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 be 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 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 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 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 full view of what Hakuno was doing.
Maybe it was a good thing her healing abilities were not connecting to Gula. Although, the fact that Enkidu was a possible creation of the Gods, it might not be a good thing to teach them how to steal.
But if they walk among humans from now on, they need to understand how cruel humans can be to each other.
She shook her head. How things have changed for her. Before meeting Gilgamesh she would not have thought twice about stealing. In fact, if she had not tried to steal from the King, she would have never met Gilgamesh.
Maybe this would be a situation similar to that?
She focused back on the cart and after a quick check on Enkidu, she climbed into the back of the cart. Her eyes quickly took in the boxes and chests. There were a few bags and she tackled those first. She was happy to find a sewing kit in a corner and she carefully removed all of the belongings from one of the bags and began filling it with items she could find. A chest(unlocked) was filled with cloth and she grabbed a blanket from it along with a dress and a pair of pants. Hairbrush in another and after a bit of digging she found a few jewelry pieces at the bottom of another chest. She hated to take them, and they probably were not worth much, but they needed money.
The bag now stuffed with items, she carefully returned everything to where she found it before slipping out of the cart. The ox made a noise but Enkidu quickly hushed the beast.
She gestured for Enkidu to follow her before taking off into the forest.
"And done!" Hakuno held up the blanket she had converted into a tunic. Her fingers ached with having to sew it together. It wasn't the best sewing job but it was pretty good she had to admit.
"Really?" Enkidu looked up from trying to put on the pants. Their fingers were wrapped around the drawstring, seemingly confused to how one was supposed to tie it in place.
Chuckling, Hakuno helped them tie the drawstring before she put the tunic over their head. "Put your arms through here, that's right. Now pull your hair out from underneath the tunic. Yes. There you go." She stepped back and too in her handiwork. They did not look that bad she had to admit. The outfit was very loose though. Maybe too loose.
Enkidu, on the other hand, did not have Hakuno's qualms about the outfit. They looked down at the clothes in a child-like glee. "These…these are amazing Hakuno. My clothing. Actual clothing! Like you!"
"Yes, like me," chuckled Hakuno. She looked down at the dress she had stolen. It had also needed a few stitches and she needed to also wear a rope around her waist to keep it from sliding off. It did not look too terrible plus she could always use the excuse of being a traveler. A sliver of guilt went through her but she pushed it away.
"You ready to experience your first human city?"
Enkidu nodded in excitement as Hakuno put the stolen bag on her shoulder and led the way into the city of Lagash. The guards posted at the gate barely paid any mind to the individuals crossing but she did not notice their eyes linger on Enkidu more than the others.
Of course she was used to their appearance but the ur-saal had green haired and had an unnatural feel to them. Despite the humane gestures and presentation, there was obviously something off there.
Enkidu's eyes were wide, like a child before sweets as they walked into the city proper. Their head swiveled left and right and marveled at the foods, wares, and the people. Every couple of seconds they would point at something and beg Hakuno to tell them what it was called.
"This is a pot? How about this? A rug? Oh! And this? Oh, a shopkeeper?"
"Sorry about my friend. It is their first time in a city this big," she said quickly.
The shopkeeper did not say anything but seemed to be keeping a closer eye on Enkidu.
"Enkidu, I know you are excited but can you calm down a bit? Like when you are trying to be quiet in the forest. We do not want to draw attention right now."
Enkidu seemed taken aback and they deflated. "Oh, I…I am sorry Hakuno."
"It is okay Enkidu. We just need to be careful until we get back to Uruk. Now stay close and follow me."
The first thing Hakuno did was locate the nearest buyer of wares and pawned off the jewelry she had stolen. It was obvious the man was swindling her but she took it. She did not want to spend more time in the city than needed.
Next stop was a clothing stand to get cloaks for the both of them. Enkidu was quite excited to have one and they played with the hood of it, pulling it low over their eyes and then lifting it up.
Third stop, and most important were to the area where the traveling caravans were parked. She gave a quick one-over to all of them and settled on a smaller one that had a few items that were obviously made in Uruk.
"Good day travelers! May Mammetun smile upon you."
A man tending to the oxen, moved away from the caravan and walked over to her. "I can tell from the look in your eyes, you are not a stranger to caravans."
She blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"
"I saw you walking around. You have a good eye to look for a good caravan." He raised an eyebrow. "Is your friend alright?"
Hakuno turned to see Enkidu was very interested in the grain bales used to feed the oxen. They pulled a few strands out and put it into their mouth.
"Do not…worry about my friend. It is their first time in a city. Very, very sheltered." She dropped her voice to a whisper as if it was a secret that Enkidu should not overhear.
The man nodded and focused back on her. "So? What were you looking around for?"
"I was wondering if you would be passing through Uruk anytime soon." As soon as the name passed her lips she saw the man's expression darken. "What is it?" she whispered. Scenarios ran through her head. Did Gilgamesh lose against Nippur? Was the kingdom under a new rule?
"I would advise a lady such as yourself to not travel to Uruk."
She frowned. "What do you mean by that? Has something happened there recently? I have not been in the city in a few months. I have family there," she said quickly.
"Then pray to the Gods they were able to get away in time." The man looked around and then leaned closer and dropped his voice. "The King has changed in the past few months. Rumors are spreading from the kingdom that his Queen was the one to keep him in line but she is nowhere to be seen."
"What do you mean?" Hakuno reeled in her emotions to try to make her expression as neutral as possible. "Please. I must know. For my family."
"Now this is mostly rumors. I have gotten wind of it early on and refused to take my caravan there. But the King has been pushing his people in labor to build monuments, ziggurats."
