CHAPTER 24

 

When she heard that the high officers of the Macedonian army were coming to this house she didn’t know how to feel. She didn’t like Macedonians, she had met a few in her years as a hetaira, and she considered them barbaric and rude. But, in the other hand, if she could seduce one of these high officers, maybe he would take her with him to Asia.

 

She was an intelligent and educated woman, she knew that the late Macedonian King was going to invade Asia and that his son had the same goal, she also knew that the only reason why the new King hadn’t do it was because Demosthenes had succeeded in making the Greeks believe the new King was a mere boy, and they had nothing to fear from Macedonian with Philip dead. After all, what was Macedonia without Philip? Before Philip Macedonia was a backwater kingdom, it was him who made his homeland a fierce enemy.

 

She didn’t know the new Macedonian King and had no idea if he would be as good as his father, but for now he was her only chance to see her father again.

 

She was born with another name, the same name of her deceased mother who had died in child birth. Her father, Lykaon had raised her up, and everything was perfect until his father had married again. Her stepmother hated her and as soon as Lykaon had gone to Asia to work as a mercenary for the famous Memnon of Rhodes, her stepmother had sold her to this hetairas’ house. She was 9 years old at that time. Now she was 17 and was the most famous hetaira in Athens, her name now was Thais.

  

- Thais –her young slave called her, while brushing her long hair. Thais had blond-orange hair and bright blue eyes, which combined with her white skin, gave her a magnificent appearance—You are very silent, what’s on your mind?

 

- I’m thinking about the Macedonians, Sophonisba –said Thais to her Numidian slave. Sophonisba was 14 years old; but she had been sold as a slave since her 6 birthday. She had all kind of terrible and abusive masters, until Thais saw her at the slave market and bought her. Sophonisba adored Thais, she treated the Numidian as a sister, there were no secrets between them, and the Numidian was ready to give her life for her mistress. 

 

- Are you still thinking in going to Asia to look for your father? –Thais nodded.

 

- The Macedonian King is going to invade the Persian Empire, and I heard Memnon is working for the Great King –said the hetaira, admiring her beautiful face on the surface of the polish bronze that served her as mirror.

 

- I don’t like Macedonians.

 

- Neither do I, but I can’t travel alone to Persia, the Macedonians are my best option –said Thais—Bring me my pink dress, it will go lovely with my pearls.

 

Sophonisba did as she was told and Thais dressed up as if she was going to seduce the Great King. She was determined to look for his father, even if she had to go on her knees to Asia.

XXX

 

- I don’t want to go –said Hephaistion while his brother was, literally, dragging him to the hetairas’ house.

 

Nikandros, Ptolemy, Perdikkas and Leonnatos had heard of the most famous house of hetairas in all Greece, and of course they wanted to go and see if what people said about this place was true. Hephaistion wanted to stay in his aunt house, since the King had an important meeting and wouldn’t be available until next day, but Perdikkas and Nikandros “convinced” him to go with them; and he accepted only because the other choice was to stay with his aunt listening how people would start calling him a pansy for not going with his friends to spend a good time with the hetairas.

 

- You complain too much, Phai –said Nikandros, reaching the famous house.

 

- Tell me something; aren’t you at least curious to know how this place is? –asked Perdikkas, so excited that he was like a kid in his birthday.

 

- I heard they have the most beautiful women in Greece –said Ptolemy.

 

- All right, I’m coming but I’m not staying all night –said Hephaistion, freeing his arm from his brother’s grip.

 

- You will change your mind as soon as you see these beauties –said Ptolemy, his eyes shining as the ones of a dog in front of the a butcher’s shop.

 

I doubt it –thought Hephaistion. The only way he could stay was if Alexander was there…and for a moment Hephaistion toyed with the idea of his beloved in a hetairas’ house.

 

- Who are you? –asked one of the big guards at the entrance; he was so big that Hephaistion was sure he would make Hercules look like a mouse.

