goddess that looks like a cat has got to have something to do with this, so let’s associate the moon with Bast and voila there is why. Now cats protected the Egyptians, not only from vermin, but also snakes, now if something with what I believe have healing powers, can protect my food and my person...”

Luke whistled softly and shook his head,

“Man that creature is going to be my hero and so too was cats Egyptian heroes, now of course like any full-blown god or goddess, Bast had temples. At first only the cats which served in her temples was seen as being under her protection, but as her influence grew, of course due to the fact that cats’ influence grew. All cats became protected and that ladies and gentlemen means that they became sacred, just imagine this, we are taking a stroll down a main road of a city. Everywhere is cats, sure it is a bit crowded, but what would your first reaction be Mr Levi?”

“The fabled Bubastis.”

“Bubastis, the centre of power for Bast, cats pampered and worshipped and when they died placed in a Necropolis as mummies. Boy I wish I could have taken you guys with me to that dig site, it would have amazed you. Now say I’m a Roman living in Alexandria, far away from Bubastis, this black cat keeps stealing my meat, so one day I catch it, throw it out of my window and it lands on the business end of the picket fence outside and dies. I shrug and say: ‘So what?’, the Alexandrians who saw will just look sad and then move on with their daily grind...”

Luke noticed a frown on one of the students’ face and leaned against the desk,

“But I can see that Miss Nova does not seem to completely agree with my little picture.”

She shook her head,

“I just...I just think that they would be upset you know? You did say that cats were sacred throughout Egypt.”

He nodded,

“Exactly. A Roman living in Alexandria accidentally killed a cat and mind you, it was an accident. A few minutes later an angry mob of Egyptians pulled him out of his home and lynched him. Killing a cat was seen as murder; always remember that when dealing with sacred animals in any culture. So before the bell interrupts me, I want you guys to go look up the differences between Bast and Sekhmet. Next week when we see each other again I want at least a thousand word comparative essay.”

The bell rang and Luke smiled,

“If there are questions feel free to come ask me as it is your own time, if you are on your way to another lecture, just phone or come visit me, by now you guys have my address.”

As usual nobody came to ask him anything and he started to pack up his books and papers, making sure that the room were empty, he closed and locked the door behind him. He unlocked his bicycle and cycled to his apartment, picking up milk on his way. Nefi was short on milk. He spent the rest of his afternoon feeding Nefi, his cat, he read through some books, fed himself and when he thought it was still early, he went to bed.

The next morning Luke didn’t feel like getting up, but the sun shining on his face and a finger prodding him, made him open his eyes at slits. As far as he knew he never got sun in the morning and why the hell was somebody prodding him? He sat upright, yawned and when he stretched out he almost ended up on the floor. He wildly grabbed hold of the bed...only to find it was not a bed, but an altar. He stared at the young woman standing next to the altar and blinked, she was Egyptian...then she spoke and he blinked again. She spoke ancient Egyptian, how...wait much more, where...no he thought the best question would be When as the sunlight streamed down through a glass-less window and only proved to him that he was in Kansas no more. He turned his attention to the young woman who seemed mighty pleased with herself, haltingly he spoke as he could almost not remember the last time he spoke or even heard ancient Egyptian.

“Excuse me, where am I?”

She cocked her head at him and for a moment he thought that he said something wrong,

“The Temple of the holy Bast in the city of Bubastis.”

Luke blinked again, this had to be some kind of joke, maybe he was dreaming? He pinched himself and it hurt like hell, he looked around and breathed a sigh. Right so far this seemed real...now what?

“What am I doing here?”

She gave him a brilliant smile,

“The holy Bast summoned you here; she will appear to you when you are ready.”

He shook his head, this was just so wrong, how could he just be summoned from the 21st century to hundreds even thousands of years BC? He got up to test his legs and for the first time realized that he was wearing a linen loincloth and not much else.

“Where are my clothes?”

She frowned,

“You came here without clothes; we dressed you in what we could find at the time. I am sure that the holy Bast will dress you if she seems fit.”

He nodded and started to walk around,

“Right...thank you for your patience.”

The girl studied him as he moved about, inspecting the building, of course pretty soon he was lost in his study of the building and all but forgot about her. Around noon a woman and man entered bearing trays with food and behind them came two cats. He had to admit that he was surprised, he had known that the Siamese cat did live in Ancient Egypt, but never did he expect to see them just waltz into a place like it belonged to them. After the meal he continued his study of the building, the walls, the decoration, it almost felt like one of the temples he had visited on the dig at Bubastis...in fact the more he studied the more he seemed to remember it. This was a room which they had thought was a kind of offering alter, just went to show that they were wrong as the altar on which he woke up was as clean as the one they had studied. It was about then that he realized that the girl has left him alone in the room and that the only company he had was the two Siamese cats which lounged around like modern cats does. He sat down and one came to him, he started to scratch her and pretty soon she was purring happily.

