CHAPTER 18

 

- We are lost –said Hephaistion riding at Alexander’s side.

 

They came from Epirus all the way to Illyria. After the disastrous wedding party they went to Epirus with some of Alexander’s friends; they stayed with King Alexandros a few days and left Queen Olympias to the care of her brother. Hephaistion saw that Alexander spent hours talking to his mother alone, he had no idea of what had they said and that intrigue him; usually the Prince told him everything, after all best friends share everything. But not this time. Of course Hephaistion didn’t ask, but he had a bad feeling. He just hope the Queen wasn’t planning something specially nasty and got Alexander involved in it.

 

Now, they were heading to King Langarus’ castle, the King of the Agrianians, who had been a hostage in King Philip’s court and remained a good friend of Alexander(1). They went to ask for asylum after declining King Alexandros offer. Alexandros had a very difficult position, he owed his throne to Philip and without his support he was nothing; having his sister under his roof was very risky for him and Alexander knew he couldn’t compromise his uncle imposing his presence in Epirus. The Prince decided to go else where, to a neutral place.

 

The guide that King Alexandros of Epirus had given to them only took the young men to the border and from there they didn’t know what path to follow. Alexander had never before being in Illyria, he met Langarus in Pella and knew the path to the Agrianians’ lands only for what his friend had told him. It was getting dark and they were alone with Peritas, Alexander’s dog, cold and lost but not hungry. Fortunately Antigone had given them a very big bag with food. When Hephaistion came running into his house looking for his things and explaining really quickly what had happened at the wedding banquet, his mother ran to the kitchen and gave him all the food she could find.

 

Antigone first concern always was the food.   

 

- I told you, we should have stayed at the village we passed an hour ago –said Hephaistion, seeing with apprehension the last rays of daylight. He had been in Illyria with his grandfather but not in this part, and he hadn’t a single clue of where was King Langarus’ castle.

 

- We are not lost –said Alexander, stubbornly—I know where we are going.

 

- And where are we going, genius?

 

- To Langarus’ castle.

 

- And where exactly is that?

 

- Near here.

 

- “Near here” is not an acceptable answer –Hephistion was getting angry, he was terribly concerned for Alexander’s safety, and there they were, expose to any attack of their enemies, and he could bet his horse that Attalos would be more than happy to try to harm the Crown Prince. After all Alexander was the only obstacle he had now to secure the Macedonian throne to his niece’s son, that in case she had one, of course.

 

- Why are you so angry? –asked Alexander, turning to see his friend.

 

- For nothing in particular –muttered Hephaistion.

 

- Phai, you worry too much. We can see this like an adventure, like Jason and the Argonauts –said the Prince trying to cheer him up.

 

- Yeah, right…I only hope we don’t have to fight against sirens and harpies, with just the half of trouble they had we could be death before the sunrise.

 

- Why so negative? –Hephaistion raised one eyebrow.

 

- Alex, we are alone, just the two of us –Peritas barked—All right, the 3 of us. Heading into unknown lands, lost…

 

- We are not lost.

 

- We ARE lost –Hephaistion insisted—Your father attacked you at his wedding party, your mother is in exile in Epirus, and Attalos is most likely conspiring to kill you. 

 

- And you think I haven’t thought about that?

 

- Apparently no –Alexander sighed.

 

- Well I have, and don’t worry, everything is going to be all right –the Prince sound calm—The King doesn’t have another heir and he can’t keep this situation for long, is bad propaganda for him, the Greek will question his authority if he can’t keep control his own family. Trust me is all about time. I have to be patience. 

 

Hephaistion was going to open his mouth when an arrow came flying and fell in front of Boukephalos. The horse reared up and a numerous group of sour-faces men appeared, surrounding them.

 

A trap? Who are these men? Attalos’ men? Did King Alexandros betray us? –thought Hephaistion, his brain working fast.    

 

- All right, nobody has to get hurt here. Just be good lads and give us your horses –said one of the men, smiling and letting see that he was lacking 2 teeth.

 

- Are you trying to steal from me? –the Prince asked, sounding outraged. As if the idea of stealing him was as absurd as trying to teach a pig how to sing.

 

- Tch, tch, tch –the man clicked his tongue—We are not trying, we are STEALING you, and here are only 2 ways of doing these –he counted with his fingers— The nice one or the bloody one –the rest of the gang showed their knifes and swords—And if you try to run away we will shoot you –2 men lifted their bows—So, how is going to be?

 

Peritas growled, showing his teeth, the fur on his back standing on end. Alexander clenched his jaw and moved his hand to his sword hilt.

