CHAPTER 175

 

The Soghdian Rock,

Spring, Artemisios

 

I can understand that after hearing me describing so many sieges and battles you could find the story of Nautaca boring, and I have to agree with you. This was not a very important siege, Sisimithres was not a dashing opponent and nothing worth mentioning was a stake here. The siege of Nautaca may not be a very epic tale, we did not have breathtaking adventures and Alexander did nothing spectacular, but at least I can tell you that, for me, it was very well deserve rest after all that happened the previous year, besides, I had plenty of time to be with Alexander alone and far away from Krateros, who had to return to Bactria for my good luck.

 

The siege finally came to an end, after 2 months, when Sisimithres, more scared of Alexander than of his wife/mother, surrendered the city and we were free to continue our way once again. We made one stop at Nahae, where we learned that Spitamenes was death. We heard about this in the most unusual way you can imagine, but despite the happy news of our enemy’s demise that did not mean the rebellion had ended with his life, on the contrary, now, instead of having one big rebellious group, my King had to face several small ones…

 

— It’s like fighting against the hydra! –exclaimed Alexander, pacing around his room and reminding Hephaistion of Nikandros, who had the same habit— I thought…I truly believed that, when this woman arrived with her husband’s head in a bag, the revolt was over. 

 

— Oh, that was really creepy! –exclaimed his beloved, sitting on the bed, remembering the moment when Ankasa arrived to the Macedonian camp asking an audience with the King to deliver Spitamenes’ head in person— But you have to admit that we learned a lot thank to Spitamenes’ wife. 

 

— What’s that? –the blond stopped and turned to look at him.

 

— Never marry a Persian woman –despite all his anger, Alexander laughed.

 

— You are an idiot, Phai –said the blond still laughing, making Hephaistion smiled. It made him happy to be able to help his King, even with such a silly thing like making him laugh, when he had so many problems. Alexander sat at his side on the bed— What bothers me Phai is that, at this rate, I would never be able to go to India –he rested his elbows on his thighs, bending to the front and his voice became a soft whisper— I truly don’t know what I am going to do. 

 

Hephaistion nudged him.

 

— I did not know you were such a pessimist –he said, moving to rest behind his lover, embracing him, his legs bent at each of Alexander’s sides and his head resting against his shoulder— We’ll find a way to pacify the region. 

 

— How? I don’t want to spend another year stuck here –the King sighed, his hand over his beloved’s arm, caressing him absently. The feeling of his hipparch’s warm body against his back was like a magical remedy to ease his troubled heart— I can’t believe it! We spent more time here, in Soghdiana, than conquering Tyre for Zeus’ sake! And now Oxyartes had the brilliant idea of garrison this fortress with every man he could find. I heard one of my agents saying he has 30, 000 men and that Oxyartes has provisions stored for 2 years. The bastard feels so confident that he has with him his wife and daughters, can you believe this?

 

Maybe I should explain something here. This Oxyartes is the same Oxyartes who was with Bessus and Spitamenes when we crossed the Hindu Kush, do you remember the attack where I lost my memory? Oxyartes was there, under the orders of Bessus. And yes, before you ask, he was Roxanne’s father, and again yes, Roxanne was at the Soghdian Rock in that moment while I talked to Alexander. Oxyartes was not Persian, he was from Bactria but he had remained loyal to the late satrap until the very end. He was not very brilliant, I may add, in fact Roxanne was more cunning, vicious and intelligent than her father could ever be…but I that is another story…

 

— I think that is an exaggeration –Hephaistion kissed his neck— I don’t believe he has 30, 000 men with him but still… I guess this is good-bye to a siege, don’t you agree? –he caressed his lover with his nose.

 

— A siege is absolutely out of question –said Alexander, feeling all his hormones standing to attention every time his beloved touch his skin— You saw the fortress, high in the mountains, and even if its spring the place is covered with snow, you know as well as I that this not only hinders our advance, it also provides the enemy with sufficient drinking water; but…we can’t leave, oh! No, we are not going anywhere until this place falls into my hands.

