CHAPTER 25

 

It was winter. A harsh winter like the one Pella had when Hephaistion was born. All the streets were white, clouds covered the gray sky and a freezing wind flog the people, who, in a vain attempt to protect themselves from the cold, were wrapped in fur cloaks and many layers of cloth. These days, people only went outside if it was absolutely necessary, and inside every house was a cauldron in the fire, ready with hot soup.

 

Netikerty, Berenike’s Egyptian slave, was on the street carrying a big basket accompanied with other 3 servants. The 4 of them were covered with heavy cloaks. Netikerty was not used to the cold, she came from a small city in Egypt close to the Nile, and there was always hot, reason why she was hiding her face behind a scarf, and her head was under her cloak, only her eyes were visible.

 

They had to go to the market for food and other things her mistress had asked for the new baby. Berenike had given birth to a beautiful girl a week ago, and many things were necessary for the new member of the family. But that day, the market was like a ghost town, and for what Netikerty could see only servants and slaves were there. Not far from her, a very fat man was arguing with a tall slave, probably a Gaul, about the prices of the fish.

 

- You are a thief –said the Gaul, his Macedonian wasn’t good but at least you could know what he was trying to say.

 

- And you a brute, my prices are fair –said the fat man, crossing his small arms over his massive chest.

 

- Your prices are ridiculous, 2 dracmas per fish, that’s insane! –said the Gaul, outraged. 

 

- If your master doesn’t like my prices go elsewhere, you won’t find fish like mine at this time of the year and with this snow. Least of all with the army in Pella to spend the winter.

 

- My master is a pezetairoi in the King’ army –said the Gaul with proud, lifting his chin.

 

- Then, let the King feed him!

 

The woman, who was giving Netikerty the pieces of meat, sighed.

 

- That kind of talk is being very common these days –said the woman, putting in the basket the meat—The prices are very high.

 

- Because of the winter? –asked Netikerty, a small cloud left her mouth after each word.

 

- No, because of the army –said the woman—They are here to spend the winter, and then, rumor says, they are going to Thrace. But the King is keeping here a great number of soldiers, more than usual. People say that the King is training them to fight in the mountains.

 

- And what has to do the number of soldiers with the prices?

 

- Well, they buy all the food and the little they left is sold more expensive to the rest of the people –explained the woman, cleaning her hands on her apron—It’s hard for me to say this to you, but all this situation is very good for business, we are selling much more than usual, even merchants for other parts of the kingdom came, but the people complains everyday for the prices.  

 

- I can see why –said Netikerty, paying a dracma more than usual.

 

XXX

 

At the same time, but not with less cold, at the palace the King was having a war council to establish the plan to follow in the next military season. They were all reunited at a big an austere hall built in the time of King Amyntas III, the grandfather of the actual King. An enormous map of the known world, drawn by Aristotle, was hanging on one wall; Alexander was sitting at the head of the table watching carefully to every man present there, after he had finished talking. 

 

- Alexander, what you are proposing is madness –said Kleitos, bluntly. The veteran hipparch, stood up and went to the map—You are saying that we must push our border with the Thracians forward a hundred miles to the Danube.

 

- Yes, that was exactly what I said, I’m glad to see that you were paying attention, Kleitos –said the King, almost in a sweet voice.

 

- Have you lost your mind? –asked Kleitos—This zone –he pointed the map with his finger—Is the roughest fighting terrain in Europe. First of all, to reach this point, we would need to fight the most ferocious Thracian tribes, the ones that didn’t submit to your father’s control, and the Triballians. Surely you remember the Triballians, don’t you? The ones who plundered and destroyed your father’s camp after the Byzantium campaign.

 

- I remember them, thank you.

 

- And knowing all these, you insist in pushing the border to the Danube?

 

- Yes, dear Kleitos that is correct –the hipparch saw him in silence, without knowing what to say or think, it was so difficult to know what was Alexander thinking. When nobody spoke, the King continued— Come on, people. Nobody has a remote idea of why I want to do this? –he asked as if they were his students, and it was clear he was excited, the prospect of doing something that people thought was impossible, the prospect of surpassing his father in submitting the Thracians, all of these made him feel a strong energy inside him.  

 

- You want to secure the northern border to leave Antipater in a stronger position before going to Asia, and the best way to do that is pushing the border to the Danube –answered Hephaistion.

 

- Thank you, Phai; apparently you are the only one awake here –said the King, making his veteran commanders angry.

