Piers, Anthony - Geodyssey 01 by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers, Anthony
Language: eng
Format: epub

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CHAPTER 12 - KINGDOM

The developing cities in the Levant and Anatolia saw their full flowering in Mesopotamia, beginning about six thousand years ago. Perhaps for the first time, war between cities became feasible, and the formation of larger political states. Each city was under the protection of its own special god, and when that god failed to perform sufficiently, the city was conquered by another and its god icons taken away to reside in ignominious captivity.

The city of Lagash had been governed by a relatively benign ruler, Urukagina, who also ruled her neighbors Nina and Girsu, which was the religious center. Then came Lugalzaggisi, "King of the Lands,"

of the nearby city of Umma, intent on conquest.

It has been claimed that one of the earliest activities of civilization was the brewing of ale: it was necessary to develop competent agricultural and manufacturing and distribution mechanisms to handle this most precious product. Well, maybe.

"Oh, I hope Carver is all right," Crystal said anxiously. "He's really not a fighter."

"Neither is Scorch," Ember replied. "We simply must have faith that our god Ningirsu protects us all."

But the twitch in her cheek belied that faith.

Crystal's faith did not look strong. Neither was Ember's; she knew that when one city fought another, one god fought another, and that meant that one god would lose. How could they be sure that their god was stronger than the enemy's god?

They reached the temple of the goddess they served directly: Ninkasi, "The Lady Who Fills the Mouth."

Ninkasi was not the highest in the hierarchy of gods, but she had perhaps the most devoted following.

She was the goddess of ale, and four of every ten measures of barley in the city went to her product.

Ember had worked her way up from lowly furnace watcher to head brewer, and now was one of the most important women in the city. She made sure that the rations of the goddess went out to every man in the service of the city. In this time of war, that meant almost all of them. Two big mugs of ale a day, to each.

No other god brought such regular and wholesome cheer.

The slaves were ready. "Move out the crocks," Ember said. "To the front gate."

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A B B YY.c The slaves put their shoulders to the harness. The wagon rolled onto the street, bearing its burden of large

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crocks. Progress was slow but adequate.

"Mistress," the head slave called respectfully. "What news of the front?"

Ember was ready. "Our brave men went out this morning. Surely they are routing the enemy troops even now, and will soon return in good order."

"Mistress, are you sure?" He sounded worried.

Honesty was best. "I am not sure. But our god has always protected us before, and surely he will now."

She reflected a moment, realizing that this was not adequate. "I shall try to obtain a more immediate report. Failing that, I'll see if I can get us up on the wall so we can take a look ourselves.

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