After little Kourosh, with words of wisdom and foresight, answered his father and mother and unveiled his grand plan, a heavy and breathtaking silence fell upon the room; a silence broken only by the rapid beating of their hearts. Mandane, Kourosh's mother, looked at her little son with eyes full of tears and a gaze that spoke of deep sorrow. She knew well that this request to overthrow Astyages was a perilous path, fraught with blood, and that the impending separation would be very bitter and long. Her heart ached as if a thousand daggers had pierced it, but her faith in Kourosh's Divine Glory gave her the strength to endure this heavy burden; a faith that rose from the depths of her soul and kept her steadfast in the face of destiny.
Mandane, in a trembling voice broken by a sob in her throat, said, "My son, this separation is unbearable for a mother. How can I endure your absence? How can I believe you are not here when I know you are alive, somewhere in this land, working in solitude for our future?" Her tears flowed silently and relentlessly down her cheeks, as if a river of sorrow were streaming from her eyes. She knew well that this apparent "death" of Kourosh was vital and necessary to deceive Astyages and to begin his grand plan, but her maternal instinct was restless, and her heart could not find a moment's peace for her son.
Kourosh, with a calmness that was beyond his years and welled up from within, approached his mother. He placed his small hands gently and reassuringly on her wet cheeks and looked into her eyes with a gaze mixed with affection and wisdom. "My mother, this separation is only for a short time and for a greater and more sacred purpose. As long as Astyages believes that I am dead and that no danger threatens him, we can grow in the shadows and become strong. I will return, stronger than ever, to build an empire that will make the name of Persia eternal and establish justice in this land." His words, despite his young age, had such certainty that they soothed Mandane's tears and lit a light of hope in her heart.
Then, Kourosh turned to his father, Cambyses. His gaze was now more serious and full of resolve. "Father, for this perilous and challenging path, I need loyal companions with whom I can communicate in secret and away from the eyes of our enemies. Individuals who can assist us in various aspects and form the hidden pillars of our future empire." He presented his requests with precision and detail: "I need a few reliable people skilled in commercial and business matters, so they can create secret financial and communication networks and keep me informed of news from afar, the pulse of the markets, and the economic situation of different regions. This network will be our vital artery."
"Also, I need people who are experts in espionage and intelligence gathering; people who can bring us news from the Median court and its surrounding areas and, in the future, establish our strong intelligence network. People who will be our eyes and ears in the darkness, so that no secret of the enemy remains hidden. And a few with military experience, who can help us in the future with organizing the army, training troops, and strategic planning, and be our strong arm on the battlefield." Kourosh emphasized that these individuals must be the most loyal, most discreet, and most intelligent people, as all future plans and the fate of the empire would rest on them, and the slightest mistake could lead to disaster.
Cambyses listened to his son's requests with care and contemplation. In this five-year-old child, he saw not only genius but also a strategic insight and foresight that was beyond the comprehension of an experienced king. A deep pride took root within him, and his eyes shone with admiration. "Your wish will be granted, my son. I will select the best and most loyal individuals for you; those who would sacrifice their lives for our cause. They will be our channel of communication with you and will assist you on your path until you reach your great goal."
Finally, Kourosh glanced at his father. A look that was a mixture of trust and responsibility. "Father, the paper and printing workshop is a great and vital trust. I temporarily entrust its management to you. The continuation of paper production and the development of printing, even in my absence, is crucial. These are the pillars of our revolution; pillars that will spread knowledge in our land. It must remain hidden, but it must not stop, and it must continue to grow and flourish." Cambyses nodded in affirmation and promised to take care of this great trust with all his being and to keep its secret until the right time. The final farewell was accompanied by a heavy heart but with great hope; a hope that sprouted from the seeds planted for a bright future.
These final moments were not just a bitter farewell, but the beginning of a great and secret plan. Kourosh, by leaving the palace of Anshan, was stepping towards his destiny; a destiny that would hide him in the solitude of Behistun for five years, so that there, he could prepare himself to lead the greatest revolution in history. This separation was not an end, but the beginning of a glorious path that would forever change the destiny of Persia and immortalize the name of Kourosh in history.