Part 32 (1/2)
”I am prepared to serve thee, and to prove to thee that I have entered thy land without evil intent,” I said.
”Be it so,” she answered, drawing herself up suddenly. ”Thou shalt serve me as slave, and attend me everywhere; but while I have breath thou shalt never return unto thy master Anu, the G.o.d of Destruction, who dwelleth in the land afar.”
Her agitation was intense. In her excitement she stood beside her great crystal throne, grasping with both hands one of the human-headed monstrosities which served as arms, while her pale face had a.s.sumed a haggard look, and around her eyes were large, dark rings. This woman who, as Queen of the ancient realm, was also wors.h.i.+pped by every man and woman as Istar, the G.o.ddess of Love, possessed an extraordinary personality. In features, in manner, in her luxurious mode of life, she was remarkable; while, as I had already had ill.u.s.tration, she was cruel, quick tempered and relentless, overlooking no fault, and holding her unique position as some supernatural ruler of earth. The legend current throughout Ea, prophesying the appearance of a visitant and the downfall of the city, was extremely unfavourable to me, I knew; nevertheless, I recollected my pledge to Azala, my long and adventurous journey thither, and now that I was actually at last in Ea I was more than ever determined to fathom the mystery that my well-beloved had alleged would be revealed unto me. The strange life about me held me entranced with wonder. Everything was upon a scale so colossal and extravagantly luxurious that I gazed about lost in wonder. The dwelling-place of the beautiful woman who held me captive, a palace and temple combined, was, indeed, a magnificent pile of amazing proportions and was well named the House of the Raising of the Head, for it was full of marvels at every turn. Istar's firm determination that I should not leave her side was certainly disconcerting; nevertheless the Koran telleth us that by patience much can be accomplished; therefore, I decided to stifle the voice of protest, endure my lot, and bow to the woman who had held me humiliated as slave in sight of her brilliant court.
Again, with eyes flas.h.i.+ng, she heaped fierce curses upon me, declaring that my life should be made a burden; that ere a moon had pa.s.sed I should long for death; and that my face should never again be brightened by the eyes of the woman I loved. In the midst of a string of epithets bestowed upon me with a terrible volubility, two heralds, in golden breastplates and white-plumed helmets, entered the chamber, and raising their great brazen horns blew three loud blasts, whereat Istar, the words of reproach dying on her lips, sank among the cus.h.i.+ons of her throne, while, almost at the same instant, the great silken curtains again parted, revealing the a.s.sembled mult.i.tude of soldiers, courtiers, eunuchs and priests, who had apparently remained awaiting their Queen's pleasure. Erect, I stood beside the gleaming throne gazing upon the brilliant court of this curious monarch, while Ninep, the tame lioness, walked slowly past, sniffing inquiringly at her mistress, then stood licking her soft, bejewelled hand, the hand that she declared would strike me dead if I attempted to return to the world outside.
Impetuosity was one of her many peculiarities. One moment so fierce was she that she would herself a.s.sa.s.sinate any who hesitated to obey her wish; the next she would smile good-humouredly, as though she knew not a moment of anger, and malice found no resting-place within her heart.
Suddenly she raised her hand, and a silence, deep and complete, fell upon the gorgeous, perfumed mult.i.tude. Ninep yawned, stretched herself at her mistress's feet, and placing her head upon her paws, blinked lazily at those below the steps of polished silver.
”Know,” she said a moment later, in a clear, not unmusical voice, ”this son of Anu beside me is indeed the Destroyer whom our fathers have expected for ages, and whom the prophets have told us will bring evil upon Ea.”
”Let him be given as food to the lions!” they shouted. ”Kill him, O Istar, that he may not betray us into the hands of those who seek our destruction! Anu hath set his seal upon Ea, and our city must be overthrown, but let the spy be killed so that he may not furnish report unto those who sent him hither.”
”He shall die,” Istar replied, briefly.
A roar of approbation instantly broke forth; but next instant, again raising her hand to command quiet, the queen-G.o.ddess continued,--
”He shall die when, as my slave, he hath served me.”
”Let him die now, O Istar!” they shouted. ”Gladden our hearts by letting us see the lions tear him limb from limb. He is the Destroyer, the visitant against whom the sages have warned us. Through him will the vengeance of Anu, the dread G.o.d, descend upon us. Let him die!”
”No,” she answered, both hands resting upon the crystal arms of her glittering throne. ”I have spoken. He is my personal slave, bound to my side by night and by day.”
”Dost thou not fear to have a son of Anu as thy body-servant?” asked an aged priest, with flowing white beard and high head-dress of s.h.i.+ning gold, surmounted by a star, the emblem of Istar. ”He may wreak vengeance upon thee.”
”I am Istar, and know not fear,” she answered, haughtily. ”Men bow to me, and women make sacrifice in my temple. For those who incur my displeasure, Merodach, the protector of mankind, will not mediate.”
Then the queen-G.o.ddess nodded towards a man of tall stature, attired in a robe of dead black. Again the trumpets sounded thrice, as signal for her captains to come forward and present their reports. They came, one by one, advancing to the foot of the steps, bowing upon one knee, and obtaining the sanction of their sovereign upon various matters.
At last, when about twenty had been received and dismissed, a man older than the rest, and wearing a breastplate in which rubies were set in the form of a great star within a circle, advanced, knelt before the bewitching Queen, and mumbled some words that I could not catch.
Istar inclined her head slightly in approbation. Then, bidding the white-headed warrior to rise, said aloud,--
”Know, Larsa, this stranger that is within our gates hath discovered the Rock of the Moon-G.o.d, and entered into our presence thereby. The curse of Anu, the Progenitor, who changeth not the decree coming forth from his mouth, hath fallen. Go with thine hosts far beyond the Mountains of the Mist even unto the confines of Ea, and there search long and diligently, so that thou mayest discover and defend the secret way. Let not the feet of those of evil defile our land, for a.s.suredly the sign is set upon us, and destruction threateneth. Thy valiant hosts must avert it.”
”Thy will shall be done, O divine patroness,” the old man answered, bowing low till his beard almost swept the pavement. ”I will haste to do thy bidding.”
”May Merodach encompa.s.s thee with his s.h.i.+eld that none can penetrate,”
she exclaimed, as, turning, he went forth to lead his soldiers in search of the strange, natural gate by which I had entered.
For an hour the queen-G.o.ddess continued to receive those who craved audience, giving advice, hearing pet.i.tions, and dispensing justice.
Then her brows knit, she grew tired, and at her command the great apartment was cleared of all except the twelve slaves whose duty it was to cool her with their huge fans of flamingoes' wings.
”Thou hast not told me thy name,” she exclaimed, suddenly turning upon me.
”Thy servant is called Zafar,” I answered.
”So be it,” she said, glancing at me quickly, with sinister look. She paused a moment, then, rising languidly from her seat, slowly descended the steps, followed by all her retinue, including myself.
”Depart not from my sight,” she commanded, turning towards me. ”Where I go, there shalt thou go also.”