CHAPTER 69

 

Hephaistion was the first one to move and follow the King; by now, the Persian infantry was in brazen flight, and as soon as the Persian cavalry, under the command of Nabarzanes, saw that the Great King had gone, they retreated too. 

 

- Eni, do you think you can shoot Darius? –asked Alexander, making Boukephalos run like the wind following the Great King and his escort through the rough terrain. It was a difficult pursuit; the men who fled from the battlefield filled the road completely, making it hard for the Macedonian horses to advance.

 

Berenike needed a moment to understand what was happening, everything was so quick. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

 

- Yes, I can do it –the King nodded.

 

- I don’t want him dead.

 

- I see what I can do –Berenike kneeled on the saddle, and when she felt she was going to fell, she embraced Alexander—I’m sorry –but the King didn’t answered, he was too concentrated in what he was doing. Darius was far from him, but not too far and he was determined to catch him.   

 

She tried again, closed one eye and shoot; her arrow hit one guard on the back making him fall and roll on the ground.

 

Too short –thought Berenike, one arm around the King’s shoulders, and she tried again.

 

They chased Darius almost for an hour, dodging or crushing the fleeing Persian soldiers; Berenike killed 5 guards but she couldn’t get Darius, his men protected him almost in a fanatical way, covering him with shields or their own bodies. She made a pout and aimed again.

 

Please Artemis, lend me your strength –prayed Berenike. She opened her eyes again and shoot. This time Berenike shot Darius on his arm but one of the guards shot back and hit her on the chest.

 

The impact threw her off balance and she fell from Boukephalos, rolling on the ground. Kleitos, who was riding just behind the King, had to pull his horse’s reins not to crush her, and the rest of the Ile Basilike passed riding at his side at full speed following the Great King, completely unaware of what was happening. The hipparch dismounted and went to see her, kneeling at her side.

 

- Hey! Are you fine? –asked Kleitos moving Berenike, to make her rest on her back.

 

Everything was spinning around Berenike, her body hurt horrible because of the fall and she needed a moment to understand what was happening. She felt a terrible pain on her chest; took her hand to her breastplate and opened her eyes in astonishment seeing the blood covering her fingers.

 

- Oh dear Zeus! –she exclaimed scared—I’m going to die!!!

 

- You are not dying –said Kleitos, taking out his dagger to cut the ties of her breastplate.

 

- Eni! –Hephaistion arrived running, and kneeled at her side. He was riding at Alexander’s side and saw his sister falling. He immediately came after her, leaving the pursuit, his sister was first—Eni, what happened?

 

- A-a-an arrow hit me –his sister cried, trembling.

 

- It’s nothing –said the hipparch, taking off her breastplate. 

 

Berenike made faces and clenched her jaw; it hurt.

 

- What happened? –Alexander arrived too.

 

- An arrow hit the girl and, for what I’m seeing –he took the arrow from the breastplate— It’s broken, she had the point buried –Kleitos explained.

 

- WHAT?! –Berenike exclaimed, even more scared.

 

The King kneeled too and Kleitos made room for him. Alexander took his hipparch’s dagger and cut her cloths.

 

- What are you doing? –asked Berenike in horror, thick tears were sliding through her dirty cheeks.

 

- I have to get the arrow’s point –explained the King, cutting also the bandages she used to wrap her breasts.

 

- Eni, it’s all right, Alexander knows what is he doing –said Hephaistion, trying to calm his sister down, caressing her forehead.

 

- But…but… —and they all were so concentrated in her wound, the battle, the chase… that they completely forgot the fact that Berenike was a woman, and as soon as the King cut the bandages, she immediately covered her now naked breasts with her arms.

 

Then, they remembered.

 

Oh crap! –thought Hephaistion, and judging by Alexander’s and Kleitos’ expressions, they were thinking exactly the same thing.

 

- Eni…I can’t see your wound –said the King, in the softest tone of voice that he could use.

 

- You are not going to see me half naked –she answered sobbing.

