CAPTAIN MARDUX and his troopers felt themselves highly honored as escorts of the highest born and most beautiful woman in the world, when they departed from Persepolis with the Princess Athura. When she chose to ride a horse, the captain knelt that she might place one small foot on his knee and thence leap into the saddle. When she chose to ride in a litter, the captain had difficulty in choosing from the many volunteers those who should be carriers. He had to be severe in denying some the right to stand guard around her tent as she slept, since all could not do so. These hard-fisted, hard-riding sons of Persia deemed themselves guardians of a goddess; and all of them were her devotees. Her journey was a pleasant pastime.
They arrived at Susa on the sixth day and were met by the governor of the city with all his chief officials. They conducted the Princess to the royal palace, where she rested a day. The city was gayly decorated in her honor. Then a company of Medean cavalry, under command of a noble Mede, relieved Captain Mardux and his men of their charge, and with them the Princess continued her journey towards Hamadan. From Susa to Behistun the road was better and the pace more rapid. On the tenth day they stood beneath the shadow of the great rock and were about to turn eastward across the mountains, when a courier met them, bearing a letter, informing Athura that King Bardya had gone to a castle in Nicæa on a hunting-trip and asking her to come to him there. Athura and her escort therefore took a road leading northerly into Western Medea. Thus it came about that Captains Arios and Mardux, pushing forward in desperate haste to rescue the Princess from the usurper, and supposing that she had gone direct to Hamadan, missed her by turning to the right at Behistun two hours after she and her train had disappeared in the northern hills. Thus it came about also that the Prince of Iran and his weary ten thousand, having avoided Babylon on the right and Susa on the left, lest they should meet with opposition and be delayed, when they reached the great highway between Persepolis and Susa and learned that the Princess had gone northward to Hamadan, delayed not to await the coming of the Persian army but also turned northward.
Athura’s heart beat high with anticipated pleasure. A decree had been published in Susa announcing the death of Cambyses in Syria and the peaceful adherence of the King’s army to Bardya. Civil war would thus be averted. Her beloved brother would doubtless call the Prince of Iran to be his chief counselor, the second man in the empire. Nothing would hinder her marriage to him. The future seemed indeed bright with promise. The Medean escort was attentive and obedient to her slightest wish. At Nicæa a second message awaited Athura, informing her that the King was at the castle of Sictachotes, a score of miles farther north, and bidding her come there. Here a new escort took charge, composed of soldiers and priests whose appearance did not at all please the Princess. She did not hesitate to go forward, however, but she resolved that she would persuade her brother to discharge from his service men who resembled robbers rather than soldiers.
It was late afternoon when they arrived in sight of the castle or stronghold of the false Bardya. The castle was an irregular pile of stone buildings on the summit of a hill, the crater of a long-extinct volcano. A small lake filled the mouth of the crater and on its rim the buildings had been constructed. At the foot of the cone and completely surrounding it was a high stone wall through which a huge brazen gate gave entrance and egress. The buildings were low and of rude architecture, except one tower which rose to a height of fifty feet and was about thirty feet square.
The Princess wondered that her brother should bring her to such an uninviting place; but, remembering his passion for hunting, she had no misgivings. The great gate swung open to admit her and her escort, and then it closed with a clang. Having ascended the hill to a level space in front of the high tower, the escort dismounted and its leader came to assist Athura to alight. But she said haughtily to him: “Go, call the King. Why is he not here to meet me?”
The officer bowed low and went into the castle, whence he presently returned with a richly dressed official who forthwith prostrated himself before royalty. “May you live forever, O gracious lady!” he said loudly. “The King is out hunting, not expecting you until the morrow. But all things are ready for you. Be pleased to alight and enter!”
The Princess then dismounted and followed the official into the castle. The room they first entered was in the base of the high tower and occupied its whole space. It was richly furnished with tables, couches, and rugs. Draperies concealed the rough walls. Athura had brought with her three maids. Several others presently appeared from side-rooms and humbly awaited her pleasure. The official, who proved to be the King’s chamberlain, having called the servants, now said: “My Lord the King will return shortly. Meanwhile, if it please you, dinner will be served here. Let the maids be disposed of in the adjoining room. Should you desire to take the air, there is a pleasant walk around the lake. If anything be needed, pull the cord at the side here and a gong will call servants. Permit me to retire and order your dinner served.”
The Princess assented and the chamberlain, with a low salaam, departed. Having bathed, and changed her riding habit to one more comfortable, she ate dinner alone. She was grieved and impatient. But she was to suffer further disappointment. For at sundown a messenger appeared who reported that a revolt had broken out in the army at Hamadan, thus compelling the King’s instant return to that city. He had departed at once, but promised to return quickly and escort her in person to the capital. He bade her rest meanwhile at the castle.
Athura was furious. It seemed strange that her brother should treat her thus. He must be indeed changed from that former bold youth who would have let state matters go to ruin rather than fail to come to her at once when so near! She rang for the chamberlain, and when that worthy appeared she inquired, “Was the King here this morning?”
“Yes, gracious lady,” he replied humbly.