Number 21 in my Ishtar in the Underworld series Best viewed full size Oh my lady is it true what Isimud had to do to free you and Tammuz? Do you really have to choose someone that you love to go back into the Land of Darkness to take his place? Yes dear Ninshubar it is true. So desperate was Grandfather to free me and return the seasons that he told Isimud to accept any terms Ereshkigal offered. She let me go free but for the life of my beloved Tammuz she has placed upon me this unbearable burden; I must now choose someone that I love to take his place in the Land of No Return. But why did that evil bitch do such a thing? She is totally despicable! I hate her! No my dearest. It is not my sister's fault and we should no longer curse her name. It is my fault for trying to save Tammuz. We have to respect that it is Ereshkigal's hard duty to maintain the balance of life and death. It is my grim failure to respect her ultimate justice that has lead to our sad situation. You are both wrong, it is I Tammuz who made such a stupid mistake. Had I not been so vain as to go after that angry boar I would not have been killed and all this would not have happened. By the Gods, it is all my fault! And now I am trapped like all of us. Yes my love, but you are a brave man, both a warrior and a sower of crops. I need you my love to bring life to the land; I could not just let you rot in that dark place. My lady, I know that you love me, as I do love you. And am I not your most loyal vizier and friend? Am I not then your only choice to go into the Land of No Return? For you, I Ninshubar will gladly give up my life in the Land of the Living and free you of this horrible burden! Oh, Pestilence wouldn't Ninshubar be just a great choice? Can you imagine her beautiful flesh rotting in Ereshkigal's grasp? Oh yes Plague, I can't wait to play with this gorgeous Goddess's golden hair. There could be no better choice! Everyone knows Ishtar loves her noble and most beautiful cousin. Yes, yes, yes we want Ninshubar!! We want Ninshubar! Ishtar, let us take her now! There is no use you looking for anyone else for there is no one you could love more than Ninshubar! Yes, Ishtar, you must listen to my brother! Let us take Ninshubar and free you of your burden. She wants to go, so let us help you. Hehehe. Are we not the nicest pair of demons you've ever had to deal with? Well dear reader, who else could it be? Will this be the end for this most noble pair of loving cousins? I remind you that the ancient Mesopotamians didn't believe in Hollywood-type endings. Ishtar, Ninshubar and Tammuz are all morphed to middle eastern characters by me. Ninshubar is DMs SuzieQ at RMP morphed by me to middle eastern girl Ninshubar's hair is Starlet by Lisbeth at DAZ Ninshubar's outfit is Eclipse and Sirens for Eclipse at RMP Ishtar is Arinae by Thorne and Sarsa at DAZ morphed by me to middle eastern girl Ishtar's hair is Portia by April YSH at DAZ Ishtar's outfit is Vandra by Vampir3princess at DAZ with Vandra Styles textures by Karanta at DAZ Tammuz is Chris by Silverlynx at RMP morphed by me to middle eastern guy and postworked in PSP Tammuz's outfit is Tutmosis by Boundless at DAZ For friends of Heathcroft (Dave), he is still in a lot of pain and unable to use his right hand for drawing. He can type but only by pecking with his left. I know we all wish him well and I hope this noble fellow is able to soon return to the craft that he so loves.