Chapter 33

 

CHAPTER 33

 

- Why did you choose Krateros? –asked Hephaistion trying to conceal his anger and indignation.

 

They were alone at the King’s tent and Alexander took his time before answering. He knew that Hephaistion would be upset and he knew that sooner or later he would have to answer that question. 

 

- I chose him because it’s the best of us all –that was the King speaking, not his friend and lover.

 

- You are saying that I can’t win? –Hephaistion was angry, and Alexander’s words hurt him more that the King had thought. He had trained with his grandfather because he wanted to be useful for his King, to fight for him, he had saved his life three times, one at Chaeronea, one when the thieves attacked them in Illyria, and one more time with the Scythians; and now Alexander doubted him?

 

- Phai, this is just a fight –the King softened his voice. 

 

- No Alexander, this is not just “a fight”, you don’t trust me to win tomorrow, and that’s why you are choosing that brute –the usually calm Hephaistion was furious.

 

- No! I chose Krateros because I don’t want you to fight –Alexander raised his voice. 

 

- Why?! –Hephaistion shouted, and he never shouted—I’m good enough for your bed but not for fighting for you?

 

- That’s enough, Hephaistion!

 

- I just want an explanation.

 

-  I’m the King, I’m the one who decides who is going to fight and I don’t need to give you any explanation –now Alexander was angry.

 

- You humiliated me in front of everyone.

 

- To choose the best man for the job was humiliate you? –those words were like a stab for his best friend.

 

- The best man?… —Hephaistion turned, giving his back to him.

 

- Where are you going?

 

- That’s none of your business.

 

- Hephaistion! –and he left, ignoring the King’s callings. Hephaistion could hear the sound of metal hitting the floor; clearly Alexander had thrown his dinner in a rage attack.

 

But Hephaistion didn’t care, he was furious, and he preferred to be alone than to argue with Alexander. Everybody thought that the King loved him because he was good looking and this kind of attitude from Alexander didn’t help him. What he needed in that moment was a jug of wine… or two, and tried to forget about Krateros. Of all the people in the army, why it had to be Krateros? 

 

By nightfall Kyros was really concerned because he hadn’t seen Hephaistion in all day, he thought in the possibility of going to the King and tell him about his disappearance but the King was a very busy man and the boy was a little scared of him. At the end, Kyros went alone to look for his master with a torch in his hand, now he was 14 years old but he hadn’t change much, at least physically because in other ways he was much more mature.

 

Around the camp, Kyros heard fragments of conversations, everybody was talking about the next day’s fight and the soldiers were doing bets about the result. The men were in a good mood, they were sure Krateros could win, but if they had asked Kyros his opinion, he would have said that his master was stronger. He would never forget how he fought in Thebes.

 

After what seem hours, he found Hephaistion sitting under a tree far from the rest of the men, and immediately the smell of wine filled his nostrils.

 

- Are you drunk? –asked the boy, wrinkling his nose. 

 

- Yes… —Hephaistion’s hair was falling freely at the sides of his face, like a cascade of silk sliding through his shoulders. Again his hair was long, almost reaching his waist, but the King loved his long hair and he decided to keep it that way.   

 

- Why? –that was the only question Kyros could thought.

 

- Why? Because my life sucks, that’s why –Hephaistion spoke drawling. 

 

- Your life doesn’t suck –the boy kneeled at his side—Come, lets go back to your tent, you can rest and, as my mother used to say, after a good night sleep you will be feeling better.

 

Hephaistion stood up reluctantly and Kyros almost fell under his master’s height. It was extremely difficult for a boy like the Theban to take Hephaistion to his tent at the same time he was holding a torch, but somehow he managed to do so.

 

Once in the tent, the Macedonian sat of the edge of his bed, while Kyros untied his sandals.

