Chapter 20

 

CHAPTER 20

 

- Attalos is even more unbearable than before the wedding –said Ptolemy.

 

At last the friends were together and they chose to meet in Leonnatos new house. It was close for everyone since it was located in Pella, near the palace. Leonnatos’ father, Anteas, had bought this house; Amyntor insisted in help with the expenses, but Anteas refused.

 

Hephaistion was smiling, he couldn’t help it, and even if the situation was incredibly bad for his dear Prince, his friend and his sister were so happy that was contagious. Berenike had given birth to a beautiful boy, who luckily looked a lot like her: black hair, white skin, and a pair of brown eyes. It were Paris’ eyes but Leonnatos’ mother, Iokaste, said it were Leonnatos grandfather’s eyes, so nobody asked.

 

Berenike was concerned when the baby was born; she had wished to have a girl because now it meant that Leonnatos’ heir would be the bastard son of his wife. But when she had said this to him, Leonnatos had smiled and said: “I’ll think of something” Nobody talked about this again, and they called the boy Amyntas in honor of Berenike’s father. 

 

Iokaste was living here by the moment with the pretext of helping Berenike with the baby, and 2 weeks ago Leonnatos’s sisters came too; they wanted to meet the baby and they were very excited to have another boy in the family, even Anteas was happy, he had always wanted another son. And that was not all, Antigone went almost every day to see her daughter, so poor Leonnatos had his house full with women, reason why he was so happy to have his friends there.

 

- What have Attalos done? –asked Alexander with interest, laying on his coach in Leonnatos’ garden.  

 

Ptolemy snorted.

 

- Where to start?… First, he has your father in his pocket, everything he wants he gets –said Ptolemy—He threw out all your mother’s things and installed his niece in her room. But I heard that your father’s wives took your mother’s things and save them from the garbage. They hate Cleopatra Eurydice, and poor girl because she is very sweet, but they hate her because of what she represents.  

 

- And that’s not all –said Perdikkas—There is also this Pausanias affair.

 

- Which Pausanias affair? –asked Hephaistion, eating an apple.

 

- Do you remember Pausanias of Orestis? –asked Leonnatos—I used to be his page.

 

- Oh yes, the one who speaks alone?

 

- The same –said his now brother-in-law.

 

- What happened with him? –asked Alexander.

 

- He was rape and beaten by Attalos’ men –said Perdikkas and the Prince and Hephaistion saw him with eyes wide opened.

 

- Why? What happened? –Alexander was the first to ask.

 

- It’s long and complicated –said Perdikkas, scratching his head.

 

- Do you remember that Pausanias of Orestis used to be the King’s lover? –asked Ptolemy, and the Prince nodded—Well, the King dumped him in a very… humiliating way and started to show an open interest for another Pausanias, one who happen to be an acquaintance of Attalos. Some people said that they were lovers, because this younger Pausanias was very handsome.

 

- Was? –asked Hephaistion, suspecting something very bad.

 

- Yes, he is dead –said Leonnatos.

 

Hephaistion blinked.

 

- How?

 

- So here you are! –exclaimed Berenike, walking to them and taking a seat at Leonnatos side in the same couch. She looked very beautiful and mature, she couldn’t stop smiling and that had her brother extremely happy—What are we talking about?

 

All the boys kept silent and Perdikkas and Ptolemy looked at each other, it was uncommon for a woman to interrupt a men’s conversation but Berenike was very modern to her time. In Amyntor’s house she was treated like her brothers, with the same rights, she could express her opinion, her father had taught her how to ride and Nikandros had taught her how to knock out a man in case she was attack on the street. Grandfather Demetrios taught her how to use a bow, but that was their little secret, and no one knew that she had a pretty good aim. 

 

- We are talking about Pausanias of Orestis –explained Leonnatos, who after a year married he was not only used to his independent and uncommon wife, he loved her even more, he could talk with her as if she was another of his friends. 

 

- Oh that was terrible –said Berenike, stealing grapes from her husband’s plate—That old wretched men of Attalos is convinced that thanks to Loony Pausanias his Pausanias died.

 

- Loony Pausanias? –asked Perdikkas trying not to laugh.

 

Berenike nodded.

