CHAPTER 41

 

It was a peaceful and warm night, a night almost magical when nothing could hurt you and where everything could happen. The star ocean above Ephesus was a magnificent view, thousands of stars shining like jewels for the delight of the mortals below; a soft breeze blew making the leaves of the laurel trees dance at its mercy as well as the curtains inside the house, filling his bedroom with a soft smell of grass and flowers. It was a beautiful night to spend with your dear one and that was exactly what had Alexander in a terrible mood.

 

He was sitting on the edge of the window, watching the city without emotion, but when he saw one of his men near the house, laughing with a young woman at his side, exchanging kisses and soft words; he stood up and closed the window with a violent PAF.

 

The King took the jug of strong un-water wine from the table and drank a cup in one gulp, without even savoring it. He kept thinking over and over again about what Memnon’s servant had told him, the one he found trying to escape near a donkey, his words had him without sleep…

 

- The General treated your friend as his guest, powerful Lord –said the servant after the battle at the Granicus River—He gave explicit orders to give him anything he wanted, but he couldn’t leave the tent…You ask me for his wounds, last time I saw him he was recovering very well, the General sent his own doctor to look after him. But I’m not surprise, the General has good taste and your friend is a very handsome man…  

 

The General has good taste and your friend is a very handsome man –those words were the cause of his insomnia. The servant didn’t know more than that, but Alexander had a bad feeling. The jealous inside him were like a monster threatening to devour his reason and his heart. Memnon was one of the very few man which could be seen as the young King’s rival; he was intelligent, a good commander and, for what the servant said about his physical description, also attractive.

 

For a moment Alexander found himself wishing he had rape Hephaistion, that was a terrible thought and he felt horrible for considering that but…if the Greek commander had done that, then he would be his beloved savior again. The point was that Memnon had to be a bloody miserable (because he was; the Greek commander was a despicable bastard!) and he must be the hero of poor Hephaistion. But no, Memnon wasn’t his father, he wasn’t an old lecherous King, he was a young, attractive and charming man. He was by far more dangerous.

 

Hephaistion loved him, he had no doubts about that, but his personal pride said that someone like Hephaistion must belong to the best, to the strongest, he wouldn’t be able to look at his beloved’s face if he wasn’t a God among men.  

 

What’s happening with me? –thought the King, leaving the jug at his side. He was sitting on the floor, his back against the cold wall, his head back and his eyes on the dark ceiling—I have never been an insecure man, but…I can’t avoid feeling that if someone can steal Hephaistion from me, that someone is Memnon…

 

His father was never a threat, Philip could have never been because Hephaistion despised him, because his father only had his beloved’s body, and against his will! But now…

 

- Shit! –exclaimed Alexander, hitting his thigh—But I’ll find you Phai, I will and I’ll show you that I’m a God among men.

 

Peritas entered the room. He seem lost for a moment but then, he found his master sitting on the floor. He tilted his head to one side and walked to him. When Alexander didn’t pay him any attention and kept drinking, Peritas cried and scratched his leg with his paw. 

 

- What?! –the King asked harshly but his dog licked his face affectionately and rested his head on his lap.

 

That worked like magic and Alexander started to feel better. He smiled sadly and caressed Peritas’ back, the dog took out his tongue every now and them absolutely comfortable. He had forgot that he had another great friend with him.

 

XXX

 

And not so far from where Alexander was; Hephaistion was sitting on his bed, his gray eyes watching the silhouette of the furniture in the dark; he couldn’t sleep and kept thinking in what had happened with Memnon days ago. His kisses were still burning on his lips. He had never before being touch in that way, and that had awaken something that had been sleeping inside him, a burning desire that he didn’t thought it was possible to feel, but not necessary to Memnon, although he did like him, that desire was more passional and carnal, he had never before considered himself horny, at least not like his brother or Ptolemy or Krateros…now he was starting to change his mind.

 

The mercenary had gone to say good-bye before leaving to Susa; for a moment Hephaistion thought he would try to kiss him again, and found himself terribly disappointed when he didn’t do it.  

