Nawirnushu

For some time that morning the king sat hunched over the side of his bed, struggling with his personal god. Nawirnushu's heart hung heavy. In his weakness, he left his servants and advisors to ponder over his grizzly discovery for the next few hours while he brooded on what really was to be done.

His eyes wandered around his bedroom. It was warm, and Shamash's shimmer now began to peek through the blue and scarlet drapes by his window. A light breeze licked his hair. Nawirnushu shuddered to recall in detail the chilling darkness which Ziqiqu had conjured in his very chamber.

After some time had passed his queen, Reshaya, came to his side and sat with him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders so lightly and tenderly, as she often did.

"Awiliya, I have heard the gossip about the palace this morning. Is it true what they say about it? That you, yourself, were the one who found the boy?" she asked.

"It is true." The king replied, sunken in tone.

Reshaya hung her head, and began rubbing the back of his neck softly with her fingers.

"What a terrible thing to have to wake up to." She said to comfort him.

"I find myself more troubled by what terror must have befallen that child. In my city." Nawirnushu lamented.

The queen turned to him and replied with a passion in her speech. "Sharriya, Do you hold your actions responsible for every villain who harms a child? For every evil that prowls the night? For every abuse of every past king and his persecution of the weak?"

Reshaya paused in her speech for her husband to take in her words, but his mood and his vision remained fixed on the floor tiles.

"O my love, It is right that kingship is yours! Do you think that Mullil-Bel-Abli, or any other villain with a crown, would even pause to consider one murdered little boy?" She pressed him rhetorically.

Nawirnushu took a deep sigh. Reshaya had a point.

"Awiliya, just put these thoughts of guilt out of your mind! Keep your heart in the longevity of your people and your reign!" She encouraged.

He hung his head low. The grip of Nawirnushu's fists tightened as he trembled in indignation. "You don't understand, rubutiya, It is the burden of kingship! The burden of knowing that for all the walls and metal, and for all of my efforts, all of my piety, still does such unfathomable evil stalk my fair Kharani!? Have I truly no power!? Have I no claws!? Can this old sheep-dog not root out the serpent, let alone fend off the lion?"

The queen fell silent, staring off into the distance and continuing to stroke his back in solidarity. She still searched for the right words to quell his heart.

"Just... please listen to your advisors. They will help you to bear this burden! They will advise you on what is best for Kharani!"

"Mm." He grunted in acknowledgment, already dreading the patronizing counsel of his generals and bureaucrats.

Reshaya cupped her palms around the sides of his face and drew him to her's affectionately. "The fact that we can speak like this is why you are a great king! You may not be as wealthy as Burnaburiash, you may not have the legions of Ashur-idin, and evil may stalk the streets of Kharani just like every other city in the world, but the very fact that it bothers you, the fact that what happens to your people is what motivates you, that is why you are a great shakkunakku! Do not despair, my love!"

And so Nawirnushu leaned in quickly and deeply and began kissing her.

'She is always as sweet as my responsibilities are draining.' Nawirnushu thought. The king knew that he might have his pick of the girls and boys of the harem, but Reshaya was his queen. She had been with him from the beginning, before he had even taken back the throne. His heart belonged to her.

A few moments later, their embrace was interrupted by a knock at the chamber door. The queen winced at the intrusion.

"What!?" Nawirnushu bellowed at the hardwood gate.

The young palace attendant meekly opened the door a crack and responded. "Beliya, your ministers are ready to offer their appraisals of the situation in the throne room."

Nawirnushu took a deep sigh. He had expected he would need to converse with his administrators at some point, although the immediacy of the task itself was disappointing. "Very well, tell them I will be there shortly." he replied to the young servant who went scurrying off to relay the order.

His gaze returned to Reshaya. He smiled. "O, Would that you could calm the passions of the whole court, and not just me."

"I am no goddess, but I shall try to keep things quiet among my courtiers." She deflected.

"A deceiver, just like Ninnana." Nawirnushu teased.

Reshaya smiled.

"I know I'll see you again sometime this evening." He assured her.

"May Zumun keep your heart pure, Awiliya." She declared, cupping her palms at her waist in a gesture of good will.