Chapter 31

 

Warning: Ok, I’m afraid I’ll have to warn you before you start reading. For practical uses this chapter should be rated –M– and is going to have a little love scene, so if you don’t want to read it for…whatever reason, please skip it. I repeat: Please, stay calm and proceed to the emergency exits in order, do not panic.

 

CHAPTER 31

 

- You look tired –said Hephaistion with concern, as soon as they were alone.

 

- I’m tired. I barely slept last night –said Alexander rubbing his eyes.

 

- You know what you need? You need to escape –said his best friend playfully. Hephaistion took his hand and pulled him—Come, let’s go to the city, like two ordinary Macedonians.

 

The King smiled.

 

- I’ll tell Eumenes…

 

- No, no, no… what’s the point of running away if you are asking for permission? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- I’m not asking for permission, I’m the King.

 

Hephaistion smiled.

 

- Then show me, or are you scared of going out without your bodyguards? –he teased the King and the saddest thing was that it worked.  

 

Moments latter they were walking on the streets of Aegae disguised as 2 ordinary Macedonian boys. Alexander had to admit that it was fun, a good change after so many days with problems. They saw a play by Aristophanes called the Acharnians, which told the story of a man named Dikaiopolis during the Peloponnesian war and his adventures with the Spartans, with whom he signed a private peace treaty.

 

Nobody recognized them, and Hephaistion insisted in paying everything.

 

- Since when do you pay everything? –asked Alexander while Hephaistion paid for two big cookies at the market—I’m not a girl.

 

- No, but I heard –his friend gave him is cookie and lower his voice—That the King has financial problems.

 

Alexander laughed.

 

- When I conquer Asia, I’ll repay you.

 

- For buying you a cookie? Don’t be ridiculous –Hephaistion bit his cookie—My mom makes this better –he said with his mouth full. 

 

- Not for the cookie, I want to repay you for everything… for being you and for always being with me–said the King, walking with him around the market.

 

- That’s even more ridiculous –Hephaistion pulled one blond lock, playfully—I’m not with you because I’m expecting some kind of payment. 

 

- I know, but I want to give you something.

 

- Being with you is more than enough –Alexander smiled— Tell me, what did Langarus say about marrying your sister, Cynane?

 

- He is still thinking about it –said the King—Why do you ask? You want to marry Cynane?

 

- Ha ha, very funny.

 

- Kraterus wants to kill you, by the way –said Alexander—His sister is madly in love with you.

 

- As if that was my fault.

 

- I know, but he is angry with you and he had sworn, by his ancestors, that he would die first than to let his sister marry you.

 

- For once he is doing me a favor, one girl less on the list –said Hephaistion.

 

- What a pleasant surprise! –said a woman in front of them. Hephaistion turned and couldn’t believe what he saw.

 

- Thais? –the hetaira smiled at him. She looked astonishing, as always, dressing a yellow dress and her long hair curl and adorned with a golden tiara—What are you doing here? 

 

Thais smiled, and Alexander didn’t like her, she was too beautiful and talked with too much familiarity to his beloved.

 

- I came to Macedonia like a month ago –she explained, fanning herself—With a friend of yours, Ptolemy, son of Lagos.

 

- Ptolemy?

 

- Yes, apparently I’m coming with you to Asia –he was too happy with the prospect of going to Asia and that didn’t escape the King and his friend’s attention.

 

- And who exactly are you? –asked Alexander. He wasn’t happy.

 

- Oh! I’m…

 

- She is a hetaira –explained Hephaistion quickly, before the King started to think other things.

 

- And why do you know a hetaira? –Thais laughed. She didn’t know Alexander, and she just assumed he was Hephaistion’s friend with benefits.

 

- Oh sweetie, don’t be jealous –said Thais and the King saw her outraged. Sweetie?—We met in Athens last year when King Alexander went with the army, but nothing happened between us.   

 

- You haven’t met the King, haven’t you? –said Hephaistion with caution.

 

- No, I haven’t had the chance…speaking of the King, I thought you were his lover –said Thais.

