CHAPTER 55

 

I don’t have to say that after what happened at Side the things among me, Alexander and Philotas were really awkward. The only good thing was that we had very busy weeks so there was no time to waste in personal problems.

 

The city of Aspendus, after all the money and horses it gave us, revolted as soon as we left to the port of Side. So we went back and Alexander had to left a garrison there.

 

- Nick, I don’t know what to think –said Hephaistion appalled one night in his tent, they were on their way to Termessus after dealing with the Aspendians—I have been asking about what happened the night of the drinking party, and…I think Philotas is saying the true.

 

That was embarrassing and, since almost no one knew about what happened that night, he had only talked about this with his brother.

 

- Phai –Nicandros rubbed his eyes—I told you, you can’t trust Philotas. I, for one, believe that Kleitos is right. You were very drunk and probably you had passed out when he came in.

 

Hephaistion shook his head.

 

- No, I asked my guards and…I was very much awake –he blushed remembering what his guards had said. The poor guards were embarrassed, because they felt they should have done something to stop Philotas but…how? How could have they known?

 

Krateros was right about something. The men of the Agema loved his General, and his guards didn’t believe in Philotas’ words. They blame the wine. But Hephaistion couldn’t blame it too.

 

- I think –said Nikandros stretching his arms to the front—That you were too drunk and didn’t know what you were doing.

 

- That’s what everybody said –the General sighed—But now, what am I going to do with Philotas?

 

- About what?

 

- Haven’t you been listening to me? I slept with him.

 

- You was DRUNK, do I have to spell it for you? –Nikandros didn’t know what was the problem here—We all have done stupid things while we are drunk, don’t you remember when I arrived home wearing a woman’s dress? –Hephaistion laughed remembering that, it had been so funny. It had been before he went to the palace to serve as a page—I still don’t know why was I dressed like that, but I don’t care. I was too drunk to care, anyway. 

 

- Yes, but that’s different. Philotas keeps inviting me to eat with him, he lends me books; whenever he can he rides with me during the marches. The other day he gave Aki two apples. Where did he find them? I have no idea, but we all know that Philotas always eat better than anyone, including the King –explained Hephaistion—I don’t know how to say him that, I don’t like him.

 

- Just like that, said: I don’t like you –his brother hit the table with his finger, to emphasize his words.

 

- After we slept together?

 

- Come here, Phai. I’m going to punch you –said Nikandros, tired of that conversation—You can’t feel like you have an obligation with him just because of that.

 

- I know but…I can’t help it.

 

- What does Alexander said about this? –his brother yawned, he was exhausted.

 

Hephaistion was surprised that, at the speed at which Alexander made them march, there weren’t men dead as a result of fatigue. But Alexander seemed to have a talent for knowing exactly how much he could demand from his men.

 

- You can imagine, he is furious –said the General, he felt his eyelids heavy.

 

- You know Phai, if I was the King, and you were my lover, I would have dumped you long ago –said his brother.

 

- Why? –now Hephaistion was curious.

 

- You cause too much troubles –Nikandros counted with his fingers—King Philip…

 

- He forced me, Nick.

 

- I know, but the point is he caused you and Alexander a lot of problems –Nikandros cleared his throat—Memnon –Hephaistion blushed remembering his kisses. How he wished he could erase those memories—Achilles, who is the son of his sister. Darius wanting to meet you and Philotas trying to bed you…again. If he haven’t dumped you yet is because he loves you too much or you are a beast in bed…

 

- NICK!

 

- What? If you don’t like to hear these things from me, then don’t come crying with your problems –Nikandros said simply. 

 

Alexander put Antigonus the One Eye in charge of protecting our lines of communication with 1,500 troops and appointed him satrap of Central Phrygia. Then, finally, after many weeks, cites, villages, rough roads, hill forts and stubborn opponents, spring came and we arrived at Gordium, in what is now known as March 333 BC.

 

- Aki, this is the Persian Royal Road–explained Hephaistion, riding with his son, almost reaching the great Assyrian gateway. It was a most impressive sight, 2 huge statues, one winged lion and one winged bull with human heads standing at each side of road. This road was an ancient highway built by the Great King Darius I, in order to connect the territory from Susa to Sardis, communicating also other important cities like Babylon and Ecbatana.

 

- This was the Road that the Persian King Xerxes took on his march to Greece –Hephaistion explained—Herodotus said a courier can do a trip of 7 days on horse from Sardis to Susa.

 

- Who was Herodotus? –asked Achilles.

 

- A historian, Aki.

