Nearly Art Hito: Chapter 12

Karma: Novel Fragments by Deftan (English Translated)

⭐ Terus nantikan Cerpen Naratif Paralel yang dikembangkan dari naskah ini berjudul "Karma: Cinta dan Baghdad" yang ditulis melalui Perspektif tokoh Dwingga dengan kategori Juara "The Second Most Innovative Story" bersama PT BETTERFLY INDONESIA PRODUCTION akan terbit di website setelah terbit versi buku ontologinya.

Potrait Anna, Ras Ageless, Leluhur Sumer dalam fiksi Deftan

Anna's Potrait, Ageless Race, Sumerian's Ancestor in Deftan's Fiction.

Catatan Penulis:

Ini tidaklah mudah. Sungguh! Membuka kembali gagasan yang ‘terkutuk’ dan ambivalen. Naskah ini Pusaka tetapi juga Pandora--aib dan luka-yang menunggu kering. Tapi, mungkin memang sudah saatnya aku membuka perbannya dan menunjukkannya dengan bangga.

Untuk diriku sendiri aku bangga kepadamu-yang telah bertahan sampai detik ini. Walaupun kau hampir berpaling dan menyerah selama dua tahun belakangan, tapi kau kembali menemukan jalan pulang.. Akan kukalungkan medali ini di lehermu..

Terimakasih kepada temanku yang baik Najma-Yang berhasil membuatku tersadar hanya dengan 1 pertanyaan--yang selalu membuatku Percaya dan bertahan akan tujuanku meskipun aku hampir melupakan dan merelakannya dan Alious..pujaan hatiku yang selalu mendukungku, dan untuk seorang teman SMA, yang sangat baik dan supportif, Anis dan Fendi.. untuk kalian yang telah sangat mendukung dan terlibat menguatkan hari-hariku.. aku berterimakasih. Aku harap kalian bertigalah yang pertama kali bisa membaca dan mengoleksi novel ini di rak buku kalian nantinya...

Aku ingin meminta maaf kepada bapak dan Mama.. karena aku selalu sibuk dengan pikiranku dan aku melewatkan banyak sesi pengajian di Pondok… Maafkan aku atas keras kepalaku karena terlalu sibuk dengan duniaku dari pada mengurus bisnis dan membuka toko online… Aku sayang kalian..

Doa dan harapan kalian adalah jimat keberuntunganku selama ini..

Untuk masa lalu aku sangat berterima kasih…

Fragmen 1: Mimpi ke -12 dan Pertemuan Pertama (The Twelfth Dream and the First Encounter)

Eridug, hari ke-27, Mušuk-Kešda, (6075 SM)
(Sedangkan Istilah Asli untuk tahun baru sering disebut ‘Nisag’ di Sumeria Kuno)
(Eridug atau Eridu termasuk salah satu kota terawal di Sumeria Kuno, kemungkinan sekarang berlokasi di Abu Shahrein, Irak Modern)

Semula semuanya terdengar samar dan remang-remang, tapi suara-suara itu semakin kuat dan menusuk telinga. Hiruk-pikuk yang sibuk, seolah berada di tengah-tengah pasar. Malam itu rasanya jasad dan jiwaku terperangkap di ‘ruang‘ yang benar-benar sungguh asing bagiku. Kakiku tersengat oleh sensasi dingin, bahkan efeknya masih mampu kurasakan seminggu kemudian. Suatu pengalaman yang sangat aneh dan sulit terlupakan--karena aku masih mengenakan piamaku lalu sekonyong-konyong batuan lantai jasper kemerahan secara ajaib menghampar di hadapanku, dan aku juga memeluk buku catatan unguku lengkap dengan bolpoin. Jadi, Ya! Tentu saja aku mencatat semuanya.

Aku mengedarkan pandang berusaha membiasakan penglihatanku, suara riuh itu masih terdengar dari balik pintu gerbang berlapis perunggu dan logam mulia berarsitektur rumit dan mencolok di belakangku. Terpampang lukisan sepasang singa bersayap, berkepala manusia yang mencengkram sebuah obor dengan lilitan spiral bercorak kufi, masing-masingnya terletak di sayap gerbang kanan dan kiri.

Akupun mulai mengkaji dengan seksama hal-hal yang ada di sekelilingku, mencicipinya dengan jari jemariku, Semuanya bertekstur dan terasa nyata.

