CHAPTER 102

 

Between Gaius Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII

Egypt 47 BC

 

“Most of the Ptolemies have built, repaired or finished our temples” said Cleopatra as they wandered the wonderful maze of Abydos “Even my father Auletes built extensively –he wanted to badly to be pharaoh! You see, when Cambyses of Persia invaded Egypt five hundred years ago, he considered the temples and the pyramid tombs sacrilegious, and mutilated them, sometimes quite destroyed them. So there is plenty work for us Ptolemies, who were the fist after the true Egyptians to care, I’ve laid the foundations of a new temple to Hathor, but I want our son to join me as its builder. He’s going to be the greatest temple builder in Egypt’s entire history”

 

“Why, when the Ptolemies are so Hellenized, have they built exactly as the old Egyptians did? You even use the hieroglyphs instead of writing in Greek”

 

“Probably because most of us have been Pharaoh, and certainly because the priests are so rooted in antiquity. They provide the architects, sculptors and painters, sometimes even in Alexandria. But wait until you see the temple of Isis at Philae! There we did slightly Hellenize—which is why, I think, it’s generally held to be the most beautiful temple complex in all Egypt”(1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Another sleepless night –thought Hephaistion, watching his tent’s ceiling. It was drawn; his tent was bathed by the warm of the sunlight that promised another day of intense heat for the discomfort of many in the army. There were hot days and these hot days, but he had heard from the locals that, as winter approached, it would start to be a little colder.

 

The General took his hand to his face feeling the damp locks under his palm, with this it was 3 nights in a row that he couldn’t sleep; he puffed his cheeks out. He had so many things in his head: his father’s death, his mother, Alexander’s coronation, Philotas…

 

Philotas –he thought. So far he had been avoiding the hipparch, hiding behind his work and always away from his tent or the camp, but he knew he couldn’t do this for long—I should kill him… —that idea had been going on around in his head since the night they talked. It could be so easy: to stab him on a dark alley, poison one of his beloved amphorae of wine, chuck him with his pillow while he was asleep…countless possibilities but the end was the same: he couldn’t kill Philotas.

 

Why? Asked his most evil, dark and irrational part, but the answer was too simple. There was no way in which Parmelio would let pass the murder of his older son, he would start a man hunt, causing Alexander more troubles. Philip’s most veteran and trustful General was still too powerful to ignore and, even if Hephaistion couldn’t comprehend why, Parmelio’s favorite son was Philotas.

 

What to do then? That question was the principal culprit of his insomnia. Hephaistion had thought this over and over again, telling Alexander was out of question, he didn’t know how many people were involved in this, the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry had mentioned he had a “partner” but, what if he had more partners or what if he had none and he was only bluffing? With Philotas everything was possible. If Alexander knew about this he would get furious, and he would confront Philotas making a great scandal.

 

And his coronation is in a matter of days –thought the General—No, I can’t distract him with this. What if I ask for someone else’s help? No, the less people know about this better, besides Nick is not here and he would be the only one I trust enough to tell him...  

 

He arrived to one conclusion, even if he didn’t like it he would have to play with Philotas’ rules.    

 

For now –he said to himself.

 

The hipparch was not trustworthy, even if he slept with him, as Philotas so badly wanted, that was no guaranty that he could keep his mouth shut. Hephaistion needed to gain time, he would sleep with him, get his hands on the original letter from Glaukos, and think of a solution. 

 

I need to know who is working with Philotas –Hephaistion thought—I can’t leave loose ends. 

 

He heard footsteps that he immediately recognized as Achilles’ and, a few moments later, his son entered his room.

 

- Daddy? Are you awake? –asked the boy and the General straightened himself.

 

- Yes, Aki, what is it? –Achilles walked to him, and sat on the bed.

 

- I have a loose tooth –said a worried Prince making him smile. A loose tooth…he wish his problems were as simple as this.

 

- Does it hurt?

 

- No, but its annoying –said Achilles, his uneven eyes on the blankets. Now, more sunrays entered his room and he could see his son clearly.