 

- Leon told me that he speaks to himself –she explained, and Hephaistion smiled. Yes, that was his sister. If she had been born a man she would have been very popular, she was easy going and brave, simple, honest and direct. But in a woman those weren’t strong points. 

 

- And how did the other Pausanias die? –Alexander wanted to know.

  

- Mm –Berenike swallowed a grape—Your father took Pausanias to a battle and he died protecting the King. But Attalos is convinced that Pausanias killed himself because Loony Pausanias was making his life miserable since the King dumped him.

 

- And then Attalos invited Loony Pausanias to a feast in his house –Perdikkas continued—Had him drunk and then he let his servants and slaves to do as they please with him. 

 

Hephaistion was horrify and Alexander very quite.

 

- Next day, Loony Pausanias went to the King and told him everything –said Ptolemy—But the King did nothing.

 

- Nothing?! –Hephaistion exclaimed outraged.

 

- Nothing –said Ptolemy again—Now you see what I was saying, Attalos has the King in his pocket. I heard that by the end of the season the King is sending him and Parmelio to the Hellespont to start with the preparation for the Asian campaign.

 

The Prince remained silent for a long time. This was a lot of information and very important too, he will need time to understand the full implications of all of these, but at least he was sure of one thing: his personal influence in the court had being diminished thanks to his voluntary exile and the fact that his mother had remained in Epirus. He had no allies inside the palace.

 

- Do you know that Cleopatra Eurydice gave birth to a girl 2 months ago? –asked Ptolemy.

 

- No –answered Hephaistion, leaving his apple on a small table at his side.

 

- I think that was the reason why the King called Alexander back –said Ptolemy—If he would have had a son, then… I’m not so sure of what would have happened. And he can’t leave to Asia without an heir.

 

- She is pregnant again –said Berenike—Cleopatra Eurydice –she explained when the boys saw her with puzzle expressions—And I heard that she is doing all kind of sacrifices and prayers to have a boy this time.

 

That’s not good –thought Hephaistion.

 

- And you will never believe who is also a mother –said Berenike—Cynane, Gloomy Amyntas got her pregnant shortly after their marriage, can you believe it? –she said as if it was impossible for Amyntas to reproduce himself. 

 

- How do you know all this? –asked Perdikkas—You are better inform than Ptolemy.

 

- Thessa is my friend –explained the girl, referring to Alexander’s half sister Thessalonike.

 

- What did the King tell you when you return? –asked Perdikkas, but the Prince kept silent.

 

XXX

 

- We have no money –said Eumenes, the King’s secretary, in Philip’s study. Only Attalos and Parmelio were allowed to be present.

 

- What do you mean? –asked Attalos as if Eumenes was talking to him.

 

The secretary frowned but said nothing, he knew better than antagonized the King’s father-in-law. 

 

- Exactly what I say, we have no money –Eumenes said again—We haven’t pay the troops in 2 months and we have almost 30 thousand men on arms training and in reserve. The officers are starting to complain. 

  

- Complain? They are soldiers, they must do as they are told –said Attalos, spitting; he spate when he was angry.

 

- Is not that simple –said Parmelio in a conciliatory tone.

 

- No, is not –Philip rubbed his face—Just yesterday, while I was in the gymnasium, a group of soldiers cornered me, complaining loudly about the delay in the pay.

 

- But surely there must be money somewhere –said Attalos, he just couldn’t believe that the most powerful man in Greece was broke—What about the reserves?

 

- Almost empty –said Eumenes—We already used what we had in the royal treasure.

 

- But… then what can we do? –asked Attalos.

 

The King stood up.

 

- What else? We have to start the Asian campaign –said Philip—We will pay the men with the war spoils.

 

- And what about Alexandros of Epirus? –asked Parmelio—According to our spies Queen Olympias has convinced him to declare you war.

 

The King gave him a confident smile.

 

- I already solve that –said Philip—I offered him to marry my daughter Cleopatra, and he accepted immediately. We have not to worry about him –the King walked to the door—I’m hungry, lets eat before going to the barracks, I want to talk to the men. Eumenes, you are coming too.