 

- I am, why?

 

- Oh! Nothing. Then you shouldn’t be so jealous, after all you have to share this handsome man with your King –said the hetaira to Alexander, and Hephaistion had to make and effort for not start laughing. Then Thais saw her slave, Sophonisba, calling her—Oh Gods! It’s time. I have to go, I’m dying to see the next play. It was a pleasure to see you again, have fun boys. 

 

- What was that? –asked Alexander and Hephaistion laughed at last.

 

- She told you, I met her in Athens and apparently she is now with Ptolemy and he is taking her with us to Asia –explained his friend.

 

- She called me Sweetie –Hephaistion laughed, he knew how much the King hated those corny names.

 

- Yes, she did. What do you say if we go for something to drink?

 

- Oh, yes please. That’s exactly what I need right now. 

 

XXX

 

- Yesterday came Kallisthenes to see me –said Alexander, the 2 of them were sitting at an outdoors tavern, watching the people pass with a big jar of watered-wine on the table. 

 

- Aristotle’s nephew? What did he want? –asked Hephaistion, filling his cup.

 

- I’m taking him to Asia with us; he is going to be my historian –the King explained, brushing a lock from his friend’s face.

 

- Are you sure this is a good idea? –Hephaistion didn’t like Kallisthenes, but he was not going to ask the King to not take him with them just because he didn’t like the man.

 

- Sure, Achilles had Homer to write his deeds, why shouldn’t I have my own historian? –Alexander took his hand behind his friend’s ear and caressed the creamy skin. Hephaistion blushed immediately; Alexander knew that was one of his hot spots.  

 

- I doubt that Kallisthenes could be another Homer –the King smiled, and leaned closer.

 

- We’ll never know if we don’t give him an opportunity, don’t you think? –said Alexander—I just wish I have taken him with me when we fought in Pelium. It was a magnificent battle, and my plan to performed military drills in complete silent was great. 

 

- Modesty is not one of your strong points –said Hephaistion. He moved his head as a silent plea for Alexander to stop caressing him behind the ear, but either the King didn’t understand or he didn’t want to stop because he continued with his attentions.

 

- Oh come on, Phai. It was a brilliant plan.

 

Hephaistion sighed. Of course it had been a brilliant plan; when the Macedonians were surrounding Pelium another tribal force arrived with a man named Glaucias leading them. The Macedonians were trapped but the King managed to defeat his enemy with a clever plan. Alexander ordered the army to do drill-maneuvers in completely silence catching the enemy attention. Glaucias’ men had never seen anything like this and the King waited for the right moment…then he gave the order for the cavalry to attack, thousands of throats crying at the same time: Alalalalai.     

 

After all the silence it was a terrifying sight and Glaucias’ men ran away. The battle that followed this was easily won.

 

- All right, was a brilliant plan, happy now?

 

- Yes, thank you.

 

Hephaistion rolled his eyes, but then he blushed even more when he felt the exquisite sensation of Alexander’s fingers sliding over the delicate creamy skin of his thigh, all the way up under his chiton.

 

- What do you think you are doing? –asked Hephaistion, taking him by the wrist to stop him. He looked beautiful, the locks of his long straight hair that were like silk ribbons, slightly covering one of his gorgeous eyes, his cheeks were pink and he was breathing heavily. 

 

The King looked at him with innocence.

 

- You were the one who said I should relax.

 

- Yes, but not like this and surely not in the middle of a crowded street –Alexander’s fingers on his thigh were burning his skin.

 

- We are not in the middle of the street; we are comfortably seated on a tavern watching the people passing by –said Alexander with all calm. 

 

- You know perfectly well what I’m talking about –the King smiled.

 

- Father Zeus! Am I making you uncomfortable Phai? –one touch behind Hephaistion’s ear made him moan softly.

 

- This is not funny –muttered Hephaistion, thank the Gods for the table in front of them. 

 

- Who said it has to be? –Alexander took his free hand to his friend’s thigh, sliding his palm up under his chiton before Hephaistion could stop him.

