SECTION TWO:
Glitter of Gold
For three days, the child had been unbearable, ever since Drorli told her that she was to see the Maker of all Things. Ishtar was currently fuming at Merna over some imagined failure to remove a nearly invisible spot in the short cape the girl intended for the meeting. “I can’t understand your seeming lack of concern! You act like this is some casual event. Now please…” She commanded, sourly addressing her friend, “take this and clean it properly.” thrusting it back into Merna’s hands.
Merna was ready to tell the girl to do her own cleaning, but she stopped and bit her lip, choosing to remain silent. Yet the look in her eyes would have sent chills down most people’s backs, but not Ishtar’s - at least, not now. In fact, she never noticed. As soon as she was finished ranting about the cape, the young woman was off on another troubled tangent as she began to angrily sputter, “Where did my bath oil go? I thought the water was to be hot by now! Where’s Suan? Apollonius promised she would help me. How am I supposed to do all this stuff by myself?!”
Just then, a knock on the door drew the girl’s attention. Zadar leaned against the doorpost, smiling his hellos. “Are we ready for the big day?”
Before he could say another word, Ishtar slammed him with a barrage of complaints about everything from greasy food at breakfast to the threatening breeze outside. Then she started on Lowenah. “Just when I need her the most, she decides to take her leave. I have met some irresponsible domestics in my time, but that person takes the prize! I can’t understand why no one takes her in tow and straightens her out!”
On and on, the girl went in her tirade until Zadar bluntly interrupted. “Hold it there, right now! If you want me to take you… No! If you want to go at all today, you will calm down and behave!”
Ishtar gasped. Zadar never raised his voice or spoke harshly, at least never before now. He stood there in the doorway, frowning in disgust, and began to lecture the girl. “This is my family you’re accusing of injustices. We were willing to have you invited to our home, but that does not mean that we will take mistreatment from a rueful brat. Let me warn you now, if you do not want to appear before God naked and stripped of your dignity, then you’d better put a civil tongue in your mouth.” He shook his finger at her. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Ishtar was taken aback, but wasn’t knocked from the fight. She was thinking of some kind of a retort when she saw Drorli step into the doorway behind Zadar. “Calm down, little one...” He suggested with a wry smile. “You don’t know who’s talking to you. This man has more authority than any emperor from your old realm. He’s an aide-de-camp to the Army’s field marshal and is today also serving as personal liaison for Yehowah. We will not question his directives in the king’s matters.”
Drorli’s seeming assault only infuriated Ishtar the more. She put on a pout and began a round of complaints, how she had been mistreated so often since arriving here, how rude the people were, even how inconsiderate her uncle was for not visiting as of late.
Zadar, who was known for his easygoing ways, lost his patience. He walked up to the girl and, while holding her arm in an almost crushing grip, drew close and sharply scolded her, “That’s enough!” glowering “My sister…your angel…almost died helping you survive a great and terrible test. You owe any and all rewards present and future to what she did for you. Even now, she dances on the edge of death so that our worlds may not dissolve into nothing. You have been delivered here to give strength to her hand, but instead of building her up, you blubber like some selfish ingrate. What good are you?!”
Ishtar was shocked into silence. Zadar let go her arm and walked back to the doorway. His brow furrowed as he unleashed a volley of angry rebukes. “Grow Up! Your childhood ended the day the dogs tore you apart. There’s no returning to your perfect little world before that time. You’re here, stuck here and never going to leave here! No matter how much we complain about it, you’re staying here!”
Zadar raised his hand, shaking his finger, asking, “Do you think it was by chance that your father gave you the name you carry, ‘Ishtar’, ‘Diana’, the goddess of the hunt, mother of multitudes?” He shook his head. “Your hand will one day make blood drip from the stars. You will remove the head from the king of Memphis and eat up the flesh of his children. Was it not said by your own ancients, ‘He will turn their very gods against them’?” The man stepped forward, until his nose almost touched Ishtar’s. “Are you to become one of them, or have we placed our hope upon a fool’s tale?”
He did not allow the girl time to answer. “Look! The hour is nearing when Shiloh is to arrive. Standing at his side is one not yet conceived, who will split the sky in her fury. She will be called ‘Kali, goddess of war and death’, for she will stomp around in her rage and crush all the nations in her anger. Will you be ready to stand by her side in that day… or is there a different Ishtar coming, other than yourself, who will pick up the sword and save this world?”
Zadar’s words stung of insult and reprimand. Ishtar stepped back, forlorn and helpless, wanting to cry, run away, scream out how unfair it all was. She was no warrior, didn’t want to be! The child felt trapped, caged like some beast. But then she thought of Darla, always so caring, gentle, and loving. Was the woman truly in such danger? Was there really something the girl could do to provide help to her friend? A tear ran down her cheek as she silently stood near the toasty warmth of the room’s fireplace.
Glancing at the timepiece on the wall, Zadar warned the girl, “I will return just after the mid-day meal. Be ready, for I will deliver you to my Master naked if necessary. He turned to leave. As he passed Merna, he paused and politely asked, “If you are still willing, could I beg your kindness to help this girl prepare for her coming destiny?” Merna smiled, assuring him she would assist Ishtar.
“Thank you, you’re so very kind.” Zadar’s sweet tone with Merna changed instantly as he eyed Ishtar, sourly adding, “If she gets out of line, let her take care of herself!” With that, Zadar and Drorli exited the apartment for Zadar’s carriage, hurrying away to get themselves ready for Ishtar’s coming meeting with God.