Chapter 15

 

CHAPTER 15

 

Macedonian left wing:

 

Alexander drew his sword; his eyes on the Thebans right wing, the moment he had been waiting had finally arrived.

 

- Macedonia NIKE! –shouted the Prince and Boukephalos ran with all his might right to the gap. He didn’t turn to see if his men had followed him, he had eyes only for the enemy and a well establish plan on his mind. 

 

All that time, he had been planning, observing the development of the battle and establishing with incredibly accuracy the enemy movements, it was as if he had seen a movie of the entire battle on his head and now he had to play his part.

 

Of course his men followed him, Hephaistion was the fist one to react and 2 thousand throats shouted at the same time their war cry: Alalalai! They charged in wedge formation with Alexander at the front, the ground trembled under the horses’ hoofs; it was like an earthquake, powerful and unstoppable. The anxiousness they had all the battle now found a release, and they were ready to make the enemy pay for they wait.

 

When the cavalry passed at the side of the phalanxes, Titans riding to meet their destiny, the pezhetairoi cheered them, shouting with all their energies, they knew that the hetairoi cavalry would assure them the victory, and that impressive sight of riders and war horses overwhelmed the enemies’ hearts.

 

Perdikkas saw that Alexander was guiding them directly to the Thebans lines, as if he intended a front attack against the wall of shields and spears. That was insane, and Perdikkas started to pray, they were to crash and he knew it was going to be painful.

 

200 paces…

 

150 paces…

 

Hephaistion now could distinguish the Thebans’ faces; the Sacred Band was at the front, formed on duos, shield against shield. The clash between these forces of nature will be terrible.

 

Thebans right wing,

 

The Theban general Theagenes, saw with horror how the Athenians and their allies ran after the Macedonians, opening a gap among their lines. He was sure this was a trap; the retreat of the enemy was in perfect order and knowing the reputation of the King he was planning something nasty for them. The Theban General gave orders to every man to stay where he was and started to rearrange his lines quickly fearing the worst; he had to cover his flanks, and called after the reserve cavalry in the rearguard.

 

- Sir, general Chares ordered the cavalry to attack the Macedonian right wing –explained one of Theagenes officers—He want to capture Philip alive, to parade him in chains before the Athenian people.

 

- That fool, how many men do we have? –asked Theagenes fearing the answer.

 

- About one thousand.

 

Theagenes cursed and hit his own thigh in frustration. The situation was bad.

 

- Call them, he have to cover our flanks before…

 

- General! The hetairoi cavalry is moving! –shouted a hysterical voice.

 

The Theban General and his military staff turned and saw a big cloud of dust coming directly to them. The ground trembled, it was as if Atlas was marching against them, and then they distinguished the horses’ silhouettes, emerging from the dust like ghosts materializing into their executioners.

 

- Shit! –exclaimed Theagenes, his mouth suddenly dry.

 

Paris saw with horror the cavalry charged directly to them. Orders were shouted, and all the men around him put their shields at the front, their spears ready to impale any one who dared to pass through them, and they embraced themselves expecting the clash. It was a great test to their willpower not to runaway seeing those demons riding directly to them; they had to overcome their fear to death and stayed where they were. Paris trembled and he had to tighten the grip of his spear, he was sweating and soon he started to pant.  

 

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear (1)

 

 

Macedonian left wing,

 

100 paces…

 

Hephaistion took his spear and cursed his helmet. He hated to fight with his helmet on, it was heavy and hindered his vision, he couldn’t move as he wanted but he knew it was necessary if he wanted to keep his head in its place.

 

50 paces…

 

When every hetairoi was ready expecting the clash, Alexander shouted an order and the cavalry split in 2 to surround the Thebans, not to crush them directly. Perdikkas sighed with relieve and then he saw the enemy cavalry charging at the distance.

 

- KLEITOS! –shouted Alexander, expecting the Greek cavalry even before seeing it. Melas Kleitos appeared immediately at his left, riding his huge dark gray horse—Take the Ile Basilike and crush the enemy cavalry!

 

Even his voice is different –thought Hephaistion, always at his right side—It’s a different person now.

 

Enemy cavalry? –thought Kleitos when he heard the whinnying of horses at the front.

 

Alexander didn’t wait for an answer and took Boukephalos directly to the Thebans left flank.