 

Hephaistion nodded slowly. The King had offered the defenders of the Soghdian Rock one last chance to surrender and a safe conduct to their homes but the enemy had literally laughed in Alexander’s face and asked if the Macedonians had among their ranks men who could fly because “they would only surrender to winged soldiers as no other sort of person could cause them the least anxiety”(1)

 

— Winged soldiers –whispered his beloved kissing he skin behind the King’s ear, remembering that morning’s exchange with the enemy. Alexander seemed to wake up then, those simple words opened the whole world to him, as if after days of clouded skies a ray of light could finally be seen.

 

— Winged soldiers! –exclaimed the King taking his hipparch aback. He stood up and ran to the door, then, Alexander suddenly stopped, ran back, kissed Hephaistion’s cheek and ran out of the tent.

 

All right, I have no idea of what just happened here –thought the hipparch, blinking in utterly confusion.

 

XXX

 

Bagoas saw the King leaving his tent and shouting orders to assemble all the men who had experience about the mountains, had been born in the mountains, knew the mountains, used to spend time on the mountains, were somehow related to the mountains, were skilful in rock-climbing or had, in one way or another, excelled in other sieges. The eunuch felt his pulse racing, this was the opportunity he had been waiting all this time and, without losing a moment, he ran to his room, looking for an amphora of wine he had prepared a week ago with the aphrodisiac herbs.

 

Bagoas knew you only have to use a handful of these herbs, he had done this before when he did not wanted to lose the Great King’s favor and had, literally, done everything he could imagine to maintain his position in Darius’ bed. He weighted the amphora in his hands, maybe he had exaggerated, even less than a handful of herbs was enough for an amphora as small as this, but he did not want to take risks the and had mixed one of the late Darius’ best wines with the entire bag of herbs.  

 

The eunuch looked under his mattress for a parchment folded in 4 parts showing the hipparch’s seal. He had everything ready. While looking for the herbs he had also stole an old letter wearing Hephaistion’s personal seal and, with all care, he had not only copied his handwriting, he had also taken the wax seal and put it on his own letter. It had not been easy and for moments the eunuch had feared he was going to break the hardened wax but, at the end, everything gone well and he was now the happy owner of a very compromising letter addressed to Chrysaor in the hipparch’s handwriting and closed with his personal seal ring.

 

He had everything he wanted, his plan was working perfectly and still, in that moment, sitting on the floor at the side of his bed, Bagoas had doubts. What he was doing, what he had been doing all those past weeks was very dangerous: he had falsified a letter not only using Hephaistion’s name, but also another 2 using Achilles’ handwriting. This had been necessary, he told himself, because, in order to make Seleucus believe that the Prince felt something for him, the eunuch had written to him 2 letters, always sending them with the help of the first Persian servant who had crossed his path. He never used servants who could read Greek just in case.

 

What did Seleucus thought? He was not very sure, but so far things had gone fine, nobody suspected of him and tonight the Gods had set the pieces on the board, just waiting for his hand to move them but…Bagoas saw the letter with the hipparch’s seal. He was still in time to stop his crazy plan, he was risking too much, what if someone found out what had he done? But… The light of the oil lamp resting on a nearby table danced in his black eyes.

 

I can’t stop now –he thought with decision and, biting his lower lip, he stood up, taking the small amphora of wine and the letter with him.

 

XXX

 

At the same time a servant ran with “Hephaistion’s letter” looking for Chrysaor, Seleucus walked to the royal tent with a couple of letters in his hands. It was a cold night and even if the slaves had made their best to sweep the snow, this kept falling down and soon the road, leading to the King's tent, was again covered in white. The officer closed his cloak around him, shaking his head. He truly had no idea of what to make out of the letters; when he received the first one he thought first it was a mistake, why would be the Crown Prince sending him a letter? Later, while he unfold the parchment, he thought Achilles would ask him to stop following him, but his doubts and distrust was transformed into absolute astonishment when he read it’s content…

