Shortly after sunrise, Ammi-Zaidu and Akki are accompanied by an officer of the king to free Shala from General Shak’s quarters.
Upon their arrival, they announce to Shala that the general has been arrested and she is free to go.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the young maiden lunges towards Akki to give him a heartfelt embrace.
“The traitor will be hung this afternoon,” explains Ammi-Zaidu.
By mid-afternoon, a throng of onlookers has assembled at the foot of the Ishtar Gate's outer wall, drawn by word of the traitor's fate.
By decree of the king, preparations for the public rite of judgment are underway before the Ishtar Gate: the rope is knotted, the ladder erected, and the general's hands bound behind his back as spectators assemble to see justice done.
The crowd grows fidgety in anticipation—murmurs ripple through the throng as every face turns toward the gateway.
“By the command of Marduk, My Lord, and through the authority of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, General Shuk has plotted against this throne. Let the account be settled. Let him hang from the Ishtar Gate until breath departs him, and let his house be reduced to a pile of rubble.”
The rope is looped about the general's throat and cinched firm. Then, with a grunt of effort, the soldiers pull upon the line. His feet scrape the ground once—then lift. He rises, twisting slowly, into the open mouth of the Ishtar Gate's doorway, where he hangs suspended high above the witnesses.
There, by the king's decree, he will hang for a week, a warning to all who pass beneath.
At the conclusion of the judicial rite, Akki and Ammi-Zaidu make their way to the king’s court where they have been summoned.
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the wise, the provider, favorite of Marduk. I recognize your contributions to the peace and stability of my realm. I hereby grant each of you a plot of land along the Euphrates River, land that will prove fruitful for you and your house.”
Honor and delight rise within them. After bowing deeply to show their heartfelt gratitude, the pair withdraws from the throne room of the Southern Palace.
That evening, Ammi-Zaidu, Shala, Akki and his sister Ahma are gathered together for a special celebratory dinner at Duzi’s house on the outskirts of the walled city.
“Our Lord Marduk has truly blessed our house,” begins the father prior to the meal. “So proud am I that you have all valiantly served our king to help secure his realm,” he concludes.
“May peace and tranquility endure in our mighty kingdom of Babylon,” professes Ahma.
THE END