“Well it seems like I’m stuck here, at least I have good company hey?”

He knew that the cat would not understand him, but he just had to say it. Darkness fell outside, but lights from torches lit the inside of the building. Another meal was served and he shared the meat with the cats, shortly after eating they left and he saw no other option than to lie down. As he lay there, he watched how the pale light of the rising moon threw a myriad of shapes on the wall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/NightPoet/fe468fa8.jpg

Had she wished to appear human she would have but a feline form for now would do. She had to make sure he would remember or could handle what was to happen... she had to be sure. So in the guise of felines and the priestess she would check on him and observe him carefully for now... once he was well rested and well cared for she would then and only then approach him.


The other cats moved to curl about him as he slept. Sounds of ancient times slowly filling the chamber where he rested. Dreams... memories... whispering from her very soul to him. Before he could help her... save her... he had to remember. He had to remember her... to remember them...

So long ago when temples led some to "other worlds" when they found favor with the Gods and Goddesses. He had become hers... A warrior born with a mark of the cats... Guardian of her most sacred of Temple in Bubastis. Bast's home... The home of her mortal form. He was her protector her confidante and her lover. Time was cruel to the Gods and while she could not make him immortal she did do what she could. Going to the Old Kingdom Khonsu she struck a deal that the protector through the death lands would guide him and make sure that death did not steal his memories of her and their home. Memories hidden Khonsu guided him from one life to the next with his stipulation being that they could not be reunited unless there was absolute need that affected the very souls existence.

Bast had agreed to Khonsu's stipulations without argument as she would rather know that he was somewhere in the world and might some day need her than to lose him into the ethers of time. Just because they could not be together did not mean she could not watch over him from a distance with her sacred felines which she did. But now... Now she needed him... she needed him once more to help her protect her and if he remembered them... to love again.

Luke McAllister

He was bothered with dreams, some of them involved life times, almost like deja vu's, just that he knew that he was there himself. The last thing that he could see was the face of a person so close to him that he wanted to reach out and touch her...

He woke with a start, it was cool and he could detect the faint light in the sky. He got up carefully, not wanting to disturb the cats. At the door sat a cat, watching him with much more intelligent eyes than what he have ever seen in a cat...pictures came to him about a cat...he shook his head slightly. He failed to notice the pendant around the cat's neck. He walked out of the room, becoming aware that some cats started to follow him. He came to an exit and immediately his way got barred by two bronze tipped spears. He looked from one guard to the other.

"Let me pass."

The two guards just looked stoned faced at him, but in their eyes he could see a flicker of doubt. He sighed and half-turned from them, then seeing the same cat sitting behind him, watching him intently he turned back. Now the guards were the same length as him, but clearly much more built for war. He grabbed one spear and pulled it towards himself, the other guard reacted with turning his spear and thrusting towards him. Using his upper arm he glanced the spear aside, sliding in under the guard's arm and now stood outside the temple. He raised an eyebrow at the two of them as they readied their spears,

"Do you think holy Bast would like you to spear a man that she had brought here herself?"

These words stopped them cold and they seemed uncertain what to do, Luke instead turned his back on them and went to sit on the top step to look out over the city. It was so very beautiful in the gathering light, he sighed and rested his elbows on his bare legs.

"It is a lovely city."

He noticed that the same cat now sat next to him, he reached out and gently stroked it's fur.

She maintained her silence for now but as she passed the guards they heard the sacred roar in their minds knowing she was present and knew of their confusion at his presence but not acting as if he knew this place like his home. She glanced to each as they bowed and returned to their duty though now watching over the man as well awaiting him remembering.

She sat by him feeling his touch again even in this form she responded arching her back purring softly pressing her head against his hand her eyes watching him. Looking into his face and eyes wanting to see some spark of memory break through the confusion. Neferitira had told her that he was ready but thus far she thinks her young spy was mistaken.

Luke McAllister

"You know what? You seem so much like the portrayal of Bast. But then again we are in Bubastis so why would you not look like her in feline form..."

Then his eyes fell on the pendant around her neck and his hand froze in mid-stroke.

"No...it can't be."

He leaned forward to read the inscription and realization dawned on him, this was real, it was happening and he was sitting next to the goddess Bast. Instantly he jumped to his feet, moved a few steps lower and knelt,

"Your holiness, I did not know."

Her head tilting to the side as she watched him though once more the temple itself seemed to cast images gently into his mind... He had to remember her... to remember them. The feline watched him closer stepping closer slowly knowing the images the temple showed him.