 

- That is obvious, Alexander –said Cassander in a nasty tone—But what you are planning is impossible to achieve in less than a year.

 

- Why, Cassander?

 

- Kleitos already told you, these Thracian tribes are very dangerous.

 

- And you are scared? –Cassander blushed—It’s all right, you can stay in Pella with your father, I don’t want to take with me anyone who thinks this is an impossible task. 

 

- You are insulting me! –Alexander saw him as if he was treating with a bad mannered child and Antipater’s son wished he stopped doing it, he felt uneasy with those uneven eyes on him. 

 

- Fine, my plan in impossible, insane, risky and everything else –said the King sighing, pretending to give up—Does anyone had a better plan?

 

- Put a garrison on the border –said Philotas, without loosing time. He liked to stand out. 

 

- Too expensive.

 

- Negotiate with the tribes a peace treaty –proposed Ptolemy. 

 

- No, I don’t want them thinking I’m a coward –said Alexander, standing to see them from a higher position—I want them to fear me, I want that every time a Thracian hears my name he pisses himself, do you understand? I can’t go to Asia leaving behind an unsecured border. And this plan, as impossible as it seems, is going to work because it is I the one whose leading you –he never raised his voice, he continued talking in a placid tone and that made his words even more dangerous. 

 

This was an Alexander they didn’t know. He wasn’t like this before his father’s death. Had he has changed? Or maybe this was the real Alexander, a lion sleeping, waiting for the right moment to strike.

 

XXX

 

- You truly made yourself clear at the meeting –said Hephaistion when the 2 of them were alone in the study, the same one that had seen Philip planned all his major conquests.

 

- They are very used to my father’s methods –said Alexander, leaning his back against his desk—Why can’t they see beyond their noses? Why do they always want to do things in the same way over and over again? We have to innovate, to create something new, why to leave in the past? 

 

- Not everybody can think the way you do –said Hephaistion, checking the papers on the King’s desk.

 

- Oh, I’m perfectly aware of that. I’m unique –said the King with overwhelming self-confidence. He slid his finger through Hephaistion’s arm, enjoying his creamy skin—But you always managed to read my mind.

 

His friend smiled without looking at him.

 

- What did your mother said when you named your half brother as your heir? –he asked, hearing the King sighed heavily.

 

- She is furious, she wants me to order the execution of Cleopatra Eurydice and her children –said Alexander, stretching his legs to the front, his arms behind him, palms on the desk.

 

- I can imagine…Herodotus? You are reading Herodotus’ Histories? –asked Hephaistion, taking a scroll with the writings of the Greek historian from Halicarnassus.

 

- Of course, anyone who thinks about invading Asia needs to read Herodotus –said Alexander, taking the scroll—He described many fascinating things, specially about Cyrus the Great. You have heard about Cyrus, don’t you?

 

- Only that he is the one who founded the Archaemenid dynasty, the one that’s ruling Persia right now –said Hephaistion.

 

- Well, Herodotus said that Cyrus was the illegitimate son of a Median Princess, and she abandoned him to die, but a couple of peasants found him and raised him up as their son –said Alexander— Years later, he became a prominent man and fought against his grandfather, the Median King Astyages, for the throne. That was very interesting; according to Herodotus Astyages army mutinied and surrendered him to Cyrus. Then, with the control of the kingdom of Media, Cyrus conquered Babylon, Lydia and Assyria, all the great kingdoms of Asia in 40 years, and created the Persian Empire. He was called: “King of the universe, mighty King, King of Bablylon, King of Sumer and Akkar, King of the four quarters”(1) 40 years, Phai! I’m going to do it in less than 10 years, I assure you, and I’m going to be greater than Cyrus.    

 

- I believe you –said Hephaistion with sincerity, he believed blindly in Alexander and if the King had told him that the sky was purple, he would believe it—And how ended Cyrus?

 

- He was killed in a battle against the Massagetae across the Jaxartes river –said Alexander—Did you know that I have a minuscule part of Persian blood in me?

 

- You are kidding me.

 

- No, I’m serious. You see, when King Darius I invaded Thrace, he came to Macedonia and arranged the marriage between King Alexander I and a Persian noble, and from that union was born the King Amyntas II (2) –Alexander explained.

 

- I will have to borrow this book –said Hephaistion, taking back the scroll.

 

- Fine, but with one condition –said the King—I want a kiss in return.

 

His friend smiled.

 

- You can’t charge me with that.

 

- Why not? –asked Alexander, curious.