 

Thebans right wing,

 

The first rider Paris saw was Alexander, impressive in his black horse with red mane, it was like seeing the Prince in slow motion, his cloak dancing at the mercy of the wind, his spear ready to kill and his uneven eyes glowing with fury and excitement, was he smiling? Maybe it was just Paris imagination.

 

The young Theban saw the first of his fellow countryman fell, pierce side by side and then he heard a terrible scream, the horses were crushing the men like insects, specially Boukephalos, he was like a mythological beast, another warrior in the battlefield, killing merciless his master enemies, making a path of blooded corpses to advance to the Sacred Band.

 

Macedonian left wing, 

 

Hephaistion found himself attacking even before thinking, the training with his grandfather had paid off, his reflexes were perfect, and sometimes he didn’t even have to turn to know he had an enemy behind him. He killed with lethal accuracy and always kept an eye on Alexander. Alastor was not Boukephalos but he was magnificent nonetheless, obeying his master’s orders as if they could think the same things at the same time. Hephaistion had always be a good rider, now he was excellent.

 

He used his 2 kopis as if they were part of his arms, no one could go near him without finding his end at his blades, and soon the Thebans started to give ground around him, some started to run, Hephaistion cut one man’s arm when he tried to pierce his leg and then turned his sword and cut open his throat. He heard a whistling behind him, and without turning, he passed his left sword at his side thrusting an enemy behind him.  

 

- Good Ares! There is someone who knows how to fight –exclaimed Nikandros, not too far from his brother.

 

- Who? –asked his friend Kleopatros, after kicking one Theban.

 

- The one with the 2 kopis –said Nikandros, hitting a man on the head with the pommel of his sword. His friend frowned.

 

- Isn’t he your brother?

 

- Phai doesn’t know how to fight like that –but as soon as Nikandros said that, the mysterious warrior took off his helmet reveling a beautiful and familiar head. His older brother was in shock.

 

Kleopatros laughed.

 

- I guess he knows how to fight now –he said.

 

Nikandros was too concentrated looking at his brother that he didn’t see a spear coming his way…

 

Hephaistion knew it was dangerous to take off his helmet but he was tired of it. He saw Alexander charging directly to the Sacred Band and hurried after him. The ground was slippery with the blood of the fallen men; Alastor crushed the bones of a corpse and kicked a poor man who tried to attack his master. The Thebans broke after a while and ran terrify for their lives, others surrendered, but as grandfather Demetrios had said, not the Sacred Band. All the casualties the Macedonian cavalry suffered were at the hands of the Shadow of Death, they were ferocious warriors, and Hephaistion saw in horror how two of them surrounded Alexander and Boukephalos, attacking the Prince at the same time with precise movements, seeking to kill the Macedonian Prince and finish the cavalry attack once and for all.

 

- Over my death body –said Hephaistion, and with a twist of the swords in his hands he ran to his beloved.

 

Hephaistion jumped from the horse, held by the saddle to hang at Alastor’s right side while the horse was running and kicked the younger man of the couple, throwing him to the ground, then he jumped again to sit on the saddle.

 

Alexander and the other man saw him in awe one moment before resumed their fight. Hephaistion didn’t wait for the young Theban to stand and rode directly to him with all the intentions of crashing him, but the Theban rolled to one side. Hephaistion turned and saw a Theban with a bow ready to shoot against Alexander.

 

Damn –he thought and threw one of his swords to the man. The sword spun in the air like a boomerang and cut the man’s throat, burring itself deep in his skin without severing his head completely. 

  

The young Theban took advantage of his distraction and attacked him with his spear. Hephaistion leaned backwards quickly, took the spear and with his remaining sword cut his wrist. The young man screamed and that made his companion to turn, and that cost him his life, Alexander thrust his sword directly into his heart.

 

The young Theban screamed horribly when he saw his companion fell, and that moved Hephaistion. He felt great respect for the Sacred Band, fighting along with their dearest one, but he too was fighting for his dearest one and he wouldn’t let any harm happened to him.

 

That day 2 thousand men surrendered, many Thebans escape but the Sacred Band stood where they were. All were dead except for 46 that were taken alive, heavily injured but alive. In these modern nights you can still see the site where they were buried, under a statue of Lion, the Lion of Chaeronea.

 

What happened with me? Well, the army was really impressed with my performance on the battlefield, especially Alexander whose opinion meant the world to me. I would never forget Philip’s face when many others told him, not only his son, and including Melas Kleitos, that I was an extremely gifted warrior. I was rewarded in front of the entire army for my performance in the battlefield, and in that moment I was immensely happy, not only for my personal triumph, but also because I made my erastes proud.  

