I went inside and after a quick wash-Decompose cycle, slid into a new set of clothes. I really needed to get new dresses. I didn't want to wear the same one I did for the party, the cheongsam was too much and the spaghetti was nice but not for this age as it showed too much skin. I could compound it with a long-sleeve shirt and stockings. It would hide all skin except for the hands and neck. I put on the clothes and used the phone as a mirror. With the hiking boots, I'm ready to star 'that 90's show'. I don't even know if they made one.

I went to the living room to ask one of the girls about my getup and at the top of the stairs, I heard a familiar cackling. Nanna was absent all day, where did she go? I go down the stairs and see her with her bundles of herbs and it clicks. The show must go on, I guess.

"Good evening, Nanna. Did you get a good haul?" Nanna, Arwia, and some kids stop what they were doing and turn to look at me. I spin around to show off my outfit. "Hey, folks. How do I look?"

"That's... different. I like the colors," Arwia comments.

"Yeah, I like it," Rimush said while ogling me a bit too much. I didn't mind but Arwia pulled his ear.

"It really accentuates your lack of hips, girl," Nanna added. "Since you don't want to get married, I guess it is perfect for you."

I don't know if I should be flattered or annoyed. Or both at the same time. Nanna is hard to deal with as she pulls no punches on her verbal sparring.

"Okay," I decided to go with 'ignore the witch'. "What I want to know, is it too indecent? Immoral?"

"What? Do you have another of your 'dates'?" Nanna asks, using the word in English.

"No! I am supposed to go have dinner with Abil-Kisu. I want to negotiate some of the properties and business I got from the merchants."

"I guess it is fine then," The witch replied, "You look like a child anyway. You need to eat more and put some meat on those bones."

I had no idea if she was being sincere or sarcastic. I guess Nanna being Nanna, she was just speaking her mind and being both at the same time.

"Then I'm off. Arwia, what do you think?"

The girl was caught by surprise as the kids and Nanna turned around to wait for her answer. I guess she was not used to be in the spotlight.

"I think you can go as you are, Sandra. You are not showing too much skin and everyone knows you are a foreigner. What I am concerned about is that your dress seems very light. A strong wind can lift it up and.... you know."

"These stockings are not transparent," I start my defense but backtrack halfway. "I can put some pieces of metal to weigh down my dress hem. This way it won't raise."

"Yes, that would be nice."

Women in this world go commando. I bet most of the man too. Totally like Mel Gibson did in Scotland. Well, it won't hurt me. I get a few copper coins and Decompose them into a wire that I pass through the hem of the dress. After it is through I pinch the dress and push the copper away to create breaks in the wire so the hem is not rigid. I twirl a bit and it seems okay.

After getting the approval of the ladies in the living room, I went with two soldiers to have my dinner with Abil-Kisu. We live very closely together. Darkness would already set and the nights were pitch black. I took my lantern and set it on the end of the selfie stick. Then it struck me. I haven't seen the moon yet. I was so tired at the end of my days that I didn't really think about it.

"Do you guys know how long a moon takes to appear?" It might be the case that the moon does not show up every day like Earth's moon but a whole week?

"I'm sorry, mistress, but I don't think the witch was invited."

I stop walking because something went wrong in the translation. I try to picture the sounds of the word moon in Akkadian, it is 'nanna'. I can recall how it is written too. Funny. Nanna's name means 'moon'. They have a word for moonlight too, 'nannaru'.

"I didn't mean Nanna the witch. I meant the moon (nanna), the star that shines at night, shedding moonlight (nannaru)."

The guards look very confused. "All stars shine tonight. Do you mean the brightest stars? I don't really know what you mean by 'moonlight'."

No moon. Is that even possible? I studied very little astrophysics beyond what was necessary for my geology classes but every planet has a moon. I can't waste much time with that. I need to hit my books.

Pushing the subject aside, I went to Abil-Kisu's place. The guards at the gates direct me to the same tent used for the feast a few days ago. Abil-Kisu and his wife are there.