 

Seleucus, I hope you can understand that it’s impossible for me, as the Crown Prince, to have you as my erastes. Please, don’t think I say this because of my position, I say this because of my father, but be sure that you mean more to me than you think…

 

It was a very ambiguous message that opened a lot of doors for his hope, but the officer did not want to feed false illusions about what Achilles really meant with this message, after all, even if the 11 years old Prince was brilliant, he was still very young, and could just be looking to be his friend. Seleucus stopped and his eyes settled then on the second letter, that one had shaken his entire world, and this letter was the reason why he was there, walking to the royal tent at such an hour under such terrible weather… 

 

Seleucus, I saw you the other day while the army marched to the Soghdian Rock and my heart longed to ride at your side, but my father did not let me even to look at you. I tried to talk to the King, but my father is adamant in this…

 

Hephaistion does not let Achilles to be with me? –thought the officer.

 

He sighed. Something here did not fit. First of all Seleucus did not know for sure that the Prince had indeed written these letters, but, the 2 of them had been delivered by royal servants, always a different one and never one of Hephaistion’s trusted men who, undoubtedly, would have told their master about his son’s activities. That had sense, but…

 

I don’t think Hephaistion is the kind of man who would force his son to renounce to a person he likes –thought the officer, fanning the letters in his hand— I mean, I am not Krateros, and even if that were the case, something in me resists to believe that Hephaistion would go as far as to forbid Achilles to see him just because he does not like the man…

 

But the truth was that Seleucus did not know the hipparch that well and the only 2 times when they had spoken were when Hephaistion demanded him to stay away from his son and when he thanked him for taking care of the Prince at Maracanda. He could not say for sure what would Hephaistion do in this situation and the only solution he could think of was, first to talk to Achilles and then, if the situation was indeed as dramatic as the letters portrayed it, he would talk to the hipparch.

 

He took a deep breath and lifted his head to see the night sky; he could have hardy chose a worst night to do this, just when the King had called a special meeting with some of the men, but this was also a good opportunity, that meant the Prince would be alone and they would be able to talk in peace. 

 

After a moment of hesitation the officer continued his way.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion considered for a moment to follow Alexander and see what was he planning, but he discarded the idea when he remembered the huge amount of work waiting for him on the desk in front of him. Since the King wanted to spend every single moment with him, he rarely slept in his own tent, not that he complained, he also loved to spend every second with his lover, but thanks to this he was working at the royal tent.

 

The hipparch yawned and, with infinite laziness, sat down at his desk to start the always boring and tedious task of reading reports. How he hated this! But he had to admit that, as always, Glycon was of great help and the young man had divided the reports in 3 small towers: urgent, very urgent and life or death urgent. Everything below the category of urgent could be handled by his subordinates.

 

Hephaistion was reading about the state of the troops’ equipment and the extremely urgent need of horses when Hermolaus son of Sopolis, one of the royal pages, arrived with a jug of wine, a jug of water and a silver cup. He served the watered wine and left, as silently as possible, fearing to interrupt his superior. Hephaistion drank the wine, while reading, without noticing anything unusual and served another cup, this time without water.

 

XXX

 

Bagoas, hidden in a corner, watched how Hermolaus left the hipparch’s room. He was not as foolish as to deliver the wine himself, he needed to stay away from what was going to happen so no one could implicate him later with anything. The eunuch had just changed the wine the page would take to Hephaistion and waited. He bit his thumb, watching nervously the entrance of the King’s room as if they were the gates to Hades, with fear, anxiety and, why not? Hope, and he prayed that Chrysaor would arrive soon or the King would be back and all his effort would have been for nothing; he would have risked his life for nothing.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion started to feel a soft warmth spreading inside his body, at first it was a very comforting sensation, especially in that cold night, but then, he also started to feel a tickling running through his legs and the heat concentrating from his waist down. His face was burning and soon he was unable to keep reading. He left the report on the desk and hid his face in his hands. 

