Chapter 7
Daniel was led away through the maze of corridors to the open air of a vast courtyard, on three sides of which were buildings of imperial dimensions. The fourth side opened unto a thoroughfare of unbelievable proportions dotted with garden and fountains with building stretching for almost a kilometer. His 'guide', a man dress in scholar's attire, smiled at Daniel's reaction.
"Many are awed at our lord's great city."
"I'm…I'm…" but Daniel had no words. If he had just walked through the gates of Nineveh or Babylon at the height of their power he could not have been more overwhelmed. Somehow he had expected mud brick construction. But the sections of the Near East that used that method of construction were replete of stone. This planet must be rich in granite and marble as evidenced in the buildings of dressed stone.
The young man led Daniel down the boulevard to another courtyard off chute, near to what seemed to be a temple. They proceeded up the grand stairs and entrance into a vast hall filled with young men bent over desk covered with tablets and scrolls.
"Here our students learn the ways of our caste. There is usually an introduction in their youth but here the instruction is concentrated and the student's strengths are assessed."
"Do they have a choice?"
Daniel's
guide looked at him as if he were insane.
"They
choose to serve their god."
"And how may they serve the lord Lugulbanda?" Daniel asked.
"There are those who are needed for common place task but those who excel may serve the priests to preserve the sacred texts, many are called to serve the maintenance of the port as customs officers. We need many, too, to keep accounts and, of course, those with specialized talents are called to serve the god in the technical fields."
"Engineers and scientists?"
"Yes"
"Since an important event is about to occur, you may observe the Astronomers and lord Magi at their calculations, as well as the scribes preparing the religious texts. Scribes will also write verse in honor or the great feast and those who celebrate."
Daniel peered over a young man's shoulder; on his desk were tablets of ancient origin and some of fresh clay.
"May I?" Daniel asked as he reached for the old dusty tablet.
Here in his hand was the perhaps the oldest work of literature know to man. This man was copying the 'Gilgamesh'.
"This is the tale of our god and goddess' noble son."
Daniel thought he had died and gone to heaven.