 

The guard had no weapons, but armed him will be as pointless as to armed a hurricane; he looked more than capable of throwing all of them out if they made him angry.

 

- We are the Macedonian high officers of King Alexander’s army –said Nikandros, with the ease of someone used to boast and lie.

 

The guard saw Nikandros and lifted and eyebrow, then he looked at the rest with skepticism.

 

- You are too young to be high officers –said the guard.

 

And that was true. Since King Philip had died 5 months ago, Alexander kept all of his father’s high officers in their posts, even if his friends were now included in the war councils there hasn’t been an opportunity to put them in charge of the important infantry taxeis and cavalry squadrons. To put a young man of 20 years old in charge of the most veteran troops of Philip would be asking for disaster.

 

- Of course we are young, we are the King’s closest friends and he isn’t exactly old, you know –said Perdikkas, but the guard looked even less convinced.

 

- Look, if you are concerned about our financial situation, here, this is a small sign of our wealth –said Ptolemy, giving the guard a small leather bag.

 

The guard took the bag and crossed his arms again, without letting them pass.

 

- Isn’t there a way for you to let us pass? –asked Leonnatos, he had never meet a hetaira and was very curious about them. 

 

- Let’s go, we are just making fools of ourselves –said Hephaistion, and then Nikandros was strike by a great idea.

 

- You know friend? Don’t let us pass –said Nikandros, and his companions saw him in utterly confusion—But beware, this man you see here –he took Hephaistion by the shoulders—Is the King’s lover –his brother blushed—And I can assure you that the King won’t be pleased when he hears that you didn’t let his beloved pass with his friends.

 

For once, the guard doubted. He saw Hephaistion, who was about to kill his brother and then he nodded.

 

- Fine, you may enter.

 

- Thank you –said Nikandros.

 

They were taken to a big pool inside the house where beautiful women were laughing and playing while attending their clients.

 

- Nick that was brilliant! –exclaimed Perdikkas and Leonnatos nodded.

 

- I’m always glad to be of service.

 

- How could you?! –said Hephaistion, still embarrassed and outraged.

 

- Phai, don’t be dramatic, it was the true, you are Alexander’s lover –said his brother.

 

- “The King won’t be pleased when he hears that you didn’t let his beloved pass” Alexander couldn’t care less if I’m denied the entrance to a hetairas’ house, in fact he would be please to hear I couldn’t get in –said Hephaistion.

 

- Look at it in this way, you helped your friends to get in and we are very grateful for that –said Ptolemy, bowing.

 

- Morons –muttered Hephaistion, when a familiar and rude laugh floated to them. 

 

No please, not him, not tonight and not here –thought Hephaistion, when his gray eyes settled on Kraterus, sitting on the edge of the pool with a beautiful and half naked woman at his side. 

 

- I’m going home –said Hephaistion.

 

- What?! –exclaimed Perdikkas.

 

- Why?! –asked Ptolemy.

 

- What’s wrong with you? –asked his brother, and Leonnatos just stared at him confused.

 

But before Hephaistion could say something to explain his behavior...

 

- Babe! What are you doing here? Isn’t the King’s cock enough for you? –Kraterus shouted so loud, that Hephaistion was sure the entire street had heard him.

 

Don’t kill him, don’t kill him –though Hephaistion taking a deep breath. He was grateful that the guards at the entrance had taken all their weapons, because he was sure that if he had had his swords, he would have thrown them to Kraterus before thinking.

 

- Kraterus! It has been a while –said Nikandros, walking to him.

 

- Nick! I thought your sorry-cavalry-ass had been killed by now –said the big man, standing to greet Nikandros.

 

- I didn’t know you had met my brother.

 

- Your brother? –Kraterus saw Hephaistion and then Nikandros again—This is your brother?

 

- Are you always this nice? –asked Hephaistion; and he was so angry, that he didn’t see that all the women in the pool had turned to admire him. 

