Chapter 103

 

A/N: Well, this is an –M– Chapter, so beware.

 

CHAPTER 103

 

Alexandria, Egypt 48 B.C.

 

In this place of three million souls, only three hundred thousand held the Alexandrian citizenship: these were the pure-blood descendants of the original Macedonian army settlers, and they guarded their privileges ruthlessly. The Interpreter, who was the highest official, had to be of pure Macedonian stock; so did the Recorder, the Chief Judge, the Accountant, the Night Commander. In fact, all the highest offices, commercial as well as public belonged to the Macedonians […] Two social facts fascinated Caesar most of all. One was that native Egyptians were forbidden to live in Alexandria. The other was even more bizarre. A highborn Macedonian father would deliberately castrate his cleverest, most prominent son in order to qualify the adolescent boy for employment in the palace, where he had a chance to rise to the highest job of all, Lord High Chamberlain […] Much though the Alexandrians despise Egyptians, thought Caesar, they have absorbed so many Egyptian customs that what exists here today was the most curious muddle of East and West anywhere in the world (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

- Are you sure about this? –asked Alexander between kisses while Hephaistion took him to the bed—I thought you were…Mmm…sad –he sighed against his lips.

 

- Stop talking –his beloved kissed him again—What I need right now…—the King caught his lower lip—Is to feel you…—Alexander fell on him on the bed, lifting his chiton to feel his creamy skin against him—Inside.  

 

The King moaned inside his mouth and thought he was going to touch the sky when his beloved spread his legs for him. Hephaistion didn’t lie to him, he wanted desperately to feel him, he wanted to forget for a moment all his problems and he couldn’t find a better way to achieve this than losing himself in Alexander’s body. More than ever he needed this…

 

XXX

 

Kleitos, Ptolemy, Perdikkas and Leonnatos were on the hallway that led to the King’s chambers. Every now and then they could hear moans and pants and, judging by the guards’ expressions, standing at each side of the door, Alexander and Hephaistion were having the time of their lives.

 

- So, Ptolemy –said Kleitos, leaning his back against the wall—This is where you came in. You are going to enter Alexander’s bedroom and interrupt whatever they are doing –he smiled hearing another especially loud moan. 

 

- Interrupt how? –asked Ptolemy, now that they were there he started to think this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

 

- I don’t know, improvise, tell Alexander you have an important message –said the hipparch.

 

- But you have to do a big entrance –said Perdikkas, looking at the guards.

 

- Oh yes, that too –Kleitos agreed. They were like children planning a prank to their schoolmates, just like they were no children, they were 25, 25, 35 and 40 and planning to play a joke on the KING.

 

- Right –Ptolemy took a deep breath and started to walk toward the door, but halfway he stopped and came back—How do I pass the guards?

 

- You are a bloody commander Ptolemy, just said you have an important business with the King –said Leonnatos.

 

- Yeah, right, what could be so damn important to interrupt the King in the middle of his passionate night? –asked Ptolemy mocking him.

 

- You know what? –said Kleitos, hands on his hips— Forget it Ptolemy, if you don’t want your money…

 

- Wow, wow, wow…I didn’t say I’m not going to do this –Ptolemy raised his hands to the front—I’ll come up with something.

 

Kleitos pat his back so hard that Ptolemy felt he was going to spit a lung.

 

- That’s the spirit.

 

This is insane –thought Ptolemy, walking through the corridor that suddenly looked terribly long. The magnificent door at the end was like the entrance to the underworld and the guards standing at its sides looked like dangerous monsters waiting to rip him in pieces. Each step echoed in the commander’s ears while his brain worked furiously to find a plausible excuse of why was he there and why he had to interrupt the King.

 

He turned back, to look at his friends over his shoulder. Leonnatos gave him the thumbs up, Perdikkas shook his hands encouraging to keep walking and Kleitos just smile. The hipparch of the Ile Basilike was sure he wasn’t going to do it, and that made Ptolemy’s blood burn in fury, now it wasn’t only about money, it was also about pride.

