Lion Head Mesa first

"oh! yes!" yes, she had said that.

senmut drew himself up. he returned to the now-cold flesh of the offering. he slit its throat; blood puddled. the man anointed his brow and pushed the remains into the glow of the sun.

the young priest-in-training steadied himself. he shut his eyes, and began to sing in a boyish alto:

"Wepwawet, wep em wawet,
dua iyiek, dua peretek
Wepwawet, wep em wawet,
wep merut ibi."

and then again, in common:

"Wepwawet, open the way,
praise Your coming, praise Your going.
Wepwawet, open the way.
open the way to my heart's desire."

senmut swallowed. the blood felt tacky upon his brow. but his heart was light, for he knew that the god had heard him.