CHAPTER 124

 

Between Gaius Julius Caesar and Calvinus

46 BC on the road to Corduba

 

“This time next year, I’ll be on my way to Syria” said Caesar.

“Syria?”

“With Bassus occupying Apameia, Cornificius occupying Antioch, and Antistius Vetus on his way to govern and see what he can do to sort the mess out, the answer is obvious. The Parthians are bound to invade within two years. Therefore I must invade the Kingdom of the Parthians first. I have a desire to emulate Alexander the Great, conquer from Armenia to Bactria and Sogdiana, Gedrosia and Carmania to Mesopotamia, and throw India in for good measure” said Caesar calmly “[…] Civil wars cost money –money Rome doesn’t have! Money that I must find in the Kingdom of the Parthians!”(1)

 

One day to reach Babylon

 

- My scouts told me we’ll be at Babylon’s gates tomorrow –Alexander whispered against Hephaistion’s right arm. It was late at night; both were lying naked in the midst of blankets after long hours of passionate and slow lovemaking. The General was face down and the King resting on his side, sliding his lips over his beloved’s creamy skin, inhaling his scent, unable to stop feeling him, brushing his face against his arm and shoulder like a kitten. 

 

- And have you decided what to do with Mazaeus? –Hephaistion, his cheek resting on the pillow and his silky hair sliding through his back and shoulder, smiled; Alexander’s eyelashes tickled him.

 

- If he is telling the truth and he surrenders Babylon without a fight, then he can keep his post as satrap –the King ran his fingers up and down the arms length, delaying a little on his elbow—But I don’t want to take any chances, we’ll advance in battle formation and ready for an ambush, just in case. 

 

- Wise decision –the General sighed, he stretched lazily almost purring, feeling the sheets caressing his naked body under him.

 

- How is your arm? –asked Alexander concerned and his beloved laughed amused.

 

- And you ask this now? After “mounting” me like a stallion in heat –Hephaistion teased him. The King stopped kissing him, lifted his head and frowned.

 

- Don’t be vulgar, Phai –he said extremely serious and his General laughed.

 

- Since when you are so delicate? You, who have heard more vulgar things from the imaginative mouths of your soldiers –Hephaistion kissed his cheek slowly, almost savoring it.

 

- I don’t like when you describe our lovemaking this way –said Alexander and his beloved kissed the tip of his nose.

 

- Someone is in a loving mood tonight –Hephaistion looked for his lips, leaving a kiss before whispering—But answering your question, I’m much better now that I don’t have to use that wretched sling…couldn’t you tell? –he purred the words making the King blush, he remembered quite well what had his beloved done to him with both hands a few moments ago—I can ride now, just in time, don’t you think?

 

Alexander caressed his shoulder with his index finger.

 

- In time for what? –even if he had an idea of what Hephaistion meant he wanted to hear it.

 

- To be with you when we arrive at Babylon –the General explained, kissing his cheek again. 

 

- Phai… —the King didn’t know how to explain this, he knew his beloved would be angry after he heard what he had to say, then they would fight and ruin a perfect night, but... He sighed—Phai you can’t enter Babylon at my side.

 

- Why not? –the General’s voice lost every trace of loving sensuality and became cold and distant. He too had an idea of what was Alexander thinking, and the same as the King, knew this discussion wasn’t going to end well.

 

Alexander dropped on his back staring at the ceiling, but he could feel Hephaistion’s dark gray eyes on him.

 

- What if Mazaeus attack us when we reach the city –said the King after a moment, carefully choosing his words.

 

- What about it? You truly think I can’t defend myself? How many times have I saved your life on a battlefield? –Alexander puffed his cheeks; he knew this was going to happen. He turned to face his beloved.

 

- I know you feel better, doctor Philip told me you can ride… and I know you have been resting for 3 weeks –he raised his voice to interrupted Hephaistion when he was going to protest—But I don’t think you are well enough to fight in case Mazaeus attack us.

 

The General fell silent and brushed his hair back. To try to convince Alexander with words that he could fight was a waste of time, it would be easier to convince a rock of start marching, but he refused to stay behind with the baggage, even more knowing that it was possible that his King could be attacked. But then…what to do? 

