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MEGABYZUS arrived five days later. He encircled the entire city with his troops and stood before the city gate. Scanning the walls, he saw the many archers who were ready to defend Shushan against attack. The city had no hope of withstanding a long siege and he knew it would soon fall. But, before a decision could be made, the gates opened a little and a solitary figure emerged and walked down the slope towards him.
�By the Lord Ahura-Mazda,� he said, shaking his head. �I do not believe the evidence of my eyes.� His aide nudged his horse forward. �What is it, my Lord Megabyzus?� �Look.� He pointed. �It is the Queen.� �The Queen? But my Lord, she is surely dead.� Megabyzus smirked. �Does that look like a ghost, Captain?� �No, my Lord. It does not.� �Then let us go and find out what the little witch is up to.� He spurred his horse forward until he was within a few cubits of Astur and stopped, glaring down at her. �How did you survive?� Astur smiled. �We Jews are not easy to destroy, Megabyzus. You should know that by now.� �Why are you in Shushan?� �To proclaim the new King.� �New King?� �Artakhshayarsha.� Megabyzus looked up at the city in amazement. �Artakhshayarsha is here?� �Of course. He arrived with me.� He looked puzzled. �How do you mean?� �He and I came from the Kavir.� His eyes almost popped out of his head in surprise. �You were with Artakhshayarsha in the Kavir? You were the one who led him from Persepolis and misled my troops for days?� Astur grinned. �It wasn�t difficult. I told you before, you should train your men better, Megabyzus.� She lifted the long spear she had carried from the city and the Captain dropped back a little and drew his sword for defence. Astur stuck the spear into the earth in front of Megabyzus�s horse. �This belonged to Artabanus.� �Where is he?� �Artabanus is dead. Artakhshayarsha has executed him for his treachery.� �I see. And now Artakhshayarsha presumes to be King?� �Of course. You and I do not have the required qualification, my friend. We are not of the Achaemenids so the other princes would not tolerate us for long.� �And I suppose you just want us to go away again?� She smiled up at him. �Not at all. I want you to come to my banquet.� The Prince stared at her. �We will attack the city and destroy you all.� �Advance past this spear and you will be shot down, Megabyzus. My orders to the archers on the wall are to aim only at you. Do you really want to be the first to die?� For the first time, a look of uncertainty crossed the General�s face as he looked up at the walls. �What do you propose?� �I propose a truce. If we fight, the great Empire will be divided and will not stand. Already, the Egyptians have rebelled and others will follow if they see the Persians lose power. You and I must fight side by side, not against each other.� �And if I did submit to Artakhshayarsha, what is in it for me?� Astur laughed aloud. �You don�t change, Megabyzus. Always the mercenary.� �What is the deal?� he persevered. �You become Satrap of Syria and the land beyond the River.� �The land beyond the River? Damascus?� She nodded. �If it is your desire.� Megabyzus thought long and hard. The Satrapy of Syria was the richest in the Empire. Whoever occupied Damascus, controlled the whole of the fertile crescent from Egypt to Babylon. It was, indeed, very tempting. �And what of this rebellion in Egypt?� �I will go to Egypt myself.� He stared at her. �You will go?� �Naturally. I will appoint a Satrap there.� �One who is strong enough to deal with Inaros?� �No, I will appoint Inaros the Lybian himself. He has proved himself more than capable of taking the Nile Delta. He will now hold it for the Empire.� �Will he do it?� Her lips curled. �I will find a way to...persuade him.� �Astur,� he said quietly. �You are some woman.� �Then take my offer while it stands.� For a moment, he thought about it and then slowly dismounted and stood before Astur. He drew his sword. Only two cubits separated them as he glanced up at the archers on the wall. The Queen had put her own life on the line to make peace. One quick slash and she was dead. But then, so was he. He stuck his sword into the ground beside the spear. �Captain,� he shouted whilst still watching Astur. �Have the men stand down. We are going to a banquet.�
THE crowds cheered as the procession wound its way into the city. Astur sat on Megabyzus� own white stallion whilst the general himself led it up the slope and in through the main gate. At the entrance to the palace, they were met by Mordecai and Artakhshayarsha who watched as Megabyzus helped down his Queen and presented her to the new King. For a while, the two men faced each other as the crowds held their breath until, with a smile, the King held out his arms. �Welcome back to Shushan, my brother.�
THE banquet was spectacular considering the shortness of the notice but Astur, as usual, had excelled and all were happy and satisfied; even Artaynte who was allowed to join them for a short time.
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 EPILOGUE
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