-
Artemisia gathered the priests, wizards
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and mystics from every corner of the empire.
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They wrapped the young king in Cimmerian gauze
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dipped in ancient potions,
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and set him to wander the desert
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till in a delirium of heat and thirst,
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he stumbled upon
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a hermit's cave.
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Xerxes passed the vacant eyes and empty souls
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of the hollow creatures that
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dwell in the dark corners of all men's hearts.
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And in that darkness