 

What the hell is wrong with me? –thought the hipparch; he was as hard as he had only been after a very long session of foreplay, could it be that he had been left so horny after Alexander had abruptly left the room? A thousand of possible explanations crossed his mind but not even for a moment he considered this could be the wine’s fault, he truly believed it was only his treacherous body who refused to work and wanted to spend another night of wild sex with the King.

 

Hephaistion took a deep breath and another sip from his wine hoping that this would help him, but as soon as he tried to keep reading he felt as if electricity were running through his veins and he found himself moaning softly. Even the slightly movement, the most innocent brush of his cloths made him burn in desire.  

 

Something definitely is very wrong with me –he thought, moaning again, and, involuntarily rocking his hips.

 

XXX

 

After thinking this for days, after all the doubts that had assaulted him, after finally gathering all his courage, Seleucus did not find Achilles at the royal tent. For a moment the officer thought this was some kind of cosmic joke, he could easily imagine the Gods laughing to tears while watching his predicament. Hermolaus informed him the Prince had gone with the King a few moments ago and that he had no idea at what hour he would be coming back.

 

What now? –thought the officer, puffing his cheeks out. His eyes settled on his boots, wet after walking on the snow and he truly did not fancy the idea of going back to his own tent under that weather. He had achieved nothing coming here, should he wait for Achilles? But then, and idea struck him.

 

— Is hipparch Hephaistion here? –as soon as he asked he felt like an idiot, if the King was not home, what made him think his beloved was?

 

— Yes, sir, in the King’s room –answered the boy of 13 years old for his complete surprise.

 

Maybe I can still do something useful around here –he thought.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion threw his head back, resting his weight against the chair, and closed his eyes for a moment. He was starting to lose the faculty to think correctly, he needed desperately to drown that fire that was consuming him, driving him mad; this was an arousal he had never felt before, savage, vicious, painful and demanding. It was almost as if the heat inside him were looking to take control not only of his body but also of his mind, turning him in nothing more than a puppet. But what could he do? Slowly, the hipparch spread his legs unable to hold for much longer, one way or another but he had to extinguish that hunger inside him.

 

The first brush of his hands against his thighs was enough to make him moaned again, he reacted so easily to pleasure that was starting to be scary, his skin appeared to burn in the places where his finger rested. But before he could take his hands to that hardness that was driving him mad…

 

— Sir – Hermolaus called him before coming in, giving his superior time to sit straight again and to close his legs— Sir, officer Seleucus son of Antiochus asks to see you.

 

— Now?! –exclaimed Hephaistion in complete disbelief taking the boy aback. 

 

— Yes, sir –answered a very nervous page watching that gorgeous man with his face blushed, thin silky locks of hair falling in front of his eyes, panting slightly and his sensual lips moist.

 

Pages always fought savagely to have the change to serve the hipparch, they had literally bit and punched fighting over the night shift, and Hermolaus thought in that movement that every blow he had received was worth it. He had liked, no, he had idolized Hephaistion since the very first day he saw that Greek god standing at the side of the King and now it was as if all his fantasies and wild dreams had come true.

 

— I don’t have time –said Hephaistion, miraculously finding his voice under that heat clouding his mind. 

 

— Sir, he insists is an urgent…

 

— I don’t care! I don’t want to see him now –exclaimed the hipparch, eager to be felt alone to attend to his er- unfinished business, but then…

 

— Well, I’m sorry if you don’t want to talk to me, but you will have to –Seleucus stormed in, he had heard every word and was convinced that Hephaistion did not want to see him because he was angry, because everything that the letters said was true and the hipparch of one half of the hetairoi cavalry was forcing his son to renounce to the person he loved and had nothing else to discuss with him, maybe thinking of him as so insignificant that he did not deserve even a moment of his precious time. 

 

Why me? –thought the hipparch, watching Seleucus’ serious expression. The officer looked as if his father had died and everything were Hephaistion’s fault. 

 

For a moment Hermolaus did not know what to do, this was the last thing he had expected it could happen. Should he stop Seleucus? Call the guards at the door? He looked around trying to find an answer until his superior called his name and said he could leave.

