CHAPTER 40

 

- Alexander this is insane –said Hephaistion once on the street, after Memnon explained how where they going to settle things. The Greek’s friends were closing the street to prepare everything—A car race? Here?

 

- Phai please, don’t look at me like that. I’m going to win –said Alexander, smiling with absolutely confidence.

 

- You are going to kill yourself, that’s what you are going to do –said Hephaistion very serious. 

 

- I’m not, not with Boukephalos with me –he said patting his black car.

 

- And you have to bet a fortune with him? –asked Hephaistion—Why?

 

- His friends have money, and since I’m going to win, it wouldn’t be bad if I gain something in return, don’t you think?

 

- No, I don’t think so.

 

- Alexander –said Ptolemy, as worried as Hephaistion—Have you seen his car?

 

- No, why? –answered Alexander and Hephaistion ran a hand through his face.

 

- He has a…

 

- I don’t care –said Alexander interrupting Ptolemy—It won’t make a difference.

 

- But, what if he had a modified car? –asked Leonnatos concerned.

 

- Leon, stop watching the Fast and the Furious, please –said Perdikkas.

 

- If he insists in doing this –said Krateros in a low voice to Perdikkas—I’ll bet all my money against him, and make a profit of this disgrace. 

 

Hephaistion would have punched him, if he weren’t thinking the same thing. This was mental and dangerous, not to mention that Alexander didn’t have money, if he lost Hephaistion had no idea where they were going to get the money to pay the bets. As things were he would have to sell a kidney. 

 

At the end, he shook his head and decided to support his lover the best he could, this race was going to take place with or without his consent anyway. 

 

- Alex, please be careful –Alexander smiled and kissed him.

 

- I’ll be fine, and after the race, I’ll take you to dinner, just the 2 of us and I’ll watch Matrix Reloaded with you –Hephaistion smiled back, he couldn’t help it.

 

- Are you ready, your majesty? –asked Mithridates in a mocking tone.

 

- I’m always ready –said Alexander, getting in his car.

 

- Wait! We need a lady to give the signal –said Lykaon.

 

- Not Barsine, please –said Hephaistion in a low voice. He hated Barsine since he found her in Alexander’s bed. It had been extremely difficult for him, even if Alexander had begged forgiveness on his knees, saying that he had done that to hurt Memnon.

 

- I’ll do it! –said Berenike, raising her arm.

 

- You? –asked Leonnatos, in astonishment.

 

- Yes, I. Do you have a problem? –her boyfriend laughed.

 

- Not at all.

 

Perdikkas had to hold Hephaistion before he broke many noses when his sister’s beauty was praised in so many noisy ways. Leonnatos took things more lightly, he wasn’t the jealous type, he was more of the: “yes, you can whistle all you want but at the end she comes back home with me” type.

 

Berenike took off her scarf, standing between the black and the red cars.

 

- Ready? –she asked, raising her arm.

 

- I’m not sure I want to see this –said Hephasition.

 

- GO!

 

Even if Hephaistion didn’t want to see, and Krateros actually bet against Alexander, the blond won. Hephaistion had to make an effort and not take a picture of Krateros’ face when he lost his money.

 

Well, at least now Alex had money to pay his credit cards –thought Hephaistion smiling.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion had the same dream two consecutive nights, and still couldn’t figure out it’s meaning. Alexander had won at the Granicus, but what about the rest? About Barsine… He had a bad feeling about that…

 

Days after the battle found Hephaistion trying to open the window of the room he was using in Memnon’s house. His wound was much better now, and the stitches were finally removed, but the mercenary General had him locked in his room, he could only leave under the supervision of 4 guards. Honestly! Who did Memnon think he was? They treated him like a savage beast...all right; he had killed one guard and kicked another. Details!  

 

- You don’t like my house? –asked Memnon, entering the room.

 

Hephaistion took away his hands from the window and turned as if nothing was happening. It was a nice room, spacious, with beautiful furniture and big windows, Hephaistion could perceive a salty smell, they must be near the ocean and judging by the luxury of the house the view must be fantastic, but the mercenary knew better than left the windows open.  

 

- I want to go –demanded Hephaistion. Every day Memnon went to see him, talked to him and everyday the Macedonian asked him the same. 

 

The first day Hephaistion had asked for his locket, and when the mercenary told him he had thrown it to Alexander right before the battle at the Granicus, he almost kicked Memnon. Now he understood why his dear King had lost the first assault.

 

- You know I can’t let you –said the General with patience, taking a seat.

 

- Alexander defeated you and he is not going back to Macedonia just because you have me as a hostage –it never ceased to impress Memnon Hephaistion’s persistence, he always had an argument to defend his case.

