CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN - QUEEN’S NIGHTMARE

Back into the gardens he was dragged, but Sjerub resisted only weakly. His naked torso was covered in a mixture of mud and blood. Hands pulled his hair, and with every step he felt the arrowhead lodged between his ribs. His breathing was laborious, painful, his strength withering.

The priestesses said nothing. They held torches that illuminated the surrounding thorns, leading him back to the black kettle. Rainwater poured over its edges. His fate awaited.

No more taunting, no more demands. They wanted to be done with him.

The rain increased, vision dimmed, but through his droplet-filled eyelashes he could see a figure approach.

‘Matron Amalda, release the Hurrian at once.’ A soft voice ordered.

The priestesses halted, the drag on his hair faltered. He could see Heabani, drenched in his thin dress, skin grey and grimy from washed out paints and cosmetics. He was bald.

‘We have a sacrifice to conduct, for the betterment of the Revered one. Do not interfere.’ Amalda replied, open hostility in her voice. The other priestesses strengthen their grip on their weapons.

Heabani wouldn't move. ‘The Hurrian is personal property of Eneduanna.’

‘The Dumuzid must die.’

‘He will not.’

The two stared at each other. Rain continued to fall. Amalda pulled a knife. ‘It would be a blessing to end you as well, eunuch. Do not overstate your importance.’

Heabani smiled. ‘And I thought you were a wise adversary. But not so wise it seems now. My death would be whispered through all the Uruk alleys and famed houses. Eneduanna will learn. Eneduanna will be displeased. Eneduanna will have you executed and I will laugh at you from the underworld.’ Heabani’s eyes moved to Sjerub, barely able to stand with an arrow sticking out of his chest. ‘What were you even thinking Amalda. The Revered one would have been furious at his death. You think she wouldn’t find out?’

‘I calculated her rage. It was a worthy price to pay.’ Amalda hissed. ‘Her soul needs to be returned. Sacrifice must be made.’

‘Then sacrifice another. I have informed the noble houses and people of value to me that they should stay indoors tonight. You are free to hunt in the alleys and brothels for easy prey. The Hurrian you will release. By the decree of Eneduanna you will.’

Amalda gave a slight nod, and Sjerub was thrown towards heabani. He fell to his hands and knees in the wet grass. ‘Crawl to your savior.’ Amalda spat at him. ‘He will not be there next time to save you, Hurrian.’

‘The Prince is with me.’ Heabani affirmed, helping up Sjerub. ‘Now we will leave these grounds. Pray to Inanna that the Hurrian lives through the night. Your life will depend on it.’

‘I pray he dies, and by the Goddess I know Eneduanna will thank me, for she will rise renewed and ascended with the Heavens behind her eyes and little men and desires will not taint her shining stature.’

‘Whatever you say, protect the Revered one, that is your task. I will keep the future of Uruk intact.’

He turned and allowed Sjerub to lean onto his gentle shoulders.

***

Sjerub grimaced as Heabani pulled on the arrow. They were in a small house, hastily evacuated by the earlier inhabitants. He lay atop a table, it smelled of spilled wine and rancid beer, though he was gradually dying it red with his own blood. ‘We ought to give you the best physicians in Uruk, but sadly there is no more time.’ The eunuch said, prodding the arrow further.

The Hurrian groaned only in reply, jaws clenched.

‘Its a miracle the shaft did not penetrate.’ heabani continued. ‘The tip is wedged firmly between your ribs. Dug itself straight into the bone. Your lung should be unaffected. You can breathe yes?’

‘By the Gods Heabani, just pull it out. Make it quick before I bleed to death on this damned table.’

Heabani’s face hovered over him for a moment. ‘Calm yourself, dear Hurrian. Keep the heart slow please, it reduces the flow. As for the arrow, I am afraid it is serrated, so I will have to cut it out.’

He handed over a small strip of leather and Sjerub bit down.

A small bronze knife appeared in candlelight and Heabani immediately cut into Sjerub’s flesh. ‘Usually I use my skills to torture folk, not save them.’ the eunuch calmly stated. ‘But I know enough of the human body to know the basics of healing and saving life.’ He worked swiftly, quick cuts, Sjerub biting so hard on the leather he thought his teeth would break. Then Heabani pulled on the shaft and Sjerub heard his chest crack. A wave of red pain flowed over his eyes. It felt like Heabani had pulled the entire side of his ribcage.

‘There.’ Heabani triumphantly stated. He tossed the arrow to the floor, the knife exchanged for thread and needle. ‘There, there.’ The eunuch continued. ‘Breathe calmly now Hurrian, the worst has passed. Now I just need to stitch you up and stop the bleeding.’

But Sjerub had passed out. He awoke with his chest in a thick wide linen bandage. He rose up with difficulty, pain ebbing from his side. Heabani sat slumped over in a chair nearby. His dress was stained with blood. ‘Ah, youre back.’ A faint smile over the eunuch’s painted mouth. ‘I have worked on you leg as well. You lost a lot of blood my friend.’