 

- Don’t –Hephaistion whispered, barely moving his lips, his magnificent eyes on the gang of thieves—We’ll do this nicely –he said raising his voice, to the man missing 2 teeth.

 

- Wise choice, lad.

 

- What are you doing? –Alexander was angry, that was clear, seeing his best friend dismounting slowly.

 

- Trust me –was the only explanation he got, and even if the Prince didn’t understand what he was planning he dismounted too, keeping an eye on the thieves.

 

Hephaistion counted their enemies. There were 12 men, all armed, 2 had bows and the rest swords, knives and one spear; they only had their swords and no shields… the situation looked bad but Hephaistion wouldn’t let that anything happened to his beloved.

 

- All right, drop your weapons –asked the man, scratching his unshaven chin.

 

- Fine –answered Hephaistion and Alexander saw him as if he didn’t knew him.

 

Hephaistion advanced one step, and draw his swords, every single one of the thieves thought he was going to drop them but then, he ran to the man missing the teeth and cut his throat open, and before anyone could move, he went for the men with the bows. The Prince reacted fast and attacked the man closest to him. Peritas did the same.

 

Hephaistion cut one man’s arm and pierced the second through the chest; the rest of the gang woke up. Hephaistion stopped 2 blows, lifting both swords at his sides and then he kicked a third man that tried to attack him from the front, breaking his nose. He twisted his swords in his hands, turned quickly and thrust piercing one man through the chest, then he rolled to one side, dodging an attack. Hephaistion kicked the man on the legs making him fall and cutting his throat.

 

Alexander killed 3 men, Peritas one, and Hephaistion took care of 7…but, weren’t they 12 thieves? Hephaistion turned and saw the last man ready to throw a knife against the Prince. He didn’t think twice, and ran to Alexander throwing him to the ground in time to dodge the knife, covering him with his body.

 

- That was close –said Hephaistion without breath, his hair cover with blood, dirt and grass.

 

But then, they heard the horses whinnying. They turned and saw another 2 men on their horses, the only survivor of this battle ran to his comrades, jumped on Alastor and they ran away. The boys tried to go after them but it was too late.

 

Alexander swore in pure Macedonian, the one he had learned with the soldiers, quoting bad words that would have made his mother blushed.

 

- Holy Mother &·%&“ With $%&/# On top! –the vein in the Prince forehead popped out.

 

Hephaistion bent over, his hands on his thighs, trying to compose himself. His heart was pounding savagely.

 

The moans of the wounded floated to then and that made the Prince woke up. He walked to the nearest of the survivors, a man whose leg was bleeding badly, and took the man roughly from the front of his tunic, pulling him up.

 

- Who are you? And where are your friends taking OUR horses? –Alexander was FURIOUS to say the least. His uneven eyes shone with anger and the power in his voice made the man trembled—ANSWER ME?

 

- We-we are the Wolves of Adler…

 

- Who is Adler?

 

- O-o-our leader –the man was terrified—He came from a German tribe…or so he says.

 

- Our horses –the Prince insisted. 

 

- They-they are taking them to our… hideout.

 

- Where is that?

 

- In the mountains, north of here in a place known as the Death Valley…  

 

Alexander released the man and walked to the path the thieves had taken.

 

- Where are you going? –asked Hephaistion. He got rid of the gore on his blades and sheathed his swords.

 

- Where do you think? To take back our horses –oh yes, Alexander was furious.

 

- Alex, you can’t possibly been thinking in walk to the northern mountains –said his best friend trying to reason with him.

 

- Why not?

 

- We don’t know this lands, is starting to freeze, we have no money and no food, all our thing were with our horses, and these thieves are dangerous and numerous –said Hephaistion walking to him.

 

- I didn’t know you were such a coward –said the Prince in a hurtful tone.

 

- Excuse me? –Hephaistion saw Alexander as if he didn’t knew him—I’m not a coward. I’m trying to make you see how stupid is your plan and trying to keep your sorry ass alive. We can’t go after them, not in our current situation, is all ready dark and our only option here is to go back to the village we passed an hour ago and ask for shelter. And if you insist in going after the thieves I will have to punch you and drag you unconscious to the bloody village –he shouted. He never shouted but now he was angry and concerned, a bad combination.

 

They both fell silent. Alexander closed his eyes and took a deep breath. They heard the howl of a wolf and Peritas lifted his ears in alert.

 

- I’m sorry –said the Prince, after what appeared to be an eternity—I’m sorry, you are right, we can’t stay here. Let’s go back to the village.

