Belteshazzer ceased and again sighed deeply, and for a time gazed at the sunset glow in silence, but his eyes saw not the glories of the sun. With his inward eyes he was looking again at that mighty vision of which he had spoken. The Prince broke the silence.
“You said that a Spirit stands guard over me and that I shall triumph over dangers. How stands such spirit? What is he? Why may I not see him? If I could commune with the unseen presence, perhaps he would guide my steps that I make no error.”
Belteshazzer shook his head and replied: “To some it is given to commune with spirits, but it is only to those whose lives are spiritual. To me it has been given to speak with Gabriel, the messenger of God, and with Michael, the soldier of God and leader of his hosts against the powers of evil. It may be that God will permit you to see. Come, let us sit down! I feel even now the nearness of spiritual influences.”
They sat down side by side on a flat rock at the margin of the river bank. Below them the bank fell away with gentle slope to the stream. The valley was now full of shadows. Trees and shrubs were seen as dark spots on the dull gray of sun-scorched grass. Twilight was rapidly deepening into darkness. Belteshazzer took the Prince’s right hand into his left. Raising his right hand to the heavens, he prayed inaudibly, the movement of his lips alone indicating his action. The Prince sat motionless, with wide eyes and bated breath. Awe entered into his soul and a chill ran over his body, not from fear but as if a cold current of air from the mountains had touched him. Suddenly a light cloud of mist seemed to come up out of the valley and from it emerged the semblance of a stately warrior, whose countenance, seen as in a white light, bore a striking resemblance to the Prince’s father. His stature was above that of ordinary man. He was clad, it seemed, in brilliant chain-mail. A sword hung at his belt, a spear was in his hand, a bow at his back. He stood erect with one foot advanced and one hand outstretched as if in benediction over the Prince’s head. Luminous, translucent, quivering with light, yet very real, was the presence. The Prince involuntarily raised his hand and bowed his head in salutation. Belteshazzer sat still, calmly regarding the vision.
“You may speak to him freely,” he said.
“Who are you that comes so gloriously?” demanded the Prince.
A strong voice seemed to answer: “I am Achæmenius, your ancestor, Prince of Iran. I am permitted by the Supreme Power to march at your side. In you I see the hope of the Aryans, the most worthy son of my family. Be of good cheer! A host encamps about you. Only seek ever after the truth and avoid the lie. Behold! error is creeping into the minds and hearts of the Aryan people. Idolatry and false magic, fostered by the evil ones, gain headway among them. It is for you ever to strive for truth and for the knowledge of God, the one supreme God, known to our race from the ancient times, known to this Belteshazzer and by him worshiped. It is your duty to restore our people to right worship!”
“But what is to come? What course shall I pursue, O glorious Spirit?”
“It is not given me to prophesy. Only the Supreme One may give the spirit of prophecy. But I know that you are chosen to be a leader and that many peoples shall bow down before you as lord. Keep ever your purpose to be true and truthful, to live uprightly and justly, and to banish from among our people idolatry and lying. More am I not permitted to say. Farewell!”
As suddenly as the presence had appeared, it passed away, seeming to dissolve in thin air; and only the two men remained, sitting side by side on the rock, with the dark vale before them, the breeze whispering about them and the brilliant stars above. The young man was the first to speak. He rose and shook himself as one might who rises from a troubled dream.