Her standing near the statue in the inner temple smiling to him. Walking through the village with him. It seemed to dawn on her that in this lifetime he looked so much like he did back then as the feline seemed to smile. Her eyes sparkling even more as that realization set into her mind as well.

Luke McAllister

The images that came into his head seemed like old, lost memories, some he realized came from outside of his and other from his own mind. He closed his eyes and watched as his past lives rolled through his mind like a movie. When he opened his eyes he recognized the city, the people...his goddess. He looked at her in wonder, it had been so long and he could not believe that he was here, in the body and mind of a man much more sophisticated than he ever was.

"What brings me here your holiness? I am ready to serve you again."

The feline lifted her head a little more and the pendant was missing one very important item. The night blue gem with the silver crescent moon nestled in its center. Slowly she began to transform returning to the way he would truly remember her. Soon standing before him in her night black dress she smiled holding her hand out to him.

Arise My love. There are those that seek to ensure I fade when the last of our noble families within your world pass from life into the beyond.

She smiled to him. I have watched over you for many lives but we could not be reunited unless there was true need. Khonsu has kept his word with your memories being returned and you being allowed to travel back to me.

She reached to the pendant and feeling the empty circle where the sacred gem rested and winced. She was already fading some but here he might not see it.

Luke McAllister

Lore and facts about the gem flashed through his mind and he got to his feet, reaching for her hand and kissing the back of her hand.

"Who would do such a thing? Surely not one of our people...the Hyksos?"

He frowned,

"No I have my history wrong now, not the Hyksos...the Hatti. The chariot riders."

He looked at her,

"Arrina, Wurrukatte, Kaskuh or Sandas...they are the only ones who could try such a thing. They are the wilder ones of their generation."

He looked at the two guards behind his goddess and nodded to them,

"Impha, Shuhep."

She smiled as he kissed her hand and then reaching her hand to his cheek she stared into his eyes as he continued to speak. Thinking on what he said she really had no idea who had taken the gem. It was rather frightening to her... perhaps her fear is why Khonsu had let him be pulled back to her... She and Khonsu had always been protective of each other. WHen the humans demanded that he transform and become a child God of the new kingdom she had watched over the demanded incarnation of him as well as remained protective of his true form in the dead lands.

I... I do not know. I have no idea who would wish to do this... We have to find gem... I... I need you to find the gem...

She was safest from fading while here in her temple and the Guards were fairly determined that is where she would stay till this was dealt with. She glanced back to the guards that watched over the two of them and nodded to them as one spoke.

"She was found there at the base of the stairs... eyes closed... Ana found her... She appeared to have no wound it was not till later the gem was discovered missing."

They were both on edge about her being out of the Temple proper as they watched over both of them carefully.

"Arrina is the only one powerful enough to render our holy Bast unconcious and steal from her."

He frowned,

"Most holy one, you must remain here where we can sustain you through worship. I shall have to find what I need for the journey, I will go and find the gem and return with it or perish."

He turned to look at the city of Bubastis, when he spoke his voice had the authority which he had wielded so many centuries ago,

"Let it be known that there will be worship held at the temple all day, every day. Our beloved goddess have been attacked by the hated Hittes and for all she had done for us, we will offer what we can."

She closed her eyes at his words of him perishing and shook her head no. It was not a thought she wanted to entertain at all. Knowing that she should yes remain in her temple she had to be able to stand here at the top of the grand stairs and watch out over her city.

I will travel to where I am now whenever I wish to see my city and my people and I will NOT be stopped from doing so.

Feline eyes shot to the guards as she said that to which they simply nodded knowing better than to argue with her in that mental determination.

You will be careful my love and return safely my love with the gem I have faith.

He turned to face her and gave her a wan smile,

"In Bubastis you will be cared for my love, this is where your power lies. I will be careful, but haste is needed. Without the gem..."

He didn't finish the sentence, he just wanted to let her know that he knew what it meant that she had the gem no longer. He turned his attention back to the city, then he turned and gave her a tight hug. He could hear the guards' shocked intake of breath, but this did not bother him. Releasing his hold, he entered the temple, his mind set on collecting the gear he needed.

She curled into the hug purring softly. Her eyes closed inhaling taking in the scent she has missed. Hearing the sharp intake of breath she quickly broke from the hug snapping her attention back to the guards.

He is the same man who led all of you by my side so long ago. You will treat him as you did back then IS THAT CLEAR?

Her ire raised once more as she watched them and then walking past them into the temple once more to help him.

Luke McAllister

He looked at her as she moved with him, graceful like the felines that was her sacred animals. He smiled slightly, must be why he never found any woman attractive, he was bound to a goddess.

