CHAPTER 128

 

- Have you seen this before? –asked Alexander that afternoon, standing before a bronze pillar showing a very long inscription.

 

After they peculiar breakfast they decided to walk around the magnificent palace of Babylon; neither had had the time to do it, to admire the outstanding pieces of art, the sumptuous hallways, the luxurious furniture and expensive carpets, both had been really busy and only now, a week after their arrival, they could explore the place, like a pair of teenagers, inspecting every corner and checking the rooms of this wonderful place under the curious and puzzled expressions of the Persian servants.

 

Well, to call them “Persians” is not quite right. Persia was only one of the several regions that formed the Achaemenid Empire but it certainly was one of the most important places; all the Great Kings since the days of Cyrus the Great were not only from Persia but they all were from the same royal family, it had been like this for almost 300 years and not all the subjects of the Empire, Persians or not, weren’t ready for a sudden change in the rules. Alexander was well aware of this, and it was precisely for this reason that he was so considerate to Darius’s mother; she was part of his plan to be named the legitimate successor of King Darius III.

 

The servants of the royal palace at Babylon were Babylonians in the great majority, but there were also men and women from distant parts of the Empire. But of course for all of us who came from a small kingdom at the north of Greece and who knew nothing about these things, called them all “Persians”.

 

Hephaistion advanced two steps to have a better look of the pillar and frowned, rememberig where he had heard something about a bronze pillar.

 

- I think it was Yarsa the one who explained something about a pillar a few days ago –said the General, crossing his arms over his chest and cocking his head—He said that here was inscribed how it must be served the Great King’s lunch and dinner.  

 

Alexander tried to read the inscription but it was useless, he didn’t understand a word. Maybe he should listen to what Peukestas, the only one of his companions that spoke Persian, said about learning the language of this people.

 

But I don’t have time right now –thought the not official Great King.

 

- And did your colorful eunuch mention what did it say, by any chance? –he asked with curiosity.

 

- If I don’t recall wrong he mentioned that the Great King should be presented with something like: Barley groats, very fine flour for beverages, Mustard seed, Sheep and goats, Cattle Horses Fattened geese, Pigeons…And things like that –said Hephaistion, turning to see him—I think the servants have been cooking this for you, two days ago I shared breakfast with you and we ate Pigeons. 

 

The King scratched his chin.

 

- Now that you mention it, yes –he made a pause and smiled—They are treating me like the Great King but…It’s not that simple –all his good mood suddenly disappeared and Alexander was as serious as if he had received news that his mother had assassinated Antipater in the middle of Pella and made a feast over his dead body.

 

- What do you mean? –his beloved wanted to know and the King started to walk again, giving the bronze pillar a last glance.

 

- I want to be seen not as a conqueror but as the legitimate Great King –he said after a moment and the General nodded, he already knew this, Alexander had confided to him his thoughts weeks ago—But so far I haven’t heard one word from the priests mentioning something about this, about my coronation as Darius’ successor.

 

- It’s still too soon –Hephaistion tried to reassure him, following him through the apparent deserted hallways, but he knew better than believe that all the servants had disappeared in a moment. A good household servant was the one who could be invisible and at the palace were only the very best—It has been just a week since we arrived to Babylon –he continued but Alexander shook his head.

 

- No Phai, it’s not that –the King sighed and stopped at the nearest balcony, from where the city could be seen like a painting, magnificent, full of life and breathing; but in those moments Alexander’s concerns were greater than the beauty of Babylon—We all make jokes about Darius’ cowardice, we even ridicule him for running away from Gaugamela but the truth is very different –he leant his back against the banister, resting his hands behind him—I didn’t understand it until a couple of days ago.

 

- Understand what? –now the General was intrigued.

 

- Darius still has a lot of prestige among this people –said Alexander—I have been asking questions among the satraps and “the reply of all the Persians was about the same, that it was impious for the king to be deserted”(1) Darius can gather another army to attack me and this people are not thinking in naming me Great King because Darius is out there –he pointed with his finger to the horizon—“Darius's royal authority remained strong enough among the satraps, generals, and subject peoples” (2) I always knew, since our days at Mieza, that the only weak point of the Persians is the Great King. Have you noticed, Phai? The Persians never forced other people to adopt their Gods not even their language, Egypt was a case apart, but for the rest we can hardly say we are “liberating them” because the truth is that they are not oppressed –the King made a pause—The only thing that keeps all these peoples together is the Great King, the idea of a supreme authority, that is why my aim was always to capture Darius alive at every major battler.

