Enheduanna: The First Author - Wattys Winner 2021

18. Trust Is A Tricky Thing

The rain had come. Gentle at first, but before we reached the path to the city, it was like the sky was weeping in excess. Dingira all but danced down the mountain, catching the rain in her hands and mouth like a child who witnessed rain for the first time.

Even Idal smiled brightly, gushing to me with each footfall. "I can't believe you did it. You actually made it rain. Enheduanna the miracle priestess, wait until your father hears that."

"I'm sure he will be pleased," I giggled before the changing waterline of the river caught my eye. "Although I'm not sure the people of Lagash will be pleased with this much water."

"Are you kidding? They will be thrilled. Now the river will leave slip on the lands, making it soil fertile again." Idal explained before wrapping a hand around my shoulder. "Be proud, Enheduanna. Your bond with the gods has brightened more lives than you can count. Wear it with honour."

"Thank you, Idal. I will." I smiled, and for the shortest moment, his face was so close to mine our noses were almost touching. I pulled away in embarrassment, pretending to react to one of Dingira's cries of joy.

She was beaming in the rain, wet hair clinging to her face, as she danced all the way down the mountain. At the start of the path, Lugal-ushumgal awaited our return, hordes of servants and slaves in toe. The moment his eyes spotted me, he threw himself onto the ground, his water-coloured garments melding into the puddles on the ground. His entourage followed suit, laying their foreheads on the wet stones, proclamations of praise echoing from their lips.

"Hail, Enheduanna! En-priestess of Ur, anointed of Nanna. Hail the miracle priestess!"

Taking Idal's advice, I rolled my shoulders back, pointing my chin to the sky and basked in this moment. My title was on their lips. Each word flooded my senses like a beautiful summer's day, filling me with a warmth akin to the sun. My steps so light I might have taken flight with wings. They praised me. Not for my blood, but for my deeds. Is this was recognition felt like?

That night Lagash celebrated. Women danced, men drank their honeyed wines and every child in the city came to lay offerings at my feet. Jewels of every kind, gold and silver, forming a small mountain that reached up to my raised dais.

The servants laid a silver platter in front of me, on top of which sat a fleshy pink strip of trout, garnished with a dashing of green herbs I didn't know but enjoyed the taste of. The fish course was supplemented by a side plate of mussels. Their black shells lay open, the beige insides spilling out - sickening yet enticing. Knowing they already had so little, I politely declined the mussels, letting the children feast on them and after consuming only half of the trout, I pushed the plate away.

Lugal-ushumgal eyed me suspiciously. "Does the fish not please you, My Great Lady?"

"Oh no, it is perfect. I am satiated, that is all." I responded. "Please, let your people have the rest, my good lord."

"You honour your title, My Great Lady. Truly, you are a jewel of the heavens." Lugal-ushumgal said.

As my eyes glided over the festivities, my mind returned to that night in the royal palace. It was barely one moon cycle ago when the royal diviners announced me to be the new high priestess of Nanna, but to me, it felt like a lifetime. My legs already got used to sitting on a dais. My head knew how to balance the horned crown. My heart knew Nanna spoke true to me—no, not Nanna—I had never even seen Nanna.

Insecurity clawed at the edges of my thoughts as if Anzû himself was trying to steal that slither of pride I had gained. I shouldn't worry, I was the miracle priestess. These people praised me like a goddess reborn. I could do no wrong.