 

The boys are not going to believe this –thought the page, leaving the room, his mind racing and finding a thousand of explanations to why the officer wanted to talk so urgently to the hipparch, of why was Hephaistion looking like that, and why could happen next.

 

One look at Seleucus told him he was not going anywhere until they have talked, and Hephaistion sighed, he considered the possibility of calling the guards but that would complicate everything and the last thing he wanted was to have more people inside that room to see him in his present condition. No, calling the guards was out of question. He took a deep breath.

 

— What do you want? –the hipparch was not in the mood to be polite. And for his total dismay the officer approached him.

 

Oh, I need a drink –Hephaistion took another gulp of wine, while the other talked.

 

— I know you don’t like me but I never thought you were going as far as to forbid Achilles to talk to me –Seleucus’ words were strong but made absolutely no sense.

 

— I don’t have an idea of what are you talking…—Hephaistion’s body shuddered under a powerful wave of heat, it was as if hands were caressing his whole body and rubbing all his hot spots at the same time. He had to bit his lip not to moan.

 

— Are you all right? –asked the officer frowning and doing the worst thing he could have done: he placed his hand on the hipparch’s shoulder, and his touch took away the last vestiges of Hephaistion’s self-control.

 

XXX

 

As soon as the meeting was over, Nikandros technically ran behind Alexander, but it was not easy in that multitude. The King had looked among the men of his army for experienced cragsmen and mountaineers finding 300 and, among these men, he had asked for volunteers “to scale the sheer rock-face on the far side, offering vast rewards to the first 12 men up. They were to take swords, spears and provisions for 2 days. When they reached the summit, above the fortress itself, they were to wave white flags as a signal”(2)  

 

A crowd had gathered to witness this whole exchange and men were now talking excited among each other and, of course, to the 300 men who had accepted the challenge. Nikandros had not been here, he had not heard the King’s words and had no idea of why were all these people here, another mattered of more personal importance had kept him in his tent and that mattered was the one that had him now furiously fuming and running to catch Alexander with Leonnatos behind him.

 

— Nikandros wait! –shouted Leonnatos— You are overreacting.

 

The lochagos stopped to face him.

 

— Am I? Let me tell you what I am, I am an idiot who should have killed you when I have the opportunity –he said, spitting every word before resuming his walking. 

 

— Nikandros, we don’t have to bother the King in times like this, he has many things on his mind –a very nervous Leonnatos insisted, running to catch him.

 

— On the contrary, I insist in “bothering” him –answered the lochagos furiously through clenched teeth.

 

XXX

 

Seleucus had not been this confused in his entire life, one moment he was ready to confront Hephaistion demanding to be with Achilles, and the next he was kissed by the most desired man in the entire Empire. Even if it was true that the officer had never been one of the multiple admirers of the hipparch, that did not mean he was not aroused from head to toe having that gorgeous creature kissing him, rubbing his body against him and moaning as if he were about to die unless someone touched him soon.

 

Only a fool would not take an opportunity like this and the officer was no fool, but still… 

 

— Hephaistion… —said Seleucus with difficulty between hungry kisses, trying to push the hipparch away from him, but it was not easy, not because he lacked strength, but because his body refused to follow such stupid order. He wanted to feel that beautiful creature against him, he wanted to do exactly what the King’s beloved begged, to touch him, to take him, to thrust inside him. But something here was not right— Hephaistion…wait…

 

— Mm…why?…—Hephaistion rocked his hips against him. If he did not get what he wanted soon he would explode, and the officer could not restrain himself from moaning when the hipparch slid his hands down his back looking for his butt. 

 

XXX

 

Bagoas knew the Gods had forsaken him. Everything had gone terrible wrong in the same instant his dark eyes saw Seleucus storming into the King’s room, he had wanted to scream like a girl or to faint, thinking in all the things that could happen but all of the them with the same ending: his head on a plate. Even in his hidden place at the corner, he could hear Hephaistion moaning, sighing and panting, begging the officer to touch him and Seleucus’ moans answering him. But it was not suppose to be like this, what was the officer doing there in the first place?

