Pezetairoi:  Foot Companion, in other words: the infantry.

Ile Basilike: Royal Squadron or Agema, the elite cavalry squadron of the Macedonian King.

Melas: Black.

 

CHAPTER 8

 

As Philotas have said to Hephaistion, the King was preparing his army to force Byzantium and Perinthus to join forces with him instead of being on the Athenian side. Athens depended almost entirely on the Byzantium grain, so it was clear to everyone that a conflict between Athens and Macedonia was eminent and required the personal attention of the King. So, Philip ended his son school days and summoned him back to Pella.

 

Hephaistion’s fan-girls were truly sad, and all of them cooked him something to eat on his journey back; at the end, he had so many food with him that he had to give some to his companions and even to Aristotle and his nephew Kallisthenes.

 

All of them went back to Pella, but Hephaistion, who had no illusions in coming back to the palace, went to his house, thanks to Alexander’s insistence.

 

- Really, is not necessary to come back with me –said the Prince.

 

- I don’t want to leave you alone.

 

- I know, but I don’t want to see you with that long face –Alexander insisted—It will be only for 2 or 3 days.

 

- All right, but promise me that if something happens you would have me inform –asked Hephaistion.

 

- I promise.

 

The pages (though at his 16 years old Hephaistion had no age to continued being a page, but the idea was the same) were the King’s hostages to assured the good behavior of his barons and to be educated in whatever the King wanted in order to be always loyal to him. Technically, Hephaistion couldn’t go home until the King said so, but Alexander convinced him, and also he lived very close (not like poor Perdikkas who had to travel all the way to the Upper Macedonia). So, Hephaistion arrived to his home at noon, for his family delight. 

 

- Would you like more stew, honey? –asked Antigone during the next day meal. ALL the family was there, including Hephaistion’s uncle and cousin.

 

- No, thanks mom –answered Hephaistion.

 

- Antigone, you are giving the boy too much food –said Amyntor, he was so happy that he appeared to glow. He couldn’t be tired of seeing his 16 years old son, he was very proud.  

 

- He is growing and boys of his age are always hungry –said his wife, as happy as he was.

 

- How was Mieza? –Berenike wanted to know. Now she was a beautiful young lady of 14 years old, tall with long black hair—What did they teach you?

 

- Many things: biology, philosophy, history… a little bit of everything –answered Hephaistion, taking the salad bowl.

 

- No sweetheart, let me serve you –his mother wanted to spoil him.

 

- Hey! Why is that nobody is serving me? –Nikandros protested. 

 

- Because you live here, and we are tired of seeing you –answered Cadie and all the family laughed.

 

Lysanias watched Hephaistion with distrust. He didn’t understand why his parents treated so well a complete stranger; his brother had left when he was 3 years old, and now at his 6 years old he didn’t remember him. Hephaistion saw the seriousness in the boy’s face and smiled, with that kind and sweet smile that made his eyes disappear in two cute arcs.  

 

- Lys, why don’t you speak to your brother? –asked grandfather Demetrios, cutting a piece of bread that instantly steamed.

 

- Is he my brother? –asked Lysanias with distrust.     

 

- Yes, he is your brother, Phai. Don’t you remember him? –asked his father, and his younger son shook his head.

 

Antigone sighed.

 

- How fool you are, Lys –said Berenike, as if she was his mother.

 

- When do you plan to get marry, Nick? –asked his uncle, Althaimenes, younger brother of his father—You are almost 21, you shouldn’t be living with your parents.

 

- I don’t want to get married, yet –Nikandros drank his water-wine.

 

- You should, I haven’t heard good things about your womanizer reputation in the city –said Amyntor frowning, he didn’t like his son’s reputation at all.

 

- When is your wedding, Demetrios? –asked grandfather to Althaimenes’ son.

 

- This spring, grandpa.

 

- I want to marry too –said Berenike—But I’ll only marry a Prince, because I’m a Princess, like Andromeda.

 

- More like the Kraken, you are a monster –Nikandros teased her—And the only one who would marry you is the old blacksmith: Aineas.