 

- You are right –said Hephaistion and Alexander saw him as if he didn’t know who he was—You don’t know if I’m fit to fight, but, what if you knew I can fight?

 

The King held his gaze, his General had a plan but he had no idea of what exactly.

 

- If I knew you can fight –he sat, still holding his gaze—I would let you, of course. You are best warrior.

 

His beloved nodded, feeling a little tingle of pride hearing this.

 

- Then, why don’t find out by yourself? –Hephaistion challenged him, getting up. 

 

- You mean, you want to fight against me? –Alexander was starting to understand his plan.

 

- Yes, why do you sound so surprised? –the General looked for his clothes.

 

- Now? It’s midnight –his beloved couldn’t be serious.

 

- I would wait until tomorrow but tomorrow we’ll reach Babylon, so I don’t have much time, don’t you think? –Hephaistion got dressed and brushed his hair with his fingers.

 

The King took a moment to think about the proposal and nodded. He got up and looked for his clothes too.

 

- You win Phai, I’ll fight you but first I’ll establish the rules –said Alexander.

 

- Name them.

 

- If I win, you’ll stay with the baggage train and the rest of the wounded until I say otherwise –said the King in the same voice he used to command his army into battle.

 

- And if I win, I’ll ride at your side and go back to my duties as if I have never been wounded –said Hephaistion, crossing his arms over his chest. 

 

Alexander sat on the edge of the bed and tied his sandals. 

 

- You know what? Lets bet something else –said the King catching his beloved’s attention— If I win, you’ll also do as I say for a week –the General laughed amused. 

 

- Everything you say?

 

- Yes.

 

- You mean I would be like your slave –there was something in the way he pronounced the word “slave” that made Alexander’s body shudder.

 

- Exactly.

 

- A week? I don’t think so –Hephaistion shook his head—One day.

 

- Three.

 

- With one condition –said the General—If I win you’ll do the same, everything I say for 3 days.

 

- Done.

 

This is going to be fun –thought Hephaistion smiling.

 

They went outside under the puzzled expressions of the guards who had no idea what was happening. They were going to follow the King, but Alexander ordered them to stay, after all he was going out with his General, what more protection did he needed? It was a peaceful night, extremely dark but warm, and they couldn’t hear more sounds than the sentries walking around the place and the crackle of the flames of the several braziers around the camp.

 

Who would have thought that just 3 weeks ago this same camp was at the verge of a nervous break down, not knowing what Darius had prepared for them, waiting for them all at the plain of Gaugamela.

 

Alexander and Hephaistion found a solitary place near the King’s tent, lit by several torches and surrounded by several boxes. The guards were far enough and no one was sneaking around, it was perfect. 

 

- How are we going to decide who is the winner? –asked the General, holding his grandfather’s swords.

 

It took the King a moment to find the answer. He picked up a wooden stick lying next to the tent and drew a circle on the ground.

 

- The first one to step out off the circle loses the duel –said the King, throwing the stick. 

 

Hephaistion took a moment to inspect the circle and then nodded, slowly.

 

- Fine.

 

Alexander took his shield and drew his sword. He knew that in normal circumstances he would never be able to defeat his beloved, but Hephaistion was weak and still recovering, and, even if he feel bad for thinking like this, he would have to take advantage of his wound.

 

Besides, I have to demonstrate him that he has to rest –thought the King, trying to not smile thinking in all the things he would do with his beloved obeying ALL his orders, he could even ask to...all right he had to concentrate if he wanted to win. 

 

The General hefted the swords in his hands, his left arm still felt awkward, and even if he had been training in the morning to recover his strength as soon as possible, he couldn’t relied too much on it, not if he wanted to win the match. There Alexander had an advantage, because he was using a shield, but he could win and was going to prove it.

 

- Ready? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- Always –answered the confident King.

 

As the General expected Alexander attacked him first, it was easy enough to stop his blows his problem was to dodge the shield when the King tried to hit him. It didn’t took Alexander long to notice that his beloved wasn’t using his left arm, so he started pushing him on that side, successfully making Hephaistion lose ground. The King’s lips curved in a half smile; his victory was so close.

