A cool breeze wafted around the city as Prime Minister Haman was carried on his carriage through the gateway and into the palace at Shushan. In his hand was a document prepared with the consultation of Artabanus and, as he passed through the gateway, everyone bowed except Marduka who simply stood in the shadow of the doorway as he passed. Never mind, smiled Haman to himself, don't get yourself upset. It will all be over sooner than you think. If you just knew what I had in my hand, Marduka, you would fall at my feet like a slave and beg for my mercy. Still, it is too late now. In a matter of hours, the decree will be issued; provided, of course, I can get the matter past the King.
Khshayarsha sat on the throne as the Magi approached and was stopped by the guards. The King held out his golden sceptre as usual and Haman was admitted to the royal presence.
'Are you well, my Lord King?'
'What news?' asked the King, ignoring Haman's pleasantries.
'Good news and bad news, my Lord King. Your elder brother, Artabazanes, has returned from Thrace with news of a minor advance. I recommend that you appoint him Satrap of Dascylium and Cilicia for his bravery.'
The King waved his arm vaguely. 'You deal with the matter. It is of little consequence to me. Anything else?'
'Yes. Sataspes has sent word that he has reached the south of the Land of Sands and has discovered little black men who cover themselves only in palm leaves.'
'When is he expected back?'
'Not for many months, my Lord King.'
'Anything else?' He was getting impatient.
'Unfortunately, yes, Sire. There is news of a minor rebellion in the Empire. A people with a hatred for the laws of the King has risen up against you and are at present raising an army to overthrow your Empire.'
Khshayarsha turned. 'Who would dare do such a thing? Egypt? Babylon?'
'No, your Majesty. These people have deliberately scattered themselves throughout the whole of your Empire with a view to dividing it amongst themselves. They are but a small people of no great significance but they have planned to overthrow your power and assassinate you on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month.'
Khshayarsha slammed his fist on the arm of his throne. 'They must be annihilated.'
'My sentiments precisely. I would, however, recommend delaying our attack upon them for a while so as to make sure we have all of them in our hands and none escape. I suggest you send out instructions to all the Satraps of the Empire to destroy this miserable people on the previous day when they will have gathered themselves together.'
'The idea does seem a sound one, Haman. But will it not cost a large amount of silver and gold?'
'It is true, my Lord King. However, to show the extent of my deep loyalty to you, I will pay for this deed out of my own treasure chest.'
The King raised his eyebrows at the gesture. 'Indeed?'
Haman tried to hide his sneer. 'It is the very least I could do for my great King.'
'Very well,' said Khshayarsha with a dismissive gesture. 'Arrange it for me.'
'I have already made out the document of judgement for you to authorise.' Haman held his breath while he offered it to the King.
'Don't bother me now. We have plenty of time.'
'With respect, highness. Our Satraps will need to be ready so they can closely observe the guilty ones.'
The King thought for a moment and then removed his seal-ring. 'Here, you deal with the matter in my name. Send out the proclamation if you feel it is right. Seal my name and all will obey.'
Haman looked at the gold seal-ring in his hand and thought of the possibilities it offered. Perhaps Artabanus had been right. Not only was the destruction of the Jews now within his grasp, but rulership as well.
He bowed. 'It shall be done as you command.'
HAMAN watched as the King's secretaries copied the document and made translations into the many languages needed; Greek, Aramaic, Sanskrit, Egyptian Hieroglyphic, Sumerian Cuneiform and many others. By post, copies were sent to the most distant parts of the Empire as well as being nailed up in and around Shushan. Haman took particularly sadistic delight in sending Marduka his own, personal copy. As the peace of the city was disturbed by a mixture of anger and mourning, Khshayarsha drank wine with Haman, blissfully unaware of just what had been done by his Prime Minister.
At the same time, Artaynte rushed into Astur's presence, frantic with worry. 'Astur, it is Marduka. He has gone into mourning.'
Astur sat up suddenly. 'Why would he do that? Who has died?'
'I had a job getting anything coherent out of him but he muttered something about a proclamation which has been issued by the King.'
Astur's face went dark. 'Proclamation? What proclamation?'
'I don't know, Astur. I wasn't able to find out.'