 

But not only that, Memnon made him feel something that Alexander couldn’t; Memnon treated him like his equal. Alexander was a King, a proud man of his divine ancestors like Achilles and Herakles, and he? He was just Hephaistion son of Amyntor. Once Alexander had said it to him when they were at Mieza: your situation and mine are different because your father is not a King. He was always talking about his higher destiny but Memnon…he was just a man, a man of fresh and blood with his feet on the earth.

 

Hephaistion loved that Alexander had so many dreams but sometimes those dreams were a burden to him; sometimes Alexander appeared to be unreachable not like the Greek mercenary. 

 

He had never before thought like that but all those days talking with Memnon had made him see things in a different way.

 

What am I going to do? –thought Hephaistion, dropping back on the bed; his hands covering his eyes—I love him, of course I love Alexander…but, sometimes I feel I’m not worthy enough for him…I’m his, but he belong to nobody…  

 

He heard the door opening and when he opened his eyes he saw Barsine, Memnon’s wife, walking to the nearest table to leave him his dinner with an oil lamp on her hand. It was strange to see Barsine in his room, but he didn’t ask what she was doing there.

 

- Thank you –he said politely but Barsine gave him a horrible look, looking even worst with that poor light, she looked like a ghost. It was clear even to the dumbest person in the world that she hated him, why she had gone to see him them? She was curious, Barnise wanted to know what kind of person was the Macedonian and when she saw him this close she was angrier. Hephaistion was extremely handsome.  

 

- Don’t thank me –she said coldly—I’m not doing this because I want to, if it were for me you will be now in chains in my basement.

 

Hephaistion decided to say nothing, what could he say to answer that? Barsine left the room and when he went to where his meal was waiting he notice that she had only given him a piece of hard bread, a jug with water and a piece of an old cheese. He sighed.

 

She truly hates me –he thought.

 

XXX

 

- I’m tired of these sons of a bad mother! –exclaimed Nikandros after 5 days trying to convince the governor of Miletus to let them in. Leonnatos, him and the Ile Basilike with Kleitos had gone to look for Hephaistion but they didn’t have luck—First the commandant of the Milesian garrison said they would surrender the city to Alexander, then he changed his mind and left us out of the city. What is he thinking?! –he kicked a rock, that bounced three times before landing near the horses.

 

- I think he is not thinking –said Kleitos, his dark eyes on the city’s gates—But I have a feeling that Memnon is no longer here.

 

Leonnatos and Nikandros saw him with confusion shining in their eyes.

 

- Why do you say that? –asked Leonnatos, he feared Alexander’s reaction if they went back to tell him that Memnon had escape one more time with Hephaistion.

 

- I don’t know, just a hunch –the hipparch changed his weight from one foot to the other—But if Memnon were there, they would have done something more clever, like luring us inside and kill us…something like that. 

 

- What now? –asked Nikandros.

 

- I wrote to Alexander days ago –said Kleitos, making Leonnatos sweat cold.

 

- Did you tell him about your hunch? –asked Leonnatos with a thin voice.

 

- Of course not! Do you think I’m an idiot? –said the hipparch.

 

- And what did he said? –asked Nikandros.

 

- He is taking the Greek fleet here before the Persians arrive.

 

And so it was done. Nicanor, the commander of the Greek fleet arrived 3 days before the Persians, who were forced to anchor under Mt Mycale. And as if things couldn’t be worst for the Milesians, Parmelio came back to rejoin Alexander, ready to lay siege to the city.

 

- The governor of Miletus is in panic –said Nearchos when they were reunited in the King’s tent—He is offering to grant free use of their harbors, and free entry within their walls to us and the Persians alike, if Alexander raises the siege (1)  

 

- What did he say about Hephaistion? –that was the only thing Alexander care in those moments.

 

Nearchos shook his head.

 

- He said he has never seen him or hear about him –he explained—And, if I may speak freely, I don’t think he is lying.

 

- Why?

 

- He is very scared. When I asked him about Memnon, he said at once the General has a house in Miletus, and that he stayed here for weeks, but apparently Memnon and his family left the city –said Nearchos—Memnon first and days later his wife and sons –the King cursed, making them jumped.