 

- Because my kisses are already yours –said Hephaistion in a whispered, approaching him to kiss him. The King smiled against his lips.

 

- Are you staying to dinner? –asked Alexander, between one kiss and the other.

 

- If that pleases my King –the King lifted his friend to seat him on the desk and Hephaistion opened his legs. He almost purred when he felt Alexander’s hands sliding on his thighs all the way up, lifting his chiton.

 

On the corridor, Queen Olympias was striding to the King’s study. She had found the perfect match for his son, a perfect wife and couldn’t wait to give him the news. The fabric of her dress dancing behind her at every step. 

 

Completely ignorant that his mother was heading to his study, Alexander kissed his beloved’s neck, sucking the tender skin while Hephaistion’s hands were playing on his chest.

 

Olympias found Gloomy Amyntas on the corridor and stopped to see what he was doing. He was covered in a black cloak from head to toe and was holding a candle in front of him, walking slowly and slightly bent; he looked like the twin brother of Hunchback of Notre Dame, and only he knew what he was doing with that outfit and in that position. The Queen shook her head, she would never understand this boy, and she continued walking.   

 

- What are you waiting? –asked Hephaistion, with a husky voice against the King’s cheek.

 

Alexander caressed his thighs, feeling the muscles contracting under his touch.

 

- What do you want, Phai? –asked Alexander playfully.

 

- I want you –whispered his friend, he put his arms around his neck pressing his body against the King.

 

Alexander took him by the hips and the door opened.

 

- Alexander, I want to talk to…

 

Awkward moment.

 

The smile abandoned the Queen’s face at the same moment she laid her eyes on the couple. It was pretty stupid to ask “what is going on here?” so she kept silent. Hephaistion wished to disappear, being found in that situation by Queen Olympias, was sufficient to kill anybody’s lustful desires for a lifetime.

 

- Mother? What are you doing here? –Alexander was the first one to speak, turning to faced her. His mother lifted an eyebrow when she saw the 2 cute little red spots on his cheeks.

 

Hephaistion stood up, smoothing his clothes and avoiding Olympias’ eyes. He had never talked with the Queen and what a way to meet each other, this was.

 

- As I was saying –continued the Queen as if nothing had happened—I need to talk to you.

 

- Surely it can wait –said the King, he was eager to return to his previous activities.

 

- It can’t –her mother’s was blunt. 

 

- I’m leaving so you can talk with the Queen –said Hephaistion, in the more serious tone he could summon in that situation.

 

- No, please stay Hephaistion –said Olympias—I’m sure this conversation will be of your interest.

 

Hephaistion didn’t like her tone, and knew she was up to something, but he didn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing him scared. He nodded and stayed where he was.

 

- Can we take a seat? –asked the Queen, politely.

 

- What brings you here? –Alexander knew his mother too well to not know she was planning something, and he wanted to finish with it as soon as possible.

 

- Well, that’s what I get after seeking through all Greece for a suitable wife for you –the word “wife” was like a stab for Hephaistion, but he didn’t even flinch.

 

- You did what? –asked the King, concealing his emotions.

 

- I found you a wife, son –said Olympias, smiling—A beautiful girl from a noble Macedonian family. I’m sure you will be very please when you meet her; I arranged that she would come with her mother…

 

- I’m not getting married –said Alexander in a clear strong voice, but remaining in calm—I already talked about this with Antipater…

 

- Antipater is a fool! –exclaimed the Queen, shaking her head—What does he know about what you need? I am your mother, and I say you should marry this girl; you can’t go to Asia without an heir.

 

- I already have an heir.

 

- I’ll never allow Philip’s bastard to be King –Olympias was furious, her eyes shining as the eyes of Alexander when he was very angry.

 

- You don’t have to; you are in no position of taking that decision. I am the King –this was going to be a nasty discussion and Hephaistion wished he could go.

 

- You are doing this because of him –said the Queen, pointing at Hephaistion—You don’t want to get married because of HIM.

 

- That’s enough! I will not tolerate that you interfere with my personal life. I will get married when I decide is the right moment to do so and with whom I choose –said Alexander with all his authority, and not even his mother dare to defy him.

 

Olympias took a depth breath and lifted her chin, but she didn’t hold his gaze, she couldn’t. She gave Hephaistion a terrible look and then she left he room, but Alexander and Hephaistion knew that they haven’t heard the last of her.

 

- I’ll better go –said Hephaistion.

 

- Why? You said you were staying for dinner.

