Ammi-Zaduga watched the proceedings from a comfortable cushioned bench, to the side of his young nephew. Petitioner after petitioner came to the great hall to seek the audience of emperor Bel-Nibru. This was one of the few precepts that he'd kept from his father's rule. Unlike Belus, Bel-Nibru saw this as a solemn duty to his people, rather than a means of placation.

There was much different between his brother and young Nibru. Ammi-Zaduga had lived long enough to now appreciate those differences. He'd fought alongside Belus in order to create this empire, and he had no regrets, but Belus had always been a brute. He'd done his part in bringing this land together, but he did not have the patience for ruling.

Nibru on the other hand reveled in the details. He knew what it took to stabilize an empire. He was every bit the warrior and conquer his father was, but he was also a diplomat and bureaucrat. Where Belus ruled with strength, Nibru ruled with a cruel cunning. He did not always need to use might to win his battles, rather often using tactile alliances or political movements to undermine his enemies.

With that same cunning, Nibru took his duty to the people very serious. Once an empire had grown to this degree, the trust of the people contributed more than military strength. Zaduga was proud of his nephew for realizing this so young. Though he wished Nibru would not have allowed so much time to be wasted listening to the commoners.

Nibru, as in all things, was thorough. He allowed audience with any and all who wished to be heard, from sunrise to the sun's peak, Nibru would meet with his people, at least twice a ten-day. During this time he'd listen to farmers complain about crops needing more water, merchants complain about security, and even the slaves complain about pay restrictions. Yes, he even listened to the slaves!

To Nibru it was important for the commoners to feel that they had a voice, regardless of whether or not any changes actually occurred, which was rare. It was true that one or two commoners had come up with a good idea and Nibru had found a use for it, but for the most part it was just listening on the part of Nibru. Once he'd asked Nibru about why he enjoyed this farce so much, and had been told that commoners needed to be heard. "No matter how large or how little a problem is, to a peasant, these problems are their life. They do not need me to intervene, they merely need someone to show that they care, and so, knowing that I, their just king, understands their plight, will become empowered, and find their own solutions."

Ammi-Zaduga had to admit, Nibru was not wrong. Since the beginning of his reign, the governing of Bav-ilim had become easier with each passing year. The people had taken it upon themselves to improve the lives of all in the city. Most impressively by far was that they did not take credit for it, nor try to overthrow their lord, but rather credited Nibru with all of their achievements. To Zaduga, who had watched Belus bend a world to his will, this was by far the more astonishing achievement.

Zadugs knew this, yet still he often felt that so much of Nibru's time was wasted on this effort. The sun was near its peak now, and the large chamber had become quite hot and uncomfortable. Zaduga was no longer a young man, and feared that he would not be able to accompany his nephew in this endeavor much longer.

It was just then that he noticed Alorus within the chamber. Alorus was a priest of sorts, and known to be the greatest sorcerer in Bav-ilim. Alorus was currently building a new temple within the capital, the largest temple the world would ever see if you listened to him. This temple was to show the greatness of Nibru, but it had other purposes as well.

Zaduga looked to his nephew, knowing that Nibru had already seen Alorus. Nibru's tone had changed, and he seemed to lose his relaxed demeanor. Nibru had been expecting news for some time in regards to the ziggurat. It seemed that this was enough to crack even his determination.

The last man allowed into the chamber was squat and balding. His sun baked skin was dark, and his eyes sunken into his head. He seemed half starved and on the verge of collapse. Zaduga felt sorry for the man, for there was little that could be done for those whose bodies were giving out. Bav-illim was a prosperous empire, but there was no room for those who could not keep up, unless they had enough wealth to sustain them saved away somewhere.

"They crawled out from the very shadows! I swear it! Glowing eyes and black fangs for teeth! They killed everyone who could not run, and chased the rest until they grew bored of picking us off. It was just a game to them!" Zaduga perked up at this exclamation, and began to study the man more closely. He had assumed that the man was an elderly laborer, or farmer, but now he saw the subtle differences.

This man carried few wrinkles, mainly those upon his brow, and his sparse hair still carried color. His skin did not have the leathery texture of the elderly, but of a man far younger than Zadgua had first thought. He was obviously malnourished and had not slept, at least not well, in many days.

