CHAPTER 190

 

Two weeks later Alexander gave the order to press the march to Taxila. The days of rest and leisure had come and gone too quickly for the liking of many and too slowly for others who could not wait to finish this campaign and go back home. Leonnatos was among those who felt one month had not been enough to enjoy his family, now that his older son was 14 and Lanike, who he was beginning to love as if she were his own daughter, was 3 years old, the somatophilax felt like his father Anteas, an old patriarch, who soon would have to look for a suitable husband for Sophia. Maybe another one in Leonnatos’ place would feel old but not him, he was happy with his new roll.

 

— I know Sophia is still young but soon she would be a woman –had said Leonnatos to his wife one night— I should begin to look for a suitable husband for her but I have no idea where to start. Everything is more complicated when you have to move constantly from one place to another –he shook his head.

 

— Yes but, on the other hand, all your friends and important men of the Empire are here. If you want our daughter to be the wife of a good man, who would treat her like a princess, here is the best place to look for him –said Berenike but judging by the look on her husband’s face he was not convinced by this.

 

— I don’t want Sophia to stay here for the rest of her life –said the somatophilax with a seriousness he did not show often— I want her to go back home and, if I marry her to an important man here… —he made a pause, looking at his hands for a moment before speaking again, this time softly and slowly—But you are right –it was hard to admit it but his wife judged the situation better than him. He was being sentimental whereas she was practical and Leonnatos wanted his daughter first to be happy and second to live comfortably— Here is where the future lays, not back at Pella…—he sighed and looked at Berenike— Besides Sophia likes the Persian cities.

 

— Do you have someone in mind? –she asked knowing perfectly well where laid her daughter’s affection.

 

But I won’t suggest Aki to Leon –she thought, clenching her hands so hard that her knuckles were white.

 

— Well, I haven’t though much about this but…My first option is Perdikkas’ brother, Alketas –Berenike nodded. Alketas was 24 years old, yes, 13 years older than Sophia but that was a common practice in her days, after all Kleitos had been much older than her. He was a good lad, Berenike had not have the opportunity to speak much with him but knew from her husband, and Hephaistion, that Alketas was an honorable man.

 

— I like Alketas –said Bernike and Leonnatos smiled.

 

— I will think this with calm and wait for a suitable moment to approach him with my offer –said the somatophilax and his wife felt a strange sensation in her heart. 

 

Maybe if Sophia knows she is to marry Alketas she will stop thinking about Aki –she thought, more praying for things to be like this than hopping because, if their daughter was slightly, even slightly, like her, Sophia would never give up her plan of marrying the Crown Prince.

 

On the other side of the camp Perdikkas was eager to continue their march, hardly waiting for the moment this was over to go back to the luxury and comfort of the Persian Empire. Alexander had been right when years ago he said that gold and women would be the perdition of his friend, the hipparch was too use to the comforts of the Persian cities to be comfortable here, in the middle of nowhere, in a distant place that had nothing to offer except never-ending dangers. 

 

— Indians don’t have gold –said Perdikkas to Roxanne one day. Lately he had become one of the Queen’s friends and used to spend time talking to her never imagining how dangerous could it be to confine in a woman like her— They don’t have mines or anything, their Kings enjoyed many luxuries but I really have no idea of where they obtain them because, so far, I only see that these Indians are rich solely in rivers.

 

— You worry too much, Perdikkas –said Roxanne is her sweetest voice— I’m sure the King will see soon that his place is back at Babylon and not here.

 

— Clearly you don’t know the King as good as I but I pray for you to be right –said the taxiarch.

 

Despite the fact that Ambhi had bathed the Macedonians in lavishing gifts, even marched personally with Hephaistion and put his men at their disposition to serve as guides, despites all this, the young conqueror still feared the rajah could be planning something fishy and, as soon as the army was closed enough to distinguish the city at distance, doubts assaulted the King, filling his mind with unfounded fears.