"Honorable Abil-Kisu, I'm honored you spared some time to host me," I say with a respectful saikeirei bow. I didn't curtsy because my hem is just knee-height.

"Please, please. We are between friends here, yes? Miss Rinaldi is a very important person, one that is shaking the very foundations of the town. Even the magnificent Ensi Es-Kina has heard of you by now. Please come and have a seat. What would you want to drink?"

I move and sit next to his wife so she is between us. "Wine is fine. Say, Abil-Kisu, would you be interested in sharing tales of your land?"

He clapped his hands, excited. "Definitely. I knew the lady had the makings of a scholar. You are very observant and always ponder before you answer. You speak with certainty and wisdom as if you were repeating the words of gods."

"Then, allow me to go first. What would you want to know about my land, Abil-Kisu?"

He didn't bat an eyelid. "Tell me stories of great wars."

I can't help but recoil. "There's no greatness in war, but I'll oblige. I'll tell you of one ancient battle. It happened roughly five hundred years before I was born, in the land of my maternal grandfather. There was a lord that later unified the country, called Oda Nobunaga..."

I proceed to tell him the story of the Siege of Inabayama Castle. How Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a castle at the riverbank practically overnight, seized the support of minor lords and snuck into the castle to destroy the granaries and weapons supplies, throwing the defenders into disarray and finally conquering the otherwise impregnable castle.

I can see Abil-Kisu scratching his beard. "Interesting. That the battle you are most comfortable to tell is one won through cunning, craftiness, and diplomacy. It tells a lot about who you are, miss Rinaldi."

"So it was a test. Did I pass?"

He opens a broad smile. "There is no such thing as passing a test of character. There are no wrong persons. Only persons in the wrong place, position, or time. But I am sure there were dozens of other battles you know of that you are not so comfortable talking about."

My mind flashes on the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Of the execution chambers of the Nazi. Of terrorism. 9-11. Or when American troops bombed a hospital for two hours in Afghanistan.

I can't help but be overtaken by sadness and a couple tears escape my eyes. "You can say that battle was so romanticized and re-enacted by thespians that the loss of life and destruction were erased by too many repetitions. But I am not comfortable talking about any war."

"That you are, my dear," Abil-Kisu takes my hand. "War is not a woman's territory. Husband, I think it is time we serve the food."

"Of course, my dear wife," Abil-Kisu nods and claps his hands three times.

Slaves enter and serve us the food. Lamb with grilled vegetables. I see no potatoes or carrots. They don't eat roots or tubers.

While we eat, Abil-Kisu prompts me. "It is your turn. What story do you want to hear from me?"

The thing that's bugging my mind now that I noticed it and I cannot let go is the lack of a moon. I mean, that's so strange, so odd. I have to ask it even though I might be wasting a golden opportunity to learn more about him.

"I heard rumors that once there was an object in the sky, a sister to the sun that appeared at night," I said, skirting around the moon (nanna) because it had the same name as the witch. "It would cast light during the night, it was big and round..."

Why not? I summon my iPad and show him a picture of the moon against the starry sky. Abil-Kisu jumps back, scared. His wife is almost fainting.

"That... The ancient legends... I'm sorry. It is just that we don't talk much about the legend of the Harbinger."

Oww, frag. I just walked into this one. I bet I just triggered some weird taboo flag.

"You don't have to tell if you don't want to," I tell him. In fact, I can ask Nanna or research on my own.

"No. Let nobody ever say that Abil-Kisu backed off on a deal. I'll tell you," He readies himself to tell the tale and I turn on the recording on the iPad.

"Legends say of a great silver star like the one you showed me. She was the wife of the sun and forever played with him in the heavens above. But then, an age ago, the Harbinger came to this land. He brought the promise of wealth and prosperity to those that subjected themselves to him, and death and ruin to those that did not. The harbinger did well on his promise. Many Lugals (emperors, kings) marched against him. All perished.