 

Hephaistion nodded, now feeling better.

 

- It’s the best for now.

  

- For now… but I will not rest until we get our horses back.

 

They started to walk, it was going to be a painful and difficult journey, the road…well it was not properly a road, it was cover with rocks, mud and grass, and it was very difficult to walk there. The temperature was dropping quickly and soon they started to feel the cold in all his merciless glory, and they only had one thin fur cloak for each other to cover themselves. Now and then they heard the wolves howling reminding them that they couldn’t stop, they had to reach the village.

 

What a strange wolves –thought Hephaistion, the howling sounded powerful, terrifying, musical and beautiful. He lifted his head and saw the full moon.

 

I had no way of knowing that what I was hearing was not a pack of wolves but of werewolves. Now I know many things, and I know that in those lands still lives a huge settlement of werewolves, that prey upon every one who dares to step in their territories. I’m grateful for my ignorance when I was mortal, if I had knew that werewolves were near us I would have suffered a heart attack, fearing for my dear Alexander.

 

- Phai –said Alexander almost and hour latter.

 

- Mm? –Hephaistion was very tired. He could fall sleep on the mud if it weren’t for the wolves, a constant reminder that they could not stop.      

   

- I’m sorry for calling you a coward –the Prince was ashamed and that surprised his friend.

 

- Don’t worry, I know you didn’t mean it –he smiled and Alexander returned the smile.

 

- Phai.

 

- Mm?

 

- Do you think this could get worst? –and as an answered it started to rain. Zeus had a very twisted sensed of humor.

 

It was Murphy’s law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”

 

Hephaistion narrowed his eyes.

 

- Oh Great –he muttered. 

 

They reached the village 2 hours latter. It was a small but well established settlement with people who came not only from Illyria, but also from some Greek cities, and people for Epirus. They were soaked, frozen, hungry and tired. They tried to find a place to sleep but no one wanted to receive them, they looked like beggars and people were afraid to receive a couple of completely strangers. And to make things worst, all their money was in a bag tied to the horses’ saddle, so they couldn’t pay their stay in an inn or offered money to change somebody’s mind.

 

- Now what? –asked Hephaistion, sitting under a wooden roof with the soaked Peritas and Alexander at his sides, watching the pouring rain.

 

- Are you sure you don’t have a dracma on you? –asked the Prince, sighing.

 

- Yes, the only valuable things I have, besides my swords, are the locket and the bracelets, that you gave me –said his beloved yawning. Oh Gods, he was so tired—What about you?     

 

- The same, I only have my sword and your locket –Alexander rubbed his eyes.

 

Hephaistion leaned his head on the Prince’s shoulder and closed his eyes; all his body ached from the effort of the fight and the 2 hours walk to reach the village.  

 

- I fear that we would have to sleep here –said Alexander, surrounding his beloved’s waist tenderly.

 

- I don’t care, at least here is not wet –Peritas chose that moment to shake off the water and both boys protested.

 

- You shouldn’t be here –said the Prince—This is not your problem, you should be in your home, sleeping in your bedroom with your wonderful family –he caressed Hephaistion’s back.

 

- All your problems are my problems –said his beloved half asleep—Do you really think that I could be sleeping in my house knowing that you are alone in Illyria?

 

Alexander smiled and leaned his head against his Hephaistion’s. It was very cold and the 3 of them were wet, the Prince felt his friend trembling and started to rub his back in a poor attempt to warm him.

 

- Your leg is bleeding –said Alexander, watching the blood sliding under the layer of mud that was covering his skin.

 

- It’s nothing –Hephaistion whispered—I had worst with my grandpa. 

 

Then Alexander saw someone making signs, calling them from the threshold of one house.

 

- Phai, Phai! –the Prince called him and his best friend opened his eyes—Someone is calling us.

 

- Where?

 

- There! –Alexander pointed at the front. True enough, there was a woman calling them—What you think? Should we go?

 

- I don’t see why not, we don’t have other place to go –Hephaistion straightened—Just keep your eyes open in case it is a trap.

 

They ran to the woman with Peritas after them, and entered a small but clean house with 2 rooms; one with a wooden table and some chairs and other where Hephaistion thought would be the bedroom. A fire was burning and a delicious smell filled the place making them drool. Peritas sniffed and walked to the pan with the food. The woman closed the door and they thanked the warm and dry place.  

 

- I thank you for receiving us –said Alexander and the woman smiled, taking off her cloak.

 

- You have no need of thanking me, I couldn’t let the two of you to freeze outside –said the woman sweetly, speaking a very good Greek.

