CHAPTER 56

 

- Have you heard the story of the Gordian Knot? –asked Alexander to Achilles. They were alone in the King’s room. Hephaistion was busy, as almost all the commanders and officers in the army; the arrival of reinforcements from Macedonia and Greece had started an avalanche of work.

 

Many commanders were fighting each other to get the best men for their own units, Krateros had punched Polyperchon on the mouth he had wanted to ask for 3 soldiers for his infantry unit; and Kleitos had tried to bribe Philotas in order to obtain 4 new hetairoi for the Ile Basilike. Fortunately, Hephaistion didn’t have to fight over the new recruitments since he had all the pages that had already turned 15 years old, but, nevertheless, he had wok to do and the King wanted to spend time with his nephew after another horrible week of administration work. How he hated to administrate.

 

- No –said the boy, shaking his head, sitting on the bed with his legs crossed in meditate position, like his uncle in front of him— What is the Gordian Knot?

 

- Well, the story goes like this –said the King and Achilles saw him with all his attention, his elbows on his thighs—An ancient oracle predicted that a man in a wagon would appear in times when Phrygia was in danger and suffering for civil strife. So, when the council of the city met, discussing the oracle’s prediction, a man named Midas, who came from Macedonia by the way, arrived at the city with his ox cart. The members of the council saw him, and they named him their King. All the problems of the city ended and Midas, who was very grateful with the Gods, built a temple to Zeus Basileus and dedicated his wagon to the Father of the Gods. Then, Midas took his wagon and placed it at the center of the city, but instead of yoked it to an ox, Midas yoked the wagon to a pole with a large knot.

 

- The Gordian Knot? –asked Achilles, and his uncle smiled, pleased to see the boy was paying attention.

 

- That’s right, son. The Gordian Knot –said Alexander—But that’s not all the story. The knot, is impossible to undo, but another ancient oracle foretold that the man who manage to undo the knot would became Lord of all Asia. 

 

The boy opened his mouth in astonishment.

 

- And nobody can undo it? –he asked excited.

 

- That’s what we are going to find out tomorrow –said the King, with an air of self-sufficiency.

 

- Why?

 

- Because I’m going to undo the Gordian Knot –Achilles saw him as if Alexander had all the power and knowledge of the universe in him.

 

- Really?

 

- Really.

 

- And can I go with you? –Alexander laughed.

 

- Of course you can –the King pulled the boy by the arm and started to tickle him. The boy laughed until his face was bright red and had no more air inside his lungs, and Alexander saw, with a big smile on his face, that Achilles was as ticklish as his father.

 

XXX

 

While the King was with Achilles, Hephaistion was in his room, reading a heavy package of letters that Alexander wanted him to check. It was late at night, his candles were half consumed and the oil lamp threatened to consume itself completely any time soon. Since his son was going to sleep with his uncle, he was using this time to work...but was seriously considering the option of calling it a night and go to sleep. The General yawned, for the fifteenth time in 10 minutes, and then someone knocked at his door. 

 

- Come in.

 

He was expecting to see Kyros, since the incident with the Persians who tried to kidnap him, his servant asked him for permission every time he wanted to see Glycon, but instead of Kyros, he saw the last person he could have expected: Philotas.

 

- Still working? –asked the newcomer, closing the door behind him.

 

- Yes, I still have many things to do…

 

What is Philotas doing here? –thought the General in alarm. He had hoped the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry would be busy enough to not have time to look for him.  

 

- Have you eaten something? –asked Philotas, walking to where he was reading.

 

- Yes, a piece of chicken –now Hephaistion was fully awake, around Philotas he should be. 

 

- That’s not dinner –said Parmelio’s son almost sweetly—Come with me, and you can have a real dinner.

 

- Thanks, but I still have things to do –the General was feeling uncomfortable. The only thing he wanted to do was forget what had happened with the hipparch and go on with his life. But Philotas had a very strange and twisted idea that, somehow, one nightstand with a drunken Hephaistion could start some kind of relationship between them.  

 

- You always make things difficult –said Philotas smiling. He took his hands to Hephaistion’s shoulders to massage them and every fiber of the General’s body screamed: DANGER!—I can send you something delicious to eat, you should take care of yourself –he whispered near his ear, his breath sent an uncomfortable tickling through the General’s body. 

 

- Phai? –both men turned and found Lysanias standing at the threshold.

 

- Lys? What are you doing here? –great pretext to stand up and walked away from Parmelio’s son.

