Not if the likes of you and your husband are the result ... at least Marduk still has the capacity to truly love another.

' That's a lovely thing to say, Ningal,' Tory told her.

'I would ask that you bear that view in mind at the Nefilim inquiry into these matters. Which is bound to be forthcoming,' Maelgwn added.

Fear not, Dragon. I predict Marduk's children shall fare well. If what you claim is true, it shall be my children who rue the day.

Tory and Maelgwn followed Ningal down the entrance hall on the first level of Narnar's ziggurat, for Ningal needed no guide to find her way to the main chamber.

'Just where do you think you're going?' Tobit appeared between Maelgwn's shoulder blades, but did not attack.

'I'm sorry,' Tory forced a grin, 'but I don't answer to lying, cheating scumbags like yourself.'

Ningal stopped and turned to address the little grey creature. Give Lamamu back what is hers, or I shall reduce you to a one-fold elemental so fast it will make your head spin.

Tobit appeared horrified, both by the Goddess and her threat. 'But if you take away my fire, I won't be any fun ... I won't have any fun!'

Then do not abuse the privilege, Ningal advised.

The gargoyle's face drooped into a moping expression as he stroked the golden band that hung loosely around his scrawny neck.

We are waiting, the Goddess pushed.

Reluctantly, Tobit pulled the ring off through his neck and held it out to Tory.

And what do we say?

'Sorry,' Tobit sniffled, fit to cry. 'But when you held the jewel before my eyes, it made me crazy!'

'Apology accepted, Tobit,' Tory said cheerfully. 'You may keep the ring.'

'What?' His mood turned to elation, and tears of joy rather than sorrow filled his eyes. 'I don't understand.'

He wiped the water from his face. 'What's happening to my face?'

That is water, Tobit, the seed of emotion, the Goddess granted. Use it well, for it can help balance your hardworking earth side with your creative and often mischievous fire side.

'I am three-fold!' Tobit felt very strange, having never really felt anything before.

'See, Tobit,' Tory nudged him. 'There are rewards to be had from doing the right thing, and that is always far more satisfying.'

Too confused and dumbfounded to comment, Tobit took flight over their heads. 'I must go and warn, I ... I mean tell, my Lord of your arrival. Narnar will be pleased.' The beast tried to sound more confident than he was, crying and laughing uncontrollably as he made haste to Narnar.

Tobit ended a good hand of poker when he crashlanded in a heap in the middle of the table. 'My Lord, forgive me,' the deva sobbed, and then chuckled as he found his feet.

What the hell is wrong with you, Tobit? Narnar threw his cards on top of the beast in disgust.

'My Lord,' Tobit cowered, shaking like a leaf. 'The young Gods have returned with your ...' he pointed coyly to his master's groin area.

Excellent! Narnar rose, grabbing Tobit and throwing him in the air.

When the creature had regained its equilibrium, he fluttered in mid-air beyond his master's reach. 'Ningal is with them.'

What! Narnar stood. They would dare bring that creature here!

'But my Lord,' Tobit appealed bravely. 'What if Ningal is coming to reinstate you? She does seem to have a rather giving spirit. Look at what she did to me!'

Tobit motioned to his new-found tears. 'Ningal granted me my three-fold nature, just for being good!'

The other gargoyles gasped, the notion being inconceivable to them.

For being good, hey? Narnar rubbed the empty space between his legs. I haven't tried that for awhile. I'm not sure I remember what that entails.

'If I may say, sire, I believe the qualities you seek are love, honesty, respect, truthfulness, loyalty ... that was a difficult one for you sire, if memory serves.'

Yes, thank you, Tobit, Narnar said irascibly.

'Now, sire, be nice,' Tobit warned as Ningal entered.

'Forgiving, warm, hospitable - you can do it.' The creature encouraged Narnar with a nod.

Ningal froze when she spotted the hooded figure of her husband in the midst of the accoutrements of his existence all these years. Her guilt consumed her. How was she to forgive Narnar, when she could not forgive herself?

'Allow me, Nin.' Maelgwn took possession of the metal canister that contained Narnar's organ. He then approached the God alone. 'My Lord Narnar,'

Maelgwn bowed. 'I have succeeded in the task you set me I believe beyond your expectations. But, I would suggest that we retire to a more private place to conduct our business.'

Narnar looked to Ningal, who nodded to give Maelgwn the authority to speak on her behalf. This way.

Narnar motioned Maelgwn to exit.

As the two men retired to another chamber, Ningal stood staring at the door they had passed through. I had forgotten what it was to have a friend.

'After last night, I believe Maelgwn feels he owes you a favour or two.' Tory placed an arm around the Goddess to reassure her.

The Goddess smiled at this, patting Tory's comforting arm affectionately. The unconditional love you have for each other is an inspiration, Lamamu. I knew that feeling once, and with the grace of the Gods I will know it again.

Maelgwn and Narnar returned to the chamber, only Narnar was not hooded any longer. His locks of blonde hair framed his smiling features, and his blue eyes beamed with delight. Tobit shall show you to Dumuzi, he instructed Maelgwn.

Tory wished Ningal well, before following Tobit and her husband from the room.

