“Twice, but only at the public audiences. He rides not forth as formerly, because, it is said, he fears assassins.”
“How looks he?”
“The lights were dim when I saw him, but I recognized him. He has lost flesh, as if he had been ill. He used to take part in the martial sports, but does not do so now.”
“What say the people of him?”
“They praise him for the most part. He has remitted the taxes, pardoned all political offenders, and proclaimed a year of peace and jubilee. Only the old priests grumble, who are displeased because he favors the Magi.”
“You may return to the palace, where you will be entertained.”
Saluting again, the messenger gladly hastened away to the ample refreshments he knew awaited him at the palace. The King returned the scroll to Athura and sighed. After a moment’s thought, he said: “Daughter, I like not the situation. If Cambyses be dead, as here reported, then Bardya is rightfully King. But he has abandoned the ancient religion of his fathers very suddenly for the accursed superstition of those Scythian interlopers, the Magi. But his decree concerning the Magi shall not run in Iran! I have heard that some of the temples of our religion in Medea have been closed and that the altars of the fire-worshipers on the hilltops have multiplied. So changed is he in all this that I am astounded. He commands you to come to him. It is for you to decide. It may be that you can turn him back from his evil way. But I fear to let you go.”
“I am greatly troubled,” said Athura. “Bardya never was inclined to give much thought to religion. He loves sports, the army, and the hunt. His heart is easily touched. In gratitude to those who saved his life, he has granted them great privileges. All the more should I, on whom he ever leaned for advice, be near him, to lead him back if possible to the old paths. I have nothing to fear from him. It is my duty to go. But I desire your advice. You have been a father to me, and the gracious Queen, a mother!”
The King smiled. “If my son returns from Egypt,” he said, “I shall deem myself happy to acknowledge you my daughter in fact. If Cambyses is dead, there need be no more concealment or fear. I will send trusty messengers to Hamadan, Babylon, and Susa and even to Egypt to learn the truth. My son would certainly have sent messengers to me with news of the King’s death if he were dead.”
“May Ahura-Mazda hasten the day of his return! How long it has been since I last saw him!”