14 When his companions heard these words they
were troubled; of what terrible things could he speak? In a large
village near the capitol, on a hill overlooking a great valley , they
erected a cross. From near and far people gathered, not believing what
they heard.
15 But when the day came The Teacher was fastened to the cross. The
Village Priest cut out his bowels and put them on the altar flame.
16 "Let all who will take the Gift that has been given," he commanded,
"come forward. Take my blood and draw a circle on their foreheads, a
mark that they have received me. In the days to come, when your
children wish to be one with me, take dark red wine, and do the same in
remembrance of me.
17 Many hours the people wept until his breath left him. They took him
down, and put him in a great tomb outside the village.
18 They wept and wailed , wondering at his last words; "Now I sleep, as
my Father has commanded, to await The Wakening that has been promised.
19 Each morning The Former Harlot took fresh flowers and went out to
the grave, placing them on the stone that covered it. But on the
Fifth Morning he ran back to the village. "Horror!" he cried,
"Sacrilege! The great stone on the tomb has been split in two, and now
lays on either
side of the grave, and his body is gone! Someone has taken him away!"
20 The Fisherman rose. "They could not have gone far!" he cried , "For
I was in the cemetery to pray late last night, and nothing was amiss.
Let us form search parties and go and find them."