CHAPTER 70

 

By the time Hephaistion arrived at the Great King’s tent it was already dark; on his way there he could hear the laughs and the happy chatting of the men around the camp that, until a couple of hours ago had been under the authority of Darius. Now order had been restored, sentries were post around the place and the security, as always, was the first priority of the young King. For Hephaistion it was so strange to enter the magnificent tent at the center but without all the security, without the hundreds of people waiting for an audience, to find Macedonian guards instead of the Immortals, and to have access to the Great King’s bed room without being search at 7 security posts. He could only imagine how Xsayarsa and Bahman were feeling if he, a foreigner, a man who had only lived among them for 2 weeks, could feel the contrast, the change that had happened in just one afternoon. 

 

And this is just the beginning –he thought—These changes are only the start of something bigger…how quickly life changes…

 

When he entered the Great King’s chamber he retained his breath, the place was amazing and it smell deliciously to incense. Curtains, carpets, tapestries, the furniture…everything around him was a silent witness of the splendor of the Persian court; but this was only a sample of what was waiting for them in Babylon, Susa, Ecbatana and Persepolis; Hephaistion could only imagine how could be the Great King’s palaces if his tent looked better than all the temples of Zeus back in Greece.

 

He saw Darius servants there, scared but obeying the orders of their new master; after all they had no other choice. Hephaistion felt sorry for them, Darius had ran away without thinking twice about the people he left behind, without caring what was Alexander going to do with his people. 

 

This was something the General couldn’t comprehend, if he had been Darius, it would have been impossible for him to run away leaving everything behind, he would have fought like a lion to protect his kingdom, he would have…

 

- You are late, where were…? –the question died in Alexander’s lips as soon as he saw his beloved. 

 

The King had bathed in Darius’ magnificent bathroom and changed into one of the Great King’s cloths…a little big for him but he didn’t care. His General, on the contrary, was still wearing his armor without a helmet, his hair loose and without his dark cloak…just like his dream, that very ardent dream that had left him aroused enough to sleep with Lysanias.

 

- I’m sorry I had things to do –answered Hephaistion, a dark stain of blood, that wasn’t his own, covered his left cheek, his neck, and shoulder; his armor was dirty but that, gave him a savage appearance that had Alexander speechless—Are you all right? –he asked frowning when the King said nothing. 

 

- Yes.

 

- It’s an amazing place, isn’t it? –the King saw him without understanding—The tent, this tent.

 

- Oh, yes, it is an amazing place…we are going to have a great banquet here –said Alexander, recovering quickly—Apparently Darius had left orders to prepare a magnificent feast to celebrate his victory, can you believe it?

 

- Yes, I can –answered his beloved, remembering his conversation with the Great King and his overconfidence in defeating the Macedonian army.

 

- Well, it would be a waste not to enjoy it –the King took a seat.  

 

- How is your thigh? –asked his General remembering his wound, his dark gray eyes wandering around the bedroom.

 

- I’ve had worst, doctor Philip took care of it and its much better now –his beloved nodded.

 

- Then, I suppose I’ll go and change…and take a bath –said Hephaistion, watching himself. He had left a path of mud on the magnificent carpet.

 

- You don’t have to go in order to take a bath –said Alexander, and his beloved smiled, successfully reading his mind.

 

- And…if I stay here to bathe; would you like to watch me, your majesty? –Hephaistion purred making the King’s body burned in desire. 

 

Alexander cleared his throat.

 

- Yes, I will like that, thank you –he answered in his most serious voice.

 

The General walked toward him and knelt astride on the huge magnificent chair, taking especial care in not touching him. He put his hands on the back of the chair and leaned his body slightly to the front, his head bent within inches of Alexander, just a few points of his hair caressed the King's cheek.

 

- Why don’t you help me to untie my armor? –oh this was more and more like his dream and Alexander thought he would melt under him.