Zaduga looked to his nephew, who looked very displeased. "Where did you see them?" he asked in his deep voice. His nephew was tall, dark skinned, and well-muscled, just as his father had been. On his 19th summer, he was in his physical prime and had taken to shaving his head as many of his warriors did, while allowing is beard to grow one hands length, neatly trimming it in the fashions of the west. He wore a flowing red robe, with gold silken trim, looking every bit the emperor.

"I'm from a fishing village north of Nuzi your excellence. We call it Nerul, it was there that we were attacked." The man shook, whether from terror or exhaustion, Zaduga did not pretend to know.

"And tell me good citizen, why is it you who comes before me, and not the representatives of Ninos? Is he not the governor of your land? Could he not have brought me the message faster than yourself? If this threat is truly as great as you would have me believe, then why did you not relay it to him?" Zaduga nodded appreciatively at this. Nibru was obviously riled by this news, but he could not allow people to bypass hierarchical procedures. Else he'd fall out of favor with his governors and generals with all the peons attempting to go over their heads.

"I did holy one! He would not see me! His attendants laughed at me, and told me that, after speaking with the sukkallu, I would be allowed to see Ninos only after I captured one of the attackers. He then had me chased out by the guards!" The man began to choke with tears. "I beg your holiness, please believe me. They took my family, they took my Semira. I have nothing left." He then fell to his knees and began to weep pitifully.

The expression that Nibru now wore was cold and merciless. "Rise good citizen," and before the man could even attempt it, two guards had come over and hoisted the man to his feet. "Fear not, I will look into this matter, as is my duty."

The peasant looked relieved, and all the more weary for it. "Until my soldiers have a chance to inform me of the state of your small village, you shall be our guest here. If what you say is true, then Ninos will have much to answer for."

"Thank you your holiness!" The man exclaimed. He tried to bow, but the guards holding him did not allow much movement. "I will no-"

"But know this as well. If your claims are false, then you will not only face the charge of lying in my presence, but also of accusing one far above your station, and you will answer for these crimes." Nibru's face was unreadable as he starred at the wretch.

"Ye... yessss, my Lord." The man stammered. He tried to bow again, but the guards had already begun to escort him out.

Zaduga stood, his old muscles protesting the long period of inactivity. Nibru's focus was already on Alorus. "Tell me good Alorus. What do you make of this man's story?"

Alorus was just a few years older than Nibru. He had the same dark coloring as Nibru, but was much smaller. He was short for a man, and lean, with a narrow face. He seemed weak, but his eyes were keen like a hawk's. Alorus may not be a great warrior, but he was dangerous in his own way.

"There was a blood moon not long back. My understanding is that it may be of religious importance to the demons." Alorus spoke in a calm aged voice of one many years older. He seemed unconcerned with the man.

"So, you put credence to his claim?" Nibru did not seem pleased.

Alorus shrugged nonchalantly. "As long as these creatures exist, and as long as we do not fight back, it is only natural that they continue to prey on humanity. After all, it is within the nature of all beasts, to feed upon those they believe below them."

Nibru turned on Aloris furiously. "And you believe we are below them?"

Alorus grinned, "Of course not, blessed one. As of now they believe we are their lesser, but is that not the purpose of Etemenanki, to put these mere beasts in their place? And if not, then eradicating the vermin?"

Nibru calmed visibly, his expression quickly changing from anger to curiosity. "So you have good news for me then my old friend?"

"Oh, but I do indeed my Lord." Alorus bowed curtly. "I have garnered new information regarding the array to be inscribed in the temple; I believe it to be the final circle. We now are only missing the keystone to the array, which I believe will be coming shortly."

Nibru grinned wickedly, walking over to clasp the smaller man on the shoulder. "Good brother, tell me, how long until we complete the great tower of Etemenaki?"

"I would dare to say, that we may be able to complete the tower within the next turn of Shamash"

Nibru beamed, and Zaduga could not blame him. Etemenanki was his crown achievement: The largest ziggurat to have ever been built by man, and perhaps, thanks to the strange man, the key to ridding the world of evil, if it worked that is.