CHAPTER 35

 

Memnon had ordered Lykaon to kidnap Hephaistion and bring him to where the Greek General was, near the river Granicus. He had heard about Hephaistion’s fight and injures and saw his chance at once. King Alexander wasn’t there and only a small group of soldiers guarded the Macedonian General. 

 

Inside the house, Thais walked near the window and if she had turned, she would have seen her father standing on the street in front of the house. But Thais was distracted, talking to her slave and gave her back to the window.

 

- How many people are inside? –asked Lykaon to one of his men, his blue eyes surveying the small house. 

 

- 2 women, a boy and the doctor.

 

- What about the guards?

 

- 2 guards at the front door, 2 more in the house, 4 on the street making a patrol and another 4 around the city –said his man.

 

- Easy enough, who is the officer in charge here? –asked Lykaon, lifting his eyes at the same time that Thais moved away from the window.

 

- The brother of the target.

 

- Mm, I don’t like it –Lykaon scratched his chin—If he is his brother, he would fight like a lion to protect him. 

 

- What are we going to do, sir?

 

- Where is the brother now?

 

- With the guards near the north gate.

 

- We don’t have much time. Tell the boys to make a diversion to distract the soldiers on patrol –ordered Lykaon—And you and your men are going to enter the house, don’t kill anyone, the General wants to leave survivors, he wants that the Macedonian King to know about this.

 

- Yes, sir.

 

Inside the house, Kyros brought a tray with milk, cheese and bread.

 

- This is for you –he said to the ladies, leaving the tray on a small table.

 

- Oh, thank you –said Thais, straightening on her couch—You are a little gentleman, Kyros. Sophonisba, take a seat.

 

- Thank you –said the slave to Kyros, smiling and making the boy blush.

 

Kyros sat on a chair to eat his meal and for a long moment no one speak.

 

- Poor man –said Sophonisba, after a while, her eyes on the sleeping form of Hephaistion—What a terrible wound.

 

- Don’t feel sorry for him –said Thais gravely, leaving her piece of bread on the table at her side—He fought a great duel, and won. One must never saw a man like Hephaistion with pity, always with respect.

 

- Do you think…he is going to be fine? –asked Kyros, his green eyes full with concern.

 

Thais smiled.

 

- You love him, don’t you? –the boy nodded—I don’t blame you, he is easy to love, and very handsome.

 

- I don’t think he is that handsome –said Sophonisba, catching their attention—I mean, he is really attractive but the King is also a very handsome man –the slave blush. 

 

- Do you like King Alexander? –asked Thais and her servant blush even more.

 

- Everybody is always talking about the beauty of the General –said Sophonisba—I have even heard men saying that the General must be the son of Aphrodite, but… the King has another kind of beauty. I think he has everything, the King is brilliant, a great leader, a good warrior and he is very attractive…  

 

Thais blinked in complete surprise.

 

- Oh Sweet Aphrodite! You really like him –her slave felt embarrassed—Now, now, don’t be shy Sophonisba –she took a seat at her side—You are right, the King is a very handsome man, I should have thought that myself since he is the only man that can stand at Hephaistion’s side and still look ravishing. They look good together, not only because they are very attractive, but also because they love each other so much –Thais sighed dreamily.

 

- The King –said Kyros—Has something special, he… I can’t explain it correctly but… I think people are going to talk about him many years from now.

 

Thais nodded. They heard a noise outside and the hetaira jumped to her feet.

 

- What was that? –she asked.

 

- I’ll go and take a look –Kyros left the room, but not long after that 5 men came in, one of them holding the Theban with a sword at his throat.

 

Sophonisba tried to scream but one of the men took her covering her mouth with his hand, pointing a sword at her.

 

- If you scream, I’ll cut your tongue, do you understand? –said the man and the slave nodded. Sophonisba was terrified.

 

- Who are you? –asked Thais, summoning all her courage.

 

- Tied them –said one man, and his companion took a rope.

 

The last man walked to the bed and stood there a moment watching Hephaistion. 

 

- This is the man who defeated Dardanos? Gods, he is beautiful –he whispered.

 

- Are you deaf? Who are you? –Thais insisted, raising her voice.

 

- We are Greek mercenaries, ma’am –said the man who was tying her, back to back with her slave.

 

- Greek mercenaries? –Thais repeated in a low voice, her heart racing.

 

The man at Hephaistion’s bed took off the blanket. The General was half naked, covered with dressings and the man decided to wrap him on the same blanket and carried him on arms. Hephaistion moaned in pain.

