Chapter 60

 

CHAPTER 60

 

Doctor Philip was extremely happy and he couldn’t stop thanking the Gods every five seconds. The King was much better now, he still had to rest and would have to stay in bed for at least 2 more weeks, but he wasn’t dying.

 

- You should make an offering to Asclepius –said the very happy doctor Philip. If he were a more childish person, he would go with the rest of the doctors and rubbed in their faces the fact that he had saved the King’s life. But he was not that kind of man—You are looking much better Alexander, but you have to take care of yourself.

 

- I will, but first I need to see my men –said the King with hoarse voice.

 

Doctor Philip shook his head.

 

- I don’t think it’s a good idea, you should stay in bed…at least wait 2 or 3 days and you can go outside on a litter –but the doctor was still talking when Alexander tried to stand up.

 

King Alexander on a litter? Who did the doctor think he was?

 

Hephaistion ran to help him, putting his arm around his waist to support him. The General frowned, Alexander was much thinner and very weak, to sustain him like this, so close to his own body made the King seemed like a child, completely helpless and that scared his best friend. Alexander? Helpless? That was not possible. Even if the General shared the doctor’s opinion, he knew perfectly well what the King was thinking, and not even if Zeus himself came down, would he be capable to convince the stubborn blond to desist from going to see his worried and anxious troops.

 

So, that same day, even if the doctor and Hephaistion didn’t approve, Alexander went out of the house, with his best friend at his side, to see his troops. A crowd was waiting outside and, as soon as they saw him, their cheered him as if they had just won the entire Persian Empire that morning, they were truly happy and relief to see their beloved commander and King alive and much better.

 

- We should go back now –said Hephasition near Alexander’s ear, to be heard over the noise.

 

- Not…yet… —the King remained upright but his legs were shaking, the sounds were becoming more distant, the hundreds of faces before him lost definition, and all threatened to merge into a blur of bright colors before turning into a total darkness. He knew he was going to faint, but he couldn’t leave, not yet; he had to let his men know he was fine, he had to make clear to them that he was not a mere commander, not a mere King. He was the first among men ... a god and gods do not get sick, they have no weaknesses.

 

He smiled one last time and then nodded to his best friend. Hephaistion took him back inside the house, and as soon as the doors were closed the King passed out.

 

- Shit! –his best friend cursed and carried him on arms to go back to his room.

 

Doctor Philip only shook his head and gave instructions to the pages to bring water; as always Lysanias was the first one to obey and ran to follow his orders.

 

XXX

 

- Phai I want to take a bath –asked the King 2 days later. He was still hoarse but looking much better, and to his best friend total disapproval he had started to work again. The only thing he didn’t do was go out of the house and that thanks to the General’s supervision. 

 

- Take a bath? I don’t know…we should ask doctor Philip first –said Hephaistion, cleaning his face with a damp cloth.

 

- Phai please, I stink –the King insisted, he had been in bed for days, sweating because of the fever and the only thing he wished was to take a bath.

 

- No, you don’t –said his best friend—I don’t know how you do it but you never stink, you have this particular...sweet smell, I don’t know how to call it.

 

- Whatever, the point is I want to take a bath…and I will do it even if that mean to jump to the river again –Hephaistion sighed, he knew the King was serious.

 

- Fine, you win –he left the cloth aside—I’ll see to it.

 

- Thank you.

 

Half and hour later the pages and the servants had prepared a room with many buckets of hot water; Hephaistion carried him on arms, even if Alexander insisted that he could walk, but his best friend ignored him and started to laugh.

 

- What’s so funny? –asked the King intrigued.

 

- Nothing, I was just thinking in how adorable you look in my arms, honey –said Hephaistion, walking with him to the improvised bathroom.

 

- Don’t call me “honey” Hephaistion –said Alexander grumpily, but his best friend laughed even more.

 

- Whatever you say, sweetheart –the King puffed out. He hated those cutesy names and  he really didn’t understand how it was that Leonnatos bear that Berenike call him “kitty-pon” or “Lion plush”

 

Hephaistion sat him on a wooden bench and went to check that all the windows were closed; a servant had left a small brazier to heat the room, they didn’t want the King to catch a cold. He checked the temperature of the water and when he was satisfy he walked again at the side of the King and helped him to take off his tunic.

