CHAPTER 74

 

The General was ready to go to sleep after a very long and intense day. Many things had happened to him: the funerals, his sister being rewarded with Darius’ bow in front of the whole army, the visit to the Queen mother, his conversation with his Persian friends and with Alexander about his plans for the future…

 

My life is changing so quickly –thought Hephaistion, lying on his back with his arms crossed behind his head and, his dark gray eyes on the ceiling—But…every day since I was 13 years old my life has been complicated. Alexander wants to conquer all Asia, but…what do I want? I want to be with Alexander, but, what else? I miss my home, my parents and my mom’s cooking but I also enjoy learning and traveling, and having this adventure into the unknown…I will follow Alexander even to the end of the world, but I don’t going to do this for him. I hate when people say “I do this for you” That’s a lie, we always do things for our own good; if I’m going to stay at Alexander’s side that’s because I want to do it, because I love him and I like to be with him…because this is my own choice. 

 

- May I come in? –asked Kyros from the entrance, taking him out of his thoughts.

 

- Did something happen? –the Theban shook his head.

 

- I just…want to talk to you –said Kyros a little shy, and the General took a seat.

 

- Sure, come in –the Theban sat at his side on the bed, his eyes on his knees. It had taken him all his courage to come here.

 

- Do you…do you remember what you said about my birthday present? –asked the teenager.

 

- Yes. Have you think about something you want? –Kyros nodded—Great! What do you want?

 

The Theban lifted his head, his cheeks slightly pink.

 

- I…I want a kiss from you –for a moment Hephaistion thought he had heard wrong.

 

- A what?

 

- A kiss, I want an adult kiss –this time Kyros’ voice didn’t tremble.

 

- Why? –that was the first thing the General could think about.

 

- Because I like you –said the teenager with all honesty. 

 

- I thought you liked Glycon –or had had the boys a fight?

 

- Well, yes I like him.

 

- I’m confused –said Hephaistion sincerely.

 

- I like Glycon…a lot –said the Theban, and it was the truth—But you are…you are gorgeous –the teenager blushed.

 

For the General this was completely crazy. For example, he loved Alexander and liked him a lot, so if he already had someone in his life, why would he be asking kisses from someone else? For him, Alexander was perfect, the most handsome man on earth, and the only one who made his heart beat faster. All right, he had felt attracted to Memnon, but he would have never asked for a kiss from him.

 

I suppose we are all different –thought Hephaistion. What to do now? He had told Kyros he would give him anything, as long as he could—This is the second time someone ask me for a kiss after I say the magical words: “everything you want” I'm going to start putting clauses to my promises.

 

He sighed.

 

- Fine –Kyros eyes shone—Now?

 

- Yes –said the Theban too excited, like a boy the night before Christmas—But I want a kiss like the ones you give to the King…I mean, not a tender kiss or a kiss you would give to a friend, but more like… 

 

- I get the idea –said Hephaistion, feeling a little embarrassed.

 

The General took him by the arms and Kyros closed his eyes, his heart beating furiously against his chest. Hephaistion leaned closer to him and before touching his lips, he turned to the entrance, as if he were expecting to found Alexander standing there.

 

I’m paranoid –he thought.

 

Hephaistion brushed Kyros’ lips with his own, feeling the teenager’s body trembling, and kissed him. The Theban clung to his neck and kissed him back, parting his lips obediently and enjoying this moment, because he knew it would never happen again.

 

- Thank you –whispered the Theban without breath—The King must be the luckiest guy on earth if he can enjoy kisses like this everyday. 

 

Now, it was Hephaistion’s time to blush.

 

XXX

 

Two days latter, Berenike was planning to have a picnic with her children and Netikerty. Leonnatos had many things to do and Achilles was at Darius’ family tent with his friend Cyrus; lately, since Achilles had found that his best friend was so close to him, he spent everyday with him. She had cooked a delicious meal and since it was such a beautiful day, Berenike prepare everything to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. She was helping her slave to lay the cloth on the grass, when she saw her daughter running near to a big hole on the ground.

 

- Sophia! Don’t run there or you may fall! –shouted her mother, but the girl ignored her, step over a small rock and was going to fell—SOPHIA! –shouted Berenike running to her daughter when someone took the girl by the arm.

 

- I got you! –said Thais smiling—You need to be more careful.

 

Berenike arrived without breath and kneeled to embrace her daughter.

