View full size, it's big and detailed. This is for two special girlfriends, Schonee and Liz, whose generous gifts allowed me to weave another thread into the Ishtar storyline. I can never typecast any character that is given to me, as several vendors know, I always put a spin on their girls. So when Schonee gifted me her beautiful gothic character, Rachael, I could not resist transforming her into a Goddess who herself has undergone a transformation. And Liz gifted me Powerage's Couple of Darkness, telling me that she knew it was a perfect typecast for me. Indeed it was; the gift could not have arrived at a better moment. Remember Belili, from the last Ishtar series? The sweet and noble sister of Tammuz who sacrificed herself for half the year to serve with Ereshkigal so that her brother could be free to conduct his task as a crop God? Well after spending time under the tutelage of the Goddess of the Darklands, Belili became quite adept at her role as Ereshkigal's vizier. According to Akadian legend Belili did become a dark Goddess. Since all the other characters have been upgraded to V4 for this new series, and since Belili did undergo a mythical transformation, I decided to take advantage of gifts from Schonee and Liz to give the girl a new dark look. Hope you like her. So old Mr. Crow, what do you know? What news from the land of light do you have for me? Ah yes, Sargon continues his war into the heartland of Sumer. That is good, there will be many more souls arriving here shortly. Sargon feeds us well my sweet. Ereshkigal will be pleased. Hum, and you say you saw a raiding party close to Eridu? Now that is worrisome. Eridu is grandfather Enki's city; it is the oldest city on earth. It has many holy sites. It would not bode well for any of us if Sargon pillaged that place. What? Some raiders destroyed a forest grove temple of grandmother Nin's! They smashed her statue? Oh that is despicable! It is ok for Sargon to wage war on the people, but the destruction of holy sites... that is sacrilege. That is trouble! Tell me, do you know if Ishtar is aware of this? Humm, not yet you say. Damn! Of all the God's only Ishtar would have the power to stop Sargon. Oh, what's that? You saw Ninshubar and another girl at the sacred grove. What were they doing there? Sport hunting? Now why would Ninshubar be engaged in such frivolous activity at a time like this? That is not like her. Has she gone mad? You say she was furious. Haha, you are so smart my sweets, but I didn't mean it that way. However, your words are well taken. What did she do when she found out? Did she go after the raiders or did she head back to Eridu to warn Ishtar? She went after them? To attack them or to spy on them? You don't know? She was cryptic with the girl? That is not good enough Mr. Crow! You go back with your sister and you follow Ninshubar. Find out who that stranger is who is with her. I want to know what Ninshubar is up to. If something happens to her you must fly to Eridu and warn Ishtar yourself. Do you understand? And then send your sister back here to me. No, do not worry, Ishtar will not hurt you; she will know who you are Mr. Crow. Just be careful of Ninshubar's dragons - they are small but dangerous. Now get going my keen eyed, dark-feathered friend! You have important work to do. And yes, you two can have a fat rat feast when you get back! Previous Ishtar

"Raiders"