Others took up the burden of prophecy and warning. The chief priest listened attentively; then, calling the King aside, he spoke rapidly and earnestly to him, pointing up to the window from which the Princess was looking down upon them. For a time the King hesitated, then walked uncertainly towards the castle, followed by the howling mob of priests, who stumbled, rolled, or hopped after him. A moment later they were hammering at the castle-door and the King was commanding Gustasp to open.
Gustasp, however, had not been idle. He had locked and barred the stout doors and had reinforced them with furniture piled against them. Now, as the King’s voice was heard commanding him to open, he shouted back a refusal.
“Open, I command it!” shouted the King.
“I will never open it!” answered Gustasp. “No longer do I serve you, Gaumata, the false! I serve the gracious Princess of the house of Cyrus!”
“You will be torn in pieces! Open, I say! I will have you roasted to death! I will afflict you with spells! Open! I command!”
“Never! I warn you that I will slay any man who attempts to harm my sovereign lady!”
The King and Patatheites took counsel and sought to beguile the giant guard.
“Listen!” said the priest. “We mean no harm to the Princess. But she must marry the King now and must march with us at daybreak to Hamadan and proclaim their union. Open, and I swear she will not be harmed, and you shall be the first officer of the army!”
But Gustasp growled a refusal. He was not to be deluded. Then began Patatheites to curse him and to call down the anger of all the gods upon him. He cursed him by the sun whose beams would strike him down; by the moon whose rays would drive him insane; by the rivers which would drown him; by the hills which would fall on him; and by the devils who would ever pursue him. So bitter and dreadful were his words that stout Gustasp paled and trembled. With uncertain steps he paced back and forth across the lower chamber floor, fearing that from the shadows of the chamber half-lighted by an oil lamp some specter might leap forth upon him. A soft step came down the stairs and Gustasp drew his sword. But it was the Princess. She came to the trembling giant and placed her hand on his arm.
“Fear not, Gustasp!” she said reassuringly. “Good spirits are here around us! Those curses shall not harm you. Ahura-Mazda has sent me a messenger saying: ‘Fear not! We will help you!’ Be strong and brave, Gustasp. See, I tremble not.”