 

The hipparch ran a hand through his face.

 

- This is why women shouldn’t been in the army –said Kleitos—Girl, you have more important things to worry about than us seeing you half naked, do you really think you have something that we haven’t seen before?

 

- Eni, listen, you have to let Alexander examine your wound –said Hephaistion tenderly, but Berenike wasn’t very sure about that.

 

- C-c-can’t my brother do it? –she asked.

 

- Your brother? –asked Kleitos, his dark eyes on the General—She is your sister? And what in the name of Ares is she doing here?

 

- Long story –said the King, and both turned to see him.

 

Long story? So he knew my sister was here as an archer –thought Hephaistion—Oh, Alex and I are going to have a very long conversation after this.

 

- Eni, I don’t know how to treat wounds –answered the General—Please, let Alexander do this.

 

Berenike wasn’t convinced but she nodded.

 

- But I don’t want...sob…him…to see me –she said watching Kleitos.

 

- What?! –exclaimed the hipparch but the King nodded, and he had to turn, grumbling something about women and the army.

 

Now, Berenike uncrossed her arms. The arrow had hit her near the sternum, but hadn’t pierced her; just hurt the skin of her right breast. 

 

- I’m sorry, Eni –said the King.

 

- Sorry?!… What do you mean? I’m going to die? –asked Berenike at the verge of tears, again.

 

Alexander had to take her breast to take the arrow’s point out; she just squeezed her eyes.

 

- You are going to be fine –the King cut his own cloths—Sit.

 

Hephaistion helped her and Berenike had to raise her arms and collected her hair to let Alexander cover her wound. Oh that was so embarrassing; but at least now she was giving her back to Kleitos. The hipparch, tired of this, turned and found the slender, shapely figure of Berenike, her narrow waist where the fabric swirled, her curved hips, the white and smooth skin of her back, and for a moment he found himself following the canal that formed her spine.

 

Oh great! Now I’m in the urgent need of a woman –thought Kleitos.

 

- Alex, your thigh is bleeding –Hephaistion observed.

- It’s nothing.

 

They heard the horses’ hooves of the rest of the Ile Basilike, and Hephaistion covered his sister with his cloak.

 

- Alexander, Darius escape –said Leonnatos, when he noticed that it was his wife the one who had fell from a horse, and who was now half naked and only cover by Hephaistion’s cloak—Eni? What happened to you? –he dismounted and went to where she was.

 

- She was hit by an arrow –answered Hephaistion—She is fine –he explained to the concerned husband while Alexander asked the questions about Darius. 

 

The Great King had escape but he had left behind his magnificent war chariot and his emblems as the ruler of millions of souls along with his royal mantle, shield and bow, to run away through the mountains on a common horse.

 

Alexander took his uneven eyes to the sky.

 

- There is no point in chasing him now –he said—It will be night soon, and he knows this lands better than us, lets go back.

 

The Persian camp was merged into complete chaos when we arrived; the soldiers were sacking the place full with riches and luxuries with the hunger of men who had been fighting all afternoon, risking their lives and witnessing the dead of friends and companions. My brother Nikandros had heard my story about the giant tent of the concubines, and of course that was the first place he went. I don’t have to say that the concubines were terrified when my brother came in, covered in blood, mud and gore, dressed in armor, only his helmet was missing, and with his sword in hand still dripping blood.

 

Every concubine had their own room, but since they started to hear the commotion outside they all gather at the central hall of the tent. So, there were 360 beautiful women, watching Nikandros as if he were Asto Vidatu, the Persian demon of death.

 

- Oh sweet Aphrodite! I die and came to the Elysian Fields –said Nikandros, without breath, after killing every single guard that dare to cross in his path. He could hear noise outside, he wasn’t the only one who had thought of coming to this place, but he was the only one who knew what was inside.

 

Krateros, Perdikkas and Ptolemy had followed Nikandros, after their ferocious battle at the river they one wanted one thing: booty. 

