POV: ?
I walk through the street, somehow both so wide as to feel isolating, yet so narrow as to seem suffocating.
My footing is unsteady, sand and gravel giving way beneath every step.
The stone tablets I hold in one hand are both so heavy that I feel them weigh me down, but also so brittle that I fear I might crush them to dust within my grasp…
All of this is merely in my head. I know this. Nothing more than trepidation, knowing where I must go. There, to speak with her.
I stare up towards the clouds and see it: her tower. I appreciate its spectacle, truly; however, it haunts me. No small amount of my pain is attributed to that power.
As I approach the base of the tower, I see her. Even with her back to me, I still see her long blonde hair fall from behind her veil. She's speaking to the workers. With luck, she might actually listen to what I have to say this time.
"Priestess."
I try my best to speak calmly; regardless of my feelings at the moment, I've not come for conflict.
"Sage. What an unexpected surprise. What tears you away from your studies today?"
The smile she gives me as she turns my way is friendly enough, though it's much too soon to tell if it's genuine or not. I must have shown my feelings on my face, because I can see in her eyes that she's looking forward to knowing what I'll say next. Like a fox enjoying a new toy…
I reach out with my free hand, tapping my fingers against my tablets before gesturing to the toiling men that surround us.
"More of your workers fell from the steps again. More and more I am spending my time mending broken bones and weakened lungs. Despite appearances, I do not enjoy devoting all my time to your projects; I have my own priorities to attend to."
"And what would you ask of me here and now? Look. See how close we are. Even you, who spends all your time alone in the dark with your tablets, must appreciate what we're doing."
I'm sure I'm frowning now. How many times have the two of us had this exact conversation? Hundreds, surely…
"I've not come to argue against the splendor of your accomplishments, priestess. I simply wish to spend less time toiling over your men. Is that not the reason I must spend my days in the dark with my tablets, as you say?"
The question hangs in the air for a moment. I look towards her in anticipation, and I see it…
Her facade snaps, that cordial smile breaking apart as she starts laughing under her breath. A laugh of a small defeat, but I shall take it all the same. I'm confident we can see that, this time, I've beaten her.
"You've made your point." The priestess replied, conceding to the guest.
"Is that all you've come for, to lecture me on matters of public safety?"
"Of course not." My answer came easily enough as I turned my attention back towards the tower before us.
"I also came to see how my friend was doing. It is marvelous. Will it be completed soon?"
"All in due time. That said…" I heard her voice trail off and turned back to face her. And I could feel a tinge of both fear and regret in the back of my mind. That look. That look like a cat cornering a rodent told me all I needed to realize I had made a mistake somewhere.
"You're as excited to see this tower finished as I am. Aren't you? Longing for the days you'll get to spend with Lady Shem-Ha, is it?"
I broke. I turned my face away from her and blocked her from my view with my tablets. She's laughing again. Laughing in victory, joy, and mockery. I realized all too harshly that my victory celebration was premature. She must have been planning that jab from the moment I walked up.
No. I can't let it end like that. Even I have a degree of pride, however insignificant such things must be.
"Spare me at least some of your mockery. Not all of us can be as open-minded as you and Lord Enki. And for that reason, I will be sure to warn everyone to remain out of earshot of the highest levels when you make your ascent."
She sputtered in surprise as I faced her again. A rare expression from this typically cold and aloof woman. It's a face I'll remember, though not one I'll savor in the moment now. I hold the tablet up in front of her face, preemptively silencing her, lest she gain the opportunity to find a strong retort.
My attention returns to the higher levels of the tower. Men drag stone slabs as wide as tall as themselves into place without complaint. I am impressed, I won't deny it. And I am excited to see it completed, she was right about that at least. But even so, there's the slightest sense of discomfort I can't shake…
"You have certainly made something spectacular. The tallest tower the world has ever, and ever will see. People the world over will come to marvel at it. But, there is a major problem that I fear even you have overlooked."
She forced my tablets downward with enough force that I feared I would lose my grip. She was no longer laughing. My words had clearly angered her.
"I suggest you choose your next words very carefully. Now tell me, what problem that would be."
If looks could kill, I fear I would currently be lying at the feet of Ereshkigal…
"There is only one place in the world where you cannot see a tower so grand. From atop it's very steps. No one who stands upon that tower will be able to appreciate the accomplishment that it is."
It must have taken her a moment to register what I had just said. When she did, her expression loosened into the same aloof smile she wore when I first came here today.
"Curse you, sage. I feared that you were bringing me troubling news. Instead I see you simply wished to try your hand at poetry… You're not very good at it. I suggest you stick to healing."
I could feel my mouth twist into a smirk, regardless of my will. Even I'm not sure whether I meant that comment in jest or not, but it's too late for that now.
"I've said what I came to, and there is much work to be done by all, so I'll take my leave here."
"Yes, yes. Begone with you now, distraction." She waved me away with the back of her hand, but even I could tell it was a half-hearted gesture. It wouldn't matter to her one bit whether I left or stayed. That's just the nature of our relationship.
But staying would just give her more opportunities to mock me, and I've already lost count of who is ahead of the other in our game of verbal combat, so I simply allow my legs to carry me away. Stopping only long enough to say a few final words of farewell.
"Good luck, Finé. I'm always here to help you. I promise."
Author's Notes.
I felt that it was important to start this story with a chapter showing a glimpse into Finé's life when she was still at peace. As well as establish this currently nameless protagonist who will become important later on.
The title of this chapter is, as many may be able to guess, a reference to Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin.