Chapter 1?

[A little background on this snippet: I am working on a novel and this is part of it, was originally the beginning of it and was fleshed out a LOT. However, I have reworked the story completely and though this will be a part of the story it will be told via reflection of another character on the past. However, please enjoy this small part of the story, it is not a complete short story and so you will not get the full picture. As I continue to work on this I will likely post more... it's been a LONG day.]

In her scrying pool the mist drew heavy and the images were blurry, two came unto her door, a male and a female, yet she could not see their faces. Quietly she whispered to her beloved husband to take the children and go out the back door quickly so that the visitors may not know she had children, lest they be in danger. “Go, now, take the children to the Cities of the Plains. I will meet you there when it is safe to do so. These people who seek my magics are malevolent and they will harm the little ones, but fear not, they will not harm me. Hurry; for the cities are far away and the King seeks me out even now. I will be leading him to the Valley of Siddim myself in a few days time. You must make haste so as to get a head start. I will meet you there when this thing is done. I swear it is so, my beloved.”

She took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his in a slow, mournful kiss as though it may be their last. His eyes pleaded with her as he had for so long now not to do this thing he understood she must do. He is a mighty hunter before the Lord, he will seek me out and wherever I try to hide it matters not for he follows the stars.

Erragal spoke softly and dispirited in his sorrow, “My beloved Ereshkigal, the gods were merciful in sending you to me, it is not my will to lose you now when your children need you. I understand not what you have shown to me of the gods’ plan for you in this thing you must do, but I trust you and in your magics. You are a powerful sorceress. May the gods protect you and bring you safely to your family in the Cities of the Plains when this is done, for we need you even more than the gods do.”

Quietly, she gathered his things into one satchel, her children’s things into another. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she quickly hid that which would not fit into their bags. In yet another pack she crammed as much dried meats, breads, water and dried fruits as would fit. The nursemaid also prepared her own things, for she would be taken along on the journey to care after the infant. As the night wore on and the dusty streets quieted, she sent them off on their journey. The quiet of the house was deafening. Nammarai, her handmaiden only remained and helped her in removing any evidence of the children’s and Erragal’s existence before the visitors arrived. She wondered if Nimrod and Semiramis already knew, for they were both known as great sorcerers and astrologers themselves. Why, she wondered, would they need to consult me?