 

Why did I say that we have an improvised bathroom? Dear, you are so used to this Century that you forget that in other times not all the houses had bathroom inside. The royal palace at Pella, for example, didn’t have bathrooms…don’t look at me like that. Do you know how was the one who built bathrooms in the palace? Cassander…oh, yes, my Cassander. When he became King he added that luxury to the royal palace.

 

- You are thinner –said Hephaistion, taking a moment to see Alexander’s naked body.

 

No matter how many years had they been together, every time the General saw him naked he felt the same stab of pleasure. He couldn’t be tired of admiring his King’s beauty, he truly was a gorgeous man and he, could spend hours doing nothing more than staring at him.

 

The King had never been a thin man, since they were boys he had a body marked with strong muscles, stocky, but not thin, which was one of the things his best friend like the most about him.

 

- Yes, but as soon as I feel better I plan to start running again –Alexander like to do exercise, and so many days of inactivity were starting to drive him crazy.

 

Hephaistion took a bowl and poured the water on the King’s head. Alexander closed his eyes, enjoyed the feeling of the hot water running down his body and his best friend hands stoking his hair softly. It felt so good after so many days in bed with that damn heat. His General took the little soap, that the Persian servants of the city had left, and took his hands to Alexander’s shoulders, making as much foam as possible, caressing him at the same time the cleaned his tired body.

 

- You could have let the servants do this –said the King with his eyes still close.

 

- Would have preferred that servants bathe you? –whispered Hephaistion, almost purring.

 

- No.

 

- You know –said Hephaistion, sliding his hand with the soap down his abdomen, walking with his long fingers over the strong muscles—I found your new hoarse voice kind of sexy –Alexander opened his eyes, and for a moment he forgot how to breath. His best friend looked irresistible with his wet strands attached to his face—The sad thing would be if you don’t recover, how are you going to shout orders with that voice? –the General laughed and the King saw him through narrow eyes.

 

- You are not funny.

 

- Oh, I found this hilarious. Imagine yourself on Boukephalos, the entire Persian army in front of you, and you ready to give the order to advance: KraAteros, sarissAs to the frOnt ... –Hephaistion mocked him, faking to be out of tune.

 

- Ha-ha, Phai.

 

His best friend washed his thighs, and his legs, running the soap up and down, but when he reached the King’s crotch, Alexander laughed, even if he regretted it later because his lungs hurt every time he laugh or cough. 

 

- Now what? You have tickles here?

 

- No, is not that –said Alexander—But I think I’m not clean enough there.

 

- Yeah, right –said Hephaistion smiling.  

 

His best friend stood up again, to wash his blond hair. His chiton was soaked, and the fabric clung to his body, sensually defining his figure.

 

- Phai?

 

- Mm?

 

- Thank you –said the King taking him by surprise.

 

- For what? –the General took the bowl and rinsed his hair.

 

- For taking care of me –those words far from making him feel better, depressed Hephaistion.

 

- Taking care of you?…I…

 

- What’s wrong? –Alexander lifted his head to see him.

 

- I…I was sleeping when you decided to swim at the Cydnus –said his best friend.

 

- So?

 

- I… —Hephaistion left the bowl aside and looked at him—I should have been at your side to stop you before jumping into the river, I…

 

- Phai, listen –the King took his hand—What I did, I did it because I wanted to, and has nothing to do with you.

 

- But I’m in charge of your security –the General insisted.

 

- Yes, and you do a great job. You were tired –said Alexander— Eurycliedes told me you were sleeping when I had a small meeting with Parmelio and I didn’t want to bother you. So, I went with my guards to the river and, since it was a very hot day, I wanted to swim. How is that your fault? –Hephaistion said nothing and the King embraced him, surrounding his waist, leaning his damp head against his abdomen—You have such strange ideas, my love.

 

The General sighed, feeling slightly better.

 

- Maybe you are right.

 

- Maybe? –Alexander sounded offended—I’m ALWAYS right.