 

He looked again at the front and heard a long moan coming from the door. His nervous system danced recognizing Hephaistion’s voice, the General was so damn sexy. Ptolemy swallowed nervously, opened and closed his hands, watching the door closer and closer.

 

- Joy to you, lads –said the commander.  

 

- Sir! –answered both men, standing to attention.

 

- Is the King home? –as an answered they heard Alexander sighing and calling Hephaistion’s name. That was a stupid question and Ptolemy had to make an effort not to blush.

 

- Yes, sir, but he is indispose –if there was something the commander had to admit was that the guards, regarding the awkward situation, kept their professionalism.

 

Yes, I can hear he is indispose –thought Ptolemy.

 

- I have an urgent message for him –said the commander at once.

 

- Sir, we have orders to not let anyone inside.

 

- And I’m telling you I have an urgent message for the King –the commander raised his voice slightly. Both guards exchanged glances—I know you have your orders but I’m sure you don’t want to be responsible for blocking my way when I have such important things to attend.

 

The guards weren’t very sure about what to do, but they were trained to obey and Ptolemy looked dead serious. They thought in their choices: to face the King’s wrath for interrupting him or for not letting him receive his important messages.

 

- Very well, sir.

 

The guards let him pass and Ptolemy felt his heart beating faster.

 

Alexander is going to kill me for this –he thought, feeling his mouth dry.

 

He didn’t notice but behind him, Kleitos, Perdikkas and Leonnatos had moved closer to witness the moment, still unable to believe that Ptolemy was actually going to do this.

 

The commander opened the door of the antechamber, he strode across the room, hearing the moans and pants more clearly and opened the door of the King’s bedroom without knocking, as if he owned the place.

 

Many things happened at the same time. Ptolemy found Alexander on four over Hephaistion; the General’s head hanging back at the edge of the bed with his neck fully exposed, his legs wide open, one bent aside and the other on Alexander’s shoulder. He was moaning completely surrender at his King’s mercy, his eyes on the ceiling while Alexander thrust inside him as if he wanted to break him in two. Both fully naked.  

 

In the same moment the door opened Alexander and Hephaistion turned. The General looked like an owl with his eyes wide open and he blushed even more, if that was possible. For a second, the King saw Ptolemy without understanding what the hell was he doing there, but he recovered quickly enough to shout at him with his best commanding voice: Get out!

 

If there was something that Kleitos and co., who were spying along with the guards at the first door, had to admit was that the commander had guts because he didn’t moved.

 

- Alexander, I have a message, a-a-an urgent message –while Ptolemy talked, Hephaistion moved away from the King looking for the sheets to cover himself. 

 

For a moment Alexander thought Ptolemy was kidding him.

 

- And you have to come NOW? If the message is not related to Darius’ sudden death I don’t care –the commander nodded nervously.

 

- I-I understand, I-I-I’ll leave you then –great! Now he was stammering, which meant he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  

 

The commander closed the door, leaned his back against it and puffed his cheeks out. That had been close. Then, the laughs of Kleitos, Perdikkas and Leonnatos made him come back to reality and he saw them through narrow eyes. 

 

XXX

 

- You have more balls than I thought –said the hipparch while they were leaving the King’s residence.

 

- Shut up! I want my money –said Ptolemy still shaking.

 

- First thing tomorrow morning –Kleitos assured him.

 

This is the last time I go to drink and bet with Kleitos –said Ptolemy to himself.

 

XXX

 

Next day Alexander sailed down the Nile with the Agema, his Agrianes arches and the Ile Basilike. It was a calm morning, but even if happy faces and a cheerful atmosphere surrounded him, in his heart he felt uneasy. Hephaistion’s explanation of his strange behavior was comprehensible, his father had died and the King knew perfectly well how much his beloved loved Amyntor, it was a terrible blow to the most perfect family he had ever met, but he was sure there was something more.