 

- And he escaped because he knew that, as long as he is on the run, you can’t claim his throne –said Hephaistion, understanding everything.

 

The King nodded and smiled with arrogance.

 

- That and the fact that he truly is a coward –the General laughed without noise, and brushed his hair back.

 

- So –Hephaistion lent his back against the banister at Alexander’s side—What are we going to do now? –he stretched his legs to the front.

 

- We are marching to Susa as soon as the weather improves –the King explained—I heard that, right now, is so hot there that lizards can’t cross the street fast enough to avoid being burned by the sun –his beloved made a face, it didn’t sound like a place he would like to visit—And then we’ll see…we’ll see…

 

Even if Alexander didn’t say it with words Hephaistion could feel that he was truly worried; this was the last thing he wanted, he wanted not only to have a good, nice and peaceful time with his lover, he also wanted to see him happy, to make him forget all his problems, at least for one day. And with that in his mind, the General kissed his cheek, lingering more than usual to leave a sweet and loving trail of kisses down to his jaw.

 

- You are awfully serious –he whispered against his skin, looking for his lips—And, in my day, I don’t want to see you like this.

 

Alexander smiled.

 

- I’m sorry, I think I can’t avoid it, I have so many things too… —but the General never heard how many things the King had to do because he kissed him again, successfully taking his mind away from his numerous problems, caressing his cheek with his fingertips.

 

- I know how to take your mind off your problems –his beloved announce with air of self-sufficiency.

 

- How? Are you going to kiss me again like this? –asked Alexander, hitting his lips with his warm breath.

 

- No…I have a story for you –Hephaistion brushed his blond hair back, whispering softly. 

 

- About what? –if there was something the King liked, besides Hephaistion, was a good story, Achilles was a lot like him in that aspect and both of them could spend hours listening to a good tale.

 

- Have you heard about the Babylonian Queen Nitocris?

 

- No.

 

- Well, she had her tomb built suspended above the busiest gate of Babylon –explained his beloved, catching the King’s curiosity.

 

- How come?

 

- I heard that Queen Nitocris ordered that her body should be place over the gates and an inscription was left there saying that “If any of the future Kings of Babylon should be short of money, let him open this tomb and take as much as he wants. But if he is not really short of money, in that case let him not open it; it would be worst for him”(3) –said Hephaistion, in that mysterious tone of voice he used when he told Achilles stories and seeing that it worked the same magic with the King—And for many years no one dared to open the tomb until the Persian King Darius I came. He never used this gate because he refused to have the corpse over his royal head, and one day he had the tomb opened and inside found the Queen’s corpse but no gold.

 

- It was a trick? –asked Alexander with the same curiosity of a child.

 

- Something like that, inside was another inscription saying “If you were not so shamefully grasping and greedy for money, you would not have breached the resting place of the dead”(4) –the King laughed.

 

- It’s a curious story, where did you hear it?

 

- From Vashti.

 

- Your brother’s slave? –that was new.

 

- Nick is teaching her Greek, well, not Nick but he found someone who is teaching her and the other day, when I went to visit him with Aki, she told us that story –Hephaistion explained.

 

- Her Greek is that good? –Alexander frowned.

 

- No, Aki had to translate most of the time, but she tried –the General caressed the King’s cheek before kissing him again.

 

In a moment the story was forgotten, amidst several loving caresses. It was getting dark now and the servants around the palace were busy running from one corner to the other lighting all the lamps and candles. Filling the place with the characteristic smell of oil and wax.

 

The difference between a kiss and one of Hephaistion’s kisses was the intensity he transmitted with such a small thing. Something so simple, so insignificant, so common for most of the people was transformed in something intimate and sacred when it came from his beloved. Words weren’t necessary in that moment, just to feel Hephaistion’s lips over his own was enough to make him tremble as no enemy would be able to do, the warm breath of his beloved over his skin, and the soft caress of his eyelashes when he leaned his cheek against his own, everything relaxed the King at the same time it burned his senses.

