resources. The vast number of slaves needed to maintain the excess of royalty and deity astounded Noah. He noticed that Lemuel kept his hand on his belted mace.
As they entered the tent, four human officers greeted them, and then stepped aside, bowing in deference. Behind them sat open chests of gold, silver and precious gems, sparkling in the rays of light that peeked in through the tent entrance. It was a king’s ransom. Noah glanced at it briefly. If the display was meant to impress him, it failed miserably.
Behind the treasure, Lugalanu lounged on a miniature throne in his royal vestments, like a miniature version of Anu. He spoke to Noah in a mimicry of Anu’s own lofty, lighthearted grandeur.
“Welcome to our humble delegation from the mighty sky god Anu, Lord of heaven and earth, father of the gods. I am his priest-king, Lugalanu.”
Noah sniffed . “I know a certain Creator who would beg to differ with those titles. And I am not impressed by pompous exhibition.”
“Well, now that I know what you are not, pray tell, who you are?”
“I am Noah ben Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, Patriarch of my clan.”
Lugalanu’s brow rose with interest. “Noah, son of Enoch. I have heard of you. You are most respected among the human tribes.”
Noah, dismissed the small talk. “We are nomads and we seek no trouble with the gods of this land.”
“I believe you,” Lugalanu responded. “The gods, however, are not so easily persuaded.” He paused to add gravity to his tone. “Especially when their servants return to Erech grievously wounded by nomad arrows.”
Lemuel looked nervously at Noah, then at the officers, his eyes on constant watch.
“Some token of respect might alleviate their concern,” Lugalanu continued. “Simple obeisance to prove your peaceful intentions, perhaps.”
The priest-king was no match for Noah, who made his own pronouncement. “We will bow the knee to no god…,” the pause was noticeable “…but Elohim.”
“Indeed ?” questioned Lugalanu. “And I suspect you even have trouble doing that.” No detail escaped Lugalanu’s eagle eye. Years of court intrigue honed his senses to pick up the slightest nuance of body language and tone that betrayed underlying motives and meanings. He could tell instantly that this man before him had a proud sense of self-importance such as he had not encountered in a decade. He decided to throw out some bait. “Every man is ruled by a god. Except perhaps the man who will end the rule of the gods.”
Noah ignored the suggestion. “My people are leaving this forest this very day. We will leave you alone. We beg your indulgence to leave us alone.”
Lugalanu stared at him for what seemed an eternity. Then matter-of-factly, he said, “I cannot indulge you.”
The answer did not please Noah . Lemuel fidgeted uncomfortably.
“But I have a counter offer,” Lugalanu continued . “You are influential with the remaining nomadic tribes. You and your people will not be taxed like everyone else. You will not even be forced to join in public worship. I only ask that you bow the knee to the gods in private and not obstruct the rest of the human tribes from submitting to the pantheon.” His voice was almost conciliatory. “Then you will be left alone.”
Noah stared at him unrelentingly. Lugalanu clearly had no idea whom he was talking to. “I will not bow the knee,” said Noah.
Lugalanu let out a deep sigh. Noah clearly had no idea whom he was talking to. “Very well, then. Pazuzu!” he barked.
Noah and Lemuel whirled to see one of the black hideous dog-faced creatures at the doorway of the tent.
“Pass the order. Destroy the village.”
The pazuzu took off in flight.
“NOOOOO!” Noah screamed as he realized they had been betrayed.
In a flash, he and Lemuel were out of the tent, their maces ready to strike.
They stopped in their tracks. A hideous sight confronted them. The six elders and two warriors from the brook hung
As they entered the tent, four human officers greeted them, and then stepped aside, bowing in deference. Behind them sat open chests of gold, silver and precious gems, sparkling in the rays of light that peeked in through the tent entrance. It was a king’s ransom. Noah glanced at it briefly. If the display was meant to impress him, it failed miserably.
Behind the treasure, Lugalanu lounged on a miniature throne in his royal vestments, like a miniature version of Anu. He spoke to Noah in a mimicry of Anu’s own lofty, lighthearted grandeur.
“Welcome to our humble delegation from the mighty sky god Anu, Lord of heaven and earth, father of the gods. I am his priest-king, Lugalanu.”
Noah sniffed . “I know a certain Creator who would beg to differ with those titles. And I am not impressed by pompous exhibition.”
“Well, now that I know what you are not, pray tell, who you are?”
“I am Noah ben Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, Patriarch of my clan.”
Lugalanu’s brow rose with interest. “Noah, son of Enoch. I have heard of you. You are most respected among the human tribes.”
Noah, dismissed the small talk. “We are nomads and we seek no trouble with the gods of this land.”
“I believe you,” Lugalanu responded. “The gods, however, are not so easily persuaded.” He paused to add gravity to his tone. “Especially when their servants return to Erech grievously wounded by nomad arrows.”
Lemuel looked nervously at Noah, then at the officers, his eyes on constant watch.
“Some token of respect might alleviate their concern,” Lugalanu continued. “Simple obeisance to prove your peaceful intentions, perhaps.”
The priest-king was no match for Noah, who made his own pronouncement. “We will bow the knee to no god…,” the pause was noticeable “…but Elohim.”
“Indeed ?” questioned Lugalanu. “And I suspect you even have trouble doing that.” No detail escaped Lugalanu’s eagle eye. Years of court intrigue honed his senses to pick up the slightest nuance of body language and tone that betrayed underlying motives and meanings. He could tell instantly that this man before him had a proud sense of self-importance such as he had not encountered in a decade. He decided to throw out some bait. “Every man is ruled by a god. Except perhaps the man who will end the rule of the gods.”
Noah ignored the suggestion. “My people are leaving this forest this very day. We will leave you alone. We beg your indulgence to leave us alone.”
Lugalanu stared at him for what seemed an eternity. Then matter-of-factly, he said, “I cannot indulge you.”
The answer did not please Noah . Lemuel fidgeted uncomfortably.
“But I have a counter offer,” Lugalanu continued . “You are influential with the remaining nomadic tribes. You and your people will not be taxed like everyone else. You will not even be forced to join in public worship. I only ask that you bow the knee to the gods in private and not obstruct the rest of the human tribes from submitting to the pantheon.” His voice was almost conciliatory. “Then you will be left alone.”
Noah stared at him unrelentingly. Lugalanu clearly had no idea whom he was talking to. “I will not bow the knee,” said Noah.
Lugalanu let out a deep sigh. Noah clearly had no idea whom he was talking to. “Very well, then. Pazuzu!” he barked.
Noah and Lemuel whirled to see one of the black hideous dog-faced creatures at the doorway of the tent.
“Pass the order. Destroy the village.”
The pazuzu took off in flight.
“NOOOOO!” Noah screamed as he realized they had been betrayed.
In a flash, he and Lemuel were out of the tent, their maces ready to strike.
They stopped in their tracks. A hideous sight confronted them. The six elders and two warriors from the brook hung
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