The Pursuit of
Shugat-Nergal
A story set in Ancient Sumer
by James W. Bell © 2002 - 2004
49
“Shugat-Nergal,” a voice called.
Shugat didn’t bother to look up. “Quiet, Mulim,” he growled, “I’m thinking.”
The summons came again, this time more emphatic. “Shugat-Nergal!”
“Dammit, I said be quiet.”
“You dare curse a god?” the voice inquired.
Shugat surveyed his surroundings and saw nothing but the narrow river gorge and limestone cliffs. Then he glanced up and spotted a small cloud overhead. A wizened old man wearing a cap with horns sat on its edge, his feet dangling. “Were you talking to me?” Shugat called to him.
“Are you the man known as the Great Shugat-Nergal?”
“Some call me by that name.”
“Then you are the one I seek. I wish to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“Those things you’ve been saying.”
“What business is it of yours?”
“Mountaineers claim you’re spreading rumors about me.”
“Men in these parts are unreliable. It’s wise not to count on what they say. By Nin, who are you anyway? And what are you doing up there on that cloud?”
“Do you mean you’ve been gossiping about me but can’t recognize me?”
Shugat slapped himself on the forehead. “Of course! Excuse my momentary loss of memory. You’re Ishkur, the ancient but most revered mountain god of storms.”
“Finally!”
“Greetings, Great One. You’ve always been one of my favorite gods.”
“Pshah!” the old deity scoffed. “You have nerve to claim I am one of the gods you most venerate when you can hardly identify me.”
“Forgive me, My Lord. It’s due to my eyes. I no longer see well at a distance and, besides, you’re perched way up there on a tiny cloud in a bright sky.”
“Then I’ll come down.” The old god gestured with his hand and the cloud gently descended till it bumped on the rock-strewn floor and started eddying toward the river bank, like morning fog. “This cloud’s light as a feather,” Ishkur said, “and has to be anchored.” He reached into the white mist and pulled out a spear with rope attached. Taking aim, he hurled the spike, setting it in the ground, then pulled the rope tight and knotted it.
“There, that should secure it,” he said and slipped off the cloud like a man sliding down a haystack, brushing away stray wisps that clung to his legs. He approached Shugat. “I’ve come to find out why you’ve been saying terrible things about me.”
“Lord of Thunder, I am sorry, but I don’t recall talking about you.”
“Oh? I’m told you described me as a jealous god.”
Shugat bent his head in concentration, then looked up. “Sorry, I can’t remember.”
“I’ll help you recollect.” Ishkur raised a finger and thunder boomed over the bluff behind them.
“Maybe I said something. Most likely idle chatter. Sometimes I talk too much.”
“The mountain men claim your remarks were very specific, pointed in fact.”
“It’s possible I inadvertently intimated you might be envious. You know.”
“Only hinted? Implied?” the old god asked and raised a finger. This time, a bolt of lightning cracked and shot through the air, close by, overhead.
Shugat ducked the strike, then straightened up, his face blanched. “I do recall I once remarked that you were jealous.”
“I thought so!” The old god scowled. “Who do I have to be jealous of?”
Shugat gulped. “Me.”
Ishkur grimaced, stared at Shugat-Nergal and threw up his hands. “You?”
Shugat produced a sheepish ear-to-ear grin.
It didn’t work. The old god raised a finger again and a bolt of lightning shot forward through the air. This time, it struck the ground by the recalcitrant’s foot, sending dirt and stones flying..
Shugat jumped back, then hurried to better explain himself. “What I told them was that you were jealous of me because I had attracted the interest of two goddesses—Nanay and Ereshkigal.”
The ancient divine stared at Shugat as if he had gone mad.
“My Lord, think! How else could I have ever escaped the Underworld?”
“Mortal, why should I not strike you dead and save myself further angst?”
Shugat sweated. He licked his lower lip, paused a moment, then went into an act. “Because, My Lord, you’re waiting to hear how I plan to restore your reputation.”
“By heaven, what’s this? You’re offering to repair what you did your best to ruin?”
“Please, Divine One, that’s not the case. I speak of ancient glory. Consider. Were you not among the first gods to descend to the Earth? And did you not settle in the mountainlands when they were still called the Land of the Gods?”