 

- Krateros is an idiot –said Hephaistion feeling dizzy—He can’t say the difference between a Persian and a Thracian… why is he fighting tomorrow?… I can kill Krateros with…with one finger –Kyros knew that his master was a great warrior but he wasn’t very sure about the one finger thing, and he remained silent—Alexander is an idiot too…

 

That is new –thought the Theban.

 

- How so?

 

- He won’t let me fight tomorrow…

 

- Why?

 

- Good question…why?… why what? –Kyros almost laughed, he knew how much the Macedonians loved drinking wine, his father always said that they were his best customers, but he had never seen Hephaistion this drunk.

 

- Forget it, you should sleep –the Theban stood up and was about to help Hephaistion lie down when the Macedonian took him by the arm and kissed him.

 

Kyros blushed and froze with his green eyes wide open. He liked his master; he would have to be blind or crazy to not like him, especially after seeing him naked and covered in oil, and all his teenager hormones stood in attention feeling Hephaistion’s lips against his. Every day, since he had to apply the oil on his creamy skin, he had been dreaming of him and now he didn’t know what to do.  

 

Hephaistion pulled him and soon they were lying on his bed. Kyros opened his mouth shyly and moaned softly when he felt his master’s body on him; he knew Hephaistion was madly in love with the King but he didn’t care, he would take the scraps just to feel his kisses.

 

- Kyros…

 

- Mm?

 

- Leave –said Hephaistion abruptly, moving away.

 

- But…

 

- Now! –the boy jumped out of the bed without understanding what was going on, and left his master alone.

 

Hephaistion swore and hit his bed angry with himself. Great! Now he was drunk, angry and horny, a magnificent combination. He swore again. 

 

XXX

 

Next day Hephaistion woke up before dawn. He had a terrible headache and was feeling like the worst man alive; he had almost slept with Kyros, he was a jerk. He was as bad as King Philip, what was wrong with him? Kyros must think he was a pervert, that he had only saved him in order to use him, to have sex with him. And not just that, what would Alexander said if he knew that he almost sleep with the boy? 

 

He drank a lot of water, washed his face and went to look for the boy. The camp was almost empty; almost all the soldiers were already outside the walls of Priapus. Hephaistion thought that maybe the Theban would be sleeping but he found Kyros carrying a basket with bread and dry meat. The boy stopped when he saw his master.

 

- You woke up early –said Hephaistion.

 

- I have to, there aren’t many supplies and if I don’t get up early I don’t get much food –explained Kyros.

 

The King, his closest companions and officers shared the army’s hardships, which meant that they also had their supplies reduced, for Philotas utterly displeasure. If it were in the hands of Parmelio’s son, all the hetairoi would be eating like Kings while the rest of the soldiers suffered hungry.  

 

- Here, let me help you –Hephaistion took the basket, but the boy shook his head.

 

- No, I’ll do it.

 

They fell silent.

 

- Listen Kyros, I’m…—he was embarrassed—I’m sorry for what happened last night.

 

The Theban blushed.

 

- Why are you sorry? –the question took Hephaistion by surprise—I-I mean… you, you don’t like me?

 

- No! I… It’s not that –the Macedonian took a deep breath—I was drunk, and I shouldn’t have kissed you.

 

- I don’t mind.

 

What did he say? –thought Hephaistion. Now he was confused.

 

- You don’t mind?

 

Kyros shook his head.

 

- I like you… a lot and –the boy’s face was burning, and his eyes were on the ground— I don’t mind if you want to… you know.

 

Hephaistion felt like an idiot. He had assumed that Kyros would react as he did when King Philip forced him to share his bed, but his mistake was to think that Kyros was like him and he was King Philip. Now he had another problem, the boy liked him.

 

I’m cursed –thought the Macedonian, running his hand through his face.

 

- Listen Kyros…

 

- Look who got up early! –Hephaistion narrowed his eyes when he heard Krateros’ voice—Mr. I’m too cute to win a battle without help.

 

- What do you want? –asked Hephaistion, angry.

 

Krateros was wearing his full armor and his best cloak, it was clear that he wanted to impress his enemy; and he was doing a great job, he did look impressive.

