CHAPTER 130

 

Susa was a city built, on the Elamite region, 200 years in the past by the Great King Darius I, it was said that every province of the empire had helped with the city construction, having as a result an outstanding piece of artwork. Now that winter had come it wasn’t as hot as before, but Hephaistion could see, while they entered the city, that many houses had almost one meter of earth over their roofs to protect them from the inclement sunrays.

 

The General made a face, he hated hot places, and the sight of the houses made him remember what the King had said about the lizards that couldn’t run fast enough to avoid a painful death burned my the sun. Now he understood why Susa was the winter residence of the Great King, at this time of year the city had a warm and comfortable weather.

 

Without losing time, the King was taken to the magnificent royal palace, a place that had nothing to envy the Babylonian one. Here Alexander found a great treasure and the personal possessions of the Great Kings; “on the city’s central platform, each King had built a treasury of his own; in the royal bedrooms, at the head and foot of the King’s bed, stood two private treasure-chests, while the bed was guarded by the celebrated golden plane tree, so long a symbol of Persian’s riches”(1)

 

The satrap Abulites officially handed him the treasury consisting not only in 50, 000 talents of gold with another 9,000 talents of minted gold darics (2) but here, Alexander also found 100 tons of purple-dyed cloth from Hermione, of nearly 200 years old, and all the “loot which Xerxes had amassed from Greece, including the famous tyrannicide statue-group of Harmodius and Aristogeiton”(4)

 

Why were these statues so important? Well, they were a symbol, commemorating the establishment of the Athenian democracy, but during the invasion of the Persians, led by Xerxes, they had been stolen and taken to Susa. You can see the irony, the figures of two men who killed the tyrant Peisistratus stolen by an Asian King. And of course, to win the favor of the always-troublesome Athenians, not to mention to continue with the propaganda that my King was liberating the Greeks and taking revenge from the past offenses of the Persians, he sent the statues back home.

 

But Alexander was not only after the treasure, for him money and riches weren’t important, the important thing was what he could achieve with these means; he had always looked for ever lasting glory, and with the Persians’ treasure he could take his army to the confines of the world.  To have the treasure was the beginning, he also wanted to be the Great King, and soon he asked to be taken to Darius’ golden throne.

 

- Can you believe this place? –asked Perdikkas impressed, watching the hallways with the mouth opened, like a dog in a butcher shop.

 

Ptolemy laughed.

 

- It’s even more impressive than the Babylonian palace –he said.

 

Of course it is –thought Hephaistion—Here is stored the treasure.

 

- What do you think was in the treasury? –asked Perdikkas excited—I was sure that Alexander was going to let us see the treasury.

 

Ptolemy laughed as if he had just heard a very funny joke.

 

- Alexander is not stupid –the taxiarch pouted.

 

According to the Persian tradition only the Great King could sit on the throne and, to any man who dared to approach it, only death awaited. Everyone in that room knew that, from the King’s companions to the Persian servants who were there, and all eyes settled on him expectantly: the Macedonians and Greek officers, the pages, and his young Prince, the satrap, his sons and even the eunuchs who were there, watched him in silence as he approached that magnificent throne, the most tangible symbol of the Great King’s power.

 

Time seemed to stop in that moment, all the Persians held their breath watching how the invader sat down on a throne that had been in Persian hands from almost 300 years. Never before a man outside of the Seven Noble Families had seated on that throne, and, as the Magi liked to remind everybody, Alexander was not only an invader who didn’t worshiped Ahura Mazda; he was also seem as a demon.

 

The Seven Noble Families, descendants of the seven men lead by another Darius to avenge the assassination of Cyrus’ the Great son Cambyses, had always dictated the fate of this vast empire, but now… Abulites, and the men around him, knew that things had changed, but it was only in this moment that they truly comprehend that the world they knew had come to an end.

 

Alexander had truly destroyed the world…The Persian world, and from now on things would never be the same.

 

Hephaistion heard someone sobbing and, when he turned, he found the old Demaratus of Corinth crying; for him it was a dream come true to see Alexander sitting on the Persian throne, a moment he had imagined several times through the years. The General smiled and turned, not wanting to embarrass Demaratus, the same man that, years ago, had gone to Illyria to call the exiled Prince back home after the wedding of King Philip with Eurydice.