'Do you think it's safe to leave them alone together?'

Tory queried her husband once they were well away.

Maelgwn raised his brow and with a broad grin announced, 'With what's at stake, I do believe they'll work it out.'

'Now for Dumuzi and Inanna.' Tory rubbed her hands together expectantly.

'You really haven't changed one bit.' Maelgwn halted to give Tory a squeeze of appreciation. 'Still, I would not be so eager if I were you.'

'And why not?'

'Because Dumuzi was the God of Fertility, and he hasn't fertilised anyone for thousands of years.' Maelgwn grinned at his wife's dismay.

'Perhaps I should wait here.' Tory pushed her rather amorous husband away.

'Only if I can too.' Maelgwn kissed her, drawing the rest of her close with ease.

That's it, do it, do it! The couple parted abruptly, looking to Tobit who was casually leaning against an archway support watching them.

Well, please don't stop my account.

The words did not come from Tobit, but he pointed upwards to the keystone of the arch where a head was embedded.

'My God!' Tory backed up a few steps, noticing the support arches had legs cemented into them. Two arms were embedded in the arch, and hands held up the keystone. 'Dumuzi?'

Oh yes, say it again, enchantress, this time with meaning, the head encouraged, blowing her kisses.

'Watch it,' Maelgwn warned, 'or you will remain as you are.'

You mean you've come to rescue me?

'That depends on how helpful you are prepared to be?' Maelgwn advised.

Oh anything, anything! Dumuzi insisted. But who sent you? How did you get past Narnar?

'Your brother Marduk sent me,' Maelgwn said no more, seeking an honest reaction.

Oh praise Anu. I knew Marduk could pressure Shamash into disclosing my location.

'I'm afraid Shamash has fooled everyone, Dumuzi, for it was Marduk who was accused of your murder and banished.'

What! But that's simply not true. Who accused him?

'Inanna, I'm afraid,' Maelgwn advised.

But, whatever put that notion into her head?

'Her former lover of course!' Tory couldn't believe how slow he was.

No, that can't be. Inanna said that she was through with her brother ... that she could not go back to him after me.

'Where is the rest of you?' Tory was curious.

'Behind those doors, yonder,' Tobit pointed. 'And I can help you with these bits of you like?'

'Yes, thank you, Tobit,' although Tory cringed at the thought, 'that would be most appreciated.'

Closing his eyes, the creature raised both claws towards the archway and the stonework vanished. The cold gray body parts fell to the ground, but Tobit caught the head on its way down.

Thanks. Dumuzi smiled at the creature.

'You're welcome,' Tobit told him, tucking the head underarm like a basketball, Dumuzi's nose to his armpit.

Oh no, please. When was the last time you had a wash?

Dumuzi protested as he was carted off down the corridor.

'Arms or legs?' Maelgwn gave Tory first preference.

Screwing up her face, Tory reached for the arms.

'Legs it is then.' Maelgwn gathered the leftovers, and followed Tory and Tobit to the rest of the body.

They were down to the last few dregs of the oxygen inside the crypt. The torches died, leaving Rhiannon with vivid images of the bony remains that surrounded her. She huddled close to the one living thing in the tomb with her, the unconscious herder. He was struggling for air as she was. 'Thank you for your kindness,' she whispered, 'and forgive my selfish desires that brought you to this end.'

The herdsman's eyes opened as Rhiannon's closed.

It took a moment to orientate himself to the darkness.

'Rhiannon?' Cadwallon felt the dead weight against him and pulled off his gloves to search the features of the face, realising it was her. 'What is that smell?'

Cadwallon resumed his normal appearance and attire.

He retrieved a glow-light from the belt of his flying suit, giving it a shake, and the tiny tube lit up the entire crypt. 'Oh dear Goddess. How did we get here?'

Cadwallon gathered Rhiannon in his arms to help facilitate her return to consciousness. She began drawing in breaths of stale air, and coughed them back out, her eyes opening wide. 'It's alright. Just don't draw breath. You don't have to any more.'

'Ray?' She urged him to kiss her without delay, and Cadwallon obliged. 'I have died and gone to heaven.'

She fell back into his arms, but then, noticing the surroundings, was startled upright. 'No I haven't.'

Cadwallon shrugged apologetically.

'Then you can't be Ray?' Rhiannon was horrified that she'd just been so intimate with a total stranger, but then she couldn't deny that his kiss had kindled emotions in her she thought were long dead.

'Ray is a part of me, Rhiannon, for I am his Chosen incarnation.' He stood to introduce himself properly.

'My name is Cadwallon, and I am very pleased to meet you at last.'

'I'll bet you are,' she scoffed, trying to figure out where she'd heard that name before. 'Hold on. You're not Cadwallon as in Cadwaladr's father, Cadwallon?'

'The one and only,' he smiled, with a bow.

'Oh boy, that explains an awful lot.' Rhiannon bit her lip. 'Like Doc's resentment of Ray, for starters!' As her eyes wheeled about trying to process the information, Rhiannon noticed the herdsman was missing. 'Where's my guide?'

'I'm right here.' Cadwallon threw his arms wide.