 

The General narrowed his eyes and just when his foot was reaching the line of the circle, he pushed Alexander with such force that the King lost his balance; Hephaistion took that opportunity to attack him, so fast that Alexander never knew how was that he ended laying on the ground outside the circle. 

 

- Really? You truly thought I wouldn’t notice that you were aiming at my left arm knowing that it’s my weak point? –from his position the King saw his beloved standing at his side. Both swords in his hands and a smile of self-sufficiency curving his lips.

 

Hephaistion nailed the swords to the ground and help Alexander to stand up.

 

- It was working –said the King in self-defense, making the General laugh.

 

- No sire, I was luring you –Alexander frowned.

 

- What do you mean?

 

- When I saw what you were doing I let you push me so you would grew confident and get tired first, then I counter attacked and… —Hephaistion patted his shoulder—You know the rest.

 

The King didn’t look happy.

 

- Fine.

 

- Don’t be a bad loser, Alex –the General whispered near his ear.

 

- I’m not –grumbled the King, all his twisted dreams of what he would do to Hephaistion had vanished like mist.

 

- So, I’ll be riding at your side tomorrow –the General picked up the swords.

 

- Yes –the answered came through clenched teeth.

 

- And you’ll obey me for 3 days –that was like a slap. He? The Great Alexander obeying orders like a slave? 

 

Silence. Oh! how was Hephaistion enjoying this.

 

- I will –said the King at last, lifting his chin proudly—Starting tomorrow? 

 

- Starting as soon as we are inside Babylon.

 

XXX

 

The army advanced next day in battle formation, 2 columns of infantry troops flanked by the cavalry, the baggage train at the end, guarded by 3 squadrons, and the King with the Ile Basilike at the front. Alexander kept his promise and Hephaistion rode at his side, watching at the distance the walls of a city almost 2 millennia old.

 

The General held his breath as they approached, this region, between the Tigris and Euphrates, had been the birth place of civilization, Babylon was older than all the Greek cities together, the ancestors of these people were the first ones in having words, the first ones in having Kings, the first ones in everything…

 

And who were they? They came from a small kingdom that people used to think it was part of Greece, so insignificant and so poor, until a few years ago, that nobody knew its name. And now they, who had not an illustrious history behind them, dared to stand before the proud city of Hammurabi, the first King of the Babylonian Empire established almost 2000 years in the past, a place much older than the Achaemenid Empire, a city that was already here before Achilles challenged Hektor at Troy.

 

Long before Cyrus the Great started his campaign to dominate these lands, Sargon of Akkad had created the first Empire of the world, here. This place, where once stood Mesopotamia, was a place full with history, a history older than Egypt and for a moment the General felt overwhelmed.

 

Hephaistion closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. He hoped his hunch was correct and Mazaeus surrendered the city without a fight because he didn’t fancy the idea of besieging Babylon, just like the Assyrian King Sennacherib had done almost one thousand years ago, destroying the city amidst a cruel display of power and fury, only to be rebuilt by his son years later. 

 

He surveyed the magnificent view in front of them and a question raised inside him: What right did they have to be there? The right of conquest of course, but, were they truly worthy of ruling over people with such a long past? They were about to enter the once capital of the known world, but, what do they had to offer them? Knowledge? A more advanced civilization? Hephaistion shook his head, he shouldn’t be thinking about this. 

 

Soon they were a few paces from the Ishtar gate, one of the eight entrances of the city, built by the orders of King Nebuchadnezzar II 300 years in the past. An impressive sight decorated with colored glazed brick reliefs, in tiers, of dragons and bulls, symbolizing the gods Marduk and Adad. The images were now more clearly and still there was no sign of Mazaeus.

 

Hephaistion took the reins of his horse with force. Apparently they would have to fight their way into the city. He turned to look at Alexander, he was calmed but determined and the way in which he saw the city before them told the General that he was ready to do whatever it took to submit Babylon.

 

Hephaistion could sense his companions uneasiness around him, they all were nervous and neither fancy the idea to besiege the city, but, the same as their King they were ready for anything. Just when Alexander was going to open his mouth and shout his attack orders, the Ishtar gate opened. The General took his hand to the hilt of his sword when he realized that it wasn’t an army, not even armed men the ones coming out from Babylon.

