The End 17
'Do not delay, but fling off the yoke of Astyages at once!'-Cyrus the Great
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In the fifth month of the Babylonian calendar, Xerxes' twenty-first regnal year, It was recorded;
'August 6, 465 BC -- Xerxes son killed him'
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Having woken up to a din of shouts and screams, Ataxerxes could only guess what could have possibly happened now.
It had been 18 years since his reincarnation, 1 year since his conversation with the two eunuchs. In that year, Artaxerxes was proud to say that outside of more training, he had enjoyed himself as an imperial prince to the fullest.
Yes, yes, all the cliches. Whether it is getting wasted in feasts, or out hunting with the boys, Artaxerxes had become a Nouveau Riche
Speaking of which, at his bedside, one could spot a beautiful raven-haired woman. This woman was, Damaspia, his wife. The couple had gotten wedded the previous month without much fanfare. Artaxerxes being only the third son in the family didn't warrant his wedding much attention, especially in as troubling times such as this.
Damaspia, eyes fluttering open, heard the commotion as well. "What is it darling?" She asked, her voice laden with exhaustion after a sleepless night. "Mm, it's probably just another serving maid being executed for an incorrect courtesy in fathers presence" Artaxerxes responded with a dismissive wave.
In no rush to get out of bed, the duo went back under the covers and attempted to get some rest.
That was until his doors swung open, and a large group of royal guards swarmed into the room, "Seize him!" the man at the front yelled, a familiar bald eunuch. Startled awake, Artaxerxes shot out of bed, grabbing his short sword underneath his pillow.
Getting into stance, Artaxerxes stood naked, sword in hand, ready to fight. His wife, Damaspia, covered her breasts with the bed's lavish silk blanket and yelled, "What's the meaning of this Artabanus!?"
Artabanus, hearing the woman cry, ignored her and turned towards Artaxerxes, "You're being placed under arrest, Prince Artaxerxes, under the charge of regicide!"
Hearing this, Artaxerxes thought Artabanus was mentally challenged, "Regicide? Do you take me for some kind of fool?"
During their conversation, even more, guards had swarmed into the room, fully surrounding Artaxerxes.
'The odds are 100 to 1', Artaxerxes thought, having no doubt of the sum of guards stationed outside his door. "Give it up Artaxerxes! If you surrender peacefully, well spare your wife." Artabanus said with a sneer.
"Tsk" Glancing at the woman behind him, his 1 month-long wife, he seriously debated sacrificing her for his possible escape. However, if he were to miraculously escape, his name would be tarnished and hed never escape, even to the ends of the earth.
*CLANG!* Dropping his short sword on the marble-tiled floor, Artaxerxes raised his hands in surrender. "Good, good, I see you chose the wisest path." Letting out a mad cackle, Artabanus signaled for the royal guards to take Artaxerxes away.
Artabanus, in a good mood, honored his word and forgot about Artaxerxes wife, leaving her behind, still shocked by what had transpired.
Artaxerxes, with arms chained, was escorted through the Susa Palace's zigzagging hallways, until, the escort eventually reached Susa's Apadana. A towering structure 22 meters high, supported by dozens of columns. Each column was glazed and painted myriad colors, carved with mythical beasts, heroes, and cuneiform script.
Inside the Apadana, the entire court was in attendance, for a monumental event had taken place.
Artaxerxes saw various familiar faces in the grand hall of the Apadana, his mother, Amestris, his sisters, Amytis and Rhodogune, along with their husbands. He also saw Themistocles, the greek, Artabanus, and Aspamitres, the eunuchs. And several other familiar faces.
However, there was one face Xerxes couldn't find, the face of the man that would always be looking down at him from above his Takht, which stood eerily vacant on the Apadana's elevated terrace for the throne.
Seeing his mother's and sisters' look of dispair Ataxerxes knew what had happened.
'Xerxes is dead'
His father for the past 17 years... Artaxerxes frankly, didn't know how to feel. The two had never been close, as one would expect of an emperor constantly busy with the administration of the empire. But even then, Xerxes had given up most of his power and responsibilities to the eunuchs.
With more time on his hands, the king would waste away in the harem, drunk on lust and the ecstasy of carnal desires rather than spending time with his family. Even still, Artaxerxes felt a stirring emotion in learning that his father was dead.
Artaxerxes was shaken out of his thoughts by a booming voice, "We are here at this hour, for a terrible travesty has struck our Empire!" the man said. Turning to this voice, Artaxerxes instantly recognized him, even though they had been apart for some time. It was his elder brother, Dariaios.
"My father, Xerxes, First of His Name, King of Kings, was murdered in cold blood during the dark hours of the night!" Dariaios declared, his official admission to the king's death sent many in the court to collapse, if not, blackout, from hearing the news.
"Who would dare murder our King!"
"We must find the perpetrator at once!"
"Ahuramazda wills it!"
Various voices in the Apadana clambered above one another seeking justice for the king's death, and to bring those responsible to the cross.
Dariaios, noticing the crowd's enthusiasm, smiled. "My father would be proud, seeing the reaction of righteous fury his death caused. Artabanus, bring forward the suspect"
Everyone's gazes turned to Artabanus, who until this time had been waiting in the shadows for his opportune moment, "Yes, my Prince"
Upon emergence into the light of the chamber, everyone was shocked to see who Artabanus had brought in chains, the youngest prince, Artaxerxes the Achaemenid. "What is the meaning of this?!" Amestris shrieked, seeing her beloved Arta butt naked and in chains.
"My Lady, I have merely apprehended the primary suspect for the murder of the King," Artabanus said with a sly smile.
"Suspect?Suspect!? Are you out of your mind? Have you let a sliver of power erode your sanity? You! A mere eunuch dares to lay such accusations against my son?!" Amestris yelled, already turning to her personal royal guard to decapitate the bald 'man'.
"Enough!" Dariaios' shout reverberated throughout the room.
"If Artaxerxes is guilty, then he has nothing to fear, we are to immediately hold a trial to investigate his involvement in the murder!" Dariaios said, motioning for some of his guards to partially unsheath their blades. Amestris unwilling to back down, ordered her own guards to unsheath their blades.
"Mother! Don't worry, I have nothing to hide" Artaxerxes said with a reassuring smile. Aware of the consequences his mother would face should she order her men to get into a battle, Artaxerxes decided it was better to go through the trial. After all, he had nothing to hide.
Amestris having heard her son's plea gritted her teeth and stood her men down. Amytis and Rhodgune stared at Dariaios with disdain, only a snake bites its own tail.
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While the court was immersed in the royal crisis, they failed to notice Themistocles' stealthy departure...