Chapter 185

 

CHAPTER 185

 

After 4 days Massaga finally fell. The Indians’ wounded and dead were too many and the Macedonian invader did not look with the intentions of leaving any time soon, which left them with no other choice but to asked the King for a truce. After 4 days fighting bravely, untiringly, never giving up, they had to open their gates. The mercenaries, who had won Alexander’s admiration because of their courage, marched with their arms out of the city and went to surrender at the Macedonian’s camp.

 

The struggle for the city was now over and everything appeared to be going fine for Alexander who forgave the lives of the mercenaries and asked them to serve under his orders; they were great warrior and reinforcements were always welcome. But things did not went exactly as the young conqueror planned… 

 

— What do you mean they refused my offer? –asked Alexander when Leonnatos came back with the news.

 

— The mercs said they don’t want to fight against their fellow Indians –said the somatophilax, watching how the vein on the King’s forehead dangerously popped out. This made him pause before giving the rest of his message, which Leonnatos was sure, would enrage Alexander beyond reason. The young conqueror had always had the curse of a terrible temper and an even more terrible rage but lately everyone was under the impression that age, instead of making him a better person, had turned his rage into an even greater event of catastrophic proportions.

 

And Phai had to be so far away from here –thought the somatophilax, gathering all his courage to keep talking.

 

— They refused –the King repeated, the words sour in his mouth— And what do they think? That they can just walk away as if nothing had happened?

 

— In fact that is exactly what they want –said Leonnatos, feeling his knees trembling when Alexander looked directly at him as if it were his fault that the mercenaries were behaving like this— One of our guides heard them talking about deserting us during the night and go to their homelands.  

 

That was enough effrontery for one day.

 

— Oh no, I don’t think so –said Alexander, standing up— Krateros!

 

The commander, who until that moment had said nothing, approached his sovereign. Years had taught him that it was better to keep his mouth shut when the King was angry and, he too considered it was dangerous to simply let such a considerable force as this go with a shake of hands and a health to you. Who assured them these mercenaries would not fight against them in the future again? Something should be done.  

 

— Yes, Alexander –Krateros answered.

 

— Prepare the men, we are going to surround the mercs on the hill and kill them all –said the King and Leonnatos watched him with big round eyes.

 

— Is that wise? I mean, you have already forgave their lives and…

 

— They are deserts and will be treated as such –said Alexander, ending that conversation.

 

The somatophilax bit his cheek. This was not right, just a day before the King had forgave the lives of the mercenaries, welcomed them and praised their courage and now he was going to kill them all just because they did not want to serve him. For Leonnatos, Alexander was behaving like the Great King Artaxerxes II, who tried to annihilate the 10, 000 Greek mercenaries of Xenophon after the battle of Cunaxa, fearing to leave such a considerable force loose on his territory.

 

Now Alexander is a Great King –thought Leonnatos, not liking this. Understanding the full implications of these words.

 

Massaga was taken after that without difficulty and the King was ready to move on to Nysa.

 

XXX

 

The Indus River

 

30 days were necessary for Hephaistion to take Peucelaotis, 30 days of constant bombardment that had nothing but worsen the commander’s insomnia. Boom, boom, he could still hear the rock hitting the city, rumbling inside his head like a war drum. He hated sieges. It was a sorry business for everyone: the ones inside the city suffering the constant rain of rocks and missiles, fear and privations, the ones besieging because it was tiresome, and to the commander because it was hard to control the men once the city was taken. Soldiers released their frustrations against the population and always looked to loot the place they had being besieging to make it pay for the days of hardships.

 

Mine was not like the siege of Jerusalem at the hands of Titus but for me it was a great achievement, an ego buster. I was capable of taking a city by myself and this also served me to gain the respect of many, but not all of my officers.

 

At the end the governor Astes died and a man named Sangaeus was left in control of the Peucelaotis. They were free again to continue their march to the Indus River and, after the Macedonian forces fortified and garrisoned a town called Orobatis, they finally reached a place called Attock, where Ambhi and his men assured the commander it would be the best to build a bridge.

