The Leopard
Chapter 21
Moving In
Weeks passed with the villa still not ready for us to move in. Even though I knew the stone carving would take a great deal of time, I was still impatient. I stopped by the villa several times, wishing to observe the progress myself. The stone carving was coming along nicely.
Akkadian fall continued, bringing us ever closer to Akkadian winter. We heard nothing of the war. Adad-nari had not received any further letters from his brother in Fars. All of that struck me as suspicious, but there was little room in my head for such thoughts at this time. The villa was the more pressing matter.
The Khalif continued to send for Apolline every night. I did not see enough of her, for she always broke her fast with him every morning after sharing his bed. Occasionally she was able to accompany me on my visits to the villa. It wasn't enough. Resentment grew in me, directed at the Khalif for keeping my wife away from me. I knew that part of it was unfounded jealousy, but I grew weary of sleeping in an empty bed. It was not even the act of lovemaking, though I certainly did miss that. It was simply the pleasure of another body lying beside mine. Such pleasures could not be found in Ishtar's temple.
I returned to the temple several more times, typically choosing Galenna but sometimes selecting other priestesses. I learned that one of them was indeed Sinaddan's younger sister. It was traditional for women of the royal family to serve as priestesses of Ishtar, ever since the days of Ur and Akkad of old. Valère visited the temple as well, though we never went together. That would've been decidedly uncomfortable.
I began reading the books and scrolls about Akkadian religion Sinaddan had given me. Some were merely lists of the gods and their functions, but others were considerably more detailed. Many recounted myths and hymns. One book was an epic poem called Gilgamesh. I later learned that this poem was very well-known throughout Khebbel-im-Akkad. It was a national poem of sorts, like the great epic poems of ancient Hellas. Reading it was a thoroughly worthwhile way to pass my time.
When I was not reading or visiting the villa, I spent time with Adad-nari. We did not always speak of intrigue. Things had progressed so that we simply enjoyed each others' company. I learned a great deal about him in those days. He was my age, and from an old noble family. His brother was some five years older and had been the favored son of the family. Though he never stated it plainly, it was clear that he was somewhat of an outcast among his family. He was unmarried, an unusual thing for an Akkadian nobleman. Being a son of the House of Luritu, he was a valuable commodity. It was curious, curious indeed. I did not ask why he was unwed, though I did keep that in mind when I considered how he sometimes looked at me with lust. If we were in Terre d'Ange, I would've pounced upon him. As Naamah's scion, I was skilled at both inciting lust in others and sensing when they lusted for me. But we were not in Terre d'Ange and the rules of such engagements were different in Khebbel-im-Akkad. I contented myself with waiting for him to make a move on me. It was a shame, for it had been a while since I'd had a man.
"Gilgamesh is quite an unlikable man," I remarked to Adad-nari as we sipped sharbat on his terrace.
"Yes, but you must keep reading," said Adad-nari. "Have you encountered Enkidu yet?"
"I have."
"Well than, keeping reading and you'll see what happens," he replied cryptically. In that moment I wanted very much to pull him close for a kiss, but I restrained myself. Mayhap I needed to look into the proper protocol for such situations. I chose to discuss the matter with Uru-Kagina after we left the Khalif's audience chamber the following day.
"Are men permitted to bed other man in Khebbel-im-Akkad?" I asked casually.
Uru-Kagina started; evidently he'd not expected to hear such a question from me. "It is, but such relationships are usually between an older man and a youth. We consider it shameful to be in the woman's position. It is only acceptable for a younger man to do so with an older man."
"Ah. Like Tiberium, then." I'd learned that well during my time there. "What if both are the same age, or near to it?"
Uru-Kagina looked puzzled by my question, as if this were a possibility he'd never considered. "That does not typically happen, Barquiel."
"I thank you for your candor, Uru-Kagina," I said before taking my leave. In truth I was not at all surprised by what he told me. If Adad-nari wanted me, he was slow to make his move because of the stigma society placed on such things. We were the same age, after all. I began to consider the possibility that I would have to pursue him after all. The only downside to that was the possibility of Adad-nari being shamed to take the "woman's position." But my mind would soon be occupied with far more pressing matters.
Word came from the Khalif the very next day: the villa was ready. We could hardly contain our excitement. Everything after the announcement was a blur. The three of us began packing immediately, with a small army of slaves to assist us. I sent several of them to prepare as many wagons as would be needed to transport our belongings and those of the entire delegation. The delegates were just as excited as we were. Many were eager for a taste of home. It is hard for D'Angelines to be away from our homeland. Even I felt homesick at times, though I was rather enjoying myself in Babylon. Apolline, Valère and I left for the villa as soon as everything was ready.
The stone sphinxes I'd purchased greeted us at the entrance. Apolline stared at them in awe, not knowing beforehand that I'd bought them. "They give it a nice touch, and the Akkadians believe they give protection," I offered as an explanation.
"You truly are beginning to go native, aren't you?" Apolline raised an eyebrow.
"Mayhap." The trees around the entrance had been carefully pruned and the plots of flowers were trimmed and weeded. It was a lovely garden and full of Akkadian flowers, but there was plenty of room for the D'Angeline flowers I intended to plant. The villa ought to look the part of a D'Angeline embassy from the outside as well as the inside.