 

- Oh, thank Gods you are fine –she lifted her eyes to see Thais—Thank you, I don’t know what would happen if you weren’t here.

 

- Don’t mention it –said the hetaira.

 

- My name is Berenike daughter of Amyntor.

 

- I’m Thais daughter of Lykaon; and this is my girl, Sophonisba –said the hetaira, and her slave bowed slightly.

 

- Why don’t you join us to eat? –said Berenike, standing up.

 

- I don’t know –said Thais taken by surprise— I mean, I don’t want to intrude.

 

- Nonsense! It would be my pleasure –said Berenike smiling, and Thais accepted; after all, Ptolemy also had a lot of things to do that day and, since she had been terribly bored, she had decided to take a walk with Sophonisba. 

 

- I saw you at the King’s banquet after the battle –said the hetaira, walking at her side and confusing her while Sophia ran in front of them to catch her brother.

 

- Really? How was that you could attend? –Thais smiled, Berenike was so innocent.

 

- I’m a hetaira, I’m Ptolemy’s mistress –Berenike blushed.

 

- Oh!…I… I would never have guessed, I mean you are too beautiful to be with Ptolemy –said Berenike without thinking—I mean, I’m sorry he is your lover but he isn’t very handsome…all right, I better close my mouth.

 

Thais laughed.

 

- Don’t be sorry, you are quite something –she said—By the way, congratulations, I saw you the day the King gave you that bow.

 

- Oh…thank you.

 

- You truly fought in the battle? –asked the hetaira with curiosity and admiration, and Berenike had a great time telling her about her adventure. After spending all her childhood listening to her grandfather’s war stories, she felt very happy to have her first war story.

 

They spent the whole afternoon together. Both were very happy to have the opportunity to talk with another woman, after all, they both had left their friends back at Greece and life in the army was tough for women like them. For Berenike, so used to her home and her family, and for Thais, so used to the luxuries and the comfortable life at the hetairas’ house in Athens. It was almost dark when Thais decided to be completely honest with her new friend.

 

- Eni, you are a good person and for that I want to give you an advise –said Thais suddenly serious—Please, don’t take this the wrong way but…—she checked that nobody were looking at them and said in a whisper—I saw you leaving Kleitos’ tent.

 

Berenike blushed savagely.

 

- You…what?!

 

- Eni, please, I don’t mean to scare you –said Thais quickly—I’m telling you because if you are planning to do this again, you need to be more careful.

 

- I’m not planning to do this again –she answered very embarrassed.

 

- Oh! –the hetaira felt very silly, 30 seconds ago she had think this was a good idea—Then, I’m sorry…

 

- No, please…don’t be sorry…it’s not your fault –said Berenike quickly—It was just that…

 

And it was maybe that she was feeling very lonely, having all her friends back at Pella, and her best friend Thessalonike in the royal palace, that Berenike told Thais everything: her discussion with Leonnatos, the King’s invitation and finally her night with Kleitos.

 

- I know it was wrong –said Berenike, still talking in whispers—My mom would kill me if she knew but… –she blushed, dropping her voice even more—I have never made love like that before, I…I have never “seen stars” before –Thais almost laugh. Yes, she was very innocent—But I’m feeling so guilty…I was planning to tell Leon everything.

 

- Do you want an advise? –asked the hetaira and her new friend nodded—Don’t tell him. You are going to hurt him more if you tell him. If I were you, I’ll keep this from him. 

 

Berenike thought for a moment. Maybe Thais was right.

 

XXX

 

- I need to talk to you –said Alexander arriving to Hephaistion’s tent next day. Judging for the blonde’s expression it had to be something serious, so his beloved put his work aside and stood up to sit beside the King.

 

- Tell me –asked his General, thinking really hard what could have happened.

 

- Did you tell Kallisthenes that you don’t want him to teach Achilles anymore? –asked Alexander. He wasn’t happy. 

 

- Yes, I did.

 

- Why? –the King didn’t understand—We have talked about this, and you agreed to let Kallisthenes teach Aki.

 

- Yes Alexander, but Aki doesn’t like Kallisthenes; Bahman is going to be his professor –explained Hephaistion, he had spoken with the Magus and he had accepted to keep teaching Achilles. And this news made not only Achilles happy but also his friend Cyrus.