 

- Holy harpies on a tree! –exclaimed Perdikkas without breath, watching the beautiful and terrify women in front of them—What is this place?

 

- This, gentlemen, is the royal harem –said Nikandros theatrically—360 beauties at our disposal.

 

- Wow! –exclaimed Krateros and Ptolemy.

 

I'm such a good good boy

I just need e new toy

I tell ya what, girl

Dance for me, I'll keep you overemployed

Just tell me a story

You know the one I mean

(Motley Crue, Girls, Girls, Girls)

 

- So, how are we going to divide the booty? –asked Perdikkas and the other 3 looked at him frowning.

 

Krateros hit him behind the head.

 

- Are you an idiot? We are 4, and they are 360, do you really think you can get 80 women all for yourself? –asked Krateros.

 

- 90 –Nikandros corrected him.

 

- Why not? Darius got them all for himself, or not? –Krateros reconsidered that, and started to nod slowly.

 

- Guys, Alexander would never consent to let us have 90 women for ourselves –said Ptolemy.

 

- But we almost died at the river thanks to his plan; he owes us this –Perdikkas insisted. Of the 3 of them he was the youngest and the most innocent with 23 years old, then Nikandros with 28, Ptolemy with 34 and Krateros who, in a matter of days, would be 38 years old.

 

- Wake up Perdikkas, Ptolemy is right –said Nikandros.

 

- So, what do we do? –asked a very disappointed Perdikkas, who until a minute ago he had been fantasizing with the possibility of having a King’s life, surrounded by beautiful women.

 

- The rest of the lads will be coming soon –said Krateros, turning to see the entrance—I say that everyone pick up one or two and let’s get the hell out of here.

 

And so they did, Nikandros and Ptolemy took one girl each, Krateros 2, and Perdikkas tried to take 3, but one of them kicked him between the legs and he ended empty handed. Before the concubines could join forces and kick the 4 of them out of there, the rest of the officers and soldiers noticed the giant tent and came in too, and mayhem started. 

 

XXX

 

As soon as Alexander came back, he went directly to Darius’ tent. The Great King’s pavilion, along with his family: mother, wife and children weren’t touch since they now belong to Alexander, as war booty, along with the magnificent war chariot that Darius had abandoned. Berenike had gone with Leonnatos and of course, Hephaistion was still with Alexander, hearing him talking with Kleitos about their amazing victory, when he heard a hysterical and high pitch voice that he recognized immediately as Xsayarsa’s.

 

- Where are you going? –asked the King when he saw his beloved dismounting. 

 

- I’ll catch you later –was all that Hephaistion answered. He left his horse with one of his companions and ran to where he could hear Xsayarsa’s voice. 

 

He found a group of pezetairoi in what, until a couple of hours ago, had been the eunuch’s tent. Xsayarsa was shouting all kind of curses in Persian and Greek, while the soldiers where sacking his tent; his servant, Atash, was hiding behind his master and when Xsayarsa tried to stop one of the Macedonians from taking a magnificent carved box, the man drew his sword ready to pierce the eunuch as if he were a pig.

 

Xsayarsa closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he found Hephaistion in front of him; the General had stopped the blow with his own sword. The pezetairoi was as surprise as the eunuch, everybody in the army knew Hephaistion and how strong was he, and watching him still in armor with ferocious glint in his eyes, made the other Macedonians shiver.

 

- That’s enough! –said the General in his best commanding voice—You will leave this tent in peace, NOW!

 

The men left the things they had taken and obeyed at once; they knew Hephaistion was more than capable of cutting their heads.

 

- Yarsa, are you all…? –but before he could ask, the eunuch embraced him and started to cry, leaning his head against his chest.

 

- Peris…is you…oh thank you Ahura Mazda…thank you… —he sobbed, and Hephaistion scratched his own cheek with his index finger, without knowing what to do. 

 

- Are you hurt? –Xsayarsa shook his head.

 

- These…BARBARIANS! Entered my tent and…–he looked for his handkerchief and blew his nose—His divinity is dead! –he cried again—I…I can’t believe it…what is going to be of us?…we are at the hands of barbarians…no offence, Peris.