 

He couldn’t explain it with words but he knew in his heart that Hephaistion wasn’t right, the night before, after finishing what Ptolemy had interrupted, he had noticed something strange in the General…

 

Maybe, I should have insisted in taking him with me –thought Alexander, his eyes still fix in Memphis’ direction.

 

He shook his head. It was pointless to be thinking about that in those moments when he could do nothing to help Hephaistion, they would have to talk as soon as he got back.

 

The King walked along the deck of the ship, the magnificent vessel that, until weeks ago, belonged to the Great King, and his eyes surveyed it with curiosity. This wasn’t a crude ship as biremes or triremes, it was light to glide smoothly down the river, and something that caught the King’s attention was that it had no sails, just a couple of oars at the end of the curved ship. Now that he remembered, he had heard that all ships traveling to the north had no sails because they didn’t need it, the river flow took them in direction of the Delta, but, when they had to come back to Memphis they would have to use sails.

 

Alexander found Ptolemy laughing with other 2 members of the Ile Basilike and then, he remembered he had something to discuss with him.

 

- Ptolemy –the commander almost went paled when he saw who was calling him, but he recovered quickly. After what had happened the night before he had hoped the King would leave him back at Memphis and, by the time he went back, he would have already forgotten about that embarrassing incident.

 

But the Gods had other plans for him.

 

- Yes, Alexander.

 

- A word –that told Ptolemy all he needed to know, he was in troubles.

 

He followed the King far from where he was talking to the soldiers, the breeze was a nice change after the heat they had endured at Memphis and the gentle rocking of the ship made him feel a little sleepy.

 

- What was your urgent message? –asked Alexander going straight to the point and suddenly, Ptolemy felt as if he had been struck by a bucket of freezing water.

 

- My…urgent message? –the commander repeated stupidly.

 

- It seemed important enough to break into my room when I was indispose –when those uneven eyes settled on him, Ptolemy knew he was lost. What could he possible say that justify last night entrance?

 

- Ah, well, it was…not so important after all –the King’s handsome features hardened and the commander knew he was in big troubles—I mean it was important but, at the end, I could find someone else to…er…help me.

 

- What was it, Ptolemy?

 

- What?

 

- The message –Alexander was starting to lose his patience, not a good sign.

 

- Oh! Yes, well, it was…

 

- Dad! –Achilles appeared then, and never before the commander had been so happy to see the boy—Dad!

 

- What is it, Aki? –the King delayed his eyes on the commander a little before turning to see the child.

 

- My tooth is loose –said the boy—And it’s a nuisance. 

 

Alexander laughed softly.

 

- I know but you will have to be patience and wait for it to fall –Achilles frowned but said nothing—Come, I want to show you something –he took the boy by the hand and with that Ptolemy was forgotten, for his utterly relief. 

 

XXX

 

Night had fallen a while ago, and Hephaistion, standing at his tent’s entrance, saw the dark sky. Kyros had gone out with Glycon and Xsayarsa was already deeply asleep, he was extremely grateful that his son was not there, this way things were easier.

 

There is no point in delaying this –he said to himself, walking to Philotas tent wrapped in his cloak.

 

- You came earlier than I have expected –said Philotas when he saw the General in his tent that night. Again, the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry was alone, but this time his tent was full with candles, in other circumstances the General would have thought it gave the place a romantic atmosphere, but not this time.

 

- The sooner we finish this the better –very few times Philotas had seen Hephaistion so serious, but that only served to make him smile.

 

- I trust you came unarmed –said Philotas and the General nodded—Come.

 

The hipparch took him to his room, a very spacious place that could have passed for the King’s bedroom, also lit by several candles. The General remained at the door; his arms cross over his chest, he couldn’t hear a sound, they were completely alone and he could bet that even the guards had been dismissed.

 

- Don’t be shy, Hephaistion, come in –said Philotas and Hephaistion felt his blood burning in rage. He wasn’t scared or nervous, he was furious. 

 

- Lets get this over with.