 

- Oh! Believe me, I would love to have you in other ways –said Memnon making especial emphasis in the word “other”

 

- That is never going to happen –Hephaistion assured him, crossing his arms.

 

- Why not?

 

- I already told you, I’m in love with Alexander –said the Macedonian, tired of being repeating the same thing every day. Was Memnon stupid? 

 

- Because he is a King?

 

- No! I wouldn’t care if he were a beggar, I love him for who he is; I already told you that –that was true they had days talking and for Hephaistion’s dismay he liked Memnon, in other circumstances they would have been wonderful friend. He was smart, practical and he also thought there were no Gods.

 

- Yes, you have.

 

They fell silent.

 

- Why are you a mercenary? –asked Hephaistion suddenly with authentic curiosity. 

 

Memnon smiled.

 

- Let’s do something –he proposed, leaning to the front—I will answer all the questions you like but in exchange you’ll do the same. What do you say?

 

The Macedonian thought about the proposal. He leaned against the wall and nodded.

 

- All right –he acceded—But I’ll go first.

 

- Fine –said Memnon—You want to know why I’m a mercenary –Hephaistion nodded—They pay is good.

 

- They pay is…? You are kidding me.

 

- No, I’m not –Memnon stood up and started pacing around—I’m a good commander, this is what I like doing and what I do best, I don’t see why shouldn’t I get pay for this.

 

- But you fight for money, not for an ideal –said Hephaistion, not understanding his way of thinking—You would fight for anybody as long as the pay is good. 

 

Memnon laughed.

 

- You make it sound as if I were a prostitute –he said.

 

- I don’t see the difference.

 

- How old are you?

 

Hephaistion frowned.

 

- What does my age have to do with any of this?

 

- Everything –said the mercenary without taking offence—You are young and you still think the world is like Homer said in the Iliad. Well, life is not that simple, mostly all the Kings fight only to satisfy their greed and, to justify their conquest, they gave you an ideal. I like to be more realistic, I fight for the money, the reasons behind the fight –he puffed out— I left that to guy who is paying.

 

- But you have no honor –the Macedonian was in shock.

 

- On the contrary, Hephaistion –said Memnon, smiling—I honor my job, my employer and my brothers in arms. Just the same as you do.

 

- But…How do you know you can trust Darius? He could betray you –the mercenary laughed.

 

- I’m not Clearchus and my men are not the 10 thousand –said Memnon—You read the Anabasis, I see. But the Persians aren’t as the Greeks think they are, I assure you.

 

The mercenary walked to where Hephaistion was, his hand on the wall and he leaned his body to the front. Hephaistion didn’t move.

 

- Now is my turn to ask –Memnon said in a silky tone—Why don’t you stay with me?

 

- Are you out of you mind? –that was the most ridiculous thing the Macedonian had ever heard.

 

- You will be better with me –said Memnon moving closer to his lips.

 

- I don’t think so –Hephaistion tried to moved away but the mercenary took him by the arm.

 

- Why are you so scared?

 

- I’m not scared –the Macedonian held his gaze.

 

- Tell me something, how long have you been with your King as his lover? –asked Memnon with curiosity, enjoying the feeling of having Hephaistion’s body so close to his own.

 

- Since I was 15 years old –said Hephaistion, trying to sound calm.

 

- I know that you love him, but do you like him? Do you feel desire for your King?

 

- Of course I like him, and of course I want him! –exclaimed the Macedonian.

 

- Is he good in bed? –Hephaistion blushed savagely—What kind of question is that?

 

Memnon shrugged.

 

- Just a question with a simple answer yes or no.

 

- Yes, he is –answered Hephaistion at last. What was his captor thinking? 

 

- You don’t seem so sure –Memnon teased him.

 

- I’m sure –the Macedonian raised his voice. He knew the mercenary was playing with him but he didn’t know how to stop him.

 

- Just one more thing.

 

- What?

 

- Did your King always have you? –asked Memnon with curiosity.

 

- Excuse me. 

 

All right, this is going too far –thought the Macedonian.

 

- Yes, have you ever been inside him? –Hephaistion frowned, holding his gaze.

 

- I think that’s none of your business –he said coldly.

 

- Fine, I’m just trying to figure out what kind of relationship do you have –said Memnon with calm—Let me kiss you.

 

- NO!

 

- Scared?

 

- This is stu…—but Memnon never heard how stupid this was because he kissed him.