 

But the King made a great effort to stay as if nothing was happening and took his hands to the breastplate. Hephaistion was ready to give his King the show of his life, when they heard women screams, moans and cries of grief and despair coming from nearby. They were like the voices of the torture souls crawling from the Hades.

 

- What the hell is that? –asked Hephaistion standing up, and Alexander went to the bedroom entrance.  

 

- Eurycliedes! –the King called his guard, and the young man came running.

 

- Yes, sire –he answered with military efficiency.

 

- What is that noise? –Alexander wanted to know, and his beloved appeared behind him—Are women inside this tent?

 

- No, sire –answered Eurycliedes, shaking his head—The screams come from the tent next to this.

 

The King frowned, and Leonnatos arrived; he wanted to talk to Alexander in private and had come here after leaving his wife hoping to catch the King before the banquet. Hephaistion noticed he looked angry and a little crestfallen and, immediately remembered the shouts and angry voices coming from his friend’s tent. He only hoped his sister would be fine.

 

- What happened? –asked the newcomer, but he got his answer when they heard the cries and screams again.

 

- Why are women next to this tent and who are they? –asked Alexander, thinking quickly in the only possible explanation: they were Darius’ family. But he refused to believe this, because that would mean that the Great King was even a bigger coward than he had thought. 

 

- “Sire, they are Darius’ mother and wife and children” –explained Eurycliedes—“They know you have his bow and his royal mantle and that his shield has been brought back, and they are mourning for his death”(1)

 

Sometimes I wish I were wrong –thought the King.

 

Alexander thought that someone had to go and tell the Great King’s family the truth, that Darius lived, to comfort them. But…

 

- I can go and talk to them –said Hephaistion at once, reading his mind.

 

The King remained silent. He didn’t want to go because he had pending things with Hephaistion, and he certainly didn’t want to send Hephaistion because he had other plans for him. 

 

- Leon, go and talk to Darius’ family –he made up his mind quickly.

 

- Me? –Leonnatos pointed at himself with his index finger—And what should I tell them?

 

- Tell them –said Alexander, thinking quickly—“That Darius is alive, his mantle and weapons he had left, as he fled for safety, in his war chariot, and these, and nothing else, had fallen in my hands” (2)

 

Leonnatos nodded, memorizing the message.

 

- Right. I’ll go then –he turned on his heels and left.

 

Hephaistion waited until they were back inside the Great King’s bedroom, now Alexander’s bedroom, to speak again.

 

- You know I should have gone to see Darius’ family –the King nodded, taking a seat again. His thigh hurt but he didn’t want to admit it.  

 

- I know, but I need you for another mission –said Alexander in a professional tone.

 

- Really? –exclaimed his beloved, imagining what kind of “mission” was that.

 

- Besides, Leon is in better conditions than you, you are still cover in blood and wearing your armor. You would have scared those women even more –Alexander explained, making him smile.

 

- Yes, sure –he didn’t believe that. His beloved knew perfectly well why he had sent Leonnatos instead of him, even if this was a good explanation, but said nothing more—Fine…I want to talk to you about something –said Hephaistion, suddenly serious and the King sighed.

 

- About Eni –he successfully guessed—I bet Leon came to talk to me about the same.

 

- Why did you let her join the army as an archer? –that was the million drachma question.

 

Alexander gave his beloved the summary of his entire conversation with her, when he was still at Tarsus, exactly the same words that he and Berenike had used. He had a blessed memory and didn’t forget a thing. 

 

- She is a great archer, Phai –he said at the end of his story—Did you see her today? She was great! The Persians thought Eni was a goddess when she appeared before Darius; I heard from our men that she scared the living hell out of them –Alexander laughed—And now, thanks to your sister, the Persians believe I have Artemis on my side. Don’t you see? This is perfect!