 

Philip and his small group ate, and then went to the soldiers’ barracks. They crossed the city by horse, stopping every now and then to speak to some important citizen, or to greet someone. An officer near them had the courage to shout to the King asking for the pay, but Philip smiled and answered to everybody in calm. The group had just passed the Agora when Parmelio saw Alexander leaving Leonnatos’ house with Hephaistion at his side. 

 

- Oh Good Zeus, don’t! –exclaimed the old General in a low voice.

 

- What’s wrong? –asked Attalos, and Parmelio pointed out the 2 boys with his chin— Alexander? Why does he bother you?

 

- No, not him. Amyntor’s boy –said Parmelio barely moving his lips. 

 

Attalos turned and saw the tall and ungodly handsome boy of 19 years old. 

 

- What about him?

 

- Shshsh…don’t speak so load –Parmelio scolded him. Every time the King saw Hephaistion something bad happened, and he didn’t want even more troubles in the palace.

 

- What happened? –asked Philip turning on his horse.

 

- Nothing –the old General lied, confusing Attalos.

 

Please Great Father Zeus, I will make you a sacrifice tomorrow at first hour if the King doesn’t see Amyntor’s…

 

- Isn’t that Hephaistion? –asked Philip.

 

Son…–thought Parmelio.

 

- It’s Amyntor’s boy –said Attalos and Parmelio felt like strangulating his son-in-law.

 

- That lad, it can’t be right to be that beautiful –said the King taking Attalos by surprise.

 

As everybody else in Pella, he had heard about the King’s interest in one of Amyntor’s sons but he hadn’t witnessed this interest first hand. Now, watching Philip’s gaze while admiring Hephaistion’s gorgeous figure he knew that the key to control the King entirely was in Hephaistion not in Cleopatra Eurydice.

 

- Parmelio, what does Amyntor think about the situation with Alexander? –asked Attalos when they were alone in Attalos house.

 

The old General saw him with intensity, evaluation the question and it’s implications.

 

- What are you planning? –he knew better than to assume that this was an innocent question.

 

Attalos walked around his study, twisting his hands like a fly.

 

- The King likes his son –Parmelio forced a laugh.

 

- “Likes” is a soft word to describe what the King feels for that boy, he is OBSESSED with him –said the General—The King wanted to make him his eromenos and when the lad refused, he rape him –Attalos eyes were wide open with that revelation—Alexander hates his father for this… you see, Alexander is deeply in love with his best friend.

 

- How interesting… does Amyntor know any of this? –Parmelio shrugged.

 

- I doubt it –the General saw his son-in-law narrowing his eyes—Tell me, what are you planning?

 

- I’m thinking that maybe Amyntor would accept to be on our side, and be our eyes and ears when we part for the Hellespont –explained Attalos, taking a seat in front of his father-in-law—The King is sending us together to start with the Asian campaign, which is very understandable, we are the only men he can trust now, but when we go here will be no one to keep an eye on Alexander and to prevent that Queen Olympias return from Epirus.

 

- What makes you think that Amyntor will accept?

 

- He would be a fool if he can’t see that Alexander will never be King. It’s clear that the King wants Hephaistion, well lets give the lad to him and if Amyntor helps us he would be one of the most prominent men in Macedonia…no, in Persia as well! –Parmelio shook his head. 

 

- You don’t know Amyntor, he would never sell his family to gain power or glory.

 

- But he married his daughter to Anteas’ son, and now he is related to the royal house.

 

- That was different, Anteas’ boy got her daughter pregnant –explained Parmelio.

 

It wasn’t a bad idea, Parmelio told to himself. It was true, when he and Attalos were in the Hellespont they would leave the path free for Alexander and his mother; Philotas was still young to act if it were necessary, and a man like Amyntor with his reputation and connections in Macedonia and Athens would serve their cause greatly; that would also meant that Anteas will be on their side, because since the marriage of they children the relation between the 2 men was more than good, and with him the Lynkestian royal house will be supporting them. Philip would be more than happy and Alexander utterly defeated…but he knew that Amyntor would never agree to this, not even for all the gold of the Great King of Persia.

 

- It’s a good idea, and you can try if you like to speak to Amyntor –said the general—But I don’t think it will work.

 

- It will, I assure you.

 

- Lets hope so.