 

- Open your mouth –the boy did as he was told and the General saw that one of his front teeth was loose—You will have to wait until it falls. 

 

- But, I don’t want it to fall –said a very concerned Achilles with eyes wide open—Can’t you fix it? You always fix everything.

 

- Aki –he caressed his son’s head—It will grow back –the boy shook his head.

 

- Teeth don’t grow back, daddy –said Achilles as if he was the wise adult there—I have seen many men without teeth and they don’t grow back –that made the General laugh.

 

- Aki, at your age teeth grow back, trust me –the boy didn’t look convinced—Have I ever lie to you? –his son thought for a moment and then shook his head. Hephaistion embraced him, sitting Achilles on his lap—You will be fine.

 

That was what he needed, to feel his son in his arms, the steady beating of his heart against his chest.

 

- Daddy? Aren’t you feeling well?

 

- It’s not that, I just want to hug you; you don’t like it? –Achilles moved his head up and down and leaned against his father. The General closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying that sensation and then, he felt ready to leave his bed and start a new day.

 

XXX

 

The General left his tent after hearing Xsayarsa complaining about the Egyptians for half and hour.

 

- You have been here before? –asked Hephaistion while eating a piece of bread for breakfast.

 

- Once, I came for supplies for the harem –said the eunuch, fanning himself compulsively with a small feather fan. 

 

- Supplies? –asked the General while Kyros refilled his cup with heavily water-wine.

 

- Makeup –said the eunuch rolling his eyes. Hephaistion just raised his eyebrows in understanding, every time he heard the word “supplies” he imagined something completely different—But these Egyptians…–he fanned himself angrily—They think they are better than the rest because of all their “glorious” history. But let me tell you something, that’s all they have now, history…and grain…and excellent makeup …and…

 

- I think I get the picture –said Hephaistion.

 

And after that he was ready to go to the city, or so he thought; he was at the entrance of his tent giving Kyros instructions of what to do that day when someone called him.

 

- Hephaistion! –it was Hektor. For a moment the General watched him in silence wondering if he could be Philotas’ mysterious partner, and why not? He was his brother, and Hektor liked Alexander, he could be jealous and wanting to take him out of the way. He had to be careful. 

 

- Hektor, what can I do for you? –he asked in his most neutral tone.

 

- Do you have a minute? –Philotas’ brother looked over his shoulder to see if he had been followed.

 

- I’m in a hurry right now…

 

- It won’t take long, it’s important –one look at his eyes told the General that he wanted to talk to him about something serious.

 

Maybe I’m right and he is Philotas accomplice –he thought.

 

- Yes, of course –Hephaistion considered his options. If Hektor were indeed helping his brother with the whole blackmailing affair, he would try to get more information.

 

Hektor was going to open his mouth when…

 

- Hektor! –Krateros booming voice made them turn.

 

The General rolled his eyes when he saw the commander, and was going to say something nasty when he noticed Hektor’s expression. He was paled as if Krateros were a ghost but, why was he so scared?

 

- Hektor, a word –asked the commander in a hard tone.

 

- I’m sorry Krateros, I’m busy, maybe later –Philotas brother saw Hephaistion one last time and left the 2 enemies alone.

 

What had just happen here? –Hephaistion asked himself utterly confused and turning to see the commander.

 

- What are you looking at, pretty-boy?

 

- Apparently, a talking donkey –and with that the General left him, not wanting to waste his time waiting for an answer.

 

Something really weird is going on here –thought Hephaistion.

 

XXX

 

Alexander was staying in what, a few days ago, had been the satrap’s residence. Mazaces, the Persian satrap appointed by Darius after the previous satrap, Sabaces, was killed at Issus, had surrendered Egypt without a fight. The fate of his predecessor was still fresh in his mind, that, and an extremely anxious wife, had convinced him that the best thing to do was to hand the treasury to the invader and save his neck.

 

And time proved that this was the best decision Mazaces could have made, because the King gave him a part in the new administration under the command of the new governor Cleomenes.