 

His best friend moaned and squeezed his eyes tightly shut when he felt his beloved’s fingers toying over his most intimate part. He wanted to shout and hit him to make him stop but he didn’t trust his voice anymore… or his own body. Hephaistion hid his face where Alexander’s neck met his shoulder and, for an outsider, they looked as if Hephaistion wasn’t feeling well and were resting his head on his friend’s shoulder.

 

His breath hit the King’s skin, and the brush of his eyelashes made shivers slid up Alexander’s back.

 

Hephaistion could hear the people on the street, their voices, children laughing, a woman arguing with a merchant and a man swearing. The smell of bread and pastries floated to him along with the smell of wine, while an intensive heat took over his body. His senses were overwhelmed by waves of emotions crashing over him.  

 

He tried to remind himself that they were on a tavern surrounded by a small crowd, but soon he was fighting between what his body wanted and what decency dictated. Hephaistion bit his lower lip trying not to moan, his pulse was racing and his whole body ached, wanting to be touched in other way, wanting to feel the King skin against his hypersensitive body, wanting everything. He was holding the edge of the chair with one hand and had his closed fist on the table; every time the King’s fingers touch him his rational thoughts disappeared one by one.

 

Alexander was having the time of his life. Hephaistion was a powerful warrior, a very intelligent man and he had a strong personality. To have a man like him at his mercy was like an aphrodisiac.  

 

- Alex… please, stop… —Hephaistion said, panting heavily, his entire body was tickling and the heat was concentrating between his legs.

 

- Are you sure? Because I thought you liked it.

 

Oh the King is so death –thought Hephaistion.

 

Alexander caressed him again almost as if he didn’t want to touch him, and his friend shuddered. 

 

- Please…—that sounded hotter that Hephaistion had indented, but he couldn’t help it and those words burned every inch in Alexander’s body.

 

The King released him and kissed his head.

 

- I have an idea.

 

Five minutes later they were sharing kisses, hidden on an alley. It was lonely enough for Hephaistion’s liking, and since the King had turned him up in that shameless way, he was eager to finish what Alexander had started. Alexander pressed his best friend against the wall, kissing as if he wished to devour him, nibbling his lower lip; he moaned inside Hephaistion’s mouth when his friend rubbed his hard body against him and the King arched his head back to receive his kisses.

 

The pink tip of Hephaistion’s tongue circled his lips, tasted every corner and Alexander opened his mouth for him as his whole body started to burn and scream for his best friend.

 

- You sure are easy –whispered Hephaistion between kisses, moaning softly—So hard so soon…   

 

- After your performance at the tavern who wouldn’t? –his friend laughed softly, feeling Alexander’s lips on his neck, biting and licking his creamy skin, brushing his neck with his eyelashes going down to trace his collarbone, tasting his sweet flavor. 

                                                          

How they ended up on a very big pile of soft packages that were store on the alley, they never knew, but soon the King was over him spreading his legs, and the heat between them appeared to flare. That was a beautiful sight, Hephaistion lying languidly, his knees bent up and exposed to him. The King took his time to admire him like a fool, and his friend gave him a sly grin.  

 

- Do you like what you see?

 

- You bet I do –Alexander kissed him again, toying with the fabric of his chiton.

 

He slid his friend’s clothes through his shoulders, leaving his chest exposed. The King’s face burned when he saw his pink nipples hardening in the cold air. Alexander bent and gently suckled one of them and Hephaistion moaned and breathed heavily; he took the King by the arms, trying to hold unto something, hearing the noises of the people on the street as something distant, as if they were part of another world, because he was floating on clouds, feeling Alexander’s tongue pushing and rubbing his delicate skin.

 

Then the King lifted him by the hips.

 

- Wait –Hephaistion stopped him and Alexander saw him as if he had gone mad. His friend straightened himself, his weight on his elbows behind him. He was amused to see the frustration in those uneven eyes—Don’t look at me like that, I haven’t say that we aren’t going to do this…–he kissed the King’s cheek.

 

- Phai please, you are killing me.