 

- I’m tired of him! –exclaimed the King angry—That was all?

 

- No, the only useful thing he said was that a group of mercenaries stay behind –Nearchos continued, trying to keep his voice calm. Alexander angry was something very difficult to handle—We could ask them about Hephaistion.

 

- If we accept the governor’s proposition, we can get inside faster –Perdikkas pointed out.

 

- Yes, but I can’t accept –said Alexander. He stood up and walked to the tent’s entrance, opening the flaps to see the walls of Miletus. A group of birds flew over the city, through the extremely blue sky—We will take this city by force.

 

True to his word, Alexander ordered the fleet to block the harbor while the King’s siege engines were assembled. Alexander had taken his siege equipment in pieces, prefabricated catapults and larger machines that were dismantled and carried in wagons. And now, was Artorios, the chief engineer, duty to get the catapults (used basically to throw rocks) light arrow catapults, the torsion based artillery (design by King Philip’s engineers during the siege of Byzantium which could launch large arrows) ready to use as soon as possible.   

 

Young Artorios knew the temper of his King; Alexander always wanted the things done at once, and the engineer wasn’t planning to make him even angrier that he already was. So, in record time, the equipment was ready, posted strategically at different points in front of Miletus’ walls. 

 

And the Milesians saw with horror how these machines of destruction were standing outside their city like Titans, ready to reduce them to dust. 

 

Alexander ordered to attack. First only one catapult shoot, to measure the distance between the machines and the city; the rock landed a few paces from the walls and Artorios shouted to change the angle of the machine. The crack of the wood filled the air and soon they could hear the whistle of the rocks and arrows flying through the air. The earth trembled every time a rock landed on the walls, and the roar was tremendous.  

 

- Koinos! –shouted Alexander, walking back to the siege engines.

 

Parmelio’s son-in-law came running, covered in dust after spending all day supervising the siege weapons.

 

- Yes, Alexander –he said, taking a deep breath.

 

- I want the weapons working at day and night; see the men are arranged in groups to keep shooting without pause –said the King.

 

- I’ll see to it.

 

The siege weapons worked day and night following the King’s orders, hitting the city walls merciless and filling with dread and desperation the hearts of the citizens inside. Not even the gods could help them now.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion was still inside the city, in Memnon’s house. Again, Euthydemos was in charge of guarding him and he didn’t let the Macedonian even to look out of the window. He didn’t trust Hephaistion and wasn’t going to take unnecessary risks.

 

Hephaistion didn’t knew what was happening, but he was sure of one thing: the city was under attack, but who was attacking and why? He had no idea and his captors didn’t say a word.

 

That night he pressed his ear against the wooden door with the hope of catching something, a phrase, a word, anything that could tell him what was going on for the last days. He had been there, sitting on the floor, for hours and when he was falling asleep…

 

- Euthydemos, what wrong? –asked the guard on the corridor. 

 

- It’s only a matter of time, the Macedonian King is about to open a breach through the walls –Hephaistion felt his heart racing. It was Alexander; Alexander was attacking the city.

 

- What now?

 

- There are 300 of us in the city –said Euthydemos, he was worried—We’ll take the prisoner with us and, along with some of the garrison guards, flee to Lade, the small island at the north. We go now. Idas!

 

Hephaistion heard the noises outside and he stood up quickly, blew out the candles and hid himself, his back against the wall at one side of the door, he didn’t even breath and stayed still, waiting. When the guard opened the door he couldn’t see a thing and before he could take 2 steps Hephaistion punched him hard on the face, took his weapon and hit the second man with the pommel of the sword.  

 

- Shit! –exclaimed Euthydemos, watching Hephaistion ran as fast as he could through the corridor.

 

Idas tried to stop the Macedonian but Hephaistion dodged his blow, dropped on one knee, cut his thighs and kept running. The door was just a few steps from him. Hephaistion turned before seeing Euthydemos, and with an outstanding precision he stopped his sword. Euthydemos blinked astonished, how he had done that? It was as if the Macedonian had eyes behind his back.