 

- No, Alex you are the one who doesn’t see this clearly –said Hephaistion, his weight against a table, his hands on the edge—Eni is a woman not a professional soldier, you can’t endanger her life like this, she was almost kill today and, to make things worst, Leon knew nothing about this whole thing –the King sighed—You should have talked with Leon first. 

 

- What are you saying? That I should give up on my best archer just because Leon is angry? –Alexander held his gaze.

 

- Your best archer is also my sister –his beloved insisted—Alex, if there is someone in this place that understands Eni, its me. I know her situation is difficult, and I understand her because if I were her and in love with you, I would have came here with you as a camp follower, and probably I should have ended doing the same things she is doing.  

 

Alexander was moved by his words.

 

- If you were a woman…you would have come with me? –he asked softly.

 

- That surprises you? Honestly, I thought you knew me better than this –said his beloved.

 

The King smiled happy.

 

- That would have made you Queen –he said amused— Do you realize that if you were woman you would be my wife?

 

- Shut up! –Alexander laughed—You are changing the subject. Alex, if you want to have Eni here, as an archer you have to talk with Leon first.

 

- But your opinion is that I shouldn’t keep her –Hephaistion nodded—Even though she deservers a reward and part of the spoils, Eni was magnificent today.

 

- Do as you think is better, but please –he held the King’s gaze again—Don’t risk my sister’s life.

 

Alexander nodded.

 

XXX

 

Berenike was crying on her bed inside Leonnatos’ tent. Her husband had gone to the celebration banquet at the Great King’s tent, and she hadn’t stopped crying since half an hour ago. Netikerty was very worried but she didn’t know what to say, and just stayed there, sitting at her side, caressing her head. It broke her heart to hear her cry like this; she loved his mistress as if she were her own older sister, and would do anything for her, even if half the time Netikerty didn’t understood her reasons or her actions. The Egyptian was a simple woman, if her mistress had a loving husband, a great family and 2 children, why to risk her life on a battlefield? That was beyond her, but if her mistress wanted to do that, she would always be there to help her. 

 

Berenike didn’t want to go back to Macedonia, she didn’t want to be a housewife like her mother…She had married Leonnatos when she was still a teenager, and had been a mother at her 16 years old. All right, that had been her fault, but thanks to that she never did what she wanted, she never enjoyed her life, she wasn’t even a woman before going to her husband’s house. Of course Berenike loved Leonnatos, and she was very grateful that the Gods had put him in her life, that he had taken her into his house knowing she was pregnant; but… Now, she was 21, she wanted to live an adventure, to do something more that just being at her house cooking and taking care of her children.

 

Berenike wasn’t like her mother, she wanted more, and more than once she had regretted being born as a woman, because if she had been a man like Nikandros and Hephaistion, she would have been able to do whatever she wanted...her brothers weren’t married, for a start. Her father wasn’t angry with Hephaistion for having a bastard son and hadn’t forced him to marry. If she were a man, she would be able to fight at Leonnatos’ side, like Hephaistion did with Alexander.

 

That day, at the middle of the battle of Issus, had been the best day of her life, and now Leonnatos wanted to send her back to Macedonia, she felt as if he were sending her to prison.

 

And she cried and cried and when she was tired, feeling her eyes puffy, she cried even more.     

 

- Excuse me? –said a boy from the tent’s entrance, and Netikerty ran to see what he wanted.

 

- Yes? –asked the Egyptian.

 

- Ma’am, the King send me to deliver this –said the page, giving Netikerty a very beautiful Persian dress of pink silk with beautiful flowers—He said that he wants to see Berenike at the celebration banquet tonight at his tent.

 

- Thank you, I’ll give the message to my mistress.

 

The page left the tent and Netikerty returned to Berenike’s side.

 

- The King sends this –said the Egyptian, leaving the dress at her mistress’ side—And he is requesting your presence at the banquet.

                                                              

- What? –Berenike sat, and cleaned the tears from her eyes and cheeks with the back of her hand—Are you sure? –Netikerty nodded.

