“No, it is not law! The King cannot set aside the customs of his people by decrees,” answered Athura. “I am sure that the Kings of Iran in all ages have been bound by law and custom. But in this new empire, it may be that the King’s decree is law, since there is none to gainsay it. This decree shall never bind me! Death will be welcome rather than submission to this brutal decree!”
“What shall we do?”
“I have my dagger! I shall slay Cambyses, or myself, should he seek to force us into marriage with him.”
Artistone sighed. Her wan countenance indicated fear. She was only a child of fifteen years. But Athura lacked neither courage nor decision. The spirit of her father blazed within her.
“Let us plan escape,” she said. “This night we will leave the palace. We will disguise ourselves in men’s clothing and we will fly to Persia for safety. The lords of Persia will protect us. We cannot escape to Bactra. There is but one road and that will be watched.”
“How can I travel so?” her sister rejoined, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I am not strong like you. But I will follow you.”
Further conversation was interrupted by the noise of heavy footsteps in the hall without. The heavy curtains at the door were pushed aside and the King himself appeared. He stopped just within the threshold and, folding his arms, struck a majestic attitude and looked down at his sisters.
He writhed his brutal countenance into the semblance of a smile and said: “All hail, great Queens, wives of the King of Kings, the Great King! Are you not rejoicing that I have condescended to do you so great honor as to make you both the first ladies in all the world?”
The sisters were speechless. They gazed up at the harsh features of their brother, as if upon a serpent.
As they did not answer, he continued: “I never did like the formalities of a state marriage. My decree was the shortest and best way, since it did not require your assent. I come now to ask you to set a near date for the marriage feast. At the end of the week, you shall be crowned Queens of the Earth. What say you?”