CHAPTER 34

 

Memnon the Rhodian, the mercenary General hired by the Great King Darius III, was summoned to an urgent meeting called by Arsites, satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia. Arsites was worried by the presence of King Alexander and sent for his fellow governors in Asia Minor: Arsamenes of Cilician seaboard and Spithridates, who ruled Lydia and Ionia.

 

Apparently Aristes didn’t thought that Alexander was so much of a threat since he didn’t asked for the direct help of the Great King, but he wanted to end the Macedonian’s ambitions in Asia with the help of his colleagues. Aristes was a mediocre character; he had never done something remarkable in his life but his head was full with dreams of glory and his heart of ambition; he wanted to stand out in the Persian court, to gain the favor of the Great King and to be recognized not only as a brave man but also as the savior of his country by defeating a foreign menace.

 

The Persians had nothing to envy from the Greeks, they were the masters of a great Empire, rich, educated, great builders of cities and they lived surrounded by luxuries and comfort. There was nothing they wanted from Greece except for one thing: Mercenaries. The only thing the Persians admired from the Greeks were their warriors, their soldiers, their talent in the arts of war.

 

As sad as it sounds, there were more Greeks in the Persian army than with Alexander’s army. The Greeks still resented what Alexander had done with Thebes and they didn’t give the King too many troops or resources.  

 

But Aristes was tired of the Greeks, he didn’t like Memnon and he was determined to show his Great King that he, a Persian satrap, could defeat the Macedonian King that had destroyed the famous city of Thebes. He was eager to engage battle and that was the reason for this urgent meeting.  

 

Night had fallen hours ago, it was a hot night, the sky clean and the moon shining with intensity, for many the moon was a good omen. It was late but Memnon wanted to leave immediately; he had arrived that morning after traveling as fast as he could on a race camel to the base camp at Zeleia, east of the Granicus River, accompanied by his most trusted commander, Lykaon, who was no other than Thais’ father. But the meeting was not as he had hoped. Memnon had expected to convince the Persians into adopting a simple strategy against the Macedonian King, but the Persians refused to listen to him.

 

- Fools! –exclaimed Memnon suddenly, kicking a rock on his way to his horse. He was sick and tired of camels.  

 

- General? –asked Lykaon. Thais looked a lot like her father; they both had blond orange hair and blue eyes and were very good looking. Her father wasn’t an old man, next month he would be 42 but his arms and legs were covered with scars, and he had a burned mark on his left cheek.  

 

- The Persians are planning to attack the Macedonian King –explained Memnon, catching his attention.

 

- When?

 

- As soon as the troops are ready, at the river Granicus. 

 

- And you don’t approved –that was more than obvious, but Lykaon had to say it.

 

- No, I don’t –said Memnon, brushing his dark hair back.

 

The mercenary General was an attractive man of 37 years old, black hair and pale blue eyes, his skin was tanned after spending almost all his life under the sun, but that suited him. He was a good and intelligent man, practical and outspoken, and sometime (like this time) his outspoken manners got him into troubles. He might be younger than Lykaon but Thais father had great respect for him.   

 

- What happened?

 

- You know as well as everybody, that the Macedonian King is out of money –said the Rhodian, by now almost all the Empire knew that, it was a common joke among the men of the Hellespontine Phrygia and many were making bets to see how much time would Alexander last in Persian soil without money—He must be eager to engage battle against us, an overwhelming victory is what he needed more than anything. So, the best way to deal with him is to avoid direct combat with his army, to destroy the crops, strip the countryside, if necessary to burn down towns and villages…I’m willing to do the same with my own lands. And, at the same time we must launch an attack to Greece, to force him to go back to his kingdom. 

 

Lykaon nodded.

 

- It’s a good plan, sir. What did the Persians say?

 

- They refused to destroy the crops…something about Zoroaster’s teaching about protecting the agriculture –said Memnon, he was in a bad mood—And to make things worst the Macedonian King didn’t touch my estates when he passed near them, I’m sure he is trying to trick the Great King, making him believe that I’m on the enemy’s side. 

 

- What now?

 

- Now? I’m going to my wife, you should rest too and we assemble the men in two days, we have to prepare for battle –Memnon patted Lykaon’s shoulder and mounted his horse.

 

The mercenary General had many years working for the Great King; he had even married a Persian, a woman of great beauty named Barsine, who had given him 2 sons. He lived well and had everything he could ask for, surrounded by luxury, servants and a loving wife; but that night, when he arrived at his beautiful house he was concerned. Since he left the meeting he had a hunch, and his hunches were always true.

