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Queen of the Persians

by Lee Edgar

dedicated to orphans everywhere

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

    THE Court was back in Shushan as the heat began to dissipate and arrangements were well under way for the wedding of Mordecai to Artaynte. The King had granted unlimited funds to Astur but Mordecai had insisted on a simple Jewish wedding to whom all the Israelites in Shushan were invited as well as the members of the King's household. After the relatively simple ceremony, Astur held a banquet for them all in the palace garden.
    'Your people are a good people,' remarked Khshayarsha as he watched them dance and sing. 'What is it that makes them so happy?'
    'It is a mixture of faith and hope. As they hear the reports of the continuing construction of the temple in Jerusalem, it makes them joyful to know that their relatives in Israel are at peace.'
    'But don't they realise that, within a few weeks, they will be fighting for their lives?'
    'Of course, my Lord King. But their hope is in their God who promises He will protect them.'
    'Do you, too, have this hope?'
    'Naturally. I have every confidence in my God.'
    'Astur,' he said quietly. 'Your faith and hope are infectious.'
    'You are not the first Achaemenid king to speak those sentiments. Your grandfather, Cyrus was very impressed with Daniel and others as was your father, Darius.'
    'One day, your people will rule the world.'
    'It was so promised to our father, Abraham. God said his seed would fill the earth like the sands of the seashore.'
    'But will they always be so happy?'
    'I hope so, my Lord King.'
    'When they are finished dancing, you must bring Marduka and Artaynte to me. I wish to bless them.'
    Astur looked astounded for a moment but complied with the King's request. A few moments later, the newlyweds stood before their monarch.
    'Marduka, I owe you my life. Artaynte, I owe you much of my present happiness. Astur, I owe you my future. I wish to place my blessing upon you all. May my words go into the record books as the law of Ahura-Mazda.'
    Harbona sat down beside the King and waited with writing block poised.
    'Marduka. I hereby decree that, from henceforth, you will permanently remain Prime Minister of Persia and that the position will be hereditary. Artaynte, you will be the mother of all future Prime Ministers.'
    'It is a great honour, your Majesty.'
    'Astur. From this day forward, you will be my equal in power. When I offered you power and riches, you turned them down as did your King, Solomon. For that reason, you will be Queen, not just in name, but in fact. If I die, you must be co-ruler with my son.'
    'You will not die,' said Astur. 'Not for a very long time.'
    'It has to happen one day, my child. I do not decree that you marry Darius, only that you share the rulership with him to help him in his young years. You have a wisdom second only to that of your Solomon.'
    'You are most kind, my Lord King.'
    'From now on, there will be a council of three which will settle all immediate matters in court. Let it be written that the King, Queen and Prime Minister will make up that council and all others will be inferior except in the matter of war where all Princes must be consulted, as before.'
    'It is so written,' said Harbona.
    'Well,' said the King to Marduka and Artaynte. 'What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy yourselves.'
    Astur gripped the hand of her King. 'My Lord King. I, too, have a proclamation to make.'
    The King's left eyebrow raised a little. 'Yes?'
    Astur leaned close. 'I love you.'
    She nodded to the perplexed Harbona with a cheeky grin on her face. 'So let it be written.'

    AFTER having waited for almost a year, the twelfth month came upon them with unexpected speed. Throughout the realm, Anti-Semitists and opportunists prepared to attack the peaceful Jews while they in turn got ready to defend themselves. To many, it seemed like an omen so that, throughout the Empire, many Gentiles actually became Proselytes. Others, fearing the wrath of the King, chose to suppress their natural feelings and simply do nothing. Nevertheless, there were still many thousands who were prepared to fight to eradicate the Jews from their communities. Among them were Zeresh and the ten sons of Haman.
    'You each know what to do?' asked their mother.
    'Of course. We have been through it so many times. Dalphon and Poratha go for Marduka and his new woman. The others spread out around the city and lead the marches against the Jews.'
    'It is important,' said Zeresh. 'Marduka must die. I owe it to the memory of your father.'
    'And the Queen?'
    She nodded and her eyes glinted in the light of the oil lamps. 'Oh, yes. The Queen must also die.'
    'Will not the King protect her?'
    'He cannot. In his ignorance, the document was issued to destroy all Jews, whoever they are. The counter-decree only says they can defend themselves. The King will have to remain neutral in the matter or no-one will ever accept his word again. He dare not intervene.'
    'Who will do the deed?'
    'I have spoken with Artabanus. He will find a way to smuggle me into the palace with your sisters, Amele and Darusana, dressed as maids. I have sworn before Molech to avenge Haman or die. We will be the ones who will hold down the Queen while Artabanus deals with her. If we fail, we will bring upon ourselves the fate intended for the Queen. We have so sworn it.'
    'Then let us hope you succeed.'
    'My son,' said Zeresh. 'I have no intention of failing.' She smiled. 'You see, over the years I have become quite attached to my belly.'

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

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