“I did. I left Heaven soon after Enlil and followed him down. In those days, all the gods lived up here in the mountains. When Enki created you human mortals, he settled them on the plain of Sumer. You were our servants in those days, growing food for us.”
“O Holy One, we are still your servants … I most of all. But, when all the other gods moved down to the plain of Sumer, did you not stay behind, choosing to live alone among snow-covered summits?”
“Since coming to the Earth, I have always dwelt on its highest peak.”
“I’ve heard, My Lord, that when you raged in the early times, your storms shook the very foundations of the Earth and the land trembled. Do you recall those glorious days?”
“By Nin, I do! I would summon the South Wind. As soon as her dark form appeared on the horizon, mortals would scatter and run for cover. I frightened everyone! I’m well known for creating the storm that brought about the Flood.”
“But it’s not like that now, is it? Since you live alone, there’s no one around to witness the majestic violence of your creations. Isn’t that so?”
“Unfortunately that is the case, but your endless questions are tiring me.”
“My Lord, I am proceeding on your behalf.”
The old god sighed. “Continue if you must.”
“I see you still have only two pairs of horns on your cap.”
“I have always worn two pairs,” Ishkur said defensively.
“Most major gods have three pairs of horns—some have four.”
“There are more gods these days.”
“Ninurta, Enlil’s son, who is the young storm god living in Sumer, goes around wearing three pairs.”
“In his case, it’s ostentation. I have seen Ninurta at the Assembly of the Gods. All those horns on his head make him look silly.”
“But they impress mortals like me.”
Ishkur sighed. “The Earth was a perfect place till Enki created you humans.”
“But you enjoy showing off for us. Like the Flood. You know it was a masterpiece. There’s no reason you can’t have an ambitious son, like Enlil.”
“At my age?”
“What difference does age make to you? You’re a god—an immortal. Only mortals grow old and feeble. Perhaps you’ve thought yourself aged, Holy One, because you allowed yourself to be taken in by Earth’s trickery. Being immortal, you’re as young today as you ever were. There’s no reason why you can’t go out and father a son.”
Ishkur flexed his arm several times. “Bless Bes, now that you mention it, I do feel strong, strength I haven’t used for some time. But there are no goddesses left in the hills.”
“They’ve living in the cities of Sumer. It’s easier there.”
“Since Inanna left, the city of Aratta has fallen into ruin. I don’t know why she went.”
“Goddesses prefer modern cities, ports on waterways where ships from foreign lands arrive with their exotic cargoes and virile sailors. Excitement, where seamen frequent quayside taverns, seeking solace in strong beer and whatever else they find. Goddesses often grant relief to those lonely sufferers.”
“By the gods, mortal, I too have experienced loneliness and feel the need of solace. Is there some place nearby with inns like you described?”
“There’s the city of Zabalam, a port located at the junction of the Iturungal and Gibil canals.”
“Yes, I’ve seen it when riding air currents out over the foothills.”
“A young love goddess is visiting the city at present, one by the name of Nanay. Holy One, I’m on my way to Zabalam. Why not join me?”
“I’m not acquainted with the goddess. Do you think she would comfort me?”
“I’m told she delights in teaching human mortals the subtleties of passion. How much more interesting it would be to teach such things to a powerful god—such as yourself.”
Ishkur’s face broke into a broad smile. “I’d like that. I’d be a willing student. By heaven, Shugat-Nergal, I think I’ll accept your invitation and travel to Zabalam with you. But, why don’t we ride down on my cloud? It would be an easy glide.”
“My Lord, I’d welcome the ride.”
50
“Follow me,” Ishkur told Shugat as he climbed up the side of the cloud. “Use the steps. Be careful where you put your foot. I don’t want my cloud punctured.”
In a few minutes, Shugat found himself seated on the edge of the cloud, beside the old storm god. “Now we take off,” Ishkur said. He yanked the spear free and raised his hand.
The cloud lifted off the ground, but then tilted and clomped back to earth.
Ishkur frowned and looked at Shugat. “How much do you weigh?”
“Two and a quarter talents.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. We’ll try again.” Once more, Ishkur lifted his hand to take off, only to have the mass tip dangerously and fall.
