Chapter 10

 

And today’s words are:

 

Sarissa: A long spear of 4 to 7 meters (13-21 feet)

Taxei: Infantry battalion of 1,500 men.

Hipparch: Cavalry Commander.

 

CHAPTER 10

 

Hephaistion’s family was taken by surprise when they heard the news about the King taking their boy to the next military campaign. Nobody was expecting something like this, and surely nobody could explain why the sudden interest of the King on Hephaistion. Antigone thought something fishy was happening there, something that had to do with that shadow of sadness in her son eyes…So, Amyntor hurried and took his son to the city to buy his entire equipment and everything he thought was necessary for the campaign.

 

— Nick sold his equipment in the first opportunity he had. I suppose he wanted to forget his sad experience in the Agema of the Hypaspists. I truly don’t know why he hated his experience so much, he wasn’t even a pezhetairos forced to carry a sarissa –said Amyntor in a good mood, walking with his son on a dusty street of Pella, where all the blacksmiths had their workshops—So, we need to buy you the entire equipment.   

 

Amyntor saw Hephaistion’s discourage expression and frowned. His son had been distant and depressed and it broke his heart to be unable to help him— But if he doesn’t talk to him, what can I do? –Amyntor had never forced his children to speak to him, he was of the idea of letting them come to him when they had a problem but Hephaistion’s situation was starting to become alarming.

 

Behind them a slave carried all the things they had already bought: bronze breastplate, thorax, a Boeotian helmet, bronze knemides (greaves), boots, and a kopis (a curved slashing sword), a small round shield called pelta, painted with the star of the Argead Dynasty. When Hephaistion entered the hetairoi cavalry, he would change the long spear for a xyston, a shorter one, and would not have to carry again this equipment, weighting a total of 23 kg.  

 

— Phai, pay no attention of what Nick had said about the pezhetairoi or the Agema, the infantry is not that terrible –said his father, patting his back and completely miscomprehending his expression— Remember that all noble youths serve in the Agema as the royal guard of the King before entering the cavalry. It is an honor to be part of the Agema.

 

Hephaistion forced a smile. He was dying to tell his father the truth but he couldn’t, he didn’t want to cause him problems, he was already feeling bad enough for what had happened between Alexander and the King. He would go with the King to Byzanthium, he would probe his valor in the battlefield and return victorious and proud— Dad doesn’t have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. Even if this campaign becomes more difficult that Theseus task of slaughtering the Minotaur, I will overcome this situation with the King –thought Hephaistion. It was pointless to complain.

 

They arrived to a workshop where 3 veteran soldiers were examining a sarissa. Hephaistion watched them with his gorgeous eyes that appeared to have the pupil also gray. These men had their bodies cover with scars, making him to immediately remember the King. Philip was a living testimony of his many battles, his body was like a map, showing the marks of his hard earned glory: he was lacking an eye, had terrible scars on his face, arms, torso and legs…and if the King looked like that his men weren’t in better conditions.

 

And then, he couldn’t avoid comparing himself with them, his perfect skin, white and milky, without marks or faults that had the girls sighing every time he walked on the streets of Pella…well, not quite perfect, he had this small mole in his back; but he wasn’t burned by the sun and his muscles weren’t that developed. The veterans noted his insistent gaze, so Hephaistion decided to look elsewhere…Oh! There was the blacksmith showing his father a spear. 

 

— Blacksmith! –a powerful commanding voice filled the workshop. A tall man of 32 years old, entered the place as if he were the owner. Hephaistion recognized the man immediately; it was Melas Kleitos, commander of the Ile Basilike.

 

What to say about Kleitos? They were two famous men named Kleitos in the army, so the always funny Philip decided to called this Kleitos, Black or Melas Kleitos, very creative, taking into consideration that he had black eyes, black, hair and was a more tanned than the rest. And you would never guess how they called the other Kleitos, White Kleitos— Yes, that Philip is a comedian –thought Hephaistion without humor.

 

Melas Kleitos was a patriot, or a fanatic, he was the perfect Macedonian, a manly man: a womanizer capable to drink until he passed out, which was very difficult to archive, because he was very resistant to alcohol. Hephaistion had heard that once Melas Kleitos had competed against a Gaul in the northern border, to see who can drink more beer, a beer that according to his brother tasted like wild boar pee. How Nikandros knew how wild boar pee tasted? That was something he didn’t want to know. Rumor said the commander of the Ile Basilike won after drinking an entire barrel of 10 liters. The Gaul passed out after 8.  

 

To Kleitos there wasn’t a better place than Macedonia, and the rest of the world was a bunch of losers for not having been born in this kick ass kingdom. The hipparch saw Hephaistion and his father.

