Chapter 44. The Moment of Truth

“…You are my son, Ragzal Ban-Ipal, a Prince of Babylon. I hoped to make you King after me, for you bear the eyes of a King... “

—Nebopolassar

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KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S PALACE

BABYLON

Night has arrived, yet the King’s walls glitter from the grains of sand with which it’s cast. “Brothers!” He breaks the silence, but minutes trickle by with none of us willing to talk to him yet.

A gold-plated dining table rests before us, with soup, porridge, and vegetables served hot. The aroma stimulates hunger pangs in my stomach. But no, I cannot eat the King’s food or drink his wine lest I am poisoned.

I pass my gaze from the beautiful lamps on the table to the man sitting at the tail end, wearing an oversized purple raiment. The golden crown resting on his head reflects yellow light from several lamps that illuminat