And when all his men had had the sleep he thought sufficient he set out for the hills.
[31] Day dawned, and Cyrus sent a messenger to the Armenian with these words: "Cyrus bids you see to it that you bring your tribute and troops without delay." "And if he asks you where Cyrus is, tell the truth and say I am on the frontier.

And if he asks whether I am advancing myself, tell the truth again and say that you do not know.

And if he enquires how many we are, bid him send some one with you to find out." [32] Having so charged the messenger he sent him on forthwith, holding this to be more courteous than to attack without warning.

Then he drew up his troops himself in the order best suited for marching, and, if necessary, for fighting, and so set forth.

The soldiers had orders that not a soul was to be wronged, and if they met any Armenians they were to bid them to have no fear, but open a market wherever they wished, and sell meat or drink as they chose.
NOTES C1.5.Is this historical, i.e._quasi_-historical?
Are any of the names real or all invented to give verisimilitude?
C1.13.Any touch of the sycophancy of the future in it?
As in modern Germany, a touch of that involved in the system of royalty.
C1.15.The raw material is good, but not worked up.