Seized Crowned Queen

Episode 9 Favor

When the turn came for Zuriel ( the girl Matthan had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abiscus) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of harem, suggested. And Zuriel won the favor of everyone who saw her. My lady, I've told you that the king has an eye on you even his eunuchs were amazed by your beauty and your goodness touches the heart of any other ladies. Your politeness warmed the people's heart. But be alert and careful with the other girls here, they will harmed you in any way. 

She was taken to King Aram in the royal residence in the tenth month in the seventh year of his reign.

Now the king was attracted to Zuriel more than any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Hara. And the king gave a great banquet, Zuriel's banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and dustributed gifts with royal liberality.

When the virgins were assembled a second time, Matthan was sitting at the king's gate. During the time Matthan heard Hodaviah and Jahdiel, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Aram.

But Matthan found out the plot and told queen Zuriel, who in turn reported to the king, giving credit to Matthan. Zuriel, be careful not to let your guard down, we don't exactly know whose besides you and whose not. Yeah I'll keep that in mind. You, also take good care of yourself, I cannot afford to loose you, not at this time.

And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All hthis was recorded in the book of annals in the presence of the king.

After these events, King Aram honored Zattu, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal official at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Zattu, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Matthan would not kneel down or pay him honor.

Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Matthan, why do you disobey the king's command? Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Zattu about it to see whether Matthan's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Lecans.

When Zattu saw that Matthan would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Matthan's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Matthan. Instead Zattu looked for a way to destroy all Matthan's people, the Lecans, throughout the whole kingdom of Aram.

Then Zattu said to King Aram, There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other  people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. 

If it is pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry oht this business

So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it go Zattu, the enemy of the Lecans. Keep the money, king said to Zattu, and do with the people as you please.

Then on the thirteenth of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in script of each province and in the  language of each people all Zattu's orders to the king's satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various people. These were wtitten in the name of King Aram himself and sealed with his own ring 

Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Lecans__ young and old, women and little children__on a single day and go plunder their goods. 

A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.

Spurred on by the king's command, the courier went out, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Carcas. The King and Zattu sat down to drink, but the city of Carcas was bewildered.