 

XXX

 

Attalos invited Amyntor and his wife to dinner at his house two days later. Hephaistion’s father had no idea what could the King’s father-in-law want with him, but he accepted the invitation. He attended with Antigone, even if his inner cricket told him that Attalos was not a good person and nothing good could come from him.

 

The dinner was delicious; Attalos personal cook (a slave who came from Egypt and claimed to have work for one of the Great King’s Satraps) made the most exquisite and expensive dishes. It was clear that he wanted to impress his only 2 guests with extravagant food and the magnificent hall of his new house. That was also strange; the dinner was an intimate one, just Attalos, his extremely young wife Daphne, and Amyntor and Antigone, and that put Amyntor on alert.

 

- I hope you have liked the dinner –said the host with a smile that intended to be kind, but on his face was creepy.

 

- It was delicious, Attalos, I thank you for your invitation –said Amyntor, lying on his couch in front of his host. Daphne and Antigone were sitting on chairs, since women weren’t allowed to eat laying on couches.

 

They had talked about everything and nothing in particular, and that intrigued Hephaistion’s father, he had been summoned here because of something in particular and now that the dinner was over the real reason for this sudden invitation was about to be reveal.

 

- I heard you are an excellent cook, Antigone –said Attalos, tasting his un-water wine.

 

Antigone smiled sweetly, like a good wife she didn’t speak in public if her opinion was not asked.

 

- You are too kind, I wouldn’t say “excellent”, I just like to cook –said Antigone, leaving her cup of lemonade, she didn’t drank wine, decent women didn’t drink wine.

 

- Daphne, why don’t you take Antigone to the kitchen? I’m sure she would like to meet our cook –said Attalos and his young wife obeyed.

 

Antigone smiled again and gave her thanks, following Daphne. She knew that now was the most important moment of the night, and the men needed to be alone.

 

Antigone didn’t like Attalos, for she he was the kind of man consumed by ambition; ruthless and capable of selling his own mother in order to get what he wanted. Antigone only had to look at Daphne to know what kind of man was the King’s father-in-law, Daphne was a scare little mouse, she wasn’t happy, and Antigone wouldn’t be surprise to hear if Attalos hit her. Antigone had no idea of what he wanted with her husband but she was sure it was nothing good. 

 

In the hall, Attalos served the best wine he had to his guest, gave him a cup and sat on the chair that Antigone had just empty, at his side.

 

- Amyntor, we haven’t talk too much, I have saw you a few time at the palace, that’s all –said Attalos trying to be kind and failing miserably, the man was just evil and couldn’t hide it. How was that the King and Parmelio stood him?—You must be wondering why did I invite you and your lovely wife tonight?

 

- You read my mind, Attalos –said Amyntor, all his senses on alert—I can’t think of a reason for your sudden interest in me.

 

Attalos smiled, and somewhere in the world a puppy died.

 

- I invited you because in a few days General Parmelio and I are leaving to secure the Hellespont with 10 thousand men –said Attalos—And I will like to have in Pella a man who I can trust.

 

Amyntor’s inner cricket shouted: danger! But he remained calm. The last thing he wanted was to have anything to do with this man.

 

- I’m sure you can find someone better than me, after all I’m not an important man –said Hephaistion’s father with caution.

 

- There you are wrong Amyntor, you are not an important man but you can be –Amyntor frowned—You see, I couldn’t avoid noticing that the King shows a special interest in you son –that was all that Amyntor needed to hear to be absolutely sure that this man was always bad news—I want the King to be happy, have you seen him recently?

 

- No.

 

- Well, he doesn’t look good, and soon he would be off to fight against the Great King leaving my dear Cleopatra Eurydice’s son as his legitimate heir –said Attalos with absolute confidence.

 

- We still don’t know if your niece is going to produce a healthy boy –Amyntor pointed out.

 

- She will, trust me –Attalos spoke as if he had bribed Artemis in order to secure the birth of a male heir—What I’m trying to say Amyntor, is that Alexander will never be King and you should take advantage of what you have. The King is a far better match for your son that a disgrace Prince.

 

- What you are saying to me is that I should convince Hephaistion to accept the King as his lover? –Amyntor’s voice was full of a cold anger.

 

- It’s the wise thing to do; you and your family will gain nothing if you stayed with Alexander –said Attalos.