 

- You know you can’t take me the same way you take a woman…you are going to hurt me –he said every word slowly, in a sweet, innocent voice full with sensuality that almost made the King drool—Your majesty, aren’t you going to prepare me first? 

 

Alexander cleared his throat.

 

- But I’m going to need your assistance, General.

 

- What can I do for you, my King? –asked Hephaistion, ignoring the fact that he had been called “General”, after all he thought the King was playing. Alexander took him by the thighs.

 

- Hold them for me –Hephaistion did as he was told, and Alexander licked his thighs, those thighs that had him fascinated and daydreaming. He playfully bit one of his friend’s fingers on his way, making him laugh, but his laughing died the moment he felt the King’s tongue inside him.

 

Hephaistion arched against him, wrapping his leg over him to pull him closer and soon Alexander was inside his friend's tight warmth, hearing the long and soft moan of pleasure that left his beloved’s mouth. The King started thrusting, slowly and steadily, feeling Hephaistion’s arms tighten around his back. Alexander kissed him again.

 

And they were so busy that neither saw that they were lying on the costumes of a theater company that had came to participate in the Games at Aegae, and they didn’t hear the voices at the end of the alley of the man who was calling his slaves to take the costumes to the stage.  

 

The man was going to enter the alley when someone called him and he went back, completely oblivious of what was going on there. The man cursed minutes later when, at coming back to the alley, stopped to see that one of his sandals was broken. He cursed again. He came from Corinth and had no love for Macedonia, but he had been paid a fortune to come. He spat at his side, and shouted the name of his slaves; when the 2 men appeared he continue walking and arrived to where the costumes were…

 

There was nobody.

 

Alexander and Hephaistion were laughing while walking back to the palace after their little adventure on the alley. Hephaistion couldn’t believe that they had made love on an alley, but he couldn’t deny it had been fun.  

 

XXX

 

At last the day to go to Asia had arrived, it was an impressive sight: 49, 100 men on arms, 43,000 infantry between Macedonians and allied troops, Greeks and tribal levies; and 6,100 cavalry, Macedonians, Thessalians, Thracians and Paeonians. This was an especial day and the zone outside Pella, where the army usually assembled before going to battle, was full with the families and friends of the soldiers. Nobody knew when they were coming back, so even Amyntor, Antigone, Cadie, grandfather Demetrios and Lysanias went to say goodbye to Nikandros, Hephaistion, uncle Althaimenes and cousin Demetrios.

 

- Please, take care –said Antigone, trying her best to not cry. She had made splendid cloaks and clothes for her sons, and of course she had prepared a very big bag of food—And don’t forget to write.

 

Hephaistion embraced his mother, caressing her back. He was much taller than she and Antigone leaned her head against his shoulder.

 

- I’m going to miss you –her mother sobbed, and Hephaistion tenderly kissed her head. 

 

- We are going to be fine, mom. Please don’t cry.

 

- Do you have your equipment ready? –asked grandfather Demetrios.

 

- Yes, grandpa –said his 3 grandsons.

 

- Wow! Phai is General now –said Lysanias—Does that mean that he outrank the rest of you?

 

- Shut up, Lys –said Nikandros.

 

- You worry too much, father –said uncle Althaimenes, the younger son of grandfather Demetrios.

 

- You are going to Asia to fight, not to play dice with the Great King –grandfather Demetrios scolded his son as if he were a small boy—You need to be alert always, do you hear me?

 

- Yes, grandpa.

 

- When I had your age, King Amyntas took us to fight against the Illyrians, and if it hadn’t been for me, my whole unite would have been annihilated by those savages. It was a night without moon, I remembered it as it had been yesterday –said grandfather Demetrios—Always be alert, don’t forget that, you can’t trust those Persians sons of a bad mother.

 

- We know grandpa –said cousin Demetrios. They had heard that story about the Illyrians like a thousand times.

 

- Phai, don’t forget what I taught you –said his grandfather, in a more serious tone. After all, Hephaistion was his favorite grandson and the heir of his techniques; he felt a special love for him.  