 

His younger brother saw Philotas frowning and then Hephaistion suspiciously.

 

- I left a pair of socks back home and, Nick told me, to ask you if you have a spare pair –said Lysanias, still trying to figure out what had been going on there before he walked in. 

 

- Sure, just give me a second –Hephaistion ignored Philotas and looked inside his trunk, he almost sighed in relief to be able to stay away from the hipparch. After a moment he found what he was looking for, but instead of giving the socks to his brother he said—Come, it’s late, I’ll walk with you to your tent.

 

- Walk with me? –Lysanias frowned a little upset—I’m not child anymore.

 

- Shut up and walk –and with that, Hephaistion left Philotas alone.

 

XXX

 

Next day Glycon had a meeting with all the King’s pages in their tent. He wasn’t the oldest one of the group but, for some reason, he was like the leader there, maybe because he was the most responsible and organized of the boys, and his tranquil nature made things easy for him to get along with all of them. The King’s pages had their own tent, with one servant to cook them and clean the place, but their cloths and equipment were things each boy must take care of. 

 

- Well, now we are ten –said Glycon, watching the new faces and the old ones. Lysanias, sitting on his trunk, was extremely excited and was watching the other page with all his attention. He wanted to make everything perfect and be the best page the King had ever had—First of all, welcome to Lysanias son of Amyntor and Iolaos son of Antipater. 

 

- Joy to you! –said Lysanias to the rest, Iolaos said nothing. Antipater’s son looked like a huge bump among the rest of the pages.  

 

- We need to rearrange the roll –Glycon continued—We are going to serve the King in pairs, on different days of the week and on different shifts. For example, Iolaos and Ceyx can have the first shift and serve the King during the day –both boys nodded— You will finish your shift tomorrow at night fall, and then Lysanias and Derkylos would have the night shift –Lysanias smiled—Derkylos and Ceyx, please show Lysanias and Iolaos what are their duties and how they must behave. I think, it would be good if we have different partners in order to know each other better, also I was thinking in…

 

- The King is going to challenge the Gordian Knot!!! –a voice shouted outside the tent and the 9 boys came out running, leaving Glycon alone.  

 

Glycon sighed and went outside too, it was pointless to stay there.

 

XXX

 

- Let me get this straight –said Hephaistion to Dismas, both men were sitting outside a very peaceful tavern, taking a cup of heavily water-wine while checking the list of the new recruits of the Agema—We have too many young boys.

 

- That’s right, sir –Dismas nodded—Usually, when a boy finishes his service as a page, he waits at least 2 years before coming to the Agema. They serve at least 3 or 4 years here and then, they are promoted to the hetairoi cavalry.  

 

- But now is different –said Hephaistion, his eyes on the parchment in front of him—These boys can’t wait 2 years and they are send right to us after finishing their service as pages.

 

- Correct, sir.

 

The General puffed out.

 

- 15 years old…they are too young –he whispered—Lets do this –he said at last—We can’t use them, not now. We are going to form a group and train them first.  

 

- Sound like a good plan, sir.

 

- Then I was…

 

- Hephaistion –the two men turned and found Philotas standing there.

 

Not again –thought Hephaistion in dismay.

 

Dismas stood up and saluted, after all Parmelio’s son was his superior, even if he was younger than he and he didn’t like Philotas one bit.

 

- At ease, soldier –said Philotas, taking a seat at the General’s side—I need to talk to you.

 

- Well, I would love to, but I’m a little busy with Dismas –his second in command sat again, and Hephaistion was grateful for not being left alone with the hipparch.

 

- Oh, don’t worry it won’t take long –said Philotas—I need 6 men for the hetairoi cavalry –he explained—Damn Kleitos took the men I have chosen for the Ile Basilike –he was angry about that—So, since you are in charge of the Agema, I need you to send me 6 of your best men. 

 

Hephaistion nodded.

 

- All right, how about…

 

- The King is heading to the Gordian Knot! –they heard someone on the street and Hephaistion turned.

 

WHAT?! –thought the General in shock.

 

- Philotas, we will continue this later –said Hephaistion, picking his notes up before running to the center of the city.

 

XXX

 

In a tavern near the center of the city, Kleitos and Perdikkas were playing dice, and loosing miserably all their money, against some of the locals, who were having the time of their lives winning over the almighty commanders of the almighty army of the almighty Macedonian King; when they heard another man shouting the King was going to the Knot, and immediately every man there stood up and went outside like a stampede, as if they were running away from a fire.

