"Harken!" said the King. "Thy prayer is granted, and my anger, together with thy one misdeed, shall be forgotten, even as we cleanse our blades with moistened sand. To the glory of Asshur must Zariaspa fall, and Menon shall follow Ninus through its broken shell."
In the eyes of the Prince rose tears of gratitude, as he sought to kiss his master's robe; but the master in haste withdrew it, for a woman peeped through memory's veil, and her smile was a smile of mockery.
"Nay, not so fast," King Ninus growled. "The trader's pack is lightened ere his purse may swallow up the gain. To enjoy the fruits of a monarch's love, first, then, must the cause of sorrow be dispelled."
"What meanest thou, my lord?" asked Menon, rising from his knees; and the King smiled grimly, combing at his beard.
"Put by Shammuramat--dream of her no more--and take the daughter of Ramân-Nirari to thy bed and board."
At the words of the King a flame of anger lit the young Assyrian's eyes; yet he curbed his tongue and stood, in silence, beneath the tyrant's gaze. Long thus he stood, but made reply at last:
"My lord, did Shammuramat bid me tear the memory of Ninus from my heart, I would answer as I answer now--it may not be. Thy servant is one whom Sozana loveth not, and to me she is naught save a friend and the daughter of my King. Shammuramat is mine--by the will of Ishtar and the word of my master given in the halls of Nineveh. With her, her only, will I share my bed and board, till it pleaseth the gods to rend our vows apart."
"So be it," Ninus answered, and pointed across the valleys to the sun-lit plains beyond. "Mark yon road which runneth from the foot-hills to the city's southern gate! Beyond it on the east lieth half my army. Go forth and take command. The west is mine. Since Menon setteth his will against the King's, so shall he set his strength against my strength, and in the fall of Zariaspa prove the better man."
For a space Prince Menon made no answer, but scanned the distant road which cut the besieging host in twain as a knife divides a loaf. To the east lay sun-baked plains where water was scarce and stones were few, while on the west lay fertile valleys where the fattening oxen browsed, and hillsides abounding in stones wherewith to feed the catapults. Again, on the west were set the heaviest engines of assault, while to Menon's lot fell the lighter towers and weaker catapults of clumsy and old design.