Three485 BC
Somewhere in the heart of the Persian Empire.
The general stood on the top of the highest sand dune, his brows knitted together to protect his ember black eyes from the scorching sun. He stared at the vast sea of sand in front of him while the ten thousand soldiers under his command unloaded the horses and camels, and prepared to set up tents and build their wartime bivouac. The general's gaze and thoughts were far away in Egypt where his master, the almighty Xerxes, was conquering new cities and looting the rich Egyptian lands.
The general spat on the dusty ground. “Damned Babylonians!” he said, gritting his yellowing teeth together in a grimace.
Because of their pathetic revolt, he'd had to come back. Two months ago, Xerxes and his mighty army had started a campaign, the
