CHAPTER 106

 

Between Marcus Porcius Cato and Philopoemon

Egypt, 48 BC

 

When Cato asked of Alexander the Great, Philopoemon frowned.

 

“No one knows” he said “whether Alexander went to Ammon to ask a question to the oracle, or whether Ra, lord of the Egyptian gods, had summoned him to the oasis to deify him” he looked pensive “All the Ptolemies since the first Soter have made the pilgrimage, whether on the throne of Egypt or strap in Cyrenaica”(1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

- Six weeks! –complained Perdikkas, it was dawn, and they were preparing to camp after a long march during the night—Six weeks in the middle of no-where, for what? –he kicked the sand under his feet—We should have stayed at Memphis, not wasting time here.

 

- Lower your voice, if Alexander hears you, you are going to be in deep troubles –Hephaistion warned him, yawning. He, the same as the rest, was extremely tired, they were no used to travel by night, but, according to their Egyptian guide, it was the best way to move across the desert, under the cover of darkness, safe from the inclement sunrays and hidden from the heat.

 

The General accepted the guide had a point, but, to sleep during the day and march at night was terrible exhausting, especially during those nights without moon. Soldiers didn’t like to march during the night, that made them easy targets, and their overexcited imaginations played them tricks, and, in this, Hephaistion was no different than the rest. Night after night he kept all his senses on alert to keep Alexander safe, and that had him very tired by the time dawn came. 

 

- So, you agree with his madness? You, who doesn’t even believe in Gods? –Perdikkas kept complaining and Hephaistion sighed, rubbing his eyes.

 

- You know perfectly well that Alexander likes to consult the oracles before making an important move, and, as soon as spring comes, we are moving against Darius again –the General took off his cloak, the air was warm now, a great contrast with the weather they had during the night, but at this point he was starting to get use to this: extremely hot days and very cold nights.

 

- I’m not complaining about that –Perdikkas dropped on the sand, too tired to being of his feet—If he wanted to consult an oracle, why didn’t he went to the Egyptian city of Thebes? He didn’t even have to leave the Nile Valley to consult an oracle! I’m complaining because there was no need to waste 6 weeks in this trip –he snorted angrily.

 

Hephaistion sat down at his side. He understood perfectly well his friend’s mood, he too thought this was a waste of time but, oh the great “but”, the King always needed the approval of the Gods, and he wanted to consult not just an oracle, but the best of all. 

 

- There are several reasons for making this trip –said the General, his eyes never leaving Alexander’s silhouette at the distance—One, and you must know it, is that Alexander’s ancestors, Perseus and Herakles, consulted this same oracle, and he doesn’t want to be left behind –he saw the King talking with the guides—And two: The oracle at Siwah is one of the oldest and most famous, not only here, but also in Greece.

 

Perdikkas puffed his cheeks out.

 

- Even so, I still think this trip its pointless –he insisted.

 

- Do you? After that miraculous rain now the men think Alexander is the favorite of the Gods –Hephaistion mocked him, trying his best to keep his skepticism at bay.

 

They had been marching for days. At some point, half way along the coast, they were intercepted by envoys from the people of Cyrene, very welcome envoys who brought Alexander a golden crown, one hundred of warhorses, and five magnificent four-horse chariots. The King made a treaty of friendship and alliance with them and so far, things had gone extremely good for them, until the water supplies became scarce. They were traveling with the Ile Basilike and the Agema, almost 2000 men without including the slaves servants, guides and interpreters, and for 4 days they suffered a fearful thirst, until a rain caught them by surprise, miraculously ending with their problems.

 

- Favorite of the Gods my ass –Perdikkas complained under his breath, making the General smile. 

 

- Did you hear? –asked Leonnatos, approaching his friends, the sun was raising on the horizon with promises of an intense heat—There is a sandstorm ahead of us.

 

- Great! Just what we need, more sand –Perdikkas complained.

 

- No, no, no, but this is not a common sandstorm –Leonnatos sat down in front of them, excited as a child who had heard a great tale—The guides said that this storm has been around the temple ever since the new high priest came to Siwah.

 

Hephaistion frowned.

 

- Are you telling me that the high priest created this sandstorm? –he asked, straight to the point.

 

- Exactly! –the General rolled his eyes—They say that this high priest has a especial power. 

 

- Right.