 

- Like professor Kallisthenes?

 

- Mm, yes I suppose like Kallisthenes –answered the General.

 

- My uncle says professor Kallisthenes is writing all his adventures, like Homer did with Achilles –said the little boy.

 

- Well, I doubt you can compared Kallisthenes to Homer, but yes, he is writing all our adventures –Hephaistion smiled, remembering how Kallisthenes had refused to teach his son.

 

A true nephew of the great philosopher Aristotle, he didn’t like teaching children, he didn’t like children, but Hephaistion was of the idea that the historian liked no one. When Alexander approached him to ask him to teach his nephew he had said no.

 

Kallisthenes had his own dreams of glory, but not the same as Alexander. He wanted to be remembered as another Homer or Herodotus, and to be the mentor of a King, like his uncle. Achilles was the bastard son of a General, not even the son of the King, and he would never rule…or at least that was what he though.

 

But Alexander didn’t take a “no” for an answer and insisted, as only he knew how to do it. Kallisthenes said he would teach the boy when he were 13 years old, at least, but after another 2 hours he agreed to do it now. To his surprise, Aristotle’s nephew discovered Achilles was as intelligent as his uncle and father, so at the end he stopped complaining.

 

- There! –Hephaistion pointed to the north— Are the tombs of the Phrygian Kings. Long ago, Phrygia was an independent kingdom, but the King Cyrus the Great conquered them and now they are part of the Persian Empire. They are a satrapy with their capital in Dascylion –Achilles listened to him with all his attention.

 

- What is a satrapy? –the little boy wanted to know.

 

- It’s an administrative province –the General brushed his hair back—You see, the Persian Empire is so big, that they divided it in provinces, and each one is governed by a satrap, an old Persian title which means “Protector of the Kingdom”(1)

 

- Daddy, how do you know all that?

 

- A…friend told me –said Hephaistion smiling. In fact, the one who had told him many things about the Persians was Memnon. A friend? Yes, that was what Memnon could have been to him if he wasn’t with the Persians: A friend. 

 

- Why are we here? –asked the boy, lifting his head to see him.

 

- We are here because we are going to join the troops that are under the command of General Parmelio, and the fresh reinforcements from Macedonia –said Hephaistion and kissed his son’s head.

 

- When are we going to fight against the Great King? –asked the excited boy.

 

The General laughed.

 

- Soon, Aki.

 

Gordium surrendered without major incidents and soon it became like another Pella; Parmelio’s troops arrived next day, and Koinos and his brother Kleander, came two days later with 3,000 Macedonian infantrymen, 500 cavalry and 150 volunteers from Elis (2) Those were peaceful and happy days, the men were glad to see his friends and companions again, eager to hear the latest news of Macedonia and Greece, or to hear the stories about Parmelio’s campaign.

 

Alexander, after spending very busy days with the old General Parmelio, went with Koinos to meet his new troops, and to greet the old ones, who had just returned full with new energies and very grateful with their King for letting them go home. More than one, brought to their King something their wives had made, the women were also very grateful with him for letting their husbands spent the winter at home.

 

- Sire –said one pezetairoi, a very young man with red hair—My wife sent you this –he said giving the King a package with a pair of gloves.

 

- Thank you, Hoiples –said Alexander—You must thank your wife for me.

 

- Yes, sire –the man was very happy to see his King knew his name—I will.

 

- They are good men, Koinos –said Alexander happy, when they finished the inspection at the main square—You did a good job.

 

- Thank you, Alexander –said Koinos smiling—I also brought along a group of 50 young pages, Antipater thought it would be good idea. He sent you 2 of his own sons: Philippos and Iolaos.

 

The King nodded.

 

- Well, let’s meet the pages, then –he said, closely followed by Eumenes, who was taking notes with the help of his servant.

 

Among the 50 boys of 13 and 14 years old who had just arrived from Macedonia, was Lysanias, Hephaistion’s younger brother. He had been so eager to come to Asia since his brothers left that, when the time came for him, he couldn’t believe it. He barely slept the night before the journey and, throughout the trip by sea, did nothing more than to talk to Iolaos (Antipater’s son) about what he would do in this campaign. And, like all the people who didn’t know how to conduct a war, Lysanias words were as hollow as unreal.   

 

Of course Antigone had been extremely sad when she heard from her husband that Antipater had asked for all the boys who had turned 13 to be sent to be King in Asia, Lysanias was the last of her children to come to this distant land; almost all her family was with the King now, only her husband remained behind and the always faithful Cadie. But Antigone knew this was how things should be and said nothing. She said farewell to her youngest son with a big smile and an equally big bag with delicious food.

