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THE hot, summer sun beat down on the city of Shushan and people went slowly about their daily routine. Few were seen out in the middle of the day as the ground itself seemed to reflect the intense heat up at them. Life in the gatehouse was normal for the time of year as Marduka continued to ensure that the gates to the palace were well guarded while Hadasseh and Artaynte kept house in their stone tower. Fruit became scarce as the heat increased and even the Ulai watercourse which supplied the city with fresh water began to dwindle.
'I must go to the market,' said Hadasseh, rising from her bunk, her smooth skin glistening even in the relative coolness of the gatehouse. 'Very well,' agreed her friend without opening her eyes. 'The heat will lessen as evening approaches. Perhaps, today, there will be word of the King.' Hadasseh wiped herself with a woollen cloth before slipping her thin shift over her head and heading for the stone steps. 'Be careful,' warned Artaynte. Hadasseh smiled. 'The city is quiet at this time of day. What harm could befall me?' The young Princess opened her eyes. 'You are getting too brave with your strolling around the city. You could be recognised. Wear your veil.' Hadasseh sighed and reached for a headcovering. 'You are right.' She smiled. 'I will not be long.' Skipping down the stairs, she passed her cousin with a kiss and burst out into the bright, parched city. Even through her leather sandals, the road felt hot and, already, her shift was becoming soaked with her perspiration as she lifted it slightly to allow air to pass around her body. Artaynte opened her eyes and slipped quickly off the bed and threw her cloak around her shoulders, fastening the catches as she skittered down the stairs. 'I am just going to the market,' she called to Mordecai as she passed him and he stroked his beard thoughtfully as he watched her disappear quickly up the road. There was little left at the busy market as Hadasseh reached to touch the few hardened melons left on a stall. With practiced care, she selected the best one for their evening meal and paid out of a small leather purse tied around her wrist. 'Will you have any more by the end of the week?' she queried, dropping her veil so the merchant she always dealt with could hear her words clearly. 'I know not, my Lady. If I have, I will save you the best.' Hadasseh smiled and her white teeth glistened. 'I would be very grateful.' The man nodded as the young girl grinned and waved her thanks. As she stepped forward, she abruptly stopped and quickly refastened her veil. The two men across the road were very familiar and an ice-cold wave of panic passed over her. Turning quickly, she found herself running down a side passage and then into a gateway, her heart beating frantically. She was just beginning to breathe again when hands reached out and pulled her down the narrow stairway into a cold cellar. She tried to struggle but a hand was placed firmly over her face as the weight of her assailant's body held her to the stone floor. After several minutes, the two bodies relaxed. 'Do not call out,' whispered her attacker, still a dark shape against the narrow doorway. 'If I let go will you promise not to cry out?' As far as she was able, Hadasseh nodded her head and, suddenly, she was free and the other form peered out of the doorway for a moment before returning and kneeling before her. 'You must be more careful,' said the voice. 'You were nearly caught just then.' 'I do not understand.' 'There were people watching you. I knew this might happen so I followed you.' 'It is not necessary, Artaynte. I am old enough to look after myself.' 'Then why did you panic and run just then.' 'I saw a couple of men I thought I recognised. They were near the house of Haman.' The Princess leant closer. 'They were the ones who killed your parents?' 'I think so, but I'm not sure.' 'Describe them.' 'Dark hair, beards, long gowns.' Artaynte smiled. 'You have just described most of the male population of Persia.' 'It is not funny.' 'Did I say it was?'
EVEN in Ecbatana, it was oppressively hot. The mountain streams trickled lazily along parched beds and even the wind which normally blew gently off the high slopes was still.
AUTUMN turned to winter and another year began. Khshayarsha and his army marched north-west along the Royal Highway, collecting battalion after battalion of extra men as they went. Through Phrygia and Capadocia they marched until, with a force of over two million armed men, they wintered at Sardes. By Spring, the pontoon bridge across the Hellespont was complete and, as the first of the spring flowers pushed their heads through the dark soil of Anatolia, the immense Persian war machine converged on Macedonia. | ||||
 CHAPTER
EIGHT
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