CHAPTER 140

 

If Antigone thought for a moment that she was coming to Persepolis to rest and have a holiday, she was terrible mistaken, from the moment she set foot in the place she had a very busy schedule. Even if Alexander had invited her to take care of Achilles it was inevitable, just as Hephaistion had pointed out, to keep her away from Berenike and her myriad of problems, after all she was her only daughter and Antigone had always been a little overprotective with her. No one understood better how difficult was the life of a woman at those times than Amyntor’s wife.

 

It was clear for everyone that, what Berenike needed more than anything, was her mother; even if her brothers, uncle and cousin cared about her she needed the love and guidance that only a mother could give, besides they all were too busy to be take proper care of her. 

 

It was Antigone the one who talked to Leonnatos and convinced him to let her daughter see her children again. It wasn’t as difficult as everyone thought, first because Leonnatos appreciated Antigone, and respected her as if she were his own mother, and the second and most important reason, because his children were truly sad without their mother. Even if Leonnatos was mad at his ex wife he wasn’t a heartless son of a bad mother and he truly cared for his children, and Berenike, with all her defects, was a good mother.

 

Everybody was happy to have Amyntas and Sophia back, and Berenike looked as if all her wishes had come true in the same moment her children walked through the door of her house; it was one of the happiest days of her life.

 

Another one who couldn’t be happier with Antigone’s presence at Persepolis was Achilles. Alexander had made the right decision inviting Hephaistion’s mother, she was exactly what his little Prince needed and the boy looked so happy that this was enough to make the King forget about what had happened just days ago with Scipio. They were right, what the boy needed was a mother, no matter how much the King and the General loved him he needed someone like his grandmother at his side.

 

But, sadly, even with all this good news, Antigone’s presence wasn’t a bless for everyone…

 

- Mom hates Kleitos –said Nikandros to Hephaistion. That day the King had decided to go hunting taking with him his friends, officers and the Persians who had accompanied him from Babylon and Susa; even Achilles was allowed to go with them for his utterly delight.

 

- Don’t be absurd, mom doesn’t hate anyone, she is too kind for that –said the General, mounted on a magnificent gray horse, the latest gift of the King, who had insisted that his beloved should have a horse worthy of the Great King’s beloved…That is another horse. This time Hephaistion had accepted without arguing, after all that had happened between them he understood that Alexander wanted to pamper him and that it was a bad idea to reject the gift.

 

- Maybe, but she doesn’t like him –the lochagos insisted, watching his brother’s new mount with obvious envy. It was at times like this that Hephaistion thought that, if his brother were Alexander’s lover, the King would be a very poor man by now.

 

- Why not? Has Kleitos mistreated her or something? –now Hephaistion was concerned. His mother was staying at the palace, close to the Prince’s chambers, but she also spent a lot of time at the hipparch’s house with her daughter, and if Kleitos had done as much as to give a nasty look to his mother, he would beat him until the hipparch were beyond recognition. 

 

- On the contrary, he tries really hard to please her –Nikandros chuckled—I have to admit that mom is really polite with him but she told me yesterday that, even if Kleitos treats her so kindly, she doesn’t like him because –he counted with his fingers— One: he and mom are almost the same age, two: he is too vulgar for mom’s tastes and three: his reputation of heavy drinking and whoremonger precedes him.

 

- I see your point now –the General nodded.

 

- But all in all, mom is happy to be here –his brother continued, stretching his arms at the front—She is cooking for all of us tonight, she even invited your lover –he added with a big childish smile, the sole though of his mother’s cooking was enough to make him feel as a 5 years old boy again.

 

- She shouldn’t be cooking –said Hephaistion gravely— Alexander didn’t invite her to work.

 

His brother laughed so hard that he draw the attention of the nearby servants, who looked at him with expressions that said ‘crazy barbarian’ but too scared of the Macedonians to say something.

 

- You hypocrite! Just admit that you are dying to taste her cooking again –that made the General laugh, his brother got him— Did you know that mom invited your Roman friend to dine with us? –the lochagos had to suppress a smile when he saw Hephaistion’s big round eyes.

 

- And why didn’t you stop her? –this was a disaster of cataclysmic proportions, it was as if Nikandros were witnessing an accident he could help to avoid but prefer to sit with a popcorn bowl, watch and do nothing.