 

— What if he is just luring us into a trap? –Alexander confided his doubts to his beloved while they rode along the green plain unfolding before them.

 

During the month the army rested at the Indus River the King had said not one word regarding Ambhi, or his suspicious about the rajah’s loyalty, in fact, he hadn’t thought at all in his ally until now. Why the sudden fears? Hephaistion said nothing and kept his eyes at the front, hearing thousands of feet, hooves and wheels behind them as the long serpent that was the Macedonian army advanced. At every pace Taxila looked larger and larger and he could even see a multitude outside the gates waiting for them.

 

— What makes you think this?—his beloved wanted to know— Did your spies mention something that made you suspect of Ambhi’s intentions?

 

— No, but I have a hunch –Alexander admitted, something inside him shouted: danger!, something he could not explain— What if Ambhi only wanted us to feel comfortable, to trust him and now is waiting in front of Taxila with his army? –he pointed with his chin to the multitude in front of them, too far away to know if they were men on arms or just people waiting to welcome them with songs and flowers.

 

— What if the sky were green? –that answer made the King frowned.

 

— You are mocking me –he was not in the mood for this.

 

— And you are paranoid –Hephaistion turned to face him, in the least concerned if he incurred his King’s anger— Your scouts came a while ago saying that Ambhi is waiting for us outside the walls of Taxila with an army of gifts.

 

— It could be a decoy –Alexander insisted and his beloved saw it was pointless to argue with him. He knew that tone of voice too well. 

 

— And if it is indeed a trap, what are you going to do?

 

The King ordered his army to take battle formation and to get ready in case of a surprise attack, even if Hephaistion failed to see how could this be a “surprise attack” with the ground so flat and a privilege view of what was the rajah doing. Fortunately, for all of them, Ambhi saw at the distance the sudden activity among the Macedonian ranks and rode directly to Alexander, assuring him everything was fine and finally ending with the young conqueror’s fears when he surrendered his person and his kingdom to him.

 

There were several banquets in honor of the Macedonians, Ambhi presented Alexander with even more splendid gifts than before and the King returned the gesture giving back these gifts and adding “a thousand talents from the spoils which he carried, along with many banqueting vessels of gold and silver, a vast quantity of Persian drapery, and thirty chargers from his own stalls, caparisoned as when ridden by himself” (1)

 

I knew why my lover was doing this and it was not only because he was a generous person it was also because he needed Ambhi on our side. With 3 powerful Kings in the region we could not afford having all of them against us, and Alexander saw it was easier to keep Ambhi happy than to risk insulting him. Even Achilles understood this but Meleager had a very different opinion…

 

— Congratulations Alexander! –exclaimed Meleager during a banquet. His voice strong and firm, as it were every time he shouted orders but the blush on his face, and the slight wobble when he stood up, gave a fair testimony of his drunken state— You found in India, if nowhere else, some one worthy of a thousand talents (2)

 

Hephaistion saw his King’s anger increasing as if he had a meter on his face. He knew Meleager had been in a terrible mood, thinking that he was not getting what he truly deserved, blaming everyone and everything for his bad luck and his temper had finally snapped when he discovered the scandalous amount of gold Alexander had given to a barbarian. A barbarian! And what about him who had fought so many years at the side of his King?, what about all the wounds he had gotten in battle after battle? It was not fair and even if the taxiarch knew how dangerous was to incur in his King’s anger he could not stop himself from saying what he really felt. 

 

The commander, as always sitting at Alexander’s side, put his hand over his arm, gently, and soon he felt how the King began to relax.

 

— Kleitos –that was the only word that left Hephaistion’s lips and it was enough to erase all traces of fury from the young conqueror.

 

— Meleager –Alexander shouted back— Envious persons are nothing but their

own tormentors (3)

 

Needless is to say that Meleager never again enjoyed Alexander’s favor, which only served to enrage the taxiarch even more. I have to admit that, at that time, I could not care less about Meleager and his issues but, a couple of years later, after my King’s death, he caused a lot of problems.

