The dining room was not as pretty as the one in Uruk, Gilgamesh had to admit. Sure, it was decent with statuary and walls carved with those dumb Gods murals. Thankfully the dining table was big enough that the Suse royalty could not reach over the table and touch him or his Queen.
Speaking of the royalty, they were already sitting and waiting. King Ditanu with Queen Ninki to his right. Two children were present, a daughter similar in age to Hakuno and a young son, who had to be eight or nine max.
"Hello King Bilgames, I wish we could have prepared more in advance but we were not expecting you," Ditanu gestured to the open chairs across from them. "Sit so we may feast."
It had been a while since Gilgamesh had heard the fake name he used while in other nations. Of course, all Kings had a fake name they used while alive. The real name was recorded, after the passing of a King, in the king records. While alive though, it was safer to use a fake name so it would be harder to pass curses onto them.
Shub, the trained slave, managed to gracefully step in front of Hakuno to pull out the chair so his Queen could sit.
His help on the other hand seemed to have trouble. Urash's hands shook slightly and his movements were stiff.
Gilgamesh resisted the urge to roll his eyes and settled in the seat.
"I do not think you have met my daughter Aea and this is my youngest son Shulpae." Ditanu gestured to the children.
Aea smiled shyly and looked down at her plate. Shulpae's attention darted up the visiting King and Queen and then back down at his plate.
"Do not slouch Shulpae," scolded Ninki. To Hakuno and Gilgamesh she said, "Unfortunately our other sons are currently out of the city on adventures of their own, so they could not be here tonight."
"Understandable since we did come by unannounced," said Hakuno.
"Are your children too young to travel?" asked Ninki.
"Oh no, Ishtar has not blessed us with children yet," Hakuno replied smoothly.
Ninki looked at Hakuno in surprise. "Oh really? But you are such a pretty and young Queen. I am sure your King loves you very much. Your looks are so foreign, from what country do you hail from?"
"She is blessed by Gula," Gilgamesh put in when he saw Hakuno hesitate.
Questions danced in the Queen's eyes but before she could ask, Ditanu raised a hand. "You two can sort this out later, we have been in meetings all day, let us feast." He clapped his hands together and a hoard of slaves poured in carrying trays of food.
Spiced meats, breads, fruits and soups lined the table. Although Hakuno and Gilgamesh took the foods they wanted from the selection, they could not eat until the slaves poison-tested it by eating tiny portions from the corner.
He did not care if Urash dropped dead, but he could see Hakuno clench her fists under the table every time Shub took a bite and she visibly relaxed when the slave did not convulse or fall dead or bleed from the eyes.
It was a dinner filled with pleasant conversation. Nothing too substantial. Mostly about the trip here and the various attractions of Suse as a whole. Gilgamesh could tell the King and Queen of Suse were trying to prod for information but he deflected them the best he could. Hakuno, being the amazing Queen she was, picked up on it right away and was cautious in her answers.
"We must go hunting tomorrow Bilgames," said Ditanu. "There is apparently a lion roaming around in the forest and I heard you are into catching game."
"I would be honored to go hunting," replied Gilgamesh.
"Hakuno, I am sure we can have some time together, Queen to Queen while the men are out doing such a bloody deed." Ninki covered her face with her hand like the thought of killing a beast disgusted her.
Gilgamesh wanted to roll his eyes. Queens were so delicate. Another reason he loved Hakuno. She did not shy away from that. Sure she found it boring but she did not turn away. Gods, she even knew how to skin animals and cook them herself.
"I would be honored to spend some time with you," Hakuno replied with a smile.
"Oh thank the Gods you are back and unharmed," said Enkidu as everyone returned from the dinner in one piece.
"My King, shall I retire for the night?" asked Ishne.
Gilgamesh waved Ishne away with a hand. "Go on. Tell the men we need to wake up bright and early tomorrow to go hunting." He glanced over at Hakuno. "Half of the men."
"Gil." Hakuno shook her head. "Ishne, have all the men prepare."
Ishne looked back and forth between his King and Queen. "Uh, what should I tell the men?"
"Hakuno, I am not leaving you here without any protection."
Hakuno sighed and pointed to Enkidu. "Either you take Enkidu with you or you take all of your guards, no negotiation."
"Can Enkidu know what is going on?" they spoke up.
Both looked at Enkidu like they had forgotten the ur-sal was there.
Hakuno cleared her throat. "Right, we should probably explain." She scratched her hair and grimaced as her fingers touched the jeweled headpiece. "Shub, can you help me get this off? I cannot think with all of this jewelry on."
