The Diviner's Chronicle by Frank DuPont

Author:Frank DuPont [DuPont, Frank]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491835616
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2013-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Leavetakings Great and Small

Sometimes the gods grant us what we need without being asked, and even without our knowing what we desire.

ISKUR DREADED HIS farewell with Ninmah, so he delayed going to Egal-Mah until near noon the day before he was to report to Indur’s home. He stopped at a stall in the market and traded for a packet of fine grain to offer as a sacrifice to Ninisina. Now that Bani-mur was better Iskur felt less need to give larger offerings. On impulse he went to a pastry stall, hoping he could share some food with Ninmah. He had never thought to do so before, and wanted this meeting to be memorable to her; he knew it would be to him. The baker’s stall filled the nearby area with an appealing aroma, promising delight. He was particular, finally settling on two individual cakes made with finely milled flour filled with mashed plums and honey, with the corners folded up over the added confection.

He mounted the steps of the ziggurat while trying to devise a way to tell Ninmah of his trip that would make it as appealing an adventure to her as it was to him. He arrived at the entry portal without having thought of one, but entered quickly just the same. He was now used to the initial darkness of the cavernous entry hall, and walked to the end of the hallway without hesitation.

“Ninmah, are you there?” He called out before he had even reached the dark part of the corridor. She had always seemed to be nearby when he had visited before, and he expected her to be close again. His visits had usually been in the latter part of the morning, since the first visit when his mother had sent him.

“Who is that?” came the reply in a curious tone. Ninmah came out of the adjoining hall and approached the dark portion of the hallway. The linen of her tunic was so fine it revealed the separation between her thighs with the torchlight behind her. “I have so many young men who wish to give offerings for the goddess, you know.” In fact, Ninmah had been eagerly anticipating Iskur’s visit.

“It is me, Iskur, goddess.”

Iskur could smell the scent of her cedar incense and scented oil lotion from several feet away, and was immediately aroused.

Truly a novice at flirting, he was always nervous in her presence, as he did not want to repulse her, but decided to risk further familiarity and said, “At least you seem to be a goddess to me.”

“Ah, Iskur is it. Ninisina has been wondering when you would return to give her something.”

Iskur knew this was just teasing, since he had been visiting her on the same day at about the same time for weeks. He had arranged to skip morning work on the days Ninmah would be present, only missing one time since Bani-mur’s accident.

“I have it here with me, Ninmah. How are you doing with your practice to become

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