 

This woman had something very strange –thought Hephaistion. She was thin with black long hair, pale green eyes and for what he saw she took special care in her appearance.

 

- You speak Greek –exclaimed the Prince surprised.

 

The woman smiled.

 

- I’m from Corinth, but thanks to very bad decisions I ended here –she sighed—You are not from around here, aren’t you?

 

- No, we are Macedonians –said Alexander.

 

- Oh! But where are my manners? –exclaimed the woman, taking both hands to her face—Please, take a seat you must be very tired, and hungry –she read them perfectly.

 

Hephaistion saw how the two of them had left a pool of water under their feet. He was going to apologize but the woman smiled.

 

- Don’t worry, go and have a seat, I’ll clean this –she said. 

 

The woman served them soup and gave them bread. They tried to keep their manners but they were too hungry for that and eat as if there was no tomorrow. Even Peritas got a piece of chicken. Their host waited for them to finish eating, and them she asked. 

 

- Was it good?

 

- Delicious –they answered at the same time.

 

- That’s good to hear –the woman put both hands together in front of her face—By the way my name is Agape.

 

What does this woman has? She is not an ordinary woman –thought Hephaistion intrigue.

 

- I’m Alexander son of Philip and he is my lover, Hephaistion son of Amyntor –said the Prince.

 

His best friend was so distracted watching the woman that he didn’t paid attention of what Alexander had said until moments latter. His lover? Oh Gods! He didn’t know why but he didn’t like when Alexander talked about him like that, it was not that he was ashamed to be with him but he didn’t want to be known as the Prince’s lover. And again reality struck him, they were not equal and they would never be. He will be forever: Alexander’s friend, Alexander’s lover, Alexander’s warrior…

 

- Macedonians, eh? You too are far from your home –said Agape, then she smiled mysteriously—Don’t tell me that you are elopers?

 

Hephaistion blushed.

 

- You got us –Alexander lied, and his friend turned to see him with his eyes wide opened—Yes, we are elopers. You’ll see, our families hate each other since forever, an old family rivalry.

 

- And how did you meet each other? –asked Agape, fascinated.

 

- It was in one of Hephaistion’s family parties –said the Prince—My friend Ptolemy convinced me to attend. It was a costume party and there I saw him –Alexander turned to see his surprised friend—He was disguise as cupid with a pair of wings, and then I fell in love with him.

 

Agape sighed.

 

- And then? –she wanted to know. 

 

- I returned to his house after the party and went to his balcony to talk to him –the Prince continued—The talk hours and we kissed. But latter, I heard that Hephaistion’s father was planning to get him married with his cousin, I knew we could never be together unless we ran away, and that’s why we are here.

 

And there went Shakespeare’s plot for Romeo and Juliet, almost 2 thousand years before his time.

 

Agape laughed, fascinated with this piece of information. Hephaistion was in shock and he didn’t say a word.

 

- How fabulous! You are so romantic.

 

This high-pitch voice… what’s wrong with her? –Hephaistion said to himself, wondering…

 

- But, don’t tell me that you came all the way from Macedonia walking.

 

- No, a gang of thieves stole our horses and money –Alexander told her all about the attack, and at the end of his story she was shaking her head.

 

- Oh yes, the Wolves of Adler. They caused too much trouble around here and everybody is too scare to fight against them –said Agape—You must be really strong to have defeated 12 of his men –she made a pause—What is your plan now?

 

- Look for this Adler and take back our horses –if any other person had told Agape that, she would have laughed really hard but not with Alexander. He spoke with absolutely confidence and she believed him, even if the odds were against him.

 

She nodded.

 

- You can stay here the rest of night, tomorrow I will prepare you a bath for the 2…I mean 3 of you –Agape saw Peritas, scratching his side with his paw.   

 

- You are most kind, you have my gratitude –said the Prince and she smiled at him.

 

- I’m glad to be able to help a couple of elopers like you –Agape sighed—I adore love stories.

 

Agape gave them a pair of blankets to sleep on the floor and Peritas curl himself up against his master. Alexander embraced Hephaistion and leaned his head against his back, thanking the Gods for Agape and her kindness; he really didn’t fancy the idea of sleeping outside.

 

- Alex?

 

- Hm? –the Prince was almost asleep.

 

- Don’t you notice something strange in Agape? –Hephaistion whispered.

 

- Like what? –he was too tired to care—Don’t tell me you are thinking she is an agent of Attalos? You really are paranoid. 

 

- No, is not that –Hephaistion felt silent, thinking how to say it—I think, she is not a woman.