Ishne cleared his throat. "Uh, before my King and Queen retires for the evening?"
"We will speak later." Gilgamesh waved a hand.
Ishne bowed low and left the room.
"So?" asked Enkidu.
"King Ditanu wants to go hunting with Gil tomorrow and Queen Ninki wants to spend time with me." Hakuno yelped and Shub winced.
"Sorry but that was really wrapped around your hair." Shub rested the headpiece next to the bed and aided the Queen in the removal of the jeweled bracelets.
Gilgamesh, on the other hand, just pulled off the jewelry himself and tossed it on the floor. Urash scuttled around to grab the fallen pieces.
"Shall I help you get changed my King?" asked Urash in a soft voice.
Gilgamesh growled, "I can handle it myself. Honestly, did Ekur teach you anything?"
"Gil, you are being a little harsh," Enkidu pointed out with a frown. They understood why Gilgamesh was not that friendly with the slave but at the same time, he was helpful in finding the traitor and Hakuno trusted him.
"Urash, what was wrong? You seemed so nervous during the dinner? I will be right back." Hakuno had a simple dress in hand and she slipped into the other room to change. She was back a few moments later in a dress that seemed more her than the Queenly attire she had been wearing moments before.
"The young prince, Shulpae." Urash pointedly stared at Hakuno. "I recognize him, he is not a Prince of Suse. He is the Prince of Nippur."
Enkidu wished they understood politics like Hakuno and Gilgamesh did. Both stiffened at the comment and exchanged looks.
Gilgamesh grinned. "Well then, there are secrets here after all."
"This has gotten ten times more dangerous Gil, I do not understand why you are happy about this." Hakuno crossed her arms. "Urash, did Shulpae recognize you?"
Urash shook his head. "I am not sure. I was introduced to him through Munzar but as an apprentice I am not noteworthy at all. I did not think he was paying attention during that meeting either."
"But there is a possibility he does…" Hakuno tapped her foot on the ground, her brow furrowed in thought.
"I assume you want me to take any options if presented to me?" asked Urash.
"If it is not too much trouble."
"You better not turn tail on us," growled Gilgamesh.
Urash jumped.
"Gil, please, with the way you act around him, he will," scolded Hakuno.
Gilgamesh crossed his arms and sat on the bed.
"Anyway, what we know so far is that Nippur is connected somehow to Suse, we just need to figure out how. At least we know the Prince is alive and is currently masquerading as a child of Suse." Hakuno shook her head. "It is very clever. He is young enough that no one would question it. Sometimes royalty will keep quiet about announcing children to the kingdom until the child is past ten years of age," she explained to Enkidu. "Just to be sure Lamashtu's gaze is not on the child."
Enkidu nodded. "So that makes sense and I understand why but what about tomorrow?" They could see Hakuno squaring up for a fight and Urash and Shub quickly made excuses to retire for the evening.
Gilgamesh glared at his wife. "I am not backing down."
"I am not either."
Enkidu took a big step back. Oh gods, what had they done?
Gilgamesh's horse shook its head.
Behind him and King Ditanu, his five guards accompanied them along with Ditanu's guards. It was not that his wife had won the argument last night, it was just, he was tired, that was all! That was the only reason he went with her suggestion. And, although he trusted the guards with his life, Enkidu was a much better protector in the face of danger. Hakuno would be safe in the palace.
"I say Bilgames, you are as good of a hunter as the rumors have stated." Ditanu gestured to the deer and small game that lay on the backs of several of the horses ridden by the guards. "It has been a while since I have found anyone with the skill level you have."
"You are not too bad yourself," replied Gilgamesh. "I assume you have gone hunting with your sons?"
"I have but with both of them off having grand adventures of their own…" King Ditanu waved a hand. "My fellow King, you will understand someday once you have children."
"What about Shulpae? The boy is old enough to go out on the hunt."
Ditanu hesitated for a second too long. "My Queen is protective of the boy. And he does not have the…disposition for hunting." He urged his horse forward. "This talk reminded me, there is a tale I am sure you will be interested in. It is about a divine being that is said to live in a forest to the east of here."
Gilgamesh rolled his eyes and made his horse follow. Such an obvious ploy to change the subject. "What is this divine being?"
"It is said it is a demigod called Huwawa that guards Cedar Mountain, where cedar trees of magical properties grow. He is said to be protected by many mystical auras that each grant him a different ability." Ditanu's eyes had a hint of mischief. "There have been many a hero that tried to cut the trees from the scared grove, but none have been able to succeed."