 

Hephaistion gave the necessary orders and the camp was ready in no time. Not far from them was a forest and the wood was easy to transport, everything was ready to begin the construction works immediately with the blessing of the engineers, but…

 

— Say that again –asked Hephaistion when Meleager gave his report 5 days after they arrived.

 

— The men don’t want to go near the forest because they said the trees whisper –said the taxiarch to his incredulous commander. 

 

You have to be kidding me –thought Hephaistion feeling how his good luck abandoned him, flying away through his opened window like a bird.

 

— Whispers? –he had to ask, it was too ridiculous to be true.

 

— That is what they said –Meleager shrugged, resting importance to this whole matter, as if the construction of the bridge were none of his business and he were just passing by delivering some news he had heard by chance— They are convinced there is something evil in there, some even said this is Indian magic, they have seen shadows moving among the trees.

 

— And you believe this shit? –Hephaistion was losing his patience. For sometime now Meleager had been behaving like this around him, as if nothing mattered to him, as if this whole mission were nothing more than a joke. The commander found this extremely irritating.

 

— It does not matter what I think, does it? Whatever it is, the point is the men don’t want to go near the forest.

 

— Meleager, I am sure you understand we need wood to build the bridge –said Hephaistion, almost enunciating. 

 

— And I am sure you understand that I cannot drag my men near the forest if they think it is cursed –the taxiarch replied in a petulant tone and the commander held his gaze in absolute silence, making him uncomfortable until he understood his mistake— My apologize, sir.

 

— I will lead myself tomorrow’s party to the forest –said Hephaistion with all the authority he could muster— You may go.

 

Meleager saluted and left almost crashing against Perdikkas who was arriving at the same time.

 

— Judging by the look on your face you heard about the whispers in the forest –said his friend, approaching his superior.

 

Hephaistion pressed his temples, his elbows resting on the desk.

 

— I did…I can’t believe how superstitious can the men be sometimes –he complained. A forest that whispered, honestly, who believe that stuff?

 

— Well, maybe this will cheer you up –Perdikkas threw him a letter over his desk— It’s from Alexander. I thought you may want to read it at once so, I decided to bring it myself.

 

Hephaistion smiled and took the letter.

 

— Thanks.

 

— I am going to rest –the hipparch yawned— Do you need anything else?

 

— No, go to rest.

 

— Health to you, then.

 

— Health to you –answered Hephaistion already opening the letter. He smiled like a fool when he recognized his lover’s handwriting; it was always like this, Alexander would always write to him personally instead of dictating to a clerk.

 

The commander took a moment to smell the letter, as if this innocent attempt could make him enjoy the smell of his lover’s skin, something he had missed terrible this past months. But he did not want to read here, where he worked, he wanted to enjoy the letter so Hephaistion took it with him to his room. Kyros had left an oil-lamp lit and his dinner on the table. Lately he went to sleep pretty late and the Theban had learned it was easy to leave the meals there than to wait for him to call asking for food. The commander could even forget to eat during extremely busy days.

 

I will eat later –he thought, dropping on his bed ready to read.

 

Alexander King of the Macedonians to Hephaistion son of Amyntor. Hail!

 

I do not have to put in words what you already know, how much I miss you and wish to be at your side again. Remember that I told you this mission should take 2 months? Well, I am sure you will agree that apparently the Indians had other plans for us. From my previous letters you know about the savage struggle that the towns along our route had presented, and they have not gave up yet. Sometimes I have the impressions that these Indians would fight us until there is not one of them alive. The only rest we had so far was at Nysa and you are not going to believe what I am going to tell you.

 

We found a cemetery of cedar-wood coffins hanging from trees. It is quite a macabre spectacle, you can imagine how frightened were the men when we camped in a forest, on a cold night and, when we lit the fist fire the flames spread, engulfing what turned out to be a cemetery (1) The uproar woke up the whole city giving up our position and they did not lose time to take arms and get ready to fight us.

 

I took Nysa after a very short siege and learned a very curious story. According to the locals Dionysus founded their city and on a great mountain outside Nysa, called Meros, grow vines and ivy. Of course we climbed the mountain and had a feast to celebrate, we all needed a break after fighting without rest for 2 months. It was quite a party, I wish you had been with me.

