Voluptua watched as Eraser conferred hastily with the king.

"What is it, dear?" There was concern in her voice at his momentary look of dismay, quickly replaced with his usual serene demeanor.

"It seems, dear one, that the Palace Priest has gone missing."

"Oh, dear, who's going to do the human sacrifice, then?" the queen asked.

"That's the problem, there's no one. The others are all at that convention over in Susa."

"Hmmmmm, that is a problem. I mean we can't very well have a lion hunt without a sacrifice."

"True, my dear. It's a fine mess." The king toyed with his Spamel and dumplings.

The shekel dropped. "Dearest," the queen said slowly, "what about that Holy man over there, you know, the one Bulbul's all gaga over."

"He's rather... smelly... isn't he?"

"Well, yes, but Holy Men are known to be eccentric, and if we place the tourists upwind of him, it shouldn't be too bad."

"I don' t know, Voluptua, love," the king said, looking at the gnarled Iceni. "What about this 'Cleanliness is next to Godliness' thing that's all the rage now?"

"What about 'Beggars can't be choosers', dear?" the diminutive Babylonian countered.

"Very, well, I don't suppose we have much choice."

Jojo turned to Eraser who stood patiently awaiting his instructions. "Inform the Holy Man that I have just appointed him Palace Priest, and instruct him in his duties. Especially the sacrifice after lunch."

Eraser shuffled nervously. "Errrr... what if he doesn't want the job?"

"Tell him that HE'll be the human sacrifice, of course!"

"Your Highness' pardon, but isn't that the problem now? We don't have anyone to do the sacrifice?" Eraser winced.

"Well, HE doesn't know that, now does he?" smiled the King. "Run along Eraser, my lunch is getting cold."