KHSHAYARSHA'S army came unstuck at Thermopylae. After having driven back the Greeks during a minor skirmish at Themes, the Spartans dug themselves in to hold the pass against the massive Persian army.
'Why can we not break through?' demanded the King.
'The pass is too narrow, your Majesty,' said his older brother.
'There has to be a way around them, Artabazanes. We have been here two days and have lost thousands of men while they sit and throw rocks at us from the hills.'
'I will make enquiries of our Macedonian allies.'
'You do that, my brother. I do not intend to stay here much longer. The fleet is vulnerable without our keeping up on land.'
'It shall be done, my Lord King.' He rode off.
The King turned to the old man beside him. 'Well, Haman. What do the gods say now?'
Haman sat cross-legged on the ground and cast lots. After considerable meditation as to the meaning, he lifted his head. 'Mithra says that tomorrow we shall destroy them all and take the pass.'
Khshayarsha looked at the Magi long and hard. To even question the gods at this stage of a battle would not only be foolish but also disheartening to the troops.
'Very well.' He turned to his brother-in-law. 'Mardonius, tell the other generals. We break through tomorrow. I know yet not how, but Ahura-Mazda has spoken and we shall obey.'
THE news spread through the city like wildfire and parties were held long into the night.
'Tonight,' said Hegai. 'Special treat for my girls. I have instructed wine to come for you all.'
'Wine?' said Artaynte with excitement. 'Whoopee!'
'How long will it be before the King returns?' asked Astur seriously.
'News take two weeks to arrive. By now, King in Athens. If all go well, he be home by winter.'
'I see.'
Hegai placed his hand gently under her chin and lifted it. 'You no be sad. When King come, you be very happy, wait and see.'
She shrugged. 'I just can't believe all this is happening to me.'
'You believe,' he said with a smile. 'By spring, you be Queen. Hegai know.'
Astur returned his smile. 'I trust you, Hegai.'
He patted her gently on the shoulder. 'You good girl. King like good girl. You not at all like Amestris.'
'I only saw her once. Was she always like that?'
'Her father let her get like that. King always busy, not notice much. When King insist, she disobey. Amestris bad Queen.'
'I hope I don't become like that.'
He shook his head. 'No. You different.'
'How can I be sure I am doing and saying the right things?'
'You do just as always. No try to be different. Act normal.' He smiled. 'King like that.'
'The King liked Artaynte didn't he?'
Hegai wagged his finger. 'No. King love Artaynte. Is not same.'
'Will he love me, Hegai?'
'If he don't, Khshayarsha pretty stupid King. Me love you as own child.'
Astur laughed. 'You are a eunuch. You don't have any children.'
'If I do, you are she.'
She threw her arms around the giant. 'I love you, Hegai.'
THE King watched with sadness as the smoke rose over the city of Athens. He had not wanted it to be this way but some of his generals had become over-zealous. Fortunately for the inhabitants of the city, the Greek General, Themistocles, had persuaded most of the populous to flee to the islands where they would be safe. Greece had fallen to Persia, but at what cost? Athens had been taken but the fleet had been decimated at Salamis. In trying to chase the Greeks into the narrow channel, the Persian fleet had been trapped by the easier-to-manoeuvre Greek Triremes. For the first time in many years, Khshayarsha felt sad. His brother and brother-in-law were still there and, in spite of all their differences and rivalries, they had fought well, side-by-side. But now, could they govern what they had taken as well as they had battled for it?
He turned to his attendants. 'I am ready. Call the generals for a council of war. In one week, I leave for Persia.'
HADASSEH trembled as Melane finished brushing her hair. Looking at herself in the polished bronze mirror, she saw the reflection of a girl who looked little more than twelve years old. Unlike the concubines who had preceded her into the King's presence, she wore no make up of any kind, no flowers in her hair, no expensive perfume from the East. Hegai nodded his approval and bade her stand.
'Are you sure this is right?' she said quietly. 'Haman's daughter looked really beautiful last night and she was not chosen.'
'Is perfect,' said the giant. 'After all years with King, Hegai know what pleases Khshayarsha.'
Hadasseh spun herself around on her bare feet and her simple skirt swung out like a dancing dress. The weeks of exercise around the palace gardens had given her a leanness and fitness which clearly showed as her eyes sparkled with health and her long black hair shone with vitality.
'Is tonight,' said Hegai. 'Artaynte teach you how to prevent pain when first time with man?'
Hadasseh nodded but had a sudden mental picture of her young mother being repeatedly raped by a group of half-drunken soldiers while her father lay dying on the ground. Sarah had dared to be a Jewess and that had meant open sport, and the nightmare flooded back to her despite her continued efforts to forget. Hadasseh groaned at the memory and only the arms of Artaynte calmed her back to the present.
'Remember what I told you?'
Hadasseh nodded as her friend gently wiped away the tears.
'You are seventh to be presented to King,' said Hegai. 'You are also last.'
Hadasseh looked up sharply. 'But there are a dozen others after me. The King will want to test them all before making his final decision.'
The giant smiled. 'Trust Hegai. Hegai know King. You are last. I go now to prepare for great banquet I am certain King will order.'
'You seem very sure,' said the nervous Hadasseh.
'I, too, am sure,' said Artaynte. She smiled. 'Ready?'
The young woman nodded and held her head high. 'I am ready.'
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CHAPTER
TEN