 

— Well, well! It’s the King’s boy –exclaimed Kleitos, as if he wanted to be heard by the entire street. Hephaistion hardened his expression.

 

— Melas Kleitos! –exclaimed Amyntor with a smile.

 

— Amyntor, what are you doing here? Are you planning to leave your horse and join the pezhetairoi? –asked Melas Kleitos, watching the equipment in front of them. 

 

Amyntor laughed.

 

— It’s for Hephaistion.

 

— What for?

 

— The Byzantium campaign, or the King suddenly changed his mind and decided that I can stay? –Hephaistion spoke with arrogance.

 

— Hephaistion! –his father had never heard him talk like that.

 

— Leave him, Amyntor –said Kleitos—And for your information kiddo, the King ordered you to be transferred to my unit immediately –Amyntor and the veterans, who had heard everything, were astonished.

 

— But he is only 16 –said Amyntor, even more surprised than the veterans—He hasn’t even served in the infantry, how can he possibly be in the Ile Basilike?  

 

Kleitos shrugged.  

 

— I don’t know, the King’s orders –he answered—And you kiddo, the next time we meet you will be calling me “sir”, you got that?

 

XXX

 

— My father did what? –exclaimed Alexander, sitting at his friend’s side at the edge of the lake where the city stood. Hephaistion was so angry that after leaving the workshop he ran to the palace looking for Alexander, ignoring for the first time his father’s calls. Hephaistion took a rock and threw it to the lake, watching it bounce two times before sinking.

 

— He is doing this to keep me near him –Hephaistion complained, his eyes fixed on the lake surface. 

 

— I understand your indignation but…

 

— But?

 

— If I were my father I would have done the same thing –the Prince admitted and his friend saw him in confusion.

 

— What do you mean? –the air blew, making the silky locks of his hair dance in front of his eyes.

 

— If I were the King I would never put you with the Agema, I would appointed you in the Ile Basilike, as you said it: to keep you near me –Alexander explained with simplicity—The fact that I share your indignation is not because I think my father is a mad man, but because you are going to be near him.

 

— Then –Hephaistion took a rock and weighed it—You are saying that I deserved to be rewarded because of my pretty face. Then I should work as a whore instead as a soldier, I would make a fortune –he was angry and Alexander knew perfectly well why. 

 

— I didn’t say that.

 

— I don’t want to be spoil, not by you or by your father, I want to be left alone –Hephaistion threw the rock, and stand up. Alexander sighed and went after him.

 

— Phai, wait. Being in the Ile Basilike is not to spoil you –the Prince said—You are going to be at the King’s side, at the front of the battle, is a privileged position not for cowards.   

 

Hephaistion stopped and brushed his hair behind his ear.

 

— I know. I know is an honor and I know I can archive many things there, but…I can’t be completely happy knowing that I have a place in the Ile Basilike because the King likes me –he said, now more calm.

 

— Then all you have to do is earn your position –said Alexander with simplicity—Do an outstanding performance in the battlefield, and show every soldier in the army why are you there.

 

Hephaistion rested his weigh in one foot and smile.

 

— I guess you are right –Hephaistion said, now feeling much better—Besides, I can’t make my handsome erastes to look bad –Alexander returned the smile.

 

— Don’t forget our promise.

 

— I don’t –whispered Hephaistion, crawling the words with a sensuality that could have made a prostitute blush—But, as long as I remember you are the one that needs to hurry in order to fulfill it.

 

Alexander aroused from head to feet. Hephaistion noticed it with only a glimpse at his burning cheeks. Oh, yes, when the Prince was aroused his cheeks burned with 2 pink spots. Hephaistion’s lips curved in a half smile, lazily and arrogant, and walk to him. Kissing him, teasing him merciless.

 

XXX

 

Philip had days planning his next campaign without a rest, so he decided to take a break this day, and went to ride, out of the city’s walls, near the great horse field near the lake. Eumenes, his secretary wanted to accompany him, there were still many thing to do, but the King dismissed him, and rode just with two of his guards as escort. Philip was enjoying himself, the cold breeze, the sound of his horse hoofs, the silence…he could heard his thought…away of the tumultuous life of the palace. He dismounted and saw the sun hiding behind the mountains, coloring the clouds with orange, when he found his son near the edge of the lake.

 

He opened his eyes seeing that Hephaistion was with him, and with all the stealth he could summon, hid himself behind a tree. He could see them perfectly but couldn’t hear a thing. That was just childish, and the all mighty King knew it, but couldn’t help it. Every time he was near Hephaistion he was a fool.     

