Esther: The King's Beloved

"Come one, come all!

Come, and hear the tragedy of the late venerable Queen Vashti.

The woman who was given to our great King Ahasuerus when he was still a young prince. A woman truly unlike any other, known far and wide for her unmatched beauty!

And, after seven years standing at His Majesty's side, what ill fate has befallen this woman, you ask?"

The street crier paused, peeking a single eye open at the small crowd gathered around him. With his hand draped dramatically across his forehead, he waited patiently for the familiar tinkle of coins landing in the large bowl at his feet.

And the amount of money that began to leak out of the crowd was not disappointing. He'd known from the moment he heard the news that poor Queen Vashti's misfortune would bring him great fortune.

But, only if he was the first to cry the story.

Unfortunately, the wealthiest parts of the city had all been swept by criers far better connected than he, so he'd been left with two underwhelming choices:

The first was to go to the plazas near the outer ring of the city--where the poor people and refugees dwelt.

And the second was to try his luck at the bustling marketplace near the neighborhood of the Despised Clan.

People of the Despised Clan were peculiar to say the least. Though they could afford large dwellings and high quality meat, they tended to keep to themselves and dress modestly. In fact, it was said that you could immediately discern a Despised Clan member by the tacky, handwoven bands around their wrists and waists--the only accessories they ever wore.

Yes, the Despised People were strange, but the poor people were.. poor.

Therefore, the business-savvy crier headed straight for the marketplace, wondering if he was not better off just abandoning both options and renting a fast horse to spread the news in other cities.

Judging by the growing pile of coins in his bowl, however, it seemed he'd made the right choice, after all.

With a grin spreading across his lips, he continued.

"Ahem, what happened to the late Queen Vashti, you ask?

This woman, the woman by the side of our Great King for seven years, committed a most grievous sin.

Yes, it is true!

This woman dared to mock her husband, the Great King, at a banquet held in the very honor of His Majesty!

So now, has the Lady Vashti been put away? Has she been punished according to the laws of the land and executed?

Nay, I tell you!

The Queen has been only stripped of her title and thrown back into the House of Concubines!

Our Great and Merciful King has spared the woman he loves in this way!"

The crier paused to take a breath.

Though a fair pile of money lay at his feet, he was greedy for more. The crowd was already beginning to disperse, but he couldn't let them leave just yet.

"But wait! Have none of you wondered that, at this very moment, the Queen of Persia's throne sits empty?"

His provocation had drawn a few ears back to him, but it wasn't enough.

Suddenly, he spied a young girl amongst the listeners. She looked to be nearly sixteen years old with fair skin and shining auburn hair.

"Aha! As I thought," the crier clicked his tongue as he gestured to the woman.

"The next Queen may be right here in this crowd! This girl may soon stand before you as the King's Woman! What say you, Girl?"

He expected the young lady to blush or giggle with excitement. What girl in all of Persia had never dreamed of standing beside the handsome King, a golden crown atop her head?

And once this girl was bouncing with enthusiasm, it wouldn't be long until others began thinking of themselves, their daughters, or even their sisters. They would beg him for more information, filling his bowl to the brim with their bribes.

His mouth salivated at the thought.

But the Despised People were strange, indeed. At his question, the girl tugged her hood over her head, replied with a simple, "I have nothing to say, Sir.", and disappeared back into the marketplace.

Not long afterward, the rest of the crowd dispersed, leaving the crier with a fair profit for the day, though a meager amount for his greedy heart.

With a scratch of his head and scuff of his toe, the man departed the peculiar marketplace filled with peculiar people, in search of another promising venue to deliver his news.

Meanwhile, the girl with fair skin and shining auburn hair ran toward her home, her breath escaping in short, excited bursts.

She had some knowledge of the palace--of the King and Queen's relationship and the politics surrounding them--and dozens of questions swarmed her head.

Had the Queen really made a mockery of His Majesty?

What had she done? And why?

"It must have been something awful, because I heard His Majesty loved Queen Vashti a great deal!" she exclaimed. "I must ask Uncle Mordecai about this!"

"You must ask Uncle Mordecai about what?"

A voice stopped the girl in her tracks. It was a low voice with a slow Western drawl, and it didn't sound very pleased.

"Oof! Ah, I uh-" the girl immediately bowed her head. "Greetings, Esteemed Uncle."

Her uncle responded with a sigh and swift thump to her head.

"Where have you learned that greeting again, Child?" he huffed. "We bow our heads to no man, whether he is your Esteemed Uncle or the Ki-"

"The King of Persia," the girl finished, accustomed to the man's lecture. "I understand, Uncle."

"Good," the man praised. "Now, tell me what it was you learned in the marketplace today that has made you so jittery?"

"Is it true?" the girl blurted out. "Has the Queen committed a sin against His Majesty?"

"Queen Vashti.. has been deposed," her uncle responded slowly, rubbing his chin. "It is the shame of our nation that even as we speak, she is being made into an example for women everywhere."

"Made into an example?" the girl echoed. "What sin has she committed then, that all women must learn from it?"

The girl's uncle took her delicate hand in his, gazing at her with sad eyes.

"The world that will call a woman sinful, simply because of the ground she plants her feet on.." he trailed off.

"I pray you never learn anything of that world, Esther."