 

- You insult my son and me if you think we will accept such a thing; that will dishonor us.

 

- The King is the King, you are a fool if you can’t see that.     

 

- Then I am a fool –said Amyntor, his voice firm—Hephaistion is free to chose who he want to love.

 

Attalos laughed, amused with that words.

 

- Love… this has nothing to do with love –he said in an ugly voice—The King wants your son, and I, as his faithful servant, want him to be happy.

 

- Happy? You want to gain his favor –said Amyntor angry—You want to use my son in order to improve your own position in the court.

 

- And what’s wrong with that? If you were smart you will be doing the same –Amyntor stood, he would not continue there listening foolishness.

 

- Amyntor! –Attalos called after him, seeing his guest walking to the door—Amyntor the King rape your son.

 

WHAT?! –thought Hephaistion’s father, stopping, his back turned to Attalos.

 

- The King rape him when he was his page, it’s true –Attalos explained—And if you don’t want that all Pella knows about this you will think about my words tonight. 

 

All the way back home Amyntor was extremely silent, and that had Antigone concerned. She had never saw that expression in her husband and knowing Attalos reputation she knew something really bad had happened.

 

Amyntor for his part was furious and hurt; he wanted to shout, to cry, to hit someone…to kill the King. Now he understood Hephaistion’s behavior when he was a page, why his eyes were so sad and why he always spoke with bitterness about the King, why he had been so rude with Melas Kleitos in the workshop, why Hephaistion had been appointed to the Ile Basilike… everything had sense now.

 

Amyntor could understand Hephaistion’s motives for not telling him what had happened, at least Nikandros knew, he was sure; but he wished his son had told him. He felt so impotent, what can he do against the all mighty Philip? The most powerful man in Greece, the Champion of the oracle of Delphi, the Hegemon of the Hellenic League, the man that had put Thebes on it’s knees. He, who was only an infuriated father…oh how he wish the King dead, he hadn’t hate a man so much as the King in that moment. 

 

XXX

 

- My father is furious –said Leonnatos to his friends, months later. They were in the Prince quarters at the palace—The King gave Attalos lands that had been in my family since ages ago.

 

- Holy Medusa! –exclaimed Perdikkas—Why did he do that?

 

- I don’t know –Leonnatos shook his head—The King said that those lands were his too, since his mother was first cousin of my father, and that he could do with them as he pleases.

 

- He is mad –said Nearchus, sitting at the side of another of the Prince’s advisers: Erigyius of Mytilene who attended this meeting with his brother Laomedon—Sorry Alexander.

 

- You don’t need to apologize, you are right he is mad –said the Prince—Luckily Attalos is gone with Parmelio, and we have a little peace in the palace.

 

- Do you have news about what’s going on in the Hellespont? –asked Hephaistion, arms crossed and his back leaning against the wall.

 

- Ptolemy said he had news, that’s why he wants to have this reunion –said Alexander.

 

- And where is he? –asked Harpalos.

 

- I’m here –said Ptolemy arriving.

 

Now all of Alexander’s friends were there.

 

- Why all the mystery? What news do you have? –asked Perdikkas, pulling out the threads of a cushion.

 

- Bad news I’m afraid –said Ptolemy intriguing them—Attalos and Parmelio had secured the Hellespont.

 

- And why is that bad? –asked Leonnatos frowning. 

 

- Let me finish Leon –asked Ptolemy, and took a deep breath—They secured the Hellespont and one of the local landlords in eager to be in the winning side, a man named Pixodarus. He is in very bad terms with the Persians since he usurped the throne of Halicarnassus banishing his sister Ada, the rightful ruler. He wants a military alliance with Macedonia and sent a marriage proposal to the King.

 

Alexander frowned.

 

- For me?

 

- That’s the bad part, is not for you but for your half brother Philip Arrhidaeus –said Ptolemy and everybody felt silent.

 

- This has reached the limit –said Alexander angry—First he arranged the marriage between Amyntas and Cynane. Amyntas! Who is the son of the previous King. Then the King wants to have another son with a Macedonian woman and now he is making marriage alliances with Arrhidaeus. He is leaving me behind!   