 

- I just came to eat something before my outstanding victory –said the big man with overwhelming confidence.

 

Hephaistion crossed his arms.

 

- You don’t even know against who are you going to fight –he said—Overconfidence is going to be your fall.

 

Krateros laughed rudely.

 

- I don’t need your advice, Babe.

 

- I told you, don’t call me that –said Hephaistion through clenched teeth.

 

- But that suits you perfectly, after all I wasn’t mistaken the first time we met, you are the King’s boy toy –said Krateros, marking every word.

 

What happened next happened too quickly. Hephaistion moved so fast that Krateros didn’t see his fist coming until he was on the ground, and then Hephaistion punched him again, so hard that he left him unconscious with the jaw broken and bleeding.

 

- Phai! –Nikandros called him, running to where he was—Phai, have you seen Kra…teros? –his brother saw the unconscious and bleeding form on the ground—You killed him!

 

- I didn’t kill him; he is just knockout –said Hephaistion, an evil smile of satisfaction on his face.

 

Kyros tried his best not to laugh; he didn’t like Krateros either. 

 

- Hephaistion you are insane, what are we going to do now? –Nikandros was too serious and that erased the smile on Hephaistion’s face.

 

- What are you talking about?

 

- The fight! You moron –said his brother—It’s just about to begin, Alexander sent me to look for Krateros. The army is already outside the city’s gates and the citizens of Priapus are waiting. What now?

 

What now? –thought Hephaistion, his gorgeous gray eyes on his hated enemy.

 

- What else? Kyros! –the Theban jumped—Go for my armor.

 

- You are kidding me! You are going to fight? –Nikandros couldn’t believe it.

 

- Yes, do you have a better idea? –his brother said nothing.

 

XXX

 

Outside the tall walls of Priapus a crowd was reunited. The citizens were on the walls, outside the gates and in front of them the impressive sight of the Macedonian army. The prominent men of the city were with King Alexander and his closest Companions, with smiles of self-sufficiency on their faces that were starting to annoy the Macedonians. 

 

- I suppose you have chosen a champion, King Alexander –said a man named Damokles, with voice full with mockery.   

 

Perdikkas had been counting to 10 to calm himself down and not punch the man on his smiling face.

 

- Yes, I have –Alexander gave no signs of being offended, but inside he was burning in rage.

 

- Good! We chose ours too, a true champion, undefeated! –said Damokles with passion, shaking his fist in the air—Shall we begin then?

 

- Yes, I don’t have time to waste here –answered the King full of confidence and without hesitation, but inside he was asking himself where, in the name of the Olympians, was Krateros? 

 

- Bring Dardanos! –shouted Damokles, and the citizens roared in excitement at the sound of their champion’s name.

 

- Who, in the name of Ares and Athena, is Dardanos? –asked Philotas, he was angry that they had to play according this…lowlifes’ rules; and he was also hungry and tired of the lack of action in the campaign.

 

- Never heard of him –said Leonnatos.

 

- Dardanos –Ptolemy repeated—I know that name, but why?

 

- Maybe you know him better by his artistic name –said Kleitos, his strong arms crossed on his chest—The Hound of Hades.

 

- The Hound of Hades! –Ptolemy, Koinos and Nearchos exclaimed.

 

- Who is he? –asked Perdikkas, frowning.

 

- He is an untamed beast –said Koinos, impressed—I heard that he likes to dismember his opponents, and no man had ever survived after fighting against him.

 

- He is pretty famous, I didn’t know he lived here –said Nearchos, scratching his chin—Krateros doesn’t stand a chance against him. 

 

- You are exaggerating –said Philotas, unimpressed.

 

- No, he is not –said Kleitos—Dardanos is brutal and ridiculously strong. The first time I heard of him, people was saying that he was the son of a jackal; I laughed until I saw him fight… I don’t think there is a man capable of defeating him. 

 

- What are you saying? –asked Leonnatos, worried—We are going to lose?