 

That night, the King celebrated a great banquet, and all of us drank a great amount of wine, strong, concentrated wine. Latter that night, Philip was so drunk that he laughed over the piles of the enemy death bodies, and then wept other the remains of the Sacred Band.

 

The Macedonians laughed and drank heavily in that night’s banquet, signing and celebrating as if they had conquered the world. King Philip composed a song to Demosthenes and soon everyone was singing it among vulgar words and shouts.

 

“Demosthenes decrees!

Demosthenes of Paiania,

Son of Demosthenes.

Euoi Bakchos! Euoi Bakchos!

Demosthenes decrees!”(2)

 

Alexander, who had been talking to one of the Macedonian officers, looked for Hephaistion, but he couldn’t find him. He was sure he had seen his friend near Perdikkas and Leonnatos just a moment ago, where had he gone? The Prince stoop up and went out side, his inner cricket told him to search outside the royal tent and there he found his best friend, looking at the battlefield with his arms crossed over his chest.

 

Hephaistion didn’t hear the Prince and jumped when he felt that someone was covering him with a cloak.

 

- You are cold –said Alexander, embracing him from behind, surrounding his waist—What are you doing here?

 

- I’m not very sure myself –answered his friend in a whisper—I was just thinking about the battle… and wondering why I don’t feel happy… I mean I should be happy, we won and I was rewarded for my performance in the battlefield, but… I keep thinking about the Sacred Band. They died, almost all of them, fighting along his dear one and I killed many of them…they were like us, don’t you think? I will always fight at your side and will die before letting that something happen to you… but I was wondering if my love for you is not enough and what if, even if I give all I have, somebody kills you…

 

Alexander kissed his cheek.

 

- Phai, you think too much –he said tenderly—They died because they were weaker than us, and besides you said it yourself, they all were married with children and you couldn’t understand how they could claim to fight with his dearest one if they had a wife. 

 

- Yes I said that, but that was before I saw them fight –said Hephaistion, and Alexander leaned his chin on his best friend shoulder.

 

- Tell me something, do you love me? –asked the Prince making him sighed.

 

- You know that I love you.

 

- Why? We have been friends for 4 years with 6 months and 2 days, and the men of the Sacred Band were together all their lives –said Alexander.

 

- Love is not a matter of time. You live love, you feel it and I know what I feel for you –that answer left the Prince speechless for a long time.

 

- Do you think that there is someone out there that can love the same way you love me?

 

- No –Hephaistion didn’t hesitate, he was sure of what he was saying.

 

- Then, why do you insist in comparing us to the Sacred Band?

 

He has a point –thought Hephaistion, feeling better.

 

- You worry too much about the Sacred Band, why did they fight? Why did they die? There are things that we can’t comprehend and we must accept. There is no point in worrying for the impossible as is pointless to understand all the mysteries of the human behavior, specially the actions driven by the most volatile motivations: the feelings –said Alexander. 

 

- Do you think it was a coincidence that we had to fight against them? –Hephaistion wanted to know.

 

- No, I don’t believe in coincidence –said Alexander—Everything has a purpose.

 

- And what was the purpose in fighting the Sacred Band? 

 

- To make you realize that we are destined to archive great things –the Prince smiled, and continued in a more cheerful tone—Now I understand why you didn’t start dancing after the battle, too concern with these things to do your victory dance.

 

- Shut up! 

 

 I never forgot these words. He was right, we were destined to archive great things… we still are when I succeed in my investigation. That was my first time watching a battlefield after a battle. It was terrible, the sight of the corpses, the smell, the people who search among the destruction looking for valuable things… In time I got used to it.

 

Many years later I remember this battle, the battle of Chaeronea, when I saw the battle of Cannae, between the Carthaginian general Hannibal and the all mighty legions of Rome. Hannial also lured his enemies making his own men to retreat and when the Roman Consul Gaius Terentius Varro moved all his troops forward he released his hidden troops and swallowed the Romans. 

 

I’m sure my Alexander would have loved to see that battle, Cannae with Hannibal, Zama with Scipio the Africanus, Alesia with Caesar… many battles with many great generals… maybe that was why I lived in Rome so many years, Romans had something that reminded me my Alexander…

 

But again, I’m changing the subject. The Athenian orator, and my father’s personal friend, Demades convinced Philip to give them permission to bury their dead. The King wanted to be merciful and acted in a conciliatory way, he wanted to end the war soon in order to march against Persia, and so it was that he decided to send Alexander as a peace ambassador to Athens.      