 

I don’t have to say that I don’t believe one word about this famous high priest, but, as things were he truly had especial abilities. Now, you must know that this world not only belong to mortals, but also to other creatures, creatures belonging to the world of darkness like us, the Children of Kaine, the Garou the ones you know as werewolves, the Wraiths, the Changelings as known as fairies, and of course, the wizards or mages.   

 

This man, the high priest was not only a true oracle, he was also a mage. When I was a mortal, I didn’t believe in seers, oracles and Gods, now I know there are true seers, dream gazers, one God, and all kind of supernatural creatures. But, at that time, nothing could have prepared me for what we found at the oasis of Siwah… 

 

- You look tired –said Alexander when Hephaistion approached him. The servants had prepared his tent and he was ready to make the most of the scarce hours of sleep, when his beloved walked to where he was.

 

- Not more than you –the General smiled. Every night since they had talked, the General had slept like a baby, no more nightmares or bad memories, it was as if he had been carrying a heavy burden but now, that burden was not only his, the King helped him and that made him feel much better.

 

- Are you staying with me?

 

- No, you know I don’t want the men talking about us.

 

- They already do that –Alexander smiled—Every man in my army knows that you are my beloved.

 

Yes, but that’s not such a good idea –thought Hephaistion. Last thing he wanted was people saying that he influenced the King and Pharaoh, especially now that he was 26 years old. Age was still a burden because, the older he was and the more important Alexander become, people would think he was looking for something, that he was only another ambitious creature after money and power—I should learn to stop paying attention to what other people say…

 

- We’ll have time to be alone when we go back –said the General and the King nodded slowly.

 

When night came, Alexander made everybody got up really early, he had been told that they were very close and could reach the Temple of Zeus-Ammon by dawn if they hurried.

 

- We’ll reach the Temple if that’s the will of the Gods –had said the guide through his interpreter.

 

- What does that mean? –asked Alexander with interest.

 

- The sandstorm never fades, and only those who are judged as worthy are led inside the Temple –the guide explained.

 

- Then, there will be no problem –as always the King’s confidence was overwhelming and, for a moment, the guide stared at him not know what to think, if he was indeed a God, because as Pharaoh he was the son of Ra, or just another fool full of himself.

 

The march started without delay, Hephaistion, riding always at Alexander’s right side, could hear Kleitos shouting orders behind them, keeping his men in formation. This time Achilles didn’t come, it was a march too harsh for a child, and he had been left behind with uncle Althaimenes; Krateros was in charge of the camp in the King’s absence and, even if the General didn’t like the idea of leaving his son alone with Philotas, he didn’t have other choice. How he missed Nikandros. Even Lysanias was here with them, serving as his page, his last days as a page.

 

Two months ago it had been Hephaistion’s 26 birthday, in a matter of weeks Lysanias would be 16 and therefore part of the Agema, no longer a page. This was one of the reasons why the General had insisted in bringing his younger brother with him, he had to start learning what were the duties of the Agema.   

 

They marched all night, and when the first sunrays illuminated the sad, making it look like gold, the sandstorm appeared in front of them. Hephaistion hadn’t seen many sandstorms but even he knew this wasn’t a normal one, it was hard to explain, but deep inside he knew he was witnessing something beyond his comprehension.

 

- What the hell is this? –exclaimed Leonnatos behind the General.

 

The guide stopped abruptly and the King ordered to halt.

 

- Sire, the guide says we can’t go any further –said the interpreter at once, running to Alexander’s side.

 

The King saw the sandstorm in front of him as an insurmountable wall that stood between him and his destiny, he could see no way to cross the storm, but he wasn’t willing to withdraw. For long moments he felt like one of the heroes of the legends he liked so much, like Perseus in front of the Gorgon or Herakles trying to capture Cerberus. Alexander felt his blood burning in anticipation, this was one of the things he had always dreamed, a true challenge from the Gods and to emerge victorious.

 

- We can’t just stay here –said the King after a long moment of silence. He pressed the flanks of his horse and advanced alone, for the total astonishment of his men and Hephaistion’s horror.

