After three months of intensive and secret training in the foothills of Mount Behistun, where every moment was imbued with the wisdom and insight of little Kourosh, Fariborz, the youngest and most cunning member of the group, was now ready to begin his perilous mission. Awestruck by little Kourosh's profound intelligence and futuristic vision, whom he considered a messenger from Ahura Mazda, he had carefully engraved in his mind everything his master had taught him about intelligence gathering, the psychological analysis of individuals, methods of infiltration, and the creation of clandestine networks. His destination was Ecbatana, the beating heart of the Median kingdom and the seat of the despotic king, Astyages; a place where court intelligence, the whispers of the nobility, and the intrigues of the Magi could alter the future course of the empire. Fariborz's mission was more than simple espionage; he had to get his hand on the pulse of power and become Kourosh's hidden eyes and ears in the heart of Media.
The starting point of Fariborz's espionage was Ecbatana, but to communicate with Kourosh's parents in Anshan and also with the core of power in Persia, Anshan also served as another important hub in this secret intelligence network. Fariborz knew he had to find a secure and clandestine way to infiltrate these two vital centers and exchange information regularly and reliably. He entered the city under the guise of a young and ambitious merchant who had recently arrived in Ecbatana seeking new business opportunities. This cover allowed him to be present in the markets, caravanserais, and merchant circles, and without drawing attention, to listen to conversations, follow rumors, and slowly and cautiously gather the information he needed.
Using the training from Kourosh, which included basic psychology, how to distinguish truth from lies, and understanding the hidden motives of individuals, Fariborz quickly managed to infiltrate the ranks of the court servants, guards, and merchants who had connections with the palace. He carefully listened to their words, understanding their grievances about heavy taxes, their dissatisfaction with the corruption of the courtiers, and their fear of Astyages's mood swings. This raw intelligence was vital for Kourosh's future analyses. Fariborz even managed to establish contact with some of the minor scribes involved in copying royal decrees, and through them, he obtained details about the Magi's activities in writing the Vendidad and its content. He realized that the Magi, concerned about the growing influence of "Persian books" like the Achaemenid Avesta and the new language, were desperately trying to consolidate their power through these new laws.
Fariborz's success in gathering intelligence was largely due to the absence of complex and efficient espionage organizations in that era. The rulers of that time relied mainly on simpler intelligence networks based on personal loyalty and oral reports, lacking a coherent structure and modern methods. This provided a wide field of maneuver for Fariborz. He cautiously categorized the information and extracted key points from everyday rumors and conversations. Details about Median military movements, new decisions at court, and even whispers about Astyages's succession were all recorded in his reports and sent to Kourosh.
After gathering sufficient information, Fariborz sent his reports to Cambyses, Kourosh's father, through a special contact that Cambyses had arranged. This contact, who was one of the three men trained by Kourosh and was stationed in Anshan to activate Kourosh's power base in that region, received the information in an encrypted form based on the principles of the New Persian language that Kourosh had invented, to protect it from enemy interception. Fariborz also relayed information to Kourosh near Mount Behistun through another messenger who had accompanied him to Ecbatana. This communication system, which combined speed and security, was a testament to Kourosh's foresight in creating an efficient and clandestine intelligence network.
Fariborz's first reports contained vital and valuable information about the situation at the Median court, the beginning of the writing of the Vendidad among the Magi, and the political and social situation in Ecbatana. He also reported on the growing discontent among the Median tribes and even some of Astyages's generals. This information was crucial for Kourosh, who was stationed in Mithradates's hut at the foot of Mount Behistun and received the reports through his contact, and it shaped his future plans.
Upon receiving these reports, a satisfied smile appeared on Kourosh's lips. He saw that the seeds of wisdom he had planted were bearing fruit, and that his hidden network would one day become his eyes and ears throughout the empire. This success was a confirmation of his predictions and an important step on the ambitious path of building his thousand-year empire; an empire that would be built on the foundation of knowledge and accurate information.
In his mind, he envisioned the "Emperor's Watchmen," a powerful and secret organization that, in the future, would not only gather intelligence on the enemy but also prevent internal conspiracies. This network was to be the backbone of the empire's security and stability, allowing Kourosh to always be one step ahead of his enemies. This was the beginning of the road for Fariborz, the first spy of the empire, in the heart of darkness.