 

- And miss all the fun? Honestly Phai, I thought you knew me better than this –said Nikandros with an evil grin—I can’t wait to see how they kill each other.

 

Hephaistion was at one step of killing his older brother, he was sure his mother would understand that his firstborn couldn’t live after such an outrageous thing, but before he could even open his mouth…

 

- General! –one of the pages came running to where the brothers were talking—Sir, the King requests your presence at your early convenience.

 

- I’ll be right there –said the General, still looking at his brother as if he wanted to see Nikandros drop dead in that moment. The page nodded and ran back.

 

- Oww! He can’t live without you –Nikandros teased him. Hephaistion tried to punch him but he moved away laughing—You should better get going before ‘Alex’ gets impatience.

 

- Cadie is right Nick –he took the reins of his horse— You behave like a teenager.

 

- I prefer that than a lovesick schoolboy.

 

- Maybe I am a lovesick schoolboy, but I have a better horse than you –the General smiled and his brother showed him his middle finger.

 

He found Alexander talking to Mazaeus’ sons, the few Persians who truly recognized him as the Great King. Achilles was with them, mounted on Pegasus at the King’s side with a very serious expression on his face, behaving like a grown up. Hephaistion could see that lately, instead of using an interpreter, the King relied more and more on Achilles, one because he trusted him and two because it was a good idea to include his heir in his meetings, which made Hephaistion very proud of his boy. This day, and for the dislike of more than one Macedonian, Alexander was dressed in Persian fashion, no matter how magnificent were his cloths or how spectacular the embroidery, colors and jewels, many of his officers looked at him with clearly disapproving frowns, but said nothing.

 

For now –thought the General—But for how long would they be silent?

 

Hephaistion couldn’t care less how Alexander chose to dress, but still it was strange for the General to see him wearing pants…Not that this meant he didn’t look very handsome, a thought that made Hephaistion smiled like a happy fool.

 

Maybe Nick is right and I behave like a lovesick schoolboy –he shook his head.

 

When the King saw his beloved he excused himself, dismounted and walked to him leaving his horse with a servant. He smiled, such a beautiful, happy and contagious smile, that Hephaistion couldn’t avoid returning it; it had been months since the last time he saw his lover smiling like that, or maybe years, he used to do it a lot when they were younger, when life was simpler for them.

 

Alexander reached him and pulled his earlobe playfully, walking at his side looking for a more private place, leaving behind the bustle of his hunting party, the fragments of conversations and the dog’s barking. This time Peritas didn’t come, he was an old dog and the King let him rest, the same as he did with Boukephalos, even if he was his favorite horse, he could no longer mount him as often as before.   

 

- So? –asked the General, cocking his head.

 

- So?

 

- Why did you call me? –Hephaistion stopped under a tree, far from the curious eyes of the rest of the men. The shades of the leaves over his face gave him a mysterious appearance making his eyes look darker; it never ceased to amaze Alexander how the color of his beloved’s eyes changed depending on the light, at night they looked almost purple while under the sun they looked like silver.   

 

- Do I need a reason? I just wanted to see you –the King’s words made him laugh without noise.

 

- You have been very loving lately –purred Hephaistion, biting his lower lip, lowering his head but not his eyes and making Alexander feel a stab of pleasure. The King closed the distance between them and whispered in his ear why he had really called him with such urgency—Here? –the General was amused. 

 

- Why not?

 

- And…what if someone finds us? –his beloved dragged the words, playing, teasing him, but he couldn’t possible care less; as long as the King was concerned the General could do whatever he liked with him as long as he could keep drinking in the beauty of his face.

 

- What if? I’m the Great King and everything you see is mine –said Alexander, lifting his head arrogantly.

 

- Are you trying to impress me, sire?

 

- It depends, is it working? –he was so closed to his beloved that each word hit the General’s lips, making 2 rebel gold-bronze locks dance before his dark gray eyes.

 

- Maybe…—Hephaistion took his hand and pulled him, looking for a more private place.

