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Queen of the Persians

by Lee Edgar

dedicated to orphans everywhere

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

    MEGABYZUS halted before the tall gates which were firmly barricaded.
    'Well, Captain. It seems we are expected after all.'
    'Then the messenger got here before us?'
    'I do not see how, but I fear you are right.'
    'Then we will attack the city?'
    'Only as a last resort. Somehow, I suspect trickery. Whereas Artakhshayarsha will have known nothing of our approach, the messenger knows precisely how many men we have and must also know that they cannot hope to defend the city against us.'
    'Then this is a trap?'
    'Not a trap, Captain, unless they have requested help from Pasargades. Even then, it will be tomorrow before any reinforcements can get here. No, it will be something else.'
    'But what?'
    'I don't know. It just doesn't look right. I think somehow that we might be wasting our time attacking the city.'
    'Could they have escaped?'
    'There is but one road through the valley, Captain. They did not pass us coming in so that means, if they have fled, it will be north-east towards Pasargades.'
    'Perhaps they mean to hide out there.'
    'I do not think so. The coronation palace is poorly defended being far from Persia's borders.'
    'Then further up the valley?'
    'Unlikely. The valley rises to Kuh-i-Bul and will be impassable to the north at this time of year.'
    'Then eastwards, across the mountains?'
    'You jest, Captain. To the east is the Kavir; twenty-thousand square miles of dried-up salt marshes which have neither been crossed nor even charted. Even Artakhshayarsha is not that much of a fool.'
    'Perhaps that is what we are meant to think.'
    'Captain,' laughed Megabyzus. 'No-one ever returns from the Kavir. If the salt does not get you, the sun will. If you survive the sun, the sulphur pits will envelope you. Believe me, Captain, if Artakhshayarsha has gone into the Kavir then we might as well go home now.'
    'Then he will be still in the city.'
    'Almost certainly.' He stopped and stared thoughtfully at the distant peaks. 'However....'

    THE valley narrowed as the couple climbed above Pasargades. Mountain eagles circled them, looking for a meal for the new-born egrets that would be sheltering somewhere high in the rocks above them. Already, the snow was visible in sheltered crevices. Snow which would soon vanish as spring progressed.
    'You ride well,' observed Artakhshayarsha.
    'My father taught me when I was a child, though I am well out of practice.' She held out her hand and, for the first time, the Prince saw the blisters.
    'By Mithra, they look sore.'
    'They are. But they will heal.'
    'Not where we are headed. The salt and sulphur will get inside the skin and will destroy your hands.'
    Astur shrugged. 'We have come too far to turn back now.'
    'Are we wasting our time?'
    'I hope not. Even if we are, it is better to die trying than to go dreaming of what might have been.'
    'We must rest,' Artakhshayarsha announced.
    'Not yet,' contradicted Astur. 'We must reach the head of the valley before nightfall. We will then have at least some warning of any approach.'
    'But surely, no-one will follow us.'
    'Don't be too sure. Megabyzus will not want to return to Artabanus and admit that he has failed to have you assassinated.'
    'Artabanus will not find out unless Megabyzus tells him.'
    'You do not know Artabanus. He has spies in every camp. He will know and, if Megabyzus tries to deceive him, he will use it as an excuse to get rid of him. Listen well, Artakhshayarsha. If you value your life, never trust Artabanus.'
    The Prince smiled. 'I will remember what you have said.'
    'Come,' said Astur with a cheeky smile. 'I will race you to the top of the pass.'

    MEGABYZUS stared at the city wall at Pasargardes. His Captain rode alongside. 'Do we attack, My Lord?'
    'No, it is too quiet. Take a squad and search for tracks higher up the valley whilst I remain here. If Artakhshayarsha has fled, follow him and this time, do not fail me. Do not come back unless you have his head on your spear.'
    The Captain wheeled his horse. 'It shall be as you have spoken, my Lord Megabyzus. At this time tomorrow, I will deposit his head at your feet.'

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

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