Growth 10

'Cyrus was preeminent among all men of his time in bravery and sagacity and other virtues; for his father had raised him after the manner of kings and had made him zealous to emulate the highest achievements.' -Diodorus Siculus

———

(476 BC)

It had been 7 years since Artaxerxes' reincarnation, and the past year had been the most eventful. Having finally turned six a year ago, his princely education began. It's been rough, to say the least.

To go from the comforts of the royal harem to being uprooted and spending the majority of the day on horseback and undergoing various lessons, he won't deny he cried a little from missing his mother. He had begun to go hunting with his elder brothers and the occasional royal hunt with his father and brothers.

During these hunts, Artaxerxes was confident to say he'd learn the most, having been taught basic tactics of war by his brothers. Such as deceiving stronger prey that you are stronger, regardless if you truly are or not. As well as when to evade, when to attack, and so on.

Artaxerxes was taught to ride a horse, shoot a bow, and to tell the truth -- and in all of these, his brothers proved patient teachers.

Speaking of Xerxes, his father had changed since his defeat in Greece. Ever fearful of rebellion he regularly stamped out signs of unrest where there was none. Believing that the followers of the 'Lie' sought his downfall, Xerxes would regularly taut his close relations with Ahuramazda, the 'Truth', in order to keep his empire stable.

This all accumulated when, in 478 BC, Xerxes issued the Daiva Inscriptions, tablets stating that Ahuramazda is the true god to worship, not the daevas, an unprecedented move by any Achaemenid monarch.

That same year, Dariaios married Artaynte in a grand celebration in Sardis.

Artaxerxes was currently in a courtyard, training his sword stances with an imaginary foe. He stood at 5'0, tall for a 7-year-old, and had mostly shredded any baby fat he had over the past year of intensive training.

'Not enough, it's not good enough yet!' Artaxerxes thought in frustration. He desired to gain personal strength in order to defend himself in this chaotic world, however, he was still a distance away.

These weren't the only reasons Artaxerxes had been stressing to gather strength. The court had been rifled with unrest as of late. Where previously none would dare speak in the presence of the king, two eunuchs had begun to speak FOR him. Not only did that spell chaos in the near future, but Artaxerxes had also heard rumors that Artaynte, his brother's wife, was unfaithful.

When speaking to his brother about this, he had said they were just rumors, but looking at the expression on Dariaios face, made Artaxerxes uneasy.

And then there was his uncle, Masistes, who at the same time was Dariaios's father-in-law. The retired general had been spending more and more time in the royal court, away from his satrapy of Bactria, where most of his responsibilities should lie.

Hearing someone clapping and approaching, Artaxerxes took a break from his sword swinging. Turning he saw a familiar figure.

"Impressive, my Prince, your swordplay improved yet again." The man was dressed in Persian courtly robes, with varying hues of orange and yellow, as well as some golden ornaments decorating his wrists and fingers, which highlighted that his position in court was not insignificant. He had a Persian beard and mustache, though his pale skin gave away his ancestry.

"I don't need your frivolities, Themistocles" Artaxerxes responded bluntly, he was in a sour mood and didn't want to entertain this greek stooge. Yes, greek, despite appearances this man was the man who brought Greece victory in the fabled battle of Salamis. Yet even with this achievement, with the constant politicking of the Athenian democracy, Themistocles had been banished for siding with the wrong party at the wrong time.

Something that Artaxerxes could only scoff at, cementing further his belief of the Athenian's inferiority. However, he'd never doubt this man's loyalty.

After his banishment from his homeland, Themistocles had gone to every kingdom and state imaginable before forcing himself to ask Xerxes, his former enemy, for a home. Xerxes, wise enough to see past their differences, accepted him with open arms.

And not only accepting him but gifting him with rich lands in Anatolia and a high position as a minister at his court. Artaxerxes saw the man in a neutral light, wary of him due to years of listening to his mother's tales of being cautious with former enemies, yet respectful, acknowledging that he had much to learn from this man, this general.

Noticing the man lingering for quite a while, Artaxerxes spoke, "Well? If you have something to say, then speak." Themistocles, clearing his throat, spoke to the royal prince with a cautious tone, "My Prince, I was curious if you had any knowledge, any knowledge whatsoever towards the ongoings of your sister-in-law, Artaynte, or even your uncle, Masistes..."

While he spoke he took some casual glances towards Artaxerxes aides standing at the side of the courtyard. Noticing his discomfort, and deciding to gamble some trust into the man, Artaxerxes motioned for his aides to leave along with his guards to stay in sight but out of earshot.

"Mm, signaling for me to send off my private aides and guards must mean you believe my staff is compromised?" Artaxerxes asked, this was something he had, after all, put a great deal of thought into since realizing the complex machinations of the court. However, he still decided to keep his personal guards confidence since they were handpicked by him when he turned 6 years old.

"I believe a great many things, my Prince..." Themistocles whispered. Artaxerxes, fed up with this charade, spoke, "Stop playing games with me, what's your aim?" Artaxerxes not one for merry-go-rounds decided to get straight to the point.

"My Prince, with the Great King making fewer and fewer public appearances, and the court strife with one rumor to another, I simply wish to know if you have any information that can put my heart at rest," Themistocles spoke aloud, no longer whispering.

"I went down on my knees and swore fealty to Xerxes I, I owe him everything I have, I would die before seeing my King in danger." This time, he stared straight into Artaxerxes' eyes, his stare was unwavering and true, something that Artaxerxes could recognize from his mother's lessons.

"My brother seemed uneasy when I asked him about his wife's affairs, I could easily tell something was definitely wrong." Artaxerxes confided, putting some truth into the rumors running rampant in the court.

Themistocles' eyes widened slightly, then started mumbling something incoherent to himself while Artaxerxes just stared, wondering if he had struck a chord.

Suddenly, Themistocles' eyes opened wide, as if realization had just struck him with a spear. "My Prince, I have something to tell you that I believe to be true from various scenes I have seen in court."

Interested, Artaxerxes motioned for him to go on.

"I believe the King is sleeping with the Crown Prince's wife."

"Huh?"