 

Hephaistion poked the tip of his pink tongue to gently open Alexander's lips, he caressed his blond hair, brushing it with his fingers before pulling it, forcing him to head back, leaving the King’s neck exposed, his mouth attacking relentlessly, without giving him time to catch his breath.

 

Alexander cocked his head, closing his eyes and enjoying his beloved’s kisses. It was so easy to forget everything. He took his General by the shoulder and slid his hand down looking for his chest, taking it with force over the fabric, clinging to something to not lose himself in that whirlwind of sensations.

 

- You know something, Phai? –Alexander whispered against his lips—You are the most powerful man in the world.

 

Hephaistion laughed without noise, and licked the corner of his mouth.

 

- Why do you say that?

 

- Because you can turn the most powerful King into your slave –the General smiled and kissed his cheek, taking him by the waist when they heard familiar footsteps. A very nervous Kyros reached the balcony and cleared his throat several times; his eyes on the floor. 

 

- What is it? –asked the General a little irritated, reluctantly moving away from Alexander. He had told the Theban that he didn’t want to be interrupted and had been extremely clear in that matter.

 

- I’m very sorry, sir, but your brother Nikandros is asking to see you –said Kyros, playing nervously with his hands behind his back.

 

Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out and ran a hand down his face.

 

- Kyros, I told you I was for no one, not even Nick –he said, trying to remain calm. He had waited all week to have Alexander just for him, and he couldn’t believe that his brother was doing this. He had always thought that Nikandros had a talent to be untimely, and sometimes he had come to believe that his brother was born to interfere, but this was too much.

 

- I know, sir, and I’m very sorry, but Nikandros insisted –the Theban explained—He said it’s an emergency.

 

An emergency? –thought the General. He knew perfectly well his brother’s emergencies; most probably he needed money or had been caught by an angry husband sleeping with a married woman...Again.

 

- Tell Nick that I don’t have time, maybe tomorrow –Kyros nodded and left them running.

 

Alexander brushed his hair back.

 

- You are not even curious to know what does your brother want?

 

Hephaistion turned to look at him.

 

- Do you really want me to leave you? –the King said nothing and his beloved smiled—Or could it be that you want to see me with my brother –the General’s words had such a strong double meaning that Alexander blushed against his will. Why, in the name of all the Olympians, had he told his beloved about that? Hephaistion laughed amused—Besides, Nick’s emergencies are always about money and women, I think he can wait.

 

The King kissed him, not losing more time, taking his time while his hands surrounded his waist.

 

- So, my Lord, where were we? –he asked between kisses and Hephaistion smiled against his lips.

 

The General embraced him and devoured his lips when…

 

- Sir –Kyros came back and this time Hephaistion growled angrily.

 

- What now? –he asked more sharply than it had intended.

 

- Sir, I’m very sorry but Nikandros said it’s extremely important…

 

- Kyros, really, I’m not joking –said the General in his commanding voice, walking to were the teenager was standing—Tell Nick that I can’t see him now, I’m not his damn slave.

 

- I-I understand, sir, but he said it’s about Berenike, her husband threw her out of his house –explained the Theban quickly before his master started to talk again.

 

- What? –Hephaistion exclaimed as if Kyros were talking nonsense. That was impossible, Leonnatos would never do such a thing, it was…

 

Unless…Unless he knows about Kleitos –thought the General, suddenly very serious.

 

- Where is Nick? –he asked still in shock.

 

- I took him to one of the living rooms near here –Kyros explained—He looks pretty upset.

 

The General took a deep breath.

 

- Tell Nick, I’ll go in a moment –the Theban nodded and left.

 

Alexander walked at his side, hearing Kyros steps at the distance, and rubbed his back fondly.

 

- Do you want me to go with you? –Hephaistion hid his face in his hands and nodded.

 

He didn’t want to be alone. This was the last thing he was expecting, it was a nightmare and truly had no idea of what to do. To have Alexander at his side was reassuring, it maybe silly but, just for the fact of having the King with him he felt as if he could do anything and not because he was the most powerful man on earth, but because he was his lover and the most important person in his life.

