CHAPTER 52

 

About King Antiochus III of Syria

202 BC Antioch

 

The king, escorted by a large group of Syrian soldiers, stopped at the entrance of the great temple of Pythian Apollo, built in the midst of that beautiful forest by his ancestor Seleucus I, general of the legendary troops of Alexander the Great. Antiochus went into the temple alone, and knelt before the beautiful statue of the god carved by the legendary Bryaxis […] The stay at the temple seemed to have helped him to clarify his view of things. First would be the recovery of the ports [...] After that, the conquest of Greece, although that might eventually lead to a confrontation with King Philip V of Macedonia, but it must be if he wanted to achieve his dream, if he wanted that everyone remember him as the reincarnation of Alexander (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Next day, Hephaistion woke up early. They had a very busy night preparing the camp fortifications in order to avoid another attack, and even if had wanted to spend the night with his King, he couldn’t thanks to Eumenes. But even if the General hadn’t slept well, he had the habit of waking up early, besides he had to prepare everything to march, because he had the hunch that the King would want to go after the thieves as soon as possible.

 

As everyday, he took his usual bath with cold water; that was a habit that nobody in the camp understood, but he liked to feel clean and to find hot water in military camp was something extremely difficult.

 

I swear, I did it because I like to feel clean, but I didn’t know cold water served to maintain your skin young. Krateros mocked me a lot when he heard that the women in the Great King’s harem took care of their skin with cold water.  

 

Kyros, who was feeling very guilty after sneaking out at night and returning when the King and his Generals were in the tent nights ago, had been behaving extremely well, and that morning, in spite of the hour, he got the breakfast ready for his master’s surprise.

 

- I am sorry –said the Theban, very ashamed. He had days looking for an opportunity to apologize, but hadn’t find one until now. 

 

- About? –asked Hephaistion, taking a bite of his food. 

 

- I…—Kyros didn’t know how to explain it, he clenched his fists on his lap—I have been sneaking out at night –he said very quickly, without looking at him.

 

Hephaistion, with his mouth full of bread and his cheeks inflated, saw him for a few seconds before swallowing and smiling.

 

- I noticed long ago that you sneak to see Glycon –Kyros blushed—Don’t worry, I’m not mad, in fact I’m glad –the Theban lifted his head and saw him confused—I sincerely believe that if you had been here the night of the attack, they may have killed you and that would have made me very sad.

 

Kyros smiled and, without thinking, he embraced his master. He couldn’t be more grateful with the Gods for letting him found Hephaistion that horrible night at Thebes.

 

- Thank you –said Kyros making and effort to not cry.

 

Hephaistion patted his back.

 

- Kyros I’m going to be very busy today, please take care of Aki –he said and the Theban nodded—How did he behave with you?

 

The Theban cleaned his tears with the back of his hand.

 

- He is a good boy and always obeys what you say to him, it’s like having a baby brother –he said, changing his height from one foot to another—But he talks a lot, and is always asking “why”. 

 

- And what do you answer him? –the General wanted to know.

 

- Er…I don’t know half of the things Aki asks –said Kyros with all honesty—Besides he asks very weird things.

 

- Like what? –now Hephaistion was curious. He was trying to get to know his son, and not always had the opportunity to be with him.

 

- Like… –the Theban thought for a second—Like this one! If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked? –Hephaistion laughed so hard, that he almost choked on his food—What kind of question is that?

 

- Tell me something, Kyros –said the General, when he could speak again—Do you think Aki need a tutor?

 

- You mean if he needs classes? –asked the Theban and his master nodded—Maybe, I mean, he likes to learn. 

 

Maybe Alex isn’t that crazy about Kallisthenes teaching Aki, after all –thought Hephaistion.

 

Hephaistion finished his breakfast, took his 2 swords and cloak. He kissed Achilles’ head, who was still sleeping, and opened the flaps of his tent; he was reviewing mentally everything he was going to do that day, when he saw a figure standing in front of him. He almost jumped scared when he saw Dismas, his second in command.

 

- By Ares’ balls! What are you doing here? –asked Hephaistion, recovering quickly. 

 

- I’m here to accompany you, sir –said Dismas, confusing him.

 

- Accompany me? Where? –the General understood even less.

 

- The King ordered me to follow you wherever you go, sir –explained Dismas, he never changed his expression of professional seriousness.

 

Hephaistion was going to ask why, when he remembered the attack he had suffered nights ago. That, along with the thieves attack, must have Alexander very worried. He said nothing to Dismas (it was pointless) and went to the King’s tent. Luckily for him, he found Alexander alone, still sleeping after hearing Eumenes’ detail report about the damages until late.