 

- That’s the least of our problems, Leon –said Koinos—Dardanos is going to tear asunder Krateros.

 

Alexander had heard all the conversation in silence, his uneven eyes on the city’s gates where, a minutes latter, a monstrous form appeared. The people of Priapus roared when Dardanos came out, wearing a light armor, shield and a big curved jagged sword, like an enormous butcher’s knife.

 

- Wow! –exclaimed Leonnatos—I’m so glad of not being Krateros.

 

Dardanos was as huge as ugly, a sight from a nightmare, his face was no longer human, it was covered with horrible red scars the same as his arms and legs, silent witnesses of all his victories, his arms were as big as Alexander’s legs and his hair was extremely short. Dardanos lifted both arms and the shouts increased. He was enjoying the moment and had no hurry in finishing this fight quickly. 

 

- Where is your champion, King Alexander? –asked Damokles.

 

- He probably saw Dardanos and ran all his way back to Macedonia –said another man and they laughed.

 

- I’m here –said Hephaistion in a strong voice.

 

All the hetairoi turned and saw Hephaistion in his best armor, without helmet, his hair in a pony tail, his 2 swords on his back and his black cloak dancing at the wind’s mercy.

 

- What the hell is Hephaistion doing here? –asked Philotas.

 

Alexander saw him as if he was a ghost. Where was Krateros?

 

- I’m very sorry for the long wait my King –said Hephaistion, with a gallant bow.  

 

- You are going to fight Dardanos? –asked Damokles, trying not to laugh.

 

- Yes, I –said Hephaistion—Do you have a problem with that?

 

- Not at all young man, after all is you who is going to meet his maker, not I –Dardanos went to talk to his fellow citizens and Alexander walked to Hephaistion, speaking in a low voice in Macedonian.

 

- What are you doing here? –the King was furious.

 

- Krateros is unconscious –explained Hephaistion.

 

- What?! Why?

 

- Long story, I’ll tell you the details after the fight –Alexander took him by the arm in a strong grip.

 

- You are not going to fight; did you hear me? –a few times Alexander had been this angry, but his best friend knew he had to do this.

 

- We don’t have a choice now, do we? –Hephaistion held his gaze and smiled—Please, trust me. Everything is going to be all right, I promise. 

 

Alexander wanted to say something else but he couldn’t, and he just stood there watching his other half, his soul mate, walking to meet his death.

 

- You are going to face me? –asked Dardanos when Hephaistion stopped in front of him.

 

- Yes –Dardanos laughed rudely.

 

If I win again, I'm still the champion

And if you win, HA, that's just impossible!

Now, I hear you screaming out for mercy

Last man that's standing wins the fight

Too late, I see your end zero in on you

The wings of God surround me

(Megadeth, Play for Blood)

 

- No shield? –asked Dardanos, a big smile of confidence curving his lips—You Macedonians are strange fellows –Hephaistion watched him in silence, studying his opponent as his grandfather had taught him—You surely have a pretty face, I wouldn’t mind to preserve your head –the Macedonian remained silent and Dardanos frowned—Why don’t you talk? Too scare?  

 

His grandfather had told him to stay calm, to cast aside all emotions: anger, happiness or euphoria, he must be like a wall, firm and impenetrable and not let the enemy read his movement. Dardanos talked too much and was extremely overconfident, that was his weakness and he had to explode that because he sincerely doubted he had another weak point. 

 

Dardanos was angry now, his opponent wasn’t scared and that bothered him, he was used to pale faces, horror expression, more than once an opponent had fainted just at the sight of him, but not this Macedonian. He took his massive sword and attacked Hephaistion, with all the intentions of behead him, the Macedonian dodge him, kneeled and drew one sword ready to cut his enemy’s leg but his opponent turned and stopped his attack with his shield, and he tried to pierced him through his back and left him nailed to the ground.

 

Hephaistion rolled backwards but Dardanos moved faster and hit him hard with his shield, throwing him to the ground and kicking him on the ribs.

