FALSE IMPRESSIONS Part 2
Upon the death of his father, the slave Nabisin must leave the kitchens of his master, where his father had been embellisher, or cook. His master apprentices Nabi-sin to Zarriqum, slave and royal seal cutter to the household of King Hammurabi of Babylon. Kirum, Zarriqum’s adopted daughter, escorts Nabi-sin to his new home and gives him an amber stone with a fire-bug trapped inside. Nabi-sin is delighted to learn that his master’s son, Mar-eshtar, often works with Zarriqum. As boys, Nabi-sin and Mar-eshtar pretended they were the hero Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu killing the giant Humbaba. Mar-eshtar is now a royal scribe in King Hammurabi’s service, and Nabi-sin hasn’t seen him in years.
On Nabi-sin’s first day in Zarriqum’s workshop, a tall, young man enters the room and, upon seeing Nabi-sin, stops in astonishment and exclaims, “Gilgamesh!”
ENKIDU!” I RETURNED merrily, for it was my old friend Mar-eshtar.
“Nabi-sin—how have you come to be here?” He embraced me with a strength that nearly knocked me over. “It has been too long since we killed the giant Humbaba together!”
“Yes, I miss those days! Perhaps we can find new adventures. I am to be Zarriqum’s apprentice.”
“I heard that your good father went to his fate. He will be missed.” Mar-eshtar’s handsome features and ruddy complexion had changed little, but his voice was much deeper, and he was built like an ox. “I’m glad you’re here!” He clapped his large hand on my shoulder and turned to Kirum. “I have many stories to tell about my old