 

The General was ready to follow him, even if that meant going directly through that storm that looked capable enough of tearing his flesh with mortal efficiency, when 2 snakes appeared from no-where in front of Alexander. Ptolemy was the first one in seeing the snakes and he pointed at them catching the attention of the rest. “Alexander told his guides to trust in providence and follow them. This they did and the snakes led the way both, to the oracle and back again”(2)

 

The Temple appeared before them like an illusion, standing in the middle of a sandy desert and waterless waste, it was an oasis surrounded by nothing, rising proudly like a lighthouse in the middle of a dark night, watered by many fine springs. It was a remarkable contrast, this place with all kind of trees, even fruit trees, and a wonderful temperature, as if this sanctuary were built in other dimension, a small piece of paradise. And the surroundings with nothing to offer.

 

Even Hephaistion with all his skepticism had to admit that this wasn’t a common place, he advanced paying attention to every detail, it may be a heavenly place but appearances were deceiving and they could be heading into a trap. The soldiers around him didn’t bother in hiding their amazed when they put a step in the oasis, and their astonishment only increased while they approached the entrance. All the tiredness of the night was forgotten, and the need for food and sleep was replaced by curiosity and amazement.

 

Alexander gave the order for the men to rest, and he, with only a handful of guards and his trusted companions, approached the stairs of the temple. He didn’t want to lose time. A man was standing there, he wasn’t very tall and he was dressed in a simple and plain tunic but there was something about him that made the man especial.

 

- Welcome my son –said the high priest in Greek, when Alexander stood in front of him.

 

- I came…

 

- To seek answers –the high priest interrupted him for his companions’ shock—I know why you came here, and I knew when were you arriving, but, before you seek your answers, you need to prove your worth.

 

Before the King could answer him, the high priest turned and climb the steps back to the temple, as if nothing in the world could disturb him. Alexander followed him, and, for a moment, his companions exchanged glances not knowing if they should go after him or leave him alone to consult the oracle. Hephaistion shook his head and followed the King.

 

- Where are you going? –asked Leonnatos alarmed.

 

- Nobody said Alexander has to go alone, and I won’t let him alone in an unknown place, not even inside a temple –the General’s explanation was absolutely blasphemous, but nobody stopped him.

 

At end not only he, but also Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Ptolemy and Kleitos were climbing the stairs until they arrived to the inner chamber where “the image of the god was, encrusted with emeralds and other precious stones, and answered those who consult the oracle in a quite peculiar fashion. It was carried about upon a golden boat by eighty priests, and these, with the god on their shoulders, went without their own volition wherever the god directs their path. A multitude of girls and women followed them singing hymns as they went and praising the god in a traditional hymn” (3)

 

Hephaistion and the rest stopped abruptly finding this procession, and now, the General didn’t know what he was supposed to do, maybe it had been a bad idea to come if nobody had called him, but his instincts were telling him otherwise. Somehow, he knew he had to be there.

 

Behind him, Kleitos was moving uncomfortable, Leonnatos was slowly walking to the entrance, hoping that, with a little luck, nobody would noticed him, Perdikkas didn’t know what to do and Ptolemy watched fascinated the ceremony. So far everything he had seen about Egypt had marveled him, he used to spend hours at Memphis, wandering around or talking to the locals, and his adventures had taken him so far around the edge of the Nile that, one day, he had been almost eaten by a crocodile.

 

The Macedonians had never seen animals like this, and Ptolemy’s curiosity had almost cost him an arm.

 

Just when Hephaistion was seriously considering the possibility of leaving, the high priest spoke, and silence fell upon the chamber.

 

- Behind this door lies a dangerous path –those words caught the complete attention of the General. He had never in his life been in front of an oracle, but for what he had heard, it never was something “dangerous”—Many died attempting to succeed in this trial, others lose their mind –Hephaistion liked this even less—Only if you prove yourself you will obtain the answers you seek.

 

Alexander didn’t think it twice and he walked straight to the huge wooden door with reliefs, depicting various human forms beneath a towering figure representing Zeus-Ammon. The King stopped for a moment; the figures at the door seemed ready to move at any moment and that puzzled him. He felt like a fool for being afraid of a door and he was about to push it when the doors opened by its own. 

 

Hephaistion ran behind Alexander ignoring Kleitos’ shouts but, before he could reach him, the doors closed again. The General pushed them with all his forces for the outrage of the priests and the incredulous looks of the women, but he ignored them all. Only the high priest remained impassible. Kleitos and Ptolemy ran to stop the General, taking him by the arms, and they confirmed first hand how strong he was.

 

- Let me go!