 

Cleomenes was an interesting character; he was an unscrupulous businessman who cared first for him, later for him and last for him. He didn’t lose the change to make the most of his new appointment and soon he became a very rich man, then, why did Alexander kept him in that post? The answer is simple, because he was loyal and knew how to do his job.

 

The King had ordered the whole army to stay at the camp outside Memphis, the men could only go inside the city with the express permission of their officers but passes were limited, the last thing Alexander wanted was to have problems with the Egyptians after his extremely tired, bored and heavy drinking troops with money to spend create random havoc in the city. But, on the other hand, he couldn’t forbid them to go to the city or he would have a mutiny.

 

The King, his guards, his secretaries and clerks were the only ones staying inside Memphis and that was due to the insistence of the priests and the notables of the city, after all, he was going to be crowned Pharaoh. Not even the Great King’s family was allowed inside Memphis, and this was for their own safety. The Egyptians truly hated the Persians, and even more the Persian royal family.

 

Hephaistion walked through Memphis’ streets, seeing how numerous business started to appear thanks to the presence of the troops, it was too tempting to have more than 20 thousand men in the same place to let this pass, and many merchants from every corner of the map gathered here. As soon as he arrived at the King’s residence, he was informed that Alexander was busy; apparently a Macedonian officer named Hegelochus had arrived that same morning with wonderful news about the fleet’s achievements.

 

The General sat down on one of the magnificent couches outside the King’s audience chamber; he would wait. He stretched his legs to the front when he found the last person he wanted to meet: Philotas. After days avoiding him and hiding he met Parmelio’s son there, this wasn’t his lucky day. The hipparch saw him and had the nerve to smile; that was a great test for Hephaistion’s self-control not to punch him and break his teeth.

 

- Good to see you, General –he said too happy for Hephaistion’s taste—How are you?

 

- Right now, disgusted –that only served to make the hipparch laugh. He sat down beside the General and leaned closer to his ear.

 

- Tomorrow night at my tent –said Philotas in a whisper, his breath against his skin made the General sick—And if you don’t come I’ll nail that letter at the center of the camp. Understood?

 

- Don’t think that all of us are as dumb as you –said Hephaistion, barely rising his voice to not catch the guards’ attention. 

 

- I’ll be waiting –the hipparch licked his cheek and the General clenched his fists to not crush his head against the wall behind them. The idea of Philotas’ skull crushed and his blood running through the floor was very tempting in that moment.   

 

The hipparch left him and Hephaistion cleaned his cheek with the back of his hand. He didn’t know for how long he would be able to bear this but he had to.

 

- Sir –a page approached him, his voice taking away the sinister thoughts in his mind—Sir, the King is waiting for you.

 

The General just nodded, he didn’t trust his voice, and stood up, taking a deep breath to calm down that burning rage inside him; he needed to be calm before Alexander noticed that something was wrong. That was the bad thing of having someone who knew you so well, he could always told when something was amiss. He closed his eyes for a moment before stepping inside the audience chamber where he found the King in an excellent mood; that served to make him feel better.

 

- I suppose that Hegelochus brought you good news –Hephaistion smiled and sat at his side. It always made him happy to see Alexander happy.

 

- Excellent news! –said Alexander with a big smile. He still had no idea that Amyntor was dead, and the General didn’t want to tell him, not now that he had Philotas to deal with. He wanted to solve this first and then sit down and talk to Alexander because, if he started to be sentimental that would crumble his strength and resolution to deal with his present problem—Do you remember Pharnabazus?

 

- The guy in charge of Darius’ fleet? –Hephaistion frowned trying to remember.

 

- The same. Hegelochus captured him –the King could barely hide his excitement— Pharnabazus and Aristonicus, the master of Methymna, are in my hands now and Hegelochus is bringing them to me this afternoon.

 

- That’s great!

 

- Phai, there is something more I want to tell you –he made a pause—I’m leaving tomorrow morning –said the King, sitting closer to his beloved—I want to found a new city, and I think I have the perfect place for it.