 

- No! –Kyros shouted, trying to break free from his captor strong grip—He is injured; you can’t move him.   

 

- Don’t worry kid, we are not going to hurt the General –said the man who was carrying Hephaistion—We are going to take good care of him.

 

- Where are you taking us? –asked Thais and the men laughed.

 

- I’m sorry precious, but even if we would love to take you with us, our orders only concern the Macedonian –the man tying her, kissed her cheek and the hetaira spat at his face. The man laughed again. 

 

The man carrying Hephaistion left the room and the one who appeared to be the leader said to his captives.

 

- My name is Euthydemos son of Megadates –he said in a clear voice, speaking an impeccable Greek—I see you understand Greek, that’s good because I have a message for your King –he made a pause while his men left the room—Tell King Alexander that General Memnon of Rhodes send him his greetings –Thais gasped, and saw him with her eyes wide opened. Memnon of Rhodes? That meant her father must be close. She cursed her luck, maybe this man knew her father, but how to ask now in this situation?—Tell the King that if he wants to see his lover again, he would take his army back to Macedonia.

 

- That’s despicable! –exclaimed Kyros with all the indignity a boy like him could summoned—Your General has no honor!   

 

- I’m not going to argue with you, kid –said Euthydemos—Give your King the message, and do it quickly or he will never see his lover again.

 

Euthydemos was gone before anyone could speak again, leaving the 3 of them uncomfortable sitting on the floor.

 

- All right boys, we are leaving –said Lykaon on the street. His men put Hephaistion on a wagon and covered him with a blanket, hiding him among the amphorae of wine.

 

Their plan was very simple; pretend they were merchants with their escort leaving the city. In those dangerous days nobody would ask why they traveled with an escort of so many men. Lykaon jumped on the wagon and they head to the exit with all calm, they didn’t want to drag the attention of the few people who were out at that hour.

 

Everything went fine for the mercenaries, the city was very quiet, a dog barked in a distant house and they could only hear the sound of the wheels on the road and the hoofs of the horses. They were getting close to the main gate, just a little closer…

 

- What are you doing at this hour? –asked one of the Macedonian guards. Three men from Nikandros squadron were there.

 

One of the mercenaries moved his hand to his sword, but Lykaon shook his head, holding his gaze. 

 

- Joy to you, soldier! –exclaimed Lykaon in a cheerful tone, raising one hand—A warm night, isn’t it?

 

- Who are you? –asked the Macedonian.

 

- I’m Heirax son of Neleus –lied Lykaon.

 

- Greek?

 

- That’s right, sir. I’m a wine merchant –Lykaon pat the amphora behind him.

 

- What business do you have in this city? –the guard knew to do his job well; that was very bad news to Lykaon and his men.

 

The mercenaries were more, but they didn’t want to make a fuss. Lykaon tried again, and if he failed to convince the guard and his companions, they would have to kill them all.

 

- I came with my son to sell wine, but I didn’t have much luck here –said Lykaon—I’ll head south to see if lady luck smiles me there.

 

The Macedonian saw the men escorting the wagon. Luckily for the mercenaries it was dark, if not the guard would have seen that they didn’t look like common hired guards.   

 

- You can go –said the Macedonian after a long moment that made the mercenaries sweat.

 

- Thank you, sir. Here –Lykaon took a small amphorae and gave it to the guard—A small token of my gratitude.

 

- Thank you –said the Macedonian smiling.

 

Lykaon whistled and the group kept going.

 

XXX

 

Months have passed since little Achilles came to live at Amyntor’s house. Antigone had been right, Amyntor and grandfather Demetrios were very excited with the news that Hephaistion had a son…even if this was an illegitimate one. Life were very unfair to women those days, when Berenike said she was pregnant her father almost killed her, but when Amyntor heard about Hephaistion’s son, everything was fine. 

 

The first task of Antigone was to teach the little boy Macedonian and Greek, because he spoke a native language of Illyria, lucky for her he was an extremely intelligent boy and he learn quickly, he was like a sponge absorbing everything around him. Her second goal was to tell Achilles about his father, everyday Antigone told Achilles a story about Hephaistion, and months later the excited boy asked frequently when was he going to meet his wonderful father.

 

- Nanny, when is my father coming back? –asked the little boy of 3 years old.

 

- Soon, Aki –answered Antigone with a sweet smile.

