ARTEZOON, daughter of Darius the Great and wife of FEREYDOON, stood on the palace balcony, gazing towards the distant west. Whispers of the battle at Plataea had reached her ears, but her heart refused to believe. Then, the messenger arrived FEREYDOON was no more. Her breath caught, but her pride remained. She embraced his robe, whispering, "For Persia… and for you." The sun set over Susa, but the glory of Persia lived on.