 

His family laughed, but his parents scolded him and his sister blushed.

 

- By the way, uncle your horse is magnificent, how long have you had him? –said cousin Demetrios to Amyntor, while the servants brought the main dish.  

 

- Of what horse are you talking about, son? –asked Amyntor.

 

- The white stallion –Hephaistion coughed.

 

- Oh, yeah. I saw him too in the stables –said Nikandros—I didn’t know he was yours, dad.

 

- The horse is not mine, is Phai’s –seven pairs of eyes settled on Hephaistion.

 

- Did you buy him a warhorse?! THAT HORSE!!! –Nikandros exploded, on his feet, with all the indignation he could summon, as if his father had said his mother prostituted herself—WHY? I’m the one going to Byzantium with the King, and you buy this fool with milk teeth a horse worthy of the Great King of Persia.   

 

- Nikandros, stop yelling –Amyntor spoke with firm clear voice, and his first born sat again—I didn’t buy that horse.

 

- Then, who? –asked Nikandros.

 

Hephaistion didn’t want to tell in front of his entire family who had given him that horse, but he knew that his brother wasn’t going to drop the subject until he had an answer, so he took a deep breath and said:

 

- Alexander gave him to me.

 

- The Crown Prince?! –exclaimed cousin Demetrios, foolishly opening his mouth.

 

- No Demetrios, Alexander, the son of our neighbor who breed sheep –Nikandros teased him—Of course the Prince! Who else could buy that horse?

 

- Why would he buy you a horse? –his uncle wanted to know and Hephaistion blushed.

 

- Because Prince Alexander asked Phai to be his eromenos –explained Amyntor, and once again his family saw him as if they didn’t knew him.

 

Nikandros roar in laughter.

 

- His eromenos? And why you didn’t tell us before? –asked his grandfather with his booming voice—It’s an honor. 

 

- I told dad –Hephaistion claimed in his defense.

 

- Why is an honor? –asked Berenike, licking her spoon as if were a lollipop.

 

- Do you know what eromenos means, Monster? –asked Nikandros.

 

- No, and don’t call me “monster”.

 

- It means that Phai is the Prince’s lover –explained his older brother—I told you Phai! I told you that Alexander liked you…why we didn’t bet? –he lamented. 

 

If possible, Hephaistion blushed even more.

 

- One moment –asked Berenike, her palms to the front—Does that mean that Phai is marrying a Prince? That’s unfair!

 

Her family laughed so loudly, that Hermes, the cat, woke up scared. Even Antigone who was trying to maintain the order started laughing.

 

- Ma’am –a servant appeared—Here is a young man asking to see master Hephaistion.

 

Antigone coughed, and blew air with her hand, taking a deep breath.

 

- Who is this young man?

 

- Prince Alexander –the family laughed one more time.

 

Antigone and her husband stood up, and Hephaistion saw his way to escape, but before he could stand Amyntor reconsidered.

 

- Take the Prince here, if he’s coming from the palace he must be hungry.

 

- Yes sir –the servant bowed and left.

 

Hephaistion hadn’t other choice than to sit down again.

 

- Joy to you! –said Alexander, entering in the big dining room.

 

Amyntor, Antigone, Althaimenes, Nikandros, the two Demetrios and Cadie got up to greet him.   

 

- Joy to you, Alexander! –said Amyntor.

 

- I’m sorry to interrupt your meal; I didn’t expect to find all the family –said the Prince.

 

- You are not interrupting, it’s an honor to have you in our house –said the general—Please, it will honor us to have you at our table. 

 

- Thank you –Alexander accepted the invitation—I left the palace early in the morning and I haven’t eaten, yet.

 

- Eni, honey, make a space to put another chair at Phai’s side –asked Antigone.

 

In Amyntor’s house wasn’t couches to take meals, the general had the same ideas as Aristotle and had a table with chairs, couches were only for special occasions.

 

Berenike saw Alexander with curiosity. 

 

- I know you! You have already come to our house –said the triumphal girl.