 

They heard music, trumpets and cymbals, and saw a procession of the chief citizens of Babylon followed by “a motley collection of livestock as gift-offerings: not only horses and cattle, but also caged lions and leopards”(1) Hephaistion opened his eyes in astonishment seeing also a group of chanting priests followed by several magnificent squadrons of the Great King’s household cavalry, and at the front of all of them was Mazaeus, his older son a little behind him.

 

Alexander gave the order to stop. He approached Mazaeus, followed by his somatophylakes, and of course Hephaistion went with him, ready to act in case the satrap of Babylon try to do something.

 

I was feeling unease but Mazaeus proved to be the man of honor I thought he was, he kept his word and surrendered the city without a fight, even more, he greeted Alexander as if he were the Great King, kissing his finger tips and blowing a kiss to him. All our fears disappeared and then, Alexander mounted a chariot and gave orders for the rest of us to form the army into columns.

 

You could say that Alexander had his own “Triumph” on the streets of Babylon, and as we passed under the Ishtar gate, I saw the inscription left there by King Nebuchadnezzar II, I couldn’t understand it, but I felt as if that inscription had eyes, as if the King’s spirit were there passing judgment over us all.

 

The people cheered my King, threw flowers along the processional way, which led to the Babylonian temples and shrines, all of them burning rich spices in his honor. We passed in front of the place where once stood the proud temple known as the Ziggurat, a sign of power and wealth of the Babylonian Kings destroyed by the orders of Cyrus the Great never to be built again.

 

Ironically how these people greeted my King as a savior, just like their ancestors did when they received Cyrus the Great, would the day come when they regretted having embraced Alexander like this? I kept thinking this while we advanced into the city. Around me were the smiling faces of my companions and friends, the surprised eyes of the soldiers surveying the riches and luxuries of this ancient place, Achilles’ happy expression when Alexander called him to ride at his side…but all of that was alien to me.

 

I don’t know how to explain it to you but…I had a bad feeling, too many things changing too fast. From overnight Alexander had passed of being King of a small place called Macedonia to sit on the throne of Hammurabi, a throne thousands of years old. Did I suspect that years later my King was going to die here? I had no idea, but still…I never really liked that place.

 

This shining city built of gold, a far cry from innocence,

There's more than meets the eye round here, look to the waters of the deep.

There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head.

Symbolic woman sits on his throne, but hatred strips her and leaves her naked.

She's a dwelling place for demons.

She's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird

and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.

Fallen now is Babylon the Great.

(Avenged Sevenfold, the Beast and the Harlot)

 

Alexander took possession of the magnificent palace that had been Darius’ home for months before the battle of Gaugamela and his high ranking officers and friends were welcomed by the “eager to please” wealthiest citizens who immediately saw that their guests had, literarily, everything they wanted. 

 

Leonnatos couldn’t stop smiling, finally he was going to be able to do what Meleager had said before Gaugamela, to treat his wife like a Queen, and the first step was the magnificent house in which they were staying. It was like a palace full with servants and Berenike wouldn’t have to work or suffered hardships, she would have all the food she wanted, cloths, jewels…whatever she could think of would be hers, and that had Leonnatos in a great mood.

 

Achilles, whom the Babylonians truly thought was Alexander’s biological son, would be staying at the palace with the King, and Hephaistion was ready to go with one of the Babylonian nobles when Alexander sent word that he was going to stay in the palace too.

 

- I don’t like this –said the General to his brother and Nikandros saw him as if he were nuts.

 

- What part you don’t like? The part where you are staying at a magnificent palace full with servants eager to please each and every one of your wishes? Or the part where you are going to be living like the Great King himself? –Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out.

 

- The part where everybody is going to know that Alexander favors me –Nikandros saw him utterly confused. 

 

- And why is that bad?

 

- Because it doesn’t help Alexander to let everybody know I’m his lover and that he spoils me –said Hephaistion.  

 

- Why not?