 

- Phai, don’t get mad, I’m sure Kraterus is joking –said Ptolemy in a conciliatory tone, but that didn’t help much—Isn’t that…? –but Ptolemy stopped talking at the same time Thais made her appearance.

 

She looked wonderful in her pink dress, walking as if she was the Queen of Athens, with calculated moves and a grace that many ladies of the aristocracy would have killed to have. Thais smiled at some of the clients, and then, when she turned she opened her eyes in surprise.   

 

- Apollonia –asked Thais to the girl who was serving the wine—Who is that man? The tall one?

 

Apollonia turned to where Thais was pointing and giggle.

 

- Oh, the handsome one –said Apollonia watching Hephaistion—All the girls asked me the same thing.

 

All the girls? –Thais didn’t like that.

 

Apollonia was the one who made the intelligence service for Lamia, the owner of the house. She knew every gossip in the city and was very well inform about politics and politicians. Since Lamia had heard about the visit of the Macedonian King she had ordered Apollonia to do the necessary inquiries before letting them inside her house; oh because she was sure they were going to visit her, and Lamia didn’t want in her house some rank soldier claiming to be the right hand of the King.  

 

- Is he Macedonian? –asked the hetaira.

 

- Yes, he is –Thais heart beat faster.

 

This is my lucky night, Oh Aphrodite! He is gorgeous and is Macedonian, if I can make him fall for me it would be perfect –thought Thais, excited when she remember the part of “all the girls asked me about him” Time for business.    

 

Thais had an excellent relation with all the girls and especially with the guards. She needed allies inside the house. She was a survivor, and knew that if she wanted to succeed in finding his father she would need money and the help of a powerful man; but in her position there was only one way to achieved this. Thais was the most famous hetaira in the city and had an exclusive clientele, she was making Lamia rich and for that she was allowed to have her own savings.

 

She never stole other girl’s clients but this time Thais was ready to fight. This was a golden opportunity and she wasn’t going to let it pass.

 

- What else do you know about him? –asked Thais, watching the group of Macedonians take a seat on the couches. Hephaistion didn’t look happy.   

 

- It depends –said Apollonia, and the hetaira immediately knew what she meant.

 

Thais smiled sweetly.

 

- Well, if I could get more information about him, more than any other girl, I’ll be so grateful that I could give my pearls to my informer –Apollonia’s eyes shone.

 

The girl nodded.

 

- His name is Hephaistion son of Amyntor –said Apollonia in a low voice—I heard he is the Macedonian King’s lover.

 

- I’m not surprise, not with that looks –said Thais—What else?

 

- He is a war hero, he was rewarded after the battle of Chaeronea –Apollonia continued— Apparently he is a fierce warrior.

 

- Is he married?

 

- No, not married or engaged. But beware, I heard he is madly in love with the King and the King adores him –said the girl, changing the jug of wine, from one hand to the other.

 

- That’s all? –Apollonia nodded.

 

- Yes, but if you want I can ask more questions for you.

 

- Do it, and Apollonia, don’t say a word to anyone else and I’ll give you a beautiful pair of earrings for your pearls –Apollonia smiled.

 

- You can count on me.

 

Thais spent some time observing Hephaistion, it was clear that he was uncomfortable there and for what she saw he disliked greatly the big man in front of him. She also noticed Ptolemy, who looked at her with insistence, but she had eyes only for Hephaistion.

 

At last Thais saw her opportunity. She took Apollonia by the arm, when the girl was ready to serve the Macedonians more wine (they surely knew how to drink) and took the jug.

 

- May I serve you more wine? –asked Thais, in her sweetest voice.

 

- Holy Pegasus! –exclaimed Perdikkas, when he saw her.  

 

- Hello. Where have you been hiding, miss? –asked Kraterus, watching her from head to toe.

 

- What’s your name? –asked Ptolemy without loosing time.

 

- Thais, sir –answered the hetaira, her eyelashes modestly down, while she was serving the wine. Kraterus smacked her on the butt, making Nikandros laughed. Thais only smiled and said nothing.