 

As soon as they changed they went to look for Nikandros, and the first thing Hephaistion thought was that Kyros had been really nice when he said that his older brother was “upset”, in fact, Nikandros was furious as he had seen him very few times before.

 

- By Ares’s balls! What the hell took you so long? –said his older brother as a greeting, raising his voice as if they were at a tavern, but when he saw the King there he closed his mouth…At least for a moment. 

 

- What happened to Eni? –the General went straight to the point.

 

- What happened?! Your friend Leonnatos threw her out of his house this morning, that’s what happened –exclaimed Nikandros shouting again, he would have spit on Leonnatos’ face if he were in front of him.

 

- Why? –asked Hephaistion, unable to sit down and watching his brother pacing around like a caged lion.

 

Nikandros ran a hand through his face.

 

- Berenike slept with Kleitos –Alexander opened his eyes in astonishment, big and round like coins. Berenike never ceased to amaze him and this was something he would have never expected; but the General remained impassive as if his brother had said nothing.

 

- And Leon found out –he said with calm.

 

- And why are you so damn calm?…One moment –his brother stopped pacing and turn to look at him, holding his gaze— You knew! –Nikandros pointed at him with his index finger—And why, in the name of all the spirits of the underworld, you didn’t tell me? Why did you let her do this?

 

- Stop yelling, Nick –Hephaistion raised his voice, his older brother was unnerving him—First I didn’t knew until a couple of weeks ago and I told her to stop that nonsense –Nikandros snorted.

 

- Apparently that didn’t work out too well, don’t you think? –he mocked the General, and Hephaistion narrowed his eyes.

 

- I didn’t tell you because I knew you were going to be hysterical.

 

- I’m not hysterical! –his brother raised his voice angry and the General decided to say nothing—Can’t you see the seriousness of this? Our sister slept with Leonnatos’s superior officer and now she doesn’t know who the hell is the father of her child –Alexander raised his eyebrows and sat down, this was going to be long and, at every moment, the situation was more and more complicated.

 

- Nick, stop cursing –Hephaistion scolded him—Tell me everything with calm from the beginning.

 

Nikandros dropped on a chair and the King turned with all the intentions of calling a servant to bring wine, but when he saw the servant was already there, waiting for his instructions. They were going to need lots of Darius’ best wine if they wanted to calm Nikandros down.

 

- Berenike came this morning to my house –said his brother, after taking a moment to arrange his thoughts—She was crying like the day when grandpa died and I thought that someone had gone to Hades. It took a while before she could tell me about her affair with Kleitos, and that she went yesterday looking for him to finish with their relationship –Hephaistion sat down at his side—Leonnatos heard the entire conversation and threw her out of his house –he made a pause—As soon as I heard this I went to look for Leonnatos –the General was starting to fear that this wasn’t going to end well; if Nikandros had gone to “talk” in his present state he was almost sure that his friend was now lying in the hospital wing— He told me same story of Berenike and that he doesn’t want to see her.

 

- He divorced her? –this was what the General had feared. 

 

Nikandros sighed.

 

- He doesn’t have a freaking clue of what he wants –he said angry—The only thing he knows is that he doesn’t want a scandal. 

 

- You can hardly blame Leon for not knowing what to do; he must be in shock –his older brother turned to look at him through narrowed eyes, looking very much like him when he was angry.

 

- On whose side are you? –Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out, he never win with his brother—But that’s not all.

 

- There is more? –the General could hardly believe it, and judging by Alexander’s expression he was as surprised as his beloved.

 

- I truly don’t know how was that Kleitos heard about what happened –Nikandros continued, shaking his head—But he came to my house this afternoon asking me to marry Berenike.

 

Hephaistion’s and Alexander’s expression would have been funny if the situation weren’t so bad.

 

- He did, what? –exclaimed the General in shock.

 

- I don’t know what to do –said his older brother, when the servants arrived with the wine.

 

Nikandros took the cup of fine crystal and drank the wine as if it were water, for the servants utterly astonishment.

 

- What did you say to Kleitos? –Hephaistion wanted to know.

 

- The truth, that Leonnatos didn’t divorce Berenike so I couldn’t let him marry her –said Nikandros visibly shaken. One thing was to talk to Leonnatos who was younger than him and a complete different one to talk to Kleitos, the veteran commander of the Ile Basilike. That had been a terrible day, and soon he emptied his second cup for wine without water.