 

- Not so fast –the hipparch took a seat on the bed, he was enjoying this and would make every second count to make the most of it—Let me remind you that you are not in charge here, besides, we have to wait for my partner.

 

The General didn’t like this.

 

- What for? –he feared to hear the answer to that but he had to ask.

 

Philotas smiled and Hephaistion wished he didn’t.

 

- You are too beautiful to enjoy alone –that was all his explanation. 

 

- This was not part of our deal –said the General furious, he couldn’t bear this anymore.

 

- We are not at the market, and let me remind you that I’m the one who establish the rules –the hipparch’s voice was firm—You want that letter and my word that I won’t tell a soul about your little secret, then you will sleep with me and my partner.

 

- And how do I know that your partner is going to keep his mouth shut? –that was a reasonable question and Philotas had his answer ready. 

 

- He doesn’t know a thing about our arrangement –he lied—He just knows that you agreed to sleep with us, that’s all.

 

The General didn’t believe one word but, unfortunately, he had no other choice but to play along…for now.

 

- Fine.

 

- Good, now take your clothes off –Philotas talked to him as if he were his slave or his whore, that was humiliating and Hephaistion had to take a deep breath not to punch his face to erase his annoying smile.

 

He did as he was told, his chiton fell on the floor along with his heavy belt and the hipparch held his breath watching that magnificent body completely expose before him. Philotas could feel every fiber of his body burning in desire, and soon his eyes followed every curve of the most perfect male body he had ever seen.

 

- You are so beautiful.

 

- Whatever –Hephaistion muttered in a bad mood.

 

He told the truth, he is unarmed –thought the hipparch while admiring him.

 

- Come to bed –the General sat at his side and Philotas looked for a piece of robe under his bed.

 

- What’s that for? –asked Hephaistion, all his senses screaming “danger” at the same time.

 

- A precaution –the hipparch closed the distance between them—Lay back.

 

Philotas tied both of his wrists above his head to the bedside, taking his time; it felt so good to have Hephaistion under him. The General felt nauseous having his body so close that he could feel his hard arousal against his thigh while he tied him, he always knew this was going to be difficult but only now he understood how much. When Philotas finished, the hipparch tried to kiss him but he moved his head away.

 

- Don’t you think about it or I’ll tear your tongue with my teeth –it was pure hate in his voice but Philotas didn’t mind. He leaned down to smell his hair: chamomile.

 

- Have it your way –he kissed his naked shoulder and Hephaistion clenched his jaw—Just one more thing –he talked against his addictive skin before looking for a piece of cloth—It’s a shame, I love your eyes, specially when they burn with hate –he smiled— But this is also a precaution.  

 

- You are nuts.

 

- Maybe, but it’s your fault –said the hipparch, kissing his cheek—If you can’t love me Hephaistion, I’m glad knowing that you hate me so much, at least this way I know that you think about me, that I make you feel something, that, when you hear my name –he slid his lips down his neck—Your body react…in some way —he moved his hips against the General’s and Hephaistion fell the vile raising inside him.

 

He always knew something was wrong with Philotas, but now he had proofs.

 

If the General didn’t like the idea in the beginning now, he was sure this was a colossal mistake: he was tied and with his eyes covered in Philotas’s bed and was going to let him and a mysterious partner to have sex with him. He tried to brainwash himself thinking that he had no other choice, that he was doing this for Alexander, that it had to be this way. But…to feel the hipparch wet kisses over his skin, and his tongue exploring the depressions of his abdomen, made him want to vomit.

 

Being unable to see only served to make things worst, he could only imagine what was happening, imagining Philotas’ horrible smile while hearing him moaning softly.

 

- Gods…Aphrodite should envy you –moaned the hipparch, taking him by the thighs to spread his legs, and he had to fight the impulse of kicking him—I remember the last time I was here –he continued talking against his abdomen while his hands slid through his thighs—You have no idea how many times I dreamed with this moment.

 

- Can’t you just shut up? –this was already difficult without adding Philotas’ commentaries.  

