"I will go to Nineveh," the Baru bellowed calmly, "when I have your tongue to take with me!" Here and there the army’s brighter soldiers yelled approval at his wit. "Your day is over, heretic! There was one like you at Nabu-Shumati, city of Elam. And that city fell!" A loud cheer from the Assyrians. "And another at Shushinak, city of Elam, and it fell." A louder cheer. "Dar-Teuman, fort city of your coward king, has fallen!" Frenzied yells of triumph from the Assyrians, for this was news. Buoyed by their howls, the Baru seemed struck with inspiration. "All this despite the lying tongues of heretics! You shall be mute, priest! Shamash has promised me your tongue!" The Baru pulled a drawstring bag from within his robe and shook it above his head. "I have six such tongues already, within this leather bag!"