 

That night, during the banquet, I took the chance to settle an unfinished business I had with brother…

 

— You and I have to talk –said a very serious Hephaistion to his half drunken brother after taking serious pains trying to separate him from Kleopatros and his friends.

 

— You sound like Vashti, Phai –Nikandros emptied his cup, letting a line of wine slid through his jaw before falling in the closest couch near him. For a moment the commander though his brother would fall but he was not drunk enough, luckily for him. 

 

— You perverted my son –said Hephaistion without preambles and for a moment the lochagos had the nerve to look as if he did not know what was his brother talking about.

 

— What?

 

— Eunike. Hetaira. Meleager’s mistress –the commander was losing his patience.

 

— Oooooh! That! What about it? –Nikandros rested his feet on the table in front of them and his back against the cushions of the couch, lying on his side.

 

— Don’t be funny, Nick. Why did you buy Eunike’s services without asking me first? –the commander sat down at his brother’s side and demanded an explanation, even if he knew he would not like the answer. 

 

— Because you were going to refuse –said Nikandros with such ease that it was hard to decide if you should laugh or strangle him. Hephaistion had to make an effort to take deep breaths and remember this was his brother and he loved him, even if in those moments he couldn’t remember why exactly. 

 

— And if I was going to refuse, why did you do it anyway?

 

— Phai, Aki is old enough to kill, why shouldn’t he be old enough to fuck?

 

— He is 12.

 

— And behaves like an old man, so? –Nikandros was incapable to see what had he done wrong and the commander sighed. It was pointless to argue with his big brother but he had to try— If this makes you feel any better Eunike is young, just 18, and sweet and beautiful like a spring flower, that is why I chose her.

 

This reminded the commander of another thing.

 

— Meleager lent you Eunike? –Hephaistion had to know, but when his brother laughed he knew this whole situation was going from bad to worst.

 

— He has no idea of what happened –the lochagos informed him— You saw Meleager tonight, he is a loser, and for some time now Eunike has been trying to find a new patron. While we were besieging Peucelaotis she flirted with me to see if I would take her as my mistress.

 

— That is why you mentioned before the possibility of taking a concubine –said the commander remembering the conversation.

 

— Yes, but when Aki came back with his flashy sword belt and blushing when Thais came to congratulate him, I thought Eunike would be perfect for him, just 6 years older and very innocent for a hetaira –Nikandros explained— Eunike was so thrilled when I asked her to bed the Crowned Prince that I did not even have to pay her. 

 

Hephaistion had to admit he had expected to hear a more scandalous story and this was not as bad as it could be, just one thing did not let him be in peace with this whole situation.

 

— What did you promise Eunike? Is she expecting to become the mistress of the Crown Prince? Because if that is what you promised her you can forget it, I am not allowing a 12 years old boy to have a hetaira –said the commander in a tone of voice much like Alexander when he was giving orders.

 

Nikandros straightened himself and patted his shoulder.

 

— Dear brother I know you and I was sure you would never consent to that –he said, reassuring him— I won’t lie, Eunike was hopping to become the next King’s mistress but I offered her to become mine instead. She agreed but I have to admit she wasn’t very enthusiastic, especially after your boy’s gift, so I presume Eunike would be offering her services again to Aki behind my back –it was clear by the tone of his voice that he did not mind if his future mistress cheated him.  

 

— What gift?

 

— Aki sent Eunike the golden tiara she is wearing tonight –that surprised the commander.

 

Who would have though that Aki could be so gallant –thought Hephaistion—At least this wasn’t as bad as I thought. 

 

 We stayed at Taxila for 3 months. I see this surprises you, it was a lot of time, I agree, but during our stayed Alexander waited, or hopped, to receive word from King Porus and Abisares, our host’s enemies. But only the brother of Abisares came to us, along with gifts and other envoys looking only to deceive us and delay a possible attack from our part before he was ready to face us, but of King Porus we heard nothing until it was too late...