 

Illyria…It was so long ago, how was that they had passed from being 2 young men living in a small house on the forest to be here? The General still remembered their conversations, how Alexander wished to see Babylon and now…He was sitting on the Persian throne. It hadn’t been so long ago, and how much their lives had changed.   

 

Then, someone else caught Hephaistion’s attention, the young page Ennychus saw that the throne was too big for their short King and that his feet didn’t even reach the royal foot-stool, placed there so the royal feet of the Great King wouldn’t touch the floor. And that ended with all the solemnity of the moment.

 

The General almost laughed when he noticed that. Darius was as tall as himself, of course the throne was too big for Alexander, he would have had to be 20 cm taller to fit there. Ennychus ran then and fetched a nearby table as a substitute for the foot-stool, making the King and his companions laughed. 

 

But the hilarity of the moment was lost when a eunuch started to cry noisily, catching their attention, blowing his nose with his handkerchief, and looking as if his mother had died in front of him.

 

- What’s wrong? –the King wanted to know, and Achilles hurried to translate the question before the interpreter could open his mouth. It was rare that Alexander and Hephaistion agreed to take him on official events like this, and he was determined not to pass unnoticed and be useful.

 

The eunuch shook his head and blew his nose again before answering among sobs.

 

- Father, he says that last time Darius was here, he had his meals on this same table –said Achilles formally. In private Alexander could be “dad” but in public he would always be “Father”. This was something that Hephaistion had taught him, always to honor the King and not embarrassed him in public. And for the General didn’t pass unnoticed that his son had called the previous Great King “Darius” not his majesty Darius or Great King, plain Darius.  

 

It never ceases to amaze me how clever he is –thought the General smiling with pride.

 

The King looked troubled for a moment, he didn’t want to offend the Persians, and surely the last thing he needed was a bad omen such as this, he turned to look for his page to have the table removed when Philotas spoke:

 

- Surely this can be taken as an omen –said the hipparch, in that tone of voice that irritated a lot of people because he used to drag the words—“The table from which your foe ate his banquets has been made a stool for your feet”(3)

 

The King nodded and Achilles translated Philotas’ words, the Persians didn’t look very convinced but the eunuch stopped crying, and the table stood where it was. 

 

XXX

 

- I always knew you were short but this was too much –said Hephaistion, laughing himself to tears once they were alone in the royal bedroom.

 

Alexander turned to look at him, narrowing his eyes.

 

- You are not funny –he said, but his beloved kept laughing, he dropped back on the bed, his long legs hanging on the edge.

 

- You literary are half the King Darius was –the General laughed even harder.

 

Alexander didn’t look happy, he strode to the bed, took one pillow and hit his beloved several times. Hephaistion had to raise his hands trying to cover himself, he rolled and took another pillow starting the most epic battle of all time: a pillow fight.

 

- You are a coward! –exclaimed the General, among blows—You attacked an unarmed man. 

 

- You are making fun of your King –Alexander accused him.

 

- So, now it’s my fault that you are so short that you needed a table as a foot-stool –feathers started to fly around them. The King stepped over the bed and hit Hephaistion on the head. 

 

- I’m not short, you are too tall –that was too much and the General laughed again as if an invisible hand were tickling him. Alexander took that opportunity to hit him, and his beloved fell on the floor still laughing.

 

- Then…—laughter interrupted his words—Then…I suppose that half of the world…Its just too tall…

 

The King puffed out his cheeks.

 

- You are impossible –he sat down on the bed, throwing what was left of the pillow, to one side.

 

- And you know what’s the saddest part? –Hephaistion sat on the floor, brushing his hair back, his face red after laughing so hard—That you are crazy for me.

 

- I’m reconsidering that –muttered Alexander.

 

The General stood up and took a seat at the King’s side. They fell silent for a moment, and Hephaistion’s dark gray eyes wandered around the room. It seemed impossible that such wonderful places could exist, that all this luxury was there just to please a mortal man.

 

- Tomorrow is Aki’s birthday –said the King.

 

- Yes…Time flies, don’t you thing? One day we’ll wake up to find that he is already a man –said the General and now was Alexander’s turn to laugh.

 

- You spoke like an old man –Hephaistion punched his arm. Then the General held his gaze looking with curiosity the King’s eyes—What?