 

- When is soon? Tomorrow? –said Achilles, sitting on a chair swinging his legs.

 

- Yes, maybe tomorrow –and next day Antigone said again: “tomorrow”

 

Cadie was very happy to have again a baby in the house and all the members of the family spoiled him making Lysanias jealous.

 

- I don’t know why the fuss –said the boy one day, sitting on a chair in her mother’s kitchen—Phai has a son, big deal.

 

- Lys, honey; don’t be like that –said Antigone, checking the soup—Poor Aki lived in a village without his parents, he deserves to have a loving family and we will take care of him until Phai comes back. Aren’t you excited to be an uncle?

 

- Not much… mom?

 

- Yes, sweetheart.

 

- Did Phai answer your letter?

 

- Not yet, I suppose he must be really busy.

 

- MA’AM!!! –shouted Cadie, running into the kitchen—Ma’am! –she was very pale and that scared Antigone. 

 

- Cadie, good Zeus! What’s happening? –Antigone cleaned her hands on her apron.

 

- It’s Aki, ma’am –said Cadie trembling—I took him with me to the market and…and then a group of guards arrived and said that Aki had to go with them, by the direct orders of Queen Olympias.

 

Antigone took her hands to her face and sat down, thinking quickly what to do.

 

- Why? –she managed to ask without voice.

 

- They didn’t tell me… ma’am, what are we going to do? Master Amyntor is not here and grandpa Demetrios went out hunting –Cadie felt terrible, Aki was her responsibility and she let the guards took him. But what could a woman like her do against 4 arm men? She knew that in her head but in her heart she felt different.

 

Why would the Queen send for Aki? –thought Antigone—What does she has to do with him? And after all these months…—then an idea struck her—What if…? If Phai slept with one of the King’s sisters, could it be? Could it be Cleopatra? That would explain why the Queen is interested in him…

 

Antigone took a deep breath and stood up again.

 

- I’m going to the palace –she made up her mind. There was no use in staying home doing nothing and she didn’t want to bother her husband with this. Amyntor had been working really hard with Antipater to keep the Greek cities in peace, she would try to solve this by herself. 

 

- Alone?! –exclaimed Lysanias—No way! I’m coming with you.

 

Next year Lysanias would be 13 years old, which meant that he would be a page. He had many dreams in his young head and contrary to what his brother Hephaistion thought when he was that age, Lysanias was eager to be a page, he wanted to go to Asia, to fight and return home cover in glory.

 

As his brothers, he had been trained in the art of war, he knew how to use a sword and a spear. Lysanias didn’t think of himself as a boy, he considered himself a capable fighter and as the only man present in the house it was his duty to take care of his mother.

 

Antigone smiled, his younger son, his baby was growing up.

 

- Thank you, Lys.

 

XXX

 

- Who are you? –asked Achilles, sitting on a couch in Queen Olympias’ chambers.

 

Olympias received a letter from her daughter a month ago; it was a surprised to find that Cleopatra had an illegitimate son, but even more shocking was to know who was the father. The Queen was eager to tell Alexander that his beloved had a son with his sister; maybe then the King would at last get rid of Hephaistion. But she couldn’t do that, Cleopatra had been very clear in that matter, she wanted the boy back to Epirus as soon as her mother found him to kill him.  

 

- I’m your grandmother –said Olympias.

 

She was impressed; since the guards brought Achilles to her she had been staring at the boy. He looked a lot like Alexander and that moved her mother’s heart, if she hadn’t knew better she would have bet that Achilles was the King’s son. Olympias had a weak point named Alexander, she adored her son, and when she laid eyes on this boy she wasn’t very sure about her daughter’s plans.

 

- No, you are not. Nanny is my grandmother –said the boy with all the wisdom of his 3 years.

 

- Nanny? –repeated Olympias, rising an eyebrow. 

 

- My Queen –said one of her maids standing on the threshold—A woman wants to see you.

 

- Who is she? –asked Olympias, her eyes on Achilles.

 

- Antigone, wife of Amyntor –said her maid. 

 

Ah! Surely she is here for the boy –thought the Queen.

 

- Let her in –said Olympia at last—Take the boy to Alexander’s old room –she said to her most trustful servant and the woman obeyed at once.   

 

A few moments later Antigone entered her chambers. She had dressed herself impeccable, with her best dress and her most beautiful jewels; she came here as a noble woman searching for righteousness, not as a beggar. Olympias had never met her and saw Antigone with curiosity.   