 

An hour had passed, and where the hell was Chrysaor? What would happen if the guard suddenly arrived? What would Chrysaor do if he found Hephaistion, the man who supposedly called him because he was dying to sleep with him, having sex with someone else? This was far too complicated and to his complete horror he was quickly losing control over the events he had unleashed.

 

What now? –thought the eunuch and, as an answer, he saw the servant he had dispatched with the message coming back alone.

 

— What are you doing here? –asked Bagoas, talking in whispers but the urgency in his voice was almost tangible, he was clearly puzzled by the fact that the guard was not accompanying the servant.

 

— I couldn’t find Chrysaor –said the man, shrugging— But I left the message with one of the hipparch’s servants.

 

—You what?! –exclaimed the eunuch, unable to believe that such a big stupidity could be contained in such a short man— With whom?

 

— The hipparch’s eunuch, Xsayarsa, told me he could deliver the message for me –he said— And since I saw the King coming back…

 

—Get out! –exclaimed Bagoas, feeling as if cold water had fallen over him.

 

Xsayarsa has the message. This is the worst thing that could happen, he will undoubtedly give it to Hephaistion…what am I going to do now?…—he hyperventilated—I have to get that message back…Calm down Bagoas, calm down! Not everything is lost…–thought the eunuch taking a deep breath— The message has Hephaistion’s seal, and Xsayarsa has no way of knowing I sent it… Besides, if the King is coming back maybe he would arrive in time to find his beloved with Seleucus –the eunuch smiled. Yes there was still hope.  

 

XXX

 

Alexander came back to his tent feeling as if the Soghdian Rock were already his. It was thanks to his beloved that this idea had came to him and he could not be more pleased. The enemy wanted to see winged soldiers, well, they would see winged soldiers because not even for a second the King doubted that his men would do what he had asked from them. He smiled. He was sure that finding volunteers would not be a problem but he had never expected that all of them would accept.

 

And this is why this plan will work, because I have men like them –thought the blond.

 

— Dad, are you sure yours is a good idea? –asked Achilles intrigued, walking at his side. Chrysaor was behind him, the same as Eumenes was following Alexander. Perdikkas, Ptolemy were there too, they wanted to talk to the King about his plan and to ask a few things about it.

 

— I am sure, Aki –Alexander smiled— Haven’t my plans always work so far? You saw what happened at Nautaca.

 

— Mm, I guess you are right –Alexander laughed.

 

— You don’t sound very sure –the King pointed out.

 

— I think overconfidence can be a terrible mistake –said the Prince in a professional tone.

 

— Yes, I agree, but overconfidence is only a mistake in one case –said Alexander, taking his adopted son by the shoulder. At the Prince’s 11 years old both were of the same height and it was a very sweet sight to watch them together like that.

 

— What’s that?

 

— When you fail –that made Achilles laugh.

 

—Alexander! –Nikandros’ voice made the King turn.

 

The smiled abandoned Alexander’s face when he saw his lochagos’ serious expression followed by a very pale and very worried Leonnatos, it was a strange scene and one that successfully caught the attention of Perdikkas and Ptolemy.

 

— What is it? –asked the King.

 

— This motherless dog! –started Nikandros pointing at Leonnatos with murderous hate— Dishonored my sister.

 

Not again! –thought the blond, trying his best to not run his hand down his face.

 

— What happened now?

 

— He married Berenike without my consent! –and up went Alexander’ eyebrows in utterly astonishment. He could hear how Perdikkas softly exclaimed: “Holy harpies on a tree!” And watched Ptolemy, from the corner of his eye, trying his best to not laugh. Why not? To laugh was a great idea, after all this was nothing more than a comedy, but, for whose amusement? 

 

— You did, what?! –exclaimed the King, looking at his friend as if he did not knew him. His previous good mood was all gone now. 

