“But they worship the Lie, which from all ages has been proscribed by the laws of Iran,” said the King, doubtfully. “I know they have power to perform wonders; but I deem them tricks. What care I? If their tricks aid me, they shall be rewarded.”
“It is right for the Great King thus to speak for the ears of the people!” returned Prexaspes, insinuatingly. “But if the Great King does practice all the good precepts of Ahura-Mazda, what avails it or how does it benefit him? I dare to speak plainly, so that you may receive the aid of the powerful Magi whose followers are more numerous than all others in Medea, Assyria, and Babylonia. The deed done at your command this night has been accomplished by their aid. The men of orthodox faith, the worshipers of Ahura-Mazda, hate you. Only by allying yourself with the Magi can you hope to retain your throne. With their aid you may defy your enemies if they should learn of Bardya’s end. Ally yourself with the Magi and their gods and they will gratify all your wishes. Know, O King, that these men have wonderful powers, even greater than the priests of Egypt or of Babylon who know some of their arts.”
Cambyses was shaken. In him there was some good. Unconsciously his physical passions had been overcoming the good; but, occasionally, there broke through the density of his grosser nature an inward voice urging him to a better life. But he had no doubt of his absolute right to do as he might will, and he had come to believe that ordinary rules of right and wrong did not apply to him. Prexaspes, seeing the King’s hesitation, continued:
“Let not my words arouse resentment, O King! I seek but to do you good. My own welfare depends upon your will. I can call to your aid the Magi and the unseen powers. In their circle I stand next to Patatheites, the High Priest. Have I not obeyed your will and removed from your path the greatest danger to your rule? Trust me still further and you shall continue to have true service. Give to the Magi the chief right to exercise religious power throughout the world, and their vast power will keep you safely. Make now an alliance with them and it shall be well with you.”
The King paced back and forth across the room, debating the matter. Hating all religions, because he wished to disbelieve them, his long-standing prejudices were not easily moved.
“If I do not make this compact, then what?” he asked presently.
“If you are abandoned by them, how shall you receive any aid?” rejoined Prexaspes. “Certainly you can expect nothing of the followers of Zoroaster! They have the power and the will to do you hurt. But, through me, the Magi offer you their powerful aid. Believe me, O King, it will be your only wise course to accept their support.”
Cambyses nervously stroked his beard. He was not a coward. No one had ever accused him of a lack of courage. He despised the orthodox faith because of its moral laws, and he hated its followers. But he recognized the strength of the argument advanced by Prexaspes. The Magian sect was a powerful one. Medea, Assyria, Babylon, Syria, and Phrygia were full of them. They claimed to be in league and communion with the gods of the earth, and indeed practiced the occult arts, known more or less to all peoples, and in modern days followed by some so-called spiritualists. All of them were not evil. Many of them were reputed to be the prophets and seers and warned the people against the evil men who made use of their arts for their own advancement. Stringent laws had been made and enforced throughout Iran against that branch which attacked the doctrines of Zoroaster. But this cult had flourished especially in the mountains of Medea. Fire-worshipers fed their sacred flames on every hilltop. The evil and depraved gathered to them and harassed those who opposed them. They were known to the orthodox as worshipers of the “Lie,” to distinguish them from those who worshiped the “Truth,” as embodied in Ahura-Mazda. Cambyses had sometimes consulted the Magians and required oracles of them. His father had severely reprimanded him for such practices and had caused the ears of Gaumata, one of the leaders of the Magi at Hamadan, to be cut off as a warning to him and to his sect that Cambyses should not be influenced by them.
Cambyses reviewed these matters as he paced nervously back and forth, while Prexaspes awaited his decision with bowed head and downcast eyes. He decided to comply.
“So be it! Only let everything be done in a politic way!” he exclaimed harshly. “I will make a league with the Magi. They shall have freedom to worship as long as I rule. They must nevertheless obey me. I will be King alone and will not permit interference. But the laws against them shall be annulled and I will favor them with offices.”