 

- Are you out of your mind? –exclaimed Kleitos—This a sacred place not a tavern.

 

- Hephaistion, calm down, Alexander isn’t in any danger –Ptolemy tried to reassure him, but the General didn’t hear, he turned to look at the high priest and the man held his gaze.

 

- You said this was a dangerous trial, why did you say that? –Kleitos and Ptolemy released him, praying that he would keep his mouth shut because the rest of the priests around them didn’t look happy.

 

- Because every man who crosses that door has to face the most terrible enemy: himself –said the high priest.

 

- What lies behind that door? –Hephaistion demanded to know, ignoring Ptolemy’s gestures.

 

- Why do you want to know? –the high priest was like a father talking with his impertinent child.

 

- Because I swear to protect the King with my life…even from himself –the intensity in his voice left the chamber in silence. Only the General’s heavy breathing after struggling with his companions could be heard. 

 

The high priest nodded slowly.

 

- Anyone can pass through this door, but not anyone can come out –he said—If you want to follow your King you can do it, but beware, every man experiences different things –he pointed at the door—Crossing that door is to enter another world.

 

Yeah, whatever –thought Hephaistion, walking to the door, checking that his swords were on his back. 

 

- You can’t be serious –said Leonnatos, running at his brother-in-law’s side, with Perdikkas behind him.

 

- I haven’t been more serious in my whole life –said Hephaistion, his eyes fixed on the door, the figure of Zeus-Ammon appeared to be challenging him.

 

- But this is insane, this is a sacred place –said Perdikkas, trying to reason with him.

 

- You didn’t hear? Alexander is in danger, and if you want me to stay here waiting while he is risking his life you’ll have to kill me first –Perdikkas swallowed hard, when the General talked like that he was truly scary.

 

Hephaistion was going to kick the doors when they opened, again, by its own. He didn’t lose time looking for an explanation of this strange phenomenon and crossed the threshold. Ptolemy swore under his breath and followed him, but when the rest reacted the doors were closed again.

 

XXX

 

What lied on the other side was not what Hephaistion had imagined. He expected to find a room very similar to the previous one, high carved rock walls, simple floors and another image of Zeus-Ammon, but instead, he found a chamber with marble floors, so polished that seemed like mirrors, walls with several paintings, and two huge statues of several Greek hoplites surrounding an entry with a golden frame and a pronounced arc on the top.

 

- What the…? –the General turned and saw, to his astonishment that the door had disappeared. He frowned in disbelief, and pushed the wall behind him, but there were no trace of the door.

 

Nice trick –he thought nodding—Now, where is Alexander? He can’t be too far, for what I saw from outside this place is not that big.

 

He walked towards the entrance with the hoplites, determined not to leave without Alexander.

 

XXX

 

Ptolemy found himself inside a small chamber with a dome that let the sun illuminate the interior. The walls were covered with mirrors with golden frames, but not those polish pieces of metal he had seen in Thais bedroom; no, this were mirrors as he had never seen before, made of crystal and clear as the water.

 

- Hephaistion! –he called his companion, but only the echo answered him—Alexander! –he could hear his own voice pounding on the walls—Shit! –he turned and saw the door had disappeared and felt a cold shiver running down his spine—Where, in Zeus’ name, am I? 

 

The commander walked around the room, he couldn’t find an exited, this place was just walls covered with mirrors and the dome. He ran a hand through his hair and puffed out, when his own reflection caught his attention. Ptolemy walked to the mirrors and for the first time in his life he could see himself with all clarity, he smiled.

 

I’m not that bad –he thought pleased.

 

He turned around and made faces in front of the mirror, laughing like a little boy when he heard a noise.

 

- Whose there? –he asked, all his senses on alert and his hand on his sword.  

 

- Whom do you seek? –asked the high priest, or at least it looked like him, but the man in front of Ptolemy appeared to glow, with a tunic impossibly white and a strange aura surrounding him.

 

- I…I’m looking for the King –said Ptolemy, a little relief to see a familiar face. 

 

- He is right in front of you –the commander turned again and found his own reflection.

 

- That’s just…me –Ptolemy felt like a fool for pointing out the obvious.

 

- Exactly –said the high priest and the commander thought he was playing with him.

 

- Listen, I need to find the King and…

 

- As I said, he is in front of you –Ptolemy puffed out.

 

- That’s just a mirror! –the commander pointed at the reflection angrily but the high priest remained impassible.