 

- Alex –he called the King, shaking him.

 

- Mm? –whispered a very sleepy Alexander.

 

- Why did you ask Dismas to follow me? –asked Hephaistion—I can take care of myself…Alex?

 

- Hm?

 

Hephaistion took a pillow and hit him repeatedly, until the King woke up, raising one arm in a vain attempt of protecting himself.    

 

- Phai, Phai wait…what’s wrong? –his best friend stopped, and Alexander sat; all his blond hair was standing up as if he had received an electric shock, which made Hephaistion laughed—Sweet Zeus! My own Somatophilax is trying to kill me.

 

- Your fault –said his best friend, taking a seat at his side—Why did you order Dismas to follow me? –he insisted and the King yawned.

 

- You woke me up for that? –Alexander scratched his head, making his hair even worst, and Hephaistion pinched his arm.

 

- Ouch! What was that for? –the King rubbed his arm.

 

- I don’t want Dismas following me all day –said Hephaistion, making an especial emphasis in each word—I can take care of myself.

 

- Phai, the Great King tried to kidnap you –said the King, now more awake—I don’t want to lose you again, I had enough when Memnon did it.

 

His best friend caressed his cheek with his finger. He was truly grateful with Alexander for his love and concern, but if they were to continue fighting a war on a hostile territory, the King needed to get use to the idea that Hephaistion was going to be exposed to danger.

 

- I’m grateful and flatter for your concern…but if you still want to have a sex life you will tell Dismas to: Stop. Following. Me –said Hephaistion with a firm voice.

 

- Sex life? –he repeated in astonishment—What sex life? We haven’t made love since we left Halicarnassus, and that was almost 2 months ago –the King reproached him—I would be better dating Kleitos, at least he is always available.

 

- You are changing the subject –said his best friend, ignoring his last comment.

 

- No, YOU are changing it –Alexander pointed at him accusingly.

 

- Alex, you know perfectly well why we haven’t made love –Hephaistion explained with calm—It’s because every free moment we have we have spent it with Aki –Alexander sighed and his best friend retook the original conversation—Alex, I don’t like to say this but…what can Dismas do that I can’t? Do you know someone who can defeat me?

 

- No, I don’t know one single man who can defeat you, but if you are attack by 5 or 6 men, I think Dismas would be capable of being of some help, don’t you think? –said Alexander, holding his gaze. The General played along and both were locked in a duel of eyes, until Alexander gave him a squint that made him laugh. 

 

- You are impossible –said Hephaistion, brushing his hair back.

 

- All right, if you don’t want to be followed I’ll tell Dismas to stop doing it –Alexander gave up.

 

- Thank you.

 

- But you will sleep with 5 guards outside your tent.

 

- Two –Hephaistion haggled.

 

- Four.

 

- Three.

 

- Done –said Alexander and they shook hands.

 

- Alex.

 

- Mm?

 

- The sun came out an hour ago and you were still sleeping, I thought you wanted to have a meeting early today –said Hephaistion, brushing the King’s hair with his fingers.

 

Alexander yawned again.

 

- Yes, that was the idea, until Eumenes kept me up almost all night –he explained.

 

- Really? Doing what? –asked Hephaistion in a playful tone.

 

- With the report of the dama…Oh! –the King got the double meaning of that question—Very funny Phai –his best friend laughed—I wouldn’t even put a sword inside Eumenes.

 

Hephaistion laughed even harder, falling on his side on the bed.

 

- Oh come on, admit you like Eumenes –his best friend teased him, pulling his tunic—You like that face of his that look as if he was sucking a lemon permanently  –Alexander’s expression of displeasure made him laugh again— With that sexy style of walking he has, with his horseshoe-shaped legs –now was Alexander’s turn to laugh—How old is he, anyway?

 

- 38 or 39 years old, I think –the King dropped on his back at his side.

 

- Is he good?

 

- Well…yes, he does a good job –said Alexander, his uneven eyes on the ceiling—He has a good hand.

 

Hephaistion laughed again and the King needed a moment to understand the double meaning. Alexander punched his best friend’s shoulder. 

 

- A good hand with administration –he explained, slightly blushed.

 

- You didn’t say that first.

 

- You are very funny today –said Alexander.

 

- And you very cranky, what? Did you have a bad awakening? –his best friend teased him.