 

— Porus answered my letter –said Alexander that night to Hephaistion. The room where the Macedonian King was staying was magnificent since Ambhi had given him his own quarters to his guest of honor. Hephaistion said nothing, sitting on the edge of the bed and waiting for his lover to continue—I asked him to meet me at the Jhelum to pay me tribute in token of vassalage and he answers that he will be waiting for me but “in full military strength and ready to do battle for his kingdom” (4)

 

— I can’t say this surprises me –the commander answered— Do we know anything about his numbers?

 

Alexander sat down at his beloved’s side.

 

— My spies say Porus has 4,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry with 200 elephants and 300 war chariots (5) –the King was excited before the possibility of going into battle against such a considerable force. It had been too long since the last time he had the opportunity to measure himself against an enemy like this and he could feel his blood burning in anticipation.

 

— What now?

 

— Now my love, we’ll march to Jhelum –said Alexander and Hephaistion nodded.

 

He commander had expected that answer but, was he ready for it? It was hard to say. They knew very little of this King Porus and his tactics and, deep inside him, Hephaistion had a bad feeling regarding the upcoming battle. They had conquered stronger foes before and it was true the army Darius lead on the plain of Gaugamela was far more numerous but, back then, they had a reason to fight, they were trapped in the heart of the Persian Empire, they were disputing the throne of Cyrus the Great and it was all of nothing that day.

 

But now, why are we fighting for? –thought the commander— This is a land strange to us, King Porus is not our enemy but Ambhi’s. What can we possible gain that we don’t have already? We already have glory, power and riches, why should we all risk our lives then?

 

Both fell silent. As Hephaistion promised before crossing the Hindu Kush he was not going to criticize the campaign now, he fought for Alexander, he had always known it even if now and then doubts assaulted him. He only hoped the rest of the men did not begin to question themselves like he did because then, it would be the end of everything. 

 

— Phai, Roxanne is pregnant –said the King as if talking about the weather.

 

— Oh –the commander felt like an idiot, what kind of answer was “oh”?— Congratulations –he added promptly. The news had taken him by surprise and for a moment he did not know how to react, not because he wasn’t happy but because Alexander did not look particularly happy. 

 

— Thank you.

 

Silence again.

 

— I suppose you are glad –said the commander, clueless of what to say.

 

— Yes.

 

— You don’t sound too excited –Hephaistion pointed out.

 

— What can I say I already have a son. I pray for a daughter this time –said the King, more interested in King Porus than in Roxanne’s pregnancy.

 

For a brief instant Hephaistion considered telling Alexander about that night when he found the Queen in her almost transparent dress, lying on his favorite couch and surrounded by an aura or sensuality that was hard to ignore. He opened his mouth to tell his lover but at the end no words came out. What was he going to accomplish doing this? The King already had enough in his mind to bother him with a 17 years old girl suffering a crush with him, besides, since that night, Roxanne barely spoke to him, let alone try again to seduce him. 

 

As long as she behaves like the Queen she is, and doesn’t dishonor Alexander, I have no problems keeping my mouth shut –he thought, when a very real fear grasped his heart. What if the Queen took a lover?— She tried with me and I cannot blame her. Alex does not pay much attention to her and Roxanne is very young and pretty –he thought in his sister, what if Berenike were in Roxanne’s place? He felt pity for his Queen. As a teenager she may be looking for someone who could love her with insane passion and Hephaistion was sure his lover was not that person— And even if Roxanne has the right to be loved she cannot take a lover, that would be the same was making a fool of Alexander and I would never allow that… How complicated women can be sometimes. Maybe I should ask Eni about the Queen, she would know better than me what to do with her.

 

— Phai, there is something I want to tell you but I could not find the right moment to do it –said Alexander, very serious and, once again, Hephaistion felt suddenly dragged out from his thoughts. The expression on the King’s face was hard to read and that could not be good. 

 

— Yes, of course –Alexander held his gaze for an instant.

