Thus you will win their confidence, and then you must tell them what we are doing, but in such a way as to hinder their own designs.

It would hinder them, for example, if you said that we were preparing an attack on their territory at a point not yet decided; for this would check the concentration of their forces, each leader being most concerned for the safety of his own home.

[43] Stay with them," he added, "till the last moment possible: what they do when they are close at hand is just what is most important for us to know.

Advise them how to dispose their forces in the way that really seems the best, for then, after you are gone and although it may be known that you are aware of their order, they will be forced to keep to it, they will not dare to change it, and should they do so at the last moment they will be thrown into confusion." [44] Thereupon Araspas took his leave, called together his trustiest attendants, said what he thought necessary for the occasion, and departed.
[45] Now Pantheia, when she heard that Araspas had fled, sent a messenger to Cyrus, saying: "Grieve not, Cyrus, that Araspas has gone to join the foe: I will bring you a far trustier friend than he, if you will let me send for my husband, and I know he will bring with him all the power that he has.

It is true that the old king was my husband's friend, but he who reigns now tried to tear us two asunder, and my husband knows him for a tyrant and a miscreant, and would gladly be quit of him and take service with such a man as you." [46] When Cyrus heard that, he bade Pantheia send word to her husband, and she did so.