 

Usually Barsine didn’t asked about politics or military affairs, but she had heard a lot about the Macedonian King and her husband looked so worried, that she asked about the meeting.

 

- And, are you sure we don’t have a chance of defeating the Macedonian King? –asked Barsine, serving him more wine.

 

- We can, but it won’t be easy –said Memnon, thinking—The Macedonian infantry is far more superior than ours –that he had said to the Persians, but of course nobody liked to hear the awful true, least of all when a foreigner like Memnon said: “Wake up, your infantry sucks and the Macedonian has the best troops a General can ask for to kick your sorry asses from here to India” No surprise they didn’t take well his advice – We could have avoid this, if only they had listened –he continued in a low voice. 

 

Barsine settled her eyes on the beautiful mural of Aphrodite serving grapes to Ares in a garden.

 

- Husband?

 

- Yes?

 

- Is this King married? –asked Barsine with curiosity.

 

- No, why do you ask?

 

- Because usually women are the weakness of a man –his wife explained, taking a seat at his side.

 

Memnon smiled.

 

- You are right, but this man doesn’t have weaknesses –said her husband, sighing—The Great King is underestimating him, and if we don’t stop him now, he will be our end. I know it.

 

- Are you sure he doesn’t have a mistress or something? –Barsine insisted.

 

- Sure enough, the only thing I heard is that he has a lover, his best friend… –Memnon fell silent remembering what he had heard about Hephaistion.

 

- Is something wrong? –Barsine asked.

 

- No…but…I heard that he loves his best friend profoundly –said Memnon and idea forming in his brain—My spies told me that in Ilium the King and his lover performed a ceremony at the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus –he held his wife’s dark eyes—You are right, he has a weakness.

 

- His lover –Barsine was an intelligent woman and knew perfectly well her husband, she knew he was planning something.

 

- I have to talk to Lykaon.

 

After all, maybe they had a way of defeating Alexander out of the battlefield. How was that he hadn’t thought about that before? He thanked the Gods for his wife, she was right, the Macedonian King wasn’t married but he was in love. He had to exploit that. Usually he didn’t use this kind of tricks but deep inside he knew he had to stop Alexander one way or another or he would be their downfall.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion had been sleeping for 3 days after his outstanding fight; his wounds were serious and doctor Philip had done the best he could to attend them, but his condition was bad.

 

- Alexander, I think Hephaistion should stay in the city –said the doctor—He can’t travel with the army in his condition.  

 

- How bad is he? And tell me the truth, please –asked the King, his handsome face looking pale and tired. He hadn’t slept, keeping an eye on Hephaistion, being at his side day and night as his personal nurse.

 

Philip shook his head.

 

- He lost too much blood and the wound on his side is serious –said the doctor—He is the Gods’ hands now.

 

The King clenched his jaw fighting back the tears, he would not cry in front of his doctor and friends.

 

- I can’t leave him now –he said.

 

- Alexander, we have been stuck for 3 days in this city –said Philotas, tired and bored—We can’t loose more time here.

 

- He is my best friend –said the King angry, watching Parmelio’s son directly.

 

- Yes, we know that, but you are also the King –Philotas insisted, ignoring his father’s expression of warning—You can’t keep the whole army here because Hephaistion is not feeling well.  

 

- Not feeling well? –Alexander stood up, and judging by the vein on his forehead he was furious—Phai is dying, Philotas –he looked menacing and for a moment Parmelio feared for his son’s life—I don’t give a damn for what you think, I’m the King as you said, and I say that I’m not leaving without Phai. 

 

- You can’t keep your mouth shut, don’t you? –said Leonnatos angry, and judging by the expressions of the rest of the Companions, they didn’t approved Philotas’ words either.

 

- Leon is right, Philotas –said Koinos—Hephaistion risked his life for the sake of the army, he fought as I haven’t seen anyone fight before, he deserves respect.

 

- If you don’t want to be here, go back to Macedonia –said Kleitos, now he had great respect for Hephaistion and wasn’t in the mood to hear Philotas’ complains.

 

Parmelio shook his head; he didn’t like Hephaistion but his son must learn when to keep his thoughts for himself. Alexander was madly in love with Hephaistion, and the King could kill for him, making fun of the state of his dear friend was like a death wish, he would have to talk to his son later.