 

The King rolled on his side and bit his General’s shoulder. Hephaistion laughed, and tried to take Alexander off him, but the King didn’t let him and they ended rolling on the bed until they fell to the floor. Alexander on top him.  

 

- Alex, you are pretty heavy to be so short, I insist –said his best friend without breathe.

 

- Your fault –the King rested his head on Hephaistion’s chest—Phai?

 

- What?

 

- I have been wondering something.

 

- Tell me.

 

- Why do you hate Krateros? –asked Alexander, hearing his best friend sighed.

 

- Isn’t it obvious? He is a jerk –said Hephaistion, not bothering in hide how much he dislike him—He is vulgar and rude, always intruding and insulting me every time he sees me. I should be the one asking why, why do you like him?

 

- I didn’t say I like him –the King defended himself—But he is a wonderful commander. I think he is like “my Parmelio”

 

- So you keep saying –the General ran his fingers through Alexander’s back—Speaking of Parmelio, do you have word from him?

 

- Not from him, but from Eurigyius –said the King—Parmelio wasn’t very please with my decision of appointing him as the new hipparch of the Thracian and Thessalian cavalry.

 

- I’m not surprise –said Hephaistion, and then he remembered the commander of the regular hypaspists—I was really impressed when I met Nikanor, he is very kind, nothing like his father and brother. 

 

Alexander lifted his head to see him.

 

- So…Nikanor, eh? –now was the King’s turn to tease him.

 

- Oh, shut up! –Hephaistion pulled his blond hair—I don’t like Nikanor…in that way.

 

- What way? –asked the King.

 

- You know.

 

- No I don’t, tell me –Alexander insisted with an evil grin curving his lips—I heard from Kleitos that Nikanor is pretty popular among his men, and he is also good looking. 

 

- Mm, yes, now that you mention it I think I will bed him –said Hephaistion pretending to be seriously considering the matter, when Alexander started tickling him—NO! Stop!!!…That’s…unfair… –the General couldn’t stop laughing, and tried to curl up to protect himself. 

 

- Do you surrender? –asked the King, still tickling him.

 

- YES!!!… Stop! –Alexander stopped, and Hephaistion breathed heavily. His straight hair, deliciously disheveled, was covering his flushed face. 

 

The King felt a stab of pleasure watching him, and licked his lips wanting to kiss him.

 

- Gods! What I did to have someone like you at my side? –he said in a dreamy voice.

 

- You are very poetic today –whispered the General, languidly stretching himself beneath the King, inflaming his senses. 

 

Alexander bent to kiss him, but before he could touch his lips…

 

- Alexander! –Eumenes’ voice filled the place. The King and his best friend snorted at the same time.

 

- Honestly, if you don’t get rid of him now, I’ll kill him –whispered Hephaistion in a menacing tone.

 

- Wait –Alexander stood up and went to the tent’s entrance.

 

The General climbed back to the bed, and from there he heard snatches of conversation, words isolated as: mismanagement of resources, the Agema in appalling conditions, unnecessary expenses ...and things like these, denouncing his bad way of leading his men.

 

Hephaistion felt his temper rising and for a moment was tempted to go to the entrance and demand that Eumenes said those things to him, at his face. But he decided to wait, and try to calm down. He hated when people talked like that about him, just because they didn’t like him, but wouldn’t do him any good to go out and argue with the secretary in that moment.

 

- I’ll ask Hephaistion about this, Eumenes –said the King tired, rubbing his eyes.

 

- Alexander, I don’t like to say these things but…you shouldn’t trust Hephaistion –said the royal secretary. Alexander lifted both eyebrows in disbelief. 

 

- And, in your opinion, why shouldn’t I trust him? –asked the King almost amused. 

 

- He is only using his looks to obtain what he wants. Your father fell for it, he was obsessed with him and see what happened, Hephaistion was in the Ile Basilike at 16 years old –said Eumenes with loathing—Now he is a Somatophilax and also in charge of the Agema, and doing a terrible job, by the way, I would be surprised if…

 

- Eumenes! –Alexander raised slightly his voice—I wont hear more of this –his tone was dangerous and the secretary swallowed, now he had gone too far—If you don’t like Hephaistion that’s your problem, I don’t require that all my Generals, officers and barons like each other in order to work properly, but you are talking about my best friend. Do you think for a moment that you know Hephaistion better than I do? Or you consider your King stupid enough to be fool by someone’s charms?

 

- I…I…

 

- Leave me alone, Eumenes –said Alexander with an authority that his father never had.

 

- Yes, sire –the secretary turned on his heels and left.