"The weaker ones, seeing the destruction his troops could cause, submitted themselves to the Harbinger. Misery and poverty was their reward. The surviving Lugals then made great sacrifices to the gods. Tarhun, Ishtar, Enki, Marduk, and Nabu answered the people's pleas. They walked upon the land and brought upon a great cataclysm to the Harbinger's realm. Rain, Thunder, Earthquakes.

"But the Harbinger would not stand idle. He struck at the heavens itself, killing the silver star and shattering the celestial abode. The gods lost their ability to walk the land, forever. But the harbinger was not done. He threw big arrows of iron into the sky and descended upon the city-states of the Lugals, making the towns vanish in plumes of fire and smoke. It is said that almost all of those that witnessed it, died. Those that didn't die forever lost their eyes. They became blind and mad prophets of the cataclysm.

"It is said that the Harbinger still lives. Hidden deep in his realm of death and ash, waiting for the time of his return."

Okay. That was ominous. I'd say it is mythology if I hadn't met the god himself. Or at least have a very clear memory of meeting him. I don't know what can I trust, that's why I keep this journal. I stop the recording.

So some entity comes, tries to take over the world, almost succeeds, then the gods come, the moon is destroyed, the gods are banished and then what? The guy nukes the cities that opposed him? Not real nukes, I mean. I hope.

Dear Sandra. please invest a hundred bucks on a Geiger counter instead of buying that yearly subscription to the MMORPG.

"That's terrible," It is all I can say.

I almost searched for a picture of a nuclear blast to show them. Almost. But I didn't. I was afraid. Very afraid that they would say it was like that. I didn't want to talk about it.

"Yes. Even to this day..." Abil-Kisu stops when his wife grabs his wrist.

"That's enough, husband. I believe miss Rinaldi wanted to discuss business. I'll withdraw for the night, the baby needs to be breastfed. Lady Rinaldi, thank you for the story of bravery. That general, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. I'll tell his story to my son one day. So he might win his battles with cunning and diplomacy as well."

"Thank you for hosting me."

She departed. I didn't ask for her name because I was pretty sure I should remember it but I was too drunk during the party to be able to even with my memory blessing. We waited until she left and Abil-Kisu opened the negotiations.

"So, miss Rinaldi. You are causing quite the ripples in the merchant community. I must say, some of my associates are afraid of what you will do next. Four of our most prominent merchants dead, and probably five as we are not sure how Balthazar's caravan was wiped out, exactly. Yes, I know of the rage-apes attack but some say you can control wild beasts."

I could show the video but against an accusation such as that? It would be useless. I could be controlling them, the video wouldn't prove otherwise.

"That I might be able to do. But any man can wield a sword. Must all man be guilty of every murder then?"

He clapped his hands. "That is true! Well-spoken. I am not one to believe the rumors or we wouldn't have this conversation."

"Surely," I nodded.

"Samus told me about you, Sandra Rinaldi. Of your enormous magic power. Of your disposition to share your knowledge. I also heard of your actions. To offer all your slaves freedom. I'll be honest with you. I knew those merchants that were found guilty by the magistrate. I liked none of them."

He served me wine and I took a sip. Enjoying the silence for a moment, I broke it. "Is there any merchant you like, Abil-Kisu? Besides yourself, of course."

He chuckled and sipped his wine slowly to gain time.

"You are the wittiest woman I've ever seen. No wonder Hama-Tula lost miserably and even dragged three others to the grave with his folly. Do you know when you won my admiration, miss Rinaldi?"

"I wouldn't dare to guess."

"When you took Hama-Tula's children under your wing, to shield them from the debt. Please tell them that Banunu and Rubati are safe. I secretly spirited them away from town and sent them to the capital. With Banunu's dowry, they can live the rest of their lives if they are wise."

Oh. They are alright. The kids would love to know that. However, "Isn't it better to keep it a secret? Wouldn't those that have outstanding debts against Hama-Tula go there to try and collect from them?"

