“Amen and amen!” exclaimed Bardya, uncovering his head.
The Prince of Iran then addressed his companions: “I welcome you to the home of King Hystaspis. This valley and yonder city are his property, ceded to him as a home for the Achæmenian family, when he consented to remove hither from Bactra. I bid you rest at our palace yonder this night. The road from Parsa to Anshan is rough and ought to be traveled only by day. My mother is at the door to welcome you.”
“We gladly accept!” assented Bardya, heartily. “Do I not love that mother almost as much as you? Do you remember the happy days when we hunted on yonder hills and swam in the Pulwar and the Araxes? Do you remember the day we were almost drowned? We will go to that deep water-hole again to-morrow and swim there as boys again. Our troopers should rest a day while we send a message to Cambyses at Anshan to inform him of our coming.”
Athura added: “It will be delightful to accept the hospitality of your mother. I shall return after going to Anshan and shall stay long with her and rest. My sister is much in need of rest. The long journey has made her ill.”
“After we shall have accomplished our mission,” said the Prince of Iran, “we shall enjoy many pleasant days there. The hunting is good. We shall enjoy the royal sport!”
“Unless Ahriman interfere!” added Bardya, waving his hand towards Anshan, where his brother now awaited their coming. “I propose to stay a month at least. I suppose he awaits us impatiently at Anshan.”
Athura said reprovingly to her brother: “Speak not of the King of Kings thus! He has sent us courteous messages, even if he would not await us at Hamadan or march with us here. Perhaps it was best that he should go on ahead to prepare the tomb and to arrange for the ceremonies. Be advised, brother! Remember to show him the deference due to his station. His anger was ever terrible! Now he has no one to restrain him.”
Bardya laughed and tossed his head, as he answered: “Fear not for me! I shall treat him with all due respect. Am I not on the ground my father gave me in his will? The Persian lords will not permit him to oppress us. When I see that King of Kings, I will demand of him that he publish the full terms of my father’s will. If he refuse to observe that—Well, it may be that he will cease to reign!”
The Prince of Iran said nothing, but his countenance was somber. He feared that the impetuous Bardya would precipitate trouble. He foresaw civil war.
Descending into the valley, they approached Persepolis. A vast throng of people came out to meet them and stood on either side of the road weeping and wailing aloud as the funeral car passed. A company of guards led by an aged veteran met them at the entrance of the city.