 

The King cursed, just when the only thing he wanted to do was spend some time alone with his best friend. He went back to his bed.

 

- Did you hear? –he asked and his best friend nodded. 

 

- Why does he hate me? –asked Hephaistion lying on the bed, suddenly serious. He truly had no idea; he knew Eumenes didn’t like him since King Philip was alive, but…why? 

 

Alexander sighed and dropped on his back at his General’s side.

 

- I don’t know, but…I supposed is because I love you –said Alexander, turning to rest on his side to caress Hephaistion’s cheek—And I think he thinks as my mother does.

 

His best friend frowned; he didn’t know what the Queen thought about him, except of course that she didn’t like him.

 

- What does she think?

 

- She has the idea that a strong King doesn’t need anyone, a King must not be attach to anybody, he can’t depend on someone else…because that is a weakness –Alexander explained, taking his thumb to Hephaistion’s lips—She would love to see me cold and distant, like an unreachable God.

 

- And…what do you think? –Alexander moved closer, barely a few inches from his lips, taking his cheek.

 

- I think that I wouldn’t change you for anything, not even for Darius’ Empire –he whispered before kissing him.

 

That kissed tasted like heaven. Hephaistion embraced him, feeling the King rubbing his body against him, and that sent sparks through the General’s nervous system, it had been weeks since they had spent some time alone, and every inch of his body was burning in desire. Hephaistion rolled over the King and Alexander opened his legs for him, bending his knees up.

 

That took his best friend by surprise. The General leaned his weight on his forearms, at each side of the King's head and saw his blushed face. Hephaistion hair slid like a cascade of silk, his locket swung in front of him, the one that Memnon had thrown at the King, and Alexander returned to his best friend when they met again at Miletus.

 

Alexander felt a shudder seeing those beautiful gray eyes on him.   

 

It was so strange, to have a man as powerful and beautiful as Alexander at his mercy. He wouldn’t dream to be as great as his King, but, there he was, with Alexander so expose and looking so fragile under him.

 

- What are you waiting? –asked the King, all his body aching to feel Hephaistion’s skin against his.

 

- I was thinking…I probably shouldn’t do this –Alexander saw him as if he had gone mad—After all Eumenes says I’m using my looks to manipulate you. 

 

Both of them laughed.

 

Hephaistion leaned over him and kissed his cheek, his eyelids, stroked his face with his lips slowly, making him shuddered every time he hit the King’s skin with his warmth breath. With his index finger the General removed his blond locks and outlined his features taking his time to admire him. Alexander closed his eyes, focused only in feeling; Hephaistion’s caresses relaxed him at the same time that made his body shuddered, taking him to the clouds, they made him forget everything.

 

The King let escape a soft moan that was more like a purr, the purr of a happy kitten when his best friend kissed him again.

 

By the time the rest of the King’s officers arrived, Alexander had a very big smile on his face and looked as if he had been running all morning, patting, sweating, his hair was a mess and his face was blushed.

 

- Are you all right? –asked Leonnatos, looking at the cute red spots adorning his cheeks.

 

- Yes, why do you ask? –the King ran his fingers through his hair, in a vain attempt to comb it. 

 

- No, for nothing especial –said Leonnatos, he still thought there was something strange there, but he didn’t know what.

 

Not only Leonnatos but also many of the closest companions, friends and officers thought Alexander was a little crazy. The day before he was furious beyond all reason after being robbed, and now he look calmed and happy.

 

A few moments later, grandfather Demetrios arrived for Hephaistion astonishment; Alexander had summoned him to share the information he had obtained from the thief he captured. He was looking so happy that Hephaistion smiled, his grandfather loved life in the army, and since he was a little boy he remembered hearing his grandfather’s stories about battles and warriors.

 

The first time grandfather Demetrios knew about the Asian campaign was when King Philip was still alive, Hephaistion had been 14 years old at the time and studying at Mieza, but he had heard from his brother that grandfather Demetrios had been so excited that had spent a whole week talking about Persians and old stories about their riches and palaces covered in gold.

 

But time passed, King Philip didn’t come to Asia, and when the moment finally came, Demetrios had been very depressed knowing he was too old to fight against the Great King. But destiny had other plans for him, and now he was here, at the center of everything and Hephaistion thought his grandfather was so happy that he even looked younger. He couldn’t stop smiling.

 

All were ready to stat the meeting.

 

- What are you doing here? –asked Krateros to Hephaistion in a whisper, slightly bending to his side—Shouldn’t be in your tent playing to be a mom with your kid?

