CHAPTER 126

 

Between Gaius Julius Caear and Lucius Pinarius

44 BC Rome

 

“No such empire has ever existed before; even Alexander’s empire was not as far-flung. And of course, upon his death, the lands Alexander conquered did not remain unified but were divided among his heirs, with a great deal of confusion and bloodshed. Alexander’s general Ptolemy did the best, when he took Egypt; Queen Cleopatra is his direct descendent. But what will happen to Roma’s empire when I die, Lucius? Will it be a single kingdom with a single ruler? Will it be carefully divided into many kingdoms, all closely allied? Or will it be splintered into rival kingdoms? (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Kleitos was still grumbling angrily when they reached the street. He swore he would kill Hephaistion if this wasn’t important, who the hell came in the middle of the night looking for him at a brother? He turned to look at Netikerty and nodded slowly, a beautiful girl no doubt the General had good taste, but he had no idea that he liked them so skinny.

 

As soon as the night’s cold air hit the Egyptian’s face she started to thank mother Isis. She felt better now, leaving behind that…place, and once again she thanked all her Gods for blessing her with a decent family like her mistress’…If only her mistress stop being so reckless. 

 

- Where is he? –asked Kleitos in a foul mood, turning his head to both sides of the street.

 

- There! –when the hipparch turned, following the Egyptian’s finger, he found Berenike, sitting on the steps of a house nearby the brothel.

 

He stopped and all his anger disappeared. Kleitos had always thought that Berenike was very beautiful but now, watching her there, with her blue-black hair falling over her shoulders and her face paled in the darkness, he thought she was a goddess. Berenike stood up, her stomach was huge, but that somehow made her looked sweet, fragile and innocent, increasing her allurement.

 

- Joy to you! –Berenike spoke first not knowing what else to say—I’m sorry if I interrupted something, but I really need to talk to you. 

 

- Of course –he sat at her side and Netikerty disappeared, to give them privacy.

 

XXX

 

Leonnatos came back with Amyntas after a very long afternoon training. He only wished to take a bath and lay at his wife’s side, enjoying a peaceful night when he was told that Berenike had gone to the palace. He didn’t thought it was something out of the ordinary, after all his brother and nephew were there, but since it was late, and he didn’t trusted the hundreds of soldiers wandering through the city at those hours with too much money and very few restrain, he decided to look for his wife and escort her back home.

 

Leonnatos couldn’t be more grateful with Alexander for letting them stay at Babylon. Finally his family could rest after years traveling with the baggage train and the camp followers; he had heard that after Babylon they would stop at Susa, another big and rich city, and he had welcomed this news with a big smile.

 

Before he noticed he had reached the palace surroundings, he could see several guards around the place, Macedonian guards of course, and he was heading inside when someone shouted his name.

 

- Leon! –it was Perdikkas, a very tipsy Perdikkas followed by a no less tipsy Meleager—Leon, you dog! Why you didn’t tell us you were going to the brothel? 

 

Leonnatos looked at them with a blank expression.

 

- I was going to ask if you were drunk, but that’s a little too obvious –both taxiarchs laughed like idiots. 

 

- No, no –Perdikkas took a deep breath, swaying slightly from side to side—I mean, why did you send Nety to the brothel?

 

- Nety? –what was Perdikkas talking about?—Nety, my wife’s Nety?

 

- Yes, I saw her at the brother when we were leaving –his friend explained—I supposed you have sent her there…Or what? You need money now and and sent your slave to work there? –Meleager laughed, celebrating his joke. 

 

- Why would I…? Are you sure? –now Leonnatos was intrigued.

 

- Yes, I’m not that drunk –Perdikkas defended himself, shaking his index before his eyes.

 

There he has a point –thought Leonnatos; he had seen Perdikkas really drunk and comparing that Perdikkas to this one, his friend was sober. But, why would be Netikerty at a brothel? She was with his wife according to the servants of the house, but his wife was at the palace, right? He had a hunch, and that hunch was the one that made him ask… 

 

- Which brothel?