 

Alexander took Hephaistion’s belt and pulled him, devouring his lips while his friend’s fingers played with the thin chain around his neck. Hephaistion smiled against his lips, realizing that the Prince was wearing the locket he had gave him while Alexander scattered kisses on his face, looking for his neck, making his friend laugh softly.

 

The Prince couldn’t get tired of his skin, his smell, EVERYTHING. Hephaistion was his, only his. A strong feeling burned inside Alexander, almost blinding him while biting that creamy skin with his teeth. He surrounded Hephaistion by the waist with possessive force and was rewarded with almost musical moans of pleasure. Hephaistion leant his head to one side and slid his hands through the Prince’s chest.

 

— You are teasing me –purred Hephaistion, playfully.

 

— Your fault –whispered Alexander against his skin.

 

Hephaistion pushed him a little away from him, and smiled with irresistible evilness.

 

— Stay still –he asked intriguing the Prince.

 

Hephaistion kneeled before him, without losing the eye contact, and took his hands behind Alexander’s knees, slowly sliding his fingers through his skin, softly as if he didn’t want to touch him, walking over him with his fingers. The caressed his hard and firm muscles, those wonderful legs product of his long hours riding. He reached his hips, under his chiton, and Alexander saw him without understanding what he was up to.

 

Hephaistion kissed his thighs, and slid his lips over his skin, tasting him with the tip of his tongue. He lifted the Prince’s chiton and left a kiss on his lap and Alexander bit his lips when he saw where his friend was putting his mouth.

 

Alexander felt like touching the sky. It was like seeing Aphrodite naked in all her glory. In all his young life he had never felt something like that, his entire body burned and he felt like melting. The Prince’s legs trembled and soon he was moaning. He had no idea where Hephaistion had learned to do that but in that moment it was the least of his concerns. His beloved had him at his mercy.

 

At the end Alexander fell on his knees panting, his blond hair covering his uneven eyes and his cheeks burning.   

 

— Did you like it? –asked Hephaistion, and his voice had something very sinfully hot.

 

— Oh, I loved it –the Prince answered without voice, with a very big smile on his face—I love you –those words again. Why did they affect him so much? And again, Hephaistion couldn’t reply, so he simply smiled and kissed Alexander’s cheek.

 

And not very far from there, Philip felt his body full of two very powerful and very destructive forces: desire and jealousy. Two feelings capable to destroy a man, even if this were a King. Not even in Philip’s wild dreams he would have thought that Amyntor’s son could be so damn hot, and that fascinated him. In one-way or another, Hephaistion was going to be his.

 

XXX

 

Two days before the army departure Alexander heard that the famous Greek artist Apelles, one of the greatest artist of his time, were in Pella. Apelles had painted Alexander and King Philip many times, and many years later, Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator would have a big collection of all those painting he had made of Alexander. Immediately, the Prince contacted him and summoned his best friend to the palace. 

 

— Is Apelles in the palace? –asked Cleopatra, Alexander’s 14 year old sister. She was in a couch playing with her long red hair, so like their mother’s.

 

— Yes, do you need something from him? –asked her brother, checking his father’s maps in the King’s study.

 

— I want Apelles painting me –said the young lady—I want to appear like Aphrodite, naked with Ares in a garden.

 

Alexander laughed.

 

— You are too young for that –somebody called at the door.

 

— Prince –said the guard, entering the study—Hephaistion son of Amyntor asks for an audience.

 

— Let him in.

 

— Hephaistion? Isn’t that friend of yours that mother hates so much? –asked Cleopatra with curiosity.

 

— The same.

 

Hephaistion entered the room, as always looking magnificent in his gray-blue chiton.

 

— Joy to you, Alexander! –said happily when his beautiful gray eyes stopped on the young Princess.

 

— I thought I’ve never introduced you to my sister –said Alexander, and Cleopatra stand up in a jump—Cleopatra, this is Hephaistion son of Amyntor, my best friend and eromenos.   

 

— By Apollo! You are gorgeous –exclaimed Cleopatra, too excited for his brother liking.

 

— You are too kind with me, Princess –said Hephaistion, smiling adorably.

 

— Cloe, you can call me Cloe.

 

Or whatever you want to call me –thought the Princess, drooling. Alexander saw her as if this was the first time they met.   

 

— Cloe, then.

 

— Have all your things ready to go? –asked the Prince, wanting to change the subject of the conversation.

 

— Yes, my mother insists that I should take my own ration of food, understanding by “ration” cookies, cakes a ham… –answered Hephaistion and Cleopatra laughed, celebrating his joke.