 

- Thanks, honey –said Nikandros.

 

Leonnatos only smiled and drank his wine. She left Hephaistion to the last. 

 

- The wine doesn’t please you, sir? –asked the hetaira, seeing Hephaistion’s long face. 

 

He lifted his eyes to see her and Thais blushed. She was blushing! Like a school girl, what’s happening to her? But she couldn’t help it; those were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.

 

- The wine is fine –said Hephaistion.

 

- Then, can I do something for you? –her voice was soft, a perfect balance between seduction and shyness that had Ptolemy drooling.

 

- No, thanks.

 

- Phai, are you insane?! –exclaimed Nikandros, watching him as if he was a ghost.

 

Kraterus laughed.

 

- I never thought you were such a pansy –that was all Hephaistion needed to kill him. Leonnatos and Perdikkas had to jump to catch him before he punched Kraterus. What had everyone with that word lately…”pansy”?

 

- Well, I can think of a couple of things you can do to help ME –said Ptolemy. Thais smiled politely, but she had no intentions in letting Hephaistion go so easily.

 

- Maybe a bath would relax you, sir –said the hetaira, and Hephaistion accepted just to have a pretext to go.

 

Kraterus could be proud; he was the only one who could make him that angry…well, besides Alexander, but that had been long time ago, the first time they met. And he was sure that this time he wouldn’t end in love with Kraterus… just the idea made him sick, especially when he remembered the kiss he had stolen from him, iuk!

 

- You don’t like that man –said Thais, sitting on the edge of a small marble pool, washing his back. They were alone in a beautiful room with a magnificent painting on the ceiling, showing the sirens signing for Poseidon.

 

Sophonisba, had lit incense, and had brought a jug of the most expensive wine Lamia had. She knew how important this man was for her mistress, and she wanted to help Thais, even if she couldn’t do much.

 

- Is that obvious? –said Hephaistion. Thais was very good in her job, and worked on his shoulders with expertise to make him relax, that and the fact that Hephaistion inspired her.   

 

- Who is he?

 

- Kraterus son of Alexandros –said Hephaistion. She could be really good giving massages but he preferred Alexander’s hands on him.

 

Thais saw that he didn’t want to talk about this Kraterus, and she changed the subject.

 

- I heard that your King met the philosopher Diogenes, today –said the hetaira.

 

Hephaistion nodded.

 

- A strange man –he said— Alexander told Diogenes to ask him for anything he wanted and he answered to the King: could you please move so I can see the sun?... Have he always been like that? 

 

- Yes, since I was a little girl I have heard about him –said Thais. She leaned to the front pressing slightly her breasts against his back, almost like accident —What did your King say about him?

 

- He said: “if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes”(1)

 

- Do you think he mean it? –she caressed his hair, and what a beautiful hair he had! Not even the finest silk was like it.

 

- Oh, yes –said Hephaistion—People have troubles understanding Alexander because they never know if he is being serious or if he is joking. The answer is that he almost never jokes; you have to take him serious, always.

 

Thais made a mental note for that. She took her finger behind his ears, caressing his skin softly, but then he turned and took her by the wrists.

 

- Don’t do that, please –asked Hephaistion, holding her gaze. Thais could see his cheek were slightly pink. She didn’t knew it but the delicate skin behind his ears were one of his hot spots and she was arousing him.

 

But one mistake was too many, and his adventure with Cleopatra was the last mistake he made with women. He would have to be a rock to feel nothing around Thais, she was very beautiful and attractive, but he had made up his mind, no more casual sex. 

 

- I have no intensions of sleeping with you –he said with calm—So please, stop trying.

 

Thais nodded.

 

If Thais had told me the story of his father, I would have bought her from Lamia and take her with me to Asia. But she didn’t trust men and least of all strangers. Thais tried really hard to make me like her, and she succeeded, but not in the way she wanted. She was a very intelligent and educated woman and that was a strange phenomenon in my time.

 

But that wasn’t the last time I heard from her.

