It wasn't a nearly favorable situation that Babylon was in, but thank the gods, Babylon was to a degree, still intact and The Lion; still prowling the jungle. Prince Nymosyme was summoned to the Temple of Ereshkigal, Goddess of the dead and the underworld. He went woth a heavy heart. The summons came from another distant cousin of the royal family, Priestess Dahlia Assurbanipal. Upon entering the temple he found it so dark and gloomy; the atmsophere so thick with the waffing smoke of the strong Jasmine and Musk incense that continuously burned. In the center of the temple sat an extremely large seated statue of Lady Ereshkigal, most beautiful with her pale, deadly beauty and piercing hazel eyes. Prince Nymosyne felt as though she stared straight at him, reading his deepest secrets and striving to fine him wanting and eligible for a place in the nineth hell. He shuddered violently as a chill swept through him, and in that moment Priestess Dahlia entered the room resplendent in the black and silver robes of her sworn goddess along with her body shielded in glittering silver body paint. Her hazel eyes flashed fire as she walked toward her cousin. She spoke, her voice dark and rich like velvet. "Cousin, I am happy you have came promptly. It is good to see you and Lady Ereshkigal," she turned pointing toward the divine seated figure; " Is well pleased that you have shown respect and have come immediately. I have been commanded by my divine mother to give you a warning for the enemies of Babylon in conjunction with the traitor." This was delivered in the best oratorial sense that even the great orators of Rome would have marveled. I listened as her eyes shown feverishly bright and she continued in her husky voice which now took on a stenatorial volume and filled the entire temple. " Lady Ereshkigal, daughter of the night, undisputed Queen of the Underworld, and royal consort to Nergal, King of the Dead has decreed this! The 'Snake of Babylon' and the hoarde of perverse jackals that would plot and make plans to bring about the end of the mighty Lion, shining son of Lord Marduk, as well as destroy this heaven on earth shall be delt with accordingly by the gods! We are no longer pleased with this snake, Burnaburiash or the other jakals; and we shall wreak our vengence upon them all at the appointed time! They have all rose against Babylon the city of the Gods and against the shining son, and now they must suffer the wrath of the gods! Deliver our divine decree to the traitor Burnaburiash, and let it be known to all of the other jackals who have sunken their teeth into this land of the gods. So it has been decreed by the Divine gods of Babylon." I stood there transfixed and unable to move. The High Priestess, my cousin, bowed before me and walked away. So, the gods have finally spoken!