 

- Yes, you are Berenike, right? –said Alexander taking a seat at his best friend side—I have a sister your age.

 

- Really? What’s her name?

 

- Cleopatra.

 

- Funny name.

 

- Eni! –her parents scolded her.

 

- You came alone, Alexander? –asked Althaimenes.

 

- Yes… well not quite, my dog came with me, he is my best bodyguard –answered the Prince while a servant served his meal.

 

- Ianos! –Amyntor called one of the servants.

 

- Yes, master –the young men approach immediately.

 

- See that the Prince’s dog is feed.

 

- Yes, sir –Ianos left.

 

- Mommy –said Lysanias.

 

- Yes, Lys.

 

- Is he my brother, too? –asked Lysanias, watching the Prince. His cousin, brothers and sister laughed, and Antigone blushed trying to explain the situation to the Prince.

 

- Lysanias was 3 years old when Phai went to Mieza; 3 years without seeing him and he forgot his brother –said Antigone—Yesterday when we asked him to greet Phai, Lys hid behind me. It’s as if he don’t believe us that Phai is his brother.

 

- That’s why we are going to know each other and be good friends, right Lys? –said Hephaistion and at last the boy returned the smile.

 

- Alexander –said Berenike, in a business like tone—Is your father the King?

 

- Yes –answered the Prince, swallowing a piece of lamb. 

 

- Do you have brothers? –she asked with interest.

 

- One, younger than me.

 

- Could you introduce us?

 

- Eni! –her parents exclaimed.

 

- What? I told you, I’d only marry a Prince –Berenike repeated with calm.

 

- I wouldn’t recommend you to marry Arrhidaeus –said Alexander with caution.

 

- Why not? Is he ugly? –her mother cover her face with both hands.

 

- Not exactly –said Alexander—I would say that is the least of his problems.

 

- Why? –Berenike insisted.

 

- Because he is mentally retarded –explained Nikandros.

 

- Nikandros! –Amyntor raised his voice—Alexander, please excuse my children and their lack of manners.

 

- No! –exclaimed the Prince, speaking louder than he had indented—I mean, I like the way your family is. Phai speaks a lot of you and thanks to that I feel like I already know you; you are sincere and spontaneous, that’s not something I can enjoy with regularity…

 

Silence fell on the dining room. For Antigone, grandfather Demetrios, Berenike and Hephaistion his words were moving. Amyntor and his brother thought the same thing: the relationship between them was far more serious than they had thought, and that was going to raised talking, jealousy, envy and all kind of political uproar in the palace. Nikandros and his cousin shared complicity looks, imagining the benefits they would obtain by this friendship. 

 

Berenike shook her head, and sighed dramatically.

 

- Eni, Eni, Eni… I don’t know why the uproar if Alexander is all right with me –she said, successfully breaking the tension.

 

- Who wants more milk caramel? –asked Antigone.

 

 

xXx

 

- For the last time people, I don’t want to get marry –said Nikandros, running his hands through his face. 

 

- Honey, is the right thing to do –said his mother, while they were eating the milk caramel.

 

- I’m too young.

 

- Besides mom, who is going to want to marry him? He has a very big head –said Hephaistion, licking his spoon.

 

- I may have a big head but I can draw a spear better than you, you wouldn’t hit a barbarian even if he was tied up –answered his brother.   

 

- Excuse me, but I’m not the one who looks like he was adopted –Hephaistion teased him. Berenike laughed.

 

- Yes Nick, you look as if you were adopted –said his sister—I think mom and dad found you in the garbage and only knew you were a baby because of your big head.

 

The boys laughed, including Alexander. Nikandros saw her with bad conceal hate.

 

- And you are a monster.

 

- Don’t call me monster Nik, I’m a Princess –Berenike defended herself with all dignity.

 

- The Onion Princess –his older brother mocked her.

 

- Big head.

 

- Enough –their grandfather intervened—What does the royal palace say, Alexander?

 

- Pretty busy, my father is going in a week and there’s still much to do –answered the Prince—Nick, are you going with my father to Byzantium?