 

— Is your mother a good cook? –asked the Princess.

 

— An excellent one.

 

— Oh dear Artemis! How a coincidence! I love to cook.

 

Alexander frowned.

 

— No you don’t, you don’t even know how to fry an egg –his sister stepped on his foot.

 

— I’m learning –muttered Cleopatra, then she returned her attention to the other boy and smiled sweetly—So, Hephaistion, you will have to take me to your house to eat your mother’s food and learn some new tricks, what do you say?

 

— Sure –it was the only think Hephaistion could think as an answer, he didn’t know how to take the Princess audacity.

 

— Come, I want to ask you something –said Alexander, walking with him to the door.

 

— See you, Cloe.

 

— Oh! Wait, Alex do you think that Apelles would want to paint us, Hephaistion and I, together?

 

— Health to you, Cleopatra –said his brother, using her entire name.

 

XXX

 

— Why did you send for me? —Hephaistion wanted to know, following his best friend down the corridor.

 

— I want to ask you a favor.

 

— And what is it?

 

— Is in here –they entered a big room with enormous windows. The sunlight entered abundantly illuminating a blond man, too thing with the cheekbones too pronounce, working on a sketch over a table.

 

— I hope I’m not interrupting anything, master Apelles –said Alexander walking to him.

 

The man lifted his green eyes and smiled.

 

— Dear Prince, is a pleasure to see you again – then Apelles saw Hephaistion at the Prince’s side—Is this the young man you talked me about?

 

— Yes, he is my eromenos Hephaistion son of Amyntor. Phai, this is master Apelles –Alexander introduced them. 

 

— Oh by all the Nymphs! Apelles? Master Apelles? –It was like meeting Da Vinci. The man was a legend in the peninsula. Every important person in Greece literally killed for one of his painting.

 

— I asked master Apelles to paint you –said Alexander and his friend saw him as if they didn’t speak the same language.

 

— Me? Why me? –asked Hephaistion as if that was absurd.

 

— Because the idea of not seeing you in months breaks my heart and I don’t know how I going to endure your absence, so at least I want I painting of you –his words were like fire, burning Hephaistion’s heart. Even Apelles felt the strong feeling of the Prince.

 

— Prince, how many days do I have with your friend? –asked the artist.

 

— Two days –answered Hephaistion, his eyes on the Prince.

 

Alexander smiled happily.

 

Pop tart

Try to hold on

To this heart

A little bit longer

Try to hold on

(Smashing Pumpkins. Try, try, try)

 

Finally the army was ready to go. Hephaistion had barely slept the day before, he felt a knot in his stomach and for his mother utterly disappointment he didn’t eat breakfast. He arrived out side of the city, to the place were King Philip assembled his army, and, when his horse arrived at the area the vision in front of him leave him breathless. He had never seem so much people together, let alone armed, there was almost 30,000 souls armed to the teeth and ready to march and fight at the orders of one man… that gave him the shivers. 

 

Hephaistion pressed the flanks of his horse and advance, looking for the only man he knew in that chaos of spears and helmets: Melas Kleitos. His brother Nikandros had left before him, in fact he was sure that his brother hadn’t even slept in his house.

 

The most probably thing is he convinced a poor girl that he was going to war and probably wouldn’t come back alive, so he needed at least one night of love before going to die for his country –Hephaistion rolled his eyes, imagining the scene. 

 

He had never felt so lost in his life, he didn’t know the distribution of the troops…well he knew in theory, but the theory was easier to read than this. Doing something very childish he kneeled on his horse to have a better view, and without noticing he was about to crush one of the pezhetairos.

 

— By Ares’ balls! Look where you are going –exclaimed the man angrily.

 

— My apologies –said Hephaistion very ashamed, facing a big and strong veteran in his mid forties, and by the scars on his face Hephaistion recognized him as one of the men in the workshop. And judging for the man’s expression he was sure that the man had also recognized him.

 

— Are you lost?

 

— Something like that –admitted Hephaistion.

 

— The Ile Basilike is at the front, can you see the purple standard with the star? –the man said pointing to the front—There is the King and the Ile Basilike… come, I can guide you –the man walked, and at every step his heavy equipment sounded.

 

They advance was slow and clumsy among the multitude that curiously turned to see the magnificent white stallion and his astonishing rider. Hephaistion blushed.

 

— How did you know I was looking for the Ile Basilike? –asked the young man, anxious to distract himself in something, brushing his silky hair behind his ear, wishing to disappear.   

 

— I saw you at the workshop and is difficult to forget you –said the man, without bothering in hide the fact that he had listed the entire conversation—I’m Kryriakos son of Cleandros, by the way.