Mulai dari dinding-dinding terbuat dari bata lumpur kemerahan yang dihias berbagai macam pola geometris. Pilar-pilar marmer raksasa bercorak floral kurma dan dedaunan palma, sampai gambar sepasang domba saling mengaitkan tanduknya yang hitam melengkung, dengan biru bulkat sebagai warna kulitnya. Meskipun catnya sudah terlihat kusam dan pudar.

Jendela-jendela di ruangan itu terbuat dari intan bening. Ada total lima jendela berbentuk lingkaran dengan ukuran yang random, ukuran paling besar di tengah dan yang sedang di atasnya. Ada juga tiga buah lingkaran yang kecil, walau didesain dengan ukuran acak, hal itu tetap mampu menghasilkan kesan estetika. Jendela lingkaran yang paling besar diisi dengan pola mozaik yang membentuk sebuah lukisan wanita cantik, dilukis dari proporsi samping mengenakan anting-anting bulat seukuran lencana dan hiasan kepala rumit yang berlapis. Sedangkan, salah satu dinding di sebelah barat terbuat dari batuan kristal serta ornamen batuan lainnya seperti safir, zamrud, rubi, topaz, calistine dan ametis. Perpaduan dari batu berwarna-warni itu membentuk objek yang menajubkan serupa matahari.

Terlihat juga ranjang yang dibuat agak tinggi dari kayu, cukup kontras dengan desain dan coraknya yang mencolok dengan beragam lukisan dan pola, berkelambu sutra dan berjumbai perak-keemasan. Keempat kaki ranjangnya berbentuk cakar singa yang dilapisi logam mulia. Ruangan itu setara dengan luas aula auditorium rapat kenegaraan.
“Gu-la bisa kau bilang pada mereka agar jangan berisik?!”
Gendang telingaku bergetar, terdengar teriakan seorang gadis yang amat kesal. Tapi dengan janggal aku merasa akrab dan familiar dengan suaranya. Beberapa ‘Rudal bantal‘ melayang dan melesat ke arahku, aku merunduk dan melompat menghindarinya bereaksi tepat waktu.
“B-baik En-Ku-Zi“ (Tuan Yang Murni)
suara laki-laki menyahut dari balik pintu terdengar bergetar akibat gertakan gadis itu.

“Tuan Yang Murni Zagin-Min Anneyra dan Edin, Salehi-dar (Putra Salehi) yang tangkas memasuki ruangan!” Begitu pengumuman kehadiran dibacakan dengan lantang. Dua sayap pintu terdorong dan perlahan membuka di belakangku, aku menyingkir dari jalan dan bersembunyi di belakang sayap pintu sebelah kanan sebelum pintu terbuka sempurna. Cemas mereka terusik dan terganggu oleh kehadiranku ‘orang asing’ yang tiba-tiba muncul di ruangan privat. Tidak lucu ‘kan?
Kedua laki- laki yang tampak sebagai penjaga dengan tombaknya membungkuk hormat. Aku mengintip dan mengamati gerak-gerik mereka. Seorang gadis belia berusia belasan namun tampak begitu berwibawa, rambut peraknya sepinggul dijalinkan ke satu bahu, dengan ikat rambut spiral menawan keemasan. Gaun lajuran kaftan dari linen berwarna putih gading dijerat oleh sabuk kain sebiru lazuli berornamen manik-manik obsidian dan emas. Dari sabuknya saja aku sudah bisa menerka seberapa tinggi pangkat gadis itu, warna biru—apalagi sebiru lazuli sejak dahulu adalah warna yang paling langka, itulah yang membuatnya ‘ningrat‘.

Adapun Sepasang anting kerucut spiral, menggantung di kedua cupingnya, kalung emas dan obsidian yang berlapis-lapis menutupi dada, gelang-gelang berlapis yang serasi dengan kalungnya, Namun, kontras dengan kulitnya yang pucat berseri selayaknya purnama hanya semakin menambah aura keagungan gadis belia itu.
Seorang pemuda jakung dengan wajah yang tegas serta sorot mata yang tajam mengekor di belakangnya. Aku tidak bisa menebak umur pastinya, namun pemuda itu terlihat berkisar lima belas sampai tujuh belas tahunan. Tubuhnya dililit kain mirip toga seputih tulang yang dijerat sabuk kain sewarna batu bata dengan ornamen emas. Sedangkan bawahannya mengenakan rok panjang berpola dan berjumbai-jumbai menutupi betis (Kaunakes) Lengannya sampai bawah sikut di lilit dengan aksesori yang sepertinya terbuat dari surai atau bulu hewan berwarna gelap, kalungnya semerah carnelian berlapis-lapis menjuntai sampai perut, Sementara rambut peraknya terurai lurus sampai ke bahu.