 

In 22 years Hephaistion had only kissed 5 persons: Alexander, Philip, Cleopatra, the courtesan Messalina and Kyros…now that he thought about this, 3 of 5 were of the same family, he truly had problems with the Argead dynasty. But Memnon was different; he was a very skilful kisser and knew exactly what he was doing, and before Hephaistion could restrain himself, he moaned softly.

 

The mercenary smiled against his lips and Hephaistion blushed, feeling ashamed and angry with himself. 

 

- So, do you like it? –asked Memnon in a whisper.

 

- No! –was the firm and annoyed response of the Macedonian.

 

Hephaistion moved away from him.

 

- I bet I’m a better kisser that your boy King –said the mercenary with the confidence of someone who know is good at something.

 

- No, you are not –said Hephaistion, stubbornly; but he was lying. The truth was that Memnon was way much better at kissing than Alexander. 

 

No surprise there; Alexander couldn’t care less about this kind of things…unless it involved Hephaistion, of course. The problem was that since the King didn’t have other lovers (with the exception of a hetaira named Kampespe and 2 other girls of the palace, but that was long ago) and he had been with his dear friend since they were boys, he never learned new tricks. Not like Memnon who clearly had a lot of experience in that area.

 

But Hephaistion would die before telling the mercenary any of this.

 

- Right –Memnon knew he was lying and that, as silly as it sound, worked like an ego buster for him. He decided to press the thing a litter more. He walked to the Macedonian and made him turned to face him—So, I’m a bad kisser.

 

- I didn’t say “bad”, but you are not so good –said Hephaistion, hiding all his emotions.

 

- Fine, let me try again.

 

- No –but again, the mercenary pulled him and stole a kiss.

 

This time Memnon held him by the back of the neck to deepen the kiss, he brushed the soft skin behind his ear and that made Hephaistion moaned again.

 

Oh Good Aphrodite! I found his hot spot –thought the mercenary. He caressed the soft skin again and Hephaistion’s legs trembled. The man was good no doubt about that, and the treacherous and horny body of the Macedonian react to his skillful stokes. 

 

Memnon pressed his body against him and Hephaistion felt dizzy; that felt so good.

 

It’s now or never –said the mercenary to himself. 

 

Memnon slid his hand down his neck, reaching his chest, teasing him over the soft fabric of his chiton. His touch was so different from Alexander’s, but he also treated him with care, making Hephaistion feel things he never thought possible to feel; the Macedonian couldn’t believe he was so arouse with so little. The mercenary wanted to make him scream in pleasure, to erase all traces of Alexander under waves of heat until Hephaistion called out his name.  

 

- Don’t…—said the Macedonian weakly without breath, but Memnon ignored him and kissed him again, stealing the scarce air from him.

 

The mercenary reached his thighs and thought he would die; the Macedonian’s skin was addictive. He slid his fingers up, but when Memnon reached his butt…

 

- STOP! –Hephaistion was furious, and the look of his eyes told Memnon it was a bad idea to insist.

 

What was I thinking? –said Hephaistion to himself, he was panting, his head down, his hair falling at the sides of his head, and his fists against the mercenary’s chest—Why did I let him…?!

 

Memnon saw him in silence for a long time.

 

- I’ll leave you then –said the mercenary moving away, but before he reached the door he turned—I just hope that your boy King is worthy of your loyalty.

 

The Macedonian said nothing and when the door closed behind Memnon he dropped to the floor. Hephaistion felt terrible, he had never before desire anybody besides Alexander and he had been one step of sleeping with Memnon.  

 

I’m the worst person alive –thought Hephaistion, bending his knees up against his chest—But his kisses felt so good…—he shook his head, the would forget about that, he loved Alexander and wasn’t fair to cheat him like that, least of all with Memnon; the same man that had defeated him and humiliated him. The King must be very worried for him and he was kissing his kidnaper. What kind of person did that to his beloved one? I would be as if Patroclus had slept with Hector—But I’m not Patroclus… I’m horrible…I almost hurt my Achilles, and for what? For lust.

 

He never knew how long he stayed sitting on the floor. Hephaistion didn’t wanted to move, he just wished to disappear and stop feeling that pain in his chest.  

 

Outside, the mercenary walked quickly to the garden without noticing his wife. Barsine was hidden behind a pillar; she had seen everything of what happened inside the Macedonian room and felt a burning anger inside her. She would make Hephaistion pay for this humiliation. Barsine could forgive her husband if he had an adventure with another woman, but not a man, least of all under her roof.

 

That she could not forgive.    

 

XXX

 

At this point Alexander had at his feet all the satrapy of the Hellespontine Phrygia; Arsites (it’s former satrap) had committed suicide after the battle, sure that the defeat at the Granicus River was his fault. Alexander appointed Calas as the new satrap and things stayed more or less the same for the people living in this zone, the only difference was that now they had a Macedonian in charge instead of a Persian. 