 

XXX

 

- Dad, can I ask for something? –asked Achilles on their way back to the palace, riding at his side. Hephaistion wasn’t with them he was still talking to Nikandros, probably trying to convince him to convince their mother that having Scipio and Alexander together in the same room wasn’t a good idea…unless she was trying to unleash Armageddon. 

 

- Of course you can son, what do you want? –the King smiled at him, he hardly could be in a better mood after what he and Hephaistion had done over a flowerbed hiding behind the bushes—Another concubine? –that made the boy laugh.

 

- No, I was wondering, can I have a personal guard?

 

- You are the crown Prince Aki, you can have all the guards you like –said Alexander—Do you want me to choose one for you?

 

The boy shook his head.

 

- I have one in mind –he answered immediately— He is a pezetairos.

 

- And where did you meet a pezetairos? –asked the King with curiosity. 

 

- The taxiarch Meleager assigned him to me the last time I went to the city –the Prince explained.

 

- And does this pezetairos have a name?

 

- Yes, his name is…

 

- Alexander! –Ptolemy arrived, pulling the reins of his horse to stop at the King’s side. He looked good, extremely good, life at Persepolis suited him more than it should be healthy because he was starting to gain weight, as Perdikkas had pointed out several times in the most colorful ways he could think of, even if Thais insisted that he wasn’t fat, just a little plump… a little—Are you still planning to go to Pasargadae?

 

- Yes, I’m leaving in a couple of days.

 

- Do you think its wise? We should be chasing Darius –said the commander. He couldn’t understand why, the same man that had made them all march in such a hurry to reach the Persian cities was now losing so much time here technically doing nothing. 

 

- We’ll chase Darius in its due time –and that was all that Ptolemy got as an answer.

 

When they arrived at the palace Hephaistion’s stomach was growling so hard that Perdikkas and Leonnatos had joked saying that he had swallowed a lion, the General blamed his brother and all that conversation about his mother’s food…Mmm, his mother’s bread and his chicken with her famous secret ingredient…He shook his head, it was of no use to be thinking of that. He dismounted, still fighting thoughts about food and honey wine, when he raised his head and found a very pale Kyros waiting for them at the entrance, among the servants ready to collect the King’s and his friends’ prizes after that morning hunting. The General felt a knot in his stomach, he knew that face and it could only mean that something really bad had happened.

 

- Kyros, what’s wrong? –Hephaistion approached him and his servant shook his head.

 

- He is dead –said the Theban scaring the General.

 

- Who’s dead? –he felt his throat suddenly dry, thinking of a myriad of answers for that question.

 

- Peritas –maybe someone else would have reprehend Kyros for scaring him like that with the news of the dog’s demise, but not Hephaistion, he truly looked as if a member of his own family had died. He had known the dog for years, Alexander had found him on the streets when they were 15 years old, which meant Peritas was almost 13 years old.  

 

- Are you sure? –asked the General concerned.

 

The Theban moved his head up and down, twisting his hands in front of him.

 

- I went to feed him this morning –Kyros explained—And found him sleeping, or at least I thought he was sleeping, next to the King’s bed, but when I approached him I noticed that something was amiss, and, well, he was dead. 

 

- Who’s dead? –asked a very happy Alexander walking to where they were, standing at the marble stairs. He saw his beloved expression of utterly misery and one thought came immediately to his mind—Scipio is dead? –he asked happier than he had intended.

 

Hephaistion frowned, and would have scolded him if he weren’t in such a shock.

 

- No, Publius is perfectly fine thank you –now the King looked disappointed—It’s…Em, maybe you should sit down.

 

Alexander raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

 

- Phai, I always receive news standing, all of them, good and bad, so tell me, who is dead? –said blond, sure of every word.

 

- Fine –Hephaistion ran a hand through his hair and puffed out. There was no easy way to say so he chose to be direct—Peritas is dead –the King looked like a helpless puppy lowering his ears, his uneven eyes big and crystalline.

 

- I need to sit down –he said with a ghost of voice, sitting on one of the steps leading to the entrance—How…how…?

 

- He died in his sleep, Kyros found him this morning –explained his beloved, sitting at his side and taking his hand. He knew how much the King loved his dog, it was like that time when Mr. Hermes had died; they weren’t only pets they were also their trusted friends who were always at their side seeking nothing more than their love. 

