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THE Chief Steward was admitted to the royal chambers at Shushan where he bowed before the King.
The King looked up. 'You have news, Harbona?' The newcomer bowed again. 'I regret it is not good news, my Lord King.' Khshayarsha faced him. 'Well, don't just stand there. Tell me.' Harbona looked down at the polished mosaic floor. 'The child has disappeared.' 'Disappeared?' The King started to pace the floor. 'And who was responsible for this... this treachery?' 'Haman and the others arrived in the city the day before yesterday and she was placed in the care of Hegai.' 'I am most surprised at Hegai.' 'It was not entirely his fault, sire. Hegai was summoned by the Queen during the afternoon and he was forced to leave the girl in the charge of some of the other concubines. Unfortunately, the Queen kept Hegai until after dark and, when he returned to the harem, the girl had gone.' 'Did she run away?' 'No-one knows, Your Majesty. They didn't see her leave and the gatekeepers say no stranger passed them.' 'Then she is still somewhere in the palace?' 'If not the palace, then certainly the city.' 'The city is a big place, Harbona. A young child could get lost forever.' 'Your slaves are searching for her, even as we speak.' The King slammed his fist on the table. 'Why can we not get anything right? My father would have had you all executed.' Harbona bowed before his king. 'I offer you my own life, Your Majesty.' The King's rage subsided. 'You are a faithful servant, Harbona. Send in the gatekeepers to me. I want a full report of the incident. And,' he added. 'I want that girl found.' Artaynte strolled over and laid her head on the King's arm. 'I may be able to help.' 'You?' 'I have friends in the market. I could ask them to look out for the girl if she is important to you.' 'She is now an orphan in a strange city. She needs someone to look after her.' Artaynte's lips curled a little as she slipped her arms around the King's neck. 'Is that all you want of her?' Khshayarsha drew back a little. 'She can be no more than twelve years old.' 'But you have loved me several times these last few nights and I am little older.' 'That is different. You are of the Queen's household and I am not looking for another concubine. If I ever find this girl, she will become my Queen.' Artaynte grinned wickedly. 'Amestris would not like that, my Lord King.' The King grunted. 'Amestris will not be Queen for much longer if she does not please me a little more than she has of late.' 'I hear that she has summoned my mother to Court for the New-Year celebrations.' 'Has she now?' said the King thoughtfully. 'Now why would she do that?' 'With respect, my Lord King, I believe the Queen thinks you are in love with her.' Khshayarsha smiled. 'I met her but once, my child, when I visited your father at Sardes. I admit that I was impressed. Like yourself, she is extremely attractive.' 'She is younger than my father, sire. I was born when she was but fifteen. She is only twenty-eight now.' 'That makes her two years younger than Amestris. Mind you, the Queen is now beginning to show her age.' The girl sat up. 'But Amestris is lovely, your Majesty. Do the people of Babylon not call her Vashti, the Beautiful One?' 'They do, my child. I just wish that she was as beautiful at heart. I suspect that she has an ulterior motive in summoning your mother to Shushan at this time.' 'Surely not. Perhaps she wishes to bestow a great honour on her.' 'It is certainly possible. By tradition, whatever the Queen asks for on New-Year's Day must be granted. If she asks that your mother be honoured in some way, I cannot refuse.' 'Would you anyway? Refuse, that is?' 'Certainly not. My brother has served me well as Satrap of Bythinia. They both deserve great honour and so, my dear, do you.' 'I deserve nothing. I am but your humble servant.' The King rolled over, grasped the Royal robes and draped them around Artaynte's shoulders. 'They suit you, my dear.' 'But the child...' 'Find this girl from the river for me and you will certainly become her first Maid of Honour.' Artaynte moved closer to the King and smirked. 'As my name is Artaynte, the child is as good as found.'
QUEEN Amestris checked the arrangements for the New-Year celebrations. The wine jars were filled, the banquet ready. Within the hour, the guests would start to arrive from far and wide and she would be very happy. The slaves straightened the furnishings for the hundredth time until, as last, she was satisfied. Soon, a thousand satraps and governors would be reclining around the room, enjoying the entertainment she had prepared.
KHSHAYARSHA sat with his queen as the guests ate and drank. Dancers pranced around the floor and entertained the men who were steadily getting the worse for drink. The highlight came in the evening as the New Year officially began.
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 CHAPTER
FOUR
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