| ||||
|
Gritting her teeth, Astur stormed down the stairs out into the harsh glare of day and muttering crowds. She passed a baffled Artabanus. 'I want you at the palace immediately. And bring that worthless son of yours with you.'
'But...' he began. She turned suddenly. 'At once!' There was something in her eyes which brought a flash of fear to his heart as he simply nodded and then watched her storm towards the palace, the crowd behind her. Astur burst into the palace and summoned the guard. With a dozen Immortals in tow, the Queen gathered a scribe and several attendants and, entering the inner sanctuary, sat on the golden throne. Gradually, her heartbeat returned to normal as the men stood around her respectfully; all of them wondering what was going to happen but none of them daring to be the one to ask. Harbona entered. 'Lords Artabanus and Sataspes to see you, your Majesty.' 'Show them in. And stay.' 'Very well,' he bowed and stepped aside to allow the Commander of the Guard to enter accompanied by a young man of about twenty-five. They stopped before her but did not bow. The soldiers grew fidgety. 'Sataspes,' she called and the young man stepped forward looking guilty. 'Where were you last evening?' 'I was with friends,' he said quietly. 'Why did you assault my Maid of Honour?' Pandemonium broke out. Artabanus started to bluster while Harbona asked the Queen if she was well. The young man simply stared at the floor. The room gradually fell silent again. 'Well?' 'I...' began Sataspes. 'Don't answer her,' said his father. 'The Queen has no right to hold Court in the King's absence.' 'I speak in the name of the King.' She dropped her voice and stared at the young man. 'Well?' 'I was drunk, Your Majesty.' 'And that gave you the right to take the King's concubine and assault her?' 'No, your Majesty. I regret my action.' Astur gradually calmed down. 'I must protest,' shouted Artabanus. 'You have no right.' Astur looked straight at Artabanus but spoke to the guards. 'Arrest Sataspes and throw him into the prison.' The guards hesitated for a moment then two stepped forward. 'Stop!' commanded Artabanus. 'I am in charge of the Palace Guard. No-one gives orders but myself.' He turned to face them. 'You are dismissed. Go to your quarters.' They hesitated once more and one or two bowed their heads and made for the door. Astur didn't move but calmly stated; 'Any man who leaves this room will join Sataspes in prison.' The guards were clearly confused as to whether to obey the Commander who they had been trained to follow without question, or this Queen whom they hardly knew. Astur stepped from the throne. 'It is the law of the Achaemenids that rape is not permitted within the boundaries of the city nor outside within peacetime. The punishment for such a crime is death.' She turned on Artabanus. 'I understand that you were with the King when he made the decree after the rape and murder of my own mother. I will not by-pass the law simply because the lawbreaker happens to be your son.' Astur walked up to Sataspes who shook with terror. 'What say you, Sataspes?' The young man bowed his head. 'It is as you wish, my Queen.' Artabanus intervened once more. 'They were but boys having fun.' 'Fun?' said Astur, whirling around. 'Is that how you get your fun, my Lord Artabanus? If it had not been for Sataspes apparent sorrow over the matter, I would have had him executed without delay.' 'I will not have my son imprisoned for simply using a concubine.' Astur stepped close to him, her face but inches from his. 'Princess Artaynte is not just any concubine, Artabanus. She is the King's favourite. And when he hears of this, he will spare no mercy.' 'I protest...' 'Don't bother. Artabanus of the Achaemenids, you are hereby removed from your position as Commander of the Guard.' 'You cannot do that,' he blustered. 'I just did. And one more word and I will have you imprisoned with your son.' Artabanus opened his mouth to speak but, seeing the look on her face and the soldiers who were clearly ready to obey her, he closed it again and turned on his heel and left the palace. 'Guards,' said Astur quietly. 'Imprison Sataspes in his own quarters. See that he is well provided for until the King returns from Persepolis and makes the final judgement. If any try to see him or release him, throw them into the deepest dungeons.' The Sergeant-at-Arms bowed. 'At your command, Highness.' She smiled at him. 'Thank you.' He left to do his duty. The normally-subdued Harbona allowed a trace of a smile to cross his lips and was not quite quick enough at removing it before he found Astur watching him. 'With respect, your Majesty,' he said quickly, 'That was close.' 'It was wasn't it?' she said and sat down on the marble steps beside the throne. 'Tell me. Is Megabyzus back from Babylon yet?' 'He arrived yesterday, your Majesty.' 'Please send him to me immediately.' Harbona bowed. 'It shall be as you have spoken.' While she waited, Astur toyed with the hem of her red and white dress and with her innermost feelings. Had she done the right thing? To overlook the incident would have undermined the King's authority and caused many to feel that adverse justice was good only for the poor. However, in removing Artabanus from his post, she had made an enemy at a time when she needed friends in high places. Harbona showed Megabyzus into the room and the son-in-law of the King stood, respectfully, as Astur got to her feet and faced him. 'You have subdued Babylon?' 'Most effectively, your Majesty. It was necessary to melt down the great statue of Marduk in the city and desecrate a few temples but, in the end, they know who is in charge.' She slowly walked round the young Prince. 'Who is in charge, Megabyzus?' 'Why, Khshayarsha the King of course.' 'Are you certain?' 'He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, second only to Lord Ahura-Mazda.' Astur relaxed. 'You have served the King well. I wish to reward your bravery.' 'Your word is my command.' 'You are hereby appointed Commander of the Palace Guard. When Khshayarsha returns, he will either confirm or overrule your commission.' 'But, Artabanus...' '..Is no longer in a position of trust.' He stood and reflected for a moment and then, realising the possibilities if he played his cards right, bowed before Astur. 'It shall be as you command, your Majesty.' 'Your first assignment will be to issue a decree. The King has already spoken the law and it has been so written. Any man of the Empire of Persia who proceeds to rape a girl or woman in Shushan the Castle or outside the city in peacetime is to be publicly dismembered and his house turned into a public privy. The law has been spoken, so let it be done.' | ||||
 CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
| ||||
|