Suatu kejadian sial karena sesaat rasanya mata kami bertemu. Refleks, aku berpaling terkulai pasrah. Menelaah kemungkinan ia telah memergokiku. Kakiku tak sengaja menyenggol gerabah lilin tanah liat yang diletakan di sudut pintu hingga pecah.

Aku membungkam mulutku sendiri untuk memperlambat nafasku. Hanya irama jantungku dan suara gemerincing gelang kaki yang terdengar semakin mendekat. Terisak pasrah dan menelungkupkan kepalaku dalam-dalam menutupi wajahku. Dari celah jemariku, aku bisa melihat sepasang kaki bergelang: Berdiri lama seolah menganalisa, sebelum akhirnya berjongkok mengumpulkan kepingan gerabah dan lilin yang berserakan. Anehnya, ia melakukannya dengan sangat tenang: Tidak ada teriakan atau cercaan penghakiman. Akupun tak kuat lagi dan hampir kehabisan nafas. Terlihat Orang berambut perak lurus sebahu yang tengah fokus mengumpulkan pecahan kendi di hadapanku ketika kudongakan kepala mengambil nafas. Pria jakung tadi! Aku menatapnya lama, ada sebuah intensitas yang tak mampu kujelaskan tentangnya. Selesai dengan kepingan terakhir, pria itu pun balas menatapku lama. Matanya memicing, seolah menelisik dan mencari-cari sesuatu. Gesturnya itu kelewat aneh, sehingga kuberanikan diri mendekat dan menatap pupilnya yang berwarna pirus kecokelatan. keduanya tak kunjung membesar atau terkejut.

Tidak ada Refleksiku!

Fragmen 2: Zagin-Min: Permata kedua (Zagin-Min: The Second Gem)

‘‘Edin ?" (Singa Gurun)

Kepala gadis kecil menyembul dari balik pintu, mengintip kami.

‘‘Kenapa?“

Pria itu menggeleng mengusir kegusarannya seraya bangkit dari tempat. Keraguan tampak berkelebat di matanya, ada jeda panjang sebelum akhirnya ia bisa menjawab walau hanya sepatah kata.

‘‘Aneh..‘‘

Aku bangkit dan kembali mengintip dari balik pintu.

‘‘Ada apa? Kenapa wajahmu seakan habis bertemu Etemmu? (Hantu atau roh dalam kepercayaan sumeria)

‘‘Tidak ada seorang pun di balik pintu, Zagin-NIN lalu bagaimana kendinya bisa pecah?“ kali ini Salah seorang penjaga berjanggut keriting tebal yang menjawab dengan nada sama herannya. Ia juga mengenakan ikat kepala berpola geometris dan zig-zag yang dianyam.

Jadi, aku benar-benar invisible?!

‘‘Ya.. mungkin saja Enlil (sebutan untuk dewa angin) sedang bercanda dengan kalian“

‘‘Enlil itu fiksi Zagin (Permata) ia hanya karangan yang dibuat oleh pendongeng untuk menakut-nakuti anak-anak di bawah umur supaya tidak keluyuran sampai malam, karena pada malam hari cuaca gurun bisa sangat dingin.. dan menyembunyikan banyak kejahatan dan ketika dingin merambati malam di situlah Enlil sedang beraksi.“

Mereka kembali menatap lama ke arahku dan serpihan guci itu.

‘‘Lalu, siapa?“ Gadis itu balik bertanya gamang. ‘‘Etemmu?“ seringai sarkas muncul sedetik kemudian.

‘‘Tuan-tuan jika bukan Enlil sendiri yang menjatuhkannya mungkin anginnyalah yang melakukannya.“

‘‘Tapi benar-benar tidak ada angin di sini Zagin-NIN (Julukan pangkat, bisa berarti 'lady' untuk memanggil bangsawan) salah seorang prajurit yang sama menimpali, menjilat telapakan tangannya sendiri berusaha merasakan angin yang dimaksud.

‘‘Gu-la, Kau Jorok!“ Rekan jaganya menyikutnya dengan ekspresi jijik. Gadis tadi merespons dengan mengangkat satu alisnya. Baru saat itulah ia tertunduk sadar dan malu bahwa sudah bukan posisi dan tempatnnya untuk mendebat sang putri belia.

