Tablet of Destinies

by Traci Harding

  ‘If father scattered my brothers throughout Eridu to prevent us finding each other …’ Adama was working on the premise that he had six brothers just as Eve had six sisters, ‘… then there are not too many options as to where they could be residing. If Adapa was doing construction work, and I was placed in the palace, then it makes sense that I should find another brother in the city, another in the fields, one by the harbour docks, another working the forests, and the other …?’ Adama looked across the city from his vantage point, running out of possibilities. The only other area was the technological complex near Eridu’s new spaceport. ‘Worth a try,’ he shrugged, heading off on the main street through town to begin his search there.

  The main street was lined with market stalls selling produce, manned by all manner of creatures. Behind these were the shopfronts of Nefilim merchants trading in metals, jewellery, cloth, clothes, pottery, vehicles, spare parts and so forth.

  Adama was scouting the area for a human face with the distinct red-brown colouring he possessed, when a battalion of Nefilim troops came marching down the centre of the road, willing a large metal cage on wheels along behind them.

  ‘Make way for the mighty Samson,’ cried the guard at the head of the parade. ‘The strongest human in existence!’

  The claim brought the citizens of Eridu running to see the caged man, and Adama joined them as they thronged to the side of the road.

  Inside the cage stood one of Adama’s lost brothers; from the colour of his skin there could be no mistake. He was stooped to fit inside his cage, but still, he appeared to be shorter than Adama was, perhaps more like Adapa’s height. Adama had rarely seen a physique on any male, Nefilim or human, the like of this man — he certainly seemed to be as strong as the Nefilim guard was boasting.

  ‘One hundred gold pieces,’ the guard held up a leather pouch, ‘promises that Samson will meet the challenge of any mortal beast. If any of you have a worthy opponent, please come forth and place a bet.’

  ‘Why is this man in a cage?’ Adama stepped out onto the road to question the guard, forgetting that he was not inside the palace, nor did he have his famed royal brother in tow.

  The guard looked Adama over, noting his well-to-do attire. ‘I think the question is more … why are you not in a cage?’

  The other guards and the onlookers were amused by the jest. Reality hit home and Adama realised he was in as much trouble as Samson — not that the hulk of a man looked at all worried about what was taking place. In fact, he seemed rather pleased about it.

  ‘Why don’t I throw you in that cage with Samson and you can find out for yourself why we keep him locked up?’ the guard suggested as he approached Adama.

  ‘I am a scribe to the Lord Enki, and he shall be most displeased if …’ Adama gave up trying to explain, fearing that the guard might laugh himself to death. ‘I know that you can discern with a thought if I am telling the truth.’ Adama tried to reason with the Nefilim male as he gripped his arm tightly.

  ‘I do not waste my powers on the like of you,’ the guard advised, and dragged Adama around to the back of the metal cage.

  Samson was leaning casually on one side of his prison and was actually laughing as the guard unlocked it.

  ‘What’s so funny, ape man?’ The guard fumbled with the locking mechanism.

  ‘For a scribe,’ Samson inched forward as he explained, ‘he sure ain’t too smart.’

  The guard found the human’s assessment humorous, until the lock fell open in his hand and the cage door swung open and belted him in the head.

  ‘He’s smarter than you thought, fool!’ Samson slammed the Nefilim male between the eyes with his fist, and the guard dropped like a stone to the ground. Then, grabbing his reluctant conspirator’s hand, Samson took off down the street with the scribe.

  ‘Samson is loose!’ the guards yelled, and the Nefilim citizens fled for their lives.

  Adama was confused that a human, even one so strong, could strike such fear into the Nefilim. ‘Are you mad?’ Adama cried, as they bolted down the road together. ‘You can’t possibly hope to resist the Nefilim!’

  ‘Do as I do,’ Samson told him and as the warrior ran he began making loud, growling sounds.

  Adama tried to make the same sounds, but he felt awfully silly, until he realised that he was being drawn back towards the guards against his will, and Samson wasn’t. ‘Samson!’ Adama cried, to let him know he’d let him down.

  ‘You wimp!’ Samson snarled. He turned around and, still making his wild, wailing sounds, went charging off towards the guards.