 

But not everything had been celebrations, I am now writing you from Aornus, this place is a massive fortress resting on a mountain and the locals said that once Herakles tried to take Aornus but failed. Of course I had to do it myself. I know, even if we are apart my love, I can see your face while reading this. I will be careful and I will hurry because I cannot wait to feel your kisses again.

 

Phai, I have other things to tell you and I wish you were here to give me your advice but, since that is not possible, I hope you can write me soon. Achilles is eager to kill his first man, he has the idea that, since I did it at his age, he has to do it too. I haven’t told you before because it is nothing serious but he has been sick lately. Don’t worry, is nothing, doctor Philip assures me there is a plant or something in the environment that is causing him a rash and making him feel always tired. Doctor Philip is trying to find out what is causing him this but, I do not want him fighting until he is completely recovered or until he is older. I wish you could tell me what to do with our son.

 

Your brother Lysanias is fine, by the way, he is a fine soldier and would be a good officer one day. I haven’t seen much of your sister but Roxanne is happy with her, they seem to be good friends and spend most of their time together. 

 

I have to leave you, but be sure my love that next time I see you, I will be the conqueror of Aornus.

 

Your

 

Alexander

 

That letter worried Hephaistion more than the King could have imagined. Achilles wanted to kill his first man…When had his son grew up so fast? Yes, definitely he had to pay more attention to the boy from now on.

 

Time flies –thought the hipparch. He agreed with the King that his son was still too young for the battlefield but he also knew how stubborn was the Prince. Like he. He too had been eager to take the life of his first man just because the blond had done it first. Hephaistion sighed— As I see this there is only one solution. As soon as Alexander arrives to the Indus I will take Aki with me to kill his first man. He is my son and won’t give up his idea so easily, at least lets do this in the right way.

 

He considered for a moment to answered Alexander right away but he thought things twice when his body protested, asking to rest after a very long day. He would write to his lover next morning before going with the men to the forest. 

 

XXX

 

Aornus

 

Aornus, as the King wrote to his beloved, was a fortress built over a mountain at one side of the great Indus River. As all fortresses it was said Aornus was impregnable and that not even a god, according to the Indians Krishna and to the Greeks Herakles, had been able to take it by force. Of course as soon as Alexander heard this was as if someone had pushed his “I must do it” bottom, and he gave orders to prepare everything to attack the fortress.

 

Another siege –that was the first thought of the Macedonian officers and soldiers, watching the fortress, like an iron crown, atop the mountain. It appeared to mock them all, making fun of the so-called powerful artillery that would be of no use in a place like this because there was nowhere to place the deathly machines.  

 

So, the first step in order to take Aornus was to bring the artillery close to the walls but, there was only one path leading to this place, extracted from the rock, narrow and dangerous and absolutely useless for taking their siege equipment up. So, in order to accomplish this, Alexander looked for a strategic point on the mountain, with the help of the locals, and ordered to build a mole there; just as he had done at Nautaca where he ordered to level the ground in order to mount his artillery at the same level of the city.

 

Ptolemy was sent first with a squadron to secure this point and, after a fight with the defenders of Aornus, it fell in the Macedonians hands. From the fortress the Indians had a great view of the enemy camp, witnessing how the earthworks began immediately but having no idea of what the invaders pretended. They were use to see people trying to take the fortress by force and also use to see them go empty handed, no one seem very alarmed having the young conqueror so close and certainly, no one paid special attention to what they were doing until it was obvious.

 

It took the Indians 4 days, only 4 days and the defenders, astonished by the Macedonians’ mole and now seeing clearly what were Alexander’s intentions, sent word to the King that they wished to surrender. Rumors flew faster than any bird and they had heard of what this foreign King was capable of to obtain what he wanted, they did not wished to believe it but the mole was a very good proof of his determination.

 

— The spies said the Indians are planning to escape –said Alexander to his officers at his tent. Koinos was not among them since the King had sent him to besiege a place called Beira, but Ptolemy, Leonnatos, Krateros and Seleucus were present— The Indians asked this morning for terms to surrender but apparently this was only to gain time while the rest escapes through the part of the mountain that is undefended.