 

The General rubbed his eyes. In what a problem had their sister put them all.

 

- We can send her back home –said Hephaistion at last.

 

- We can’t do a damn thing until the sorry excuse of a man that is your friend makes up his mind about Berenike –said Nikandros—He is still her husband and we can’t send Berenike with mom or marry her again until she is divorce.

 

- You are right…Of course you are right –the General took a deep breath– I’ll go tomorrow morning to talk to Leon –his older brother nodded.

 

- And I’ll keep Berenike with me –Hephaistion wanted to complain, but he couldn’t. First Nikandros was their older brother and Berenike was now his responsibility, and second, it had been his idea that his sister should talk to Kleitos and thanks to that Leonnatos had found out everything, he felt responsible for this.

 

XXX

 

- You have to be kidding! –exclaimed Alexander as soon as they were alone and lying on the Great King’s magnificent bed that night—This is not your fault. You did the right thing in demanding that Eni finished her relationship with Kleitos, how could you have known that Leon was going to find out?

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- I know…But still, I feel a little responsible for this –he admitted, his dark gray eyes on the ceiling.

 

- Don’t be, this is your sister’s life, not yours –said the King.

 

- I think you are right –they fell silent for a moment and the General turned to rest on his side, facing Alexander—Alex?

 

- Mm?

 

- Sing for me –he asked.

 

- Again? You made me sing for you 4 times this day –the King reminded him and his beloved smiled like a child.

 

- I know…But I truly like to hear you sing…pleaseeee –asked Hephaistion, and Alexander sighed.

 

- Fine.

 

I went to talk to Leonnatos next day but he said the same he had told Nikandros, that he didn’t know what to do, didn’t want a scandal and didn’t want to see my sister. I must confess that, in that moment, I understood why Nikandros was so angry; I too felt the urge of hitting Leonnatos and to demand that he made up his mind. But I didn’t do it and my friend remained as confused as he was before talking to me.

 

A couple of weeks later Berenike gave birth to a boy in Nikandros’s house, a beautiful baby who was the living image of Leonnatos, but he didn’t want to hear a word about the him. He was truly starting to unnerve me. He told everyone that Berenike wasn’t feeling well and he had sent her to her brother where she would be more comfortable. If someone thought this was strange, nobody said, and soon 2 more weeks passed…

 

- Kyros, I want to talk to you –said Hephaistion, a day before the army left the city. The Theban looked positively confused, and sat down at his master’s side thinking really hard what had he done wrong, but couldn’t found anything— Glycon came to see me days ago –that caught Kyros’ attention— He wants to buy you –the teenager opened his eyes in astonishment.

 

Glycon wanted to buy him? He could hardly believe that.

 

- And what did you say, sir? –that was the only thing that came to his mind.

 

The General didn’t answer and looked at him for long moments, making the Theban uncomfortable.

 

- Do you want to go with Glycon? –Kyros wasn’t expecting that question, and it took him a moment to arranger his thoughts. He knew Glycon liked him but he never thought he would go through the trouble of buying him to have him at his side.

 

- I…I don’t know –said the Theban with all honesty, his green eyes on his hands resting over his lap—I have never thought this could happen and…

 

Hephaistion took his hands.

 

- Look at me Kyros –the teenager obeyed—I haven’t given Glycon an answer; I know you feel something for him and if you want to go with him as his slave then I’ll accept his offer, but I want you to know that you have another option.

 

- Another option? –what other option could an orphan without home like him have? But then he remembered that his master was always full of surprises and decided to wait.

 

- I will grant you your freedom and if you want you can be with Glycon, not as his slave, but as a free young man –said Hephaistion slowly, watching how Kyros opened his mouth in astonishment.

 

- Y-you would do that for me? –the General smiled and nodded—But, but… —the smile abandoned the Theban’s face—What would I do as a free man? How am I going to survive by my own?

 

- Well, you can always work for me, I would hate to lose you –said Hephaistion—Or, if Glycon wants, you can work for him.