The old god scratched his head. “Something’s wrong. My cloud’s behaving like it’s weighted down.”
“Perhaps,” Shugat said, “I should have mentioned a friend has come along. He’s on the cloud, too.”
Ishkur glanced around. “Who? I don’t see anyone.”
“He’s a shade.”
“You mean a ghost?”
Shugat nodded.
Ishkur shouted, “Show yourself, demon!”
A gray shape in the form of a human materialized on the far side. “Be careful what you call me,” Mulim said. “I’m no demon.”
“All Underworld creatures are demons,” the old storm god asserted. “Just looking at you, I can tell you’re scarcely more than a phantasm. How did you escape?”
“I came up with Shugat-Nergal.”
The old storm god turned to Shugat. “You need to get rid of him.”
“Glorious One, Mulim and I have shared many things. We’ve become good friends.”
“Shugat-Nergal, it’s bad enough for a god’s reputation to consort with a mortal who’s a thief, but to hang around with one who also has a shady companion …” Ishkur left his statement unfinished.
“I won’t abandon Mulim.”
“Then you two will have to get off my cloud. I’m sorry, the underworld nature of your comrade makes him repulsive to the ethereal kingdom. Heaven repels sin and demons alike. With someone like your shade aboard, I’d need a cloud of much greater mass to be able to lift off.”
Shugat pretended surprise. “You would pass up your chance for eternal friendship?”
“What are you talking about now?”
“Consider, Holy One. Mulim may have been a mortal, but now that he’s dead, he’s acquired immortality and become like you. You know how difficult it is to find long-lived friends on the Earth, particularly one willing to live isolated on a mountaintop. Mulim prefers little contact with humans so he could make you a good companion over the eons to come, one to stay with you and bear witness to the magnificence of the storms you create.”
“Well –”
“In addition, I’ve found Mulim very helpful. He could assist you in doing odd jobs, perhaps creating rockslides and avalanches.”
“I do like to keep busy,” the shade interjected. “And I don’t need sleep.”
“You’d be willing to live in the mountains?” Ishkur asked him.
“I’d prefer it,” the shade responded. “I frighten humans so I’d rather keep away from them.”
“Maybe I spoke too hastily. Over the years,” the old mountain god said. “I’ve become unaccustomed to company. But it would be nice to have someone around. Even a ghost. I’ll go fetch a bigger cloud, one with more lifting power. You two wait here. I’ll be right back.”
51
As soon as Ishkur left, Shugat turned to Mulim. “My friend, you and I need to have a talk. Man to shade.”
“What is it now, Shugat-Nergal?”
“We need to speak about what’s going to happen.”
“Meeting women in Zabalam? I’m interested. It’s been a long time -”
“Come on, Mulim, in Zabalam, there will be Ishkur and Nanay plus myself and Denisha. That’s two couples. You’ll be the odd one out.”
“That’s all right. I’ll just watch.”
“That’s what I mean, Mulim. Everybody will know you’re somewhere but won’t be able to tell exactly where you are.”
“Would you rather I materialized?”
Shugat flinched. “By the gods, Mulim! You’d scare the women even more if you were visible. Besides, you must know no woman likes a third party hanging around.”
“Then I’ll stay invisible.”
“You’ll have to promise to keep your distance.”
“Are you telling me I can’t offer advice? You must realize I led a full life and am experienced.”
“I don’t want a word said. Having a voice come out of thin air would be as bad as having a gray body flitting around the room. It would frighten the kur out of Denisha.”
“Shugat-Nergal, are you hinting I am a frightful creature?”
“It’s unfortunate, my friend, but ever since you died, it’s been your nature. It can’t be helped, so you must accept it.”
“When we’re in Zabalam, Shugat-Nergal, maybe you’ll produce a child. Then I could come help discipline the adolescent by frightening him whenever he misbehaved.”
Shugat clasped his head with both hands. “By the gods, Mulim! I had my mind set on romance, not propagation! Why nag me with stuff like this?”
“I’m just trying to be helpful, my friend … thinking of your own good.”
Shugat grunted, then turned away and lapsed into silence.
To Chapter 52
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