 

- I will not let you go –said the Greek through clenched teeth.

 

- And what do you plan to do? Are you going to fight me? On a duel? –Euthydemos sweat cold, not even in his wildest dreams he would think of defeating Hephaistion.  

 

- I can’t let you go, I have orders.

 

- You are a good man Euthydemos, I don’t want to kill you –said the Macedonian holding his gaze, meaning every word.

 

They heard steps. Hephaistion didn’t had to turn to know he was surrounded, 5 men in total including Euthydemos.

 

I guess I’m going to do this on the hard way –thought the Macedonian.

 

The mercenaries attacked him at the same time. Hephaistion stood aside, he kicked the man behind him, at the same time his sword stopped a front-blow; then he kneeled at high speed avoiding two more blows, and once on the ground, he held his weight on one hand and kicked the fifth man in the legs making him fall.

 

Euthydemos couldn’t believe his eyes; but he recovered quickly and ran after him.

 

Hephaistion was reaching the door, but at that moment another group of mercenaries entered the house. The Macedonian punched and kicked in consecutive attacks the first man that entered and when the next man tried to hit him, Hephaistion hit him first in the stomach. The mercenary bent over, and Hephaistion used the man’s back, rolled over it and kicked the next mercenary.

 

Ares’ balls! He is going to escape –thought Euthydemos in panic.

 

Hephaistion went outside, he was so close to his freedom…a heavy blow at the back of his head turned everything black for him, and he fainted.

 

- Man! That was close –sighed a mercenary. He had hit the Macedonian with the pommel of his sword. 

 

Euthydemos arrived without breath, and when he saw Hephaistion unconscious he smiled.

 

- A wild cat, no doubt about it –he said in a low voice, then he said to his companions—Help me here, we must get to the island. 

 

XXX

 

- Alexander! –shouted Ptolemy, running into the King’s tent—A wall is down!

 

The men near the King cheered when they heard.

 

- Good. Krateros, Koinos and Perdikkas! –the 3 of them came running—Take your taxeis inside the city. Tell the men I will not tolerate massacres or plunders; the citizens of Miletus must be treated with respect.

 

- What about the mercs? –asked Koinos referring to the Greek mercenaries.

 

- I want them alive.

 

The Macedonian troops entered the city almost unopposed, and the city surrendered without major casualties; they had had enough during the siege and they were not warrior like people. This time Alexander didn’t want to repeat what had happened at Thebes and the temples and houses were respected. It was until the King reached the governor’s house that he heard about the mercenaries.

 

- All the Greek mercs and the garrison soldiers are at that island, there is small fort there –said Koinos, pointing to the harbor, it was late but there was still enough light to see—What do you want us to do?

 

- How do we reach that island? –asked the King.

 

- There is a bridge –explained Koinos—The mercs destroyed part of it, but I can give orders to repair it if you want.

 

Alexander nodded.

 

- Do it, but first I want to talk to the mercs –he wanted to ask them about Memnon and Hephaistion.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion’s heart beat faster when he heard Alexander’s voice, loud and clear telling the mercenaries to surrender. They were hidden inside the fort in the small island, ready to fight if that was necessary, even if they knew they would never defeat the Macedonian army.

 

- What should we do now? –asked Idas, who had his thighs covered with dressings thanks to Hephaistion—Maybe if we surrender the King would spare our lives.  

 

- I don’t know –said another man, scratching his head—You heard what he did with our companions at the Granicus, he sold them to work in the mines. That’s not a way to end one’s days.

 

- You have another option –said Hephaistion catching their attention. He was tied, again, but was close enough to have heard the entire conversation—You can trade my life for yours.

 

The mercenaries exchanged glances, but Euthydemos shook his head.

 

- I promised the General that I wouldn’t let you go into the King’s hands –he said.

 

- You are a man of honor, Euthydemos –said Hephaistion calmly—But you are also intelligent; you know as good as I that you can’t keep that promise unless you kill me. 

 

He is right –thought Euthydemos.

