“It is Gaumata, the man whose ears the great Cyrus caused to be cut off because of his insolence.”
“Nay, not for any fault of his, Prexaspes, but because my father hated and despised him. Now I think of him, I do remember a great likeness between them. Proceed! Here is my signet. Only see to it that I be rid of this pestilent fellow!”
The King turned away, dismissing his chamberlain with a gesture. Prexaspes at once left the room and proceeded to his quarters in the palace, where he shut himself in and occupied himself for some time in writing three documents—one, an order from the King commanding Prexaspes to slay Bardya, the King’s brother; one, a message to Bardya permitting him to return to Bactra on a certain day; and, the third, a decree directing a great feast to be held in honor of his departure. Having sealed these with the King’s signet, Prexaspes went to the west wing of the palace, where Bardya and his sisters had their residence and where the King never went. He requested the servants to inform the Prince that he bore a message from the King.
Bardya was moodily pacing back and forth in the park adjacent to the palace when the servant found him. He was going over in his mind the details of a plan he had formed for escape. By the King’s orders he had not been allowed to go and come as freely in the city as he chose. He knew that spies were constantly watching his movements and that any attempt to escape on his part would lead to instant arrest. He directed the servant to bring Prexaspes to him, and presently that worthy appeared and bowed low before him.
“Live forever, O Prince!” said Prexaspes. “If I am permitted to speak, I have a message from the King.”
Bardya looked upon Prexaspes loftily and disdainfully. This carefully dressed, combed and curled courtier of the King pleased him not. This man was the embodiment of the Mede, the luxury-loving, mixed breed of Aryan and Semite, whom the Prince despised.
“Speak!” he said shortly.
“I have here an order of the Great King directing that you may return to your dominions one week from to-day, and a second order that a great feast be made in your honor and that you be sent forth properly escorted by one hundred men under my charge.”
He paused. The Prince’s face lighted with joy and he struck his hands together as he exclaimed: “Truly this is good news, Prexaspes! How about my sisters and companions?”
“It is not ordered that they accompany you.”