 

- I like your eyes –said his beloved—They are unique, just like you.

 

- First you insult me and now you flatter me.

 

- To tell you the truth was to insult you? You are short Alex, live with it –Hephaistion took his hand to Alexander’s face and covered his cerulean blue eye.

 

- What are you doing? –the King asked with curiosity. 

 

- Imagining how would you look with 2 amber eyes –said the General.

 

- I correct myself, you are not impossible, you are nuts –they both laughed.

 

- Phai?

 

- Mm? –Hephaistion caressed his cheek.

 

- What do you think about the treasure?

 

- Mm…It’s pretty impressing, I mean –the General took a moment to think—We always knew the Persians have money but this was something I never dared to imagine. You are the richest man on of the known world, Alex.

 

Alexander took his hand and caressed the back with his thumb.

 

- What did you like the most? From everything we saw at the treasury –he wanted to know.

 

- Hard to pick something, everything was amazing –said Hephaistion with honesty—I think it was a golden armor decorated with jewels, with was really impressive.

 

- Then it’s yours –said the King as if he were giving his beloved a bag of chocolates.

 

- Alexander…

 

- No, no, no, I know what you are going to say –Alexander interrupted him—I don’t care if you don’t like when I give you expensive gifts, I’m now the Great King and I want to give this to you, and you will shut up and accept.

 

Hephaistion blinked a couple of times and then he smiled.

 

- Fine…

 

XXX

 

Next day was Achilles’ birthday and just as the King promised the celebration was something truly spectacular. Now, he had the power and money necessary to treat his adopted son as a true Prince, with all the honors worthy of the successor of the Great King. Even if Hephaistion never liked the idea of spoiling the boy like this or to give him expensive and exotic gifts, he had to admit that, for this time, that Alexander had a point. 

 

If he wanted to be seen as the Great King, he needed to treat his heir according to that and the outstanding city of Susa was the perfect scenario for the several games the King had organized. Hephaistion had to admit that Achilles behaved impeccably, it was as if he had been born among luxury all his life because he never looked impressed with this things or the splendid gifts that the nobles and notables of the city gave him, but he was still a child and there were very simple things that made him opened his mouth, like a big trained Indian elephant who could do tricks standing on his back legs.

 

Achilles had never seen an animal like that so close, neither several of the men of Agema who were standing near the King, and all of them saw the elephant with his big tusks as if he were a creature from another planet. Hephaistion and Alexander had only seen them from far away, and were as fascinated as their child.

 

- Can I mount the elephant? –asked the young Prince with stars shining in his uneven eyes. His friend Cyrus was there too, it was his birthday and since the Persian Prince was his best friend, he was the guest of honor.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- Fine, but be careful –the boy jumped happily. 

 

- Professor Bahman told me that Indian Kings travel using elephants –said a very excited Achilles, walking to where the man in charge of the elephant was standing, followed by the King and his beloved.   

 

- Well, one of these days we’ll have to go and see for ourselves, don’t you think? –said Alexander, he was like another child, having as much fun as his Prince. 

 

- Really?! –exclaimed Achilles.

 

India? –thought Hephaistion frowning and wishing he were kidding.

 

- Really –said Alexander and the boy smiled. The elephant’s trainer made the animal bent his front legs and put his head down, and he helped the boy to climb.

 

The General smiled watching his son expression when the elephant rose again, even for a boy who sometimes behaved like a grown up, these simple things were the most exciting and Achilles was so happy that it was contagious; but Hephaistion’s good mood almost disappeared when he saw Leonnatos. The King had asked him to bring his son, Amyntas, there weren’t many children of Achilles’ age and he wanted his Prince to have fun; but his friend’s expression was like the one attending to a funeral.

 

- Leon? Leon? –he called him and Leonnatos turned absently.

 

- Mm? Were you calling me?

 

- Are you all right? –Hephaistion had a good idea of why was he like this but he had to ask.

 

- Me? Yes, I just had a bad night –said Leonnatos, turning again to see Amyntas with his mouth open watching the elephant—Phai?

 

- Yes?

 

- I’ll go to look for Perdikkas, can you keep an eye on Amyntas?

 

- Sure.

 

- Thanks –he really didn’t want to look for the taxiarch he just wasn’t in the mood to celebrate and wanted to be alone. The General knew he was depressed, but it was pointless to try to talk to him, he had tried several times before and Leonnatos insisted that he was fine. 