The Queen stood up and clapped her hands. 'Hathach. Go with Artaynte and see if you can find out what it is that has caused so much unhappiness to Marduka.'
'Very well, your Majesty.'
'And take fresh clothes for him. By tradition, he will have ripped his own clothes in mourning.'
He bowed. 'I will go at once.'
'And report back to me personally,' she instructed, wagging her finger. 'Personally, do you understand?'
The Royal Eunuch nodded. 'It shall be done as you so command, my Queen.'
HATHACH and Artaynte found Mordecai in the outer courtyard and offered him the clean garments Astur had supplied.
I cannot wear them, my child,' he replied in anguish. 'Our mourning is very great indeed.'
'But what has happened?' asked Hathach with concern. 'The Queen is most distressed at your condition.'
'It is the proclamation from the King.' He reached into the folds of his garment and produced his copy of the document.
Artaynte read it and then read it again and slowly sat down. 'It does not mention the Jews by name.'
'Perhaps not. But it is certainly implied. What other people worship the god called Jehovah? Who else go up to Jerusalem to worship? Throughout the whole of the world, there will be no-one who will be in any doubt as to who is meant. A great many peoples will love this opportunity to get rid of us.'
'But not everyone hates the Jews, surely.'
'Perhaps not. Nevertheless, even those who do not actually hate us are envious of the prosperity of many of our people.'
Artaynte consulted the document once more. 'And the proclamation quite clearly states that any person killing these people may gain possession of their lands and property as spoil.'
'Precisely. Many who would normally not raise a hand against us will be tempted by the offer of great wealth.'
'Whoever it was who issued this carefully-worded decree was very clever indeed.'
'There is no doubt as to who wrote it. It is the work of Haman the Magi.'
'I know you said his family has a traditional feud with the Jews but I can't believe that even our Prime Minister would go to these lengths to vent his hatred.'
'You don't know him,' interrupted Hathach. 'I knew him before he came to Shushan. He can be very vindictive when he wants to be.'
Artaynte was deep in thought. 'I know Astur does not like him though I've never quite understood why.'
'Astur is in a very difficult position. She knows of the hatred between the Jews and the Agagites but, fortunately for her, she has never been in a position of having to bow down to him. As Queen, she can remain aloof from it all.'
'Astur is not uncaring,' protested Artaynte.
'I didn't intend to suggest she was. I merely meant that my problem has not yet become hers.'
Artaynte clutched at her heart. 'You mean...?'
'Exactly. How long do you think it will be before Haman puts two and two together? Eventually, someone is bound to find out that our little Hadasseh, too, is a Jew.'
'But how? We have said nothing.'
Marduka sighed. 'People like Haman and Artabanus will make it their job to find out. With the hatred Artabanus has for Astur, I wouldn't put it past him to personally want to carry out the sentence. He hates her for making a fuss over the fact that Sataspes raped you and blames Astur for everything which has happened to him ever since.'
Artaynte jumped to her feet. 'Then we must find a way to put a stop to it.'
'How can we do that? Haman was very clever in getting Khshayarsha to agree to it. The Satraps and Princes will carry out the King's word to the letter.'
'Do you suppose the King knows what has happened?'
'I have no idea. I cannot bring myself to believe he would have agreed to the proclamation if he knew that Astur was a Jew.'
'Do you think Haman already knows?'
'I wouldn't put it past him,' said the Queen's eunuch. 'With Astur out of the way, he will feel he has total control of the King.'
'If the King finds out, will he stop the proclamation?'
'He cannot. It is a law of the Persians and Medes which cannot be changed or altered in any way.'
Artaynte paced the room and wrung her hands in desperation. 'Then what can be done?'
'Someone must ensure that the King is aware of what has happened. He is a just man and he will know what to do.'
'It is impossible. Only Haman is allowed to see the King.'
Mordecai sighed. 'And I cannot see Haman imploring salvation for the Jews.'
'You are right. However, I will make sure that Astur knows what is happening. May I keep this copy of the decree to show her?'
'Of course, my child.' Mordecai smiled. 'Though I know not what good it will do. If Astur cannot go to see the King, then all is lost.'
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CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