  ‘No, Samson,’ they demanded. ‘Down boy! Heel!’ The guards forgot about trying to reel Adama in and fled for their lives.

  ‘Now, scribe boy, perhaps you’ll do as I say.’ Samson grabbed Adama’s wrist and took off into a side street.

  ‘That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!’ Adama spluttered as he was dragged along behind the warrior. ‘How did you do that?’

  ‘You’re asking me this now?’ Samson shook his head, as they ran into a dead end. ‘We’re cooked,’ he decided, gazing up at the steep walls on all three sides of them.

  ‘Can’t you drive the Nefilim off again?’ Adama questioned, still curious about the warrior’s unusual talent.

  ‘No,’ he insisted, as if Adama was expecting a bit much. ‘I’ve calmed down now,’ he explained as the guards timidly edged round the corner.

  ‘Calm Samson, good boy,’ they encouraged.

  Adama suddenly realised how he might be of aid here. ‘What do you think he is, some sort of pet?’ he queried the guards, whereby Samson started growling angrily. ‘He is not your possession to be bandied about as you see fit!’

  ‘Yeah!’ Samson seconded Adama’s words.

  ‘If you think you’re getting him back in that cage, you’ve got another think coming! Samson is stronger than you are,’ Adama challenged, hoping he was right. Before he had a chance to say more, Samson ran headlong into the wall of guards, knocking half of them to the ground without losing his footing. He turned to punch one of the remaining guards, whilst the other fell victim to his foot.

  ‘Boys, boys, boys!’

  Adama breathed a sigh of relief as the Lord Enki manifested and brought the proceedings to a halt.

  ‘If this is what happens when you get together, I think I did well to keep you apart,’ he chuckled under his breath, proud that they’d managed to fend off their Nefilim foe. ‘Time for you to come back to the palace,’ Enki advised Adama. ‘You’ve had quite enough fun for one day.’

  ‘And what of Samson?’ Adama made an appeal on his brother’s behalf.

  ‘Bring him along,’ his father replied in a weary manner, ‘or I shall never hear the end of it … am I right?’

  Adama nodded, pleased to have his way so easily and, quite frankly, surprised. He looking to the sweating, panting warrior, not too sure he’d adjust to palace life as well as Adapa had.

  ‘Come Samson.’ Enki held out his hand to him, and feeling anything was better than going with the guards, the warrior approached and took hold. ‘Time to put your strengths to good use.’

  18

  KNOWLEDGE OR

  LIFE?

  Fortunately for Adama, Enki was called away to the city of Nippur, Enlil’s control centre, northwest of Eridu in Edin. This had left Adama completely at leisure to keep his appointment with Eve and there was no one to probe him about his whereabouts afterwards.

  He hadn’t informed either of his brothers about meeting Eve. Adapa was only interested in the female of the species from a scientific viewpoint at present, but Samson was driving Adama nuts with questions about the existence of females, and Adama had thought it best to keep them both in the dark until he knew more.

  As he wandered into his father’s chambers, Adama noted the large bunches of flowers, which his mother insisted on being cut fresh and placed throughout the royal chambers every day. ‘I wonder if all females like flowers as much?’ He retrieved on
e of the beautiful mixed floral arrangements to take with him.

  His passage down the tunnel, despite his haste, seemed to take an eternity, but the long, quiet walk gave Adama time to ponder the unfolding events. He found it odd and unsettling that his father had not so much as mentioned his defiance the day of Samson’s discovery, and he’d not queried his escape route from the palace either. If Enki had discerned his answers telepathically, then why had there been no reprimand?

  ‘Is this all some sort of game?’ Adama theorised, angered by the notion. ‘Samson could have been killed! And who’s to say that some of my other brothers have not already perished in their assigned lives beyond the safety of the palace walls? Why did father separate the males and not the females?’

  As the light at the end of the tunnel came into view, Adama’s thoughts scattered and his being was filled with a delightful feeling of anticipation at the prospect of meeting Eve again.

  A hooded figure awaited his arrival as before. ‘I thought you might have changed your mind,’ she said, and as he neared, she tossed back her hood.