 

Parmelio didn’t know what was worst, Philip obsessed with Amyntor’s boy or Alexander in love with him. 

 

Philotas made a sneer, and Krateros rolled his eyes. He had a dressing around his head and jaw and couldn’t speak, he only took liquids because he couldn’t chew and doctor Philip said he would have to wait at least 2 weeks before eating solids. Krateros couldn’t be happier with the news about Hephaistion’s condition, even if deep inside him he knew that if he had fought against Dardanos, he would be dead by now.

 

- Alexander –said Parmelio in a conciliatory tone—I understand your concern for Hephaistion, we all are worried about him. He achieved a great victory not only for himself but also for his King and Macedonia, the people of Priapus, for example, see us now with great respect, but we can’t stay here much longer, we don’t have supplies and we can’t continue without you. 

 

- Parmelio is right, Alexander –said Kleitos, changing his weight for one foot to the other—I admire what Hephaistion did, but he won that battle to save time for us, and now we are here doing nothing.

 

Kleitos had said the key words: Hephaistion had fought for him, and he was wasting his victory moaning like a woman beside his bed.

 

- Philip, can’t Phai travel with the baggage train? –asked the King, more calm now.

 

- No, Alexander the motion of the wagon could open his wounds again –said the doctor—He needs to rest in a clean and safe place.

 

- You are asking me to leave my other half –said Alexander in a low voice—It would be the same to ask me to rip out my heart. I can’t leave, what if he…? —he couldn’t say it—I would never forgive myself if he dies and I’m not here at his side.

 

- He is not going to die –said Leonnatos, softening his voice—He has too much to live for, besides his major wound is not fatal, Dardanos’ sword didn’t pierce a vital organ, isn’t that right?

 

Doctor Philip nodded.

 

- That’s right, it’s a clean wound –Philip left things there, not mentioning that his major concern was the loss of blood. 

 

An uncomfortable silence fell upon them, until the King nodded, clearing his throat before speaking.

 

- Glycon –Alexander called his page, and the boy came immediately—Go for Nikandros, General Hephaistion’s brother.

 

- Yes, sire. 

 

They are right –thought the King—What I need is to hurry, win a battle against these Persians and come back as soon as possible. Please Phai, you have to get better.

 

Kleitos saw Alexander with great interest, he had never seen the King like this before, he was a complete mess without Hephaistion, his cool exterior and practical mind were in the trash can, and since the day of the fight he was in a terrible mood. The veteran hipparch didn’t want to think what would happen if Hephaistion died.

 

- Did you call me, Alexander? –said Nikandros with all respect, arriving at the house where the King was staying.

 

- Yes, I need you to stay here with Phai –said the King, walking to him—I’ll leave with you a small group of soldiers and you will be in charge of his security.

 

- Yes, Alexander –said Nikandros. He too looked very pale; he was extremely worried for his brother and this news were indeed very welcome. He was happy to have the opportunity to take care of him.  

 

- Alexander –said Ptolemy softly—If you agree, I would like to leave a woman to take care of Hephaistion.

 

The King frowned.

 

- A woman?

 

- My mistress –explained Ptolemy—She is very intelligent and resourceful, I’m sure she would take good care of him.

 

His offered was sincere and Alexander appreciated it. He ordered the army to be ready at dawn next day, and he went back to Hephaistion’s room.

 

Kyros was there, changing his master’s dressings with great care. The boy had seen the fight and was still impressed of Hephaistion’s courage and strength, he had never seen a man endured so much pain without screaming. Could he be like him someday? His hands trembled when he saw the wound, doctor Philip had stitched it and it didn’t look good, it was a sight taken from a horror movie, the skin red and swelled attached with threat in the place where the jagged sword had entered causing so much damage.

 

Kyros was about to clean the wound when Alexander took him by the wrist; he jumped scared.

 

- I will finish this –said the King and Kyros nodded without looking at him.

 

The King scared him but he didn’t understand why, maybe it was because of his eyes, he had never before seen a man with eyes like him, not only were they of different colors they also kept many secrets and mysteries locked up; Alexander had the eyes of a predator, always waiting for the right moment to strike, he could strip your soul and read you like an open scroll. The King might be a young man but he had a strange aura, almost as if he were a god trapped in a prison of flesh. Kyros felt uneasy around him. The boy picked up the old dressings and left the room, not daring to ask the King if he needed something else.