 

He had always trusted Berenike but he knew something was wrong with her for sometime now, at first Leonnatos thought it was because of her pregnancy but now he wasn’t that sure. His inner cricket told him it would be a good idea to go to the brothel and so he did.

 

XXX

 

- You wanted to see me, Peris? –asked Xsayarsa, arriving at Hephaistion’s room.

 

He was as happy as the General had never seen him before, dressed in magnificent cloths, his hair perfectly combed, and wearing all his jewels and make up. Clearly the city was a better environment for him than a military camp, and not only that, he had been able to meet again with his friends and other eunuchs who had stayed behind at the palace.

 

There was nothing as good long hours of gossip to make Xsayarsa feel better.

 

- Yes, I need to talk to you –the General showed him a chair at his side and the eunuch sat down—By the way, you look great Yarsa –he said to gain time while he arranged his thoughts. 

  

- I look great? –Xsayarsa raised an eyebrow—I always look great, just on special occasions I look dashing –he said in his horrible Greek—Besides I like Babylon, here you can find absolutely everything you can imagine, I had a great time here when I was younger. Once I remember coming with the Great King Artaxerxes Ochus and…

 

- Yarsa, I’m sure it’s a very interesting story but I called you because, I…er…need your help –said Hephaistion a little nervous, catching the eunuch attention.

 

- Oh! Well, well –Xsayarsa leaned back on his chair with air of self-sufficiency. The General was starting to regret this—What do you need? Because I don’t have to remind you that I was the provider of his previous majesty, and I assure you, I can get ANYTHING you want, especially here.

 

Definitely this wasn’t a good idea, but…I’m already here so…what the hell? –thought Hephaistion.

 

- I made a bet with Alexander –he said, going straight to the point—I won and now he is going to do whatever I want for 2 days.

 

The General made an effort to not laugh when he saw the eunuch expression of utterly astonishment. Hephaistion was sure that, if he had said to the Persian that cows could fly, he wouldn’t have been this surprised.

 

- You…really? But Peris, do you have any idea of what this means? The Barbarian King is now the Great King…You-you can ask for ANYTHING! –exclaimed Xsayarsa with his high-pitched voice. His head spinning with all the things that the General, HIS patron, could ask, he had heard stories of Great King who had given wonderful gifts to their favorites, but this? He was going to faint. 

 

- Yarsa, don’t get too excited, I’m not going to ask for half of the kingdom or something like that, but…—Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out—The first thing I asked was for Alexander to be nice with Aki and he….He looked disappointed –the eunuch smiled, in that particular way that said “I know something that you don’t”— I think he was expecting me to ask for something more, but I don’t have a clue of what to ask for him.

 

The Persian took a moment to think this, gathering all the information he had about Alexander, what Hephaistion said and what he had observed. He was good at this, knowing what people wanted and was determined to sever his patron in the best way he could.

 

- Mm…Your problem is that you are too noble –said Xsayarsa at last, like a doctor giving a diagnosis—But for what I have seen of the Barbarian King I may have an idea of what he wants.

 

- Really? –the General wasn’t too sure about this, but he was willing to hear what the eunuch had to say.

 

Better than nothing –he thought.

 

- Let’s pretend for a moment that you are the Barbarian King and he is your General –said Xsayarsa and Hephaistion smiled, it was a curious idea—You are the wise and diplomat King and he is your brilliant General, conquering lands for you, always faithful, madly in love with his King, and eager to please you. What would you ask for him?

 

- I don’t know –Hephaistion threw his hand in the air.

 

- Don’t give me that crap, Peris –said the eunuch, frowning, but when he noticed he was doing this, he relax his face and rubbed his forehead—No, no, no I can’t afford more wrinkles on my beautiful face –the General blinked in utterly confusion— Oh Ahura Mazda, give patience! –he raised his eyes and hands to the sky—Think! Have you ever imagine him dress in a particular way? Or doing something you have always wanted him to do?

 

- I don’t have time to be thinking in…—he stopped abruptly. It was as if the eunuch had lit a light inside his head, and a mischievous smile curved his lips— You know, I think now I have an idea of what to do.

 

- Really?

