During the weeks that had passed since he had received a copy of the decree of the King concerning the marriage of Cambyses to his sisters, the Prince had visibly aged. He had become taciturn and stern. A smile seldom appeared upon his countenance. His officers, who had known him for years, sympathized with him but grumbled at his obstinacy in not declaring war against Cambyses. They were ready for revolt. Gobryas especially was discontented. He was bitter towards the King because of the wreck of his hopes of winning Artistone. He reported to the Prince the spirit of revolt that pervaded the army and urged him repeatedly to act; but the latter requested him to wait.
When the Persian and Bactrian troops arrived, having outmarched the King, who lingered at Damascus, their leaders came to the Prince and offered their services, if he would but consent to seize the government. Letters arrived from Otanes, urging him to seize Cambyses. To all he said, “Wait!” Couriers came from his father counseling prudence and loyalty, at least until it should certainly appear that the King held Athura against her will. A mighty struggle went on within him. Oath-bound loyalty to the King could scarce restrain the wrath that fired his soul to action against the hated tyrant.
When the couriers arrived from Damascus saying that the King was about to leave that city, the Prince called them aside and inquired of them if they knew whether the King was bringing his sisters with him. They reported that he had with him Artistone, whom he presented to all as his Queen; but as for Athura no one knew where she was, though it was currently reported that he had imprisoned her in his harem at Hamadan. His own couriers and spies returned from Hamadan without other information than rumors, some of which indicated that Athura was dead, others that she had escaped to Persia, and others that she was imprisoned in the King’s harem.
While he was in this state of indecision, resolved one day to raise the standard of revolt and march against Cambyses, and the next to remain loyal, at least till he should know the truth concerning Athura’s fate, Prexaspes, attended by a company of Medean cavalry, rode into camp and requested an interview. The Prince received him without delay, and alone in his tent. The wily Mede, after due salutation, went straight to the subject of his mission.
“Great and illustrious Prince,” he said, as he stood before the Prince of Iran, who looked upon him coldly and suspiciously, “I have come on in advance of the King with his permission. I have heard of the efforts of the powerful ones to persuade you to revolt and I know also that you believe you have just cause in the act of the King with relation to his sisters. I have made the Great King realize that he has committed the worst blunder of his life and that upon your acts will not only depend the result of this war but the continuance of his empire. I call to your remembrance that the subject nations are but waiting for the outbreak of civil war amongst the Aryans to throw off the Aryan rule. Should you revolt, every conquered nation would revolt; and if you should succeed, you would have the world to conquer over again. This you know as well as I. Is it not so?”
He paused. The Prince of Iran inclined his head in assent.
“Proceed with your message,” he said coldly.
“This being so,” continued Prexaspes, “I deemed it best to come hither and tell you the facts with relation to the King’s brother and sister. I am reliably informed that Prince Bardya is dead. He died at the hands of mountain robbers. Of course I do not know this for certain. As to the Princess Athura, she escaped the same day that the King issued his decree, a copy of which I sent to you. He never consummated his marriage with her. I know that she escaped, because the King suspected that I had aided her. As to whether I did aid her or not, I say nothing, except that I rejoiced when I heard it—not openly, for I apparently made every exertion to find her. Now the King was advised to marry his sisters by a certain Magian prophet who predicted that a son of his sister should sit on the throne after him. The King is impulsive and acted without advising with me. But having married Artistone, he is satisfied that he has complied with the prophet’s prediction; and in order that you may know his good-will towards you he has made a second decree, declaring that Athura is free from wedlock with him and granting her leave to marry whom she will. This am I directed to place in your hand upon being satisfied that you are firm in adherence to your oath taken to Cyrus and will state that you will remain loyal to the King. The King also confirms you in the office of chief commander of this army under him. I assure you, Great Prince, that the King is sincere, though, I frankly state, it is because he knows that one word from you or any injury to you would be the signal for the rebellion of all Iran save perhaps Medea.”
He paused. The Prince stood in silence a moment gazing at the floor, considering the King’s message.
“Will the King give me his statement as King that he has not done injury to Athura?” he then demanded.