 

They would have to let Leonnatos solve his problems alone.

 

- Cyrus! You have to try this –shouted Achilles on the elephant but his friend didn’t look happy with that proposal; Cyrus had seen elephants several times before and, judging by his face, he didn’t like them.

 

But the Prince’s favorite part were the horse and chariot racings and the General couldn’t avoid smiling when he heard Krateros complaining about all the money he had lost when his favorite horses were put on quarantine back at Babylon.

 

- Your seventh birthday already –said Nikandros ruffling his nephew’s hair, they were standing at the side of one of the main streets of Susa, waiting for the next race to begin—I remember the first time I saw you Aki, you were this tall –he used his hand to illustrate his words.

 

- Don’t call me “Aki” in public, uncle –said the boy very serious, making Nikandros laugh.

 

- And how should I call you? –asked Nikandros, crossing his arms over his chest— Prince or your highness?

 

- Achilles –he corrected his uncle.

 

- Did you hear that, Phai? –Nikandros shook his head.

 

- I did –answered his brother, standing at their side—He insists in being treated like a big boy. 

 

Nikandros laughed in a good mood.

 

- Let’s do something –he said, looking again at his nephew—I’ll call you “Achilles” when you kill your first man and win your sword belt, what do you say?

 

Achilles didn’t look happy with that proposal.

 

- Aki, you can’t demand respect, you have to earn it –said his father, taking him by the shoulder—And your uncle is right, if you want to be treated like a big boy you have first to earn that right.

 

- Fine. 

 

- Where is my Prince? –asked Alexander, so happy that he appeared to glow, walking to them with Krateros at his side.

 

Oh, please no –thought Hephaistion, the smile left his face in the same moment he laid his eyes on the taxiarch.

 

- Joy to you Alexander! –said Nikandros, now that he was a lochagos his love for the King had increased as much as his officer paid.

 

- Joy to you, Nick!…Aki, come here –the King called him—Krateros has something for you.

 

That put Hephaistion’s senses on alert.

 

- Your father told me you like horse and chariot racings –said the taxiarch, and of course by his “father” he meant Alexander.

 

- Yes –Achilles had never talked to Krateros before, he didn’t know how much his father hated him and he had heard only praises from Alexander, so he behaved as always when he was in front of the King’s officers.

 

- Would you like to be with me in the next chariot race? –Achilles’ eyes double their size and shone like jewels, forgetting his formal behavior in a blink.

 

Oh, crap –thought Hephaistion.

 

- Really? Can I do that? –the Prince turned to look first at Alexander and then at his father, but before the General could open his mouth and say “no” because there was no way in which he would let his son to drive a chariot with Krateros…

 

- Of course you can –Hephaistion wanted to kill the King—Krateros likes to drive his own chariots and he would take care of you.

 

- I’m sure he will, unless he wants to lose something I’m sure he would miss –said the General in such a cold voice that he caught his son’s attention and made Cyrus gulped.

 

The taxiarch laughed.

 

- I want to see you try, Mr-skittish-goose-mother –Hephaistion would have hit him if Nikandros hadn’t taken his arm.  

 

- Enough! It’s my son’s birthday; I don’t want you to fight –said Alexander in his commanding voice.

 

- When is the race starting? –asked Achilles, successfully changing the subject.

 

- Soon, come –said Alexander, taking him by the shoulder.

 

- Oh! I don’t want to miss this –said Nikandros, with a big smile—Aren’t you coming? 

 

- You bet –said Hephaistion through clenched teeth.

 

XXX

 

- Eni, are you sure about this? –asked Thais, following her friend through the crowded streets.

 

They had come to the celebrations with Berenike’s children, Netikerty was holding baby Demetrios and Sophonisba was taking care of Sophia. Everything had gone fine until they saw Leonnatos walking near then, and Berenike had started to follow him.

 

- I have to talk to Leon –answered Berenike, almost running—I just saw him! And I…There! –she saw Leonnatos at the distance and ran with all her forces after him.  

 

Thais shook her head, her friend was crazy, she only hoped Berenike would be all right while watching with horror how she almost crashed against a woman with 3 children and was about to step over a cat, but she was determined to catch her husband. 