 

- Try me, please, I have new swords and I’m dying to use them, I’m begging you –answered the General in a menacing tone, but Krateros just laughed without making noise.

 

- You know Hephaistion? You should make a hetaira’s career –said Krateros—You’ll do much better than here.

 

- Really? Do you think so? Mm…well, if I’m better suited to be a hetaira, I wonder in what level that would leave you, after all I was the one who broke your jaw and left you unconscious in order to save your sorry ass from the hands of Dardanos –Hephaistion mocked him.

 

Krateros closed his fists so hard that Hephaistion could hear his fingers cracking.

 

- You had luck –said Krateros through clenched teeth.

 

- Yeah, sure.

 

- Perdikkas! –said the King, ready to start with the meeting—What did you find out about the thieves?

 

Perdikkas cleared his throat before speaking.

 

- All the villages around here said the same thing, Alexander –he answered—This band has years terrorizing the farmers and stealing from travelers; the people here is afraid of then, apparently their leader is a very cruel and sadistic man, he likes torturing people.

 

- Do you have his name? –asked the King, resting his back against the chair.

 

- Yes, Sargon.

 

Alexander took a moment to think before speaking again.

 

- What did your captive say, Demetrios?

 

- He gave me directions of how to get to their fortress –said grandfather Demetrios, speaking in a professional tone of voice that his grandson didn’t know him. Demetrios stood up, and pointed on the map, resting on the table, the route—It’s not far for here, but he said this fortress is well defended; it’s a rocky stronghold.

 

- How many men do they have? –asked Kleitos, leaning to the front to have a better view of the map.    

 

- About 3 or 4 thousand, and the same number of noncombatants –explained grandfather Demetrios. Alexander kept silent.

 

- The problem would be to take the stronghold –said Krateros, successfully reading his King’s thoughts.

 

- Take the stronghold? –exclaimed Philotas in shock, since he was the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry he had stayed with the King instead of going with his father—What are you talking about? –he turned to see the King—It’s insane! These Pisidians screwed us, it’s humiliating and they took many of our pack animals, but to take their stronghold is a waste of time. We should just ignore them and continue our march.

 

- Oh, no, no, no –said Alexander—I would not let a pack of thieves to have their way. I will teach this people what happen when someone messes with me –he hit the table with his fist, making the cups and the map jump.   

 

- I like this King –said grandfather Demetrios and Hephaistion smiled.

 

The army moved as soon as the meeting was over and they headed straight for the mountains. Not only Alexander wanted to make these thieves pay, he also wanted to secure the route behind him to maintain open his communication lines. Everybody understood this, after a while, and they stopped complaining.

 

- I don’t understand Philotas –said the King angrily to Hephaistion, while they were preparing everything to march— I left Cassander in Pella because he was always whining like an old woman, and for what? To be now stuck with Philotas –he tied his horse’s saddle so tight that Boukephalos turned to see him.

 

- Philotas has always been unbearable; have you already forgotten Mieza? –said Hephaistion mounting— And he is especially nasty with you since you ordered the execution of his best friend.

 

Alexander mounted too.

 

- Phai, Amyntas had to die.

 

- I know, I’m just explaining to you why Philotas is always complaining –the King shook his head.

 

- Yes, but that’s not all –he said in a mysterious tone.

 

- What are you talking about? –asked Hephaistion intrigued—Come on, tell me.

 

- He likes you –said Alexander watching him directly, and his best friend laughed.

 

- That was ages ago! And since I turned him down he hates me –said the General. 

 

- That’s really what you think? –said the King seriously—You should pay him more attention. He is crazy for you, and he hates ME.

 

- You are paranoid.

 

But as soon as those words escaped from his mouth he remembered Nikanor:

 

My brother talks a lot about you…

 

Berenike, her children, Netikerty and Achilles stayed in a village near the mountains and waited there until the siege was over. Achilles didn’t want to stay with his aunt but he always obeyed what he father said, so even if he cried all the way to the village, he said nothing.

 

The first day of the siege, the thieves threw the Macedonians everything they could, but unfortunately for them, they didn’t have artillery to counterattack and their best defense was to lock themselves inside and pray that the King would give up. 

 

This was a very short siege; only 2 days after it started the thieves realized Alexander wasn’t going to give up until he had taken the stronghold, the youngest ones burned their families alive to avoid that they fell in the Macedonians’ hands. After that they surrendered, even if many of them managed to escape under cover of darkness. 

 

XXX

 

(1) Santiago Posteguillo. The Cursed Legions, p 794 and 795