 

If Hephaistion hadn’t been using his armor the blow would have been mortal, this man was too strong. He managed to roll at one side to dodge Dardanos sword and the citizens of Priapus cheered. Tried to block one of his blows would be his end; the Hound of Hades was like the reincarnation of Herakles.

 

- I will bath in your blood, Macedonian –Dardanos spat, and Hephaistion stood up again with difficulty, judging by the pain at his side he probably had a broken rib…or two.            

 

Dardanos attacked again, and soon they were engaged in an elaborated and fast exchange of blows, but Dardanos was stronger and he kept pushing Hephaistion back, until the Macedonian had to draw his second sword; his hands ached after stopping Dardanos attacks, it was like hitting a wall and his fingers felt numb.

 

Hephaistion knew he wouldn’t win if he continued to defend himself, he had to attack and pushed his opponent but that was easier said that done. Dardanos truly was the Hound of Hades and his legs and arms were covered in cuts that bleed profoundly.

 

- What’s wrong boy? Are you tired already? –asked Dardanos.  

 

- I’m just warming up –said Hephaistion panting, and his opponent laughed.

 

This time Hephaistion attacked first, he hit Dardanos on the jaw with the pommel of his sword but the giant man seem to feel no pain, and hit the Macedonian hard using his head. Hephaistion tricked him and moving faster he managed to take off his shield and opened a gap in his opponent defense, but when he tried to give him a mortal blow, Dardanos cut his two swords as if they were made of wood, and pierced his side with his jagged blade. It was the most terrible pain he had even felt but he didn’t scream, not even when Dardanos moved the blade inside him with an evil grin curving his lips. His hot blood ran through his abdomen and legs.

 

Ptolemy and Nearchos had to hold Alexander to stop him before he ran to where Hephaistion was. Everybody knew that if Dardanos twisted his sword it would be the end of the Macedonian, a fatal wound, and Alexander couldn’t care less of what people would think if he ran in the middle of the battle to help his beloved, he wasn’t going to stand there and watch his soul mate died. 

 

Hephaistion felt like fainting but he couldn’t give up, luckily for him Dardanos liked to boast and he took his time to hear the cheers and the encouraging shouts of his excited audience. The Macedonian took a deep breath and with all his forces raised his broken blade and cut Dardanos sword arm.

 

Nobody could believed what was happening, not even Dardanos, who screamed horribly and took his severed arm with his hand. Hephaistion fell on his knees, he took the blade with the palms of his hands and clenching his jaw he took off the sword. A horrendous pain ran through his spine, the jagged blade made a terrible damage in his body but he didn’t scream. 

 

I have to get up, now is my chance, I have to get up –he told himself, but his legs didn’t seem to respond.

 

He lifted his head, he felt dizzy and his vision was blurring but then he saw Alexander, his face was the living image of concern. His beloved was suffering because of him; he had to get up. 

 

Hephaistion never knew how he did it, but he was on his feet again, he closed his eyes for a moment and ran to Dardanos. The pain was atrocious, but the fear of disappointing, of dishonoring his King was far worst, he cut his opponent’s thighs and Dardanos fell on his knees. Hephaistion took a breath and cut his head with his 2 broken swords.

 

The crowd fell silent and the only sound they could hear was Dardanos head hitting the ground. It took a long moment for all present there to assimilate what had just happened. Hephaistion had won and now he could rest. His swords fell on the ground and he fainted, he was losing too much blood and his wounds were serious; the last thing he heard was Alexander’s voice calling for doctor Philip.   

 

XXX

 

I was planning to introduce King Darius this time, but at the end I decided to postpone his appearance, it will have to wait I’m afraid.

 

I twisted a lot what really happened at Priapus. In reality, this city surrendered without major incidents, but that wouldn’t be interesting, so I changed the facts.

 

Thanks again for reading and see you next week!

 

In the next episode we are getting closer to the battle of the river Granicus…