 

- I know, but your mother isn’t going to be very happy is she sees me again –his friend smiled—It’s better this way, I’ll come back tomorrow morning.

 

- Fine –said Alexander sighing.    

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion arrived at his house, and after dinner his father called him to his small study. He could hear his mother scolding Lysanias for taking a snake to the house, before he closed the door.

 

- Did something happen? –Hephaistion asked. Before the brief military campaign his father wasn’t feeling good and he was so pale that his mother thought he was sick, but since he had returned from Greece he was looking much better, especially tonight but for his expression his son knew something was happening.

 

- Yes, something happened, but don’t worry is nothing serious, I would rather say that is something quite…unusual –said Amyntor taking a seat at his side, and capturing Hephaistion’s attention—Your aunt wrote to me.

 

No, please no –thought Hephaistion imaging what Thaleia had said to his father.

 

- I must admit I have already thought about what she said to me, about finding you a wife –said Amyntor.

 

- Dad I don’t want to get married, aunt Thaleia has this strange idea about me but…

 

- Phai, it’s all right, I do not agree with your aunt, I’m only saying that I had thought about the possibility of finding you a wife –explained Amyntor—But your mother has a point, you are the only one who can choose, we don’t have the right to choose for you.

 

Hephaistion felt relieved when he heard that.

 

- Thanks, dad.

 

- No, don’t thank me yet, Phai –said his father—I don’t approved your or Nick’s refusal to get married but I respect your decisions. But I didn’t call you here to discuss this, I have a… problem.

 

- What is it? –Hephaistion was intrigued.

 

- I made a mistake, I talked about my concerns about you with a Anteas, your sister’s father-in-law, just a casual conversation, but it turned out that Iokaste heard and she thought I was looking for a wife for you –Hephaistion didn’t like this—And well… now all Pella thinks you want to get married and I… how can I say it? Now I have 36 marriage proposals for you.

 

For a moment Hephaistion didn’t know if he should cry or laugh.

 

- 36?

 

- Yes.

 

- Marriage proposals?

 

- Yes.

 

- For me?

 

- Yes.

 

- But… how could this happen? –exclaimed Hephaistion. The word “surprise” wasn’t enough to start describing what he was feeling in that moment.

 

- I told you, it was a misunderstanding.

 

- But… but, 36? Who wants to get married with me? –his father laughed.

 

- Well Phai, as things are it would be easier to ask, who doesn’t want to get married with you –said Amyntor, he was very excited with his son’s popularity. It was an ego buster to have such a son—Almost all the girls in age and from noble families want to be your wife. Your mother laughed when I told her about the marriage proposals, but I’m afraid we have a problem.

 

- A problem? We? I’m the one with a problem. I don’t want to get married, Alexander is planning to invade the Thracians and after that we have the Asian campaign, I don’t have time to get married –said Hephaistion, standing up.

 

- Phai, I understand, the problem for us is that many of these girls who want to marry you are for very powerful families, we can’t just say to them: “I’m very sorry, but this a misunderstanding and I don’t want to marry you” because that will mean making enemies among the most important men in the kingdom –Amyntor explained.

 

He has a point –thought Hephaistion.

 

- Then? What can I do?

 

- I really understand how you feel, and I feel responsible for this situation, after all if I hadn’t talked with Anteas this wouldn’t have happened –said Amyntor.

 

- I don’t blame you –that was a sincere answer and his father smiled.

 

- The point is that now the wiser thing to do is to choose a wife.

 

- Now?!

 

- Phai, sooner or later you will have to get married; your aunt is right you can’t be Alexander’s lover all your life.

 

- Why not? –that was a childish answer but he couldn’t help it, that was how he felt, and it hurt him every time people said to him: “you can’t be with him all your life”, because he loved Alexander, with all his heart and he couldn’t imagine his life without him.

 

Amyntor understood more than Hephaistion could imagine, and he gave his son a sad look.

 

- One day Alexander is going to get married, he is a King and he needs a Queen and an heir of his own, Caranus can’t be his heir forever, not if he wants to be a strong King –his father explained in a calm voice—You know perfectly well what people say about men how keep a male lover after their 24 birthday without having a wife, and your 21 birthday is in a week.

 

- I know.

 

It’s like having a death sentence –thought Hephaistion, just 3 more years to be with his soul mate. And Olympias words sounded strong and clear in his head: “I have found you a wife” Of course he knew Alexander would have to get married but… not yet, it could take years for that, so why did he had to be the first in getting married?