“Spontanitas dan cepat tanggapmu itu mengesankan Gu-la, itu sangat berguna untuk situasi genting dan medan perang.“ Dan kau adalah Orang paling waspada yang pernah kutemui.“ Edin menepuk bahunya. Apresiasinya itu sedikit meringankan hati Gu-la.

‘‘dan jangan melupakan tujuan kita Edin, ada putri tidur yang harus dibangunkan“. Gadis belia itu menggandengnya menuju tempat tidur. Aku memungut beberapa serpihan kendi dan memasukkannya ke kantong piama, sebelum akhirnya keluar dari persembunyian. Aku menyukai pola berombak dan spiralnya yang unik dan instingku mengatakan benda ini akan berguna sebagai sampel atau petunjuk nantinya.

Akupun menguntit mereka tanpa suara.

“Keluar! dan jangan menggangguku!“ Edin. Zagin!“

‘‘Aku heran bagaimana kakakmu bisa tahu kedatangan kita, bahkan dari jarak 40 kus (setara dengan 18, 2 meter diperhitungan modern)?“ Edin berbisik ke telinga putri belia.

‘‘Aku mendengarnya Edin, jangan lupa kalau para penjaga selalu mengumumkan kedatangan setiap yang bergelar sebelum menginjakan kaki ke ruangan, selain itu, aku... mendengar gemerincing gelang dari kaki kalian.“ Kau Lugal (Raja) dan šagina masa depan Edin, Aku yakin kau juga cukup jeli untuk menerka siapa yang datang hanya dari gemerincing perhiasannya.“

Suara seorang gadis terdengar merespons dari tempat tidur menembus jarak, namun sindirannya sepahit racun Mušḫuššu (Makhluk mitologis berbentuk ular atau naga) yang langsung mengalir ke kerongkongannya. Nafas pria itu pun tercekat.

‘‘Oh! Tentu saja dia harus terus melatih teknik bergerak dalam bayangan itu agar terus bisa menyelinap di bawah hidung ummia (Guru atau tutor dalam bahasa sumer kuno) dan patroli jagamu, Edin”. Putri belia itu menimpali berbisik ke telinganya. Mereka tertawa terbahak-bahak.

‘‘Aku mendengar kalian sayang!“

Terusik oleh kemahiran ‘gadis dalam kelambu‘ keduanya pun saling memanyunkan bibir dongkol, namun, terkekeh lagi setelahnya.

“aku tak suka ada terlalu banyak patung”.

“mengapa tiba-tiba?” gadis belia itu menoleh. Pemuda jakung itu terlihat menggeleng tak nyaman, mengedikan bahunya seraya tertawa. ”Entahlah.. terlintas begitu saja di benakku, jujur saja aku selalu merasa gelisah setiap kali aku menatap patung-patung itu.”

Raut mereka kembali serius. ‘‘Maksudku, kau lihat bagaimana orang-orang mengangkut dan memajang patung-patung itu ke setiap sudut ruangan kan?” Bagaimana para pengrajin di aula kesenian bekerja keras memermak dan memoles patung-patung itu, berharap hasil pekerjaan mereka sempurna.” Seakan-akan mereka sangat memuja kreasi mereka sendiri. ‘‘Mungkin aku yang kelewatan dan lancang, sempat berpikir bahwa suatu saat orang-orang juga akan mulai menyembahnya, hahaaa.” Tawa pemuda itu terdengar sarkas.

‘‘Apa kata-kata kakakku masih mengganggumu, Edin?“

‘‘Apa?“

‘‘kau itu selalu memikirkan hal yang tidak-tidak kala kau cemas, tapi syukurlah kukira kau masih memikirkan tentang Atemmu dan kau memang terlalu pemikir. Aku yakin mereka tak akan melakukannya.“

Ada keheningan ganjil yang menggantung di udara.

“Kita sudah memiliki pedoman, dan sampai saat ini kita hanya menyembah tuhan, atau—Ucapannya terhenti. Gadis belia itu menggeleng berusaha menyangkal kegusarannya.

“Disamping itu kau tahu kan kalau pembuatan patung merupakan salah satu komoditas terbesar kita dengan orang-orang Yamnaya(bangsa yang menyembah patung atau berhala) negara kita mengekspornya ke mereka.”

