Tovuo had never spent time in chains before he met the giant Humbaba. Although life had never been simple or easy Tovuo had always been free and quite happy.
"I intend on taking you to war." Humbaba said one day when he was visiting Tovuo.
Caged up and locked down with chains Tovuo had lost most of his strength and will.
He couldn't guess how long he had been here.
"I have never been to war." He said looking down.
"You fight like you've been through a few, it should be fine." Humbaba laughed.
"I'd rather not kill without need." Tovuo complained.
"the need is to survive." Humbaba claimed sternly. "I will take you out of the forest and into the drylands. We will cross the desert and you will join me as we battle in the blood sands."
With that he left, A few days later he returned to take Tovuo.
The road was arduous and seemingly endless. Every step left a small trail of dark stained ground as the trail of blood flowed behind them.
Humbaba did not bring much only a few slaves chained together with Tovuo.
The small train of slaves followed Humbaba as he walked day and night, rain, or shine. Within two months they had reached the desert. As one slave died Humbaba cut them loose eating or drinking whatever they carried and continued forward.
When they reached the blood sands only three slaves remained. Tovuo and a woman stood while the final man crawled having only barely surviving.
With a swift swing of his sword Humbaba cut them free of their chains.
"You can go or follow but here and now you are once again free." Humbaba took the water from Tovuo and grain from the young woman.
She fell to the ground freed of the weight and restriction. Fumbling to crawl forward, she failed – once again falling face first into the dirt.