 

Soon, a great crowd was surrounding the most revered relic in the city, not only Macedonians, also Phrygians, citizens, travelers, merchants, children, women, slaves, servants…almost everybody was there, and not only because of sheer curiosity, the crowd there was expectant, holding their breath to see if this foreign invader could become the new Lord of All Asia.  

 

Hephaistion arrived without breathed. He found Perdikkas and Kleitos at the first row, many familiar faces were there, and not far from there he saw his brother Nikandros carrying Achilles on his shoulders; Lysanias was there too, standing on tiptoe near the pages. His grandfather and sister were with Leonnatos and the children, as excited as the rest. And there, at the center, in front of the legendary wagon of Midas, was Alexander. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his head slightly tilted, frowning while watching the knot. 

 

Hephaistion had never before seen the King so concentrated; he truly was thinking really hard how to solve this.

 

So, this is your plan –thought Hephaistion—You need a sign, a divine sign, that you are going to win against Darius and what better sign that to undo the Gordian Knot –he sighed, of course it was a great idea, as long as he managed to undo the knot. Alexander was risking his reputation here; and he knew how important was his reputation for the King. His best friend felt his hands sweating. 

 

- Some knot –he heard Dismas saying at his side. Even his veteran second in command wanted to see what was going on. It was a very important moment, and the General could only imagine the pressure Alexander must be feeling, if he could, he would go at his side and help him, but far from helping him, that would be the same as humiliating him. If only Alexander had told him he was going to do this, Hephaistion would have thought about something.

 

But no, must probably he want to do this alone –thought the General.

 

The King pulled some strings, kneeled to see better…but all was in vain. At the end, Alexander stood up again, he turned and found the gray eyes of his best friend, he saw the infinite trust he had in him and then the King remembered he could do anything as long as Hephaistion were at his side.

 

He saw again the knot, a mass of strings blackened by time, a maze so many others before him had tried unsuccessfully to solve, and then, he smiled. 

 

- “What difference does it make how I loose it?” (1)–he said aloud, and then drew his sword. The crowd gasped at the same time, as if they had rehearsed, and saw how the King slashed the mass of strings, reveling the ends of the knot, which he carefully released. 

 

- Holy harpies on a tree! –exclaimed Perdikkas without voice.

 

Nobody had expected that, and a heavy silence followed this ingenious way of solving the impossible Gordian Knot.

 

After the initial commotion, the crowd cheered and screamed as if they were inside a football stadium and their team had just scored. Which pleased Alexander a lot, Hephaistion smiled, he knew that his King fed on the adulation of his men, now was his moment and he was enjoying it at maximum levels. 

 

XXX

 

- That was cheating –said Hephaistion that night, when he and Alexander were alone at the King’s room.

 

- No, no, no; the legend said, that the man who undoes the knot shall be Lord of all Asia, never establish a list of conditions of how to do it –the King defended himself, he was in a splendid good mood. Why wouldn’t he? He loved divine signs that he was the favorite son of the Gods, and undoing the Gordian Knot definitely entered in his top ten of Great Divine Impossible Things that Nobody But ME Can Do.

 

- I still think it was cheating –his best friend was also extremely happy, even more knowing that the men had taken this as a good omen, but he couldn’t avoid thinking that the famous oracle wouldn’t approved the use of a sword to undo the knot.

 

A thunder made the windows of the room tremble. That was a terrible night. A severe thunderstorm was unleashed, hitting the city with strong winds that tore some roofs off. Inside the house, the servants were running for one side to the other, closing windows and securing them with planks. Lysanias and his companion Derkylos were also helping them; but, when Hephaistion’s brother walked in front of the King’s room, he heard the King laughing. Then, he stopped and following his burning curiosity, he leaned his ear against the door.

 

- You know I don’t believe in omens and those things –said Hephaistion, inside the room—But I think the men can see this storm as divine retribution.

 

- Or –said the King—As the divine approval of Zeus for my actions this day.

 

- You are the worst.

 

- We must have a positive attitude, Phai –said Alexander.  

 

- Whatever –his best friend stood up.

 

- Where are you going? –asked the confused King, watching him.

 

- To my house –explained Hephaistion.

 

- Now? It’s a storm out there –Alexander had expected to spend the night with him, to celebrate his achievement.

 

- Yes, now –said Hephaistion looking for his cloak. He found it hanging from a chair, but when he walked to take it, stretching his arm, King ran and took it first, hiding it behind his back—Alex, this is childish.

