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Chapter 1 Epilogue
The interview begins now.
Interview? What kind of interview? Why am I here? What have I done? I told the King the truth! I told the King the truth and… and… then… now I remember. I… I was… and now I’m here… Are you a demon? Are you a god? Should I be prostrating myself at your feet? You remain silent with me, why? I am here now and you say that this is an interview, yet you ask no questions, let alone answering any of mine! Where am I? What am I doing here? Why won’t you answer me?
This is fruitless, I suppose. Here I am, and here you are, and I have no power over you. Do I? No, I don’t. This is not a situation in which I possess power, that much is clear. So, what is it you want, an interview?
I am Marduniya, son of Gaubaruva. I served Darayavaush and his son Xshayarsha faithfully all of my life. Wait...you do know who Darayavaush and Xshayarsha are, don’t you? Even here, surely you must know who they are? The deeds of the men of Parsa resound across the lands, across the earth, and surely above and below as well? No, you will know the Kings of Parsa, through all ages, I need not doubt that. Well, of the kings of Parsa, it was those two that I served, faithfully and well. I was he who was trusted to assault the Yauna, twice, by two different Kings of Parsa. And when, at last, the Yauna were submitted, it was I who was trusted to rule over the main province we created in their territory. I was kind, and I was just, and I was loyal. I was loyal! I respected and understood that the Yauna were not the Parsa, I allowed them their little governments and arguments, I advised restraint in our dealings with them! I even called some of the Yauna friends, for even among barbarians there were those who possessed valour! I had to destroy Amphissa, don’t you understand? I had to do it! They would not surrender the rebels that had taken refuge within its walls, and they would not capitulate when besieged! Not even when I executed the hostages I kept, what monster doesn’t surrender when innocent men are dying because of their obstinacy?
But Xsharyarsha… he didn’t see it that way. Especially not after the insurrection, not after the battles and the slaughters and sieges. Nor when I’d promised him that the Yauna were stable, not when he had told me… he had told me not to lay low any of the Yauna cities without his explicit permission. But I had no choice! They wouldn’t surrender, and I looked like an idiot child asking for his favourite toy back! Was I just supposed to wait for weeks until his instructions arrived? Was I? It needed doing, and I did it! I...
What did I do? I had women and babes slaughtered for the insolence of their city’s leaders. I tore open their temples. I burned homes and hamlets until only ashes remained. I ignored what Xsharyarsha had said, the King of Parsa and the King of lands… Was it really worth it? Of course you won’t say anything, not even now. But even with your unchanging silence, I am brought to this point. I… had grown angry at their insolence, as the Lakedaimonians had tested me before. I descended to the level of a barbarian chieftain lusting after petty vengeance in restitution for petty slights, beholden to no laws of civilization bar my own. Part of me has always desired that. All men desire something which is forbidden. Even you, silent one. The desire that has lain inside myself is the one that desires a crown worthy of my capacities, to ruler over men as their beloved and mighty king. But I never desired to overthrow Xsharyarsha, I have known him since he was very young, I would wish no harm upon him, he was my sovereign! Or maybe the desire bided its time, kept itself quiet within whilst the power and majesty of Xsharyarsha were great. Once I was left outside of his presence, the beast began to uncoil, stirring me to dread acts. But I was weak, I suppose? I lacked the courage to declare myself king, to refuse Xsharyarsha’s summons, to make war?
No. I did not do these things because civilization and decency would not let me descend so far either. I was not weak for not seizing lordship and defiling my oaths, I was weak for submitting to the tiniest parts of temptation. And returning to Xsharyarsha’s presence… that was my contrition. And sacrifice. And now here I am with you, though I know not your name, who it is you serve, what your function is. I know not the answers to any of those things. But I committed myself to ill deeds, and rather than escaping the bounds of decent men I have allowed myself to be punished for them. I did so not knowing what would await, it is only just that I know nothing about you or where I am right now. If this is where those who fail tests go, I belong. I am ready for whatever comes next.
The interview is over.
