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3 1/2
A tightly rung elliptical circle or torches cast their
wavering shafts prancing morbidly over the smooth surface of a
rectangular, ridged alter. Expertly chisled forms of grotesque
gargoyles graced the oblique rim protruberating the length of the
grim orifice of death, staring forever ahead into nothingness in
complete ignorance of the bloody rites enacted in their
prescence. Brown flaking stains decorated the golden surface of
the ridge surrounding the alter, which banked to a small slit at
the lower right hand corner of the altar. The slit stood above a
crudely pounded pail which had several silver meshed chalices
hanging at its sides. Dangling at the rimof golden mallet, the
handle of which was engraved with images of twisted faces and
groved at its far end with slots designed for a snug hand grip.
The head of the mallet was slightly larger than a clenched fist
and shaped into a smooth oval mass.
Encircling the marble altar was a congregation of leering
shamen. Eerie chants of a bygone age, originating unknown eons
before the memory of man, were being uttered from the buried
recesses of the acolytes' deep lings. Orange paint was smeared
in generous globules over the tops of thw Priests' wrinkled
shaven scalps, while golden rings projected from the lobes of
their pink ears. Ornate robes of lusciour purple satin enclosed
their bulging torsos, attached around their waists with silvered
silk lashes latched with ebony buckles in the shape of morose
mis-shaped skulls. Dangling around their necks were oval
fashoned medalions held by thin gold chains, featuring in their
centers blood red rubys which resembled crimson fetish eyeballs.
Cushoning their bare feet were plush red felt slippers with
pointed golden spikes projecting from their tips.
Situated in front of the altar, and directly adjacent to the
copper pail was a massive jade idol; a misshaped, hideous bust of
the shamens' pagan diety. The shimmering green idol was placed
in a sitting posture on an ornately carved golden throne raised
upon a round, dvory plated dias; it bulging arms and webbed hands
resting on the padded arms of the seat. Its head was entwined in
golden snake-like coils hanging over its oblong ears, which
tappered off to thin hollow points. Its nose was a bulging
triangular mass, sunken in at its sides with tow gaping nostrils.
Dramatic beneath the nostrils was a twisted, shaggy lipped mouth,
giving the impression of a slovering sadistic grimace.
At the foot of the heathen diety a slender, pale faced
female, naked but for a golden, jeweled harness enshrouding her
huge outcropping breasts, supporting long silver laces which
extended to her thigh, stood before the pearl white field with
noticable shivers traveling up and down the length of her
exquisitely molded body. Her delicate lips trembled beneath soft
narrow hands as she attemped to conceal herself from the piercing
stare of the ambivalent idol.
Glaring directly down towards her was the stoney, cycloptic
face of the bloated diety. Gaping from its single obling socket
was scintillating, many fauceted scarlet emerald, a brilliant gem
seeming to possess a life all of its own. A priceless gleaming
stone, capable of domineering the wealth of conquering
empires...the eye of Argon.
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