 

- I can’t believe we are actually in Asia –said a very excited Lysanias to his friend, sitting on a rock bench.

 

Iolaos son of Antipater was 13 years old like Lysanias, but looked as if he were 16. He was very tall and muscular, but as dumb as wood. To watch them together was rather funny, Iolaos looked like Lysanias’ bodyguard. For him, Hephaistion’s younger brother was the coolest person he had ever met and did everything he said.

 

They were waiting, with the rest of the pages, near to where the baggage train was being unloaded.

 

- What do you think we are going to do now? –asked Iolaos, looking around him. He was bored.

 

- Mm –Lysanias thought for a second—I think they are going to give us our assignments, you know, who are we going to serve and stuff to do.  

 

- You said one of your brothers is a Somatophilax –said Iolaos, crossing his massive arms over his chest.

 

- Yeah, my dad was extremely happy when he read Phai’s letter –said Lysanias, lifting his head to watch the sky. It was a very beautiful day, a perfect blue sky with a shiny sun.

 

- Do you want to serve with him?

 

- I…

 

- BOYS! –roared Koinos and all the future pages jumped on their feet—Form your ranks, QUICK!

 

By now they were used to Koinos orders, and they ran to take their formations, 5 lines of 5 boys deep. Koinos walked near then, and hit hard with a stick, the arm of one boy who was too close to the front to make him back. They could be just boys now, but tomorrow they would be soldiers.

 

- Pay attention boys –said Parmelio’s son-in-law—The King wants to meet you.

 

The King? –thought Lysanias, it had been years since the last time he had seen Alexander, and even if the King was his brother’s best friend he had never spoke to him.

 

Alexander’s uneven eyes travel through the ranks of the surprised, nervous, anxious, exited and scared boys. This was the first time they were going to be far from their families, and not only that, they would also be very far from Macedonia.

 

When Lysanias settled eyes on the King he thought Alexander was the most handsome man he had ever seen, the one who made the rest looked ugly, and he opened his mouth like a fool admiring him. He was nothing as he remembered him, Alexander had changed, and now he was every inch a King…no, he was a God. He felt his heart beating faster while Alexander talked to them, and didn’t pay attention to what he was saying, just remembered sentences like: expected good and gallant behavior, obey your superiors, this is a military campaign not a school trip, every act of misbehavior will be punish…

 

After that short speech the King fell silent and one boy cough.

 

- You will be informed in a short time who of my barons and officers are you going to serve –said Alexander—And for the time being you will be located near at the city. Dismiss!

 

The King was about to turn and said something to Eumenes when he found Lysanias’ face among the boys. His heart skipped a beat, it was as if he were watching Hephaistion at his 13 years old again, the same boy he almost crushed under his horse. The likeness was amazing, but with his deliberated mistakes: Lysanias wasn’t as tall as his brother nor his eyes were the same gray, that sometimes with the light looked almost silver and in the darkness looked purple. His hair wasn’t completely straight or incredible silky but…even though, he looked a lot like Hephaistion.

 

- Alexander, I made a list of the boys that are already 15 years old –said Eumenes, looking among his notes—Your pages, Therseandros and Erasistratus just turned 15. I was thinking to appoint Antipater’s sons as your new…

 

- No –the King interrupted him, his eyes still on Lysanias.

 

- I beg your pardon –but Alexander didn’t answer, and instead he walked to where Lysanias was talking with Iolaos.

 

- Lys! –said the King, and when Hephaistion’s brother saw who was calling him he blushed savagely. Alexander smiled warmly—Lys, I didn’t knew you were coming too as a page.

 

- I-I-I… turned 13 years old a month ago –Lysanias stammered.

 

The King patted his shoulder and Lysanias thought he would never washed that shoulder again.

 

- It’s good to see you –said Alexander—Have you seen your grandfather and siblings?

 

My what? –thought the boy. He was so excited that he had forgotten even his name and needed a moment before answering.

 

- No, not yet, we just arrived this morning.

 

- You should look for them; they are going to be very happy.

 

- I will… sire –in fact Lysanias had no idea of how to talk to Alexander. He had heard everybody in his house calling him “Alexander”…well, Hephaistion called him “Alex” and Berenike “Alexy--poo” so he chose “sire”.

 

- Eumenes!

 

- Yes, Alexander –the secretary came, holding his notes.