 

- Oh, yes, but I’ll need your help –now it was Xsayarsa’s turn to blink in confusion—And Kyros too. 

 

- What are you thinking? –asked the eunuch intrigued.

 

- You’ll see soon enough, tomorrow is the day Alexander promised he is going to spend with me –Hephaistion explained—So, we don’t have much time. I’ll need you to fetch some things for me and I need them ready in the morning.

 

- No problem, just name them –the General was going to open his mouth when the door opened and Achilles appeared.

 

- Daddy, daddy, guess what? I have a new pet –said the overexcited boy.

 

Not again –thought Hephaistion, and judging by Xsayarsa’ expression he was thinking the same thing.

 

- What is it now? A stray goat? Or did you rescue an ostrich before the cooks prepare him for our meal? –but his answer appeared behind his son, and he saw without believing his eyes a baby Cheetah, who didn’t look too happy after spending all day with an boy in a happiness rampage—Where did you get that? –the General stood up and walked to him.  

 

- The satrap Mazaeus gave him to me…Dad said I can keep him –Achilles added quickly when he saw his father frowning. 

 

- He said that, didn’t he? –Hephaistion sighed and one look to his son’s eyes told him that now it was impossible to take the Cheetah away—Fine, whatever, but isn’t he dangerous?

 

- Dad asked the same thing and the satrap said he is trained –the Prince explained, but his father didn’t look convinced—I ask professor Bahman to help me to find a name, and he also told me that the only big cats you can tame are Cheetahs and Pumas. 

 

- Peris, if I may say something –said Xsayarsa, walking towards them—I have seen Great Kings and Persian nobles with Cheetahs as pets, they just have to be trained and they are not very dangerous.

 

- Very dangerous? –he didn’t like this but there was nothing to do now. Hephaistion looked at the Cheetah, the feline yawned and rested his head on his front legs.

 

He truly hoped he was trained or he would kill Mazaeus with his bare hands.

 

XXX

 

Outside the brothel a heavy silence fell upon Kleitos and Berenike. A very long and uncomfortable silence, where the only sounds they could hear were the ones coming from the pleasure house, voices from inside the nearby houses or the occasional cricket.

 

- So, how are you? Besides huge –said Kleitos at last, making her smile.

 

- I would like to say fine, but I’m not –Berenike sighed—Listen, I…I don’t know how to say this but…I’m sorry –now the hipparch was confused—I have been avoiding you and that’s not right.

 

- Why are you here? –asked the always direct hipparch.

 

- I came here to tell you that…—she pressed her hands together on her lap—I won’t see you anymore, not like you want. I’m sorry, but…I love Leon and this not fair to him, he is always so sweet and I…I’m a horrible wife –she made a pause, still not looking at him—I like you…a lot –she blushed— But I don’t love you and I think its time that I stop doing what I want and I do what I must –she lifted her head to look at him—I know you don’t believe me, but I have this…hunch that Leon is the father of my child, don’t ask me how, I just know, but…

 

- But what if he is not? –Kleitos interrupted her and Berenike held his gaze.

 

- Why don’t you ask me what you really want? –she challenged him. She knew what he wanted but was tired of pretend that she didn’t know about his feelings.

 

- Fair enough –the hipparch rested his elbow on his thighs— If you have my child I want to marry you –she shook her head.

 

- I can’t.

 

- Why not? I’ll provide you –he said with an intensity that took her aback—I don’t want to change you, and as I said once, I won’t ask for you to be a “perfect” wife. Do you want to serve in the army as an archer? Its fine with me. Do you want to have more freedom, do as you like? You could do whatever you want. I don’t want to be your father, Eni. 

 

That was what Berenike would have loved to hear from Leonnatos’ lips, not from Kleitos.

 

- And what about my children? –asked Berenike very serious—Do you truly think I can marry you and forget about my children? –the hipparch said nothing—This is more complicated than you think. What would my mom say? My brothers? 

 

Kleitos took her hands suddenly and held her gaze.

 

- Forget about everything else, if Leonnatos didn’t exist, would you marry me?