 

Hephaistion laughed, but his laughter was interrupted when he felt the King’s hand sliding under his chiton to reach his butt.

 

- Alex?

 

- Mm? –the King sounded so innocent.

 

- What are you doing? –asked the General amused.

 

- Taking advantage of your guilt –that made him roared with laughter.

 

- Oh? Really? –Hephaistion rinsed him, this bath was taking too long and the King was still in recovery—And how are you planning to take advantage of me?

 

That voice –thought Alexander—When he talks like that he melts me…If he asked me for my entire kingdom with that voice I’ll give it to him, without thinking.

 

XXX

 

- Phai, you should go to rest –said Alexander 2 weeks later, while his best friend helped him to eat—You have been here for days.

 

- So? Are you tired of me? –asked Hephaistion, sitting at his side, taking the empty dishes and giving him a cup of tea. 

 

- You know I’ll never be tired of you… but you haven’t sleep or eat well –explained the King with concerned in his voice.

 

- I’m fine.

 

- No you are not –said the King—You look very pale…and if you don’t take care of yourself you are going to damage your beauty and I’ll no longer love you –his best friend roar with laughter.

 

- So, you are with me because of my looks.

 

- Did you ever doubt it? –Alexander smiled—Seriously Phai, go to rest.

 

The General puffed out.

 

- All right, but I’ll come back.

 

- Is that a threat?

 

- You are very funny today –Hephaistion stood up and picked up the dishes—I’ll go now, but you promise me that you are going to rest too. I don’t want to find you working when I get back.

 

- Yes, mother –Alexander mocked him—Phai?

 

- Mm?

 

- Kiss me –asked the King. His best friend left the dishes on the table and bent in front of him. He kissed his forehead, his cheek and finally his lips—Mm…—Alexander purred—I think I feel better now. 

 

- Aha –Hephaistion smiled against his lips, and kissed him one more time before going.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion took a well-deserved hot bath, Kyros massaged his shoulders after that, and cooked a splendid meal. Then, he slept as if there was no tomorrow. Berenike had been taking care of Achilles all those days and since nobody disturbed his sleep, he woke up until next day near noon.

 

The General was eating when Perdikkas arrived, panting and sweating after running to get to the house where Hephaistion was staying. As soon, as he saw Perdikkas’ expression he thought the worst had happened and felt a knot in his stomach.

 

- What happened to Alexander?

 

- What?! Oh! No, it’s not him –Hephaistion sighed in relief.

 

- Then? What is it? Why the hurry?

 

- A letter from the Great King arrived for you –said Perdikkas, giving him the letter—And the courier is waiting for your answer outside Tarsus. 

 

- Again? –the General opened it, shaking his head—I can’t believe it, why is that he wants so badly to meet me…? –he felt silent as he was reading, and his friend stretched his neck trying to see—Oh I can’t freaking believe it…

 

- What? –asked Perdikkas, not bothering to hide his curiosity.

 

- I have to go –said Hephaistion hurriedly, standing up and folding the letter again— Perdikkas?

 

- Yes?

 

- Who else, besides you, saw the Persians?

 

 - No one, why? –and for Perdikkas utterly disappointment, Hephaistion left him alone without saying another word.

 

He ran heading to the King’s house, but when he was half the way there, he stopped and looked again the letter in his hand. His first thought had been to ran and tell Alexander the shocking words of the Great King, but then…another idea struck him. He went back, this time, looking for his grandfather, Darius’ words were buzzing inside his head but, in the middle of that confusion, an idea began to form in his head and he needed to discuss it with someone other than Alexander. His grandfather seemed the best option.

 

He found him walking around downtown, looking for a good place to drink, and, soon the two of them were sitting inside a sleazy tavern.

 

- What happened, Phai? You look as if the King had died –said grandfather Demetrios drinking his un-water-wine.

 

He looked at least 10 years younger, thought his grandson. If only his father could see him now.

 

- Here, read this –the General gave him the Great King’s letter without preamble.

 

- What’s this? –asked his grandfather, taking the fine parchment.

 

- Darius sent me another letter –Hephaistion explained—And, according to Perdikkas, his courier is outside the city waiting for my answer.  

