Bowing many times, Prexaspes backed from the room and passed hastily to his own quarters. The sisters, relieved of their apprehension, retired to rest.
Next day there was much excitement in the city of Hamadan. A great crowd gathered along the northern road to shout a farewell to Bardya, the beloved. Their greetings to him who impersonated Bardya, when he appeared riding in the midst of a group of nobles, bowing right and left, were hearty and prolonged. Prexaspes rode at his side, smiling cynically beneath his beard and glancing occasionally up at the great palace on the hill where the King stood at a window gazing down upon the demonstration. The false Bardya passed out of the city; and so perfect was his resemblance to the departed in feature and dress that none suspected the imposture. At Rhages, a new escort was provided; but at a point a day’s journey beyond Rhages it was attacked by a band of men, supposed to be robbers, and scattered. Bardya, whether true or false, there disappeared and the Great King sent a punitive expedition into the mountains to lay waste the robbers’ homes. Certain innocent mountaineers suffered the Great King’s vengeance, but the King’s brother could not be found.
Thus did Cambyses make himself sure of his throne, and for many months thereafter he gave himself up to riotous living, seeking in strong drink forgetfulness of his crime. Meanwhile he prepared for war against Egypt. He levied heavy taxes and called for troops from every province. His pride grew. He deemed himself divine. The Magi encouraged him in this faith and brought messages from the gods of the hills to him as the god of earth.
Cambyses had one great sorrow. He was childless. He took many women as wives. His seraglio was filled with the most beautiful of the earth. But no child gladdened his heart. As the months passed, his mind became darker and more imbued with hatred of good and the love of evil. The Magi served him well. As his spies they listened among the common people and invaded the palaces of the great. He knew that the people feared him and did not love him. His vanity was easily wounded. Some who spoke offensively of him to putative friends suddenly disappeared and were never heard of more. Throughout the vast regions governed by him, his spies watched for plots and conspiracies. Incipient rebellions were ferociously repressed and those who plotted were tortured to death as examples to others.
Reviewing these things in his mind one day, while walking on the balcony of the palace, the King looked down upon the park surrounding the palace and noticed a group of women sitting on benches beneath a tree, and saw that among them were his two sisters. Their gay chatter and laughter came up to his ears. He watched them a moment in scowling silence, and was about to resume his walk, when, as he turned, he was startled at seeing before him the tall form of Patatheites, chief priest of the Magians. The King uttered an oath, and placed his hand on the haft of his dagger.
“How come you here?” he growled. “I like not this sudden appearing! I turn here or there and I behold you and know not how you come or go! Speak, slave!”
The large, dark eyes of the Magian looked calmly into the fierce, sparkling orbs of the King; and before his direct gaze the latter quailed. Possessed of wonderful hypnotic power, Patatheites easily ruled those with whom he came in contact. He dared even to exercise his power upon the King.
“Let not the King’s anger strike me!” he said soothingly. “I am his most obedient and willing slave. I have a message from the gods, who have seen fit to whisper it to me for you.”
“What is it?” demanded the King, cringing somewhat and experiencing a chill along his spinal column.
“Your expedition against Egypt will be successful, say the gods of the hills. Concerning that which you had in your mind as to an heir for your throne, I have a message also.”