 

- Yes, I also went with him to Thrace… what a nightmare.

 

- Why? –asked Alexander.

 

- Because the moron didn’t know that before you could be in the hetairoi cavalry you had to serve as a pezetairoi, with the infantry –explained Hephaistion, playing with his milk caramel—So, he spend the entire campaign on foot… a shame for his pretty horse, he used him as a cargo mule.    

 

- Shut up! –said Nikandros—I didn’t know that, the nobility is suppose to fight in the cavalry.

 

Grandfather Demetrios smiled.

 

- And how are you going to command the infantry if you don’t know how they work? –his grandfather questioned him.

 

- That’s the same thing Krateros said to me.

 

- Who? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- Krateros son of Alexandros, he is from the Orestis mountains, is 10 years older than me, but he is way too good in the infantry –said Nikandros, taking his cup.  

 

- I’ve heard about him, the King has him in great esteem, along with Melas Kleitos, son of Dropides –said Amyntor.

 

- The one who commands the Ile Basilike? –asked Althaimenes, repeating his dish of milk caramel. 

 

- The same, he is the brother of the woman who was my nurse, Lanike –said Alexander.

 

- Alexander, would you like more milk caramel? –asked Antigone.

 

- No thanks, but I would like more cookies, please –his friend’s mother smiled and ordered the servants to bring more cookies.

 

- The unfair of the campaign was that Philotas didn’t have to serve in the pezetairoi –Nikandros complained—He immediately obtained a full cavalry squadron under his command, and the next thing I knew was that he was being awarded for his performance in battle.

 

- I heard that –said Hephaistion.

 

- How? –Alexander wanted to know.

 

- He told me, and also that it was thanks to him that a gap opened in the enemy lines.

 

- As if. It was thanks to Krateros, he was the one who opened the gap, Philotas just took advantage –Nikandros explained.

 

- Wow! I think you are in love with Krateros –Hephaistion teased him.

 

- Ha ha –answered his brother without humor. 

 

- Alexander, are you accompanying your father in the next campaign? –asked cousin Demetrios.

 

- No, my father wants me to stay as a Regent in his absence –the Prince’s words cause great surprise and admiration.

 

- Really?! –exclaimed Hephaistion, leaning to the front to saw him to the side.

 

- Yes, Antipater is staying with me as an advisor –Alexander confirmed.

 

- Congratulations Alexander! Your father trusts you with a lot of responsibility –said Amyntor.

 

xXx

 

- This is my room –said Hephaistion, when they could leave his family—The last time you came I couldn’t show it to you.

 

Hephaistion sat on his bed, watching the other examining his room. Alexander went to the basket containing the rolls and opened the ones that captured his attention. 

 

- You don’t look too happy for someone who have been appointed as a Regent of Macedonia –his friend pointed out, and leaned back, resting his weight on his palms. 

 

- I would prefer to go to the campaign; administration bores me –the Prince admitted.

 

- But Antipater is staying to help you; you are not alone.

 

- And you? Are you helping me, too? –Hephaistion saw him with intensity.

 

- I know nothing of how to run a kingdom, but I promise you I’ll do all that I can to help you –Alexander smiled.

 

- Is your father going to Byzantium, too?

 

- No, he had orders to go to Perinthus with my uncle and cousin.

 

- Your mother is staying alone; your uncle is not married? –asked Alexander. 

 

- He is a widower, and for my mom, don’t worry, grandpa is staying with her –the Prince let himself fall on the bed—How is your mother?

 

- You don’t have to ask, I know you don’t like my mother –said Alexander.

 

- All right, I don’t like your mother, but she is your mother and you love her; so, if she is important to you, so is to me –said his friend.

 

- Thank you… and since you ask, my mother is fine, VERY FINE, happy that my father leaves me as a Regent and that worries me; she is trying to convince me to take care of her enemies –answered Alexander.

 

Hephaistion fell on his back, his legs hanging at the bed’s edge.

 

- Why did you come? –he wanted to know.

 

- If you didn’t like my surprise, I wont come back.