 

- Why don’t you write to Pixodarus? –asked Harpalos—You can offer him to marry his daughter with you?

 

- That’s a good idea –said Nearchus.

 

- Good idea? That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard –said Hephaistion walking to Alexander—Alex, Pixodarus is a nobody he must know that your brother is sick and that is why he is offering his daughter to him. It’s a good deal for him and your father, since nobody else in his right mind will marry his daughter to Arrhidaeus.

 

- Whose side are you Hephaistion? –Harpalos confronted him.

 

- The side of reason, and this whole idea is foolishness.

 

- No, it’s not –said Alexander, taking his best friend by surprise—It could work, and in that way I will show the King that I’m still the Crown Prince and that he can’t leave me behind.

 

Everybody, with the exception of Hephaistion, Perdikkas and Leonnatos agreed with him.

 

- Alex, listen to me, you are going to make things worst –said Hephaistion trying to reason with him—What are you going to tell your father when he finds out what you have done?

 

- The problem with you Hephaistion is that you are jealous –said Harpalos in a nasty tone.

 

- Excuse me? –Hephaistion turned to see him.

 

- You don’t want Alexander to get married, that is why you disagree –Hephaistion punched Harpalos so hard that he literally flew before falling on the floor. Nobody moved a muscle; they knew how strong was Hephaistion.

 

The Prince didn’t say a word and that hurt his best friend. Was he thinking too that he was jealous? That he was just acting like that because he wanted Alexander all for himself?

 

- Are you sure you want to do this? –Hephaistion held Alexander’s gaze.

 

- I’m sure.

 

- I don’t approve this, but if you made up your mind, then is up to you –said Hephaistion and left the room with Perdikkas and Leonnatos.

 

Time gave me the reason; the Pixodarus affair only complicated even more the situation of Alexander. King Philip was furious when he discovered that Alexander had sent the famous actor Thessalus as his ambassador to Pixodarus court. Do you think this is strange? To send an actor as an ambassador? Well, in my time it wasn’t uncommon, Greeks did it all the time and since Thessalus was also a friend of Alexander, he accepted. Philip knew about his son’s plans thanks to Philotas, and ordered that Thessalus should be brought to him.

 

 It was a terrible moment for my Alexander, to see his friend in chains thanks to him… but that wasn’t all, oh no, Philip was so mad that he exiled Ptolemy, Nearchus, Harpalos, Erigyius and his brother Laomedon. The King had appointed these men as the Prince’s advisors and they had advised him in the worst way possible, so he cast them away.      

 

The situation came from bad to worst; on the streets you could hear people talking about Alexander not being his father’s son, and more and more people started to doubt it.  As if things couldn’t be worst, Cleopatra Eurydice gave birth a son. It was just a matter of time for the King to name his newborn son Caranus, his heir. After all he had named him after the mythical founder of the Argead dynasty.

 

 I had to do something, and I could think of just one thing to do…

 

It was a stormy night. It was the Macedonian month of Panemos, now known as June; the King was planning an ostentatious wedding ceremony for his daughter and King Alexandros of Epirus and, at the same time, he was planning a ceremony in which he was going to parade the images of the Olympian Gods along with an image of himself. The entire palace was busy with the preparations for the one-week celebrations in the ancient capital of Aegae, even if it was late at night the place was full of live, and you could see people running in all directions. It was clear that the King was spending the money he didn’t have.

 

Hephaistion had heard that Philip was going to Aegae in 2 days. He hadn’t much time.

 

As Hephaistion walked to the King’s study a lighting bolt illuminated the corridor, the only thing he could hear was the sound of his footsteps; the servants’ voices were now something remote. He had a personal conflict in his soul, in his heart he knew what he was doing was wrong, but it was the only solution he had. Alexander was about to lose everything and he couldn’t just sit and watched it happen.

 

Another thunder. The sky was tearing apart. When he passed in front of a window, the wind opened it with savage fury, slamming the doors against the walls; the cold wind hit him, carrying water inside the palace. It was as if the Gods were disapproving his actions, but he didn’t believed in the Gods, so he didn’t care about omens. Hephaistion stopped watching the storm, the black sky illuminated by lighting bolts, the fierce power of nature against Pella.

 

He smiled.

