Please take a moment to view full size. Thank you. This beautifully intimate couple's pose, with a few small tweaks, is from Pixeluna's Oracles Secret set. Jenny's works have provided a rich source of poses for this entire series making my life as an artist all that much easier. The strong posing in "Grief," which so many of you noted, was taken from her Lavinia's Tales. Ishtar, sister, welcome to my temple. Rarely do you come to see me in my domain. Utu, I am sorry but my coming is not one of pleasantries. I know, I have been watching you since you arrived in Lagash. You would not come here without purpose and so tonight I did not sleep but rather watched what happened between you and Sin. So you know what has happened then? Yes, dear Ishtar, I always watch what you do, as I rise over you each day and lay behind you each night. And now I see that you bring the bodies of Sargon and Alora to my temple that I may warm their spirits as they journey to the darklands. Well yes, and no. On this matter I come to ask your help. For when I touched them I could feel that they both still have the tiniest spark of life deep within them. Deeper than what Ninshubar and Enheduanna could feel. They may have not yet seen their reflections in Ereshkigal's eyes. And if not, there is still faint hope. Whatever it is that you ask of me you shall have my beloved sister - that is, as long as it does not violate Ereshkigal's domain. You would not ask me to help steal a person's soul from her again after what you went through rescuing your bastard husband Tammaz, would you? No I would not. But as Ereshkigal is the ultimate justice at journey's end, are you not justice for the living? I am. If there is life it is my duty to see that it is treated fairly and not unduly extinguished. Yes, exactly! Those two should not die. They both fought valiantly for causes they felt just, even if they were opposed. I do see your point and I agree that it seems unfair that such worthy beings should pass on so soon to Ereshkigal's eternal grasp. What can I do? I need you to call upon Sin, for amongst the three of us we are the Sun, the Moon and the Earth. And if you two unite your celestial powers and focus on me I will channel your life giving energy to Sargon and Alora. I hope to strike their sparks once again and fuel their life flame. Hum, it is possible though it will require raising a huge amount of energy. And there cannot be any impurity or flaw in what we do. Yes I know. And therein lies the crux. Sin? Yes, Sin. How will we be able to persuade him, in good faith, to help us? You saw what I did to him in the throne room but a short time ago. Will he not be angry with me? Do not worry sister. Sin knows why he has been put into his place and if I know our brother I suspect he will be looking to make amends with you. Though we all tug and pull on each other's daily journeys, we all know the three of us must always be in harmony or the world will not spin as it should. Give me but a few moments with Sin, and then, as I bring light to the day we shall join you at the altar in my temple. Thank you Utu! I go now to prepare Ninshubar and Enheduanna for they will be my conduits and they must both unconditionally agree to this most formidable task. Utu is Sliman at DAZ but I have softened his facial features a bit for this character. Previous Ishtar

"Grief"