"You shouldn't be so harsh on them, I do not look like I used to, I don't sound like I used to. I don't even think like I used to. I have changed in so many ways over the centuries. You really can't think that they will just accept me."

He reached one of the caches and entered, looking over the gear stashed there,

"I can't wear my old clothing, I have..."

He looked at his frame,

"Shrunk."

He laughed and gave her a grin,

"So most holy Bast, when will you clothe me as your priestess had stated you will?"

They will accept who I tell them just as they did before...

She was angry... happy... determined and something she rarely felt and really hated... scared. She looked to him nodding with a smile.

Take out your old clothes and I will do what I can to make them fit again. They should have to face a royal for what they have done.

She smiled stepping closer to him...

I hate that the only way we could be reunited was like this...

Luke McAllister

"A royal they will not face, but I am sure that I will suffice."

Looking around he started to chuckle,

"Would you look at this place, I have not been gone for a year and it looks like a pig's nest."

He started to dig and pulled out clothing and armor that he would need,

"I think these would have to do for now."

He kept digging pulling out weapons and satchels to carry his supplies, when he turned he found her standing close to him. He gave her a smile and touched her cheek,

"Do not fear, I will not fail you."

She purred softly feeling him touch her cheek as she summoned a tailor to tend to his clothing.

I know you will not. I... do you have any questions about our past? What do you remember or do you wish to remember?

She smiled seeing him in clothing more familiar to her and their people. A fingertip tracing over the material resting on his chest as if lost in some memory. Her eyes were distant and her smile soft as she drew her eyes back to his.

Luke McAllister

The smile turned into a small smirk,

"I remember everything most holy one, from birth, to death. Each and every life that I had lived and what had happened through those lives. How I had come to be the man I am now."

He leaned closer his lips almost touching her own,

"I remember all the details, your spell worked marvelously."

He withdrew his head just in time as the tailor came rushing into the room, he gaped at Luke and Luke chuckled.

"Fear not old Akhram, it is I. In another form, but here to serve our most holy Bastet."

She smiled to him then looking to Akhram

He is to be royally adorned as before... I want this to all be perfect. I also require your brother to attend to any needs of armor for him... Tend to this...

I... She sighed feeling tired and unacceptably weak.

I must go and rest for a few moments. Love remain here in the temple till I awaken.

She bit her lip wishing for him to rest with her but knowing this must be done.

Luke McAllister

He gently touched her arm,

"Take on the feline form, it is less taxing on you and rests easier. I will remain here as I do need your blessing before I can go on the journey."

Akhram hurried over and started to take measures, frowning.

"You have shrunken, not much in height, but in girth. You can still wield a sword I hope."

Luke chuckled,

"I'm sure that I can still wield the khopesh. I have grown thinner and faster, but if need be the power will be there."

Akhram grunted and poked Luke's pectoral muscles,

"Soft like a scholar, not a guard."

"That is because it is a scholar that I have become, but these soft muscles helped me to slip past the door guards when they barred my way."

Akhram's eyebrows shot upwards,

"That would have been interesting. I'll go fix up clothes for you."

"Make an assassin garb as well, think I will have to sneak up to a goddess."

Returning to her feline form she curled in the sunlight where she could observe what all went on till sleep overtook her. Her form rippled faintly as she laid there.

http://www.scenicreflections.com/ithumbs/Egyptian_Cat_Wallpaper_luht.JPG

Soft purring emanating from her as she laid there resting. The other temple felines moved to encircle her and sleeping in a comfortable heap guarding and protecting her as she slept.

Luke McAllister

It did not take long for his command to come to being, almost half of the people of Bubastis showed up to worship and provide energy to their goddess. Luke sat in a dark corner on the ground his back against the wall and his hand idly playing with a Kopesh, it's weight was reassuring. The low chants and incense reassured him that the love for their goddess was strong in the people.

It was not long before Denakh came into the room, Luke stood up and met him half way across the floor. Denakh did not say anything, just started to take measurements and made notes. Luke was the first to speak,

"Can I request that these are made of crocodile hide overlayed with metal."

Denakh frowned, made a few adjustments to his sheet and nodded,

"Yes it can be done, more protection than ever given, but I will make it the best."

Luke nodded his thanks and watched as Denakh left.

She roused some from her sleep and watched the back and forth with Denakh and her love and purred hoping that Denakh would be able to grant him all the protection of armor he will need. Her eyes heavy from all the purring around her and the chanting keeping her calm and restful.

Luke McAllister

He sat down in the corner again, his mind going over the gear he would need and just double checking it with what he had on hand and after a while he allowed himself a brief smile. So far he was almost ready, just needed food, clothing, armor and the blessing of Bast...his love. He watched her as she laid there, surrounded by cats and smiled, even as a cat she was breathtaking.