 

Then, the hipparch suddenly stopped. At first Hephaistion had no idea of what was going on until he heard steps, he felt his pulse quickening when he realized it was the famous “partner”. He felt terrible expose and vulnerable, 2 things he didn’t like because they reminded him of his nights with King Philip…

 

- What took you so long? –asked Philotas amused, when he saw Krateros’ expression.

 

The commander had always hated Hephaistion, why? Because everything was easy for him, when the General was still 16 years old he was already taking part in King Philip’s military staff meeting, he was now a somatophylax and he was not even 30 years old, he was the General of the Agema, and Krateros was sure that if he went to Alexander to ask for half of his kingdom, the King would gladly gave it to him, and all of this just because he had been born with a face capable of making the Gods blush in embarrassment at such perfection.

 

Krateros had had to do everything the hard way, worked extensively to be where he was. He loved soldiering and was excellent at it but things hadn’t been easy. He had always despised beautiful people because, beautiful people had to work half than the rest, everybody had a smile for a handsome man, a beautiful woman could get a rich husband and live comfortable for the rest of her life. Sure, Hephaistion was a good warrior, but not a good commander in his opinion, he didn’t deserve half the honors he received, but all was thanks to his looks.

 

King Philip had raped him, so what? Thanks to that he gained a high position in the army, why was he complaining? Hephaistion wasn’t the first boy raped by a Macedonian King. He could feel no sympathy for him because Krateros wasn’t an empathic and sentimental person, besides all of them had had problems in their lives, what made Hephaistion feel that he was so special that his problem were more important than his or someone else’s?

 

Krateros took his time, seeing the General naked and tied to the bed made him feel a hot tickling running through his body. Hephaistion could be everything bad Krateros could think about but he was damn beautiful. Of course he didn’t answer the hipparch question, he didn’t want to be recognized, reason why he had insisted in covering Hephaistion’s eyes.  

 

Unlike Philotas, Krateros didn’t hated Alexander, on the contrary, he felt a deep respect for him, as a King and as a General, and the only reason he was doing this was to teach Hephaistion a lesson. But, he wasn’t naïve, he knew that, if Alexander knew about this, he would consider him a traitor and he would pay dearly for his actions. No, he didn’t want to boast about this, he wanted to remain in the shadows and treasure in his mind the memory of the night in which he made Hephaistion pay.

 

The General felt a pair of big strong hands sliding through his chest, calloused palms trying to cover his entire abdomen at the same time, while Philotas licked his thigh.

 

I can’t do this –thought Hephaistion, he felt dizzy, his heart beat savagely and he started to move his arms, trying to free himself. 

 

Krateros licked his nipples and bit them painfully but he made no sound. The General bit his lower lip with such force that it started to bleed. He wanted to run out of there, he felt he couldn’t breath but…he had came here voluntarily, he was doing this because he wanted to protect Alexander…right?

 

Then, they suddenly turned him around, to leave him facedown; his wrists hurt against the tense rope after the harsh movement and he felt again those calloused hands, this time on his hips, lifting him. Hephaistion’s body tensed knowing what was going to happen next.

 

- Such a nice view –said Philotas, almost purring—I wish you could see it.

 

- One day, I will make you pay for this –said Hephaistion, he had never felt such hate in his life—And that day you will wish you were never born.

 

- Maybe –said the hipparch, kissing his butt—But right now, I’m going to make the most of this moment.

 

When he felt the calloused hands on his manhood and Philotas’ finger inside him, playfully exploring him, he knew this was enough. Hephaistion pulled the rope several times, but he couldn’t free his hands so he did the only thing he could think about, he hit his hand with force against the wooden bedside until he dislocated his thumb, he bit his lip to not scream, and then he tried to free his hand. Hephaistion felt revolted, those strange hands stroking him harshly until he was hard for his utterly dislike. His body was a treacherous bastard.   

 

- I’ll go first –said Philotas while the General desperately tried to free his hands.

 

XXX

 

(1) Colleen McCullough. The October Horse, pages 30 and 31