Chapter 20: The Clay Figurines from the Cedar Forest
Siduri was filled with joy because the skilled woman recommended by Gilgamesh was excellent at constructing temples. As the appointed priest, he exceeded her expectations by providing numerous brilliant ideas and building a more beautiful and impressive temple. It would surely satisfy the goddess Inanna to whom the city of Uruk was dedicated.
While the priest was occupied with sacrificial activities, festivals, chanting, praying, and divination, Qiye, who was solely responsible for temple construction, had ample free time. After receiving approval from Chief Priest Siduri for his temple ideas, he had nothing else to do...
The task of moving bricks and mud for seven nights was carried out by workers and slaves. The workers were Uruk residents, while the slaves were captured from foreign wars or obtained from resisting foreign aggression.
Semiramis had anticipated that Qiye would be busy after becoming the priest of Uruk, but to her surprise, they spent their days leisurely going out together. When they stayed at home, they brewed wine and studied music.
Their days were fulfilling and satisfying.
While Qiye and Semiramis enjoyed their contented lives in the city of Uruk, a lump of soil shaped like a human slowly approached from the distant Cedar Mountain.
This sexless and indistinguishable creature was a weapon created by the gods. It was named Gilga, being two-thirds god and one-third human, specifically crafted to offer sacrifices and inspire belief among humans. The gods intended for Gilgamesh to manage humanity and maintain their worship of the gods.
However, things didn't go as planned. The Gilgamesh of his childhood was vastly different from the Gilgamesh who grew up. He enslaved and mistreated humans, causing them suffering. Instead of bridging the gap between gods and humans, Gilgamesh's actions seemed to deepen the divide.
In response to the pleas of the humans, God Anu took action. He employed the weapon created by the gods, Enkidu.
Enkidu was initially designed as a restraint for Gilgamesh during his childhood to prevent him from oppressing humans. It was a hero capable of defeating Gilgamesh, the weapon of the gods.
The gods decided to let them fight, with the intention of restoring stability in Uruk and ensuring secure worship of the gods by humans.
The weapon of the gods, which had remained in Cedar Mountain, began its slow journey toward Uruk. Lacking human intelligence, it behaved like a beast.
On its way to Uruk, the clay figurine brushed shoulders with wild animals, grazed alongside antelopes and bison, and gathered at ponds for water. It lived among livestock and exhibited joy upon seeing water, much like wild animals relying on instinct for survival.
When the clay figurine encountered a wild beast caught in a hunter's trap, it willingly freed the trapped creature and even filled the pits dug by the hunter.
Gradually, the clay figurine lost its intelligence as a weapon of the gods. It seemed to forget God Anu's instructions and remained in the forest far from the city of Uruk. It roamed the woods alongside wild animals.
Days passed in this manner. When morning arrived, Qiye bid farewell to Semiramis and went to inspect the construction of the temple. Finding everything progressing smoothly, Qiye, who had nothing else to do, left the magnificent Temple of Inanna.
At that moment, Semiramis, who had been at home, appeared before Qiye with a small basket on her arm.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, so I brought you breakfast," she said.
Qiye smiled and thanked her, "Thank you so much."
"No need for thanks. After breakfast, you have to come shopping with me.
Our home is not completely decorated yet. Besides, you have free time, so you can accompany me," Semiramis replied. Qiye's smile shifted from gentle to helpless.
"Yes, yes... I will go with you. By the way, have you had breakfast, little pigeon?"
"No, I want to eat with you."
"Who would deliver food to others without having breakfast?" Qiye playfully tapped Semiramis on the head, not so much as a hit, but a tender gesture of affection.
"Then let's go. We'll have breakfast at the temple. The view from up there is beautiful, and you can see the entire city of Uruk," Qiye waved to Semiramis, gesturing for her to follow.
Semiramis touched her head, still feeling the gentle impact from Nana. With a sweet smile, she walked lightly, following behind Nana.
As the city god of Uruk, Inanna's temple stood tall, allowing a panoramic view of the entire city. Qiye had chosen a spot with an excellent vantage point, away from the bustling crowds, to savor the breakfast Semiramis had brought.
Seeing Qiye seated on the bricks, Semiramis approached quietly and sat down beside him. She glanced sideways at the demigoddess sitting next to her and smiled. Qiye spoke with a gentle smile, "Little Pigeon, why are you sitting so close? Do you want me to feed you again?"
"I can eat by myself," Semiramis replied, licking her lips. Every time she heard Qiye's endearing nickname, it brought back memories of their childhood, especially the taste of sweet milk.
"Hmm?" Qiye looked at Semiramis curiously. Though he had positioned himself with his back to the morning sun, Semiramis' face seemed illuminated by the sun's rays, blushing.
"What are you staring at... Hurry up and have breakfast."
"Oh, okay."
Qiye and Semiramis sat together on the same stone. They resembled a loving family, enjoying breakfast and gazing down at the city of Uruk.
The morning sun cast a gentle glow. Under its soft light, the vibrant city of Uruk shone brightly. Yet, Semiramis paid little attention to the scenic beauty. In her eyes, no landscape was more captivating than the man beside her.
"Look, little pigeon, there's another spectacle to behold," Qiye said, his voice filled with amusement. Semiramis, startled by his slightly mischievous tone, suppressed her wandering thoughts and looked in the direction he pointed.
It was the square of the city of Uruk.