The shades’ reaction had been mixed. Though the ones who had been in Irkalla for some time knew Nergal would not, could not harm them in the afterlife, the newer ones among them had maintained their doubts. It would be a lie to say their distrust didn’t sting, even to Kigal, but she too remembered what it was to fear the God of Disease. After Nergal dedicated a week to going out among her people and greeting them, listening to their stories, and distributing various instruments and date-stuffed breads, their goodwill at last began to shift in his favor.
couldFor those who readily accepted him as a new authority, the Raging King’s might—demonstrated well when he had fought against the Anzu—was welcomed, if with reverent distance.
As Kigal and Nergal walked back to Ganzir, he rubbed his ey