 

Alexander was silent for a long moment, he felt so many things at the same time that he was stunned, everything was so unreal, how could his dog be dead? They had been together for so long, Peritas even followed him when he crossed to Asia…How was that he was dead? He didn’t trust his voice and had to clear his throat several times before speaking again.

 

- But…he was fine yesterday, he was…so happy, moving his tail and… –in those moments he looked like a child, not like the man who had crushed armies and made the Great King run away.

 

The General squeezed his hand fondly, resting his forehead against the King’s shoulder.

 

- He was an old dog, Alex –he said softly, while his lover fought back tears, clenching his jaw.

 

They heard steps approaching but neither turned.

 

- What happened? –asked a very intrigued Achilles, looking at his father and then at his uncle. They looked as if Antigone, or another family member, had died.

 

- Peritas died –answered Hephaistion lifting his head. The Prince looked as bad as the King, he ran to embrace his uncle, and that was too much for Alexander; he and Achilles cried together for the King’s retinue utterly confusion.

 

XXX

 

More than one was absolutely puzzled by the King’s reaction. He was devastated as if his own mother had died; even if Hephaistion had his doubts about Alexander’s grief in case of Queen Olympias’ demised, after all she was always causing problems and complicating her son’s life. The King spent that day, literally, prostrated in grief inside his bedroom and didn’t want to see anybody…except for Hephaistion. Antigone thought it would be better to postpone her dinner, she too understood too well his grief after Mr. Hermes’ dead, so that night they all attended to Peritas’ funeral, because the dog had a funeral, after all he had been one of the most trusted friends of the King.

 

Nobody, not even Philotas, dared to open his mouth and say a thing against Peritas’ funeral, not even when he heard that the dog would a have a proper ceremony: with a procession, his body washed and anointed with oil, and even a funeral oration. Kallistenes refused to write the oration, it was just a dog for the Gods’ Sake!, but there was always someone eager to please the new Great King, so Peritas had a beautiful funeral oration. The ceremony lasted 3 days, and the King even announced that the next city he founded would be named after the late Peritas.  

 

- All this because a dog died –Chrysaor complained, walking behind Achilles through the palace hallways.

 

- He was not just a dog, he was also part of the family –the boy reprehended him. Now the pezetairos was officially his personal guard, or bodyguard, news that had made Chrysaor very happy, especially when he heard that he was going to make more money and would be staying at the palace.

 

- Whatever. The point is that the King’s pet had a better funeral than my grandfather –said the pezetairos, his arms crossed behind his head.

 

- We loved Peritas.

 

- And we loved my grandfather, but we couldn’t afford a fancy funeral. I suppose that the rich and famous don’t see the world as we do –said Chrysaor smiling. He turned sideways and when he didn’t recognize the hallway he frowned—Where are we going? 

 

- My father wants to see me –Achilles’ words stopped the pezetairos.

 

- What? –Chrysaor dropped his arms—We are going to see the King?

 

- Yes, is there a problem?

 

- No, no, no…it’s just that this is very easy –the pezetairos kept walking. 

 

- Did I tell you that my grandmother came to visit? –said a very happy Achilles, changing the subject.

 

- Queen Olympias? –as everybody else in Macedonia Chrysaor had heard many things of the King’s mother, one more spectacular and scandalous than the last, and had a morbid curiosity to meet her.

 

- No, my other grandmother.

 

- Wait, wait, wait –said the pezetairos—You mean, your mother’s mother? And speaking of which, who is your mother? I have been wondering that for a while now, I bet she is a Macedonian noble. 

 

- Actually she was a Macedonian Princess, she is now Queen of Epirus –said Achilles, but it was as if he hadn’t said a thing because Chrysaor had no idea who was Queen of Epirus. 

 

They arrived at the King’s study, the pezetairos wasn’t very sure of what he had to do so the Prince asked him to wait outside, the boy was going to knock when the door opened and Eumenes appeared with his usual face of ‘don’t mess with me’. The secretary stopped for a moment, lifted his head and saw the Prince as if trying to understand what was he and what was he doing there. 

 

- I came to see my father –said Achilles.

 

- The King is not here –explained Eumenes, returning his attention to his notes.

 

- Where is he?