 

The General smiled.

 

- You don’t lose time, do you? –he loved to see the King like this, full with energy and plans for the future, his mind always several steps before the rest.

 

- And you are coming with me –Alexander announced.  

 

- Me? Tomorrow? –that erased his smiled as Hephaistion suddenly remembered Philotas’ words, too clear to be ignored—I can’t. 

 

Alexander saw him as if he was crazy.

 

- Of course you can –he laughed softly— I’m the King and I say you can come.

 

What am I going to do now? –thought the General. There was no way in which he could ignore Philotas’ menace, if he went with Alexander, the hipparch would assume he was running away or that he had decided to tell the King everything and that would be the end of all, Philotas would make that letter public, but...

 

- Alex… —Alexander held his gaze and, in that moment he truly considered the possibility of telling him everything, why did he had to face Philotas alone? Wasn’t Alexander his other half, his soul mate?

 

So far, he had always faced his problems on his own, but…maybe, for this time he should ask for help.

 

Yes, I’ll tell him –said Hephaistion to himself, watching those eyes full of love for him.

 

- What’s wrong? You have been acting so strange lately –said the King worried—Did I do something?

 

- No!…It’s…Something happened, something bad –that put Alexander on alert.

 

- Then tell me, you know you can trust me with anything –and he meant every word.

 

- I know –Hephaistion brushed his hair behind his ear.

 

Sweet Zeus! This is serious –thought Alexander. He took his beloved’s hands and caressed them with his thumb; silently assuring him that everything was fine.

 

- The reason I can’t go with you tomorrow is because…–the King saw him expectantly. Hephaistion didn’t want to tell him but…he had no choice. He took a deep breath—My father died.

 

Alexander’s eyes double their size.

 

- What?! When?… How are you feeling? –he couldn’t hide his shock. Amyntor dead? That was impossible!

 

- A week ago, but my mom’s letter just reached us –Hephaistion explained—Nick and Eni went back to Pella to be with her. 

 

- Dear Lord Zeus! –Alexander exclaimed while his mind raced—But…if you just heard this, why were you so weird since days ago?

 

His beloved sighed; it was impossible to fool him.

 

- Do you remember my dreams? The ones I told you where I see things that are going to happen? –he said and the King nodded—I knew my dad was dead since a week ago.

 

- And why you didn’t tell me? –Alexander wasn’t angry just confused and worried for Hephaistion. 

 

This was the question the General didn’t want to answer, but it was better to have this conversation than confess what was really bothering him. He couldn’t tell him about Philotas and now he knew why.

 

Hephaistion was a somatophylax and the General of the Agema, he was in charge of the King’s security and he would protect him, not only for suffering physical damage, but also from conspiracies like the one of Philotas. He loved Alexander and he would do anything to keep him safe. The King was so happy, he was going to be crowned Pharaoh, to found a city, Hegelochus had captured his enemies, how could he ruin his good mood telling him about Philotas? The King had many things to worry about, he would not bother him with his own problems. 

 

This is the hardest thing of being with a man like him –thought the General—He can’t be just mine, I have to share him with other 30 thousand men…

 

- Because it was a dream –said Hephaistion at last—I didn’t want to accept that my dad was dead, how could I possible talk about it? –his voice trembled slightly and Alexander embraced him, caressing his back with infinite love.

 

- Do you want to go to Pella? –the King whispered against his head—I know you, if you want to go to your mother’s side…

 

- No, I can’t go now but…I don’t feel like going with you to this place you found –said his beloved, closing his eyes, enjoying that moment and the sensation of being in those arms—I want to rest here.

 

- Of course.

 

- Take Aki with you –his beloved asked— I’m sure he would be fascinated with the idea. 

 

- I was thinking that too.

 

They fell silent for a long moment but that was fine with the General, he felt better now and more than ever he had very clear what he had to do.

 

- Alex?…–his voice was a whisper, he didn’t want to break that atmosphere, he wanted to stay like this forever—What are you doing tonight? 