 

— I can explain everything—said Leonnatos, trying to calm down everyone.

 

— Explain what? I told you, repeatedly, that I did not…I DO NOT want you near my sister –said Nikandros, looking so like Hephaistion when he was furious— I told you I would never consent that you married her again, and you did it behind my back!

 

— Is that true Leon? –asked Alexander.

 

— I-I-I…I wanted to do things right –his friend stammered— But Nikandros did not let me so I, well… Eni wanted to marry me so we just…

 

— Married without the permission of the head of her family –said the King unable to believe this. Leonnatos looked at his feet like a scolded boy— Unbelievable! –he shook his head and then his eyes found Bagoas standing near. The commotion had caught his attention and there he was, trying to know what was going on— Bagoas! –the eunuch jumped when he heard his name— Call hipparch Hephaistion, ask him to come here. 

 

The eunuch bowed.

 

— Yes, King of King, but I am afraid the hipparch is… indispose –the King frowned.

 

— Is he ill?

 

— No, your majesty, he has company –said Bagoas successfully picking Alexander’s curiosity.

 

— Who is with him?

 

— Officer Seleucus son of Antiochus –and instantly the King remembered that night when he had found his beloved talking in the shadows with Seleucus. He did not like this.

 

— Where is he?

 

— In your majesty’s room –answered Bagoas.

 

Alexander left a very angry Nikandros, a very nervous Leonnatos, a very confused Achilles, a very curious Perdikkas, a very amused Ptolemy and a very tired Eumenes there and strode to his room. The eunuch was at one step to star shouting: “Victory!” feeling that finally his plan was going to work when he suddenly remembered a tiny little detail: Seleucus had the letters he had written using Achilles’ name. 

 

Ahura Mazda! The King is going to execute me –thought Bagoas, feeling on his knees trembling.

 

XXX

 

— How do you feel? –asked Seleucus and Hephaistion, fully dressed and curled in fetal position on the King’s bed, wished the earth would swallow him in that moment.

 

He had no idea of what had happened to him, he had felt so aroused that it was preoccupying, he could not think clearly and the only thing his whole being wanted was to be touched. Oh, it had been so embarrassing! Any other in Seleucus’ place would have made love to him savagely the entirely night, but the officer had found another solution.

 

— I want to die –said the hipparch, his face hidden against the mattress and his voice drown among the blankets.

 

The office, sitting at his side, patted his back.

 

— You have my word that I won’t tell anyone what happened here –he vowed solemnly. 

 

Hephaistion turned to face him, adorably blushed with his hair deliciously disheveled, and nodded.

 

— I don’t understand what happened to me –he whispered, trying to explain, to apologize, to simply say something.

 

— Well, I have seen this…er…behavior before –said Seleucus.

 

— Where? How? –the hipparch asked with interest, sitting on the bed.

 

— At Babylon, in a brother with a drugged whore –said the officer— The owner gave her aphrodisiac herbs or something and she was just like you. 

 

— But that’s insane! Where would I…? –but Hephaistion stopped talking in the same moment he remembered Xsayarsa’s gift.

 

It was very difficult to find, not to mention expensive, but I can assure you this is worth all the troubles I went through to obtain it. These herbs come from India, and they are the most effective and powerful aphrodisiac I have ever…

 

But Yarsa would not dare to do this without my permission –he thought in panic when he heard paces approaching.

 

The hipparch and the office turned at the same time only to find the King standing at the entrance. Even if they were not doing anything compromising in that moment there were 2 things that enraged Alexander beyond all reason, making the vein on his forehead to pop out: one, the unmistakable smell of sex and two, Hephaistion. If there was something the King knew was how his beloved looked after a particular long night of passion, and this revelation made the Great King, and ruler of almost all Asia, to charge against his officer like a wild bull, punching him so hard on the face that the impact sent him directly to the floor.

 

— I will KILL you Seleucus! –his shouts caught the attention of everybody inside the royal tent.

 

XXX

 

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 368

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 368 y 369