 

So, she is Hephaistion’s mother –thought the Queen, crossing her leg—A beautiful woman, even for her age.

 

Antigone made an elegant bow.

 

- Joy to you, Queen Olympias! –she said in a respectful tone.

 

- Joy to you too –said Olympias without emotion—Come, sit at my side –she continued, extending her arm to point out a couch.

 

- You are very kind.

 

- Can I offer you something?

 

- A tea, thank you –the Queen moved her hand and a servant ran to bring the tea.

 

Antigone had heard many bad things about the Queen, the last one, that she put flowers on Pausanias of Orestis’ tomb every year on the day of his murder, and asked for the dagger he used to kill her husband. Apparently she consecrated the weapon to Apollo or something like that. Antigone needed to use all her cleverness here.

 

- Let’s go straight to the point –said Olympias, when Antigone had her tea—You are here because of the boy, aren’t you?

 

Antigone concealed her emotions, took a sip from her tea and left the cup at her side.

 

- That is correct. I came for him, he is my grandson and we want him back at home –she said.

 

- He is also my grandson, wife of Amyntor –said the Queen in a cold tone, confirming Antigone’s suspicious, Achilles was Cleopatra’s son—And he is going to stay here. 

 

- I understand, but I’m not leaving without Achilles –said Antigone stubbornly, her green eyes full with determination, after all she was Hephaistion’s mother.

 

Olympias laughed, her hand on her mouth.

 

- Antigone, don’t be silly –she said sweetly—Don’t make me call the guards.

 

- I’m afraid you will have to call them –said Antigone, her hands on her lap— Because I’m not going anywhere without my grandson.  

 

XXX

 

- Mom, you shouldn’t have made the Queen mad –said Lysanias, walking with her mother through the palace’s gardens.

 

The boy had almost hit the guards when he saw they were escorting her mother outside the palace. Antigone walking among them like a Queen with her escort, not like a frighten mouse.

 

- I had to do it, Lys. And I’m not giving up –said Antigone, angry and worried, as her son had never seen her before—Nobody messes with my boys and gets its way.  

 

- But, what are we going to do now? –asked Lysanias, he didn’t like Achilles but didn’t mean he wished him any harm.

 

And as if Thessalonike had been waiting for a signal, she appeared in that moment, running to where Antigone and her son were.

 

- Antigone! –the Princesses called her—Oh…thank… Zeus!…Antigone, you have to listen to me, I have something… —she took a deep breath— Where can we talk? It’s about Achilles.  

 

Antigone’s eyes shone. Thessalonike was a good friend of Berenike since her daughter was 16 years old, they started talking to each other because Thessalonike liked Hephaistion but they relationship evolved in a beautiful friendship. Antigone took the Princess’ hand.

 

- Come to my house.

 

XXX

 

By the evening all the members of Amyntor’s family, except for Amyntor knew about what had happened with Achilles and the Queen. Grandfather Demetrios had returned very happy after hunting all day, and he had entered the house dragging a deer and shouting that they would have a feast that night, when he found all the women pale and worried. Even Berenike was there, she came running when she heard the news. 

 

- Let me get this straight –said Berenike after hearing Thessalonike’s story—Aki is the son of your sister Cloe and my brother Phai. 

 

- Yes –said Thessalonike, moving her head.

 

- Damn! It would have been great if he was your son –said Berenike and her friend sighed.

 

- Oh how I wish that could be true –said Thessalonike, to have a son with Hephaistion was like a dream for her. 

 

Grandfather Demetrios cleared his throat.

 

- But coming back to your sister –he said— She wrote to the Queen and asked that Aki must be sent to her in order to kill him, is that correct?

 

- Yes, I knew about it because one of Olympias’ maids is really scared of her and when she heard this, she felt the obligation to tell someone –the Princess explained.

 

- And she told you– said Demetrios; he leaned back on his chair making the wood cracked—But there is something I don’t understand. Didn’t Cleopatra know that Aki was living in Illyria? Why the sudden interest in him? 

 

- I don’t know –Thessalonike shrugged.

 

- Mm –Berenike put a finger on her cheek—Maybe Cloe didn’t know about him until now.

 

- Eni that’s stupid –said Lysanias—How couldn’t she know about him if she is his mother?

 

- Family, please –said Antigone, very pale—We have to do something, we can’t let Cleopatra killed our Aki.