 

Berenike didn’t understand. Her mother had told her that decent women didn’t attend to men’s banquets, what Alexander was asking was scandalous. She took the dress and caressed the soft fabric; she had never had a dress as beautiful as this one…was it embroidery with gold and pearls?

 

- What a beautiful dress –she said and Netikerty nodded—What do you think?   

 

- I think that if you go, master Leonnatos is going to be furious –said the slave.

 

- He is already furious, Nety…besides, we are returning to Macedonia tomorrow…what the hell! –she said standing up. This was her last chance to do this kind of things, once she were back at Pella all was over—Help me, if this is my only chance of attending to a men’s party I want to look my best.

 

Netikerty shook her head. She knew this was going to have a bad ending, but she didn’t say a thing.

 

XXX

 

At the Great King’s tent, all the officers of the Macedonian army were reunited to have the most magnificent banquet of their lives. Hephaistion couldn’t stop smiling; it was so strange to be in this “hall” again but this time with all the Macedonians enjoying the magnificent food. He was sitting at the King’s side on the same coach, and having the best view of the place from here.

 

- “So this, it would seem, is to be a King”(1) –said Alexander, surveying his surroundings, and his beloved laughed.  

 

- Try the ostrich –said Hephaistion, giving him his own plate—It’s the most delicious thing you have ever tasted –if they were alone, he would have fed him like a little boy, but not in public; one thing his beloved would never do was to embarrass him in front of other people, least of all in front of his own men.

 

- I’m telling you –said Leonnatos not far from the General and the King—Darius’ mother and wife totally freaked out when they saw me arriving with my men. They started to scream and they threw themselves at my feet, they thought I was going to execute them. 

 

- What did you do? –asked Perdikkas with interest.

 

- Well, I gave them Alexander’s message, through the interpreter of course, that Darius is alive –answered Leonnatos— And that Alexander “wished them to retain all the marks, ceremonies and titles of royalty, as he had not fought Darius with any personal bitterness, but had made legitimate war for the sovereignty of Asia”(4)

 

- Wow! Who would have thought you have a brain between those ears –Perdikkas teased him—And what happened next?

 

- Well –Leonnatos sighed—They stopped crying but I don’t think they believe me; I guess Alexander is going to visit them tomorrow; maybe then they will be calmer. 

 

- And speaking about women –said Perdikkas, swallowing his piece of meat—Your wife was quite something today.

 

And that erased Leonnatos’ smile.

 

- Yes –he answered in a in a somber mood.

 

- I think she fought better than you today –Perdikkas teased him, roaring with laughter and hurting even more his friend’s pride—What would Darius’ women have said if they knew that it was your wife the one who hurt him, shooting an arrow? 

 

Leonnatos didn’t answer and took a gulp of his wine.

 

Everything was going great, all the present were extremely happy and, of course, drinking more than usual which was saying a lot thanks to the Great King’s superb wine. Thais was laughing at Ptolemy’s side when she turned and found Berenike at the entrance. She had never seen her before, but something told her the beautiful newcomer wasn’t a hetaira or a courtesan, least of all a prostitute, not dressing like that and with that aura around her. She looked like a Queen, and clearly she was a noble woman. Both were almost the same age, Thais was now 20 years old, but she looked older than Berenike, more mature.

 

- Ptolemy –said Thais.

 

- Mm?

 

- Does the King have a fiancée? –asked the hetaira, and her lover laughed.

 

- Well, I wouldn’t call Hephaistion like that…

 

- I’m serious, look! –she pointed at the entrance and Ptolemy opened his eyes in astonishment.

 

- Oh, no. She is not Alexander’s fiancée, she is Hephaistion’s sister and Leonnatos’ wife –he explained.

 

- Why is she here? –asked Thais with curiosity.

 

- I have no idea –said Ptolemy with all sincerity.