"Is it a true story?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"I have sent men to try to retrieve the trees but all have failed," King Ditanu replied with a laugh. "Perhaps, Lord Bilgames, you will want to try at some point?"
"Perhaps," replied Gilgamesh with a wry grin. "Or perhaps I will leave a tale like that for other heroes." Gilgamesh slowed his horse to a stop and gestured to some deep tracks in the mud. Lion tracks. He grinned. Excellent, a good way to relieve tension.
"I have been meaning to ask, who is your companion?" Queen Ninki took a bite out of a tart and shot a quick glance to Enkidu who had taken up the corner of the audience chamber. Unlike them, Enkidu was focused on the surroundings, taking in everything with a careful eye instead of the carefree attitude they usually had.
Princess Aea was seated on a plush chair next to her mother. She was quietly writing something down on a clay tablet but Hakuno had noticed the girl was not as engrossed in her work as she claimed to be as she constantly reacted to the conversation Hakuno had with the fellow Queen. Not like the conversation was anything exciting (for Hakuno at least). It was just a lot of pleasantries with a few probing questions here and there. Unfortunately, it seemed like Ninki had experience with this sort of conversation in the past
Hakuno shifted in her plush seat, moving as slow as possible to give her enough time to come up with a rational response. "They are an ur-sal, obviously. They are from the mountains far east of here. They are a close friend of my husband's. My King does not trust just anyone with my protection." She met Ninki's eye and kept her gaze steady.
She did not know if Ninki understood what Hakuno had been implying but she was the one that broke her gaze first. "Well, it is good to know that your King cares about your safety." She leaned forward slightly. "But tell me, is it really true that you have been blessed by Gula? I have heard rumors of you being able to heal the sick and wounded."
Oh Enki, Ninki was not even trying anymore. "Gula has blessed me with some gifts." Hakuno really hoped the Goddess would not get offended from her name being used like this. It was probably too late now to ask for forgiveness though. "Not to the extent that rumors say though."
Ninki nodded like she understood. "Of course, of course, rumors always seem to stretch out the truth."
"Speaking of rumors, I have heard some about your gardens here. They are exquisite from what I hear," replied Hakuno.
Thankfully Ninki took the bait and the conversation steered away from Hakuno's mysterious origins.
After they finished their meal, the Queen excused herself to run some matters of the state and Hakuno and Enkidu left the audience chamber and went to the closest garden, the "prettiest" one according to the Queen.
Hakuno had to admit, it was pretty with the flowering plants and the pools of water. Like the gardens of the Uruk palace, there were stone benches scattered about.
"That was something." Hakuno collapsed on a bench after a quick look around to make sure no slaves were lurking around
"Was that a dangerous situation? I could feel the tension in the air." Enkidu did not sit, but instead stood in front of her.
"It was. She was probing for information and no matter what she said about her daughter doing work and just happened to be there, there was a reason Princess Aea was also present. Although it could be as a princess needing to learn about diplomacy and she was observing. Either way at least that conversation is over and we are free for now."
"Why are we not heading back to the rooms?" asked Enkidu.
"I want to give them more time in case…something happens. Besides, a part of me was curious about the gardens. You can look around Enkidu, I can tell you want to see what plants they have here."
"But…"
"I will be fine, I will just sit on this bench. I need a few moments to recover from that ordeal. Go on. Besides we both know I can keep myself alive long enough for you to come rescue me." Enkidu's eyes shifted to her neck and Hakuno rubbed it absentmindedly. She was still shocked she was able to heal it before the wound killed her.
"Promise me you will cry out if anything happens."
"I promise. Go on."
Enkidu reminded her of a child. They would walk a few steps away, turn back to make sure she was there before walking a few more steps away and repeating the motion. Every time she waved at them to inform them that she was okay. Soon enough though, Enkidu seemed to relax enough to focus completely on a couple of exotic looking flowering plants.
Hakuno rubbed her eyes and went through the conversation she had with the Queen. Nothing about it seemed out of the ordinary. The beginning was filled with talk about their Kings. Ninki had been open about her King's faults, mentioning how he was a snorer and he loved going out hunting for a full day. It was such a normal conversation she heard on the caravans many times in the past that it felt surreal in a way. Of course, she responded in like but kept herself guarded, naming more of Gil's strengths than faults. She was not sure what Ninki was looking for but Hakuno was not going to give it.
She heard a twig snap behind her. Hakuno turned to the sound and yelped in surprise as someone grabbed her shoulder.
Fun fact: In early Mesopotamian texts, Gilgamesh was referred to by the name Bilgames.