 

- Urgent meeting –and that was the only thing he explained before calling one of his clerks to explain a report about the grain supplies that didn’t make much sense.

 

- Thank you –said the Prince politely, and turned. He knew Eumenes didn’t like him, and he had a good idea that this was because of Hephaistion; he was still a child but not as naïve as before and he was starting to understand that his father had many enemies, people envious of his relationship with the King, and therefore they hated him too.

 

After thinking this carefully, Achilles had decided that the best way to deal with them was to be as polite as possible…at least for now, he didn’t want to cause his father more problems. 

 

XXX

 

Two days after the funeral Antigone asked for permission to use the kitchen and prepare her delayed dinner. Cadie, Berenike and Sophia were eager to help her, specially the 6 years old girl who was delighted to have his mother again and even happier to be there with her beloved grandmother.

 

- No Sophie, don’t smash the vegetables –said Berenike, taking her daughter’s hands—We are mixing them, not pulverizing them…see?

 

- Yes, mommy –Sophia nodded and when Berenike released the girl’s hands, her daughter suddenly turned and embraced her with force, taking her aback for a moment—I missed you mommy, you are not going again, right?

 

Berenike had to blink several times, fighting back the tears. It was the simple plea, made with all innocence, of someone who loved her unconditionally and with all her heart, and that was that touched her so deeply that she couldn’t find her voice for a while.

 

- No honey, I’m not going anywhere –she kissed her daughter’s head and walked again to where Antigone was cutting the meat.

 

- Eni, I want to ask you something –said her mother, in her usual sweet and loving tone but Berenike could sense some gravity behind her words.

 

- What is it mom? –she cleaned a tear with the back of her hand.

 

- Are you happy? –it was a very simple question but for Berenike the answer was more complicated than a ‘yes or no’.

 

- With my new life you mean?

 

- With everything, dear –said Antigone, cleaning her hands on her apron before checking the bread in the oven.

 

- Not much –said her daughter with all honesty—I was happy but I didn’t realize how bless I was until I lost everything –she made a pause, staring at her hands as if they had the answers to all the mysteries of the universe— I made lots of mistakes and for a while I was very unhappy, especially when I couldn’t see my children.

 

- And now?

 

Berenike puffed her cheeks out and took a moment to think.

 

- I’ll get use to my new life –that wasn’t the answer her mother was looking for, and she turned to look at her really concerned.

 

- You don’t love your husband, sweetie?

 

- No –that was the truth, so why to lie?—I love Leon, but I’m aware that I was the one who screwed things up, and there is not point to cry now –she took a deep breath— The only thing I asked was to have my children with me, and now, thanks to you mom, I can go on with my life.

 

Antigone fell silent a moment, choosing her words carefully.

 

- Eni, I won’t lie to you, I don’t like Kleitos –that made Berenike smile, she knew that already—And I’m sure your father wouldn’t be happy with this situation, but I don’t blame you, the fault here is mine.

 

Berenike turned to look at her with eyes wide opened.

 

- You are joking!

 

- No Eni, I’m not –said her mother—I shouldn’t have let you come here in the first place, you were…you are too young, and alone in a military camp… –she sighed—But I guess Nick is right and this could have been even worst.

 

- Mom, this is my fault, I made all the decisions here, bad decisions but they were mine –said Berenike, taking her hand to her heart.

 

- You are changing, Eni –said her mother impressed. 

 

- For better or worst? –her daughter smiled.

 

- You are maturing and I glad to see that, I’m sure you’ll be fine –said Antigone, patting her cheek fondly— But I’m not only worried for you honey, your brothers concerned me too. 

 

- Why? –asked Berenike intrigued.

 

- Nick for example.

 

- You still want him to get married, don’t you ma’am? –said Cadie, arriving with some cheese.

 

- Yes, but that’s not what concerns me –said Antigone, taking a jar with milk to prepare her secret ingredient—He is falling in love with her Persian slave.

 

Both, Berenike and Cadie turned to look at her with ‘shock’ written across their faces.

 

- How, why…What?! –exclaimed Berenike.

 

- You haven’t noticed? –the surprised now was her mother—It’s obvious Eni, but I think he hasn’t realized that yet. He is falling in love with Vashti and that concerns me, she is a slave; I don’t know what he is planning to do but I do hope he decides soon. 

