They were received by the well-known Nubian chamberlain with his usual deference. He did not seem astonished. He must have heard that they were coming. The sailors remained in the outer hall; the strategos and his lieutenant were ushered into the state room of the castle. This reception was so unusual that Alkibiades began to wonder what it meant. On former occasions Tissaphernes had always come out to meet him, and with emotion and many fond caresses had hung about his neck in long, if not to the Athenian very agreeable, embraces. Still they waited, and no satrap came.
At length an official entered, followed by some young slaves bearing an elegant repast, with flowers and fruit and the choicest shiraz cooled in the snow, which was lying thick upon the mountains, but still no satrap. Alkibiades asked the official when the viceroy of the King of Kings would deign to receive his servants. The official answered him that the viceroy of the King of Kings was busily engaged just then with orders from the King of Kings, and could not yet have the pleasure of visiting his illustrious guests, and then retired with a lowly reverence.
Just then a loud blast from a broad-mouthed Persian trumpet sounded, and there was a clatter of horses’ feet. From the high windows a cavalcade was seen passing through the courtyard, and out by the castle gate.
‘By the gods!’ cried Alkibiades, ‘there is that rascally Tissaphernes in the middle of them. He shall not escape me yet. I will be after him and astonish the Spartans, who think they have got him from me.’
He clapped his hands, but no one came.
He sent Mantitheos to call the slaves. The door was fastened.
Great drops stood on the pale face of Mantitheos. He was for rushing to the windows and escaping by them.
Alkibiades laughed savagely.
‘With a troop of Persians to cut you to pieces when you fall down, with broken bones, among them. Keep still. This is a conspiracy between Mindaros and Pharnabazos. They have brought Tissaphernes round to their side before I could get hold of him. Poor Tissaphernes! he is more unhappy at this moment than I am. We can but die once, though I confess I should have liked to live a little longer.’
They tried the inner rooms. Two were fitted up with couches, one sumptuously. The hours went by. It grew dark. The trumpets sounded. Guard relieved guard. The neighing of horses was heard. Lights began to twinkle in the town and camp. Still no one came. All was silent.