Pemuda itu tetap memaksakan mengangguk dan tersenyum meski terlihat tidak sepakat. ”ya.”

“semoga saja itu hanya ketakutanku.”

“Aku mohon singkirkan ketakutanmu..“ Langkahnya berhenti. Ia menatap serius dan meyakinkan. ‘‘Kau selayaknya kakak bagiku, Edin.“ Gadis belia itu meremas tangan pria jakung itu dan menatapnya lembut.‘‘ Akan banyak hari besar yang menghadangmu di depan“.

Pria jakung itu balas menatapnya. selayaknya seorang kakak, ia membelai kepala gadis belia itu lembut. ’’Ya.“ Adik.“

Mereka tersenyum. Barulah gadis belia itu melepaskan tangannya.

“Omong-omong, aku telah meminta Yablum untuk memermak patung ibumu.” Putri belia itu tersenyum. Mengalihkan pembicaraan. “dengan tangannya sendiri.” Ia meneruskan. Sebelum dengan halus ia berpaling lagi.

“hanya wajah itu yang mampu menenangkanmu ‘kan?” dan dalam sekejap gadis belia itu telah berjalan mendahuluinya, sampai-sampai pemuda jakung itu harus berlari kecil berusaha mengimbanginya.

Aku pun melemparkan pandanganku ke sekeliling ruangan. berusaha keras menghalau rasa bosananku. Aku belum menyaksikan satupun patung yang mereka bicarakan di ruangan ini.

⭐ Stay tuned for the Parallel Narrative Short Story developed from this manuscript, titled “Karma: Love and Baghdad,” written from the perspective of the character Dwingga. It was awarded “The Second Most Innovative Story” in collaboration with PT Betterfly Indonesia Production, and will be available on the website after the anthology book version is published.

Author’s Note:

This has not been easy. Truly. To reopen ideas once deemed “cursed” and ambivalent. This manuscript is both an heirloom and a Pandora—shame and wounds waiting to dry. But perhaps it is finally time for me to remove the bandage and reveal them with pride. I wandered and surrendered for the past two years, yet you found your way home again. I will hang this medal around your neck.

My gratitude goes to my dear friend, Najma—who managed to awaken me with a single question—who always made me believe and hold on to my purpose, even when I was close to forgetting it and letting it go. And to Alious, the one I cherish, who has always supported me. And to a high school friend who has been so kind and supportive, Anis and Fendi. To the all of you who strengthened my days in countless ways—thank you. I hope you will be the first to read and place this novel on your bookshelves one day.

I want to apologize to Father and Mama… for always being lost in my own thoughts and for missing so many study sessions at the boarding school. Forgive me for my stubbornness, for being too absorbed in my own world instead of helping with the business and opening the online shop. I love you both.

Your prayers and hopes have been my talisman of fortune all this time.

And to my past—I am deeply grateful.

Fragment 1: The Twelfth Dream and the First Encounter

Eridug, Day 27 of Mušuk-Kešda (6075 BC)
(In Ancient Sumerian, the original term for the New Year was often referred to as “Nisag.”)
(Eridug, or Eridu, is considered one of the earliest cities of ancient Sumer, likely located in present-day Abu Shahrein, modern Iraq.)

At first, everything sounded faint and dim, but the voices grew louder, piercing my ears. The bustle was relentless—like standing in the middle of a marketplace. That night, it felt as though my body and soul were trapped in a space utterly foreign to me. A cold sensation stung my feet; I could still feel its aftereffect a week later. It was a strange and unforgettable experience—because I was still wearing my pajamas when, suddenly, a floor of reddish jasper stone magically stretched before me. I was even clutching my purple notebook and pen. So yes—I wrote everything down.

I swept my gaze around, trying to adjust my sight. The noise still echoed from beyond the massive bronze-and-precious-metal gates behind me, intricately crafted and striking in their architecture. Painted across them were a pair of winged lions with human heads, each clutching a torch wrapped in spiral motifs resembling Kufic patterns, positioned symmetrically on the right and left wings of the gate.

I began examining my surroundings carefully, touching surfaces with my fingertips. Everything had texture. Everything felt real. The walls were made of reddish mud bricks adorned with geometric designs. Massive marble pillars carved with floral patterns of date palms and palm leaves towered above. There was even a painting of two rams locking their curved black horns, their bodies painted in deep azure, though the pigments had faded with time.

