Chapter 5- The Peace Treaty
Back at the palace of Uruk, King Dumuzid gathered his trusted council late into the evening. The chamber was thick with the scent of burning myrrh, flickering lamps casting long shadows against stone walls. The King's face was heavy with weariness; news of Ur's army drawing near weighed on him like a millstone.
"My King," the Prince Tammuz spoke, "the scouts report Ur's army will reach our borders in days. We must act now."
Dumuzid nodded grimly. "We will offer them a peace treaty. And for this, we shall send them a gift."
The courtiers leaned forward. "Your majesty, shall we continue as planned? The woman?"
"Go ahead," Dumuzid said.
"Let Bilgames deliver her," Tammuz said.
Gasps rippled through the chamber.
"But she is precious, my King," an elder warned.
"That's why she will buy us time," Dumuzid said coldly. "Bilgames shall deliver her. He will believe it is my daughter under the veil. He must never know her identity. By the time he realizes it's her, he may not allow it and so he will clash with the King Olulu. And we shall kill two birds with one stone."
By dawn, three chariots were prepared. In the center rode Ene, veiled and heavily guarded. Bilgames, towering and resolute, led the battalion through the wilderness toward Ur.
Bilgames spoke with his second-in-command, a seasoned warrior named Kaleb.
"Strange mission," Bilgames muttered. "To deliver a woman as a treaty."
Kaleb shrugged. "Kings have long traded daughters for peace."
"She's no ordinary woman," Bilgames added, eyeing the veiled figure. "I feel… something about this one. Like I've met her before."
"War makes strange feelings," Kaleb grunted. "Focus on the task."
They rode hard until the horizon darkened with the sight of Ur's mighty army. War banners fluttered. The ground rumbled beneath thousands of marching feet.
A general of Ur stepped forth. A behemoth of a man, muscle-bound and armored in lion pelts.
"Who dares approach Ur's line?" the general bellowed.
"I am Bilgames of Uruk," he declared. "Sent to deliver a treaty to your king."
The general sized Bilgames. He had heard that a rising general of Uruk was young but powerful and strong. However, today he wanted to test if the rumours were true.
"Not without proving your worth." The general pointed. "Wrestle me. Only then will you see King Elulu."
Bilgames grinned. "As you wish."
The battalion stirred, murmuring anxiously. Soldiers exchanged worried glances.
"Should we interfere?" one asked.
Kaleb held up a hand. "Let him fight. You'll see."
Kaleb, being the second in command in Bilgames army, often wrestled his general during training, and so he knew him better.
The two men squared off. The crowd from Ur's army gathered, forming a wide circle. Taunts and jeers rose.
"Crush him, General!"
"Break the Uruk dog's bones!"
They grappled, muscles bulging, the earth itself seeming to shudder under their might. Dust rose in choking clouds as they fought, every impact a thunderclap. Bilgames twisted free from the General's hold and hurled him to the ground, only for the warrior to surge up again.
"Is that all, boy?" the General spat, wondering how a young kid could be so skilled.
Bilgames laughed. "I expected a tougher fight from you, old man."
They clashed again, hands locking, sweat pouring. Bilgames managed a leg sweep and the General fell hard. Bilgames pressed down, pinning him to the ground.
"Yield," Bilgames growled.
The General coughed, then grunted in defeat before extending his hand. "You have my respect, warrior. By the way, I'm general Lance."
A thunderous cheer erupted from Bilgames' battalion.
"Our hero!"
"He bested the lion of Ur!"
Kaleb pumped his fist. "I told you!"
Even some of Ur's soldiers murmured in awe.
Bilgames rose, breath heavy, and extended a hand to the General, who clasped it firmly. The crowd parted as Bilgames strode toward the palace, his battalion energized, slapping each other's backs and boasting of their champion.
Bilgames and the woman entered Ur's gilded palace, led into the throne room where King Elulu lounged amidst golden furnishings and perfumed air.
"I've heard of you," Elulu greeted, his voice like deep brass as he gestured for Bilgames to take a seat. "The mighty warrior of Uruk, the one who humiliated Gursu's legions and bested my champion this day. You fight like your ancestors."
Bilgames inclined his head. "I honor your praise, King Elulu."
The King's sharp gaze lingered on him. "It is no small thing to defeat the Lion of Ur. You have earned my respect. But tell me, warrior—why does Dumuzid offer me this token of peace now, when his defiance has lasted so long?"