 

- One: because we are not boys any more –the General listed with his fingers—Alexander is not married and people are going to start talking. Two: People are going to think that I manipulate Alexander, and there is nothing worst for a King than to have his subjects thinking he is weak enough to need his lover at his side telling him what to do, and…

 

- And three: you worry too much –Nikandros interrupted him, laughing softly—Honestly Phai you should write plays or something, you have a crazy imagination –he patted his shoulder—Stop worrying, if your lover wants you here then shut up and enjoy it.

 

The General sighed; maybe his brother was right and he did worry too much.

 

- Sometimes I think that you should be the one dating Alex –his older brother laughed.

 

- Can you imagine that? I would be the richest man of Macedonia…no wait, of all Persia –Nikandros smiled, imagining that. 

 

Hephaistion shook his head.

 

- Where are you staying? –he asked, changing the subject.

 

- At a beautiful house not too far from here –said his older brother smiling—I have great plans for tonight; your eunuch told me many things about this city and I’m planning to see if he told me the truth.

 

Hephaistion frowned.

 

- Since when do you talk to Yarsa?

 

- Since he is helping me with Vashti, she doesn’t speak a word of Greek and sometimes I have no idea of what she wants –Nikandros explained. He patted his shoulder again—I’m going; health to you, Phai!

 

Hephaistion saw his brother leaving from the palace entrance. He sighed and lifted his head to see this magnificent building that appeared to be the house of some god instead of the residence of a mortal man. How he wished he could see life as Nikandros, nothing worried him and things were always so simple for him. He walked inside aimlessly, he knew all his friends, companions and subordinates were having the time of their lives at the city but he wanted to do nothing.

 

The palace at Babylon was huge, through the years it had been destroyed, rebuilt, remodeled, expanded and refurbished, until it became the masterpiece it was now. The General wanted to be alone, he wanted a moment of peace to think about his tumultuous present and his uncertain future, and he sat down on a huge window frame in the most solitary hallway he could find.  

 

He had a privilege view of the city and the soft warm air of that afternoon helped him to relax. Alexander was busy with Mazaeus, and other important Persian and Babylonian nobles and he probably wasn’t going to see him until next day...and that if he was lucky. Maybe he had lied to his brother, he didn’t want to be at the palace because he didn’t want to remember that he was so close and so far from his dear King; it had been so long since the last time he felt like this…when had it been? When Alexander was crowned King after his father’s murdered, then he had felt as if he were losing his “Alex”.

 

Now it was worst, he was truly becoming the Great King, the master of millions of souls, the richest and most powerful man on the planet. Hephaistion knew he had nothing to fear, Alexander would always be his “Alex” but…knowing was one thing, feeling was a completely different one. He was never jealous of Alexander, never afraid that King would change him for someone else, no, he wasn’t jealous of another person but he felt jealous of Alexander’s power, he didn’t want to share him with his army, his subjects, his kingdom, he wanted him just for himself…

 

The General shook his head; now he was being childish, he just needed time to get use to the new status of his King…but it was so difficult. Sometimes he felt he was going crazy, he wanted Alexander to fulfill his dreams, he knew the King belong to no one, his own person, but it was so difficult to accept this when the only thing he wanted was to be his owner. When had he started to think like this? 

 

I should just probably get drunk and forget about this –he thought when a little silhouette caught his attention.

 

- Where have you been? –asked Hephaistion, watching Achilles walking on the hallway. It was late, how long had he been there, just staring at the city? Judging by the orange light of the sun announcing the arrival of the night, hours, but for him had just been minutes. 

 

- I was with Cyrus at the city –the boy reached him, and sat down at his side on the window frame—It’s huge! And very beautiful. His family is very happy to be back, Cyrus says they used to spend winters in Babylon and professor Bahman said he had a grand nephew that lives here…Is dad really going to rule over it?

 

The General smiled.

 

- Yes, Aki –he said—Alexander is now becoming the Great King.  

 

- But Darius is still alive –said Achilles a little confused. 

 

- Yes, but he lost his kingdom in the last battle when he ran away –Achilles kept silent for a moment and then he nodded, accepting this explanation.

 

- What is going to happen to Cyrus and his family?

 

- Nothing, they will continue to live with all the privileges of the royal family but…–Hephaistion made a pause thinking how to explain this— Cyrus would never be Great King.