  Adama was stunned to find a different human female staring at him. This one was shorter than Eve and had long dark curly hair as Samson did.

  ‘You’re not Eve?’ He came to a stop outside the open entrance to the House of Shimiti.

  ‘My name is Delilah. I am one of Eve’s sisters,’ she advised, her eyes giving Adama the once-over as she suppressed a quiet smile of approval. ‘I am here to lead you to your meeting … if you are still game,’ she added playfully, for Adama looked a little wary now. ‘You have no need to fear. Ninharsag has been called away and Eve has been left in charge.’

  ‘I am not too sure which female I should fear more.’ He ventured through the glass doors and into the foyer, wondering if Ninharsag and Enki had gone to the same meeting. ‘But if Eve still wishes to see me, then please, lead me to her.’

  When the exterior metal door to the secret tunnel closed behind them, a passageway into the House of Shimti opened before them.

  ‘Are there more like you at home?’ Delilah queried Adama as she led him down the passageway towards a flight of stairs.

  ‘I thought that you would know the answer to that question better than I,’ he replied, whereupon she came to an abrupt halt.

  ‘Each of my sisters was fashioned from one of your brothers.’ She turned to him to whisper what she did know. ‘I was fashioned from one known as Samson. Do you know of him?’

  Adama nodded. ‘I know him.’ His mind dwelt on her words. ‘I could, perhaps, take a message to him, if it pleases you, Delilah?’ he suggested, knowing that Samson would be ecstatic to learn of her existence.

  The girl could hardly repress her excitement. ‘Oh yes, Adama. Would you?’

  ‘Shh,’ he urged her to calm herself. ‘In exchange for some information, that is.’

  Delilah’s eyes narrowed, wary of his terms, until she figured his question for herself. ‘The sister who was fashioned from you was —’

  ‘Eve,’ they both concluded at once, and smiled in accord.

  ‘Thank you for confirming that.’ He felt more confident about their pending meeting.

  ‘But I didn’t tell you that.’ Delilah winked at him. ‘Deal?’

  ‘Yes, indeed.’ He motioned for her to lead the way upstairs.

  Here, a large nursery room, completely encased by glass, confronted them. Eve could be seen within, tending to one of a multitude of newborns — none of which appeared to be of the exact same species as she. She had hold of a young male that appeared human in all respects, except for the large wings that sprouted from his back, which were not yet feathered. Eve was caressing the little fellow’s head with her lips, as she cuddled him close.

  ‘What is she doing with her mouth?’ Adama queried, gazing through the glass, inwardly wishing he could swap places with the infant.

  Delilah shrugged, for there was no name for it. ‘We do that to comfort the babes and calm them to sleep.’

  ‘I dare say if Eve did that to me, sleepy is not what I would feel.’ Adama gave half a laugh, admiring how her robes draped around the curves of her figure.

  ‘Interesting that you should say so,’ Delilah commented. ‘Nefilim men don’t like it either … or so I’m told.’

  As fascinating as he found her conversation, he felt compelled to correct her misunderstanding. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t enjoy it. I just said it wouldn’t put me to sleep.’

  ‘Oh.’ Delilah giggled as she got his drift. ‘Well, that’s interesting to know.’ She pressed a button and entered the nursery. ‘Look who I found loitering around outside our door.’

  Eve glanced up with an indifferent look upon her face, as she placed the young birdman on his belly in his crib. ‘I trust he didn’t give you any trouble?’ she asked, her hands placed on her hips.

  ‘On the contrary,’ Delilah advised in a charmed fashion, as Adama passed her to enter the nursery. ‘It was my pleasure entirely.’ She slipped out of the room, eager to write her letter. ‘Don’t leave without saying goodbye now.’ She winked at Adama.

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ he replied, and she departed.

  Eve was vexed by her sister’s obvious liking of Adama, until he offered her the bunch of flowers he had hidden behind his back. ‘I thought you might like these, as a sweet reminder of our meeting.’