Bilgames straightened. "To honor the old alliances and stave off needless bloodshed. He sends a symbol of goodwill. A woman of great beauty."
Elulu chuckled darkly. "Dumuzid sending me gifts? Curious. Did he tell you of the debt he owes my kingdom? Of how he insulted the gods by denying tribute owed by the treaties of old?"
"I only know that in the days of Lugalbanda, Uruk and Ur were allies," Bilgames said evenly.
The King's expression softened slightly at the name. "Ah, Lugalbanda. A king worthy of song. Brave, clever, and loyal. The earth mourned when he passed. Since then, treachery and ambition have ruled."
Bilgames hesitated. "You knew him?"
"Well," Elulu said, swirling wine in a bronze cup. "He was my ally and friend. Together with Nippur, we fought side by side against Sumers tyranny. The treaties we forged brought decades of peace."
"Is that why Nippur and Girsu waged war against Uruk?" Bilgames asked intrigued.
"Anyone who betrays our own becomes our enemy. We stand with King Banda even after his demise. One day, his son will rise and take Uruk. By then, Sumer and her Ally's will shudder."
Bilgames listened nonchalantly, as if the whole thing had nothing to do with him.
After King Olulu sighed, he said, "Now, general, what is this gift you bring?"
Bilgames gestured. The guards pulled the veil from the womans face.
Bilgames' breath caught. "Ene…?" he whisper, stunned.
The King's brow furrowed. "You know her?"
Bilgames' voice dropped as he stood up. "She is not who you were told. This woman is Ene, daughter of Lugalbanda and Ninsun."
The chamber fell to stunned silence.
Elulu's eyes widened, then his face was filled with excitement. "A child of the bloodline. By all the gods… Dumuzid actually delivered to me a princess of the gods ?"
"I cannot give her to you," Bilgames said, standing Infront of Enmebaragesi. "She is under my protection now."
Elulu sighed, setting his cup down. "Warrior, you place yourself between kings and fate. You risk death."
"I've risked it before," Bilgames replied.
Without waiting, Bilgames struck the nearest guard, chaos erupting. He fought through the guards, tossing them aside like wheat stalks.
King Elulu rose, enraged. Bilgames turned and with a mighty strike, sent the King crashing unconscious against his throne.
Grabbing Ene's hand, Bilgames whispered, "We leave now."
Outside, he barked to the battalion, "The gift was rejected. We return!"
The warriors, confused but loyal, followed. But as Elulu awoke and shouted for pursuit, the gates clanged open and Ur's army gave chase.
A brutal clash followed. Bilgames fought like a storm, cutting a path through the enemy. Seeing they were outmatched, he shouted, "Retreat!"
"Retreat!"
With Ene mounted behind him, they galloped hard. Spears flew past. The pounding of hooves and war cries chased them through forests and hills.
At the waterfall, they got off the horse and Bilgames turned to see their pursuers.
"Hold tight!"
Together, they leapt into the roaring waters below.
Ur's soldiers skidded to a halt, unwilling to brave the unknown currents.
Bilgames and Enmebaragesi surfaced downstream, gasping but alive.
Meanwhile, in the halls of Uruk, the swift-footed messenger from Innana reached Dumuzid's throne room. The King, tense and pacing, turned as the dust-covered man bowed low.
"Speak quickly," Dumuzid demanded.
"My lord," the messenger panted. "Princess Innana sends urgent command. She suspects the warrior Bilgames is none other than Lugalbanda's lost son."
The chamber stirred. King Dumuzid's face darkened.
"Are you certain of this?" he hissed.
"Princess Innana demands his lineage be uncovered," the messenger said. "If it is true, she orders him arrested and held until her return."
Dumuzid cursed under his breath. "That fool boy… if Innana claims him, she will turn him against me."
An elder cleared his throat. "Sire, if this is true, your position is in jeopardy."
"Not necessarily true," another elder added, "remember the Prophecy, my lord? Only the son of Lugalbanda can end the goddess reign, therefore, she will ensure that he is dead. And by commanding us to keep him, she wants to do it herself to eliminate future troubles."
"I know," King Dumuzid growled. "Send word to the chariots. If Bilgames survives Ur's army, he must return. Do not mark him a traitor yet. He must set foot in Uruk again first."
"First elder, quickly, send men to investigate Bilgames origin and do it fast."
The elders exchanged wary looks as Dumuzid's paranoia took root. The fate of the kingdom teetered on the edge.