 

— I don’t know how but…the entire camp knows you slept with Nick –Hephaistion felt about to faint. He was very tempted to exclaim “what?!” but it was as useless as to question himself if he had heard correctly.

 

The world appeared to spin around him and, in a rapid sequence of images, he could see the disgusted faces of Berenike, Lysanias, cousin Demetrios and even Achilles flashing in front of him. He was about to start hyperventilating not daring to imagine what would his family say, what would his mother say if word reached her…

 

This can’t be happening –he thought in absolute dismay when Alexander took his hand with such force as if catching him before falling into the abyss.

 

— Phai, look at me –he commanded— Don’t panic…

 

— Don’t panic?! How can you possibly say that? –Hephaistion’s voice was beginning to sound hysterical— Do you have an idea of what this means to me? What if my mother finds out that Nick and I…and…

 

That will kill her –he thought.

 

Alexander took him with force by the arms.

 

— It’s a rumor, just that, and so far, for what Ptolemy tells me, no one believes it –the King assured him— The men make jokes about it, and more than one had bought Nick drinks wanting to know the details but your brother handled everything incredible fine.

 

— Of course he did, Nick knows no shame –he muttered, still feeling his hands trembling. Alexander smiled, that warm, confident smile of his that could make Hephaistion forget all his problems in the blink of an eye.

 

— We did not tell you before because we were sure you would overreact.

 

— We?

 

— Nick, Eni, Lys, your cousin Demetrios and I –it took the commander a heartbeat to understand what was his lover saying.

 

— You all knew.

 

— Yes.

 

— Since when?

 

— 2 weeks ago.

 

Silence.

 

— You are telling me that my family knew about this but you all conspired to tell me nothing? –said Hephaistion, still in shock.

 

— Phai, as I said, we all knew you were going to overreact –Alexander slid his hands up and down his beloved’s arms— No one, expect for us, knows this is true.

 

— And what about the person who began the rumor? –the commander’s mind worked furiously trying to think who could have been.

 

Who indeed? Alex is right and only the 3 of us know this is true –thought Hephaistion.

 

The King shrugged.

 

— We don’t know if this person began the rumor because he only thought it may be true, but we know for certain one thing: there are no proofs –he explained and Hephaistion started to calm down…a little— The best thing we can do is ignore this and pretend is a stupidity…or like Nick, joke about how good you are in bed –Alexander laughed when his beloved blushed. 

 

— Not funny –the commander brushed his hair behind his ear. 

 

— Your sister had been defending your honor hitting anyone who dares to voice the rumor in her presence –the King said— Eni would never believe its true. 

 

— That is not very encouraging –whispered the commander, feeling like the worst person on the planet for lying to his dear ones— We know it’s true. 

 

— Yes, but in this case, the truth will make them all miserable –Hephaistion had to agree with him.

 

— What I would like to know is, who began this? –asked the commander.

 

XXX

 

Anyone would think Roxanne was happy knowing she was 4 months pregnant but the truth was she was more worried than anything. First she was sure the King was not the father of her child and the worst was the Queen had no idea who was; that had been her mistake and something that won’t happen again. So far no one had suspected anything because the dates matched but, what would happen once the child was born? What if the baby looked like his father instead of looking like her?

 

Her second concerned was Hephaistion. The Queen had tried to destroyed the commander’s reputation using that rumor that he had slept with Nikandros, the problem was that no one gave it enough importance, treating this juicy piece of information like second rate gossip. And the fact that Nikandros far from blushing or getting angry, laughed and joked about it, helped to diminish the importance of this. All her efforts had been for nothing and that had the Queen in a horrible mood. Hephaistion had humiliated her and he could not go unpunished.

 

The third thing stealing her sleep was Achilles. Now that Roxanne was pregnant, and if the gods granted her a son, she would need to get rid of the brat soon. She was perfectly aware that there was no way in which the King would recognize her son as his legitimate heir as long as Achilles breathed and there was also the army to consider. Roxanne needed the army to get use to a new Crown Prince soon because, since the brat killed his first man, he had became pretty popular. But, how? How to finish with Achilles?