 

- I don’t want you to go –said the King, both hands behind him. 

 

- I have to. I have work to do…and so do you! –said Hephaistion, trying to take his cloak and failing miserably—Alexander!

 

- Say you are staying –Alexander insisted. 

 

- I can’t –the General tried again to take his cloak, but the King ran with it to the other corner of the room.

 

- Why? –asked Alexander, doing a great imitation of Achilles when he wanted to know something.

 

- You see, I work for this strict and insufferable King that gets mad every time things aren’t done as he want –said Hephaistion pretending to be serious.

 

- He sounds like a really bad boss. 

 

- Oh, you have no idea –when he threw himself against Alexander, the King ran again, and jumped on the bed, standing there, laughing.

 

- Fine, keep it; I’m going anyway –said Hephaistion, giving up.

 

- Let’s do something else –Alexander proposed.

 

- I’m listening –his best friend sighed.

 

- Bring your work here.

 

- No –Hephaistion didn’t even think about it.

 

- Why not? –Alexander was confused.

 

- I know you, and you are not going to let me work –the King laughed—Let me finish this quickly and we can spend tomorrow night together. 

 

- I have another idea –said Alexander and his best friend crossed his arms—Let’s have a “quickie” and then you can go to work.

 

- No –the General tried not to laugh.

 

The King puffed out.

 

- Fine, I see you tomorrow night, then –Alexander wasn’t very sure about that, but he gave him back his cloak and jumped down the bed—At least can I get a good-bye kiss? 

 

Hephaistion smiled, his idea was to give him a soft tender kiss, but the King took him from behind the neck and kissed him with hunger, catching his waist with his free arm to draw his best friend closer.

 

- That… —said Hephaistion without breath—Wasn’t…a…good-bye…kiss…you could have…stolen someone’s…virginity with that…

 

- Your fault –said Alexander, with the same smile of a cat that caught a mouse.

 

Lysanias heard steps coming to the door and he ran away, before anyone could catch him. The General went back to the house where he was staying. Hephaistion was right, they both had a lot to do, and since he was going to spend the night alone, he decided to read the rest of his mail.

 

Alexander was sitting at his desk, with 4 candles to light the place, he hated administration work, and hated when Eumenes started complaining about money and supplies…maybe Hephaistion was right and the secretary wasn’t the best person for that job, he would consider the possibility of changing him, maybe Hephaistion could be in charge of the supplies. He yawned again when someone knocked at his door.

 

- Come in –said the King, absently.  

 

Lysanias appeared with a tray of food, the boy heard the King was working until late and he thought it would be a good idea to bring him something to eat, his mother always said you couldn’t work with your stomach empty. Alexander barely saw him, he was so used to his pages that sometimes he didn’t noticed they were with him.

 

- Sire? –said Lysanias softly, standing at his side.

 

- What is it? –his uneven eyes were on his letters.

 

- I bring you something to eat.

 

- I’m not hungry –he said without paying him attention.

 

- Oh…well, do you need something? –Lysanias was eager to do something for Alexander, anything! The King turned to see him, and then he noticed it was Hephaistion’s brother.

 

- No Lys, thank you, I don’t need anything.

 

- Sire? I just want to tell you that –the page made a pause, he could feel his heart hitting his chest savagely—It was really great how you solved the Knot. 

 

Alexander smiled and Lysanias thought he was going to melt.

 

- So, you don’t think it was cheating? –he asked remembering Hephaistion’s words.

 

- Uh? –his page didn’t understand.

 

- Forget it. Thank you Lys, you may go –said Alexander.

 

- Yes, sire –and Lysanias left, trying his best not to sigh like a lovesick schoolgirl.

 

We left Gordium until March. An embassy came from Athens begging Alexander to release the prisoners he had captured at the Granicus, and that were held in Macedonia, but the King refused to discuss the matter in that moment. We marched to Ancyra, where Alexander received the submission of Paphlagonia and all Cappadocia west of the River Halys. 

 

- You shouldn’t trust this people –said Hephaistion—They are starting to know you, and they are telling you exactly what you want to hear. But as soon as we are out of here, they are going to turn their back on us.

 

- You are exaggerating, Phai –said Alexander, walking at his side—Besides, Antigonus is staying with troops enough to control them.

 

- Right –Hephaistion wasn’t very sure about that.

 

- Sire –Lysanias came running near a hill and far from where the rest of the army was resting—Sire, a messenger came with an urgent letter.