 

He couldn’t have chosen a better night.
 

- The King has granted you an audience –said Eumenes, seeing Hephaistion with distrust. He didn’t like the lad, and even less since he knew how much trouble he had cause in the royal family.

 

Eumenes thought that Hephaistion was nothing more than a spoil brat who knew perfectly well how to use his charm to obtain what he wanted. He was sure that Hephaistion had too faces and was more ambitious than Attalos; the last thing he wanted was to have him near the King, he already had a lot of troubles with Attalos, but he had no authority to ban him the entrance to the palace.

 

- Thank you –Hephaistion entered the King’s study and found Philip sitting in front of his desk. Working on a map of Asia that Parmelio had just sent him.

 

- What do you want? –asked Philip, his silhouette illuminated by the ghostly light of the storm.

 

- I want to talk to you, sire –said Hephaistion, he spoke like a prince having an audience with an equal.

 

The King didn’t lift his head. He didn’t want to see Hephaistion; he knew that in the moment he saw the boy he would be lost, beyond salvation.

 

- About what?

 

- About Alexander –said Hephaistion, and Philip stopped writing.

 

He sighed heavily and straightened himself. Oh yes, Hephaistion was magnificent, as always, and he couldn’t avoid admiring this beautiful creature standing in front of his desk.

 

- What about Alexander?  

 

- You can’t repudiate him, he is your best choice for an heir and you know it –said Hephaistion and Philip snorted.

 

- You came to tell me what to do?

 

- No, I came to offer you a deal –Hephaistion was too serious—Keep Alexander as your legitimate heir…–he made a pause, it was so difficult to say what he had plan to say and for a long moment a heavy silent fell upon them. Philip’s blue eye saw him with interest; the strong sound of the rain pouring on the palace’s roof was the only sound they could hear.

 

- And what? What can you possible offer me to make me change my mind?           

 

- I will give you what you have always wanted –said Hephaistion at last, and an ugly smiled curved the King’s lips.

 

Victory at last!

 

- And what is that I have always wanted? –he was toying with Hephaistion, of course he knew of what they were talking about, but he wanted to hear it from that beautiful mouth.

 

Hephaistion clenched his jaw. Being there alone with the King was very difficult to him, so many bad memories. The worst moment of his life was being rape by this man, and here he was, offering himself to the man he despised the most. But he did this for Alexander, if this entire charade was revenge, then it was in him to finish this madness.

 

- I will sleep with you –he said firmly and a thunder made the window trembled.

 

- If you want to assure the throne for your lover I want something else –that was something Hephaistion didn’t expect, but he concealed his surprised the best he could—You are 20, too old to be my eromenos, but you can be my lover.  

 

- You want me to leave Alexander –that wasn’t a question.

 

- You are asking for the Macedonian throne, Hephaistion, not for a worthless piece of land –said the King standing up—You want to see Alexander as a King, fine, but I want you as my lover and don’t you dare to tell my son a word of this agreement because in that moment I will name Caranus my heir.

 

- If I do that he would ask me why have I chosen you –said Hephaistion closing his eyes.

 

- Then make him believe you don’t longer love him –oh, Philip was enjoying himself. This was the best way to take revenge on his son and had what he always wanted, all at the same time.

 

Hephaistion’s body trembled. Philip was asking him to hurt the person he loved the most, his very reason to live.

 

But for once he is right –thought Hephaistion—I’m asking too much, is just fair to give too much in return.

 

- You have my word –said Hephaistion at last, his wonderful gray eyes on the King—I will be your lover and I won’t say a word about this conversation to Alexander...or to anyone.

 

Philip smiled, he couldn’t be happier, not even if he had conquered Persia.

 

- Excellent, then what do you say? Shouldn’t we start knowing us better? –the King walked to him, now Hephaistion was taller than he and stronger, but he didn’t care, and stole from his sweet lips a kiss.

 

It was like kissing the wall. Hephaistion didn’t return the King’s attentions and that made Philip to click his tongue.

 

- No, no, no…if you want this to work, you will have to make me believe that you desire me –the King said, caressing his long hair, enjoying his silkiness. He was so close to Hephaistion that Hephaistion could feel his breath on his lips. He wanted to vomit—I want to know how do you kiss my son.