 

Cadie shook her head.

 

- I never thought Nick would fall for someone –she said—I thought he would get married, but not to actually fall in love.

 

- And that takes me to Phai –said Antigone, her eyes on her mixture—His problem has always been that he loves the King far too much.

 

- Why is that a problem, mom? –asked Berenike.

 

- He is making powerful enemies, sweetheart –said her mother—Queen Olympias hates him, for example, and now…Now the King has become an incredible powerful man and my boy would make even more dangerous enemies. And not only he, Aki too.

 

- And Lys? –asked Cadie—Does Lys also worries you?

 

- Not as much as before –Antigone admitted—He, like Eni, is maturing, and I also think he will be fine.

 

XXX

 

Even if Antigone didn’t like Kleitos she invited him to her dinner, as Hephaistion had said she was too kind and too polite to do otherwise. She also invited Scipio because she had heard he was her son’s friend and uncle Althamaines had said very good things about him, but of course she never imagined about the conflict between the Roman and their King.

 

- What’s he doing here? –asked Alexander, through clenched teeth, watching how Scipio talked to Hephaistion’s mother looking as the most charming man on the planet. Antigone didn’t speak Greek but Althaimenes helped her with that. 

 

- Mom invited him –explained the General.

 

- Why? –his beloved shrugged.

 

- She wanted to meet him, I suppose…Don’t look at me like that and don’t you dare to suggest that I have something to do with this –said Hephaistion, not angry, in fact, after his initial shock he had to admit that he was a little amused and curious to know what was going to happen.

 

- I thought you were going back to Rome last week –said Alexander when all of them were sitting on the couches, Antigone insisted in having a chair as all decent women, and frowned but said nothing when she noticed that Kleitos let his young and beautiful wife to recline.

 

- We couldn’t leave, King Alexander, because you took all the transports and pack animals to relocate the treasury –Scipio smiled sweetly and the King clenched his jaw; only Hephaistion and Nikandros knew the truth behind these hostilities, the rest didn’t pay any attention. 

 

- Well, in that case I’ll be more than happy to provide you and your fellow citizens with appropriate mounts so you can leave as soon as possible –Alexander forced a smile. 

 

- That would be most gracious of you.

 

The General, sharing the couch with the King and sitting in the middle, thought that he could see sparks flying between the 2 of them, barely containing the hate they felt for each other behind that charade of politeness.

 

I always knew this was a bad idea –he thought, shaking his head. His brother for his part couldn’t be more amused.  

 

- Scipio! –Nikandros, sitting with Vashti whom his mother had insisted in inviting, called him—I was wondering, do you have sisters?

 

- Nikandros! –Antigone scolded him when uncle Althaimenes translated the question. Lysanias laughed.

 

- As a matter of fact I have 2 –the Roman answered—Cornelia major and Cornelia minor.

 

- Both your sisters are named Cornelia? –asked Lysanias confused—Why?

 

- That’s a Roman custom, women are named after their father’s family name –Scipio explained—My family name is Cornelius, so my sisters and my daughters will be Cornelia, if the family name is Drusus then their women will be Drusilla, a Caecilus Metellus would have a Caecilia Metella, and a Julius would have a Julia.

 

- That’s a little unfair –Berenike complained and Kleitos laughed.

 

- I wonder…What would you do if you have 5 daughters? All of them are named the same? –asked the hipparch and Antigone frowned, in her opinion that was an uncalled remark and a little rude.

 

- Are you married Publius? –asked Hephaistion’s mother, she had no idea that it was rude to called a Roman by his first name when you didn’t know him well enough, but Scipio said nothing.

 

- Not yet, I will be as soon as I get back.

 

- Really? Then you mustn’t keep your bride waiting and go as soon as possible –said Alexander, and now everyone noticed the sarcasm in his voice. Kleitos smiled, he had a good idea of why his King was behaving like this, after all he had a hunch that the Roman had abused of Alexander’s hospitality bedding his lover.

 

- I’ll do just that, but it would a shame to leave so soon after such a long trip, don’t you think? –Alexander was going to answer that but then he saw Hephaistion’s expression and closed his mouth.