 

Alexander took the bucket with water and started cleaning the wound. At least it wasn’t bleeding and it wasn’t infected, if his beloved survived he would have a horrible scar in his once perfect skin. Every now and then Hephaistion moaned, it hurt every time the King passed the cloth over his wound and his muscles contracted under his touch, but he didn’t wake up.

 

- I’m sorry –said Alexander in a whisper, taking great care in not hurting him more than was necessary, he needed to clean the wound correctly or it could get infected—I should have told you when you asked me why I didn’t want you to fight –his voice was soft and full with love—But I was angry and concerned…you truly are my Patroclus, Phai; but Patroclus died before Achilles –his voice trembled with emotion—I didn’t want you to risk your live. I don’t want to lose you! –Alexander said those words from the bottom of his heart—This fight was to death, do you think I wanted to lose you for a city like Priapus? I wouldn’t risk your life even for the whole world –a tear rolled down his cheek—Please… forgive me…I love you too much and I can’t imagined a world without you…please, don’t die, Phai.

 

The King kissed his lips tenderly, feeling the beating of Hephaistion’s heart on them. Leonnatos was right, Hephaistion had so much to live for, and the strong beating of his heart told him that. 

 

- The Gods know I don’t want to, but I have to leave you tomorrow –Alexander whispered, brushing aside the long locks of his beloved’s hair— I’ll be back soon, I promise. Even if you don’t believe in them, I know the Gods aren’t going to separate us, I’ll do a sacrifice tomorrow and you will get better… did you hear me? That’s an order.   

 

The King kissed his cheek tenderly and continue cleaning and dressing his other wounds, the cuts on his skin and the bruises. He kissed every wound, brushing slightly the swelled skin with his lips, his blond hair caressing him at the same time his fingers slid through his body.

 

- If you get better soon, I promise to not make fun of your ridiculous victory dance ever again –said Alexander, coving him with a blanket—How I wish I could have seen your victory dance after your fight…even if that would have ruined the epic mood –he kissed his eyelids—You truly are a great warrior, I have never doubt that, it’s just… sometimes I wish I could lock you in a cage full with cushions to keep you safe… I know, you would hate me if I do that to you… but, you can’t blame to think this way.

 

The King lifted his friend with care and put another pillow under his head, he was so pale that he looked like a corpse.

 

- I would give gladly all my blood if with that I could make you feel better –Alexander took his hand, and kissed it with devotion—Do you remember the first time we met? I do, when I close my eyes I can see that 13 years old boy as if you were standing in front of me –the King smiled—You were dressed in a dark chiton, you have always like dark colors, your hair was much shorter than now, I know you don’t like long hair, you keep it like this because of me…you were so angry when I almost ran over you with the horse that you started to shout at me that I was a brute. Never before an insult had been so well received, you were and still are very beautiful; you caught my attention since I lay my eyes on you… I never told anyone but I made a sacrifice at the temple of Aphrodite, for letting me know you.

 

Alexander caressed his hand with his thumb.

 

- You know, not even in my dreams I could have found someone like you –he continued— You make me a better person. Do you remember how we used to fight when we were boys? You truly hated me, but I couldn’t love you more…do you want to know what I love the most about you? No, it’s not your thighs; it’s your mind. Your intelligence, the way in which you talk to me, you always know what to say…I love seeing my eyes in yours, I love you and every little gesture you make, how you always brushed your hair behind your ear when you are nervous, I love your terrible singing and your victory dance, I love the way you laugh and the way you frown when you are angry. I love how you whisper love words to me and how you scold me when I do something wrong…please, don’t leave, not now not ever.

 

Alexander kissed his hand again. He spent the afternoon there, taking care of Hephaistion, watching him sleep as if he was afraid his soul mate would disappear in any moment.

 

Everybody knew the King was in his beloved’s room and no one dared to disturb him, at least not until nightfall when Ptolemy arrived with Thais; they found Alexander taking his dinner in the living room, after doctor Philip had insisted that he should eat something. He would be of no use to Hephaistion or to the army if he got sick, had said the doctor. 

 

- Thais, he is King Alexander –said Ptolemy, and his mistress saw Alexander with her eyes wide opened, recognizing him from the day of the festival at Aegae.

 

- Sweet Hera! You are the King –said Thais without voice, confusing her lover.

 

- Yes, I’m the King… Sweetie –Thais laughed, it was a nervous laugh.