 

- How dramatic of you, I never said that, I’m just curious to know why the Regent of Macedonia came to my humble house –Hephaistion teased him.

 

- Ha ha… I came because SOMEONE make me promise to keep him inform if anything happened.

 

- You could have sent someone.

 

- I wanted to see you –Hephaistion closed his mouth, how could he fight against that?

 

- Are you staying tonight?

 

- Yes, your father is right, is late and now I have a pretext to stay with you –the Prince kissed him, and his friend opened his mouth obediently.

 

 

Soon it will be nightfall. Nikandros had plans to go out with Ptolemy, and he was going to his room to change when a particular scene captured his attention. He stopped in front of his brother half close door, and saw Hephaistion on the Crown Prince, kissing him as if there were not tomorrow. Clumsy kisses, judged by the expert, but he had to admit that they had determination.

 

Hephaistion sat astride on Alexander’s abdomen, and rested his hands on his chest, still kissing him.

 

- Phai –whispered the Prince, reluctant to leave his lips unattended—If you don’t move now, I’ll be unable to keep my promise to wait until my first military victory.

 

His friend laughed, kissed him one more time and moved to rest at his side.

 

- Now I understand why are you so touchy for being left behind as a Regent –Hephaistion teased him.

 

Who would have thought that Phai could be this hot? –thought Nikandros—But he kisses sooooo bad; makes me want to entered the room and say: “leave this to the master”… will have to talked about this later.

 

Nikandros continued his way, and then the 3 boys heard a familiar bark and a MEOOWW!!!

 

- PERITAS! –Alexander yelled to his dog from Hephaistion’s window—Leave Hermes alone… bad dog, bad dog!  

 

- MOM! Alexander’s dog is trying to eat Mr. Hermes!!! –they heard Berenike’s voice from the garden, and then a splash, when the girl threw water at the dog—Leave Mr. Hermes alone!

 

Alexander spent the night at Hephaistion’s house, and next day his friend, Nikandros, cousin Demetrios and Althaimenes accompanied him back to the palace. Hephaistion didn’t want to go back there, but he concealed his discomfort with skill. When Nikandros, Hephaistion and the Prince were walking in the corridors…

 

- Phai, let me borrow your horse –asked his brother.

 

- Excuse me?

 

- You are not going to use it and I’m going to the war to shed blood for my country, while you stayed here getting fat –said Nikandros, and Alexander laughed. 

 

- Nick, have you ever felt shame in your life? –asked his brother.

 

- No, not really…so? Do you borrow me your horse? I don’t think Alexander would mind, after all I’m his brother-in-law –Hephaistion blushed with fury.

 

- NO! I don’t borrow you my horse, and stay away from him –Hephaistion sentenced.

 

Nikandros opened his mouth with all the intentions of keep discussing, but the King appeared then, followed by Parmelio and Melas Cleitus.

 

- Alexander, I’ve been looking for you –said his father when he saw Amyntor’s son. 

 

Awkward moment. VERY awkward.

 

Hephaistion and Nikandros greeted the King respectfully, but Philip’s gaze delayed on the younger brother. If he had thought that Hephaistion was beautiful at his 13 years old, at the age of 16 was superb, drop death gorgeous; he was like good wine, getting better over the years. He couldn’t stop admiring him, it was like looking at the birth of Aphrodite, coming out from the sea in all her astonishing glory; Botticelli’s famous painting pale in beauty compare with the magnificent young man in front of the King; and once again he felt the heat concentration in his body. It was in moments like this that he question himself, how have he, in the name of all the gods of the underworld, survived 3 years away of this beauty?

 

- Can I do something for you, sire? –asked Hephaistion, breaking successfully the heavy silence.

 

To Philip these words sound sinfully hot; he had to clear his throat several times to be able to speak.

 

- No. I need to talk to you in private –said the King to his son.

 

- Fine.

 

Nikandros said his good byes, but before he and his brother could go, Alexander stole a kiss from Hephaistion’s sweet lips, so quickly that it ended even before they could enjoy it.