The windows were crafted from clear diamond-like crystal. There were five circular windows of varying sizes—the largest in the center, a medium one above it, and three smaller circles arranged asymmetrically yet harmoniously. The largest window contained a mosaic forming the profile of a beautiful woman, shown in side proportion, wearing round earrings the size of medallions and an elaborate layered headdress.

Meanwhile, the western wall was constructed from crystalline stone and embedded with sapphire, emerald, ruby, topaz, celestine, and amethyst. The fusion of these colorful stones formed a radiant object resembling the sun.

A bed stood elevated on carved wood, conspicuously ornate with intricate paintings and motifs. It was draped with silk curtains trimmed in silver-gold tassels. Its four legs were shaped like lion claws plated in precious metal. The chamber itself was as vast as a state auditorium hall.

“Gu-la, could you tell them to keep quiet?!”

My eardrums trembled at the irritated shout of a young girl. Strangely, her voice felt familiar. Several “pillow missiles” flew toward me. I ducked and leapt aside, narrowly avoiding them.

“Y-Yes, En-Ku-Zi (The Pure Lord),”

a man’s voice answered shakily from behind the door, clearly intimidated by the girl’s command.

“The Pure Lord Zagin-Min Anneyra and Edin, Salehi-dar (Son of Salehi), the deft. Enter the chamber!” the herald proclaimed loudly.

The two wings of the door were pushed open behind me. I quickly stepped aside and hid behind the right panel before it opened fully, anxious that they might be disturbed by my sudden presence—an intruder in a private chamber. That would hardly be amusing, isn't it?

Two men who appeared to be guards bowed respectfully, spears in hand. I peeked and observed them carefully.

A young maiden—still in her teens—stood with commanding authority. Her silver hair, reaching her hips, was braided over one shoulder and fastened with a golden spiral band. She wore a white-ivory linen kaftan gown, cinched with a deep lapis-blue belt adorned with obsidian and gold beads. From that belt alone, I could infer her rank. Blue—especially lapis—had long been the rarest color. It signified nobility.

She wore spiral cone-shaped earrings dangling from both lobes, layered gold-and-obsidian necklaces covering her chest, and matching stacked bracelets. Her luminous pale skin, like the full moon, only intensified her aura of majesty.

Behind her followed a tall young man with firm features and sharp eyes. I could not determine his exact age, but he appeared to be between fifteen and seventeen. A bone-white toga-like cloth wrapped his torso, fastened with a brick-red belt ornamented in gold. Below, he wore a patterned, fringed long skirt covering his calves—a kaunakes. His arms, down to the elbows, were wrapped with dark accessories that seemed made of animal mane or fur. Layers of carnelian-red necklaces hung down to his abdomen. His silver hair fell straight to his shoulders.

Then misfortune struck. For a fleeting second, it felt as though our eyes met. Reflexively, I turned away, resigned, calculating whether he had noticed me. My foot accidentally struck a clay oil lamp placed near the door. It shattered.

I clamped my hand over my mouth to steady my breathing. Only the pounding of my heart and the soft chiming of anklets drew closer. I crouched, burying my head and hiding my face. Through my fingers, I saw a pair of anklet-adorned feet. They stood there for a long moment, as if analyzing the situation, before kneeling to gather the scattered shards of clay and wax.

Strangely, he did so calmly. No shouting. No condemnation.

I was nearly out of breath when I lifted my head to inhale—and saw him. The tall young man with straight silver hair to his shoulders was focused on collecting the fragments before me.

It was him.

I stared at him for a long time. There was an intensity about him I could not explain. When he finished picking up the final shard, he looked back at me just as steadily. His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing, searching for something.

The gesture unsettled me so much that I dared to lean closer, peering into his brownish-turquoise pupils.

They did not widen. They did not flinch.

There was no reflection of me.

Fragment 2: Zagin-Min: The Second Gem

“Edin?” (Desert Lion)

A little girl’s head emerged from behind the door, peeking at us.

“Why?”

The young man shook his head, dismissing his unease as he rose to his feet. Doubt flickered in his eyes. A long pause stretched between them before he managed to answer, if only with a single word.

“Strange…”

I stood and peered again from behind the door.

“What is it? Why do you look as though you’ve just encountered an etemmu?” (a ghost or wandering spirit in Sumerian belief)

“There is no one behind the door, Zagin-NIN. Then how did the jar shatter?” This time, one of the guards—his beard thick and tightly curled—answered in the same tone of astonishment. He wore a woven headband patterned in geometric zigzags.