 

Days latter in Pella, Antigone, Berenike, Cadie, Netikerty, the 8 years old Lysanias and 4 four strong slaves that served as their escort, accompanied the women to the city to ask for news of Chaeronea. They knew that Macedonia had won but they didn’t know what had happened with Amyntor, Nikandros and Hephaistion. Usually Antigone waited for a letter from her husband, that’s what she usually did in these cases, but this time she had a bad feeling.

 

They walked through the streets, it was a cloudy and gray day, it had been raining all week and there were many puddles. They saw many wagons arriving with injured men and many others with urns containing the rest of the cremated dead. A lot of women were on the streets, the same as Amyntor’s women, looking for news of their dear ones. 

 

- Who are we going to ask for news, mom? –Berenike wanted to know, watching her steps.

 

- I heard one of the King officers came today with a list of the casualties –said Antigone, taking Lysanias hand with force—We are going to ask him.

 

Antigone was very tense, reason why Lysanias hadn’t complained about the fact of having to walk holding his mother hand.

 

- They are fine, mom, you worry too much –said Lysanias—My brothers and dad are really strong –he said with absolutely confidence.

 

- For once the midget is right, mom –said Berenike and her small brother showed her his tongue.

 

- Don’t call your brother that, Eni –said Cadie without energy, seeing that her mistress was in no mood to fight, she was very concern.

 

A scream made them turn, an old woman was walking at the side of a wagon calling after her injured son with tears in her eyes. Antigone had to blink several times to avoid crying.

 

- Come, lets hurry –said starting to walk again.

 

Near them passed a wagon with the battle prisoners, one of the wheels passed over a puddle and splashed a man who started to shout insults. Berenike turned and saw Paris, the young Theban, among the prisoners. She opened so much her eyes that they looked completely round, she had never seen a more handsome man...well, with the obvious exception of his brother Hephaistion, but in her case that didn’t count, her eyes shone and she turned to her slave.

 

- Nety, did you see that handsome boy on the wagon? –she asked in a whisper.

 

- Yes, I saw him –Berenike smiled.

 

- Go and follow the wagon, find out who he is and where is he staying, go, go –Netikerty ran after the wagon, and when Antigone saw her she asked her daughter.

 

- Where is she going?

 

- Oh! I want something to eat and send her to buy some bread –said Berenike and her mother didn’t ask more, she had no head for that.

 

King Philip had treated the Athenians with more consideration than the Thebans. Philip returned the Athenian prisoners without ransom and decided to send his son to deliver the ashes of the fallen hoplites. But with Thebes he was ruthless, he demand a ransom for the prisoners and ordered to keep a Macedonian garrison at the city. 

 

They arrived at the agora, where a great number of women were surrounding a platform where a Macedonian officer stood holding a long list. 

 

- Silence! –asked the officer and the women fell silent, there was a tense atmosphere in the agora—I’m going to proceed with the list of casualties after the battle of Chaeronea –he continued, and all the eyes were settle on him, he cleared his throat—Philip son of Eneas…

 

As he was reading Antigone could hear screams, crying and she even saw some of the women fainted, her heart ached and she closed her hand tightly against her heart. The list went on and on, and then…

 

- Nikandros son of Amyntor…

 

Antigone fell on her knees. It took Berenike, Lysanias and Cadie a few moments to understand that the officer had just read the name of their Nikandros, and was Antigone scream that made them wake up.

 

- Mom… –said Lysanias without knowing what else to say.

 

Berenike kneeled besides her mother and embraced her starting to cry too.

 

- Ma’am, ma’am… don’t cry, it can be a mistake –said Cadie trying to comfort her—Ma’am, master Amyntor hasn’t write, we must wait until we hear from him, it can be a mistake…

 

But Antigone didn’t hear her, she cried as if the world was ending, the only thing she knew was that her baby boy was dead, she trembled and hid her face in her hands. Cadie feared she was going to suffer an attack so she asked their escort to help her and took their mistress back home, she was going to looked for the doctor and write to the master immediately. If only grandfather Demetrios was there…

 

XXX

 

- The King is sending me to Athens –said Alexander one night, after they had made love as if that was the last time in their lives. Hephaistion only hope that this time nobody had heard them, he was starting to realize that he was very vocal in bed, and very noisy, which had the Prince fascinated but was embarrassing if they were surrounded by hundreds of tents in the middle of a military camp—He wants me to negotiate the peace terms.