 

XXX

 

- It’s all done –said Alexander to Hephaistion while they were eating their dinner at the King’s tent. They had leave Athens days ago and were going to Delphi— Hecataeus wrote me, Attalos is dead.

 

- What happened? –asked Hephaistion, giving Peritas a piece of chicken.

 

- Demosthenes had been writing to Attalos and Parmelio since he heard about my father’s death. I had all the letters with me, Parmelio sent them –said Alexander—I would like if you could read them and gave me your opinion about them –his friend nodded—Demosthenes tried to convince Attalos and Parmelio to fight against me with Athens help, and according to Hecataeus and Parmelio the one who jumped to the offer was Attalos.

 

- I presume that Parmelio chose your side after talking with Hecataeus –Peritas scratched Hephaistion’s leg asking for more food.

 

- Yes, he helped Hecataeus and they stuffed Attalos’ head and sent it to me.

 

- What are you going to do with Cleopatra Eurydice and her children?

 

Alexander rubbed his eyes.

 

- I haven’t decided.

 

- You and I know that the most convenient thing is to kill them –the idea of killing a woman and her 2 babies revolted Hephaistion, but he knew that would be the most convenient thing to do—Or you can do as your father did with Gloomy Amyntas, and name your half brother Caranus your heir until you have a son.

 

- That’s a brilliant idea! I haven’t thought that –the King nodded—That would make everybody happy, and without Attalos Cleopatra Eurydice is no longer a threat. Thank you, Phai –Hephaistion smiled— By the way, I want to name you Somatophylake –said Alexander changing the subject.

 

Hephaistion blinked.

 

- Me?

 

- Yes, you. You already are my bodyguard, why not to make it official?

 

- I don’t know what to say –that took him by surprise, nobody in his family had ever had this honor—But you can’t do it now, your position in the kingdom is not strong enough.

 

- I also thought that, it will have to wait a year at least –said Alexander— But what do you think? Would you accept?

 

- You are my King, and is my duty to see that all your wishes came true –said Hephaistion is silky tone that made his all mighty King to blush.

 

At Delphi something strange happened to me. We arrived at night and we were informed that the Oracle was not functioning; Alexander, who never accepted a “no” for an answer, went to the Pythia house to literally drag her to the shrine. I was waiting outside, it was full moon and no clouds could be seen on the sky…

 

The wind blew and the soft sound of small bells floated to Hephaistion. He turned and found a beautiful girl of 10 years old, her hair of a blond so pale that actually appeared to be silver, her extremely long hair waved on the ground. She was very pale and her eyes were completely white as the tunic she was wearing.   

 

She smiled at him and pointed a hill behind her; then she disappeared.

 

Hephaistion blinked several time. Had he been dreaming? He turned to see if anyone had seen the girl, but the guards were busy trying to see what was happening with the King and the Pythia.

 

I must be crazy to be thinking this –thought Hephaistion walking to the hill the girl had pointed out, checking that his swords were in their place.

 

He walked for a few minutes until he found the girl sitting on a rock, her hands on her lap and her long hair sliding on the rock like water. 

 

- Who are you? –asked Hephaistion, feeling uneasy near her.

 

- I have had many names, but you can call me Light –said the girl with a beautiful voice.

   

- You are blind.

 

- Yes, but I assure you, I can see more than the woman who call herself Phytia –said Light, and for some reason Hephaistion believed her.

 

- Are you a seer?

 

- I’m a dream gazer –said Light—I can see the future in my dreams. And I have seen your face many times.

 

- I don’t believe in these things –he said, bluntly.

 

- I know, but one night, Hephaistion son of Amyntor, you will remember me, and you will believe –said Light in the same tone—You will be chained to time forever, you will see more than any other man and you will meet HIM.

 

- Who is HIM? –she was scaring him, and Hephaistion felt ashamed for being scare of a girl.

 

- When you find his Sword you will know.

 

Hephaistion was silent for a long moment, and curiosity made him ask.