 

- I won’t, and I promise to write to you and let you know every detail of the campaign –grandfather Demetrios smiled. He loved good war stories and if he had been at least 10 years younger, he would have go to Asia, he had always wanted to go there, but in 2 months he would be 72 years old.

 

He wanted to go so badly that more than once he considered the possibility of going to talk to Alexander, but Antigone made him see that wasn’t a good idea. If at least he was the same age of old Parmelio…

 

- I will take care of your boys, brother –said Althaimenes to Amyntor, and his older brother nodded.

 

- Thank you –Amyntor embraced his brother—You must be careful too. 

 

- Why aren’t you going with them, dad? –asked Lysanias, crossing his arms and tilting his head to one side.

 

- I prefer to stay here and help Antipater, Lys –said his father—I’m too old for this adventure.

 

- Too old?! –exclaimed grandfather Demetrios, outraged—If I were your age I’ll be going with the boys too.

 

- Wait a second! Next year I’m 13 years old, if the King is still in Asia, does that mean I will not be a page? –asked Lysanias, a little disappointed.

 

- I don’t think so, Lys –said Hephaistion—Most probably, the King will send for pages and fresh troops if we are still in Asia. 

 

- Sweet! I want to go to Asia too –said Lysanias, imagining himself being acclaimed by the army while King Alexander gave him a leaves crown for his excellent performance. 

 

- Nick, Phai –said Amyntor—I just want you to know that I’m very proud of you, and I know you will achieve great things in Asia.

 

- Thanks, dad –said Nikandros, Hephaistion smiled at him.

 

- Of course I would be happier if SOMEONE had got married before going to Asia –said Amyntor and Nikandros sighed.

 

- And what about your other son? Phai has all the Macedonian girls behind him and he didn’t got married.

 

- You are my heir, Nick.

 

- The King is also going without having a wife.

 

- The King already has Phai –said Lysanias making them laughed, embarrassing Hephaistion—By the way, look at all the things your fans gave you –he pointed at his brother’s baggage—This girls don’t give up.

 

- You are not taking all of that with you; you don’t need 20 pairs of socks –said grandfather Demetrios and Hephaistion sighed.   

 

- I’ll take care of this –said his mother, checking again his baggage.

 

- Here, I made this for you –said Cadie, giving Hephaistion and Nikandros a pair of blankets—Take care, I will miss you.

 

- Come on, Cadie. We will come back, don’t say it as if we will never see each other again –said Nikandros, smiling.

 

Antigone just remain silent, deep inside her heart she knew she would never see her sons again, she couldn’t explain that feeling and tried to convince herself it was foolish to think like that.

 

My mother was right, we never saw her again, we met our dead in Asia but in that moment there was no way we could know that, my brother and I were too happy, our heads full with dreams of glory and everlasting fame. We thought we would come back full with gold and presents to make our mother a queen… how wrong we were.

 

- Eni please, stop crying –said Leonnatos, embracing his wife—I will come back soon, I promise.

 

- You can’t promise that –sobbed Berenike.

 

- I will write often.

 

- I don’t want you to go –cried Berenike, breaking his heart.

 

- It won’t be for too long –Leonnatos had no idea of what to say to her in order to cheer her up, and he was sure that if his wife kept crying he would stay in Macedonia.

 

- Take me with you –asked his wife, lifting her head to see him—I can go with you, there are women who go with their husbands.

 

- As a camp follower? No, that is out of question –said Leonnatos with a firm voice—Eni, that is not a life for a Princess like you.

 

Berenike started crying again and her mother-in-law had to come and embraced her. Leonnatos said goodbye to his parents, sisters and of course to his 3 years old son, Amyntas, and his 2 years old daughter, Sophia.

 

- Mother, take care of Eni –asked Leonnatos.

 

- Of course I will –said Iokaste—She is like a daughter to me, she and your children will be fine, you don’t have to worry about them.   

