Lagash was prepared. The troops were in excellent state and well equipped. The supplies were abundant. The brigdes over the Tigris were all under control and there were major encampments on all the streets. Particularly the ones leading to Babylon and to Ur. General Ugurnaszir had done a great job.

As to Ur, word had reached the Queen that Prince Azarah, one of King Zig's most loyal allies, planned to deliver major food supplies to Babylon. Now that was a tricky business.. Lagash was directly on the way from Ur to Babylon.. She thought of the Babylonian people that had shown so much hospitality towards her on her long state visit there. She did not want to suffer them too much. On the other hand she always needed to remember that the interests of her own country had to come first. For the time being she was safe from the East where her Elamite allies dwelled. Babylon was under siege and its allies had enough on their plate already and had so far seen no reason to attack Lagash… there were rumours that Shagshag intended to ally with Burnaburiash but for the time being there was no outward proof for that.

Shagshag came to a decision. She summoned her most loyal servant Niduntulugal and told him to deliver the following to Prince Azarah: "Tell him that his supply trains may pass through Lagash provided they agree paying a toll for it. One third of their goods shall remain in my country. If he does not accept this the roads will be closed and he will need to bypass Lagash which means a long travel through uncertain territories. Be quick, there is no time to be lost. Get back to me with word from him as soon as you can."

Niduntulugal departed immediately.