 

- Phai, you can’t let a Persian to teach Aki –said Alexander very serious—I don’t care if Aki doesn’t like Kallisthenes, I didn’t like Leonidas when he was my teacher, but I had to train with him, and now I’m very grateful with him because his harsh and cruel training made me who I am now.

 

- Alexander –his beloved took a moment to choose his words carefully—I know that what I am going to tell you is…harsh, but please listen to me –he made a pause and held the King’s gaze—Achilles is not your son, he is my BASTARD son, I know how much you love him and that makes me happier than you can imagine. I love my son more than my own life and there is only one person I love more than him, and that person is you. But we can’t let our feelings blind us. It doesn’t matter who is going to teach Achilles because…Achilles has no importance –it pained him to speak like this about his own son.  

 

- How can you say that?

 

- Because its true –said Hephaistion—If I were married to your sister, then things would be very different. He would be a Prince, but he is not; he is just the bastard son of a General…how many bastard sons do you think Kleitos or Krateros have? –he took a deep breathe—Alex I have told you this before, Aki is not a Prince, he is not even my legitimate son, and he likes Bahman, why should I force him to take classes with Kallisthenes?  

 

The King felt silent for a moment.

 

- Why didn’t you tell me first that you were planning to speak with Kallisthenes? –he wanted to know.

 

- Because you have more important thing to do, and…I didn’t think you would mind.

 

Silence again.

 

- Phai, I understand perfectly well what you are saying –said Alexander slowly, but the expression on his face told Hephaistion this wasn’t over—But the problem here is that I love your boy as if he were my own.

 

His beloved nodded.

 

- I know…—he sighed.

 

- You told me many great things about this man, Bahman, and I believe you; for what I have seen he is a great man. But I don’t want Aki taking classes with a Persian…at least not just with him –explained the King—He has to learn about his own past, history and traditions, and that can only be done if he takes classes with Kallisthenes. 

 

There, Alexander had a point.

 

- Fine, I’ll talk again with Kallisthenes –said Hephaistion, even if he didn’t like the idea of talking again with Aristotle’s nephew. Kallisthenes was so different to his uncle.

 

- I already did that –said the King, taking his General by surprise—I knew you would change your mind after hearing my reasons.

 

Hephaistion puffed out, he hated when Alexander did that to him, taking decisions before asking his opinion; but he said nothing.

 

XXX

 

- Phai! –Nikandros came to his tent, shortly after the King had left; entering as if he owned the place—Phai, the midget told me you have a eunuch that speaks Greek.

 

- Joy to you, Nick! Have you forgotten your manners? –asked Hephaistion, leaving his work aside for the second time that day. At this rate he would never end with his pending things.

 

- Lend me your eunuch –he asked as if he were talking about a horse.

 

- Why?

 

- Because I need an interpreter, and all the interpreters are busy with the prisoners –his brother explained.

 

- Why do you need an interpreter? –Hephaistion had a bad feeling about this.

 

- Oh! I have one of Darius’ concubines –said Nikandros proudly.

 

- You, what?! –he knew how was his brother, why was he surprised then?

 

- You have to see her, Phai; she is very beautiful –said his brother, again, as if he were talking about a horse.

 

- Did you sleep with her? –a part of Hephaistion told him he really didn’t want to know, but he had to ask.

 

- You offend me; of course I did –said Nikandros without shame—So, where is your eunuch?

 

Hephaistion wasn’t very sure about this, but a few minutes later, he, Nikandros and Xsayarsa where in his elder’s brother tent. Nikandros was right, the girl of 18 years old was extremely beautiful, with hazelnut skin, olive green eyes and red hair. She was very scared, curled in one corner, but as soon as the girl saw the eunuch she smiled, it was clear she knew him.

 

- What are you planning to do with her? –asked the General, standing at the entrance with his brother.

 

- Keep her with me, what else? –answered Nikandros, as if that were the stupidest question he had ever heard.  

 

- Nick, don’t you feel sorry for her? –asked Hephaistion—She doesn’t even know our language and you rape her.

 

- I didn’t rape her –said his brother, and the General lifted one eyebrow—All right, maybe she wasn’t very…willing to do this, but I didn’t hurt her…Phai, don’t look at me like that. If I hadn’t taken her with me, she would have ended in someone else’s bed.  

 

- Peris –said Xsayarsa standing near them, and both brothers turned to see him.