 

- No –she said calmly—Kleitos think what you are asking me. You are the worst husband a woman could ask for: you drink more than the average which is to say a lot, gamble more than what is reasonable, you are a womanizer, you are almost 20 years older than me…and I don’t love you.

 

- But you could learn to –even the hipparch knew that was going to far, he had never begged a woman and wouldn’t start now. They both fell silent. Berenike wanted to disappear, things had gone too far and only now she understood the severity of her actions.

 

- I…

 

- Fine, do as you want –Kleitos released her hands and stood up. He didn’t say good-bye, not even looked at her one last time, and left her alone on the stairs.

 

It was better this way –thought Berenike, but she didn’t feel better. She knew the hipparch loved her, even if she didn’t want to believe it at first, after all Kleitos looked like the kind of man that only loved himself, and she had played with him—I’m a horrible person, Alexander should put me in jail.

 

Netikerty came and helped her to stand up.

 

- How are you? –asked the Egyptian concerned.

 

- Don’t ask me now –her mistress took her arm—I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.

 

Netikerty nodded and they walked back home. It was pretty late, but in those moments the only thing in Berenike’s mind was her conversation with Kleitos, she didn’t pay attention to the city or the possible dangers that 2 women alone in the dark could encounter, and certainly didn’t think in what to say when she arrived home at that hour, the hipparch’s words were still echoing in her head when...

 

- When were you planning to tell me that you have slept with Kleitos? –Berenike felt her heart was going to stop when she turned and found Leonnatos standing there, hidden in the shadows just paces from where she had been talking to the hipparch.

 

It was too much and she passed out.

 

XXX

 

When Berenike started to wake up she thought she had been dreaming, a nightmare where Leonnatos found out about her affair with Kleitos. But, when she opened her eyes, finding herself lying on a bed and her husband sitting at her side with such a serious expression on his face, as if someone had died, she knew it wasn’t a dream.

 

- How are you feeling? –asked Leonnatos in a tone of voice that chilled her blood.

 

- F-fine…Leon I…—but her husband raised his hand to stop her.

 

- Berenike, I have been extremely patient with you –he said in a cold calm that scared her—I’m not saying I’m the perfect husband but so far I have always tried to please you.

 

- I know Leon, I know –she sat—And you have been wonderful to me. 

 

- And yet you slept with my superior officer –Leonnatos held her gaze. 

 

She felt a knot in her throat.

 

- Leon –her voice trembled— That was a mistake…

 

- I know, I heard your entire conversation –he interrupted Berenike, and for a moment his wife didn’t know if that was good or bad—And all that crap that you love me but you don’t know if that child is mine. 

 

- It’s yours…

 

- ENOUGH! –shouted Leonnatos, making her cry—I want you out of this house tomorrow morning, is that clear? –she looked at him with big crystalline and pleading eyes, she looked like a woman sentenced to death, all the color left her face; it was as if Leonnatos had said that he would strangle her next morning.

 

- But…

 

But before she could say another word Leonnatos was out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Berenike embraced her pillow and cried as she had never cried before, as if her heart were falling apart. Why hadn’t she listened to Netikerty? Why had she slept with Kleitos? Why this had to happen to her? What was she going to do now? Netikerty came running when she heard her mistress crying, and she sat at her side embracing her, having a good idea of what had happened.

 

The Egyptian also wanted to cry, and asked herself the same question: what were they going to do now?

 

XXX

 

Alexander woke up next day and as soon as his eyes focus and saw that was lying in the magnificent bedroom of the Great King, he smiled. He couldn’t get tired of this, remembering that after all those years of hardships, his money problems, the criticism of his most senior officers, the battles, the lack of supplies…After all he had fulfilled his dream… Well, almost because, as long as Darius was on the run, he couldn’t be considered the legitimate Great King.

 

This campaign was far from over but now many, if not all, of his initial problems had ended. He was the richest man of the known world, he was the undefeated General, the invincible conqueror and could do whatever he wanted. 