 

— Hephaistion son of Amyntor.

 

— How old are you, son? –Kryriakos wanted to know.

 

—16.

 

— Your first military campaign?

 

— Yes.

 

— You are going to be fine, just remember to always keep your eyes on the enemy, one mistake can cost you your life –said the veteran of dark blond hair.

 

— I’ll remember that…by the way, in what unit are you? –asked Hephaistion.

 

— In the taxis that general Parmelio commands, the Silver Shields –said Kryriakos proudly—There is the hipparch Kleitos.    

 

Some paces at the front was Melas Kleitos shouting orders, his long black hair tied on his back— There is someone who took Lycurgus teachings by the letter –thought Hephaistion, remembering the famous philosopher who gave the Spartans his rules of conduct. Lycurgus said that long hair made the handsome men more beautiful and the ugly more terrible—Yep, with Kleitos applies the later.

 

— Thank you, I would never have got here alone –the veteran minimized the situation moving his hand.

 

— Phai! –a familiar voice called him—Where were you? I have been waiting for you since ages ago –Alexander walked to him. Hephaistion dismounted, and said his good byes.

 

— Thanks again.

 

— See you around, son.

 

— Who was he? –asked Alexander, watching the man leaving.

 

— His name is Kryriakos, he found me lost and bring me here –Hephaistion explained. He took his horse by the reins, and patted him on the muzzle.

 

The Prince laughed.

 

— You got lost? –he mocked his friend. Hephaistion pursed his lips— I can’t believe it, how? You know how the army is arranged.

 

— One thing is knowing and other completely different is watching this chaotic multitude –Hephaistion defended himself, crossing his arms.

 

— Phai you are insane, this is in perfect order –the Prince took his hand—Come. There are the pezhetairoi arrange by taxeis –he pointed with his finger— A phalanx has 10 taxei, each taxis has 6 lochoi, and each lochos has 16 dekas of 16 men each –Alexander explain, moving his hand to illustrate his words— The best infantry troops are the hypaspist and the personal guard of the King is the Agema of the Hypaspists. At the front of the pezhetairoi and infantry troops is the hetairoi cavalry divided in 8 ilai, squadrons. The first of the cavalry squadrons is the Ile Basilike, with the King, where you can see the purple standard with the Argead dynasty star of 16 rays.

 

— What about those groups? –asked his best friend, looking at a group that appeared to be aside from the rest.

 

— Mercenaries and allies.

 

— How do you do this? –asked Hephaistion truly surprised.

 

— Do what?       

 

— Not getting lost in here –the Prince smiled.

 

— I have good eye –and suddenly he was dead serious—I came to give you something –his friend blinked in confusion and Alexander took his hand, giving him a little locket— It has a lock of my hair…it’s a lucky charm.

 

— Thank you, I will wear it always –said Hephaistion, putting it on, feeling a strange happiness filling his heart.

 

— By the time you come back, I will have fulfill my promise –Alexander assured him.

 

— And I will return bathed in glory to make my family and my Prince proud of me –said Hephaistion, holding his gaze.

 

— I want so badly to go with you.

 

— I know, we’ll have other opportunities –they both fell silent. Hephaistion took his hand, and caressed the back with his thumb– Make me proud; don’t let your bad temper get the better of you –said Hephaistion.

 

— Who had bad temper? –Alexander pretended to take offence.

 

They heard the trumpets calling for the army to assemble.

 

— You have to go –said Alexander, not wanting to release his hand—Its the call for you to go to your squadron. Kleitos will tell you what to do –Hephaistion nodded—I love you –his friend just smiled, but this time the Prince wasn’t going to let things there—Why don’t you never answer me?

 

Damn –thought Hephaistion.

 

- I…I…I don’t know.

 

— You don’t know? –Alexander released his hand—What you don’t know?

 

— I don’t know what to say to you –Hephaistion was honest with him.

 

— “I love you too” is a good option, don’t you think? –the Prince was getting angry, the vein on his forehead told him so—Unless you don’t love me.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

— I didn’t say that.

 

— No, but you didn’t say otherwise.

 

— Alex I really have to go, we’ll talk about this when I return –the Prince wasn’t happy, so his friend soften his voice—I don’t want to leave you angry, please.

 

— Fine.

 

— Take care.

 

Philip had been looking at Hephaistion and his son like a vulture ready to attack. Parmelio, Melas Kleitos even Attalos noticed, every day it was more and more obvious that the King had a crush with one of Amyntor’s sons, and that wasn’t going to have a happy ending.