 

Grandfather Demetrios read the letter and started laughing as if somebody had told him a very funny joke.

 

- He is offering you Memnon’s job –he said truly amused.

 

- Shush, keep your voice low, grandpa.

 

- Oh By Zeus, Hades and Poseidon! And he is going to pay you a lot of money –he whistled—If I were you; I’ll work for him –he mocked his grandson.

 

Hephaistion took the letter again.

 

- Well, I was just thinking that –he admitted. 

 

His grandfather coughed, choking on the wine.

 

- You, what?! –he asked with drowned voice.

 

- Darius doesn’t give up, he wants to meet me and, for what I see, he is determined –Hephaistion explained.  

 

- Something is telling me you all ready have a plan –said Demetrios, watching him with all his attention.

 

- Grandpa, listen –he dropped his voice— This is a great opportunity to know where is Darius and what is he planning to do –said the General—I imagine the courier will take me to him.

 

- You want to do a spy’s work? –he held his grandson’s gaze— Son, you are in charge of the Agema, let others play the spy part. 

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- Grandpa, the last spy that Alexander had among the Persians was discovered a few days ago and executed. If I accept to take Memnon’s post I will be a major informer of what is Darius doing, not to mention that I will have access to his troops; it’s a great opportunity…

 

And I will be able to repair Alexander for not taking good care of him –thought Hephaistion. He still thought it had been his fault that the King was so sick, and he wanted to do something to help him.

 

- Phai –said Demetrios very serious– You can’t risk your life like that. Besides, the King needs you here.

 

- No grandpa…I can do much more if I go… I think I should meet Darius, I’m sure Alexander would love to know what kind of man he is and what is he planning –Hephaistion insisted.

 

Demetrios nodded. He had to admit it was a good plan and an excellent opportunity to know more about the Great King.

 

-All right. But we can’t stay long. You have to trick him and make him believe you are going to accept, but then, we escape and came back with our information—his grandfather explained.

 

- We?

 

- Yes, son “WE” you didn’t think I was letting you go alone, did you?

 

- Grandpa, I can take better care of myself if I’m alone and don’t have to worry about others –Hephaistion explained— I’ll be fine, I know how to take care of myself.

 

Demetrios hit him hard on the head.

 

- Ouch!

 

- And who taught you how to fight? –his grandfather scolded him, raising his booming voice—Don’t talk to me as if I were a helpless old woman. I’m going with you and that is final.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- All right…

 

- But that’s not all –said Demetrios, serving another cup of wine—I think you should take Aki with us.

 

- WHAT?! –the General started to believe his grandfather had gone mad—Grandpa that is totally out of discussion, I’m not going…

 

- Phai –Demetrios interrupted him with firm low voice—This letter said that he expects you and your family. I imagine Darius has very good spies, if you go and lie telling him you are going to take Memnon’s post, but you leave your son with the “enemy” what makes you think he is going to believe you? I heard a rumor at Gordium that Memnon sent his own family as hostage to Darius in exchange of the command of the Persian army. Think about it, you need to give Darius a guaranty that he can trust you or this entire plan is going to fail.

 

He had to admit Demetrios had a point. But Hephaistion couldn’t avoid fearing for his son’s life. His initial idea was to leave Achilles with Berenike, he had never considered, not even for a second, to take his son with him.

 

- What do you suggest then?

 

- I say we take Aki and Kyros and go with this courier to Darius camp –said his grandfather in a whisper—We spend there a few days or weeks, that will depend, and then we come back.

 

- Why Kyros?

 

- Phai, if you are traveling alone and with few things you are going to raise suspicions –explained his grandfather— By the Gods! If Eni weren’t married I would take her to pretend she was your wife. That girl surely knows how to defend herself. 

 

Hephaistion puffed out. He didn’t like the idea of risking so many lives but his grandfather had a very big and fat point.

 

- Sounds like a plan.

 

- When do you want to leave? –asked grandfather Demetrios.

 

- Now, there is no point in wasting time –answered Hephaistion—I’ll write a letter to Alexander and pick up my things.

 

- Good thinking –his grandfather nodded— I’ll meet you outside the city.

 

XXX