 

Kyros embraced him, driving the air out of his lungs and cried, cried with all his forces, repeating over and over again “thank you”. He couldn’t stop thanking the Gods that they had put Hephaistion on his path that terrible day at Thebes and he would always be in debt with his master. 

 

For almost the entire army our stay at Babylon was like having vacations at the Elysian Fields, but for me were truly stressful weeks thanks to my sister. I was very grateful when Alexander gave the order to march to Susa and, as I had foreseen, it took him a great amount of energy and money to take the men out of Babylon. My King had to pay each one of the men the equivalent of a year pay to make them march again, further into Asia and not back home.

 

But not only it was hard to take the men out from Babylon, it was also hard to separate Achilles from all the pets he had at the palace.

 

- But who is going to take care of them? –asked the boy, moving his eyes from Alexander to Hephaistion and back to Alexander.

 

- Aki, we can’t take them with the rest of the army, we are still in the middle of a military campaign –said his father. He no longer had to bend in front of him because by now the Prince was a very tall boy. 

 

- I know that –said Achilles very serious, blushing slightly. Lately he got upset when people treated him like a child, his birthday would be in a matter of weeks and he felt as if he were a grown up man already—I just want to be sure that they are going to be fine. 

 

- You have my word that they would be –said Alexander—And you would see them again when we come back. 

 

The Prince seemed pleased with that answer.

 

- But I want to take Bastet with me –he said and his 2 fathers exchanged gazes, they were expecting this. Bastet was his Cheetah, named like that after the Egyptian lion goddess, and they weren’t fool enough as to expect that the boy would leave his exotic pet behind.

 

- Fine –said Alexander and Achilles relaxed. Then a smile curved his lips and he took a seat at his Prince’s side, remembering something—Aki we are going to be at Susa for your birthday, what do you want as a gift? Ask me for anything.

 

Hephaistion frowned. He knew how much the King loved to give presents to his friends, and since he felt a very special love for Achilles he was ready to fulfill his promise and gave the boy whatever he wished, especially now that he had the Great King’s riches at his disposal. But the General was against to the idea of pampering Achilles like this; he didn’t want his son to be an obnoxious, capricious and spoiled Prince.

 

Achilles saw Alexander with suspicious.

 

- Anything I want? –he wanted to be sure.

 

- Yes, son –said the King, ruffling his hair—You can have your own zoo if you want.  

 

Hephaistion caught Alexander’s eyes and shook his head, but the King just smiled with innocence.

 

- Mm…I want something –said the Prince after a moment.

 

- What is it?

 

- I want a hetaira –the King and the General laughed themselves to tears making the boy blushed savagely and frowned. 

 

It took them a while until they could catch their breath and when they turned they found a very serious Achilles looking at them.

 

- Aren’t you too young for that? –asked Hephaistion, and he and the King laughed again, embarrassing the boy.

 

- Is not funny –Achilles complained with all the indignation that a 6 years old boy could muster.

 

The General took a deep breath.

 

- I’m sorry, Aki but, why do you want a hetaira?

 

- Do you even know what a hetaira is? –Alexander wanted to know.

 

- Of course I know! –exclaimed the Prince, offended—It’s a woman who can sing and dance and who is well educated and knows many stories –he explained with an air of self sufficiency.

 

- And what else? –asked Hephaistion, but the blank expression of his son told him everything—Let me see if I understand this, what you want is a beautiful woman to sing for you and who can tell you interesting stories, is that right?

 

The boy nodded.

 

- Yes.

 

- In that case you don’t need a hetaira, Aki –said Alexander, cleaning away the tears from his eyes—You need a babysitter –he laughed again but his Prince saw him through narrowed eyes, exactly like his beloved used to do.

 

- I’m not a baby!

 

- Aki, don’t get mad –said the King, rubbing his back fondly—If you want a woman to sing for you I’ll buy you a slave or find one, what do you say?

 

- Fine.

 

Hephaistion looked at his son with a mixture of love and sadness. There was something more in his innocent wish of having a beautiful and educated woman at his side.

 

He doesn’t need a slave or a hetaira –thought the General—He needs a mother.

 

XXX

 

(1) and (2) Pierre Briant. From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire, p 865

(3) and (4) Lindsay Allen. The Persian Empire, p 82