 

- But what? –asked Lysanias, his elbows on his thighs. He looked a lot like Hephaistion, the same hair and almost the same eyes, but Hephaistion’s eyes were more beautiful, full with silent promises—Unless…—and idea formed into his mind—We can kidnap Aki.

 

- I can do that! –exclaimed Thessalonike, excited with the possibility of help in what was going to be an adventure with his dear Hephaistion’s family—I can take Aki to the palace’s entrance and give him to you.

 

Antigone felt hope burning in her chest.

 

- What do you think, grandpa? –she wanted to hear Demetrios’ opinion.

 

- Mm…—grandfather Demetrios crossed his arms—It could work, we can do it at night, as soon as possible before they move Aki out of the palace…but we have to think what are we going to do next. 

 

- What do you mean? –asked Lysanias confused—We take him home, what else?

 

- I don’t think so, Lys –said his grandfather—This is the first place where the Queen is going to look for him. We can’t expect to steal Aki from the Queen and pretend that nothing happened.

 

- You are right –said Berenike, crestfallen.

 

- We can take him to Athens, with aunt Thaleia –said Antigone, putting her palms together in front of her face.

 

Demetrios sighed.

 

- No ladies, this is more complicated –he said in a grave tone—We are dealing with 2 Queens, and Cleopatra is going to do everything in her power to find Aki.

 

- But why? –asked Berenike, making a pout—Why is Cloe trying to kill him? She is not a bad person.

 

- Because King Alexandros is extremely jealous –explained Thessalonike—I heard from my mother that he is a very possessive man and he is madly in love with Cloe, if he finds out that his beloved wife cheated him he is capable of killing her. I know that Cloe is in love with Hephaistion, and I don’t know how they have a son together since Hephaistion is in love with my brother but…I’m sure that if Cloe had a choice she wouldn’t be thinking in the possibility of killing her own child.

 

- In other words your sister is going to look for Aki everywhere because he is a threat to her –said Cadie—What a problem.

 

- To send Aki to Athens will give us time, but it is not a solution –said Demetrios, standing up—There is only one place in which he can be completely safe.

 

- Where? –asked Berenike and Lysanias at the same time.

 

- With Phai and King Alexander –said Demetrios, walking around the living room—King Alexander is the only one who can stop his mother, sister and uncle.

 

- But…they are in Asia –said Antigone, seeing how hope abandoned them, like a bird flying through the window.

 

- Then is obvious what we have to do –said Demetrios smiling—I will take Aki to Asia.

 

- But you can’t! –exclaimed Cadie without measuring her words—An old man and a little boy traveling alone? You will never make it.

 

- I can do it; I’m not that old –said Demetrios stubbornly—I’m Demetrios the Barbarian. 

 

- No grandpa, Cadie is right –said Berenike—You can’t go, at least not alone, that’s why I’m going with you.

 

- WHAT?!

 

- Eni you are insane –said Antigone—You can’t go.

 

- Why not? I can defend myself –Berenike was determined to go to Asia, it was her opportunity to see Leonnatos again.

 

- And your children? –asked her mother, still in shock.

 

- They can go with me. I can disguise myself as a soldier who is going to join the army –explained Berenike as if all was a game.

 

Antigone hid her face in her hands.

 

- No, no, no…

 

- Mom –Berenike kneeled at her mother’s side—Mom, look at me. I love Leon, I can’t stay here waiting…what if he never comes back? –her voice trembled and that moved Antigone. Her mother had a dreadful feeling that she wasn’t going to see her sons again and understood her daughter perfectly. 

 

Antigone nodded.

 

- Eni, I know how you feel, but listen to yourself –said her mother slowly—How can a woman, 3 children and an old man reach Asia? It suicide.

 

- No, it’s not –said grandfather Demetrios, watching the determination in Berenike’s eyes. He had taught her to use the bow and he knew that if his granddaughter had been a boy, she would have been a fine soldier—We can do it, you have to trust us.

 

A heavy silence fell upon them, until Antigone nodded slowly.

 

- I want to go too –said Lysanias.

 

- No –said Demetrios emphatically—You will stay here and take care of your mother, besides we can’t say a word to your father and if you come with us we will have to give many explanations. 

 

- But Eni is going…

 

- Eni is now the responsibility of Leon and his family –explained Antigone, then she said to her daughter—You have to talk to Iokaste, is she is fine with this…you can go –she still wasn’t convinced that this was a good idea.

 

- Thank you, mom –Berenike kissed her mother’s hands.