  ‘Oh, I love flowers,’ she sighed, and her nonchalant manner melted away as she relieved him of the elaborate arrangement. ‘No one has ever given them to me before.’ She blushed, as such things were reserved for Nefilim women.

  ‘Then I shall have them sent to you every day,’ Adama decreed in fun.

  ‘I think Ninharsag might get wise to our association if you did.’ Eve found his promise delightful, or was it just the mere fact of Adama’s presence that made her feel so tickled inside? ‘But it was a nice thought,’ she assured him.

  ‘So,’ Adama gazed about at their surroundings, ‘am I to help you work this evening?’

  Eve began to giggle at the thought of a male tending babes. ‘No, one of my sisters will be here to relieve me presently. We have a garden. I thought we could talk there.’

  ‘Wonderful plan.’ He clapped his hands together in approval, whereupon the quiet nursery was quickly transformed into a room of screaming babies. ‘Sorry,’ Adama appealed, as his head shrank into his shoulders.

  ‘You know no better.’ Eve smiled sincerely then released a heavy sigh as she went about the task of settling all the infants again.

  Feeling responsible for giving her extra work, Adama walked over to the nearest screaming child, which was bluish in colour and had a strange little hole in the top of its head. He raised the infant onto his shoulder as Eve did, and began rubbing its back and bouncing it gently. To his great surprise and delight, the babe stopped crying. ‘Hey, how about that,’ he whispered, and looking at Eve he found her already staring in amazement.

  ‘You have the touch,’ she encouraged him, placing her quieted child back in its crib. ‘Most well done, indeed.’ She picked up the next baby — a brilliantly red-haired infant, who sported a lion’s tail.

  Adama lowered the newborn from his shoulder and cradled it on one arm, lulling it back to sleep. He thought to plant his lips upon its head as he’d seen Eve do, and this simple act stirred such a feeling in his heart that he had to force back his tears. The child’s head, cradled beneath his clean-shaven chin, felt so warm and soft and pleasing. He’d never held another being just for the pleasure of it and the emotions the moment induced were a complete revelation.

  ‘Are you insane? Letting him near a baby!’

  The child was wrenched from Adama’s embrace by a tall, formidable-looking female, whose beauty rivalled Eve’s. Her harsh expression seemed chiselled on her face, as if it would never lift, and did her comely appearance no justice.

  ‘Kya, he was doing really well.’ Eve took hold of Adama’s hand to lead him away from her sister, knowing it would be far simp
ler than arguing with her.

  ‘Any male over ten years of age is not fit to live,’ Kya stated. ‘He’ll be your worst nightmare, Eve. You know I am right.’

  Eve closed the door behind them when they exited, and she cringed at her sister’s ugly behaviour. ‘Sorry about that … Kya has had some bad experiences with males in the past.’

  ‘Nefilim?’ Adama assumed, and Eve nodded.

  ‘One of Ninharsag’s greatest mistakes, for she never meant my sisters harm by subjecting them to mating encounters. Ninharsag sought to give them practical knowledge of the science, but their experience only served to put them off the idea of mating for life.’ She forced a smile. ‘Ninharsag understands better now.’

  Adama followed Eve through a door and into a huge greenhouse garden and, although it was a paradise on earth, he was way too engrossed in the conversation to pay it any mind. ‘What does Ninharsag understand better?’ Adama asked gently, hoping his curiosity would not offend.

  ‘The excess of inner feeling that we humans have.’

  Eve’s explanation sounded more like an appeal for understanding than a statement, and for the first time, Adama noticed that her eyes were the colour of dark emerald jewels. ‘I, too, can be moved to tears by concern for a complete stranger,’ Adama told her. ‘And can be so filled with emotion that it compels me to do crazy things!’ he confessed, rather more loudly.

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘Even things that I know are forbidden,’ he added, as Eve continued to nod. ‘Like being here with you, when I know Father will punish me for it. But then I have to wonder what authority he really has to deny me the right to see you, if that is what we both wish?’

  Eve stood gazing up into the man’s eyes, enchanted by his opinions and quietly impressed by his mastery of verbal self-expression. ‘It is not Enki who has forbidden our association … the whole of the Great Pantheon has forbidden our very existence.’