 

- What does she want, eunuch? –asked Nikandros and the Persian saw him through narrow eyes.

 

- Just ignore my brother –said Hephaistion—Does she have a name?

 

- Oh, yes, yes, yes. Her name is Vashti, I met her since she arrived to the harem, it was in very hot day in…

 

- What does she want? –Nikandros interrupted him.

 

- You have no manner; did you know that? –Xsayarsa protested.

 

- Yarsa –said Hephaistion and he eunuch cleared his throat.

 

- Vashti is very concerned for her twin sister –he explained. 

 

- Twin sister?! –exclaimed Nikandros, with a great interest in this wonderful news.

 

Oh, crap! –thought the General.

 

- She says that another Macedonian took her, and she wants to know how is she – explained Xsayarsa.

 

- Ohhh! This is the best day of my life –said Nikandros, with a big evil smile on his face—Tell her I’m going to look for her sister, she has my word.

 

- You are a jerk, Nick.

 

- Thank you.

 

XXX

 

The King let his army rest for a week, and before continuing the march through the coast road into Syria, Alexander called a military meeting in his new tent, or more correctly, in his portable palace. Hephaistion saw frowning that Philotas had his boots studded with silver nails, and for what he heard, he also had a new mistress: Antigone.

 

With luck, his mistress would have him occupied and he would finally leave me alone –thought Hephaistion.

 

- Darius has no army, for now –said the King to all his officers—But he can assemble another one, we can’t forget that his eastern provinces are intact; he didn’t recruit troops from these distant lands and he can easily call them now to stand in arms against us –he made a pause—We don’t know where is Darius at the moment and I have no intentions of chasing him. Besides, the Persian fleet is still patrolling the Aegean sea and even if our victory at Issus is an outstanding one, it is not our last battle.  

 

- What are you planning then? –asked Kleitos.

 

- We need to concentrate for now in Asia Minor, we can crush Darius but we have to provoke him and made him fight again against us –said the King, confident as usual—Our forces are far superior –his officers nodded—We are marching south to take the old Phoenician road; we are leaving at tomorrow morning so I expect you to have your men ready.

 

- Alexander, before the meeting is over I would like to say something –said Parmelio, with that tone of voice that told the King he was going to touch a delicate matter—I want to talk to you about something that concern us all –now he had the attention of all the present—You have always lead us in an outstanding way in battle and to great victories –he made a pause—You risk your life like the rest of us, and suffer injuries, and for that you have our admiration and respect.

 

And here goes the “but” part –thought the King.

 

- But…

 

I knew it –said Alexander to himself.

 

- But I can’t stop thinking, what a great lost would be for all of us, to be left without our King in the middle of the campaign –said the veteran General.

 

-If you are suggesting again, that I should get married Parmelio, let me remind you that I can’t do it right now –said the King, successfully reading his mind—The only suitable bride I have here is Darius’ elder daughter and she is too young.

 

- I understand, but we can’t risk leaving the army without a King, in case the worst may happen –he insisted. 

 

- I’m not going to die any time soon –said Alexander, as if he had read the book of his life and he knew exactly how and when he was going to die.

 

- We don’t know that, Alexander –said Kleitos; he agreed with the veteran general—Parmelio is right; we can’t risk ourselves to be left without a King in the middle of hostile territory and you were wounded in the last battle.

 

- Even if I get married today, we don’t know if I would have a son, and even if I had one, he would be a baby –the King was getting angry, he hated the subject of marriage.

 

- Yes, but at least we’ll have an heir to the throne –Parmelio insisted.

 

- Your problem is that I don’t have an heir? –asked Alexander, challenging him. 

 

- My problem? –the veteran General raised his eyebrows in surprise—OUR problem.

 

- Fine, you want an heir I’m going to name one –said Alexander abruptly, taking all the present by surprised and Hephaistion paled.

 

Don’t you dare to do this Alexander…please, I’m begging you –he thought, watching the King with all his attention.

 

- I’ll adopt my nephew and named him my heir –said the King and his beloved closed his eyes.

 

- You can’t possible do that –said Eumenes at once, standing up in one jump—He is the bastard son of your sister –he didn’t say her name because no one knew which one of his sisters was Achilles’ mother.

 

- I can do as I please, Eumenes –said Alexander—Achilles is the son of my full sister –Hephaistion wanted to disappear, now everybody knew who was Achilles’ mother—He has my same ancestors, I can’t possible think in a better candidate. 