 

- I’ll be waiting for you, if that is what you want –Hephaistion smiled. That was exactly what he wanted, to sleep with him, had a night of peace and tranquility, to fool himself for a few hours thinking that nothing happened, that he had no problems, and he could only do that at Alexander’s side.

 

XXX

 

Completely oblivious to Hephaistion’s problems, his friends were having a great time in one of the many taverns of Memphis that were more than happy to sell wine at inflated prices to the Macedonian troops camping at their doors. Kleitos, Ptolemy, Leonnatos and Perdikkas, had been drinking, playing dice, winning and loosing money all the evening after they finished their duties, but no one had lost as much money as Ptolemy who was the target of his companions’ laughs.

 

- At this rate Ptolemy, you will owe me the whole of your war spoils from now until this campaign is over –Kleitos laughed, holding a rather huge jar of wine.

 

Perdikkas and Leonnatos celebrated his joke laughing too. They weren’t drunk but their heads felt slightly lighter after all the wine they had consumed, and they were prone to find the silliest things extremely funny.

 

- It’s not my fault –said Ptolemy in a gloomy mood—Your dices are loaded.

 

- Are you calling me a cheater? –asked a frowning Kleitos, he put his jar of wine on the table, making things jumped and spilling a few drops on the wood.

 

- Guys, guys, calm down –said Perdikkas raising his hands—We are having a good time, why to spoil this?

 

- Kleitos’ dices are fine –said Leonnatos examined them on the palm of his hand—You are the only one with problems –he said to Ptolemy and Perdikkas laughed again stupidly.

 

- Haha –said Ptolemy without humor.

 

- I wish Phai were here to see your sorry face –said Perdikkas.

 

- His father just died and you want him here? –said Leonnatos, throwing the dices—See? A pair of sixes –Ptolemy rolled his eyes tiredly.

 

- And where is he? –asked Kleitos, taking another gulp of his jar of wine.

 

- Where else? In Alexander’s bedroom –said Leonnatos. Berenike had gone back to Pella a day before and so far, his friends thought, the single life didn’t suit him, he missed his wife and children and was hanging out with Perdikkas more than usually because he didn’t want to be alone.

 

- That bastard! –exclaimed Perdikkas suddenly.

 

- Hey! Don’t talk like that about my brother-in-law –Leonnatos scolded him.

 

- I was talking about Alexander.

 

- Oh! Then I guess it’s all right…why is he a bastard?

 

- He can bang Phai whenever he wants –Ptolemy laughed.

 

- I didn’t know you like Hephaistion –he said to Perdikkas.

 

- What a stupid thing to say. Half of the army have wet dreams about him and the other half envy him for what he have –said Perdikkas and Kleitos nodded.

 

- So true –said the hipparch of the Ile Basilike—I drink to that –he raised his jar. 

 

- What makes you think they are having sex right now? –asked Leonnatos and the other 3 saw him as if he were retarded.

 

- You know Leon, you are right, maybe they are playing dice right now –Perdikkas mocked him and slapped the back of his head.

 

- Wait, Hephaistion is in Alexander’s bedroom? –asked Kleitos, stopping his jar half way to his mouth.

 

- Yes.

 

- Right now?

 

- Yes, right now, why so interested? –asked Leonnatos confused.

 

- Mm…Ptolemy, want to gain your money back? –asked the hipparch suddenly.

 

Ptolemy frowned.

 

- What do you have in mind?

 

An evil grin curved Kleitos’ lips.

 

- Lets bet on something big this time —said Kleitos, leaning to the front and successfully catching his audience attention—If Alexander is having sex with Hephaistion, I bet you all the money you have lost that you can’t enter his room and interrupt them. 

 

Perdikkas and Leonnatos roar in laughter.

 

- All the money I lost? –Ptolemy was dead serious and Kleitos held his gaze.

 

- All the money.

 

- What do I have to do? –Perdikkas and Leonnatos laughed and whistled. This was going to be fun. 

 

XXX

 

(1) Colleen McCullough. The October Horse, p 103 and 104