 

Leonnatos was distracted, paying attention to nothing special and didn’t saw his wife until she was standing in front of him. His eyes were wide opened as if he had just seen a ghost. It had been more than a month since the last time he had laid eyes on her, and in that moment, she looked like the most beautiful woman on earth for him: panting, with her long black hair a little disheveled with a couple of locks covering his hair and her cheeks pink.

 

- Leon…—she said without breath—I…I…I want to talk to you.

 

- We have nothing to talk about –it was too painful and humiliating for him to talk about what had happened, he just wanted to forget everything. He was going to leave, determined to see if the wine could truly erased someone’s memory, when Berenike took his arm with both hands.

 

- Please, I-I am sorry, Leon –he didn’t look at her, he couldn’t because, if he saw her big crystalline and pleading eyes, he would forgive her and his pride didn’t let him do that—I love you, and… 

 

- Stop! –he raised his voice—I don’t want to hear it.

 

- Leon…please…—Leonnatos wanted to go as soon as he could, he moved his arm with more force than he had intended and threw Berenike out of balance making her fell on the ground. He stopped. For a moment he was tempted to help her and said he was sorry, kiss her cheek and pretend that everything was fine…But he shook his head and started to walk.

 

- You are a bigger coward than I thought –Berenike opened his eyes in astonishment when she saw Kleitos there; oh, this was so wrong—Treating your wife like that. 

 

In that moment Leonnatos redefined the concept of blind killing fury and his anger, sadness and frustration found a way out when the hipparch appeared standing in front of him. He didn’t stop to think if he was his superior or if they were in the middle of the street, in that moment all that mattered was that this was the man who had slept with his wife, his Eni, the only woman he had ever loved.

 

- Stop! –Berenike shouted, watching with horror how Leonnatos threw himself against Kleitos like a savage beast.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion walked behind Alexander and Achilles, the crowd opened before the King and the common people prostrated themselves, just as they would do in front of the Great King. The General smiled, if only everything were as simple as this, if only the Magi would recognize his King as the new sovereign…

 

- Hey! Preciousness with the weird name – he heard the familiar and annoying voice of Chrysaor calling him.

 

You have to be kidding me –thought the General narrowing his eyes.

 

- You again? –he asked as if this were a cosmic joke. 

 

- I have been looking for you since we met –said Chrysaor with a big smile—And so far I found out that you are not in my taxei.

 

- You think I’m a pezetairoi? –Hephaistion couldn’t believe that.

 

- Well, surely you are not a man-whore, are you? –the General had to count to 10 not to punch him.

 

- You truly know how to piss people off –said Hephaistion.

 

- And you are very prickly, so, you must be in a cavalry squadron –said Chrysaor crossing his arms over his chest—Only the cavalry guys are such snobs.

 

- I’m not in a cavalry squadron –the General corrected him—You’ll know better if you read the official dispatches.

 

- I can’t read –said Chrysaor, still in his good mood—My father is a farmer, I can’t say our farm is big but at least is ours, you can imagine that we have no use for words.

 

That left Hephaistion speechless for a moment, thinking carefully in what he had just said. Chrysaor wasn’t rude with him because he was a jerk like Krateros…Or even like his brother Nikandros, and he wasn’t a lecherous bastard like King Philip, he was like this because he, literally, had no manners.

 

And I’m behaving with him like a smug asshole –thought the General—Just like Philotas.

 

- What did I say? –asked Chrysaor smiling—Why are you so quite?  

 

Hephaistion shook his head.

 

- It’s nothing. 

 

- Come, I’ll buy you a drink.

 

- Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea…

 

- Why not? What were you planning to do? –the pezetairoi insisted.

 

- I was going to the race…

 

- Great! I want to see it too, come –and before Hephaistion could say a word Chrysaor took him by the arm.

 

XXX

 

- You fought with Zopyrion? –asked the General intrigued. They were waiting for the race to begin, standing among the crowd and some of the pezetairoi who were near couldn’t hide their surprised expressions when they saw Hephaistion with them. 

 

Even if the General had a good relationship with his men and wasn’t a petulant bastard like Philotas, he wasn’t like Kleitos or Krateros, the type that went out to drink and gamble with the ranking soldiers, he usually had other things to do and preferred to spend his free time with his son or friends. So, it was a rare event to see him there. 