 

- You don’t know what are you seeking Ptolemy son of Lagos, therefore you can’t find an answer –said the high priest—You are looking for the King, the Pharaoh of this sacred land of Egypt, you said.

 

- Yes!

 

- He is in front of you and you can’t see –he said again— You have eyes and yet you are blind.

 

The commander felt the high priest was driving him crazy.

 

XXX

 

Alexander was standing in the middle of a cave, a magnificent place with all the walls and ceiling carved with human figures, several torches were burning, illuminating the place entirely, held by several statues of pure gold. In front of him were several steps that lead to an altar, an empty altar surrounded by beautiful flowers but no deity to worship. 

 

- "Rejoice, son; take this form of address as from the god also" –said the high priest, also wearing an extremely white tunic, standing at one side of the altar.

 

- "I accept, father; for the future I shall be called thy son. But tell me if thou give me the rule of the whole earth" –asked the King at once. The high priest said nothing, so Alexander insisted— "The last, O spirit, of my questions now answer; have I punished all those who were the murderers of my father or have some escaped me?"

 

- "Silence!” –the high priest voice echoed in the cave—“There is no mortal who can plot against the one who begot him. All the murders of Philip, however, have been punished. The proof of his divine birth will resist in the greatness of his deeds; as formerly he has been undefeated, so now he will be unconquerable for all time"(4) –the King couldn’t be more please with this answer, and was going to express his gratitude when the high priest continue talking— You, my son, will be immortal –Alexander had to repress a smile—But your immortality will cost you, you’ll have to pay with the life of your dearest.

 

The King felt a knot in his stomach…the life of his dearest?

 

- What does this mean? –he asked, his mouth suddenly dry, but the high priest said no more and disappeared. 

 

In ancient days of Khem

A Pharaoh was praising

The sun above Amon

Osiris, Mother Isis and Thoth

Son of the Sun, it was his name

Son of the Sun, the sun will burn your wings

Son of the Sun, beware of Aton

Son of the Sun, your God will let you down

(Therion, Son of the Sun)

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion reach a the insides of a magnificent temple, but a Hellenic temple, with marble floors, huge statues of the Greek Gods carved in gold, high ceilings painted in a way he would have never even dream it was possible. He walked through room after room, one bigger than the last, but there was no trace of Alexander and he was starting to feel impatience.

 

He crossed endlessly corridors adorned with huge paintings, magnificent art pieces, but he didn’t stop to admire them, he needed to find Alexander but, for moments, he started to despair, until he saw the high priest, standing near the stair, dressed in a white tunic that appeared to glow. 

 

- Where is Alexander? –asked the General rudely, but he didn’t care, he was desperate and concerned.

 

- You will find him, but it will take time, many lifetimes, many years, many experiences…

 

- Save your cryptic bullshit –said Hephaistion—I don’t believe in these things.

 

- Not now, but one night you will –the high priest replied with patience. 

 

One night? –thought the General confused for the choice of words.

 

A bright light made Hephaistion closed his eyes, and, when he opened them again, he was once more at the chamber where the huge statue encrusted with emeralds and other precious stones was. Alexander and Ptolemy were again at his side, and looking as confused as he was.

 

For a moment, the General didn’t know where he was or what day it was, he needed a moment, and then, little by little, he started to remember everything. It was like waking up after a very long dream. Leonnatos was asking something but Hephaistion couldn’t hear him, it was if all the sounds around him had been silenced. Then, he heard the high priest’s words, he could hear again, and when he noticed, they were again with the rest of their escort and ready to rest before heading back. 

 

- What did the oracle say? –asked Perdikkas with curiosity.

 

- “I had been told what my heart desired”(5) –and that was all that Alexander said about the matter, and, despite his friends curiosity he said no more.

 

You will find him, but it will take time, many lifetimes…

 

Of course I didn’t understand one word, at that time, I just thought the high priest had played with me, that he had made some kind of trick to make me see that Hellenic temple…Alexander told me what he saw but many years later. That afternoon he was extremely silent and that worried me, he tried very hard to figure out what did the high priest words meant, but at the end he gave up.

 

I know I’m going to find my King, but it will take me time…

 

XXX

(1) Colleen McCullough. The October Horse, p 143

(2) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 152

(3) and (4) Diodorus Siculus book 17

(5) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 274