 

- I’ll talk to the King –the Macedonian insisted—If you let me go to him I’ll ask for mercy for all of you.

 

- It’s a good plan –said Idas.

 

One look at the faces of his companions told Euthydemos they all thought the same.

 

- All right, let’s do it your way.

 

XXX

 

- I don’t have all day –said Alexander, speaking from the edge of the half destroyed bridge, looking impressive in his full armor, his gold crown of leaves on his head. His purple cloak moved lazily at the wind’s mercy.

 

- King Alexander –shouted Euthydemos back, appearing at the other side—My name is Euthydemos son of Megadates; I’m one of the Greek mercenaries working under the orders of General Memnon.

 

- You speak on behalf of the rest? –asked the King.

 

- I do.

 

- Are you willing to surrender?

 

- Yes, but we have conditions –said Euthydemos.

 

Kleitos laughed.

 

- He has conditions, who does he think he is? –said the hipparch with mockery—This mercs never cease to amuse me.

 

- We have something you want –said the mercenary catching the King’s attention.

 

- And what could it be?  

 

- We have your lover –Alexander’s heart skipped a beat—Hephaistion son of Amyntor is here.

 

Even Kleitos was interested now, all his senses on alert.

 

- You will release Hephaistion immediately –ordered the King, that powerful aura glowing again around him.

 

- I’ll do it, but you must promise to give us quarter.

 

- Granted –said Alexander without thinking.

 

Euthydemos left and Kleitos turned to where Glycon, the King’s page, was standing.

 

- Boy, run to doctor Philip and bring him here –that was good thinking, nobody knew in what conditions were Hephaistion and the hipparch didn’t want to risk Hephaistion’s life, he had experienced an Alexander without him and he didn’t want to go through that again.

 

- You were right –said Euthydemos to Hephaistion, walking with him to the bridge—He will show us mercy –the Macedonian nodded, rubbing his wrist now that he was untied—Why do you help us?

 

- Because you are not the bad guys –Hephaistion smiled—After all you are just doing your job. You are good men; don’t deserve to die in the mines.

 

Alexander sent a boat to pick up Hephaistion; he was anxious and excited as a child the night before his birthday, he couldn’t stay still, pacing around and asking continually why the boat was taking so long. Kleitos was very tempted to punch him and left him unconscious.

 

- There! The boat is approaching –said the hipparch in the same tone he would use with a restless child.

 

The King jumped from the bridge and ran to the harbor, dodging his guards and friends, his heart racing and his body screaming to have Hephaistion again in his arms.

 

- I want to speak to the King –demanded a wealthy citizen of Miletus to a pair of pezetairoi, near the harbor.

 

- We hear you the first time –said one of the Macedonians angry—But he is busy.

 

The man snorted.

 

- Who is the King? –he demanded to know, raising his voice.

 

The pezetairoi turned and one of them pointed to the young man running on the harbor like a school-boy.

 

- Him.

 

The Milesian opened his eyes in astonishment. His sons were older than Alexander, and seeing him running like that made for him hard to believe that this one was the same man that had crushed the Persian army at the Granicus River. He decided to say no more. 

 

The King didn’t let his dearest friend to descent, he ran to where he was, jumped on the boat and embraced him with force throwing him off balance; it was as if he feared that in the moment he let him go Hephaistion would disappear.

 

Hephaistion smiled like a fool and retuned his embrace. How he had missed him, the warmth of his body, his smell...everything, it was like a dream to feel again his arms around his body and all his past doubts disappeared in that embrace. Memnon who?

 

- Are you all right? –asked the King after what seem like an eternity, taking Hephaistion face between his hands.

 

- Yes, just a little tired.

 

- Alexander! –shouted Kleitos—Doctor Philip is here!

 

- Come, I want Philip to examine you –Alexander took his hand.

 

- I’m fine –Hephaistion assured him.

 

- That’s what Philip is going to determine, I want to hear from him that the only discomfort you have is a apprehensive friend –Hephaistion sighed, but he was so happy that he could even talk to Krateros without punching him; he didn’t care if the doctor was going to examine him.

 

XXX

 

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 190