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ASTUR read the decree in silence and then got to her feet and stared out of the palace window for a long time. The mountains seemed to shimmer in the noon-day heat and took on a purplish tinge. Beneath them, the desert road looked barren and yellow.
'What does Mordecai suggest I do?' 'He says you must speak to the King.' She bowed her head as the tears came to her eyes. 'How can I do that? He has not even asked to see me for a month.' 'And,' added Hathach, 'Anyone who tries to see the King uninvited is instantly executed, whoever they are.' Artaynte moved closer. 'Mordecai did make the point that your own life is in danger, even if you do nothing.' Astur whirled on her friend, tears of frustration welling just below the surface. 'Do you really think I care what happens to me? I would willingly die for my people. In fact, I would risk execution simply to save Mordecai if I thought it would do any good. But how can I just throw away my life for nothing?' Hathach coughed nervously. 'With respect, highness. If you are known to be a Jew, you may have little choice in the matter. You will be killed yourself. Even the King will not be able to break his own law.' 'Yes,' agreed Artaynte. 'Remember the story you told me about your relative Daniel? King Darius was tricked into issuing a similar proclamation in Babylon and Daniel himself was sentenced to death in the Lions' den. According to your Holy Book, the great Darius was unable to prevent the sentence being carried out even when he found out that it was his closest advisor who was to suffer. Fortunately for Daniel, it worked out all right. But the point stands, if Mordecai dies, you die.' 'I am not afraid to die,' said Astur sadly. 'I know you are not and neither is Mordecai. He is simply concerned for all the other thousands of innocent men, women and children.' She paused. 'He also said something else.' 'Yes?' Artaynte took a deep breath. 'He said it is possible that your God has chosen you as Queen for Khshayarsha with just this eventuality in mind.' Astur looked at her friend for a long time and then held her head high. 'In that case, I must do it. I will go before the King.' 'Perhaps he will not execute his little Hadasseh,' said Artaynte quietly. 'Perhaps not,' said the Queen. 'Hathach!' The eunuch bowed. 'Yes, your Majesty.' 'Go to Marduka and beg him to entreat the people to fast and pray in my behalf. I shall do the same. In three days, I have heard, Haman will be away from the city until midday and I shall seize the opportunity to attempt to see the King in this matter.' 'Your highness,' said the eunuch. 'It is not just the Jews who will pray for you. We will all do so.' The Queen touched his face gently. 'You are a good man, Hathach.' 'Just remember, my Queen. So is the King, deep at heart.' Astur smiled. 'I hope, for all our sakes, that you are right.'
ASTUR rose with the sun and waited as Artaynte did her black hair in the way that she knew Khshayarsha liked it, long with curls down the sides, like a child's. When she had finished, the royal headdress of finely-spun silk was placed on top. Discarding many of the usual fineries, Astur opted for the thin, summer apparel of the Queens of Persia - white cotton with red sash and hem.
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 CHAPTER
NINETEEN
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