The Whore of Babylon

Chapter 2 | part 2

It was mid-morning when she woke again. Knowing how little rest she had had recently, her father ordered the servants to let her sleep, and left for work without her.

As she opened her eyes, the memory of Isin’s message came flooding back. She sat up abruptly and looked out of the window – the sun was high, and noon must be approaching.

Washing and pulling on a simple tunic, she picked up a pair of sandals and moved stealthily along the hallway, down the spiral staircase and through the front door. She breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped out into the street – she hadn’t encountered a single servant. No-one would tell tales on her to her father.

She slid her feet into the sandals and set off for the Red Palace. Her feet traversed the road of their own accord, finding the way without the help of her mind – she was so busy mentally rehearsing what she might say to get into the palace that she barely noticed the friendly faces smiling and greeting her along the way, though she grinned and waved back as though her body were being controlled by someone else.

It would be better not to give a definitive reason for needing to see Kisha, she decided. She couldn’t think of anything both plausible and pressing enough to gain her entrance. If she claimed to have a message from their father, they could say that she didn’t need to deliver it in person. Or worse, they might drag her before Samsu to let him decide whether Kisha needed to hear it. If she said their father was gravely ill, it would be discovered as a lie immediately. Adab was no trader whose illness and absence could go unnoticed – he was visible in the community every day. Most of the other excuses she could think of, she decided they would just scoff in her face and turn her away.

Her eyes snapped back into focus as the dazzling mountain of the palace came into view, the glazed tiles reflecting the midday sun and making the whole building seem aflame. The complex was enclosed by walls as high as trees, with just two gates on the perimeter.

The main gate set into the north wall, wide enough for four horses to pass abreast, was for officials, nobles and royalty – certainly not the sister of the second wife.  Eliana veered off to the left, making for the eastern gate – a smaller opening to allow suppliers and servants to come and go without making the palace look unsightly.

Two guards flanked the gate, standing to attention despite Utu’s smothering high noon heat. She didn’t recognise either of them from Kisha’s wedding. Gripping spears in one hand, leather shields in the other, they stared into the distance.

Eliana’s heart sank – hope of success ebbing away. Summoning all her courage, she approached the smaller of the two. He looked down his wide nose at her, a sneer playing about the corners of his lips.

‘We don’t give to beggars here – get lost, or you’ll find yourself at work in the palace kitchens.’

She drew herself up to her full height so that her eyes were level with his, and Wide-Nose had to tilt his head back to keep looking down at her. ‘I am no beggar. I am Eliana, younger daughter of Adab, Ensi of Nippur, and sister to your Lugal’s wife.’

The second guard gave an unpleasant snort of laughter, like an impatient horse. ‘You mean the concubine.’

Refusing to rise to his bait, she ignored the slight. ‘I must see my sister – it’s urgent.’

Wide-Nose gave her a hard prod in the shoulder with his index finger, moving her back a step. ‘Push off. The concubine is not receiving visitors.’

‘Why not?’ she demanded.

‘We don’t have to explain our master’s orders to little girls,’ said Horse-Snort.

‘But, it’s a matter of life and death!’ tried Eliana in desperation.