 

-Yarsa, listen to me. Darius is not dead, he escaped –the eunuch’s eyes shone with hope—But you can’t stay here in your tent…

 

- But is mine.

 

- I know, but I can’t stay here to protect you and you are in danger –Hephaistion continued—Take your things and go to my tent –the eunuch moved his head up and down, still sobbing.

 

- And where is it, Peris?

 

- Outside –since they had won the battle, he imagine that by now, their camp were dismantled and moved closer to the Persian—Pack your things and I’ll be back for you –then he thought in another person—Yarsa, do you know a Magus named Bahman?

 

Xsayarsa spoke in Persian, telling his servant to start packing.

 

- Yes, he is the professor of his mightiness’ son –he answered.

 

- Is he here?

 

- Yes, he is…near the Great King’s tent…unless he had managed to escape, but I don’t think so, he is very old…I remember one time…

 

- Wait here –Hephaistion interrupted him, taking the eunuch by the arms— I’ll go for him and I’ll take you all to my tent, is that clear?

 

- Yes, Peris.

 

The General left, running to the center of the camp where the Great King’s tent was, and found a very similar scenario in Bahman’s place, the soldiers were sacking his tent, but he, contrary to what Xsayarsa had done, was sitting on a chair, watching without saying a word how his most precious things were stolen.

 

- STOP! –shouted Hephaistion and the 3 men inside turned to see him—You will leave everything intact here and leave.

 

- Why should we do that? –asked one of them, the General recognized him as a Thessalian—We arrived first.

 

- Yes, but now I’m telling you, you can’t stay here.

 

The Thessalian try to take his sword, but before he could even touch the hilt, he had Hephaistion’s blades at each side of his neck.

 

- Please, I dare you to move –the Thessalian swallowed and dropped the things he was carrying; and he and his companions had no other choice but to left the tent, cursing.

 

The General went to see Bahman, and saw he was bleeding from a wound on his head.

 

- You are hurt –said the Macedonian, looking for a cloth to clean the blood. 

 

- I’m fine, thank you commander –said Bahman smiling.

 

- You are not safe here, pack your things and I will take you with me –said the Macedonian hastily. He saw 2 men dead on the Magus’ tent and Bahman said before he could ask.  

 

- They were my apprentices, good boys both –the Magus stood up with difficulty.

 

- I’ll help you to pack.

Half and hour latter, Hephaistion and his peculiar group were heading to the camp’s gates. Xsayarsa and his servant couldn’t stop crying watching the destruction around them, hearing the screams of men and women; Bahman said nothing but the General could see the sadness in his eyes.

 

- SIR! –one of the King’s pages came running—Sir, the King is asking for you.

 

- I’ll go as soon as I can –said Hephaistion, but the boy insisted.

 

- Sir, the King is eager to see you –the General smiled.

 

- I imagine, but tell him I’ll go as soon as I can –the page nodded, not very sure of how was the King going to react, but he ran back to the Great King’s tent.

 

- Is something wrong? –asked Xsayarsa, sobbing.

 

Hephaistion shook his head.

 

- Alexander wants to see me, that’s all.

 

- Your King?…ohhh! now I understand…he never ceased to be your lover, isn’t that right? –asked the eunuch and Hephaistion only smiled back.

 

- I’m very sorry to have ticked you all –he extended his apology to Bahman. The Magus only nodded.

 

- You don’t have to apologize, commander. You are an honorable man, and you did what you have to do for your kingdom –said Bahman.

 

- Thank you… —said the Macedonian, not expecting that answer—Please, don’t call me commander; my name is Hephaistion.

 

- All right, Hephaistion –said the Magus, still walking with difficulty, he must have sprained an ankle. 

 

- Peris, if your King is summoning you, shouldn’t you go immediately? –asked Xsayarsa, too used to the Persian protocol.

 

- Don’t worry Yarsa, he can live without me for another hour –said the General.