 

- What can you tell me about King Alexander?

 

- Your King will destroy the world –Hephaistion retained his breath, Light had something in her voice that made him shivered.

 

Light was right, many years later I remember her and I believed. Light was a vampire, a member of the clan Malkavian, the insane vampires. It’s forbidden to Embrace a vampire as young as Light, and she only managed to survive because of her ability to see the future. The last time I saw her was in 1478 during the Inquisition, I don’t think she survived those dangerous nights. The last part of her prophecy isn’t fulfil yet. Who is HIM? I know now, she was talking about Kaine, the first vampire; I know I’m going to find his Sword and according to Light I’m going to meet him…   

 

XXX

 

The midwife was having troubles with the new mother, the old lady asked for more water and an army of servants rushed to obey. The entire palace of Epirus was in a fuss, the King wasn’t at home and the Queen was having her first baby. Cleopatra’s screams echoed in the corridor, she was cover in sweat and holding the hand of her nurse, an old lady named Reah.

 

- One more push ma’am, I can see a head –said the midwife.

 

Cleopatra pushed with all her forces and soon a cry filled the room.

 

- Oh sweet Artemis! It’s a boy, ma’am –said the midwife smiling, ready to cut the umbilical cord.

 

The exhausted mother saw Reah, and her old nurse understood. She took the baby from the midwife’s arms and went to the window to examine the newborn. He was still a little red but the scarce hair told her everything she needed to know. Reah went back to her mistress, ignoring the midwife and the slave girl who was holding a blanket.

 

- You were right –said Reah in a whisper and Cleopatra sat with difficulty.

 

- No, please ma’am. Don’t do that –said the midwife, alarmed.

 

- Give me the baby –the Queen of Epirus held her son and looked at him for a long time confusing the midwife.

 

What is happening here? –thought the midwife. She had helped in many childbirths but she had never seen a mother act as the Queen.

 

- He is so beautiful –whispered Cleopatra, her red hair wet on her face.

 

Just like his father –thought the Queen. Then, she surveyed her room counting the people there: Reah, the midwife and her body slave.

 

- Close the door –said Cleopatra, and Reah obeyed. 

 

- Ma’am, what are you…?

 

- This child was born dead, do you understand? –said the Queen and the midwife saw her in astonishment.

 

- But… why? –asked the woman.

 

- You don’t need to know why, just do as I command and I will paid you more than enough for your silence –she was Olympias’ daughter—And for you –Cleopatra said to her slave—If you said one word of this I’ll order you kill, you are my slave and nobody will ask me why I did it, is that clear?

 

- Y-y-yes ma’am –said the terrified girl.

 

- What are you going to do? –asked Reah—Are you going to kill him?

 

Cleopatra thought about that a moment, but when she saw the baby peacefully sleeping she knew she couldn’t order the death of her child.

 

- No. But he can’t remain here.

 

- You can send him with his father –said Reah, but the Queen shook her head.

 

- I can’t, my brother would be the first one to know if I do that, and he could tell my husband. No –Cleopatra gave Reah the baby—Give him to someone outside Epirus, I don’t know, I peasant couple, you will know better than I.  

 

- Are you sure? –the Queen nodded.

 

- I will love to have him here; this boy is much better than any child my husband could give me.

 

- You can keep him, the King doesn’t have to know who is his real father –said Reah in a low voice.

 

- No, he would never believe me.

 

- How could he know the truth?

 

- Look at the boy, Reah –said Cleopatra through clenched teeth, speaking in Macedonian—How can I explain his golden-bronze hair? I have a hunch, I have had it since I knew I was pregnant and I told you; this is not Alexandros’ son –Reah didn’t replied, she believed her mistress, women knew this things—I will not have him here knowing this. Please, do as I say and take him far away.

 

Reah nodded.

 

- I will go immediately.

 

Please forgive Father Zeus, but I don’t know what else to do –the Queen made a silent pray.

 

XXX

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 123