 

And what about me? Well, Alexander’s spies told him where Memnon was, down the coast to Miletus, and he immediately marched in pursuit of him.

 

- Parmelio –said the King to him in a war council, his head wound was healing nicely, but the headaches were terrible—You will take part of the army with you and go to Dascylium. I’ll go to Miletus, I have things to settle with Memnon.

 

- Alexander –said Kleitos, leaning back on his chair—What are you going to do with the allied cavalry? His hipparch was killed during the battle at the Granicus.

 

The King nodded. Philip son of Menelaus, the Greek in charge of the League’s troops was dead, but Alexander already had an idea of what to do with the allies.

 

- I’ll appoint Alejandro of Lyncestis as their new leader –said the Alexander.

 

Alejandro who? From where? Alejandro of Lyncestis was a very interesting man. He was all charming and very intelligent, with an ambition as big as his ego. He was famous for his toothpaste commercial smile and was pretty popular among the nobility in Pella. He also was famous for always being surrounded by suspicious characters.

 

His 2 brothers were Heromenes and Arrhabaeus and by the time of King Philip’s murder the 3 of them were under suspicious of being involved in the whole business. How was that he was still alive while his brothers where six feet under? Alejandro of Lyncestis was as clever as fox, and as soon as Alexander was crowned King, he ran to prostrate himself at the new King’s feet, and good King Alexander forgave him.

 

And not only that, Alejandro was married to one of Antipater’s daughters: Phila.

 

Do you remember Phila? Antipater offered her to me in marriage, and for that her sisters cut all her hair while she was sleeping. Apparently Antipater got tired of waiting for my answer and he married Phila to Alejandro.  

 

- Are you planning to leave the Greeks here? –asked Ptolemy.

 

- Yes that’s exactly my plan –said Alexander—The Greeks and the allies will remain here, in the Hellespontine Phrygia. Parmelio and part of the army will continue to Dascylium, as I said, and the rest will go with me to Miletus.

 

And that was exactly what happened next. Alexander went as fast as he could to Miletus, he was sure Memnon was there and he didn’t want to lose more time. Alexander and Hephaistion had been together for 9 years and the King was so used to having him around that every moment away from Hephaistion was like drowning, he couldn’t sleep, think, even breath without him. It was obvious even for the most clueless of his men that he was very bad without his dearest friend. 

 

But, even if Alexander wanted badly to run to his friend’s side, he was also a King and as King had things to do. He took the road to the capital of the Lydian satrapy: Sardis. There the Persians surrendered the city; they had heard about his victory at the Granicus River and didn’t want to oppose the all mighty invader. Of course that meant two really good things: money and supplies. Thank the Gods for the Granicus victory! Alexander saw his opportunity then and left Asander in Sardis, who was no other than Parmelio’s brother. One member of the family less.   

 

From Sardis, the King moved as fast as he could to Ephesus, but there he was sure it was a complot to keep him in the city longer than he wanted. Everything happened to him in Ephesus, from a group of Greek ambassadors that wanted to talk to him to the famous painter Apelles, who was in the city and wanted to make a painting of him. And poor King Alexander couldn’t leave the city. 

 

- Leon, I want you and Kleitos to go as fast as you can to Miletus –said Alexander one morning—Take with you the men you need and go there before Memnon leaves. 

 

He was angry, he wanted to go but he couldn’t do it, and as a result he was in a terrible mood. How could somebody live angry all the time? The Macedonian army was starting to know how; they just needed to see their King those days.

 

- Yes, Alexander. Just one thing, I want to take Nikandros with me –he said taking the King by surprise—He is feeling terrible since the mercs kidnapped his brother under his nose, he will be of great help.

 

Alexander nodded.

 

- I see your point; you can take him.

 

XXX

 

- When are you leaving? –asked Perdikkas.

 

- This afternoon, Alexander is in a terrible mood so I think is a bad idea to leave him waiting –said Leonnatos, walking with his friend through the streets of Ephesus.

 

- Do you think Phai is all right? –asked Perdikkas, smiling to a girl carrying a basket with flowers.

 

- I truly hope so, imagine what Alexander could do if he is not –said Leonnatos shuddering—Besides I wouldn’t dare to face Eni if anything happen to her brother.

 

- Oh yeah, how is Eni?

 

- I don’t know –Leonnatos shook his head—I haven’t received a letter from her since we left. But I don’t blame her, maybe she wrote but her letter got lost, it wouldn’t surprise me. I sent Eni all the spoils I got from the battle at the Granicus –he said smiling—She is going to be very excited when she sees all I sent.