 

During the dinner, the King deliberately spoke in Macedonian knowing that Antigone didn’t speak Greek and that Scipio didn’t speak Macedonian, but his plan backfired when he noticed that his beloved acted as the Roman’s interpreter, sometimes leaning too close to him to whisper the words without interrupting the conversation.

 

- Mother-in-law your diner is delicious –said Kleitos in his booming voice.

 

- I’m glad you like it –Antigone smiled politely.

 

- I must agree in this with the hipparch –said Scipio, after Hephaistion translated—The cooks of the Great King must be envious of your abilities.

 

This time Antigone smiled happily, she liked Scipio and that bothered the King.

 

- You are far too kind –said Hephaistion’s mother—I’m sure your own mother must be an excellent cook.

 

- I’m afraid I don’t remember, my mother died when I was still young –answered the Roman, gaining her sympathy immediately.

 

- I also like the dinner –said Alexander so quickly that his beloved laughed, he was like a child wanting to have the spot light.

 

- You honor me, sire –Hephaistion’s mother bowed her head slightly. 

 

- You don’t have to call me like that, Antigone –said the King but his beloved’s mother shook her head.

 

- It’s not proper for me to call you by your name, sire.

 

- Your mother would be a perfect Roman matron –whispered Scipio—She is so different from your sister.

 

The General sighed.

 

- Yes, she is.

 

He took a moment to watch her mother and sister carefully. Both were beautiful women but Berenike was wild, adventurous and sensual, while Antigone was calm, prudent and virtuous. No doubt his mother didn’t like Kleitos they couldn’t be more different. The hipparch treated his sister well, in fact he spoiled her buying everything she wanted and covering Berenike in jewels, one look at her dress that night and her necklace, earrings and bracelets was enough to notice, she looked more like Alexander’s wife, a true Queen, something Antigone didn’t approve, but again she said nothing.

 

His mother had always been a simple woman, and even if his brothers and he had given her beautiful jewels and dresses as gifts, she didn’t wear them. 

 

- I don’t like your friend –said Alexander through clenched teeth.

 

- No? Really? –Hephaistion smiled and whispered in his ear—You know? I think I just have an idea of how can you 2 solve your problems? 

 

- Oh, I know how, he just has to disappear –he gave the Roman a very nasty look but Scipio was too busy with his food to notice.

 

- I was thinking in other way –said the General mysteriously.

 

- What other way?

 

- You 2 should sleep together and let me watch –Alexander spat out the wine and began to cough catching the attention of the rest.

 

- What?! –he exclaimed with drown voice.

 

- Oh, don’t look at me like that –said his beloved with a playful smile—You like to imagine Nick and I together, I can also have my own fantasies.

 

The King tried to recover after that shock, that was really Hephaistion’s fantasy? To watch him and the Roman together doing…? He felt sick just thinking about it, he needed water.

 

- Alexander, I heard you are going to Pasargadae –said uncle Althaimenes, when the blond had recovered.

 

- I was planning to go days ago but after what happened to Peritas… —the King fell silent for a moment—I’ll go next week.

 

- What’s at Pasargadae? –asked Kleitos, cleaning his plate with a piece of bread.

 

- Cyrus the Great’ tomb –answered Alexander.

 

- The Great King Cyrus has an interesting story –said Achilles, happy to have an opportunity to take part in the grown ups conversation.

 

- Why is it interesting, sweetie? –asked Antigone with curiosity.

 

- Because his life was like an epic tale –said the Prince— You see, the Median King Astyages had a dream where he saw that his grandson would overthrow him, his grandson was Cyrus, and when he was born the King ordered to kill the baby, but the man who had to kill the baby lost nerve and left Cyrus at the care of a herdsman in the mountains and the herdsman raised him as his son. When Cyrus was 10 years old King Astyages heard of him and found out he was his grandson, and he decided to let him go back to his real parents. Time passed and, when Cyrus’ father died, he became King of the Persians, and later he overthrown Astyages and became King of the Medes.

 

Hephaistion thought about this story for a moment, in a way it was just like Achilles’ story. His mother had abandoned him with an old couple at a farm lost in Illyria and now he was a Prince, would he be a Great King one day too? A King like Cyrus?

 

XXX