He denied, "No. Because that debt is no longer profitable. They would have to go over and against those that are protecting those two women. You, me, and some other interested parties. They also do not wish their deaths. Why waste money with assassins? The women are only worth something alive. No, they will bite their fingernails and eat their hats in rage, but they won't act."

"That's a relief. The children will be very happy. There's a chance they get to see their mothers again, right?"

He clapped his hands once. "Of course. In five years, the debt is canceled. Then they can be reunited."

That was a weight I didn't even know I had. Good to know that but something remains unexplained. "Why did you help them?"

"A loss for my enemies is a profit for me. They have less money and I have more. Now, enough talk about the wishes of others. Let's talk about what brought you here."

I stow the iPad and bring the duffel bag with the scrolls and deeds. I separate the permits I want to keep as they will allow me to conduct business without going through the red tape again and get the deeds to the various properties and business I won from the merchants. I show him the properties. The businesses are run by employees or are concessions. I didn't even get to check on them. I just want to get some funds from them and also avoid the burden of managing the real-estate. There are houses, workshops, stores, even some pack animals. I separate these as I'd like to get more horses.

Might even get Penny a boyfriend so at least one of us sees some action.

"I don't know how much they are worth but I know you will be fair in your appraisal, Abil-Kisu. I don't mind selling them at a small loss though."

He claps his hands four times. A guard comes from a fold in the tent's wall and I suddenly wonder how many men he has hidden away. I was stupid. Of course, a merchant lord would have some protection or guards at hand. It is that naive and trusting nature that got me killed back on Earth and might get me killed again.

The guard returns with an inkwell, pen, and parchment. There's also a triangular block of wood he places on the table. Abil-Kisu rests the parchment leaning on the wood, wets the pen and starts to do some calculations. He whispers something to the guard and the guard seems surprised. Annoyed, Abil-Kisu glares and the guard goes on his way. The tent keeps silent, I did not dare speak. Only the sound of ruffling paper goes on as Abil-Kisu keeps sifting through the deeds, rechecking for any missing details.

The guard returns with two men and a beautiful leather bag. I can hear the sound of jiggling coins inside. Then Abil-Kisu speaks.

"I don't have much money on me, I hope you understand. I offer you as part of the payment these two highly trained eunuch soldiers. Shamash, introduce yourself."

One of them moved forward, he was lean and seemed agile. His arms were strong and I thought he could use a bow. I knew what he was doing. Placing men loyal to him in my retinue so he could keep an eye on me. As they say, keep your friends close... I heard their presentations before taking any other conclusions. I had little choice though. From what I sensed, the coins and the guards were part of an indivisible package.

"I am Shamash, from the forest tribe of the north. Our people lived hidden in the forest, but the Akkadian burned the woods and captured us. I am nineteen years old. Abil-Kisu bought me at a slave auction in the capital four years ago. He was a fair master and he recommended me to enter your service. I am grateful to you both, Sandra."

"They burned the whole forest just to get your people?" I was shocked.

"Yes. We were fighting their woodcutters to defend our territory. But the Akkadians waited for a long drought season and then burned the forest."

"Back in my home, one of my duties was to take care of forests. I was studying to do exactly that. I feel your pain, Shamash. Tell you what. You and I, along with everyone else, we are going to make a new forest one day. Teach me the forestry skills and lore of your people, and I will teach you the mine."

My guess at the time was that Shamash was the closest to elves I was going to get. The low magic of the world was not friendly to fantasy races. But the memory of the forest and the fact he was now working for a kindred spirit in our love for nature drove the man to tears.

"That would be an honor, milady."

Abil-Kisu clapped loudly. "Now, Ananu. Your turn."

The other man had Hittite features and was of average build. He moved forward and stopped side-by-side with Shamash.