 

Silence fell upon his officers for a while, Leonnatos moved uncomfortable on his chair and Seleucus coughed, until Ptolemy broke the heavy atmosphere asking what all of them were thinking.

 

— Are we going to do the same as we did at Massaga? Kill them all –all eyes were settled on the King.

 

— Yes, but this time expect resistance –said Alexander, unmoved and unaffected— According to my spies they are armed and ready to fight back.

 

As soon as the meeting was over, everyone hurried back to their units to have the men ready as soon as darkness fell, giving them the perfect cover against the fleeing enemy. The King gave instructions to Eumenes of how to deal with the delegates sent from the fortress to negotiate the peace terms in order to avoid rising suspicious. Amyntas, as his page, helped Alexander to strap his breastplate, and pulled it to test it was in place just as his father had taught him.

 

He had finally killed his first man, something that had been pretty easy for him, and now he proudly wore his first sword belt. As Leonnatos had said Amyntas was a strong boy and knew how to fight, in fact he did extremely well on the battlefield and just because of this his father had forgotten all his previous laziness and reluctance to do this.

 

— Get ready –said Alexander to his page— You are coming with me.

 

— Yes, sire –Amyntas left him to look for his own armor and the King took his helmet, resting on the closest table.

 

He slid his fingers through the mark that an enemy sword had left on it, this was the best proof of what his officers were always reproaching him. They did not want the King fighting on the front line, leading the men directly into battle, it was dangerous, they said, the enemy could easily killed him, they like to remind him; but the men, the common soldiers, loved to see him leading from the front and he would be damned if one day he stayed behind, in the safety of his officers shields while others risked their lives. 

 

Maybe it was foolish and maybe one day an enemy weapon would claim his life, he had been injured by all known weapons in the world but…He would not be who he was if he stopped doing this. Alexander took the helmet under his arm and was ready to go when Achilles appeared in front of him.

 

— Dad, I heard Leonnatos saying you are going to attack the Indians tonight –said the Prince and Alexander knew immediately what he wanted.

 

Achilles could be Hephaistion’s biological son and only his nephew but it was in time like this, watching his even eyes just like his own, that he could believe the Gods had granted him a miracle and had made this boy his true son. The young conqueror could read there the same determination that had ruled his entire life and he felt proud of his Prince for being there, asking again to take part of the battle, but his decision was taken and he would not change his mind.

 

— Yes, son. But you are not coming with me –said the King firmly.

 

— It is not a big battle, and the enemy is practically beaten –Achilles insisted— Dad please, why don’t you want me to go? Do you think I am weak? Do you think I am not ready? Please, say something. Why can’t I go with you? 

 

Alexander took a deep breath and tried to find a way to explain this to his son without humiliating him. How could he say to his Prince that he was too young, too sickly and that he feared something may happen to him? Especially now that Hephaistion was far away, how could he face his beloved if something happened to their son? The commander had been right when he said Achilles was not he, and the King doubted the boy would be capable of killing his first man at the same age he did because not even Hephaistion was able to do so and his beloved was the strongest person he knew.

 

— How are you feeling? –the sudden question made the Prince blush, understanding perfectly well what was the King thinking. Yes, his adopted father believed he was too weak.

 

— Fine, I told you it was nothing –he tried to sound sure of himself— Doctor Philip said it was a plant, apparently one of the local teas do not agree with me. But now that we know what was making me sick, everything is fine, see –he pulled the neck of his chiton to show him— The rash is gone. 

 

Alexander fell silent again and took him by the shoulder, squeezing him affectionately.

 

— Aki, you are very young and, I assure you there will be plenty of time for you to fight –he said slowly but the disappointment was already visible on the boy’s face.

 

— You commanded your own army in action against the Maedi when you were 16 –Achilles insisted and the King smiled. Yes, this was really his son.

 

— 16, not 12. You will also have your own command one day, but not now –he said as sympathetically as he could but his adopted son looked as depressed as if his beloved Bastet had died— Do you understand?  

 

— Yes –Achilles blinked fast, he did not want to cry.

 

Alexander kissed his forehead even if he had to lift his head to do it, the boy was as tall as he was now.

