FOR two days and two nights, Astur and Artakhshayarsha headed northwards, hardly stopping for rest, eating only when they had to and drinking where they could. As they got onto lower ground, the temperature escalated and, by the time they reached the brown, sluggish Zdyandeh River, the heat was almost unbearable. Twenty miles to the north, they could see the hazy outline of the low range of peaks marking the edge of Persia proper. Beyond those hills lay only the Dasht-e-Kavir, the great sulphur lakes and salt marshes which reached almost as far as the Elburz hills at the southern end of the Sea of Caspia.
'We must stop and rest soon,' said Artakhshayarsha, rubbing his aching back and staring up at the scorching sun.
Astur looked back at the faint smudge of dust on the horizon. 'Not yet, my Lord King. I don't know who it is that Megabyzus has sent after us but they certainly know their job. Even our efforts at covering our tracks to mislead them at the river did not deceive them. It is as if they know exactly where we are headed.'
'Can we not cut across to Ecbatana from here? We could be there in a day or so.'
'We could. But we don't know who might be waiting for us. If the news has reached Artabanus that you have escaped Megabyzus, he will have alerted the city. We first need to give our pursuers the slip and then we will have time to make proper plans.'
'It's just this heat. I don't think I can go on much further.'
'You must. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught now.'
Artakhshayarsha glared at her. 'You are worse than my real mother ever was.'
'But a lot younger,' added Astur with a smile. 'Don't forget that I am only a year older than yourself. If I, a mere woman, can go on, then so can you.'
He sighed in resignation. 'How much further?'
She pulled a scruffy piece of paper out of her tunic. 'According to the rough map Artaynte drew for me, we should reach the mountains by tonight.'
'Then can we rest?'
'If you insist. However, there will be a full moon tonight and I recommend that we ride on through the night. If we can reach the southern edge of the Kavir by mid-morning, there is a chance we will lose them.'
'You go on,' he sighed. 'I've had enough.'
Astur nudged her mount close to him and grabbed him by the front of his gown. 'You are an Achaemenid King, Artakhshayarsha. Just remember that. Darius would not have given up so easily and neither would your father. If you have ever had any respect for either of them, you will stop this self-pity at once and do something useful for a change.'
He shrugged off her hand. 'I am old enough to decide. Stop treating me like a child.'
'Then stop acting like one and start pretending to be a King, or at least a man.' Digging in her heels, she cantered away from him.
Artakhshayarsha watched her go until she was almost a dot and then galloped after her. He would show her that he was no longer a boy but a man.
THE guide jumped from his horse and examined the marks on the ground. 'An hour ahead of us, Captain, and definitely just the two of them.'
'Good,' responded the officer. 'It will be dark soon and we shall surprise them by riding into the night and catch them as they sleep. I want the Prince. The rest of you may have the boy.'
The soldier grinned. 'What better incentive could we need?'
'Other than the gold that Megabyzus has promised? I suggest we just get the job done as quickly as we can and then return with their heads before he changes his mind.'
'As you say, Captain.'
'I will add a bonus,' the Captain smiled. 'A hundred gold darics to the man who brings me the head of Artakhshayarsha.'
ARTABANUS stormed around the palace at Shushan after hearing the latest news, his face dark with anger. 'Cannot anyone do as they are told these days?'
'But Megabyzus reckons he will bring their heads to you within the week,' reasoned his general.
'If he can catch them. It seems that young Artakhshayarsha has more brains than I gave him credit for.'
'With respect, Lord Artabanus. The men have found no trace of the Prime Minister either. I have tortured all the household but they will not speak.'
'Then torture them again. I will not be made a fool of.'
'But, sire, several of the men have already died from the beatings we have given them.'
'Have you started on the women?'
'Not yet, sire.'
'Then start immediately. Have them raped by the mercenaries in the public square.'
'And if they still remain stubborn?'
'Then do the same with their children. When a few have died, screaming, from their abuse, you should get the information we need.'
The general bowed. 'As you command, Lord Artabanus.'
'And bring in Harbona. I want to find out what the problem is with my proclamation.'
Within minutes, the King's faithful attendant was brought in.
'What have you done with my royal decree.'
Harbona bowed. 'Nothing, my Lord. I am unable.'
'Unable? What do you mean, unable? I issued a command that I be declared as King. What can be wrong with that?'
'With respect, my Lord, such a proclamation is not possible.'
Artabanus whirled round. 'Why not?'
'The King commanded it before he died,' clarified the attendant. 'It is written in the law that a committee of three agree all new proclamations of state. At least two must sign before it can be issued.'
'And who are these signatories?'
'The King, the Queen and the Prime Minister.'
Artabanus threw his arms in the air. 'But the King is dead. Darius killed him.'
'If you say so, my Lord Artabanus.'
'You doubt my word?'
'It is not for me to say.'
'You will sign the King's name.'
Harbona was horrified. 'I could not. To forge such a document would be outright sacrilege against Ahura-Mazda.'
Artabanus thrust the proclamation in front of him. 'Sign.'
Harbona held his head high. 'I will not unless so instructed by the Queen.'
'The Queen is dead.'
'Then Marduka must use the King's signet ring.'
'Marduka has run away after sharing in the murder of the King.'
'Marduka would not do that.'
Artabanus lost his temper completely and struck him across the face. 'You would dare to contradict my word?' He turned to the guards. 'Take this man outside and hang him.'
'What do we do now?' said the general after Harbona had been taken away.
Artabanus smashed his fist down onto the table. 'I will be King. I must find a way around Khshayarsha's law.'
'It will not be easy, my Lord. The other Princes will only accept you if your ascension has legal basis.'
'I know that, fool. Send out the search parties. Find Marduka and fetch him to me unharmed.' He smiled. 'Bring his woman along as well. Artaynte always was the King's best concubine. Perhaps if I begin to cut a few pieces off her pretty little body, Marduka will be eager to do all I ask of him.'
'An excellent idea, Lord Artabanus. We will find them at once.'
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CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