 

She was an idiot. How blind she was… of course he was the King, she had heard about the great love that Alexander and Hephaistion shared, Ptolemy had told her many things about their days in Mieza, it was unlikely that a man like Hephaistion would have a friend with benefits.

 

- My apologies, sire –said Thais with a bow—I didn’t know it was you in Aegae.

 

Ptolemy made a mental note to ask Thais about this latter.

 

- Take a seat –said the King and the 2 of them joined him. It was a modest dinner since they didn’t money or supplies but the wine was good—How long have you been together?

 

- Er…I’ll say, since the battle at Thebes –said Ptolemy—I went to Athens before going back to Macedonia and I bought Thais from the owner of the hetaira house, Lamia. It wasn’t easy; this woman didn’t want to let her go.

 

And it wasn’t cheap, either –thought Ptolemy.

 

- At the end, Lamia agreed to let me go when I said I wanted to do it –said Thais, smiling adorably at the King.

 

That was partly true. Thais was the most popular girl in Lamia’s house and she was very found of her hetaira, but Lamia knew about Thais’ dream of finding her father, and she also knew that Ptolemy could help her. It was a sad day in Lamia’s house when she left, all the girls cried, the servants, the cook, the gardener, the guards, even the dog was sad.

 

- You wanted to go? With Ptolemy? –asked Alexander with curiosity.

 

- Hey! What’s that suppose to mean? –Ptolemy exclaimed.

 

But the King said nothing. Why would a woman like Thais left her house and her life to come to Asia as the mistress of a Macedonian officer?

 

- Do you agree to stay here and look after Hephaistion? –asked Alexander, changing the subject, he was in no mood to play the detective.

 

He didn’t like the idea of having such a beautiful woman alone with his beloved but the rational part of his brain said: “don’t be an idiot, Phai is wounded and unconscious and she is Ptolemy’s mistress” Besides he couldn’t refused now, that would be an insult to his friend.

 

- It would be my pleasure, sire.

 

- Can you take care of a wounded man?

 

- I’m not a doctor, but I now how to deal with injuries. He will be fine with me –said Thais.

 

Alexander nodded.    

 

- I will leave doctor Philip with you, if you need anything ask Nikandros, he would be in charge here –said the King. 

 

- Thank you, sire.

 

XXX

 

Nikandros stayed with his friend Kleopatros and a handful of soldiers. Thais, her slave Sophonisba and Kyros took care of Hephaistion under the supervision of doctor Philip.

 

- Ptolemy, are you sure it was a good idea to leave Thais in Priapus? –asked Perdikkas, when they were riding with the rest of the army to Dascylium.

 

- Yes, why do you ask?

 

- Because you leave such a beautiful woman with Nick –Ptolemy fell silent. He hadn’t thought of that and now he saw his mistake. Nikandros was his friend but he was also an incorrigible womanizer.

 

- Holy Mother $%&/ With a $%&/ On top! –exclaimed Ptolemy, now it was too late to go back.

 

Luckily for Ptolemy, Nikandros was too concern for his brother to pay attention to Thais. He spent almost all day at the house seeing that his brother had everything he needed, his uncle Althaimenes had told him before leaving to not write to his parents, at least not until Hephaistion was better.

 

- You would only worry them –had said his uncle—I’m sure Phai is going to be fine; he is like my father, strong and stubborn.

 

Nikandros sincerely hope his uncle was right; even if he didn’t say it, he loved his brother and now that they were so far from home, he felt Hephaistion was his responsibility. After all he was his older brother. 

 

Thais had 2 nights sleeping on a couch at the side of Hephaistion’s bed, taking turns with Kyros. Doctor Philip ordered to feed him with milk and tea, he needed to rest and eat but 2 days passed and the General didn’t wake up.  

 

That night, as the last nights, Thais changed Hephaistion’s dressings with the help of Sophonisba and Kyros, while Nikandros went to see his friend Kleopatros and check if everything was fine in the city. Everything was as usual and no one suspected that a group of mercenaries, Memnon’s men, were watching them near the house.

 

XXX

 

Note: For all of you who read Mr. Manfredi’s books about Alexander’s life, you surely saw that my scene between Memnon and Barsine is like the one in the second book of the trilogy. The first time I read that book I was so angry that Manfredi put a love triangle with Memnon-Barsine-Alexander that I said to myself “when I reach this part in my story I’m going to do my love triangle with Memnon-Hephaistion-Alexander” That’s why I borrowed this scene…Oops! I’m giving spoilers. Bad Zophiel, bad!