The King laughed, a cruel, mirthless laugh, as he assented. “The advice is good! So be it. Bardya shall disappear to meditate—beyond the stars! Darius and Athura shall love each other, verily, but separated by two hundred parasangs! See to it! Prepare proper decrees. And Prexaspes—it is in my mind to occupy these warlike peoples in a war of conquest, even as did my father. We will prove that we too know how to conquer! There is Egypt still independent and very rich and powerful. We must have tribute to live in state as becomes the ruler of the world. Amasis claims to be equal to Cambyses—he shall bite the dust! After him, the Hellenes shall feel my power beyond the sea. Go, Prexaspes! It shall be yours to estimate the necessary revenues and to prepare the means to feed an army of five hundred thousand men who will march with me to Egypt. But, first, see to it that no brother remains behind to rouse up rebellion!”
“It shall be as you order. The King is very wise. War with Egypt will occupy the minds of the Persian nobles and will enable us to levy taxes on all the nations for the King’s treasury.”
“Be not in too great haste with this war,” continued Cambyses. “There is much to do; and life is very enjoyable in fall at Susa, in winter at Babylon, and in spring at Hamadan.”
Prexaspes bowed low and withdrew.
Later that day, the King sat in state on the throne in the great central hall of the palace and received the nobles of Persia and Medea and the officers of his court. Prexaspes stood at his right hand. Embassies from distant realms, visitors from foreign lands, and deputations from divers cities came to wait upon the Great King before returning to their various places. All petitioners, in accordance with the new etiquette, prostrated themselves before the King and so remained until bidden to arise. But the nobles of Iran, though they bowed low before him with hands on their breasts, did not bend the knee or prostrate themselves. The King greeted them coldly, resolving within himself that he would some day humble them till they also should prostrate themselves at his feet and feel his foot on their necks.
The Prince of Iran, tall, stately, richly but plainly appareled, came also. He was cordial in his greeting of the King, as became a blood-relative, but beneath the folds of his Medean cloak a light chain armor guarded his body from dagger-thrusts, even as his cordial manner concealed the distrust he felt towards Cambyses. To him Prexaspes made low obeisance. The nobles of Persia also bowed low before him with profound respect. The King became very gracious and smiled upon him as he approached. He arose from his throne and gave the Prince his royal hand.
“Cousin Darius,” he said, “it pleases me very greatly to have you here! I have disturbing news from the satrapy of our old friend Crœsus. It is said that discontent and revolt arise there and that bands of Scythians trouble its northern borders. I have been considering deeply what reward would be sufficient for one who brought the body of the Great King, my father, to its tomb. I have determined to appoint you satrap of all our empire beyond the Euphrates. In order that you may be well supported, I have prepared a decree that you may take with you the old Imperial Guard of my father to become the nucleus of the army which shall, under your command, uphold our empire there. I contemplate no less a conquest than that of Egypt at some convenient time; and it shall be your duty to levy additional soldiers among the people of your provinces for that war. When I march by Damascus and Tyre, you shall join me there with a well-disciplined army and you shall have chief command under me.”
The Prince listened in amazement. Except Babylon, the western provinces were the richest and most important of the conquered provinces in the empire. Knowing the King’s ancient hatred towards him, he was at a loss to understand why this great honor was given him. From the keen, beadlike stare of the King’s dark eyes he turned inquiringly to Prexaspes, who averted his face. He was silent a moment, seeking to penetrate the King’s design. It must be that, as King, Cambyses was not following the footsteps of Cambyses, the Prince.
“The Great King’s commands will be obeyed,” he answered presently. “I thank you for the honor so little deserved. But I had somewhat in my heart to ask the King, should I be permitted to speak.”
“Say on!” said the King, the expression of his face denoting apprehension.