 

- Appoint young Lysanias as my page –said the King and Lysanias saw him as if all his wishes had been granted in that moment.

 

- Lysanias? –Eumenes looked among his notes.

 

- Lysanias son of Amyntor, sir –said the boy to the secretary, and Eumenes saw him as if he were a beetle. 

 

- Hephaistion’s brother –he said with loathing, confusing the boy—Alexander –he put down his notes—Antipater sent you 2 of his youngest sons. You should sent this boy to serve his brother instead of insulting the Regent…

 

- I don’t think my father should be offended –said Iolaos, without thinking what he was saying.

 

- Your father? –asked the King.

 

- I’m Iolaos son of Antipater…sire –he added remembering Lysanias words.

 

- How old are you? –asked the King, watching this big boy.

 

- 13 years old.

 

Up went Alexander’s eyebrows in astonishment.

 

- There! –he said, turning to see his secretary—I’ll take Lysanias and Iolaos as my pages.

 

Eumenes didn’t say a thing and took notes shaking his head. Lysanias felt all his dreams were coming true and turned to see his friend with a big smile on his face.

 

XXX

 

- You call me? –asked Hephaistion, from the threshold of the room.

 

The King and his officers were staying at the houses of the most prominent citizens, and of course, orders were issued that no misbehavior would be tolerated.

 

- Come in, I have a lot news that I want to share with you –said the King, his uneven eyes on the mountain of papers on his desk. Hephaistion took a seat at his side and saw letters, small parchments with notes, messages, maps, reports and many other things he couldn’t tell what they were. 

 

- Let me guess, Koinos brought you some juicy information –said his best friend, he crossed his arms over the table and rested his head on his makeshift pillow.

 

- You bet he did –said the King, leaving a especially long letter on the table—He also brought me letters from my mother, Antipater, Thessalonike, Cleopatra, Demades… –Alexander puffed out—I want you to read them when you have the time –Hephaistion nodded—Also, I got messages from my spies and allies in Greece. 

 

- You are having very busy days, then –said his best friend.

 

- Yes…but I have 2 things that are buzzing in my head –said the King—First, Demades and my spy in Susa, said that Darius is letting Memnon to bribe my Greek enemies to prepare an invasion to Macedonia.  

 

Hephaistion straightened.

 

- What? –he exclaimed—How? When?

 

- He took the Persian fleet to attack the islands of the eastern Aegean. Cos and Samos are already with Memnon and Chios is just about to surrender –his best friend saw him in shock— And he is raising a mercenary army –said Alexander with all calm—Koinos told me it was extremely difficult for him to recruit volunteer in the Peloponnese, I can imagine they would be more than delight to help Memnon, after all he can pay them more than I. 

 

- And what are we going to do?

 

- Nothing.

 

- Nothing? –repeated Hephaistion still in shock—Are you going to let him invade Macedonia? To take the war to our home?

 

- Antipater can deal with him.

 

- No, he can’t –his best friend said, making an especial emphasis in each word—Alex, Memnon is brilliant, he almost defeated you. Do you really think Antipater is going to be able to stop him? You took every veteran man, every possible soldier from him, he doesn’t have enough troops.

 

- He can always raise more troops –Alexander stood up, pacing around. He did that a lot when he was feeling uneasy.

 

- From where? There are no men of fighting age left in Macedonia –Hephaistion reminded him— Are you going to leave him with boys of 13 or 14 years old? Or men too old to be able to raise a sword? Men without any military experience? –he made a pause; when the King said nothing he continued—Your father trained all the suitable candidates for soldiers before you, and when you were crowned King, you raised even more troops among the Macedonian youth and allies, and marched to pacify the northern borders. You bring to Asia an army of the size no other King of Macedonia had ever had. In the whole history of the Kingdom hadn’t been so many men under arms at the same time. So, listen to me very carefully: there are NO MORE MEN. If Memnon decides to attack Macedonia with the whole Persian fleet, and certainly with the help of our Greek enemies, we will have to go back.   

 

- I will not go back! –said Alexander stubbornly—Mark my words Phai, I. Will. Not. Go. Back. 

 

- Then what? Are we going to lose Greece and Macedonia? –Hephaistion faced him—We have no money…again.

 

- Now you sound just like Eumenes.  

 

- Because is true! –his best friend raised his voice—I won’t let you do a foolishness, I swore to protect you, and I will, even if that means to protect you from yourself.

 

They fell silent for a long moment, Alexander was breathing heavily and needed a moment to calm down.