Μηδίζω! THE WORLD OF ACHAEMENID HELLAS
CHAPTER 1
EPILOGOS
EPILOGOS
The interview begins now.
Interview? What kind of interview? Why am I here? What have I done? I told the King the truth! I told the King the truth and… and… then… now I remember. I… I was… and now I’m here… Are you a demon? Are you a god? Should I be prostrating myself at your feet? You remain silent with me, why? I am here now and you say that this is an interview, yet you ask no questions, let alone answering any of mine! Where am I? What am I doing here? Why won’t you answer me?
This is fruitless, I suppose. Here I am, and here you are, and I have no power over you. Do I? No, I don’t. This is not a situation in which I possess power, that much is clear. So, what is it you want, an interview?
I am Marduniya, son of Gaubaruva. I served Darayavaush and his son Xshayarsha faithfully all of my life. Wait...you do know who Darayavaush and Xshayarsha are, don’t you? Even here, surely you must know who they are? The deeds of the men of Parsa resound across the lands, across the earth, and surely above and below as well? No, you will know the Kings of Parsa, through all ages, I need not doubt that. Well, of the kings of Parsa, it was those two that I served, faithfully and well. I was he who was trusted to assault the Yauna, twice, by two different Kings of Parsa. And when, at last, the Yauna were submitted, it was I who was trusted to rule over the main province we created in their territory. I was kind, and I was just, and I was loyal. I was loyal! I respected and understood that the Yauna were not the Parsa, I allowed them their little governments and arguments, I advised restraint in our dealings with them! I even called some of the Yauna friends, for even among barbarians there were those who possessed valour! I had to destroy Amphissa, don’t you understand? I had to do it! They would not surrender the rebels that had taken refuge within its walls, and they would not capitulate when besieged! Not even when I executed the hostages I kept, what monster doesn’t surrender when innocent men are dying because of their obstinacy?
But Xsharyarsha… he didn’t see it that way. Especially not after the insurrection, not after the battles and the slaughters and sieges. Nor when I’d promised him that the Yauna were stable, not when he had told me… he had told me not to lay low any of the Yauna cities without his explicit permission. But I had no choice! They wouldn’t surrender, and I looked like an idiot child asking for his favourite toy back! Was I just supposed to wait for weeks until his instructions arrived? Was I? It needed doing, and I did it! I...
What did I do? I had women and babes slaughtered for the insolence of their city’s leaders. I tore open their temples. I burned homes and hamlets until only ashes remained. I ignored what Xsharyarsha had said, the King of Parsa and the King of lands… Was it really worth it? Of course you won’t say anything, not even now. But even with your unchanging silence, I am brought to this point. I… had grown angry at their insolence, as the Lakedaimonians had tested me before. I descended to the level of a barbarian chieftain lusting after petty vengeance in restitution for petty slights, beholden to no laws of civilization bar my own. Part of me has always desired that. All men desire something which is forbidden. Even you, silent one. The desire that has lain inside myself is the one that desires a crown worthy of my capacities, to ruler over men as their beloved and mighty king. But I never desired to overthrow Xsharyarsha, I have known him since he was very young, I would wish no harm upon him, he was my sovereign! Or maybe the desire bided its time, kept itself quiet within whilst the power and majesty of Xsharyarsha were great. Once I was left outside of his presence, the beast began to uncoil, stirring me to dread acts. But I was weak, I suppose? I lacked the courage to declare myself king, to refuse Xsharyarsha’s summons, to make war?
No. I did not do these things because civilization and decency would not let me descend so far either. I was not weak for not seizing lordship and defiling my oaths, I was weak for submitting to the tiniest parts of temptation. And returning to Xsharyarsha’s presence… that was my contrition. And sacrifice. And now here I am with you, though I know not your name, who it is you serve, what your function is. I know not the answers to any of those things. But I committed myself to ill deeds, and rather than escaping the bounds of decent men I have allowed myself to be punished for them. I did so not knowing what would await, it is only just that I know nothing about you or where I am right now. If this is where those who fail tests go, I belong. I am ready for whatever comes next.
The interview is over.
- Daeres
- Word Count: 910