 

— You will dine with me when I am back.

 

XXX

 

— Why are you so sad? –asked Roxanne sweetly in Persian, sitting down at Achilles’ side and taking care of not spoiling her beautiful silk dress. She liked silk, the smooth sensation it gave her against her skin and the way it move, like liquid. At her father’s house the Queen had a couple of silk dresses but now she could have one for each day of the year if that pleased her. And it did.

 

They were outside the royal tent, in a privilege position that let them admire the landscape, the rich vegetation, the forests, the river, everything covered in orange, like splashed in gold dust, while the sun slowly went down behind the mountains to give his place to the night. This land was magical, and even the birds, singing in dozens, ready to go to sleep, sounded different, giving the impression that you could almost understand what they were saying if you pay sufficient attention to them.  

 

The Queen’s mood was slightly better these days. Since Hephaistion was far away and 2 months had passed since the last time he and the King were together, Alexander had shared her bed in 2 different occasions, it were not nights of overwhelming passion and certainly nothing like Roxanne had witness at the royal tent before Hephaistion went away, but it would have to suffice. She prayed with all her forces to be pregnant, she desperately needed to be pregnant but, meanwhile, Roxanne did not rest waiting for the Gods to answer and continued with her plans.  

 

The Prince shook his head feeling slightly dizzy by the Queen’s perfume filling his nostrils, a sweet aroma of wild flowers mixed with the particular smell of her skin that resulted very arousing, even more to a teenager like him.

 

— It is nothing –he said, resting his weight on his hands, behind him, stretching his legs to the front.

 

Roxanne fell silent for a moment, choosing her next words.

 

— I heard a rumor that you want to fight at the King’s side but the King refuses –said the Queen who had several small birds feeding her with news of what happened in the camp. She patted his hand tenderly— You can trust me, why do you want to fight? 

 

The Prince thought for a moment if it was a good idea to unburden himself with the Queen, he turned to look at her and found only concern in her green eyes. She wanted to help and he needed someone to talk.

 

— We have a custom –said Achilles at last, not sure of how to begin— In order to become a man a Macedonian has to kill an enemy and hunt a wild boar. Then, I can gain my sword belt and be treated like an adult.

 

Curious custom –thought the Queen disgusted— And they say we are barbarians. 

 

— I don’t want to hurt your feelings –Roxanne said, lowering his eyelids modestly— But you are still too young to take part in a battle.

 

The Prince shook his head. He wanted to stand up and shout with all his forces that he was not too young, but that was not a very good idea.

 

— This is not about if I am too young or too old –said the boy— The King killed his first man at my age, I have to do it too.

 

The Queen fell silent for a moment understanding this way of thinking better than anyone else. Of course he had to do it if he wanted to be treated like the true heir of his father, and she could not allow this, but, what to do? Then, and idea crossed her mind.

 

— Then, you have to think, what would the King do in your place? –the question took Achilles by surprise and he looked at Roxanne with “confusion” written across his face.

 

— What do you mean? –this was new and he was eager to hear what she had to say. Unlike many men he had learned that women could be not only intelligent but great advisors; Achilles had witnessed this with his grandmother and his aunt and Roxanne was also very clever.

 

— If the King were in your place –the Queen whispered in a conspiratorial tone— What do you think he would do? Wait until his father let him fight? I don’t know the King much but, I know he is a brave man. I think that, if he were in your place, he would take his sword and spear and fight with or without his father’s consent. Besides, when you came back victorious, who would care how you achieved your goal?

 

The Prince saw her with big bright eyes. She was right, how was that he had not see this before? Alexander would not be whining like him, waiting for the blessing of his father, he would simply go and kill his first man. Roxanne was right.

 

— I thank you for your advice –said the boy standing up, his heart beating faster. Now it was clear what he had to do. 

 

— You have nothing to thank –the Queen smiled adorably— Just take care and may the Gods be with you.

 

But most probably some wild Indian will just kill you –she thought, still smiling— Oh, such a tragedy! And we all must weep and mourn for you when that happened. A fine funeral, that much I can promise you brat…

 

XXX

 

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 384