 

Chrysaor nodded.

 

- I volunteer to go with him to invade the Scythian lands –he explained.

 

- Why? Zopyrion is an idiot, I heard several times that he was a terrible commander –said Hephaistion.

 

- There you are damn right, the poor son of a bad mother didn’t have a clue of how to run an army –said the pezetairoi—But, when I volunteered I didn’t know that, I just knew that he was governor of Thrace and that he was planning a campaign. That was a pretty rough winter for us so I thought it would be a good idea to make extra money with the army.

 

- And what happened? With Zopyrion’s campaign, I mean –asked the General who had only read the story from Antipater’s official dispatch. 

 

- Well –Chrysaor scratched his head—Everything went bad from the beginning, I guess the Gods were truly pissed off with Zopyrion because a good part of the ships sank by a terrible storm. Then, he ordered to besiege a Greek city called Olbia, but the Olbians were tougher than we thought and defended themselves like wild cats. By this time Zopyrion was starting to get impatience, and to make things worst we didn’t have enough resources to continue with the siege, thanks to lack of ships –he shook his head— I think that Zopyrion thought that the sole name of Macedonia was going to be enough to make his enemies piss themselves –he chuckled. 

 

- I heard the Scythians were the ones who defeated the army –said Hephaistion.

 

- Defeated? –the pezetairoi laughed—They freaking destroyed the damn army. After giving up with the siege, Zopyrion ordered to retreat and the bloody Scythians finished us on our way back –he hit his fist against the palm of his hand— They and all the tribes that live in that fucking land. The poor devil of Zopyrion died too.

 

- And how was that you survived? –now the General was intrigued.

 

- I wasn’t the only one but we were few. In my case, they thought I was dead, I lay unconscious for several hours among the corpses of my companions, and, by the time I woke up it was night –said Chrysaor, and for the first time since Hephaistion met him, he was serious—The rest of the survivors helped me and we headed back to Macedonia.

 

- Alone? But you were in hostile territory –now the General was impressed, and the pezetaioi smiled again.

 

- It wasn’t easy, but we managed –he admitted with feigned humility—My father wanted me to stay home but…Well, I’m the oldest and when I heard that Amyntas was looking for men to come to Asia I just had to come. After all here is where the money is, right? –Hephaistion laughed, truly amused—Hey! I made you laugh –said Chrysaor as if he had accomplished a great deed. 

 

- So, what do you think of Asia so far? –the General wanted to know, cocking his head.

 

- That here definitely is the money –said Chrysaor, moving his head up and down slowly—Many of the veteran men of my taxei have these amazing things, armors, swords, cloths…They are like Kings! And I can see that you have done pretty well too –he said watching Hephaistion’s magnificent cloths—Gods! You are beautiful, if I were you I would spend all day in front of the mirror mast…

 

- Too much information –said General, smiling—Thank you, but I don’t like when people make such remarks about me. 

 

- Why not? You don’t like being told that you are beautiful? 

 

- No.

 

- Why not? –Chrysaor couldn’t understand him.

 

- Because when you are in the middle of a military campaign people think that you achieve everything just because of your pretty face –Hephaistion explained.

 

The pezetairoi opened his mouth to say something but an almighty uproar from the crowd silenced him. They both turned and found that the race was about to begin and that the uproar was because Achilles had appeared with Krateros. The General smiled, his son looked so happy, he walked to the chariot jumping on it excited and the taxiarch climbed behind me. 

 

- So, that’s the King’s son –said Chrysaor, shielding his eyes with his hand to protect them from the sun.

 

- Have you seen him before? –Hephaistion was intrigued; he wanted to know what did a man like the pezetairoi thought about Alexander’s adopted son.

 

- No, but I have seen the King; he addressed us the day we arrived –explained Chrysaor—And they look alike –the General smiled—It’s his birthday or something, right? 

 

- You are in the celebrations but you have no idea of what we are celebrating?

 

The race started and Hephaistion followed Krateros’ chariot like a bird of prey, he wasn’t joking, if something happened to his son he would dismember the taxiarch. But the Gods were in a good mood that day, and it could be that Krateros was really a great driver or that maybe the other competitors decided to give the young Prince an advantage, but they won.

 

- I have to go –said the General, watching how Alexander walked to Achilles and embraced him for the delight of the audience.

