“If you go to Hamadan, what will be the result? Will Bardya act as did Cambyses?”
“No, a thousand times! Bardya will consent to my marriage with your son at once.”
“It may be. And yet, knowing how my son loves the truth and our ancient faith, I fear that Bardya’s new faith will cause a rupture of their friendship. Darius is an enemy of liars. Unlike me, this son of mine loves war rather than peace and has little patience with those who differ from him in opinion. Perhaps his love for you will cause him to overlook the errors of your brother. As to this letter, if you go, my blessing shall go with you; and, should you call to me for aid from the ends of the earth, I will march to you at the head of a hundred thousand Persians. If you stay here, all Iran will be a bulwark around you and my home shall be yours.”
Tears filled the eyes of Athura. Kneeling, she placed the right hand of the King on her head, saying: “I will take your blessing, my father, and go. Well do I know the love of our people. Sometimes in the bitterness of my condition I have thought of calling them to arms and throwing down from his throne the dread Cambyses. Had it not been for that oath you and your son swore to the Great King, I would have done so!”
Hystaspis bent over and kissed her forehead.
“May Ahura-Mazda, giver of all life, bless you!” he said solemnly. “May Sraosha, his powerful messenger, ever be at your right hand to convey to Him your slightest petition! May happiness in the love of a husband be yours and peace in your own home! Come, let us go to the palace and break the sad news of your going to the mother there.”
They went to the palace side by side and were met on the portico by the stately lady who ruled the King’s heart even as he kept sway over millions of proud subjects.
She sought to persuade Athura not to go to Hamadan, until more certain information of the conditions there could be had; but Athura was firm in her determination to obey the call of her brother. Therefore next day a company of cavalry escorting the Princess marched towards Susa. King Hystaspis rode with her a day’s journey.
On the fifth day after the departure of the Princess, three of the great Persian nobles, Otanes, Hydarnes, and Vomisces, resplendent in military dress and in armor adorned with bright metal and precious stones, each attended by a score of stout guards, rode over the stone bridge across the Pulwar and demanded audience of the King. A chamberlain conducted them into the audience hall, where the benevolent King sat on his throne in state. They saluted him, and Otanes said: “O King, live forever! We, your counselors, come to advise with you on grave affairs of state.”
“I am glad to behold you,” responded the King. “You are welcome. Speak on!”