King Anu sat, drumming his fingers as he listened to Enlil's report. The prince was thorough in his findings, much to the king's rising despair; The news was not what he'd hoped to hear. He had, in truth, believed that Enlil's probing into Marduk's business would have turned out to be exhausting and unproductive. Unfortunately, it appeared his second son's suspicions were not groundless. 

"He's been pilfering supplies and sending them to Earth, father," the prince said tightly. 

Anu knew Enlil was delighted to find out that the celebrated warrior of Nibiru had been engaging in underhanded business; there was no love lost between uncle and nephew. But, there was something else lurking beneath Enlil's angst.

"And why is he doing this?" the king asked. It was a weighted question to which he comprehended the answer, yet he wanted it made concrete by Enlil's theory.

For a fraction of a second, Enlil faltered. But soon, his eyes were like steel as he faced his father straight. "I can only assume he is aiding Enki."

And there it was - just as Anu expected. "To what purpose?"

"To assist in his escape."

"Escape? So, where do you think Enki intends to go?"

Again, Enlil chose his words carefully. "I believe he wishes to come home."

The king's eyes narrowed. "Believe? Or suspect?"

The prince did not respond; he stood firm, jaw set, determined, resolute. 

A flicker passed over the king's nacreous eyes. When he rose from his throne, the Royal attendants stirred, offering food and drink for his Royal palette. Agitated,  Anu dismissed them with an impatient grunt. He waited until the immense golden doors closed before returning to his son. 

"Would Enki's homecoming bother you?" he asked, looking askance at his second-born.

Enlil cast his eyes to the floor. He shifted his weight from one foot to another while trying to douse emotions that simmered beneath the surface. Moments passed before he issued a compressed response. "You have just affirmed my suspicions."

King Anu huffed, the sound bearing everything but humour. However, it intrigued him greatly that his eldest son may wish to come home, especially since Enlil rightly pointed out that Enki had 'steered' the Earthlings all these millennia. 

"I know he is the first-born father," the prince continued, "but he blatantly dishonoured you - and betrayed our people. It was nothing short of treason!"

"Careful, Enlil. We still harvest supplies from Earth; however, it is unfortunate that her minerals and precious metals are becoming severely deficient. Therefore, it is necessary to bring an end to the planet. And, yes, the Earthlings' intellect has developed, as has their greed, yet I know Enki can keep them under control until the need for such overseeing is no longer required."

Enlil was appalled, both by his naivety for being fooled by a now apparent ruse and also by the fact his father's duplicity was unravelling; a sure sign the king's organised and strategic form of rule was weakening. The prince took a deep breath before speaking. "Man was infused with knowledge far beyond its comprehension, to the point the Earthlings retaliated against your rule - something you do not tolerate, especially from slaves. But now you are telling me that Enki was designated to be in charge?" With his rage rising dangerously close to the surface, Enlil paused to take another deep breath, attempting to control his ire. "You'd declared Enki and his devotees were to be penalised for encouraging the growth of Man's intellect, and you ordered their exile. Forgive my confusion, father," Enlil's tone became condescending, "But was it a punishment, or an opportunity for Enki to have a practice run at his birthright?"

The king's face hardened. Not only did he condemn any planetary uprisings, but he loathed, even more, being challenged by his own people, particularly his son. He was about to retort when the doors of the throne room opened. Sud walked in carrying a gold platter. Her entrance surprised both father and son, momentarily diffusing the tension in the chamber.

"What brings you here?" Enlil asked as his wife drew near.

She kissed him lightly on his cheek and smiled coquettishly. "I have new delights for your father to try." 

"This is not the time," Enlil hissed. He made to grab his wife's arm, but she skillfully side-stepped his touch. Like a breeze, she proceeded, unfazed, towards King Anu.

The king was extremely fond of his daughter-in-law and encouraged her indulgencies in other-worldly cuisine, but her timing, in this instance, was not appreciated. He scowled, causing his brows to knit together above fierce black eyes. 

Sud bowed respect before she offered the food to the king. "Forgive me, Majesty." Her voice was sufficiently humble. "But, I know you like to sample all my latest discoveries, and as these are prone to ruin quickly, I thought it best to bring them to you now as I don't know when I will obtain more supplies."