 

- What do you mean?

 

- I think she is man –even Peritas lifted his head in that moment.

 

- Are you sure? –asked Alexander in a whispered, sounding outraged.

 

- No, I’m not, but I think so… oh please, don’t be like that, after all she (or he) helped us –said Hephaistion but the Prince was still in shock.

 

- Do you think he is going to try to do something to us? –Hephaistion almost laughed.

 

Alexander could be fine with the idea of two men loving each other or sleeping together, but not with the idea of man dressing like a woman. 

 

- No Alex, I don’t think so, and even if he tries, which I doubt, I will protect your virtue, don’t worry –said his friend laughing. Alexander narrowed his eyes.

 

- Good night, Phai –he said grumpily.

 

- Good night, lover –said Hephaistion, mocking him.

 

Elopers! That sure was Alexander’s dumbest idea, and what he was thinking telling Agape that crazy story?!!…But the idea of running away with Alexander made him smile, thinking of how wonderful that would be.

 

XXX

 

Next day Agape prepared the boys a bath, leaving them numerous buckets with water outside her house, and fresh cloths. She also gave them some dresses for Hephaistion’s wounded leg. It was a very cold morning, and bathing outside with that weather was terrible, but they really need a bath. Peritas tried to run away but Alexander caught him and bathed him too. She gave them privacy and went to the market to buy some vegetables for the meal.  

 

When Agape returned, she found them inside the house and sighed dreamily watching Alexander attend Hephaistion’s wound with loving care.

 

- This cut is deep –said the Prince, frowning.

 

- I told you, I had worst wounds with my grandpa’s training.

 

- You should be more careful, last time you got an infection –Hephaistion pinched his nose playfully.

 

- I will.

 

- Promise me, that you will be more careful in the future –asked the Prince—You risk yourself too much when you fight. 

 

- I can’t do that –Alexander frowned.

 

- Why not?

 

- Because if someday you are in danger and I need to protect you, I would have to risk my life –said Hephaistion with simplicity, but that didn’t make Alexander happy.

 

- Hungry? –asked Agape, interrupting the conversation. They had been talking in Macedonian so she didn’t understand one word.

 

- Very much –answered the Prince.

 

- Oh dear Aphrodite! –exclaimed Agape, utterly surprised—Oh dear Goodness! You are very handsome –she said watching Hephaistion with her mouth opened. Now that she could admire him in the daylight and after a bath Agape saw his beauty in all his glory.

 

- Er…thank you? –Alexander frowned, he won’t admit it but he didn’t like when other people praised his beloved beauty. 

 

During the meal the Prince saw her intently and Hephaistion had to elbow him. And yes, Hephaistion was right, Agape was a man, but either of them said a thing in front of her.

 

Alexander had a crazy plan to recover their horses. After 2 days in the village he heard the people complaining about the thieves gang and he came out with a great idea.

 

XXX

 

To Leonnatos son of Anteas,

 

Finally! after 3 months here, I found a way to send letters to Pella. I only could write one letter, you’ll see, here is very difficult to get paper to write. I hope you can read this letter to Perdikkas and my family.

 

Alexander and I are fine. We spent 2 months on a small village near the border with Epirus, because a gang of thieves stole or horses. Alexander was furious as you can imagine, and he convinced the villagers to armed themselves against this gang. He made a small army and we went to the north of Illyria, to the mountains.

 

We encountered this gang, who called themselves the Wolves of Adler and Alexander massacred them. We recovered our horses and Alexander gave the villagers all the gold we found them. I don’t have to say to you that now they loved our dear Prince more than they love their own mothers.

 

 

 

After that we went to King Langarus’ castle. Langarus was happy to see Alexander, but I’m afraid that one of his barons is an agent of Attalos. Alexander told me I was paranoid, but after a week even he noticed strange things in this man. To Langarus completely disappointment we decided to leave his castle and travel even northern, near to the border with the Germanic tribes. He insisted in gave us an escort or at least a slave, but Alexander refused. It’s better this way.

 

I think that by now we should be brothers-in-law, I deeply regret not being able to attend your wedding. Please, tell my sister I’m sorry.

 

I’ll try to write again, but I don’t think I could do it soon.

 

Tell my family I loved them.

 

Hephaistion son of Amyntor.

 

XXX

 

(1) I don’t know if this is true, I wrote it because I think is a good pretext for them to know each other.

Note: I based this episode with the thieves on one of Caesar’s anecdotes, when a gang of pirates kidnapped him and he swore that as soon as he was free, he would haunt them and crucify them. And he did it.