 

The page gave him the parchment and Alexander took it and read it at once. Lysanias was, so far, his best page; Glycon was extremely surprise with his performance, he was always willing to help, taking the night shifts, or double turns, if the King needed something, not matter what difficult it was, he was eager to do it and always managed to obtain the most unthinkable things, since he was Alexander’s page, he ate as good as Philotas.

 

- How are you Lys? –asked Hephaistion, smiling at his brother while the King read.

 

- Fine –the page avoided making eye contact with the General.

 

- Alexander isn’t very hard on you?

 

- No, it’s fine, really, I like to be a page –said Lysanias coldly, and they fell silent.

 

Of all his brothers, the one he knew less was Lysanias. Hephaistion was 10 years older than he, and when Lysanias turned 3 years old, Hephaistion was sent to the royal palace to serve as a page, then he spent 3 at Mieza and from then he never stayed home long enough to really know his youngest brother.

 

- And…how are you? –asked Lysanias, not knowing what else to say. He felt uncomfortable with the General, having so many mixed feeling towards him.

 

- Great.

 

- Phai –said the King walking back to where the brothers were—I got very important news –Alexander was very happy, but for some reason he didn’t want to show his happiness openly.

 

- What happened? –asked his best friend, and the page listened with all his attention.

 

- Memnon is dead.

 

To describe you what I felt in that moment is difficult. I never loved Memnon but I like him, I’m sure that if things had been different we could have been very good friends. I was fond of him, and his dead was a blow. Somewhere inside me, I had the illusion that someday we would meet again on the battlefield and that he could work for Alexander…I know, it was a stupid dream, first because there was no way in which Alexander could pay him as the Great King did; second, because my King was still jealous of him…even though…I hoped I could see him again, now it was impossible…

 

- Phai? –the King’s smile disappeared—Phai, please say something.

 

- I…I don’t know what to say –and before Hephaistion knew what was happening, a thick tear slid down his cheek.

 

- You are crying –good-bye to Alexander’s good mood.

 

- No, I’m not –the General took his hand to his cheek and saw the humidity with surprise.

 

- Why are you crying? –the King demanded to know.

 

- I don’t know –Hephaistion cleaned his cheek with the back of his hand—Just forget it –he took a deep breath—What else is in the letter?

 

Alexander watched him in silence for a long moment before speaking again.

 

- Darius is still in Susa, but he started to assembly a large army…are you sure you are all right?

 

- No, Alex, I’m not –said Hephaistion with all sincerity.

 

- Why? Because Memnon is dead? –the King asked more aggressively than he had intended.

 

Hephaistion took one hand to his face.

 

- You know what? We’ll talk later –said his best friend, he was going to leave when Alexander took him by the arm.

 

- I’m sorry –those words surprised even Lysanias, who was still there, not knowing what to do—Please don’t leave.

 

The General nodded. The King had been a stupid reacting like that, of course that Hephaistion was sad, for some reason he couldn’t comprehend, his best friend liked the mercenary General and his behavior now had been very childish. Memnon was dead, why should he be celebrating in front of his best friend? He was jealous, that was the answer, he couldn’t help it but he needed to calm down, after all his only rival was no more. 

 

Then the King remembered his page was still there.

 

- Lys –the page jumped, he wasn’t expecting to be called— Go and tell General Parmelio I’ll see him tomorrow.

 

- Yes…sire.

 

Lysanias turned on his heels and walked away with hundreds of ideas in his mind. He knew Alexander and his brother were lovers, he had known that since he was almost Achilles’ age, but now… it was different. He felt something more than admiration towards his King, for Lysanias Alexander was perfect, everything he said was the ultimate truth, his orders were law to him, he was never wrong, the bravest of men, the most brilliant commander, the best of all Kings, intelligent with a beauty that could compete against the Gods themselves.…There was no other man on earth that could be his equal, and that included his own brother.

 

Then, why Alexander had to apologize to Hephaistion? Why Alexander had to beg him to stay with him? It was his brother who should be on his knees adoring the wonderful King who had deigned to make him his lover. They were not equals. If the King wanted to have sex, then Hephaistion should do it, not treat him like a nuisance. What was wrong with his brother? And…who was Memnon anyway? He would ask Nikandros, he had been all this time with Hephaistion so he must know something.

 

XXX

 

- What are you doing here midget? –asked Nikandros, leaving his friends to go where his brother was calling him. Now, Nikandros was 28 years old, and still didn’t want to get married anytime soon. To Lysanias, his older brother was the same as usual, in fact, he knew Nikandros more than he knew Hephaistion.

