Illumining Pen

  "I'll definitely catch you" Hadassah said as she ran around the yard, chasing a young boy who was wearing an over-sized robe. They were both laughing as they ran.  "Make sure you don't get yourself bruised" a woman shouted from where she was working the mills, some wheat grains on the millstone.  "Don't worry mama, I won't. Hadassah won't let me fall" he said as he laughed looking back to check Hadassah's face. "Alright Hephzibah, no more running around" Hadassah said as she stopped running and bent over, trying to catch her breath. "Just bring those clothes so I can wash it alongside others. I need to finish up on time so that I can read the story to you and others. You know that today is the concluding part." "I love the clothes" he said as he pouted. " It looks good on me, see" he said as he turned around, his eyes brightened as he looked into Hadassah's face, anticipating her approva...

 King Xerxes was still in his chambers, his mind replaying the events of the day. The party had ended. The guests were already on their ways to their individual destinations in the kingdom, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Ethiopia, Elam, Iran, India, Balkan, Eastern Europe, Persia, Median, Sumeria, Arab, and others.   Cyrus the Great had founded the Archamenid Empire, the first Persian Empire. It was larger than any previous empire in history, spanning a wide expanse of land, covering the Balkans to the Eastern Europe in the west to the Indus Valley in the east. It has been notable for its successful model of a centralized, bureaucratic administration, its multicultural policy. Also, the building of infrastructure such as road systems and postal system had made it more famous. Official language was used across its territories. There was also development of civil services. To top it all was a large professional army, consisting of swordsmen and seasoned archers.  His father Dariu...

                                       Foreword This story is inspired by the Bible, the true and faultless guide.                           The Lost Throne She entered the courtroom, half running, half walking. Her beautiful face was stained with tear-washed mascara. Trying to stifle her sobs, she dragged her legs, her shoulders normally held in elegance now drooping as she walked into the middle of the courtroom of the palace. She looked around 'Is  today going to be my last day in this palace? The last day of my title 'Queen Vashti'?' She walked towards her former throne, beside King Xerxes, the gold seat plated with beautiful gem stones. She ran her tapering fingers along the arms of the seat. This was where she once sat, her rightful place beside her husband, the king. She moved her eyes to the king's throne; a bea...