 

The trumpets called the army to assemble, now was the time of the last good byes. The whole city came to watch them go, throwing flowers and shouting words of encouragement to them, that army was the proud of the kingdom, and all the citizens expected great things of them and of course of their young, handsome and brilliant King. It was like watching Achilles and his men going to Troy to rescue Helen, Macedonia was living it’s own Iliad.

 

But for Berenike it was a sad day, and she stood on the same place until she no longer could see the army at the distance.

 

XXX

 

Agape arrived to Pella at last. It was a long and difficult journey from Illyria to Macedonia with her old horse and carrying a 2 years old boy, but little Achilles was a very sweet boy, Agape discovered that he loved horses and was absolutely delighted with the idea of traveling on one. Achilles spoke a little Greek thanks to his stay in an Illyrian village, but Agape saw that he learned quickly and showed interest in absolutely everything. Each day she was more and more convinced that he was the son of one of the 2 Macedonians she had met. 

 

Now what? –Agape asked herself.

 

After the adventure with the thieves, the Wolves of Adler, Alexander had told her the truth that they weren’t elopers and that he was the Macedonian Prince and Hephaistion was part of the hetairoi. Both Macedonians told her that if someday she needed something, she could write to them and asked anything. Latter Agape heard that Alexander had been crowned King and now the time had come to ask for something.

 

She thought of going to the palace, but she and Achilles were hungry, so they made a stop at the market. It was a sunny day, and a lot of people were outside talking excited about the Asian campaign of their King, but Agape understood just a little, only when conversations were held in Greek. But then Agape heard something she didn’t expected…

 

- What did you say? –she asked to the baker, while Achilles was eating his cake with a big smile, like a kitten with a bowl of milk.

 

- That the King left with the army 2 weeks ago –said man again.

 

- Two weeks ago? –Agape felt like fainting. What was she doing to do now? Go back to Illyria? What was she going to tell the old couple?

 

- Joy to you! –said Berenike, arriving at the bakery with her children, Netikerty and 2 strong Numidian slaves that served as her escort.

 

Achilles lifted his curious head and opened his mouth in astonishment; he had never seen a man with dark skin before.

 

- Joy to you, lady Berenike! –said the baker smiling, she was one of his best clients—Are you taking the usual?

 

- Yes, please –said the young lady, while her children were walking around the store with Netikerty behind them. 

 

- Excuse me –asked Agape to the baker—Do you know when is the King coming back?

 

The baker laughed, while taking a basket with bread.

 

- Nobody knows that, miss. He is going to fight against the Great King, not to a tea party.

 

Agape blushed; it was a stupid question, but she was running out of options of what to do. Think Agape, think!

 

- Do you know if he took with him all his hetairoi?

 

- Some of them stay with the Regent –Agape saw a tiny hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.  

 

- Do you know where is the house of Hephaistion son of Amyntor? –asked Agape catching Berenike’s attention.

 

- Why do you need my brother? –she asked in a casual tone.

 

- Your brother? –Agape saw her. Yes she was his sister; she had something familiar with Hephaistion.

 

- Yes, Hephaistion son of Amyntor is my brother –said Berenike.

 

- Oh, my lady, good goddess Hera put you on my way –said Agape, seeing her luck changing—I need to talk to him. I’m Agape, I met him and the King in Illyria, during their exile –she explained—I have an urgent matter to discuss with him.

 

Berenike sighed.

 

- I’m very sorry to tell you this, but my brother left with the King –Agape’s smile disappeared—But if you tell me what happened, maybe I could help you –Agape nodded—Come to my house, we can talk there. 

 

XXX

 

Note: I know. It would be very difficult for Alexander’s nephew to have eyes like him. I was reading than having the eyes of different colors is called heterochromia, which is a defect in the coloration of the iris. In humans is very rare to have eyes of different colors, so even if little Achilles was his nephew, it would extremely improbable that he had the same eyes. Buuuut I needed it for the plot, so… I’m sorry.

 

This time I get myself a littler carried away and when I saw, I had write a lot ^_^ Next week we are going to know more about Hephaistion’s son and of course more of the boys’ adventures in Asia.