 

But Leonnatos had no idea that Berenike wasn’t in Macedonia; she was traveling by ship with her grandfather, her slave, her 2 children and her nephew.

 

- Mommy, mommy! See those birds over there –said Amyntas, her elder son of almost 5 years old, pointing at the sky from the ship’s deck.

 

- Amin, I’m not “mommy” how many times do I have to tell you that now I’m “daddy”? –said Berenike in a low voice. She was still disguised as a Macedonian soldier; and nobody had discovered her so far.

 

Amyntas frowned looking at her.

 

- But you are not daddy.

 

- I know, but we are playing a game –said Berenike, cheerfully.

 

- Aunt Eni…sorry uncle Eni is disguised as a soldier, isn’t that right? –asked Achilles.

 

Berenike smiled.

 

- That’s right –she said—So, next person in calling me “mommy” is going to receive a knock in the head.

 

They were traveling on a small merchant ship. An acquaintance of grandfather Demetrios was the owner and he agreed to take them to Hallicarnasus. But, since the ship was small and the crew stopped at every port to load goods the trip was very slow. Berenike had asked her grandfather why were they traveling by sea, and grandfather Demetrios said because it was safer and faster. Berenike wasn’t very sure about the “faster thing” and to do things worse, Netikerty was suffering of seasickness. 

 

- Uncle –said Achilles, his hands behind his back—When are we arriving? 

 

- Soon, Aki. Are you tired of being traveling by ship? You don’t like the sea? –asked his aunt, kneeling at his side.

 

- It’s not that –said the little boy, who was very exciting for being able to travel by ship and saw the sea for the fist time in his short life—I want to meet my dad.

 

- And you will, but you need to be patience –Berenike patted his head—We’ll arrive soon to Hallicarnasus and from there we will look for the Macedonian army. Have you ever seen the army assemble?  

 

- No.

 

- It’s an impressive sight, you’ll see.

 

Achilles smiled.

 

- Uncle?

 

- Yes.

 

- Can you tell me a story about my dad? –Berenike smiled.

 

- Of course I can! Come sit at my side and let me think of something –the little boy obeyed at once and saw her with expectation.

 

Phai, I truly hope you will love your child, because if you don’t want him you are going to break his heart –thought Berenike, moved by his nephew love for his father.

 

XXX

 

Memnon had been thinking carefully of what to do next. Now that his wounds had recovered completely he decided to go to Susa and talked personally with the Great King. Since it’s was almost winter Darius must be there; Persian Kings moved across their 5 royal capitals during the year, and Susa was the favorite residence for spending the coldest months (1). He would ask the Great King for the supreme military command and in exchange the Greek mercenary would send to him his wife and sons as hostages.

 

- Husband, and what about the Macedonian prisoner? –asked Barsine when Memnon explained to her the situation, while he was preparing his baggage.

 

- He will stay with me –that answer enraged Barsine, but she didn’t show it; she remained as if her husband had said nothing.

 

She didn’t care to be sent as a hostage to the Great King, if that could help Memnon she would do it gladly but she resented the fact that Hephaistion would be at her husband’s side. Barsine cursed the day she gave that advice to her husband, to take the Macedonian King’s lover as hostage.

 

- Why don’t you ask for ransom? –said Barsine, talking about Hephaistion.

 

- I don’t want ransom, Barsine –Memnon stopped abruptly and turned to look at her.

 

- What do you want then? –she held his gaze and for a long moment neither talked.

 

- Hephaistion is Alexander’s only weakness –said Memnon at last.

 

- True, but that didn’t stop the Macedonian King at the Granicus –Barsine pointed out—If you want to force the King to return to his lands, then send him a warning. Send him one of his lover’s ears.

 

Memnon saw her as if he didn’t know who was this woman. What happened to her sweet wife?

 

- I will not hurt Hephaistion –he said at last, recovering after the initial shock.

 

- Why not?

 

- I will not discuss this with you, woman –Memnon was angry and Barsine decided to keep silent. She already knew all that she needed—You will go to Susa as soon as I call you.

 

- Yes, husband.

 

- Meanwhile you will stay here with Hephaistion, is that clear?

 

- Yes, husband –she didn’t even blinked but her mind was racing, thinking of a way to change her luck. 

 

XXX

 

(1) Allen Lindsay. The Persian Empire, p 59

 

Note: I’ll explain: I decided to use the Spanish form of Alexander for Alexander of Lyncestis because I don’t want to confuse you with so many “Alexanders” here. So, for practical uses this will be: Alexandros of Epirus, Alejandro of Lyncestis and of course our Alexander.