 

- When are you going? –asked Hephaistion, his head over the Prince naked chest, running a finger absently on his hard abdomen.        

 

- Tomorrow –that made Hephaistion sad, after all that had happened between them: first Byzantium and Perinthus, them his injure, his illness and his training, and now Alexander was going to Athens…why can’t they be together?

 

- I don’t want you to go –that surprised Hephaistion a lot. He never said that kind of things, but that was exactly how he felt—I want to be with you.

 

- And who told you that I’m going alone? –said Alexander, and Hephaistion lifted his head to see him.

 

- You mean…that I can go with you? –Alexander smiled and kissed him deeply.

 

- Do you really think I can go without you? I barely lived the past year away from you, missing you with all my heart –the Prince spoke from the button of his heart and that made Hephaistion immensely happy.

 

- Did you hear how the army is calling you? “Little King”, and they are calling your father “General” –said Hephaistion, once again resting on his chest.

 

- Yes I heard…the King is furious, by the way –said Alexander, caressing his beloved’s long hair—He said that he should charged me for treason after I disobeyed his orders to attack, that’s way he didn’t reward me after I defeated the Sacred Band… if it hadn’t been for me, he would never won over the Greeks –Hephaistion kissed his chest.

 

- You did what you have to, don’t get mad.

 

The Prince caressed his lips and Hephaistion licked his finger making him shuddered.

 

- You were magnificent on the battlefield –said Alexander truly impressed—I told you the King was crazy telling you what he told you before the Triballi attack.

 

- My grandpa trained me, I already told you…your father was right –said Hephaistion and the Prince saw him intensely. 

 

- Never said that again.

 

- Fine… let’s talk about something else –said Hephaistion—Do you know what happened with Demosthenes?

 

- Apparently he fled from the battlefield –answered Alexander—The King thinks he is now in Athens, filling with fear the hearts of the people, reason why I’m leaving tomorrow to Athens, before he does more damage.   

 

Hephaistion kissed the Prince while sitting astride on his lap.

 

- What are you doing? –asked Alexander amused.

 

- What do you think? –the Prince laughed. Hephaistion looked so irresistible, it was impossible but everyday he looked more handsome, he didn’t have bad days he looked gorgeous always, and sometimes he looked especially beautiful.

 

- Aren’t you tired? We just made love.

 

- I can’t never get tired of you –was the answered, and Alexander happily obeyed.

 

XXX

 

Next day everything was ready to part to Athens, Alexander would be taking the urns with the rests of the Athenian dead as a sigh of the Kings good faith. An escort was assigned to him and they were about to leave with Antipater and Alcimachus, when Amyntor arrived looking for his son. He looked very pale, and worried.

 

- What happened? –asked Hephaistion, he had seen his father the day before and he was very happy and proud of his son, but now, he looked as is he hadn’t rest in all night. A pair of black shadows was visible under his eyes.

 

- Phai, have you seen Nick? –asked his father, and the tone of his voice alarmed Hephaistion.

 

- Nick was here? I had no idea –that was true, until that moment he didn’t know his brother was in the same camp.

 

- He fought in the battle with the rest of the hetairoi cavalry –said Amyntor.

 

- And how is he? –asked Hephaistion, fearing for the answer.

 

His father shook his head.

 

- I can’t find him. Nobody has seen him, his friend Kleopatros said he was injured in the battle and they got separated, but after that…–Amyntor was very worried.

 

- Do you want help in finding him? I going to tell Alexander that I can’t accompany him and…

 

 - No. I heard you are going to Athens, no. Your duty first, I will look for your brother, your uncle is going to help me –said Amyntor, his voice firm.

 

- Dad, he must be fine, he is too stubborn to die and besides, if he was dead we would already know, he has this big head which made him easy to identify –said Hephaistion making his father smiled and patted him on the back.

 

- Don’t forget to go and visit your aunt Thaleia –said his father.

 

Hephaistion nodded.

 

- I won’t.

 

- I’m very proud of you, Phai, don’t forget that –his son nodded again, Amyntor had no idea of how much those words meant to his son.

 

- Tell me when you know something about Nick –asked Hephaistion.

 

- I will. 

 

 

XXX

 

(1) Frank Herbert. Dune, p 309

(2) Mary Renault. Fire from Heaven, p 281