 

- I want to ask you something, Nick? –he was a little nervous.

 

- Be quick, Kleopatros has a surprise for us –said his brother, turning back to see his friends.

 

- Do you know who is Memnon? –asked Lysanias, that was the first question in his list.

 

- Yes, is the Great King’s mercenary General –said Nikandros in a hurry—We fought against him at the Granicus river and he also kidnapped Phai.

 

- Phai?! –exclaimed the page, he wasn’t expecting that.

 

- Well, midget –he patted his brother’s shoulder—I go now…

 

- No wait –Lysanias stopped him but he didn’t know what else to ask—Nick…do you know if…em…Phai would be sad if something happen to this guy? 

 

Now Nikandros saw him with interest.

 

- What did you hear?

 

- Nothing…

 

- You are a terrible liar, what did you hear with the King? –his brother insisted.

 

Lysanias sighed.

 

- That this Memnon guy is dead.

 

- WHAT?! –Nikandros exclaimed in shock, scaring the page—Sweet Zeus! But that’s great! We are safe –he laughed.

 

- That’s what the King said, more or less, but Phai, I don’t know, he cried –said Lysanias, he didn’t understand what was happening.

 

- Oh! –the smiled left Nikandros’ face.

 

- Do you know why? –that was Lysanias’ curiosity speaking.

 

- I don’t know the details, but Phai told me that Memnon liked him and kissed him, several times, and apparently Alexander was pretty jealous about that –explained Nikandros, without knowing how much this information affected the page.

 

- Phai and Memnon?! –Lysanias exclaimed, now very serious—But Phai is a slut.

 

Nikandros hit him hard on the head.

 

- Ouch!

 

- Don’t talk like that about your brother –he scolded him.

 

- But that’s the true, first I found him kissing Philotas and now you tell me he cheated the King with his enemy –said Lysanias, with all the indignity he could gather.

 

- Ares’s balls! Where did you get that idea? Phai can’t stand Philotas and, when did I say he slept with Memnon? –now Nikandros was serious, and talking like that, he looked a lot like his father Amyntor.

 

- I saw him with Philotas –the page insisted—I went to ask him for a pair of socks, like you told me, and they were alone in his room. Philotas was behind him, and bending to kiss him. And I’m not surprised; I heard in the camp that Phai slept with him some nights ago after a party.

 

- You have no idea of what you are talking about Lysanias –said Nikandros getting angry—You saw wrong, Phai would never kiss Philotas, and he certainly didn’t sleep with him or cheat the King with the merc.

 

- And how do you know that? Because Phai told you so? If the King was so mad with Phai then, it must have been for something, don’t you think? You told me he was jealous –Lysanias was speaking with venom, and that had his brother very surprised.

 

- Alexander is a jealous lover, and he gets mad easily –Nikandros explained—And even if our brother had cheated him with the merc, that’s none of your business. Period.

 

- But Phai doesn’t deserve him! –the page raised his voice—Why is that the King had to beg him or to ask him for forgiveness? He is the King; Phai should always please him.

 

- What? –for a moment Nikandros thought he had heard wrong. He didn’t understand what had gotten into his younger brother, but then, an idea struck him—You have a crush on Alexander –he said as if he had discovered the secret of life and Lysanias blushed—Lys, understand this, Alexander is madly in love with Phai, and their relationship is THEIRS. If Alexander wants to kneel in front of Phai and adore him like a God, that’s none of your goddamn business.

 

- IT IS! The King doesn’t have to be with someone who cheats on him and treats him like a servant. Phai even leaves Achilles with him as if he were his babysitter –said the page raising his voice—In fact, I will ask the King to be my erastes. 

 

- Are you out of your freaking mind?! –exclaimed Nikandros in shock.

 

- Why not? I’m his favorite page, and he chose me personally –Lysanias said proudly. 

 

- That’s because you are Phai’s brother, you moron.

 

- Phai, Phai, Phai! Always him. Dad is proud of him because he is a Somatophilax, mom is always talking about him. Grandpa trained him, not dad, not uncle Althaimenes, not Demetrios, not you, not me, but PHAI! Phai has a bastard son and everybody applaud him. I’m tired that everything revolves around HIM! –shouted the page. 

 

For a long moment Nikandros just stood there staring at him. This was the last thing he had expected and surely he had no idea that Lysanias felt like this. The page turned on his heels and left without waiting for a reply, wiping his face with the back of the hand.

 

This is just great –thought Nikandros.