 

- I love you son, and I can kill for you –said Amyntor in a strange voice that scared Hephaistion—I only want your happiness but now, with all this fuss about you, is the perfect time. Choose a wife, and don’t worry, you can go with the King on military campaigns and your mother would take care of your wife.

 

The worst thing of all was that Amyntor’s words were wise. He was right and Hephaistion knew it, but that didn’t solve his real problem. He needed to find a way out of this without getting married, but how?

 

XXX

 

- Today I have the strangest day at the market –said Antigone next day to Hephaistion, while she was cooking the meal in the kitchen. That day was a sunny one and since Antigone had days without going out she decided to make her own shopping.

 

- Why? What happened? –asked her son, stealing slices of cheese.

 

His mother stopped mixing the soup ingredients and saw him.

 

- A beautiful girl approached me and asked me what do you like to eat? –said Antigone, clearly she was amused.

 

- Oh –he didn’t know what to say.

 

- Then, another one asked me when was your birthday, and a third one wanted to know what is your favorite color –said his mother laughing.

 

- And what did you say?

 

- The truth, why should I lie or refused to answer? Who knows and maybe one of them would be my future daughter-in-law –Antigone was like a girl in high school, and it was obvious she was enjoying herself.

 

- I don’t think so –said Hephaistion, under his breath. He was feeling uncomfortable with this situation.

 

- Mom! I heard something funny in the city…oh! Phai, you are here –said Nikandros, walking to them.

 

- What did you heard, sweetheart? –asked Antigone, tasting her soup.

 

- That Phai is getting married, is that true?

 

- No, it’s not true –said Hephaistion, tired of explaining that. He had told the same story to Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Ptolemy, Berenike, Cadie and his grandfather—It’s a misunderstanding. Leon’s mother thought I was looking for a wife and she told all Pella.

 

Nikandros laughed.

 

- You have a problem then –said his older brother—Because all the girls in the city are talking about you.

 

- Please, you make it sound as if the King was looking for a wife instead of a mere hetairoi –said Hephaistion, when his small brother Lysanias, now a boy of 11 years old came with a lot of small packages in his arms.

 

- Lys, what do you have there? –asked Antigone with curiosity.

 

- Oh! These are for you –said the boy, giving the packages and letters to Hephaistion.

 

- For me? –Hephaistion didn’t understand.

 

- A bunch of girls asked me to give you that, and in exchange they gave me candies and money –said Lysanias very happy.

 

- Lys! –his mother scolded him, but Nikandros laughed and patted him on the back.

 

- Good job, Lys.

 

- Thank you, one very beautiful red hair girl gave a kiss for telling her when do Phai goes to the gymnasium –said Lysanias proudly.

 

- This is my brother –said Nikandros.

 

- Lys, don’t do that, please –asked Hephaistion, blushing.

 

- Why not? I got 3 dracmas in total for delivering the things and Nearchos’ sister said she would gave me half a dracma if you answer her letter –explained Lysanias.

 

- How about this? I gave you 10 dracmas but stop accepting to work as a delivery boy and don’t gave them information about my activities –said Hephaistion.

 

- Mm, I take the 10 dracmas, but if you want my silence then it’s going to cost you more.

 

- Enough, Lys! –said Antigone, firmly—If your brother doesn’t want you telling everybody about him, then you stop doing that, without charging.

 

Lysanias pursed his lips.

 

- And the same goes for you, mom. Don’t give them information about me –Antigone saw him with big crystalline eyes. She did enjoy this situation.   

 

- Did you know that Krateros has a sister? –said Nikandros, stealing another slice of cheese.

 

Hephaistion swallowed.

 

- But I’m sure she would never fancy me.

 

Nikandros’ lips curved in a malicious smile.

 

- On the contrary my dear brother, I heard she is REALLY interested in you –said Nikandros scaring him. For a moment Hephaistion imagined Krateros sister like him, a tall muscular big girl with mustache but with a dress and a flower on the head.

 

Oh, in what a problem was he.  

 

XXX

(1) Lindsay Allen. The Persian Empire, p 27

(2) Lindsay Allen. The Persian Empire, p 46

Note: I was checking that I made a terrible mistake in one chapter. I said that Cyrus founded Babylon. Cyrus didn’t found Babylon, Babylon was already a kingdom by the time Cyrus was born. Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon. I’m very sorry for this mistake, but I blame the postman for not arriving with my Persian Empire book before.