 

- Isn’t he going to be mad? –the eunuch paled with he sole idea of making a King wait.

 

The General smiled, helping Bahman.

 

- Alexander is not Darius –he said.

 

Hephaistion left his guests at his own tent, and Achilles ran to receive him, embracing him with all his forces.

 

- Daddy, daddy! Kyros said we won! –exclaimed the excited boy jumping, as if they had won the Olympics against the Persians, not a bloody battle.

 

Hephaistion smiled and kissed his head, he didn’t want to boast about their victory in front of his Persian refugees.

 

- Yes, Aki; Kyros is right…but see whom I found –said his father, and Achilles was more than happy to see his professor again; his eyes shone and he ran to embrace him too, making the Magus smile.

 

 - Professor Bahman! And Cyrus? –asked the boy.

 

- He is fine –said his father, answering before Bahman could say something.

 

- Is he? –asked Xsayarsa, remembering the screams from the royal harem.

 

The General nodded.

 

- Darius’ family are Alexander’s right of conquest, and he is not going to harm them –answered Hephaistion, absolutely sure of his words. 

 

Xsayarsa wasn’t so sure about that, after all, for what he had seen, the Macedonians were more barbaric than the Greeks, if that was possible, and they were talking about the King of the barbarians, the barbarian number one…but he said nothing. 

 

- I have to go –said Hephaistion suddenly—I have made Alexander wait long enough. I’ll come back tomorrow.

 

- Daddy, can I go with you? –asked Achilles running to him.

 

- No, Aki, not now –his son made a pout—Tomorrow.

 

Bahman took the General’s hands.

 

- I’m in debt with you, Hephaistion.

 

- Don’t mention it, we’ll talk tomorrow of what are we are going to do –said the Macedonian—Try to rest; we all had a very long and difficult day. Kyros, you are in charge.

 

- Yes, sir.

 

When Hephaistion left his tent he could hear his sister voice, screaming from Leonnatos’ tent and Leonnatos extremely angry voice shouting. For a moment he was tempted to go and see if Berenike was fine, but he didn’t want to intrude and besides, he had to go to Alexander’s side.

 

XXX

 

- I don’t know why are you so angry? –said Berenike crying, she had never before seen her husband this furious.

 

- You don’t know?! Berenike you disguised yourself as an archer to fight against the Persian army! –shouted Leonnatos—This is too much, this time you cross the line. 

 

- But Alexander was all right with the idea, why can’t you be too? –she cried.

 

- Because you are MY wife! –exclaimed Leonnatos—I have been extremely tolerant with you, I told you I didn’t want to take you with me as a camp follower and you disobeyed and came without telling me a word, you endanger my children in Halicarnassus, stayed with the army even when I told you I wanted you back at home…and now you went to talk to Alexander behind my back and enlisted yourself as an archer without asking my opinion. 

 

- I had to do it –Berenike said sobbing.

 

- Why?! –for Leonnatos, there wasn’t a single argument she could use to justify what she had just done.

 

- You would have never agree…and…and every time the army doesn’t have supplies the camp followers are the first ones to be hungry…–she explained with drowned voice—But…as an archer I get better food rations for the children and Nety.

 

And that only made things worst.

 

- In other words you are saying that I’m not capable of taking care of my own family –she had hurt his pride without noticing.

 

- No! –Berenike shook her head— No Leon, that is not…

 

- Why you didn’t tell me this before?

 

- Because I didn’t want to bother you with this –Berenike tried to explain.

 

- And you thought that working as an archer wouldn’t bother me? –he was furious—This is enough Berenike, you almost get yourself kill today and I’m tired of this. You don’t respect me and you don’t obey me –she cried again—You will go back to Macedonia, do you hear me? I don’t want you here!

 

Leonnatos left the tent and Berenike fell on the floor crying. She had a horrible day, and at the end of all of it her husband had yelled at her and said he didn’t want her there. The best day of her life had turned into the worst.

 

XXX