Free Gilgamesh Immortal (Chronicles of the Nephilim) by Brian Godawa

the court archives as well as the maintenance of the written stories of the culture. He wrote letters for the king and oversaw the engraving of monumental inscriptions. The ummanu had taken the place of the apkallu before the Deluge. While the apkallu had been primarily a mystical sage of wisdom for kings, the ummanu was more of an intellectual scholar of knowledge reference.
    The world was becoming less magical and more rational with the growth and accumulation of human knowledge and observation growing in libraries of cuneiform tablets in the cities. The ability to manage all that written knowledge required a person more inclined toward tablets than people, and toward rational intellect than human nature. This also explained Sinleqiunninni’s pudgy and flabby body shape, as he was prone to spend most of his time sitting and reading.
    Unfortunately for Sinleqiunni nni, Gilgamesh did not care for his personality in the least. The scholar was intelligent and knowledgeable without doubt. He could cite from memory things written down in tablets stored deep in the library. But he did not have much wisdom, or practical ability to apply his knowledge. That, and his social and verbal skills were dreadful. The only reason his monotonous voice did not put Gilgamesh to sleep was because it annoyed him so much. But Sinleqiunninni was the only one in the kingdom who knew the library by heart, so Gilgamesh needed him, if only to recount such petty details that would be necessary for particular discussions or decisions.
    Enkidu’s voice snapped Gilgamesh back into this world. “Ho, hurrah, my king!” proclaimed Enkidu. Gilgamesh looked up and saw Enkidu and Shamhat being led in by the Guard.
    “Why does Gilgamesh the Gibbor appear so glum?”
    Gilgamesh smiled broadly. “Contemplating the mysteries of the cosmos.”
    Gilgamesh gazed upon the beautiful form of Shamhat. It was as if Enkidu’s love had transformed this hierodule, this harlot into a vision of womanly grace and honor. A splash of jealousy washed over him. He shook it off.
    “Welcome, my turtledoves,” teased Gilgamesh. “ It has been a mere five days since your wedding. Are you already losing your passionate prowess, mighty Enkidu?”
    E nkidu and Shamhat smiled. “Self-control is a character trait of which I intend to instruct the king,” Enkidu teased back.
    Shamhat joined in, “Would my Lord prefer us to demonstrate Enkidu’s continuing prowess on the throne for his majesty?”
    Gilgamesh laughed heartily, “No, no, dear Shamhat. I shall trust your expert opinion and pray that I may someday find such a desirable and goodly wife as you. Thank you for civilizing this manly brute.” It was the way of men to insult one another as an ironic act of showing affection and respect.
    “The honor is mine, good king,” said Shamhat.
    “No,” said Gilgamesh.
    Enkidu and Shamhat did not respond. They did not know what he meant, and were not sure they wanted to.
    “No, I am not a good king,” he continued. “Please accept my humblest apology for interrupting your wedding night with my scandalous unacceptable behavior. I vow to never treat you with such disrespect again. You are the wife of my Right Hand.”
    Shamhat and Enkidu were stunned speechless. Shamhat started to tear up with gratitude.
    She finally spoke up, “My lord the king is sovereign. He does as he pleases.”
    “Indeed I do,” Gilgamesh replied. “But that is why the gods have given me your husband, as a standard to show me the consequences of my actions. Already he has me re-evaluating my policy of jus prima noctis , thanks to his desirous wife for whom I understand now why he would die.”
    “My lord,” she said simply with embarrassment and honor of such self-disclosure of a king to so lowly a subject.
    Sinleqiunninni cleared his throat like a teacher and spoke softly with a false humility, “Excuse me, my lord, but technically, jus prima noctis was never absolute obligation on your part. You