Ishtar and the Search for Knowledge - Synopsis pt 1 To refresh you memories I have redone the first chapter in 3 sections with an abstract of the story and select images from the series. The story began with Ninshubar coming into Ishtar's bedroom and discovering her cousin reading a clay tablet. When asked where it comes from Ishtar replies that it is a gift from their grandfather Enki, given to her when he divided the world between her and her sister Ereshkigal. Her tablet tells her how to be the goddess of love and war. Ninshubar is amazed that such knowledge was written down and asks if there are more. Indeed there is a whole library at Enki's city of Eridu. So begins the caper to go to Eridu, to pay their respects to their grandfather and to see if they cannot liberate the library and to take back to their capital at Uruk. Arriving at Eridu they are introduced to their cousin Alora. Alora brings bad tidings that the Emperor, Sargon of Akkad, has invaded her city of Lagash, killed her father, defiled her mother's temples and is destroying the sacred temples of the people of Sumer. Enraged Ishtar vows to go to Lagash and discipline Sargon. Alora, the daughter of a union between a human warrior and one of Enki's own daughters, Ninmu, demands to go along. Ishtar refuses the request as it is a dangerous mission and Alora is an apprentice priestess not a warrior. But Alora claims to have been trained by her warrior father. After much heated debate between Ishtar, Enki and Alora, Enki decides that it is only fair that Alora be given a test. He sends Alora on a hunting expedition with Ishtar's wise viziar, Ninshubar. While hunting the two women discover temples destroyed by Sargon's raiders. Ninshubar wants to spy on them and discover what is going on; Alora wants to kill them all on the spot! While sneaking up on leaders of the raiding party Ninshubar is discovered. A mighty battle ensues between Ninshubar and one of the leaders. Alora proves her skills at warfare by coolly dispatching another of the leaders with a long distance, cross wind, bow shot - giving Ninshubar a chance against the surviving powerful male warrior. It still looks bad for Ninshubar until her little pet dragon Nasim attacks and gives Ninshubar the chance to kill the Akkadian captain. Returning to Eridu, Ninshubar supports Alora's bid to go on the raiding party. On their way to Lagash on Ninshubar's boat, Ventusi, the women discuss how they shall precede - each revealing their own character traits. Ninshubar advises caution and suggests a stealthy raid with little conflict to get to the throne room and talk it out with Sargon. Ishtar declares she will not lower herself to sneaking around anywhere and demands a direct assault on the fortress and then they'll talk. The impetuous Alora is all for this plan but she wants to kill Sargon outright. Ishtar nixes this idea with the declaration that Gods do not kill men; she just wants to defeat his gods and make him stop destroying her temples - she wants everyone to respect the Gods of Sumer. To be continued.