Sjerub swallowed, tasting iron in his mouth. His eyes were blurry. He held out his hand. ‘Give me a weapon.’

The eunuch chuckled. ‘Your instincts are still active, a good sign I’d say.’ He rose, and his hand was fixed on the scabbard of a blade. ‘My operatives have recovered this for you.’ He placed the sword besides Sjerub on the table. ‘You are going to need it my friend.’

Sjerub nodded. ‘What comes next? Has Eneduanna risen yet? The priestesses must be punished. I want revenge Heabani. Bloody revenge, especially on the Matron. The old black haired hag with the orange eyes. I will take her head and piss in her dead mouth.’

Heabani placed a gentle arm on Sjerub’s chest. ‘Calm, calm. Do not risk opening your wounds.’ He sighed. ‘Revenge is a poor commodity. It is worthless for all save a few collectors. I fear you cannot stay here. Things are… chaotic at the moment. Until Eneduanna’s rule returns to Uruk you will not be safe. Whatever skill you have with your blade will be pointless against the entire sisterhood, especially in your current state.’

‘Again I must live like a rat in the dark. Why do they want me dead?’

‘You have a bond with the Revered one. Furthermore, Eneduanna proclaimed you Prince of Uruk on the night you were released from the flooded cells. She was lost in ritual not long after. You must understand that this new title has far-reaching consequences for you. The crown in Uruk is not hereditary. It is earned and passed to the next whenever the HIgh-Priestess decides. Amalda seems to have vested interests in the dynasty of Kitun. I'm not sure why, but she seems hellbent on keeping him on the throne. It could explain her extreme hostility against you, even going as far as attempting the murder of Eneduanna’s personal property, for that is what you are Sjerub; sacred property, bought with gold and mercy.’

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‘So I kill Amalda.’

‘Kitun is not happy with you either, and he has a large band of loyal followers. A great many, veteran warriors and raiders of all directions. Ear-collectors, grizzled men of many battles. No my friend, there will be no revenge for you, forget about such infantile notions. Until order is restored you must hide, and I am afraid that even my safehouses will not keep you secure. I must send you out of Uruk, this night if possible.’

‘Where?’ Sjerub asked. Departing Uruk didn't seem such a bad prospect.

‘The safest place right now would be with our enemies. I would sleep contently if you were standing behind the great walls of Ur, but I am afraid they will kill you on sight. Hostilities have opened at Uruk's borders. No, it will not be easy to find a place for you. Expect hunters, assasins…’ Heabani took a sharp breath. ‘Im sending you to Aratta. Back to Hurrian lands.’

‘I am not welcome there.’ Sjerub replied grimly. ‘And I am bound to Eneduanna. I serve Eneduanna. I must serve Eneduanna, lest the Gods curse my name.’

‘Oh you will serve.’ Heabani replied with a sparkle in his eyes. ‘You will recruit a new Hurrian legion for the Revered one’s use. Go to the throne of the white mountains and tell them ten-thousand talents of gold are available for whom is brave enough to take it. Bring them back and you will be secure with an army of your brethren, and you can sack and burn half the world to Eneduanna’s delight. Uruk needs such forces. The temple needs such forces. It is never good to depend on only one stream of power. The Revered one needs multiple armies and you are an excellent way to provide one. You are of royal lineage, both in Aratta and now in Uruk. You are a representative of Eneduanna's will. Can you walk?'

‘I feel like I have just come back from death’s door.’

‘You cannot stay here. I will have you smuggled out this night by ship amongst a cargo of pottery. The vessel has already been prepared. It will bring you to Quesab at the mouth of the Riverlands. From there you must find the foothills to your homeland. The city state Quesab states neutrality but the sisterhood is active there. Agents reside in every corner. Amalda is a very thorough woman. She usually gets what she wants. She has a grudge against you and by the divine she will carry out her desire for ending your life. Your ship is ready my friend. Run, Sjerub, Run.’

***

Heabani sat besides the sleeping Eneduanna. The events of earlier in the night had sapped his energy. He had taken up new clothes but there was still dried blood under his fingernails.

Eneduanna was beside him, motionless. A pair of priestess guarded her, warily looking at the eunuch.

‘I'm getting tired, my Divine mistress.’ Heabani confessed. ‘Old and tired. It is hard work to keep your city intact, my dear. Madness seems to reign in your absence.’

The Revered one; now enveloped in her sleep. Eneduanna’s face was calm, painless, pulled to black ocean’s deep. She seemed lifeless, but a faint rise and fall of her chest proved otherwise, just the slightest of movements.

Heabani felt his eyes become teary. ‘Please wake up, Eneduanna.’

But she did not wake.

‘I am a poor substitute to your Command.’ The eunuch continued. ‘The King does not have my trust, the sisterhood has a thirst for blood and the city demands to see you. Rumors have already spread, my mistress. I know, I collect them. I do my best to counter them but please, please wake up from your rest. Return from where you are, Eneduanna....’

Eneduanna walked over tiles covered in shallow water that sloshed against her ankles. She was cold, cold to her bones, and her naked body shivered incessantly. Around her complete darkness, save the light of Neti’s lantern, whose serpentine feet slithered through the water besides her.