The king sat, and although agitated by the interruption, he smiled at Sud. "I will allow this intrusion, princess, but I must insist that you adhere to our protocols from here on." His tone conveyed his message loud and clear. 

Sud nodded and lowered her eyes. "Of course, Majesty."

Anu's eyes crinkled at the corners, pleased by his daughter-in-law's sincere regard. He observed the tray in her hands and the small delicacies placed neatly on its surface. "Now, Sud, which one is recommended?" The king's fingers hovered playfully over the tray.

"Why, all of course," the princess replied, once more smiling and enthused. "But I rather like these..." She indicated some almost translucent rolls with her forefinger. "Made from a fish found in the salty waters of planet Ceres, marinated in delicate herbs and spices. Tastes delicious."

Again, the king feted his daughter-in-law with an appreciative smile - Sud knew he particularly loved fish and always enjoyed bringing new flavours to his table. Without more encouragement, Anu picked up one of the treats and relished its savouriness. 

The prince watched with mild irritation. Anu had been side-tracked by Sud's unexpected intrusion, and as such, Enlil doubted their meeting would end with a favourable result.

At length, two more hors d'oeuvre were devoured before Anu gestured for Sud to vacate the room. She gave a final bow and turned to leave, deftly avoiding her husband's glare as she passed him. Her impromptu arrival had churned Enlil beyond his usual level of vexation, and impatience was carved upon his face. 

Anu rose from his throne and moved to one of the side tables where a fresh citrus cloth lay beside other food offerings he'd refused from his attendees. He flicked the napkin open and leisurely wiped his fingers and mouth clean of the hors d'oeuvre fishy residue. The king's eyes eventually refocused on his son. Anu inhaled, deep, his vast chest heaving, causing his golden trinkets and necklaces to glisten in the light of the braziers. "So, it would seem Enki's return perturbs you. Why? Do you think his being here would undermine your station?"

Enlil's perfervid fury was bordering intractable. Perspiration beads traced from his brow over his cheek and hardened jawline, while his eyes were like that of a caged animal, untamed, filled with anger and lurid menace. "And would it not, Father?"

The king grunted. "Your station will remain. Enki is of no threat to you, and if he indeed returns, he will need your expertise when carrying out his own duties."

The prince took no consolation from the king's words. "Duties? And what duties is a traitor allowed to perform?"

Anu stifled a growl. "Do not feign ignorance of your brother's status, Enlil! I know well enough of your hatred for him. He is, nevertheless, still my son and the next heir to the throne." The king swayed slightly. 

Enlil was too angry even to catch Anu's stagger. "His duplicity is not something I can ignore, and neither should you!"

"You dare to tell me what I should do or feel?" The rise in Anu's anger resulted in another wobble, which Enlil could not fail to notice as the king collided with the arm of his throne. The prince stepped forward, suddenly unsure. 

King Anu stumbled further, falling to his knees, gasping and clutching his chest.

"Father!" Enlil reached for him to contain the king from further injury. The prince's anger had diminished. Regardless of how Enlil interpreted Anu's form of rule or even his blatant nepotism for Enki, he did not wish his father harm. The prince assumed something was seriously wrong from the sudden and unexpected decline in Anu's health.

"Send for the Asu. I feel... very unwell," the king uttered. Even his voice had lost its potency. 

Enlil shouted for help, his demand echoing around the chamber, the distinctive frequency easily percolating throughout the palace. Quickly, the immense doors whooshed open, and the Asu swarmed into the room with her entourage of fellow healers and apprentices. Enlil's panicked eyes momentarily spotted Sud trailing in behind the physicians. The Asu asked Enlil to move aside so she could tend to the king. Without hesitation, he did as he was asked. The healers then flocked around the king, obscuring Enlil's view of him. 

"What happened?" Sud asked as she rushed to her husband's side.

"I - I don't know," Enlil answered, his voice concerned. "He was fine one moment and then..."

"Don't worry, husband. The Asu is here now; she will help him." Sud tugged at her husband's arm to pull him away from the scene, but he was unwilling to leave. "Enlil! There is nothing you can do. Your meeting can continue once the king has sufficiently recovered."

Reluctantly, Enlil nodded, then turned to leave the throne room with his wife.