 

- I’ll be Great King one day –that wasn’t a question and the statement caught the General’s attention.

 

- Yes, where did you hear that? –had Alexander been talking to him again?

 

- Nowhere –he shook his head—I know it, besides, people did funny things when they saw me at the city –the boy explained—Cyrus said that Persians bow or kneel like that in front of the Crown Prince…he was sad, I think, when people did that to me.

 

- I can imagine –Hephaistion caressed his son’s head—Things have change too fast and too much in a matter of days and your friend is going to have a hard time getting use to this new…regime.

 

- Daddy, I want to ask you something –the seriousness in the child’s voice took the General aback.

 

- Of course, about what?

 

- About my mother –Hephaistion held his breath. He knew this day would come and he thought he would be ready to answer his son’s questions but now, he found how wrong and lost he was.

 

- What do you want to know? –he would have to do this sooner or later and he preferred to deal with this now.

 

- Everything. I don’t even know what’s her name, where does she live? Is she your wife? Why I haven’t met her? Is she dead? How does she look like? How old is she? –Achilles was like an overflowing stream, and the General had to take a deep breath to arrange his thoughts and answer the best way he could. How was that questions as simple as these had such complicated answers?

 

First things first –he thought, watching those innocent, uneven and expectant eyes on him. 

 

- Your mother’s name is Cleopatra –he said at last—She is the King’s full sister and she lives in Epirus, she is almost 3 years younger than me…—he made a pause, very few times he had been this nervous and he brushed his hair behind his ear—Cleopatra is the Queen of Epirus, last time I saw her was almost 7 years ago, but she was a very beautiful woman of long red hair and intense blue eyes. 

 

- Are you two married? –the Prince wanted to know, remembering his conversation with Cyrus the night before the battle of Gaugamela.

 

- No Aki, she was married to the King of Epirus, the late King Alexandros –Achilles looked puzzled, he fell silent for a long moment and Hephaistion knew that now it came the hardest part of the interrogation.

 

- She didn’t want me because I’m a bastard –again it wasn’t a question, it was a fact and something the General hadn’t expected.

 

- Who told you that? –he leaned to the front, surprised and angry. He would kill the motherless dog who had said such things to his son, but who had been? Philotas? Krateros? Eumenes? They hated him and were coward enough to do something like this.

 

- Nobody, it’s obvious –said the boy crestfallen—I don’t remember my mother, but I remember an old couple in a farm, also I remember Agape and Nanny. I have never met my mother and if she isn’t your wife that makes me a bastard and people don’t like bastards –for a moment Hephaistion watched him as if he didn’t know the boy—I hear it all the time at the camp “you damn bastards” “move lazy bastards.” 

 

- Aki, you are not a bastard –Achilles looked at him—Your uncle adopted you and you are now a Prince –he took the boy by the shoulder— If that’s what is bothering you forget it, you are the Crown Prince of Macedonia and now also of the Persian Empire –he pinched his son’s nose making him smile. 

 

- Daddy?

 

- Yes, son.

 

- I want to meet my mother –this afternoon was full of surprises, and Hephaistion found himself not knowing what to do.

 

He knew that Achilles had the right to meet his mother, but, on the other hand, they were talking about the same woman who had tried to kill him. The General was sure that Cleopatra wasn’t going to harm him because, as she had let Alexander know in her letters, now that King Alexandros was dead, no one was threatening her and she and Olympias wanted badly to influence the next Macedonian King. 

 

There were many political complications and, at a more personal level, he didn’t want to let Achilles alone with Cleopatra, but he couldn’t refuse.

 

- We’ll have to ask the King –he said after a long pause and the Prince nodded.

 

XXX

 

- Absolutely no! –exclaimed Alexander.

 

They were alone in the magnificent bedroom of the Great King. After a very long day the King was exhausted; he had hoped to spend a peaceful night in his beloved’s arms, to lose himself in his warm when Hephaistion told him about his conversation with Achilles.   

 

The General knew this was going to happen, he truly didn’t want to overwhelm the King with this kind of problems, even less knowing he had more important things to attend, but he had to tell Alexander.