"Ziggurats? But why?" She knew Gilgamesh was not the type to care about the Gods.
The man shook his head. "I do not know. However, I would hope no one in your family is as beautiful as you. He has also been taking any woman to his bed that strikes his fancy, including those that are already wed to another or to be wed." He crossed his arms. "I have even heard he has the brides on their wedding night." He looked at her in concern. "Are you alright?"
Hakuno nodded. "Thank you for the information." She stumbled away from the caravan and duck into the nearest alley. She kneeled and wrapped her arms around herself. This could not be happening.
"Hakuno?" Enkidu stood over her, concern etched on their face. "Hakuno? Are you okay?"
Hakuno sucked in a few deep breaths and rubbed her eyes. "I…I don't know. I-"
Enkidu put their arms around her. "You said, when humans get upset, they hug someone to feel better. Am I doing this right?"
The tears broke free and she buried her face into Enkidu's chest. "He…he's doing a lot of bad things right now. Gil is doing a lot of bad things. It is my fault. It is all my fault."
Enkidu patted her on the back. "I understand you are upset but I do not understand how it is your fault."
Hakuno looked up at him. "I was not there. It is probably because he thought I was dead that he is doing these things."
Enkidu tilted their head slightly. "But it is his choice to act like this correct? You did not make him act like this, it was his choice."
She was taken aback by his logic. She chuckled. "Right, you are right." She rubbed her eyes and pulled away from Enkidu and lightly hit her cheeks. "Come on Hakuno, pull it together, you have been in bigger messes than this."
"You are feeling better now?"
"Yes, all thanks to you Enkidu. As his Queen, I need to back and teach him a lesson for acting like this." However, there was something that was bothering her. "Although, I do not think I should walk back into the palace looking like me."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It is something I have been thinking about. That ambush was too organized to be ordinary bandits, there were too many. Usually a party as big as mine was should not have been overrun." She stood and began walking deeper into the alleyway. "That has to mean that someone knew we were going to be on that path to set up the ambush."
"I do not follow."
She glanced back at Enkidu. "Someone at the palace must be a spy to relay that information out. We were not exactly quiet with my trip to Suse but the route should have been kept secret. Obviously, someone must have found out in the palace and told, whoever was involved with that attack."
Enkidu's eyes widen. "So the palace is dangerous?"
"In a way yes. Probably even more dangerous for Gil right now." Although with him acting like he was, it probably would not be long before the people rebelled against him. He might be King but she had seen people revolt in the past under tyrannical rule.
"Since I am aware of this, when we get there, I should not state my position as Queen but instead work in the background and try to uncover who this is. You will have no problem thankfully, since no one knows who you are."
"But what about you Hakuno? Everyone in the palace knows you and even the people of Uruk as well due to your gift?"
Hakuno smiled as she ducked down another alley and a tingle went up the back of her neck. It was still here. Excellent. "That is why we have come to see her."
The alley opened to a small open area with brick flooring. Sitting at a stone table, with only a small statue of Bau, the dog-headed patron God of the city, was a woman. Her skin was wrinkled by the sun, her gray hair stringy and free flowing. Her dress was simple and white but seemed unnaturally clean for the setting.
Enkidu growled. "I do not like this woman Hakuno."
"And I do not like you, wild creature of the forest," spoke Siduri, the witch of Lagash. Her gray eyes, sharper than a woman of her age should be, darted to Hakuno. "I remember you. You were here years ago. A girl in the midst of discovering her gift."
Hakuno nodded. "Yes. That gift has served me well, but I have come here for another reason."
"I have thought as much. Come closer so I do not have to yell."
Hakuno stepped forward but Enkidu grabbed her arm. If they were a dog their hackles would be raised. Instead they barred their teeth at Siduri.
"It is alright Enkidu. I know what I am doing." She gently pried her arm from their grip. "You can stay here if going closer bothers, you so much."
They shook their head. "No. I will be right behind you Hakuno."
"You have a surprising guard dog this time." Siduri narrowed her eyes. "Maybe wolf is the better way to put it."
"I need a spell from you."
"Of course you do." Siduri put a few clay cards on the table. "I know why you are here. Of course, a spell like this cannot be given free, you know that."
Hakuno nodded. "Of course. What is your price?"
"A part of your soul."
"No!" Enkidu roared.
Hakuno jumped at the sudden loudness of their voice. Enkidu's eyes had a crazed look to them and it seemed like a part of them wanted to bolt while the other wanted to jump at Siduri.
"Enkidu, please. Stand back," whispered Hakuno.
"I do not want her actual soul you wild creature," sighed Siduri. "It would do no good if she lost anything too vital." Siduri pointed. "I will do it for your hair."
Hakuno instinctively grabbed her hair. "My hair? What do you plan on using it for?"
"Spells of this and that nature. A maiden's hair is worth something for spells."
"I am not a maiden."
"A maiden in spirit though." Siduri chuckled. "My spells do not require purity of the flesh but one of the soul."
Hakuno had to pause and her face turned red. Her shoulders slumped. "Did you see my future in those cards of yours? Will I, will we succeed?"
"There will be hardships to face but it seems like it will be favorable for the most part." Siduri smiled. "That one was on the house. Anymore and you will need to pay for it."
Hakuno ran her fingers through her hair. Her pride and joy, Gilgamesh liked to run his fingers through it after a tumble through the bed. Besides her eyes, it seemed to be the second thing he found interesting about her.
What is hair compared to Gilgamesh's life?
She threw it over her shoulder. "Alright, I will take your deal."