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AS the first light of dawn touched the Zagros, Astur and Artaynte crept into the palace unseen and passed into the Court of Women. Artakhshayarsha was now awake and being closely guarded by Nehemiah and Mordecai.
'Well?' asked the older man. 'I don't know, my father. The people of the city are with us. We just need a day or so until the King is back on his feet properly. Then, we can...' Astur stopped as the door burst open and in the doorway stood Artabanus, spear in hand. 'So, now I have you all,' he said sadistically as he stepped towards them. 'I don't know how you managed to get away from us but now you are finished, all of you.' With one glance round the room, he took in Astur, Artaynte, Artakhshayarsha on the bed, and the two men standing before it to protect him. 'Stand aside. I will become King this day.' 'No,' said Astur calmly. 'You will die this day.' 'Die?' He roared with laughter. 'It is not I who will die but you, my pretty one.' He turned towards her. Astur defiantly faced him as he lowered his spear point until it almost touched her belly, the polished bronze tip glistening in the light from the oil lamps. 'Goodbye,' he said and thrust the spear forwards. Unfortunately for Artabanus, Astur was no longer there. As he stabbed at her, she did a backwards flip and the spear slashed harmlessly in the air. 'Getting too old for this sort of thing, Artabanus?' she taunted from a few cubits away. 'Why, you,' he said as he lunged again. Astur dropped to the floor and he missed yet again. He didn't see Artaynte move like lightning as she threw her body at the back of his legs and, before he could regain his balance, he was falling. Artabanus dropped into the water with a great splash and the two girls laughed as he fought to get to his feet. The laughter died away as their arms were gripped firmly from behind by guards. Artabanus climbed from the pool and picked up his spear once more. 'Play games with me, would you? Treat me like a fool, eh? You men. Hold them to the pillars.' Within seconds, both girls were firmly held from behind with their backs up against two of the tall columns, unable to move, as Artabanus gloated. 'Prepare to die, Astur, Queen of the Persians.' 'Artabanus. You are an animal.' 'I think you are probably right, my dear. However, now I must deal with you. I will kill you, of course, but not until you have watched your friend die.' Artaynte swallowed as the point of the spear touched her. Her arms were firmly held, stretched out to the sides and she knew that she could do nothing at all to prevent herself being cut apart by this perverted egomaniac. 'Leave her,' begged Astur. 'I will do anything you ask.' Artabanus pressed so that the point made a dent in Artaynte's skin, a slight pressure from sliding into her. 'You will sign over the Kingdom to me?' Astur stared at her friend's skin that was about to be torn open. What had she said before? Never trust Artabanus. She had told everyone else this but was now contemplating a deal which she hoped would save her friend's life. 'Don't do it, Astur,' called Artaynte and the skin broke as she strained and then looked down at her own blood as it trickled down the blade. 'Torturing women again, Artabanus?' came the sudden voice from across the room and Astur stared in horror as Artaynte slid slowly down the pillar. The old general turned and gaped. Artakhshayarsha swayed as he stood beside his bed and picked up a sword from the floor. Nehemiah and Mordecai, neither of them soldiers, stepped forwards but were pushed aside by the young Prince. Artabanus smiled and held up his arm to the guards who had also stepped forward. 'I will take the boy.' Confidently, Artabanus stepped towards the groggy Artakhshayarsha, his spear in his hand, Artaynte's blood still on the tip. Astur strained to break free but she was held firmly and had to watch as the two contestants faced each other. Help came from an entirely unexpected direction as Artaynte clutched one hand around her bleeding stomach and rolled across the marble floor towards Artabanus, catching him behind the legs as she had done before. Artabanus staggered and fell to his knees, and the young Prince struck out with all his might. Artabanus swayed slightly before pitching forward onto his face. Without warning, Astur kicked out at her guard who grunted in pain and let go of her arm. Instinctively, she lashed out at the other guard who ducked and then raised his dagger. 'Stop!' shouted Artakhshayarsha as he swayed beside his couch pointing at the guard with his sword. 'Harm the Queen and I will have you dismembered alive.' The man stared at Artakhshayarsha and then at the now-dead Artabanus before lowering his blade. 'Get the healer,' said Astur quickly to the guards. 'If Artaynte dies, you all die.' Astur dropped to her knees beside her friend and carefully turned her over. 'You, my girl, are going to have to practice that trick more often.' 'I'm sorry,' murmured Artaynte. 'I have failed you.' 'You did nothing of the sort. You saved our lives and, right now, you are going to take it easy while the rest of us take care of you.' 'Mordecai?' The aged Jew dropped to his knees at her side. 'I am here.' She groaned. 'I am dying.' Astur pulled her friend's hands away and looked at the wound. It was neither deep nor wide but she had lost a lot of blood, mainly in her exertion to topple Artabanus. 'I fear you will live,' said the Queen as the healer entered and started to minister to Artaynte. Astur walked over the where Artakhshayarsha sat on the couch, his head in his hands. She touched his shoulder gently and he looked up with tears in his eyes. Overnight, a boy had become a man, and a Prince had become a King. 'It is time,' she said eventually. 'We must go upstairs.' He nodded. Together, they supported each other as the pair of them walked along the passageway and up the wide steps onto the balcony below which a crowd had already gathered. Astur stepped forward and leant on the low wall as a great hush came over the crowd. 'People of Shushan,' she called out as the last of the surprised murmuring died away. 'You have been through much these last few weeks. But I assure you that things will now be different. As you know, King Khshayarsha is dead and so is Prince Darius. I must also now tell you that Artabanus is also dead. Therefore...,' she hesitated because of the cheering. 'Therefore, I give you your new King.' Astur held out her hand as he stepped towards her. 'I give you King Artakhshayarsha of the Persians.' The crowd cheered once more and Astur waited again until the noise died down before shouting; 'Long live King Artakhshayarsha of the Persians.' 'Long live King Artakhshayarsha of the Persians,' they repeated, over and over again as he leant on the balcony wall and tried to smile as the tears of joy ran down his face. | ||||
 CHAPTER
FORTY
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