 

- Alexander, Achilles is Hephaistion’s bastard and his only son –said Parmelio with calm, reasonably—According to the law you can’t take Hephaistion’s only son leaving him without an heir; and you have to adopt a legitimate son. Also, traditionally, only adult males are adopted, not boys (1)

 

- That is Athenian law, Parmelio. Do you have the impression that we are in Athens? –asked Alexander in a terrible mood—King Archelaus I was the son of King Perdikkas II and a slave.

 

- That was because Archelaus killed his uncle, his cousin, and his half-brother, who by the way, was the legitimate heir, and since there wasn’t anyone else, he was crowned King –Kleitos reminded him.

 

- You have other options. Why not your brother? –said Eumenes, and the King laughed scornfully.

 

- Are you serious, Eumenes? Arrhidaeus? –everybody knew that was stupid, even Krateros who hated Hephaistion knew that Arrhidaeus was a terrible choice—Besides me and Arrhidaeus, there are no other choices. I don’t have cousins, and my father’s brothers are dead.

 

- Your sister Cleopatra has a legitimate son: Neoptolemus –the secretary insisted.

 

- Neoptolemus is King Alexandros’ legitimate heir and his only son –said Parmelio, even he knew Eumenes was desperate.

 

Everybody fell silent. They had no arguments here, Alexander had all the right to name whoever he wanted as his heir, and he wasn’t the first Macedonian King to name his nephew as his heir. King Philip had named Gloomy Amyntas as his heir until he had a son of his own.

 

- I know I have to make this public –said the King. Adoptions in Athens were done at the Agora and in Sparta in front of the 2 Kings. Since Alexander was in the middle of a military campaign he would have to do it in front of the army—I’ll do it tomorrow before the march. 

 

XXX

 

- Hephaistion –Alexander called him, once they were alone, just before his beloved reached the exit. His General waited and turned to face him.

 

- Why? Why do you want me to stay? –he was angry, but he had said nothing until they were alone.

 

- Phai, I know you are angry…

 

- Oh, really! What was your first clue? –answered his General with sarcasm—Why did you do this?

 

- I have to.

 

- No, you didn’t have to. Do you really think I’m stupid? You have been thinking about this since we have that discussion about Achilles and Kallisthenes –said Hephaistion angry, as very few times in his life—You didn’t ask me first.

 

This is wrong –thought the General.

 

- Now you are talking like Leonnatos –said the King tired, remembering the whole Berenike affair.

 

- Stop playing with other people’s lives! –exclaimed his beloved—You may be our King but you are not a God, you can’t decide for us. I say nothing when you spoke with Kallisthenes before speaking with me, but this is too much.

 

- What’s wrong with you, Hephaistion? I’m making your son the Macedonian Crown Prince and you are acting as if I had insulted you –now Alexander was getting angry.

 

- Because you are insulting me! You are deciding for me –answered his General—You knew perfectly well that I would never contradict you in public, that is why you chose to announce this before asking me. Now, I can’t possibly say no. 

 

I can’t let him do this –said Hephaistion to himself, feeling lost.

 

- Achilles will be the next Macedonian King, why does this bother you so much? –Alexander didn’t understand what was his beloved thinking. 

 

- I don’t want him to be King! –Hephaistion raised his voice—I want him to be happy, I know how things are in the royal palace, he would never be happy if he is King after you.

 

- Are you saying that I am not happy?

 

- He is not you –said the General enunciating. He couldn’t let this happen—Sons of great men always live under the shadow of their fathers…you should know this better than anybody else. You know how is to be compared to your father constantly.

 

- Yes, but I surpassed my father –said Alexander with intensity—My father never defeated an army like the one Darius had at Issus. I’m not living under his shadow and after my time, no one would remember him. My deeds are going to overshadow my father’s deeds.

 

- And Achilles? What is he going to do after your great deeds? –Hephaistion questioned him—He will always live under YOUR shadow.

 

- You underestimate him.

 

- You can’t name Achilles as your heir! –exclaimed his General, his emotions taking control of him.

 

- Why not?

 

- It’s not right.

 

- WHY NOT?!

 

- Because my father killed yours! –the words escape his lips before he could think what he had just said.

 

XXX

 

(1) Nigel Guy Wilson. Encyclopedia of ancient Greece, p 10