CHAPTER ONE
Hegai was in motion. He was a man of fifty plus, medium complexion, with a beard that was actually darker than his hair. It was well kept. His appearance was pleasing to the eye except that his arms were just a slight too short for the rest of his body. His hands also were on the small side; not so much that it would be considered strange, but a second look confirmed the fact readily. He was somewhat of a demanding man, but that was partially due to a life that born many demands. He was confident that he knew how life worked, and his track record seemed to confirm that confidence.
He was a eunuch. Some would argue this fact made his success more accessible, but just as many would argue to the contrary. Nevertheless it was a well-known fact if you wanted something done, Hegai could do it. Depending on who you were, the price might include a stern homily on whatever virtue happened to be the centerpiece of his thoughts on any given occasion. It was usually a worthy oratory, and never detracted from the efficacy of his performance and knowledge.
And so it was that Hegai found himself stretched even to his limits. His head pounded like a Las Vegas marquis: “Girls Girls Live…381 from all around the world….Girls Girls Live.” The king liked his women and Hegai’s business was to keep them likable. But, in all fairness, Ahasuerus had been a conservative man compared to many; his harem had been kept to a modest 80 including servants. It was no secret that Vashti had exercised her leverage in this, and no maiden best be too interesting. She had her ways of keeping her hand on the pulse of the harem in direct relation to the glimmer in the king’s eye. An unusual increase in either category would call for her expertise in the art of derailing great ambitions.
This was going to be a challenge even for Hegai. Three hundred eighty one young beauties gathered from half as many cultures and languages, with local politics and wranglings thrown in for interest. He had already been approached by more than a handful of reps from different provinces who made it clear that their girl under a crown would have everlasting benefits for all of those who had helped the king’s discernment.
His carefully cultivated non-commital smile had been doled out to each expectant face irrespective of titles and clout. There was no reason to do otherwise. For, the fact of the matter, was that the king knew and trusted him above and beyond any of the virgin vendors. Hegai rested in the confidence that the king invested intimate trust in only a handful of men, and he knew he occupied a prominent place in that hand. They were separated by social expanses, but face-to-face alone, they were friends and spoke to each other accordingly. It was very possible that he knew the king better than any man on earth. It was just that way.
There was more to the task at hand than first surfaced. Dwellings had to be arranged. Interpreters, maids for each maiden, dietary concerns, beauty regimens, wardrobes, the list went on and on. He had guessed conservatively that this assignment would involve more than a thousand people and their needs. He knew the king would spare no expense, but also knew that Ahasuerus would want him, Hegai, to focus personally on that subject. Hegai decided it was worth it for this endeavor to have its own accountant. There was just too much at risk to entrust it into the semi-competent hands of the Deputy of finance.
Hegai wanted “clean hands” on this one, someone who had no favors to pay back, or new favor to curry. It would be a touchy issue, but he was adamant that there would be no beauracracy between him and those columns of figures. He would have his head to head with the finance minister in the morning, but for now, where was he going to accommodate the 381 most beautiful women in the empire?
“Hegai, it almost sounds like you don’t trust us.” Bigthan probed the fellow eunuch’s face.
“It’s not an issue of trust, rather expedience” replied Hegai, looking head on into the stare. “I don’t think you are hearing what I am saying…my responsibilities to the king have essentially been multiplied by a factor of five.” He paused, hoping this idea would find good soil in Bigthan’s brain, assuming there was indeed such to be found. “I have to know at any given moment what I have on hand and have accessibility to the same, day or night.”
“Okay….okay.” Bigthan was backing off, but Hegai knew only to look for a soft spot.
“Give me this one concession then Hegai.” He went on without waiting for an answer,
“I will transfer my first assistant directly to your charge; in that manner I will also have at hand all that I need to know to likewise fulfill my own liabilities before the king. He will still be part of the ministry but will be totally at your disposal until this project be accomplished” Bigthan took Hegai’s pause for an assent and plowed on. “ His name is Azor; he is a twice removed nephew to Teresh; he will serve you well be assured.” His cards were played, so Bigthan waited for the outcome.
The invisible balance beam of decision swung back and forth over its fulcrum as Hegai considered the offer his antagonist had just laid on the table; at last he sighed within himself and the tension broke: “The first incongruency or ineptness and he is back on your doorstep”. Bigthan nodded and smiled as if he were actually the one making concession.
“And….” Hegai continued without acknowledging the other’s pleased sense, “I am completely free to bring in any outside resources I deem necessary….and your boy doesn’t come in thinking he is over anything except his own conduct.” He finished speaking knowing that really Bigthan didn’t care about any of it as long as he had eyes and ears close to the money.
“We begin tomorrow one hour before dawn,” he shot over his shoulder as he made haste to leave this conversation behind.
As Hegai retreated out of the office of finance, he passed the two guards who stood daily in the long corridor that flanked the east side of the palace. This corridor was lined with the differing administrative agencies, each being located closer or farther to the king’s lodgings in accordance with its prominence. This afforded an eternal “musical chairs” scenario. The object of life on this corridor was always to move one more office west and thus closer to the power. Anything that interrupted the music of daily protocol was viewed as opportunity.
Hegai was not of that breed. He cared not for the game; his detractors rudely claimed this to be a direct result of his eunuch condition. Lost the spark, no manhood, etc. He knew better. He remembered the occasion in his earlier years when through the hand of a mentor, different stones were laid in his life. Integrity was the woman he courted and she had rewarded him well. She had taught him the value of an honorable name as a long-term investment. He had seen men who had flaunted her and thereby had unwittingly set their own date with oblivion and the loss of the power they had so hungered after. If he was not mistaken, Bigthan had been infected by the passion himself.
He had watched it developing so slowly. He had been a good man at one time, with honest desires. It seemed to Hegai it had begun with the crowning of Vashti. She was somehow related to Bigthan, and it was beginning to appear that the tie was greater than first thought. With her honey voice in the king’s ear, Bigthan’s ascent and influence had begun a steady upwards trek. Since her disgraceful deposal, some hidden shadow had been energized within Bithan. Hegai had sensed the intensity level in the man increase; there was no direct data to corroborate this intuitive scent. He really wished it were not so, but Hegai swore to himself that he could see fate beginning the all to familiar brushstrokes across the canvas of Bigthan’s life. The meeting he was leaving behind him confirmed to him that this was so.
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