So I truly was invisible?

“Yes… perhaps Enlil is playing tricks on you.”

“Enlil is a fiction, Zagin (Gem) He is merely a tale spun by storytellers to frighten children into staying indoors at night. The desert grows bitterly cold after dusk… and hides many crimes. When the cold creeps in, they say Enlil is at work.”

They stared again—at me, at the shards.

“Then who?” the girl asked uncertainly. “An etemmu?” A sardonic smirk tugged at her lips. “Gentlemen, if it was not Enlil himself who toppled it, perhaps it was the wind.”

“But there is truly no wind here, Zagin-NIN,” the same soldier insisted, licking his palm to test the air.

“Gu-la, that is filthy!” his fellow guard elbowed him in disgust.

The girl arched a single brow. Only then did Gu-la lower his head, embarrassed, realizing it was not his place to argue with the young princess.

“Your spontaneity and quick reflexes are impressive, Gu-la. They will serve you well in battlefields and moments of crisis. And you are the most vigilant man I have ever met.”

Edin clapped his shoulder. The praise eased Gu-la’s heart.

“And let us not forget our purpose, Edin. There is a sleeping princess who must be awakened.”

The young noblewoman took his arm and led him toward the bed.

I gathered several fragments of the shattered jar and slipped them into my pajama pocket before stepping out from hiding. I admired the unique spiral and undulating patterns etched upon them. Instinct told me these pieces might prove useful—samples, clues for later.

Silently, I followed.

“Leave! And do not disturb me! Edin. Zagin.”

“I marvel at how your sister always knows of our arrival—even from forty kus away.” (approximately 18.2 meters in modern measure) Edin whispered into the young princess’s ear.

“I can hear you, Edin. Do not forget that the guards always announce the arrival of anyone bearing a title before they step inside. Besides… I hear the chime of your anklets. You are the future Lugal—king—and šagina, commander, Edin. Surely you are perceptive enough to recognize a visitor by the music of their ornaments alone.”

A girl’s voice answered from within the canopy-draped bed, sharp and clear despite the distance. Yet her tone was as bitter as the venom of a Mušḫuššu—the serpentine dragon of legend—and it seemed to lodge in his throat. His breath caught.

“Oh? Of course she must continue honing that art of moving in shadows, so she may slip beneath the notice of her ummia (tutor) and even your patrols, Edin.”

The young princess whispered this into his ear. They burst into laughter.

“I can hear you, my dears!”

Startled by the veiled girl’s acuity, they pouted in mock annoyance—only to laugh again.

“I do not like that there are too many statues.”

“Why so suddenly?” The young princess turned.

The tall youth shook his head uneasily, shrugging as he gave a soft laugh. “I do not know… it crossed my mind. Truthfully, I always feel restless whenever I look at those statues.”

Their expressions grew serious.

“You see how people carry and display them in every corner of the halls? How the artisans labor in the galleries, polishing and refining them, hoping their craft is flawless? It is as though they revere their own creations. Perhaps I am overstepping… but I have wondered whether one day people might begin to worship them.” He laughed, though the sound was edged with sarcasm.

“Are my sister’s words still troubling you, Edin?”

“What?”

“You always imagine the worst when you are anxious. I thought perhaps you were still brooding over your etemmu. You do think too much. I am certain they would never go that far.”

A strange silence hung in the air.

“We already have our doctrine. And until now, we worship only God—or—”

Her words faltered. She shook her head, as though denying her own unease.

“Besides, you know that statue-making is one of our greatest commodities. We export them to the Yamnaya—the idol-worshiping tribes.”

The young man forced a nod and a smile, though disagreement lingered in his eyes. “Yes.”

“Perhaps it is only my fear.”

“Then I beg you, cast that fear aside.”

She stopped walking and looked at him earnestly. “You are like a brother to me, Edin,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. “Many great days await you.”

He gazed back at her with brotherly affection and gently stroked her head. “Yes… little sister.”

They smiled. Only then did she release his hand.

“By the way, I have asked Yablum to restore your mother’s statue,” the young princess said, shifting the subject. “With his own hands.”

She paused, then added gently, “Only that face can soothe you, can it not?”

And in a heartbeat she had walked ahead, so swiftly that the tall youth had to jog to keep pace.

I let my gaze wander about the chamber, fighting back a creeping boredom.

Not a single statue they had spoken of was visible in this room.

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