 

- Phai –he spoke softly—I can’t go back. I have been thinking a lot about this and…there is only one way out –Hephaistion said nothing, listening to him with all his attention—I have to defeat Darius as soon as possibly, and, if Memnon manages to take Macedonia before that, once I have defeated the Great King he would have to come back. He would have no more money and no more resources, and I would be the master of Asia.

 

- You are betting against destiny, Alexander –said Hephaistion very seriously—You are betting your crown and everything you have.

 

- I’m not betting, Phai. I KNOW I’m going to win.

 

And that, as simple as it sounded, convinced his best friend that the King was capable of achieving the impossible.

 

- You can’t let anyone to know about this –said Hephaistion after a long moment—If the men know what is Memnon doing, they would be capable of mutiny, they would want to go back to protect their families.

 

- I’m aware of that, but…I have a plan to assure my men that we are going to win–said Alexander mysteriously.

 

- What plan?

 

- You’ll see soon enough –said the King and Hephaistion knew it was pointless to keep asking—There is other thing I want to discuss with you.

 

- I’m listening.

 

- My dear mother and sister wrote me –said Alexander and Hephaistion felt a knot in the stomach—My mother is complaining about Antipater and blah, blah, blah…but she also wrote because she knows Aki is here –that was what his best friend was fearing—She and Cleopatra want me to send Aki back to them.

 

- And…what are you going to do? –the King watched him as if he didn’t understand the question.

 

- What else? That the boy stays here –Hephaistion let out the air he didn’t know was holding.

 

- Thank you.

 

- You don’t have to thank me –said Alexander—He is my nephew and he is not going anywhere –his best friend smiled.

 

- You said Thessa wrote too.

 

- Oh, yes, but her letter was more about gossip that anything else –said the King laughing—She also sent a letter to your sister.

 

- Oh!

 

- Thessa –said Alexander, taking a seat again at the side of his best friend—Said that Cassander is courting her.

 

- Cassander? –exclaimed Hephaistion.

 

- Yes, I don’t know what he is planning but I don’t think he is courting my sister just because he likes her –said the King and his best friend thought he was right. Cassander was a very ambitious man, and if he married Thessalonike he would be a member of the royal family—By the way Thessa asked me a lot about you, I think she still likes you. 

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- Not only her –he whispered.

 

- What are you talking about?

 

- My brother Lys gave a big sack full with letters and gifts –the King laughed—Honestly, after all this time I thought the girls in Pella would have forgotten me. Krateros’ sister sent me a very nice blanket, by the way. 

 

- You should marry Aristopatra –said Alexander still laughing—Imagine Krateros’ expression if you were his brother-in-law.

 

Hephaistion laughed. He had to admit it was very funny, indeed.

 

XXX

 

Memnon was standing on the bow of the flagship, watching Miletus in front of him, it was a dark day, the sky was covered by gray cloud full with promises of a terrible storm. The Commander-in-chief of all Persian forces in Asia Minor, couldn’t avoid remembering Hephaistion’s beautiful gray eyes when he surveyed the skies, eyes as he had never seem before and was sure he would never see again. The sole thought of the Macedonian made his heart beat faster, he missed him, and it had been here, in Miletus, the last time he had lay eyes on him.

 

Did he love Hephaistion? He didn’t think so. Love was a very strong word, Memnon liked him…a lot, and not only because of his outstanding beauty, he was intelligent and strong, a truly unique person. The mercenary didn’t love him, but he was sure that, if they could spend more time together, he would have fall in love with him like a mad man.

 

Of course he loved his family, but his feeling towards Hephaistion were something different.

 

He wanted to see the Macedonian again. He was sure that when he landed in Greece the boy King would have to return and face him, and then, it would be his opportunity to see Hephaistion. He would defeat Alexander, at first it had been his duty as a mercenary to end with his master’s enemies, but now…now it was personal.

 

Memnon’s agents had told him that everything was ready, many Greek states, including Sparta, were ready to revolt when the mercenary General gave the word. He had already recovered many of the cities that had surrendered to Alexander along the coast, and now it was just a matter of days for Miletus to fall into his hands. Memnon was undoing the hard work of the Macedonian King in just a few days.  

 

He felt the cold wind hitting his skin and close his cloak. Then, a sharp pain on his side made him clenched his jaw.

 

This pain again –he thought, he hadn’t time to waste falling sick, there were many things to be done.

 

He went back inside the ship and decided to do something he had wanted to do for some time: write to Hephaistion. 

 

 

XXX

 

(1) Lindsay Allen. The Persian Empire, 111

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 211

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 214