Continuing the diplomatic program of Cambyses, the wise king of Anshan, an important and fateful journey was arranged for him and his family to meet with the elders of the other branch of the Achaemenid dynasty, the line of Ariaramnes. This meeting was far more than a simple family visit; Cambyses sought to strengthen relations and gain the support of this powerful branch, which had deep roots among the Persian tribes. Little Kourosh, alongside his parents, Cambyses and Mandane, participated in this journey. His mind was eager for this meeting, as with his futuristic knowledge, he knew well that these relatives would play an important role in the future of the empire, and their fate was intricately and inextricably linked with his own destiny and lofty ideals.
Amidst the green and vast plains of Persia, adorned with wild flowers and ancient trees, the royal caravan arrived at a magnificent residence in Pasargadae belonging to the Ariaramnes branch. This residence, with its high stone walls and manicured gardens, was a testament to the power and wealth of this clan. There, they met with Pharnaspes, an influential and experienced nobleman from this branch. Pharnaspes, a shrewd and farsighted man with a firm stature and a piercing gaze, welcomed the guests with a special dignity. Kourosh observed Pharnaspes carefully; he knew that this man would be the father of his future wife, Cassandane, and that his influence among the Persian tribes was vital for the future unity of the empire and the realization of his dreams. Pharnaspes seemed a bit cautious at first, but he was delighted by the intelligence and curiosity of little Kourosh, which was beyond his years, and his gaze filled with wonder.
During this visit, Kourosh also met Otanes, the brother of Cassandane and son of Pharnaspes. Otanes was an ambitious, brave youth with a special charisma, about a year older than Kourosh, and from his early childhood, the signs of a future general were evident in him. Holding a small wooden sword, a symbol of the war games of noble children and practice for future battles, Otanes approached Kourosh with a friendly smile and asked, "Will you too one day learn to wield a sword and come to the battlefield?" Kourosh, looking at the wooden sword in Otanes's hand and then at his sturdy frame, replied in a calm and thoughtful voice, as if speaking from the depths of wisdom, "A sword strengthens your arm, but thought strengthens your kingdom. I will have a sword one day, but before that, I must know why it should be drawn from its sheath and for what purpose one must fight."
Otanes, slightly surprised by this unexpected and profound answer, looked at Kourosh with greater curiosity. "Thought? Why must you wait? Is not power in the sword, and victory for the brave?" Kourosh, with a serious and intelligent gaze, pointed his small finger to his head and said, "Because a sword without reason is just a blade for blood and destruction. But if you know why you must draw it, it can become a path to justice and peace. And I want my kingdom to be based on justice, not on fear and bloodshed." Pharnaspes, who was standing nearby and listening to the conversation between the two children, was deeply impressed by the intelligence and understanding of this four-year-old. He turned to Cambyses and said with admiration and wonder, "Your son, O King, has a great soul and an ancient wisdom. Truly, he is a gift from Ahura Mazda. At such a young age, he speaks words that come from wise and old men and make the heart ponder."
Cambyses, with pride and a hidden smile, confirmed, "Yes, he has always been this way. Calm and thoughtful, as if he ponders the secrets of the universe and has had a deep insight into existence from childhood." This confirmation from Pharnaspes was a seal of approval on Kourosh's special place in the dynasty, strengthening the relations between the two branches of the Achaemenids and planting the seed of trust in the hearts of the elders. During this visit, Kourosh not only became acquainted with the characters of Otanes and Pharnaspes but also came to understand the dynamics and differences between the two branches of the Achaemenid family. He saw that the Ariaramnes branch, although currently in the shadow of the Anshan rule, possessed great potential and influence, and in the future, they could be either rivals or powerful allies. This understanding of the internal structure of the dynasty was invaluable for Kourosh's future plans regarding succession and the consolidation of power.
But deep in Kourosh's mind, there was another curiosity that went beyond politics and power; a curiosity rooted in the memories of his previous life: Cassandane. He remembered that in his past life, his love for Cassandane, his future wife, was legendary, and their names were intertwined. During this very visit, his eyes fell upon a small infant resting peacefully in the arms of a handmaiden; an infant with an innocent face, eyes that had just opened to the world, and an innocence that made Kourosh's heart tremble. This was the newborn Cassandane; his future love, who was now just a defenseless infant.
Although Cassandane was only a baby at the time and there was no memory of her at this age in Kourosh's modern memory, a strange sense of connection, destiny, and responsibility filled his being. He remembered how their love became historic and how Cassandane's death brought great public mourning throughout the empire. This early encounter with his future love, while she was just a defenseless infant, deepened Kourosh's sense of responsibility to build a secure and stable future for this dynasty and the nation. He wanted to create a world where love and peace would triumph over fear and war.
This diplomatic childhood meeting not only helped Cambyses and Mandane to strengthen their relations with the Ariaramnes branch and lay the foundations for future unity, but it also provided an unparalleled opportunity for little Kourosh to observe, plan, and deepen his understanding of the dynamics of power and human relationships. He knew that these seeds of friendship and understanding would one day grow into mighty trees of support and loyalty, whose shade would spread over his thousand-year empire and keep it steadfast against future storms.