 

- Alex, Aki has the right to meet his mother –said Hephaistion, watching the King pacing around furiously.

 

- And send him alone to Epirus? –the King raised his voice, the silky fabric of his clothes dancing behind him at each pace. He was dressed in one of Darius’ clothes, too big for him, but that didn’t bother the new Great King—Never! He would be at my mother’s mercy and only the Gods know what she can do.

 

The General sat down on the bed, an impossibly soft bed covered with delicious blankets of beautiful colors embroidered in gold and pearls; and crossed his leg, resting his ankle on his knee. He knew why Alexander reacted like this, why he had been so angry when he received Reah at Tyre with Cleopatra’s letter, asking him to send Achilles back to Macedonia.

 

The King truly loved Achilles and since the boy didn’t have a mother, he could easily pretend the Prince was his and Hephaistion’s son. But, with Cleopatra in Achilles’ life there was no room for him…or at least that’s how the General thought he felt. 

 

- Alex, I understand that this situation is much more complicated than the sole “a boy wants to meet his mother” –said Hephaistion with all calm—I know here are many political complications, but Aki wants to meet Cleopatra.

 

- Why? Did you tell him my sister wanted to kill him? –the King turned to look at him.

 

- Would you tell that to a 6 years old boy? –Alexander snorted—I don’t like this more than you do, but if your final word is no, then you’ll have to explain this to Aki. 

 

The King stopped pacing.

 

- Fine.

 

They fell silent.

 

- How was your day? –asked the General, changing the subject.

 

- Not bad –the King rubbed his eyes—I’ll leave Mazaeus in his post, he knows the city, he has the connections to keep things functioning, even his wife is Babylonian and you know I can’t claim to be a legitimate Great King without the support of the Persian aristocracy, and having Mazaeus on my side would be of great help, but…

 

- Let me guess, Parmelio and your father’s old officers won’t be happy with these news –said Hephaistion and the King sighed.   

 

- No they won’t, but I know this is the right thing to do –his beloved nodded.

 

- I also think you are right –Alexander didn’t answer but he was very grateful knowing he had his General support.

 

They fell silent again, until a mischievous smile adorned Hephaistion’s beautiful face.

 

- Aren’t you forgetting something, sire?

 

Alexander looked at him with a blank expression.

 

- What? –he asked, absolutely clueless.

 

- So –the General cocked his head, his weight resting on his hands behind him—You conveniently forgot our deal.

 

Realization struck the King in that moment and his face changed completely. Of course! The deal, effective immediately after they entered Babylon, and here they were. In a moment all his rage and tiredness had disappeared and now he felt a slightly tickling of excitement wondering what had Hephaistion in mind.   

 

- I suppose you are counting this day as the first day of our deal –said the King and his beloved nodded—So…what do you want me to do? –he felt so weird asking that but at the same time he was expectant. 

 

The General took his index finger to his lips, thinking for a moment.

 

- I want you to be nice with Aki about his mother –he said in a soft voice and the King looked…disappointed? Yes, that was the word.

 

- And…that’s all? –Hephaistion frowned, what did he mean by that?

 

- Well, there is other thing I want but…I guess it’s not possible –Alexander felt his heart beating faster.

 

- We have a deal, I promised to do whatever you want so just ask –his General smiled.

 

- Are you sure? Because I really don’t think…

 

- By all the Gods, Phai! Just name it, what do you want?

 

Hephaistion brushed his hair back and saw the wall with a breath taking painting showing a forest.

 

- I want to spend one day with you –the King looked at him confused—I know you are extremely busy but I…—his beloved sighed—I really want to have you all for myself.

 

They felt silent for a moment. Alexander closed the distance between them, took his hands and kissed them with devotion, as one did in front of an altar.

 

- Of course, Phai –he said in a sweet loving voice—Whatever you want, but I don’t think I can do it tomorrow. I gave you my word of obeying you for 3 days, but it doesn’t mean they have to be consecutive…next week is fine with you?  

 

Hephaistion laughed happily and kissed him. He felt like an idiot for feeling jealous and sad that afternoon, now he knew he would always have his “Alex” with him. 

 

XXX

(1) Colleen McCullough. The October Horse, p 371 and 372

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 303