 

Philip clenched his jaw. In this era as in any other, gossip travel really quickly; all the royal palace knew that one of Amyntor’s sons was the Prince’s eromenos, and if Philip knew what was going on in the court of the Great King in Susa, he knew what had happened in Mieza. And he was not happy.

 

xXx

 

- Phai! Phai! Wait for me, you are walking to fast –Nikandros called after him.

 

How could he? –that was all Hephaistion could thought without believing it—He kissed me in front of the King, General Parmelio and the commander of the Ile Basilike… he is INSANE.

 

Hephaistion was so concentrated in his thoughts that he didn’t notice when he crushed with other person.

 

- My apologies –he lifted his head and found Philotas’ severe blue eyes.

 

- Pay attention of where you are walking, moron –spited Parmelio’s son before leaving. 

 

- What’s wrong with Philotas? –Nikandros walked to him.

 

- Long story –his older brother saw him in silence for a long time. Finally Nikandros took him by the arm.

 

- Come.

 

- Where are we going?

 

- You’ll see –was the enigmatic answered of his brother.

 

xXx

 

Nikandros took Hephaistion to Pella’s worst neighborhood, the kind of place where people killed for free and with every pretext. The younger one asked several times where were they going, but Nikandros didn’t answered until they were comfortably sat in a ghastly tavern full with people with criminal looks.

 

- What are we doing here?

 

- We came to drink –said his brother at last. Nikandros whistled to call for the bartender. 

 

- Here? –now Hephaistion knew his brother was crazy.

 

- Pay no attention to this place; they serve the best wine in all Pella.

 

- If you said so –Hephaistion wasn’t so sure about that. 

 

A big baleful man gave them a small wine amphora with 2 cups and Nikandros paid him with several dracmas. The man checked it was the right amount and left.

 

- Why are we here? –asked Hephaistion, looking at his surroundings with distrust.

 

- I told you, we came because only here you can drink the best wine and you and I never have the opportunity to talk and drink together –his brother saw him intently, waiting for Nikandros to charge him with the money of the wine.

 

- Nick, if you are doing this to make me change my mind about my horse…

 

- Honestly Phai, I haven’t even thought about your horse. I told you, I want to talk to you; you are my brother and we haven’t seen each other for 3 years; besides, in a week and leaving with the King to Byzantium –Nikandros assured him. 

 

Hephaistion didn’t buy it, but he decided to drop the case. He took a drink of wine and happily confirmed his brother was right, the wine was delicious.

 

- Good?

 

- Wonderful –answered Hephaistion, licking his lower lip. Nikandros smiled.

 

- Told you. What happened between you and Philotas?

 

- Not much.

 

- You said it was a long story –his young brother brushed his hair behind his ear; he did that when he was nervous and didn’t know what to do with his hands.

 

- When we were at Mieza, he asked me to be his eromenos –Nikandros coughed, choking with his wine.

 

- You serious? –Hephaistion nodded—And what did you say?

 

- No, obviously, but…

 

Hephaistion told his brother everything: the talk, Alexander sudden appearance and the fight. When he stopped talking his brother was in utterly astonishment.

 

- By Zeus, Hades and Poseidon! Phai, Philotas could make your life a living hell, his father is the right and left hand of the King –said Nikandros concerned.

 

- Philotas is not my concern; I have bigger problems…

 

- What are you talking about?

 

Damn! –thought Hephaistion, he had talked before thinking.

 

- Phai, in what mess did you get yourself into? –Nikandros insisted.

 

Hephaistion knew he had to give him an answer; his brother was almost as stubborn as Alexander. He sighed, and drank more wine to win some time. He hadn’t told anyone about what had happened with the King, Alexander found out himself, which was different… but, on the other hand, Nikandros was his brother and he needed to talk to someone.

 

- Nick give me your word that you are not telling anyone what I’m about to tell you –asked Hephaistion deadly serious—Not even dad.

 

His brother held his gaze.

 

- You have my word.