 

Someone called at his door, taking him out of his thoughts, and a page appeared. Even if the King had now at his disposal the hundreds of servants in the palace, he kept his pages. Sometimes this cause a little confusion, the boys didn’t know the place, and used to see the Persian as their servants, after all they came from the Macedonian aristocracy and the Persians were barbarians. But so far the King had done nothing, he had more important things to attend.

 

- I’m sorry to disturb you, sire –said Ennychus, approaching him—But a eunuch wants to see you.

 

- A eunuch? –Alexander sat, yawning.

 

- Yes, sire. He says that General Hephaistion sent him –and then the King remembered that this was the day he had agreed to spend with his beloved, doing ANYTHING he wanted. He smiled.

 

- Let him in –the page bowed and after a few moments Xsayarsa appeared, looking impressive in colorful clothes.

 

The eunuch kneeled and waited to the King to speak first.

 

- Yarsa, what does General Hephaistion wish? –he asked amused.

 

- Your majesty, the General sends you this –he handed Alexander a small piece of parchment.

 

Alexander,

I’m sure you remember that today is “my” day, so I’m making the most of it. Yarsa has instructions to prepare you as I want. Don’t complain. I’ll see you at breakfast.

Hephaistion.

 

The King laughed truly amused.

 

- So, he wants me to dress especially for him –he said folding the note. 

 

- Not quite, your mightiness –said Xsayarsa, his eyes on the floor.

 

- What do you mean? –asked the King intrigued.

 

- The General wants me to…–the eunuch was nervous and didn’t know how to explain what Hephaistion had told him. In what moment had he agreed to this? What if the King got angry? Oh, he could lose his precious head.

 

- Speak freely, Yarsa –Alexander reassured him—What did Phai say? Exactly.

 

Xsayarsa took a deep breath. 

 

- Have the General ever told his majesty about the time when I had to prepare him to dine with the Great King Darius? –he asked and Alexander nodded.

 

- Yes, he told me –and he also remembered how beautiful Hephaistion looked…except for the fact that he had cut his hair. 

 

- Well, the General wants me to do exactly that…to your majesty –the King laughed.

 

- Really? So, he wants you to prepare me? And all that crap? –this was the last thing Alexander would have expected, but he liked surprises.

 

- Yes, your divinity –said a very serious Xsayarsa—And the General also chose your cloths. 

 

This is going to be fun –thought the King; this side of his beloved was really exciting.

 

But soon Alexander learned that, to be in the hands of Xsayarsa, wasn’t exactly “fun” and Xsayarsa learned that Hephaistion was an obedient and docile young man compared to the King. Alexander complained about everything, and his hair was far from being the cascade of silk that was Hephaistion’s, it was so long and so fluffy that it looked like a lion’s mane. 

 

Soon, the eunuch lost his patience, forgot who was Alexander and hit him on the head with a brush to make him stand still.

 

- The General told me to cut your hair, and that’s what I’m doing, so stop complaining –said Xsayarsa, when he remembered to whom he was talking—Your majesty –he added quickly. 

 

- Fine, I just don’t know what’s wrong with my hair, its just hair –Alexander crossed his arms over his chest and the eunuch saw him as if he had swallowed a rock.

 

- What’s wrong with…? EVERYTHING! If it were for me I’ll cut it all! ALL! –exclaimed Xsayarsa hysterically—It’s horrible! The dogs of the princesses look better than you…your majesty. 

 

- You have some mouth –said the King, for the first time noticing this. Usually the eunuch was very different in front of him, but after an hour his true self had emerged.

 

- I apologize, your majesty –he said looking for his scissors.

 

- No, no, don’t be. After all it was Phai the one who asked you to do this –said Alexander—Did he tell you why? 

 

- Yes, apparently your majesty lost a bet –said the eunuch cutting his hair.

 

- Yes…I wonder, what else has Phai planned? –the Persian had to make an effort and not smile. He did know what his patron had planned.

 

Xsayarsa also made him wear that unhealthy green mask he had used on Hephaistion’s face, ignoring his protests; he called the manicurist, and the masseuse, but the worst part was when the eunuch pluck his eyebrows, saying that such a delicate person as he couldn’t serve someone with eyebrows like that.

 

- Ouch!