 

- Do you want me to pretend that you are Alexander? –that was too much, but the look in Philip’s eye told him everything . Yes, this was revenge. He closed his eyes again and took a depth breath—Fine.

 

Hephaistion used all his self-control and all his imagination to think of his dear Prince, he had to see Alexander in his mind as if he was standing in front of him, and then he closed the distance between he and Philip and kissed him, making his biggest effort to feel Alexander’s lips, to taste him and to smell his skin.

 

It worked better than Hephaistion had thought and soon he had the King moaning.

 

- That was… —Philip whispered, liking his lower lip. He never though he could envy anyone; after all he was the most powerful man in Greece, but now he envy his son. That kiss had been the most loving and beautiful kiss he had received in his entire life, and he knew it was not for him, but for his son—You will spend the night with me.

 

Hephaistion said nothing, he had expected this, but that didn’t make the whole situation any easier.

 

What have I done? –he thought.

 

XXX

 

Next day, when Hephaistion opened his eyes and saw the unfamiliar ceiling he didn’t knew where he was. Had he been drinking?… then he started to remember. His talk with the King and that dreadful agreement. He was in the King’s chamber. Philip was no longer in bed; at least Hephaistion wouldn’t have to see him…at least for now. He felt sick and dirty, the only thing he wanted was to go to his house, take a bath and try to forget about his night with Philip.

 

I’ll have to get use to this –he thought with weariness—I’m doing this for Alexander, I have to be strong.

 

He looked for his cloths and got dress in record time. He had no idea of what he was going to say to his family, his friends… and more important, what was he going to say to Alexander. Maybe after a bath and eating his mother food he could think more…

 

- Phai!

 

Oh, no –thought Hephaistion, caught leaving the King’s room.

 

- Phai, what are you doing here? –asked Alexander, when he saw that his friend was still holding the door’s knob—You were in the King’s chamber. Why?  

 

- Because I spent the night here –said Hephaistion in an arrogant tone that confused the Prince.

 

- Why? –that was the only thing he could ask.

 

- I think that’s obvious.

 

- What is wrong with you? –what was happening here? Had he hit his head when he woke up? Was he dreaming? Why was Hephaistion in the King’s room? And why was he talking to him like that?

 

Hephaistion looked at him in silent. He had no idea of what to say or if he will be capable of doing what Philip had asked for him.

 

- I’m tired Alexander –he said at last without looking at him, he was sure that his eyes could betray his feeling—I’m tired of having problems at the court because of you, every time you have problems with your father I lose. I went to exile in Illyria because of you! And how did you pay me? You ignore me in front of your friends and treated me like a jealous lover when I tried to warn you about the Pixodarus affair.

 

The Prince saw him in astonishment. He couldn’t be hearing those words leaving the sweet mouth of Hephaistion.

 

- Phai, I understand that you are angry with me because of what happened with Pixodarus. I’m sorry, you were right I should have listen to you –said Alexander slowly—But don’t try to tell that you are tired of me, because I don’t believe you, not after all we have lived together.

 

- Fine, I don’t care if you believe or not, the point is I don’t want to see you again.

 

The Prince laughed.

 

- Phai, I truly don’t know what you are playing at…

 

- I’m not playing anything –Hephaistion was too serious—And if you don’t believe my words, then believe my actions and answer yourself: why did I sleep with the King last night?

 

His words hit Alexander harder than a blow, he just stayed were he was and saw his best friend, his soul mate, leaving. His brain was numb, he couldn’t think properly. Hephaistion had slept with his father, why? WHY?! The Prince felt he couldn’t breath, suddenly the world was a strange place to him, he needed to get out, to think… he didn’t know what to do because without Hephaistion he was lost.

 

Hephaistion for his part, tried to keep his head cold, walking until he was far enough for Alexander and then he started to run, he wanted to run away, to disappear, he was the lowest creature on the world for hurting the person he love the most.

 

But I’m doing this for your own good Alexander, please…forgive me even if I can’t forgive myself…–he thought arriving to his house.

 

He didn’t eat; he just stayed in his room, laying on his bed telling himself over and over again that this was the best for his beloved Prince.

 

XXX

 

Finally, in the next episode: Philip’s murder.