 

- All right –Hephaistion took a deep breath, and made sure nobody was paying them any attention—The King asked me to be his eromenos.

 

Nikandros was speechless for a very long time.

 

- When? –was the only thing he could said.

 

- Before I went to Mieza… remember when we went to the old Thracian border.

 

- Yes.

 

- You asked me if something had happened to me in the palace.

 

- I remember –said Nikandros nodding.

 

- Well, something did happened –Hephaistion leaned to the front and whispered—Philip made me share his bed…     

 

- DID HE RAPE YOU?

 

- Shhh… For Zeus sake! Don’t yell –Hephaistion scolded him.

 

- Sorry…Phai, this is serious, why you didn’t speak before? Why didn’t you talk with dad? –asked Nikandros, very pale.

 

- What for Nick? We are not talking about any son of bad mother, we are talking about the King –Hephaistion shook in his fury—Dad is not Parmelio or Antipater or Attalus, what can he do? It would be worst to tell him. 

 

- You underestimate your family too much, dad is the principal agent of the King in Athens, the King couldn’t afford a fight with him…Phai, you don’t have to suffer this alone.

 

- And you think that I enjoy to be telling this? He RAPE ME and humiliate me several times, why can’t you understand? –Hephaistion was furious and rage was burning his heart.

 

- And how do you think I feel knowing that the King rape MY BROTHER? –Hephaistion had never seen his brother this serious before, and that calmed him. He would never thought Nikandros care so much about him.

They both fell silent. The older brother drank more wine.

 

- Now I understand –Nikandros whispered—That’s why the King saw you like that, and Alexander… Alexander knows it, that’s why he kissed you in front of his father.

 

- Of course he knows –Hephaistion’s gray eyes were fixed on the wine surface.

 

They drank in silence for a while, hearing the laughing and cursing of the men in the next table.

 

- This is a damn good wine –Hephaistion was almost drunk.

 

Nikandros sighed and ran his hands through his face.

 

- What a problem you have, Phai. By Apollo! This is what you get for being so good looking –said his brother.

 

- Whatever.

 

Silence again.

 

- Don’t tell dad –asked Hephaistion.

 

- I won’t.

 

- Nick?

 

- Hm?

 

- When you were a page, did your somatophilake have sex with you? –Hephaistion wanted to know.

 

- No. Aristobolus and I had an excellent relationship, and when I grew up we became friends –explained his brother—He wasn’t my erastes and my erastes never touched me.   

 

- Have you ever sleep with a man?

 

- Yes, but what I’m saying is that my situation and yours are completely different –Nikandros said—My elders never took advantage from me, but, then again you are far more handsome than me.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- I’m curse; I have the worst of lucks.

 

- Worst of lucks? You can’t be that stupid, the Crown Prince is in love with you, and you call that bad luck? –his brother mocked him.

 

- What are you talking about? –Hephaistion blushed.

 

- Is obvious, Alexander loves you… I don’t know why since you kiss terribly –Nikandros drank more wine.

 

- And how did you know how I kiss? –Hephaistion lifted an eyebrow.

 

- I saw you kissing in your bedroom. By the way, what promise did he make you that he can’t touch you? –under any other circumstances Hephaistion would have sent his brother to say hello to Cerberus, but not tonight. Nikandros had been honest with him. 

 

- I made him promise me that he would sleep with me only when he obtained his first military victory –Nikandros laughed.

 

- Why did you do that?

 

- Because I can’t do it now.

 

- Why not?

 

- Because every time Alexander touches me I remember the hideous hands of Philip –Hephaistion hit the table, and the cups and the amphora jumped. Nikandros watched him in silence.

 

- Phai, have you ever slept with a woman? –his brother wanted to know.

 

- No –said Hephaistion with calm. Nikandros took the amphora and shook it.

 

- Our last drink –Nikandros served the wine—Lets toast for the women.

 

- Sure, why not? –by now Hephaistion was feeling his head light, he was a little drunk.

 

Then they emptied their cups, Nikandros stood up.

 

- Come, I going to do something for you and you will thank me in the morning –said his brother.