 

- You know your majesty? I heard a lot of things about your bravery and so on, but right now I’m having my doubts –said the eunuch working on his face.

 

- That hurts! –the King complained and Xsayarsa stopped to watch him, like an adult does with a particularly nasty kid.

 

- Really? And those wounds on your shoulder and thigh that you received while besieging Gaza didn’t hurt? –the Persian questioned him.

 

- That was different –said Alexander rubbing his eyebrows.

 

The eunuch twisted his lips and shook his head.

 

- Yeah, sure –Xsayarsa kept working on him—You know, your majesty? The previous King was very careful with his physical appearance. 

 

- And thanks to be spending more time in front of the mirror than in front of his army, I am now the Great King –the eunuch said nothing.

 

By the time his torture had ended it was almost noon. A terrified Kyros told the King that Hephaistion was waiting for him at the hanging gardens and escorted the sovereign there. Alexander smiled; his beloved surely had planned this carefully. He was still feeling weird after all that Xsayarsa had done to him, but he couldn’t stop smiling and shaking her head seeing that Hephaistion had chosen for him a blood-red chiton, the General’s favorite color.

 

Let’s see what more has Phai planned –thought the King reaching the hanging gardens.

 

He stopped abruptly when he found his beloved lying on a magnificent couch with cushions embroidery in gold and jewels, the legs of the couch carved to resemble the powerful paws of a lion. But the beauty of the couch was nothing compared with Hephaistion, he looked like an oriental King, dressed with clothes of expensive and fine fabrics, his hair combed in a couple of thin braids adorned with small oval jewels of Lapis Lazuli. He was wearing a blue chition, well…it looked like a chiton but someone had gave it a peculiar touch, adorned also with Persian fabrics and cloths.

 

The General wasn’t dressed like a Greek or Macedonian, and neither like a Persian, but he looked astonishing. Apparently, Xsayarsa had had a lot of work that morning. Hephaistion smiled when he saw the King’s expression, almost opening his mouth and drooling. 

 

- Yarsa did quite a job with you –he said, waking Alexander up.

 

- You have everything planned, didn’t you? –the King walked to his beloved, but the General didn’t let him sit—Why are you dressed like that?

 

- Why? You don’t like it? –Hephaistion asked with feign innocence. He straightened himself, and crossed his leg, resting the ankle on his knee and letting him see that he had golden band around his thigh. The King felt his face burning. 

 

- I never said that –the General smiled again.

 

- Let’s play something –said Hephaistion, catching his attention—You have to obey me today and tomorrow, right?

 

- Right –Alexander nodded, making an effort to stop looking at his beloved’s legs.

 

- Well, lets pretend that I’m the King –Alexander smiled amused.

 

- All right, and I am what? Your personal slave? –he wanted to know.

 

- Mm, no. You are my best General –now the King laughed.

 

- That’s not going to work.

 

- Why not?

 

- Phai, I’m suppose to be doing everything you want, what makes you think that, if I’m your General, that compels me to obey you? –Alexander crossed his arms—I mean, you don’t obey me.

 

- You are exaggerating –said Hephaistion, frowning.

 

- Am I? Lets see –the King listed with his fingers—You went to Darius’ camp as a spy…

 

- That was to help you –the General defended himself.

 

- You went to Mazeus’ camp and almost got yourself killed when you knew that I wouldn’t approve –Alexander continued.

 

- I was building your bridges –said a very serious Hephaistion.

 

- The point is, my beautiful King, that you don’t obey me –said the blond enunciating and his beloved snorted.

 

- Fine. Let’s pretend that you are an extremely obedient General –said Hephaistion.

 

- All right…How am I supposed to call you? –Alexander was having the time of his life—Sire, majesty?  

 

- My lord –the King laughed.

 

- You are enjoying yourself, aren’t you?

 

- What do you think? –answered his beloved in a mischievous tone.

 

- So…My lord, why can’t I sit down? –said the King—I’m hungry.

 

- I know, but I have something for you first –said Hephaistion looking for something at his side.

 

XXX

(1) Steven Saylor. Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome, p 504