"I am Ananu, twenty-two years old. I was sold by my father twice as a debt slave. The second time, I ended up with a rough master that beat me and whipped me in the front, wounding my manhood. The medic could not fix it and I had to choose between either giving up being a man or dying. I sold myself to Abil-Kisu to pay for my sister's dowry and worked for him for the last three years. He recommended me to serve Sandra, and I am grateful to be here. I will also pledge my life to defend you."

I beamed sympathetically at him. I might've lost my family and world but I could always build another one, couldn't I.

"Your sister, Ananu, how is she?"

"My sister lives in a village to the south. Last I heard about her, she was pregnant with her third child."

"We will make arrangements so you can visit her soon. Welcome aboard, Ananu."

Abil-Kisu spoke, "Tell me, miss Rinaldi, are these two eunuchs to your liking?"

I gave him my deadly 'oh, really?' stare. Not. I'm not that good being dominating.

"Abil-Kisu, there is a saying in my land, 'a man cannot serve two masters'. I know they owe you a great deal and they are loyal. I accept them to work for me with one condition. I still have the writ to release slaves and the branding iron. Tomorrow morning, you will send two free men of your trust to witness their release. I will hire Shamash and Ananu as guards and pay them a wage. When they feel they cannot continue in my employ, they are free to go away. Two copper mina per day, the same I'll start paying my other soldiers. Is that a fair wage?"

He claps his hands. "Yes. That is good. We will do as you say, miss Rinaldi. I don't expect they will cause you any trouble and they will be more than happy to serve you. I'll be honest with you, miss Rinaldi. I'm not sending them to spy on you. I'm sending them to protect you and keep a link between us. You turned the merchant community in this town upside down in one week since your arrival. I don't know what you will do in the next week or the other beyond that, but I suspect some people won't just let you be. There's profit to be had from you. I both don't want to be left out of it and want to deny certain elements to control you."

A lot of nice words and I am grateful if he is being honest. But I can't just trust a shrewd merchant like him. I doubt someone reaches his station without any skeletons in his closet. Look at me, I have four.

"But not you. You don't want to control me."

"It is not a matter if I want to control you or not. I know I can't, so why try? You are an envoy from the mighty Tarhun, miss Rinaldi. You have a purpose. The caravanserai witch took a liking to you. Master Samus has you as an important partner. You are infatuated with the guard captain. You gave my son a marvelous gift. Bero-Mabii speaks highly of you. You helped the town get rid of the canker Hama-Tula was. The magistrate testified that you were stabbed in the heart and survived. If you were me, where do you think the biggest profit lies? To be your friend or your enemy?"

I honestly didn't know how to answer. "I don't know how to answer that."

Stop the press. He said what about me and the guard captain? Infatuated? Is that so obvious?

"Then I'll answer for you. Your heart is huge, miss Rinaldi. You were given two eunuch slaves that would gladly die to protect you and you set them free. I believe it will only put a strain on your finances as they will still gladly die to protect you and that is not because I am putting any pressure on them, because I am not, yes? I want to be your friend, Sandra Rinaldi. You will do marvelous things and I want to witness them with my own eyes."

I was flattered. Abil-Kisu had a way with words and his calm tone of voice and cadence left little to no opening to disagree with him. I understood how he became the most powerful merchant in town. He makes it so it is better to work with him than against him. If he always wins and never loses, it is easy to settle for a lower margin.

I think he invented the win-win negotiation without even knowing it.

"I will take your friendship in the spirit it is offered, Abil-Kisu. I can see in the eyes of your men that they respect you. And yes, I intend to do many things, and I hope I can use your help to make them happen. I think there will be a lot of profit on the horizon for both of us. And I don't mind sharing."

He chortled. His hearty, warm, charismatic bellows rang through the tent. I could see some of the guards smiling.

"That we will do, miss Rinaldi. No. My friend, Sandra. Here. I believe this is enough compensation for the properties you sold me."

He put the large coin bag in front of me. I opened it and saw yellow under the torchlight.

I almost fainted.