 

Until 30 seconds ago, Berenike was very sure of what she was doing, but now…she was starting to think she had made a mistake, especially when she saw her brothers’ and Leonnatos expression.

 

Too late, I’m already here –she told herself not knowing what to do now—Well, Alexander was the one who called me, so…—she took a deep breath and walked to where the King was. Alexander stood up, to receive her and all the present turned to see what was happening.

 

- Sire –said Berenike in a very formal tone, feeling all eyes on her.

 

- I’m very glad to have you here, Berenike. My own Artemis –he said smiling—Baerius was right, you are a great archer –she blushed, feeling as if the battle had been won thanks to her...Alexander had that, he could make each and everyone of his men felt as if they were absolutely indispensable for the army, as if the Macedonian war machine were nothing without them.

 

Berenike smiled. She was going to say something…

 

- Alexander –said Hephaistion, walking to where they were—What is Eni doing here? –he asked in a low voice at the same time Nikandros and Leonnatos arrived.  

 

- What’s this? –asked Leonnatos, very serious—Why is my wife here?

 

- I invited her –said the King with simplicity.

 

- Why? –exclaimed Leonnatos.

 

- You can’t have my sister here –said Nikandros and Hephaistion nodded.

 

- Alexander, Nick is right, you are compromising our sister’s reputation having her in a banquet like this –explained Hephaistion reasonably.

 

- She fought bravely today, she deserves to be here –explained Alexander.

 

- No, she doesn’t –said Leonnatos to the King—You shouldn’t have allowed her to fight in the first place, and you never asked me. 

 

- Because it’s my life –said Berenike, tired of being ignored, they were talking as if she wasn’t there.

 

- You are my wife, Berenike and I decide what you can and can’t do –answered Leonnatos in a tone of voice that, either Alexander or Hephaistion, knew him. 

 

Berenike felt she was going to cry again. Her body hurt terrible after the fall from Boukephalos, and her left arm and leg were cover in bruises; but she had made an effort to come...now she wished to have listened to Netikerty. 

 

- All right, this isn’t the place or the time to discuss this –said Hephaistion thinking quickly—I understand your reasons Alexander, but Leonnatos is right, you can’t treat my sister like another soldier, we all know how this banquets end –in an orgy of course, but he didn’t want to say that in front of his innocent and pure sister—And you can’t have a noble woman like Berenike here.

 

Now even her brother Hephaistion was on Leonnatos’ side. Hephaistion who had always defended her…she felt lost; she had no one on her side.

 

Alexander was going to open his mouth again but Berenike spoke first, her gray eyes on her feet.

 

- I’ll go back to my tent –she said making an effort for not start crying, not in front of them—Thank you sire –she said to Alexander—You made my dream true for one day…thank you.

 

She turned and walked quickly to the exited, and once she was out of the “hall” she started to run. Berenike wanted to be alone so she didn’t go back to Leonnatos’ tent, she didn’t want to hear to what Netikerty had to say, and she sat on the ground outside the Great King’s tent and started to cry, her knees against her chest, hiding her face. She could hear the sounds of the party coming from inside the tent and the laughs of other Macedonian soldiers from all around the camp, all alien noises for her who felt so miserable in that moment. 

 

Why was life so difficult for her? Even the silliest thing, as attending to a party was a problem.

 

- Are you fine, lass? –Berenike lifted her head and found Kleitos standing in front of her. The 39 years old hipparch was there with a small amphorae of wine in his hand, but he wasn’t drunk.

 

- Do I look fine to you? –she answered sobbing, and he took a seat at her side.

 

- How is your wound? –asked Kleitos and she blushed savagely.

 

- Better…what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the banquet celebrating? – asked Berenike with curiosity.

 

- I was bored until you came –answered the hipparch with sincerity—Why are you crying?

 

- Do you care?

 

- Hey, I was just trying to be polite –he said in his defense, taking a sip from the amphorae.

