“I know, but what if Cambyses does not consent?”
She was silent for a moment. This possibility had occurred to both. The word of Cambyses the Great King would be law. He might if he willed give his sister to another.
“That Cambyses is not fit to reign!” she exclaimed presently. “My father should have decreed Bardya his successor! Am I, the daughter of Cyrus, to have no part in this empire? To have no will of my own? Let the people of Iran answer! What say you?”
The Prince was silent now. The oath sworn to the dead Cyrus recurred to his mind. It would indeed have been better had Cyrus willed that Bardya should be his successor, for then the Aryans would have cheerfully followed his will. As he replied not, she continued:
“Who, in truth, is entitled to reign in Iran? If birth gives right, is not the gracious King, your father, this day entitled to succeed my father? For he is of an older branch of the Achæmenian family. Let him assert this right! The men of Iran will uphold him. As for me, I shall be satisfied to become queen of the world, when you succeed to your father’s place.”
“Of all these matters have I thought much,” he replied slowly. “It is true my father is entitled to reign in Iran; but the empire of Cyrus reaches on every side beyond the utmost limits of Iran; and it was his by right of conquest. It is a new empire based on the provinces of Persia and Medea over which he was always entitled to reign. Perhaps our ancient customs and laws would give my father the best right to succeed. But he has refused to assert that right. He has sworn to Cyrus to support Cambyses and Bardya on their thrones forever. I, too, in obedience to my father’s will, when the Great King lay dying, made solemn oath that I would likewise support them on their thrones, according to the terms of his will. Our oaths cannot return. But such oaths do not take away our ancient right to rule as Kings of Iran. That we will ever maintain; but not to the overthrow of Cambyses or of Bardya. I am troubled to know how to act in the future. Cambyses surely will not permit Bardya to reign even over part of this empire; and all the provinces of the East have been given to Bardya with the sole condition that he acknowledge the overlordship of Cambyses. If the King of Kings should lead an army hither to overthrow his brother, we must fight him; if Bardya seeks to overthrow his brother, we must prevent him. Alas! the mind of Cyrus must have been affected so that he could not see clearly! I can see before us long years of civil war, wherein Aryan will fight Aryan. Of one thing I am convinced, Bardya should not accompany the body of his father to Pasargadæ. Here, in the faithful city of Bactra, with the army of King Hystaspis at hand, he may be secure. Would it not be better that you also remain here, while I go to stand before the King and demand his consent to our marriage?”
“Shall I not honor my father by attending when he goes to his tomb? I have no fear of Cambyses. Surely he will attempt no harm to me or to my brother when on this sacred mission! Besides, will you not also be present?”
“Yes, I shall be near. Let us hope that the King of Kings will be gracious. My life shall be between you and harm. It would be valueless to me without you!”
“And mine would end without you! Have no fear that Cambyses may give me to another! I, the daughter of Cyrus, will submit to no such disposition! He dares not violate the ancient custom which gives a woman the right to reject one who may be proposed. Not yet do the slavish laws of the Assyrians have force in Iran. Cambyses may rage; he may slay me! Yet will he not have his way with me! Truly if he attempts to oppress Bardya and me, the people of Iran shall be appealed to; and I know they will rise!”
He drew his encircling arm closer and sighed deeply. “Oaths, lives, and crown shall not stand between us!” he said.