‘This is the palace?’ She asked, seeing only darkness beyond the lantern’s shine.

‘Oh, very much so.’ Neti rumbled. ‘They have all come for you, risen from the depths, leaving their estates. You dont see them?’

Eneduanna frowned and halted, crossing her arms before her breasts. ‘I see nothing, dont play games with me doorman.’

‘Just a bit further, beautiful tall lady from above.’ Neti stared intently at the tiles before him, raising the lantern high. ‘There, there.’ A circular platform became visible, raised just above the shallow water. Etched in the stone was her name: 𒂗𒃶𒌌𒀭𒈾

‘One more step, lady from above’ He said, and she took position on the panel. As her feet touched the stone the darkness left. Lights flared up, showing her to be in a seemingly endless hall. Raised high before her seven judges looked at her. Their faces were thin, skin stretched over skulls, faces displeased. Noses sagging and rotten. Long white hair, penetrant accusatory eyes of various colours. Crowns dulled by time, wigs of combed hair over their deformed faces.

One of the corpse-judges pointed a long thin accusatory finger at her.

‘Eneduanna is your name, and what are you doing here?’ They ogled her naked body, only becoming more displeased.

‘The mother of my soul sends me, holy Inanna, queen of heaven.’

They seemed unimpressed. ‘You do not belong here!’ They screamed on with grated voices. Their accusations filled her ears with pain.

‘Inanna Sends - Me.’ She spoke, becoming angry herself.

The judges fell silent, then one rose.

‘It seems…. You are correct. Sadly.’ His lipsy dry swollen tongue ended with a chuckle. ‘You were sent. But you dont even know why you are here, do you?’

‘I have trust in Inanna.’

‘You are here to prepare your soul. Inanna desires your body. But you are inferior. Low-born, your veins clogged with mud.’

A second judge leaned forward. ‘Poor - quality.’ His old lips pushed forward the air with decaying smell.

‘We will burn you out, impure filth-walker.’ A third added.

‘Consent?’ The fourth asked.

‘Do you consent?’ The fifth asked.

‘If you wish to learn what she wants from you, you must consent.’ The sixth coughed out.

‘Tell us if you consent.’ The seventh demanded.

‘I consent.’ She replied

The seven judges simultaneously gave wide smiles that strained and stretched their ancient, decaying faces. ‘Very well. Seven gates leading to seven judges, to break the seven seals of your body.’

The one in the middle flicked his wrist and pain entered through Eneduanna’s fingers, quickly spreading throughout her body. She struggled to remain standing as the pain flashed through her spine, increasing in intensity with every heartbeat. She fell to the ground, screaming out in agony when she could no longer resist. But her voice was not that of of hers, it was old, older. Her teeth dropped from her mouth, her fingers became wrinkled. Her hair became grey, then white, then fell out. She became blind, her body crooked, shriveled and dry. She heard the grating laughs of the judges until her faltering ears became deaf. She could not move, hear, see, smell or taste. She was locked into her corpse and tormented with waves of excruciating pain. She was hung on a hook and left to suffer.

Heabani sighed, not seeing any recognition in the waxen face of his mistress. He caressed Eneduanna’s cold skin. A priestess entered the bedchamber to attend to the sleeping divine.

As she brushed past Heabani she whispered:

‘Men at the sacred gate. They seem to carry words of importance.’ Her tone was dismissive; eager to see him go. The priestess ignored the eunuch and leaned over Eneduanna, parting her lips to give her honeyed water.

Heabani left the bedchamber and moved swiftly through the temple halls. Words of importance. His near inexhaustible curiosity and love for whispers finally seemed at its end. He did not look forward to hearing whatever some messengers had to say, he was stressed enough already as it was.

Out he went of the temple, immediately beset by wet winds that pulled on his robes. He cast a sad glance up at the dark rainy sky. A sliver of sun would be nice, lighten the moods of all a bit. But the churning mass of clouds remained, a kingdom of rain hanging over the city. A regime of misery that would not move. Eneduanna slept and the world wept, it seemed.

Heabani moved through the gardens, the plants and flowers sadder and more lustless every day; the soil soggy.

Outside the sacred district three rough bearded men in travelers cloaks awaited on the causeway, bowing their hooded heads before the eunuch.

‘Yes?’ Heabani asked impatiently. One leaned forward to whisper in his ear: ‘The men of Ur are coming. They have armed. They march upon Uruk. Following the Ur-men, The King Eridu has decided to leave his swamp, and marches upon Uruk. Twelve thousand men are coming north.’

Heabani grimaced, but with dread he heard the spy continue his rancid whispers. ‘Isin, to the north, has opened its long barred gates, and out come warriors. They too seem intent on Eneduanna’s destruction. From the north, five thousand warriors are descending, joined in alliance with the southern Kingdoms.’

The eunuch pressed a few gold coins in their greedy claws. ‘Inform the King-’ He replied with hushed tone. ‘Uruk’s men will not go to war without Eneduanna’s blessing, but the city needs to prepare for a siege.’