Inana

 

Adapted from a 5000 year old Sumerian legend

 

Part one: The gathering

 

'The people gathered by the mossy banks of a quiet pool where a sparkling brook broke its fall from the high bluff. The ground was damp and they were sitting on woven grass mats placed around a wide stone that created a platform from which a young woman was speaking. Her jet black hair was bound with a headband of yellow and red and a necklace of beads on her bared neck flashed in the late evening sunlight. As she spoke she held forth a slender spear, its stone point bound to the shaft with resin and leather.

 

 

"Hear the words of Inana, warrior-leader of the Black-headed People! In my left hand," she turned her palm upwards, "I hold the divine power of the Goddess and in my right, the holy a-an-kar spear, drenched in blood. My craft is that of battle leader, planner of conflicts. I ride the power of the lion and like a mighty bull trample my foe. I am Inana from the plains of the north and now I walk in the mountain ranges, bringing the light of the Goddess to the Tribes of the Stones."

 

 

A sudden cloud submerged the glade in darkness. Inana lifted her spear, holding it like a staff in front of her. She raised her voice. "There is a shadow over us all. It covers the mountains as the cloud covers the sun. It is the shadow of the non-people, the Ebih, they who are not like us. They dictate to us our every breath. Ever they have sought to hide our freedom from us. In my home, my tribes, too, were once as you. Once, as for you now, the light of the Goddess was persecuted by these clever guardians of our souls."

 

 

She paused to let her words take effect and then, in a more subdued tone, continued. "But they would not listen to my voice. My warriors, my lions, were spurned and the battle totem of the Goddess was cast down. The Tribes of the Stones did not come to my aid, they could not come to my aid for the Ebih bound them, the power of the mountains held them, the Ebih of the broad mountains who do not resemble other people, who are not reckoned as part of this world, held them, for the Ebih are an unbridled people, quick-witted but with a dog's instincts and a monkey's features, and their grip on your people is as strong as the ages and as deep as time."

The crowd stirred and muttered, some looked furtively over their shoulders as if they expected to be interrupted. Inana spoke over noise. "The Ebih have shown me no respect. They have not given grace to the Goddess or freedom to her people. They have cast her away like esparto grass in the wind and poured fearsome terror on her holy places."

 

 

Stepping forward, she placed her spear on the ground in front of her audience and, dropping to one knee, continued. "I have come forth at dusk and followed the signs of the Goddess to the Gate of Wonder, the long path to this meeting place that none but the holy ones know. I have come meekly, with no warriors or weapons, to petition the elders of the Tribes of the Stones. I come to speak because you are all of the Anuna, all followers of the Goddess. I ask that you listen to my plea and aid me in my trials for I will fill my hand with the soaring mountain ranges and deliver it over to my terror. Against their magnificent sides I will place my warriors, against their small sides I will place my warriors. Let me storm them and start the game of 'Holy Inana'. Let me prepare my spears and throwing sticks, set fire to their thick forests and an axe to their evil doings. I will spread fear amongst the Ebih and they will honour the Goddess and you will be free." An inscrutable look crossed her face, almost a smile, and grimly she said, "Let me set up battle and prepare conflicts."

 

 

An, the leader of the council gathered there, raised himself up and, leaning on a black staff, answered her. "We of the Emery Stone question this. Our tribe has endured the longest and we are the most resolute in troubled times. Yet we question you."

 

 

He turned to face the people and pointed a bony finger at Inana. "My little one demands the destruction of the mountains. What is she taking on? Inana demands the dereliction of these mountains! What does she think she is standing against?"

 

 

A second of the Anuna spoke. "Because of the Black-headed Men, the Ebih have poured fear on our holy places." She made a sharp cutting motion with the edge of her hand. "Because of Inana's raids, the Ebih have spread dismay amongst the devout of the Goddess. Her aggressive actions have caused dread and ferocity to be placed over this land, her arrogance cries out to the very earth. So say the People of the Flint."

 

 

A third stood. "The People of the Bloodstone see ripe fruits hanging in the verdant gardens and in luxury do the Ebih live. Under their guidance, we labour until the magnificent trees are themselves a source of wonder to the roots of the earth. Wild rams and stags roam in abundance and deer couple amongst the cypress trees. The Ebih have all their needs met."

 

 

An grimaced as if he carried a burden of great weight and, speaking slowly, replied. "The offerings and the seventh day toil demanded by the Ebih are not easily passed by. And now with your spur, Inana, the Ebih seek to instil dread and fright amongst us. The mountain ranges' radiance is fearsome. Maiden Inana, you cannot oppose them." Thus he spoke.

 

 

One by one, the elders of the Tribes of the Stones voiced their thoughts and the debate continued until the dark skies paled and bright Nabir was below the world's rim. A tall hunter sitting near the edge of the glade, who until now had remained perfectly silent, rose. He introduced himself as Ug-gen of the many tribes of the Basalt clan and in a deep voice said, "The throw has already been cast and Fate has moved. Who can stop her? The Goddess has acted and who will oppose her? For now, heaven has seduced the green earth and she has borne him a terror who knows no fear. Asag is his name, a child who knows no father, a ruthless hunter of souls from the mountains, mighty in strength and like a great wild bull he tosses his horns amongst the People of the Goddess. The Flint, Diorite and heroic Quartz Warriors will follow his lead and come raiding to destroy the Anuna and their sacred places. For them, a shark's tooth has grown in the mountains. It has stripped the trees. Before its might the Goddess is humbled. My tribes-people, it is not lying idle! Who can compass Asag's dread glory? Who can counteract the severity of his frown. People are frightened, fear makes their flesh creep, their eyes are fixed upon him. My council, the mountains pay him homage, yet I fear this will not abate his anger."

 

 

A bright-eyed young man stepped up to the platform. Unlike the others he wore his hair cut short. "I know of one who will help us." His words tumbled out of him, eager to be heard. "He is born of the Goddess and he, too, has heaven for a father. The mountains are his home. Mighty Ninurta is his name and many have heard of his feats of strength. We of the Lapis Lazuli have asked for his help, saying, 'Ninurta, not a single warrior can be measured beside you. Who has so far been able to resist Asag's assault?' " He looked sharply at An. "This warrior of the Ebih is beyond control, he is too big, too fast. Rumours of his power constantly arrive at our camp. This Ebih's strength is massive, no weapon can be taken against him. Neither the axe nor the all-powerful spear can pierce his flesh, no warrior like him has ever been seen. The throw has been cast, we can not avoid our fate. Who, if not Ninurta, can aid us?"

 

 

An turned away towards the tranquil pool. "Alas!" he cried, shaking his head. "Alas!" The council broke up at the first rays of the sun and went from the Gates of Heaven with little harmony and no agreement. But Inana and a few remained and vowed to seek Ninurta.'