 

- When am I going to see you again? –asked Chrysaor.

 

- I don’t know –and without a further explanation Hephaistion was gone.

 

XXX

 

- Can I stay at the banquet? –asked Achilles when night fell, and Alexander laughed, he was in a great mood.

 

- It’s your birthday, of course you can stay –that made the boy immensely happy, he loved when the King and his father treated him like a grown up.

 

- Alexander! –a very serious Nikanor arrived, looking worried.

 

- What is it? –asked the King.

 

Something bad happened…News about Darius? –thought Hephaistion on alert, why couldn’t they have a peaceful day?

 

- You have to come, Kleitos and Leonnatos had a fight –that told Alexander and his beloved everything they needed to know.

 

- Where are they? –asked the King, his good mood was gone.

 

- At the palace, I have them surrounded by guards before they tried to kill each other again –Nikanor explained.

 

- I’ll go right now –Philotas’ brother nodded and left.

 

- Alex…—Hephaistion walked to him.

 

- I know, come with me –said the King nodding—Aki, we’ll see you later at the banquet.

 

- Yes, father.

 

- Nick, you will take care of the Prince –Nikandros nodded.

 

When they arrived at the room where Nikanor had left Kleitos and Leonnatos Alexander and Hephaistion stopped at the threshold. They looked terrible, bleeding, showing all kind of bruises and even marks of bites. The hipparch’s nose was broken, and his face, neck and chest covered with blood; Leonnatos had a purple eye so swollen that he couldn’t open it and judging but by the fact that he was sitting and the strange angle of his leg, he had a broken bone or at least a sprained ankle.

 

The King took a deep breath and dismissed his guards, they hesitated a moment, sure that if they leave Kleitos and Leonnatos they would fight again, but Hephaistion’s eyes told them everything and they left.

 

- I’m not going to ask what happened because its obvious –said Alexander in his commanding voice, sounding older than he really was—What I want is this to end, I would not have my hipparch of the Ile Basilike and one of my somatophilakes fighting like teenagers for a woman.

 

- Of course you knew –muttered Kleitos, looking at Hephaistion. 

 

- Yes, I know.

 

- Then you should let me kill him –said Leonnatos furious—He insults me and disgraces me. He slept with MY wife! 

 

- Oh, really? –Kleitos sounded almost amused—Maybe your lack of prowess in bed made your wife to slept with me.

 

That was too much, even if Leonnatos had a broken leg he stood up and tried to punch the hipparch, but Hephaistion moved faster and held him.

 

- I’LL KILL YOU! –roared Leonnatos, trying to break his grip. 

 

- ENOUGH! –the King raised his voice.

 

- Alexander –said Kleitos, cleaning the blood from his face with the back of his hand—I also want to end with this, and I want to marry Berenike. 

 

- She is my wife!

 

- You threw her out of your house. 

 

- That’s none of your damn business!

 

- Of course it’s my damn business! –exclaimed Kleitos with his booming voice— I’ll not let you to mistreat her.

 

- Mistreat her?! –exclaimed Hephaistion in shock—What happened to my sister? –he held his friend’s gaze and Leonnatos sighed.  

 

- It wasn’t on purpose, I…I moved my arm and she fell to the ground…

 

- You threw her –the hipparch accused him.

 

- That’s not true! –Leonnatos shouted—I would never hurt Berenike.

 

Alexander puffed out.

 

- Leonnatos, we’ll end this now –he said, tired of this situation—You have to decide if you are going to receive your wife back or divorce her –they all fell silent—If you have your wife back then Kleitos would leave you alone –he turned to look at his hipparch and even if he was 15 years younger than his veteran commander, Kleitos swallowed hard and nodded—But if you divorce her then it would be Nikandros’ decision if he lets his sister to marry Kleitos.  

 

This was the moment that Leonnatos had been postponing for a month and didn’t know what to do. Alexander was right, he had to take a decision but; what was he going to do?

 

XXX

 

(1) Robin Lane Fox. Alexander the Great.

(2) Ok, you must be thinking the same as I, how much money was 50, 000 talents of gold? Well, looking on the web and in the History Channel, it seems that it was the equivalent to 3 billion US dollars.

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 306

(4) Quintus Curtius. The History of Alexander.