Garden of the Lion and the Dove

Chapter 15

Based on the markings on the wall, it took about a month and a half until Hakuno felt well enough to travel. Her body still ached, and her stamina was not one hundred percent back but it would have to do.

Enkidu, who now wore crudely sewn animal pelts around his waist, was taking one last look around the cave. It was like the forest creature they used to have never existed. Enkidu also no longer was able to speak to the forest and admitted that the place did not give them comfort anymore like it used to.

Hakuno waited for a good distance away from the cave. A bag made from crude animal pelts carried jerky, their bone knives, bone needles, and medicinal herbs hung over her shoulder. The air was crisp as the sun was just starting its ascent into the sky.

She heard footsteps and she turned to look at Enkidu. "Do you need more time?"

They shook their head. "My place is with you Hakuno."

She nodded. Alright then. "Let us get going then."

Enkidu took the lead as despite being no longer connected to the forest, they knew every inch of it, including where the trails that travelers used. Hakuno recognized the trail when they came upon it. This was the same one she had taken with everyone a couple of months ago.

She clasped her hands together in prayer. "Please let everyone be alright." A lump rose in her throat as she thought of Shub. "Please let the bandits not have touched her."

Enkidu watched her curiously but did not say anything until she was done with the prayer. "I do not know where to go from here."

Hakuno took a couple of moments to orient herself. "This way...I think." Truthfully it probably did not matter which direction they went, as long as it got them out of the forest, there should be a city on either side.

As they walked, Hakuno continued to teach Enkidu. She spoke of Uruk now. Her duties there as Queen. She was beginning to tell Enkidu about where the problems with Nippur began when she heard braying oxen and the rattle of a cart.

She fell silent and gestured for Enkidu to follow her off of the path and farther back so they would be hidden by nature. She put her pointer finger to her lips to signal Enkidu to be silent.

A cart, filled to the brim of a family's life rolled by. An older man was leading the ox, a woman sitting in front of the cart, her stomach betraying that she was pregnant. A child sat on the back of the cart, on top of a few boxes.

Oh Nabu, she wished she did not have to do this.

Once the family and cart were out of sight, Enkidu asked, "Hakuno? Why did we hide? They are other humans?"

Hakuno's shoulders slumped. "Enkidu, we need supplies." She gestured to her dress and Enkidu's clothing. "We need to take a caravan back to Uruk but we have no money and no one will take us seriously dressed like this."

"So what do we need to do?" Enkidu's eyes were wide and confused.

Hakuno grimaced. "We wait until nightfall and we steal what we need."

~*~*~*~*~

The campfire the family had used to make dinner with was now growing dim as the family fell asleep next to the fading embers. The ox was unhitched to the cart and tethered to the nearest tree. While Hakuno crept towards the cart itself, Enkidu was instructed to keep the ox busy and quiet. They might no longer be connected to the forest but they still had a way with animals. Plus with their better night vision, they could keep better watch on the family in case one of them stirred.

Sin's light was bright tonight, both a blessing and a curse. It meant she would be able to see what she was doing but it also meant Sin had a full view of what Hakuno was doing.