Apolline's eyes lit up when she took in the garden. "They've done a fine job with the gardening. I cannot wait to give it a D'Angeline touch!" She had designed some of the gardens at home and was quite good at it. We had the finest gardeners in Terre d'Ange to assist us, to be sure, but Apolline excels at such things. She knows flowers well, even for a D'Angeline. L'Agnacites believe they are the finest gardeners in Terre d'Ange. It is true they are gifted through Anael's line, but I much prefer Namarrese gardeners and Namarrese aesthetics.
"You must be sure to send for whatever you wish to plant the next time we send letters home," I replied.
"Of course. Mayhap I shall send for our chief gardener as well."
We entered the villa. As soon as we stepped into the antechamber, a small army of slaves, those the Khalif had sent to ready the villa, assembled to great us. They immediately bowed low, foreheads touching the fine tiled floor.
"Welcome, your grace," said one man I took to be the overseer. "Everything is in readiness. We shall be staying here for the next week until you may purchase slaves of your own."
I concealed my disgust. "Very good. You may unpack the wagons and bring our luggage to our rooms."
"It will be done, your grace." Fully half of the slaves rushed to comply, leaving us the opportunity to view the antechamber. Eight carved panels graced the walls on both sides, each depicting one of Blessed Elua's companions. Anael knelt in an orchard, flowers springing from beneath his hand. Beside his panel stood Azza on the prow of a ship, sextant in hand. Next Camael led the armies of Terre d'Ange, flaming sword held aloft. At the end, Cassiel stood alone. His head was turned, looking back in sadness, and he clutched a dagger. On the opposite wall Eisheth played her harp beside the sea. In sharp contrast, Kushiel administered punishments to sinners beside her panel. Next to him, Naamah disrobed before the King of Persis. Finally Shemhazai held a tablet of letters. Around him the ancestors of my people stared in wonder. And on the wall above the door Blessed Elua stood with his arms raised in blessing, lilies sprouting around his feet.
The panels exceeded my expectations. The carver had skillfully copied the pages I'd marked for him, but there was still a distinctly Akkadian look to them. That was exactly what I wanted. After spending a decent amount of time admiring the panels, we moved on.
The entire first floor of the villa was given over to the public areas of the embassy. There were reception halls and dining rooms of varying size. The largest could seat our entire delegation and many more people besides. There was a less formal dining room with accommodations for the entourage as well. Much like the palace, the rooms were quite open and airy. Some led onto the terrace surrounding the villa.
The upper floors were given over to private rooms. Apolline and I had an entire suite, larger than what we had in the palace, to ourselves. The bedchamber was quite spacious. Intricate latticework doors opened onto our section of the terrace. Fine Akkadian rugs covered sections of the exquisite tiled floor. The bed itself was much like ours in the palace and I was quite pleased to note that pillows had been provided. In addition to this, Apolline had a private adjoining bedchamber. She wasted no time in unpacking her perfume-making materials and laying them out on her desk. The rest of the suite consisted of a private dining room, sitting room and receiving room. I had my own private study as well, though I had an office downstairs. Valère had her own suite beside ours, which pleased her greatly.
It did not take long to see the members of my entourage to their rooms. There was space enough for each of them to have a room. The exceptions were my men, who bunked in the servants' quarters. Much of the day was spent unpacking. Even with slaves to assist us, it still took a great deal of time. The villa was not extensively furnished, which also hindered things. The essentials were present, to be sure, but we would need to purchase more. I did not mind that prospect at all.
We dined together that night. Apolline and I seated ourselves at either end of the long table. Valère was to my right as always. The slaves saw fit to prepare a fine meal to welcome us. To my delight, wine was provided along with the ubiquitous beer. The food was very nearly as tasty as what we'd dined on in the palace. We tasted fish baked in river clay, leg of lamb stewed in herbs, crisp salads, and geese served over savory pudding.
"Well, the Khalif certainly has not been remiss in giving us this villa for our embassy," said Arthos Laval, seated to my left.
"Indeed," I said, "though I do intend to purchase more furniture."
"I certainly wouldn't object to more pillows!" Rogier Clavel interjected from further down the table.
"I must agree with you there," I retorted with a laugh.
"You did a fine job with the stone carvings, your grace," auburn-haired Pierre de Gerrault said.
"Thank you. Visitors ought to know that they are in the D'Angeline embassy. I shall be writing to his majesty on the morrow. If any of you have letters to send home, you must give them to me before tomorrow afternoon is out for I will be sending one of our couriers home with the letters. I intend to send for some familiar comforts as well."
"If you would send for some Night Court adepts, that would be greatly appreciated," Clavel exclaimed with a hearty laugh. Valère laughed as well, and nodded her agreement.
"And wine!" Arthos added. "We need somewhat better than this Akkadian swill."
I smiled. "I'm afraid I cannot do anything about the former, but I can certainly see to the latter."
"Some D'Angeline food would be greatly appreciated as well," said Arthos. "My tongue grows tired of burning what with these spices they are so fond of here."
"I fully intend to bring D'Angeline cooks here, Arthos. Visitors to the embassy ought to have a taste of home." As much as I'd come to enjoy Akkadian food, I did long for D'Angeline fare from time to time.
When the meal was over, Apolline and I retired for the night. Our new bed proved to be quite satisfactory.