 

- I’m sorry…–Berenike embraced her legs—It’s just that…I had a terrible day.

 

- Because of the battle? –she shook her head.

 

- The battle was great –those words caught Kleitos’ attention. He would have expected an answered like that from a man, not from her— It was because of Leon –Berenike hesitated, she didn’t know if it was fine to tell the hipparch about her problems, but she was feeling so sad and lonely that the words just escaped from her mouth— He is furious…and wants to send me back to Macedonia.

 

- Why? –Berenike turned to see him as if she didn’t understand the question. It wasn’t obvious?

 

- Why?…Because I’m his wife and he doesn’t like the idea of having me in the army –she explained, not very sure of her words. She truly didn’t understand Leonnatos, what was the problem if Alexander was fine with the idea? All right, she understood the part that he was concerned for her safety, but…Alexander let Hephaistion fight, and he was madly in love with him, why couldn’t Leonnatos be the same with her? 

 

- Well, that’s his opinion –the hipparch took another sip of wine.

 

- What do you mean?…What do you think? –now she was curious. Until now, all the men that knew about what she had done, had taken her husband’s side…this was new.

 

- You are a good archer –said Kleitos with all honesty—And I have never met a girl like you before…you are a very interesting lass –she blushed—But if he wants a common wife…that’s his problem.  

 

- You wouldn’t want a common wife? –Berenike wanted to know.

 

- I don’t want a wife, lass –said the hipparch—Not now…women cause too much problems.

 

- But, if you wanted one…—she insisted.

 

- I would probably look for one like you –said Kleitos without watching her, his dark eyes on the tent in front of him, the magnificent construction where Darius’ family were—How many men can boast of having a wife that can kill 5 Persian guards with a bow? –Berenike fell silent feeling her face burn. The hipparch gave her the amphorae—Wine? –now he turned to look at her, very amused seeing her cheeks slightly pink.

 

- Oh! No, I…I don’t drink –she said stammering—My mom says decent women don’t drink wine.

 

- Uhum…And what does your “mom” say about women who fought disguised like a man and attend to men’s banquets?

 

He had a point.

 

- Fair enough –answered Berenike and took the amphorae. Just one gulp and she made a lot of faces—This has no water! –she exclaimed coughing, making him laugh.

 

- Of course not, it’s a crime to water the wine –he said.

 

They fell silent again.

 

- Thank you –said Berenike, catching his attention.

 

- For what?

 

- For cheering me up –she smiled, embarrassing him. Kleitos wasn’t used at speaking to women…well, not to decent women, and prostitutes didn’t count—I’m feeling better now. You are not as bad as I think you were –she made him laugh, again.

 

- You are something lass.

 

- My name is Berenike daughter of Amyntor –she corrected him, with all dignity. And it didn’t escape to Kleitos that she didn’t say “wife of Leonnatos” like married women did.

 

- Well Berenike, you are a great archer, a terrible wife, and also a very beautiful woman –she thought smoke was coming out of her ears when she heard that.

 

- T-t-thank you…

 

- It’s a shame you have to go.

 

Again silence.

 

- I’ll better go, it’s late –said Berenike. She kneeled with the intentions of kissing Kleitos’ cheek as good-bye, but the hipparch turned his head at the last minute and she accidentally kissed his lips. 

 

Berenike blushed, so intensely that she thought her head was going to burst into flames.

 

- Oh my…I-I-I-I’m so sorry…I… —but Kleitos didn’t let her finish, and pulled her taking her arm. The hipparch kissed Berenike again, this time holding her from the back of her head to deepen the kiss.

 

He kissed her as nobody else had kissed her before, Berenike felt she was going to faint, but… she didn’t fight back...she was scared to admit it, but…this felt so good. Berenike stopped thinking and she just enjoyed the moment. After all, she was returning to Macedonia next day, so…what the hell!

 

 

XXX

(1) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 122

(2) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 122 and 123

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 234

(4) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 123