 

Soon we are all moving again, this time to face King Porus –thought Roxanne that night, watching the moon through her window— Maybe the King would let the brat fight, but I doubt it, I will have to look for a way to dispose of him and make it look like an accident. Surely on enemy territory this won’t be too difficult…Gods! Why everything has to be so difficult for me?  

 

XXX

 

The Macedonian army was again on the move, this time marching south to reach the Hydaspes River where King Porus was waiting for them in full military strength. It was June and with this new month a new peril awaited the unaware Macedonian army, an enemy no one knew could be so terrible but that proved to be as unmerciful as the sharp blades of the Indians: the monsoon season.

 

The monsoon season is composed by winds that bring torrential rain during summer in this region. And trust me when I say “torrential rain” that is exactly what I mean. The days were hot and the rain never stop making us all feel like soup, but the worst part was not the discomfort, oh no, when it rained like that our swords and armors rusted, not to mention that we could not sleep. But there was more, the rains were also dangerous because they caused violent landslides in a terrain already unknown and unfriendly to us. We moved across the Salt Range by way of Chakwal and Ara and arriving to our destination in just 2 days, even with the rain. You have to admit it was remarkable…

 

Alexander heard from his guides that the best way to ford the Hydaspes during the monsoon season was on place called Haranpur, unfortunately King Porus also knew this because, by the time the Macedonian army reached the place, the opposite bank was already occupied by the enemy, a large force of archers and chariots giving a clear message that they won’t let the invaders cross.

 

— This doesn’t look good –said Leonnatos, silently cursing the rain. Every time he moved his steps sounded splash, splash; his feet had been wet for so many days that he wouldn’t be surprised to find plants growing between his fingers— The enemy is all over the place and those arches mean business.

 

Perdikkas snorted.

 

— Just the archers? Did you see their patrol squadrons? –said the hipparch and his friend shook his head— Elephants are patrolling the river, guarding every possible crossing point.

 

— You are kidding me! –exclaimed Leonnatos, finding that hard to believe.

 

— He is telling the truth –said Hephaistion, his arms crossed over his chest and his damp hair plastered against his face. He looked across the river to the enemy moving on the war chariots along the edge— I counted 85 on our way here.

 

Leonnatos looked at him with big round eyes.

 

— Surely Alexander won’t make us fight our way across the river –he said, silently praying to all the gods to give wisdom to their King.

 

— I don’t think so –said the commander— It is suicidal, the current is too strong, thanks to the rains, and the horses are nervous thanks to the elephants. Their arches would be all over us before he could do as much as advance a couple of steps.

 

— So, what do you think Alexander will do? –asked Perdikkas but Hephaistion shook his head.

 

— Honestly, I don’t know –the commander admitted and they fell silent for a moment, only hearing the rain falling over the river in a great uproar.

 

— By the way Phai, how is Aki? –asked the hipparch concerned. He had heard the rains had taken their toll on the Prince and Achilles had days with what looked like a terrible cold.

 

Hephaistion face darkened, thinking in the delicate state of his son.

 

— Not better –he said, worried— He doesn’t stop sneezing and sometimes he can’t breath. 

 

Remember I told you my son was allergic to a moisture fungus? Imagine how bad he was with the monsoon. I don’t have to tell you I was beyond concern at this point, I even considered the possibility of asking Alexander to send him back but I knew that was not an option. To send Achilles back we would need a strong escort and my King needed every man he had for the upcoming battle.

 

— Can’t we do something? What do the doctors say? –asked a very anxious Perdikkas.

 

— They say it’s because of the rains –said the commander in a boring tone, as if the doctors had assured him the sky was blue. He already knew this was thanks to the rains— But beyond that, they had no idea of what to do. Roxanne is taking care of him.

 

— Bloody doctors never know a thing –the hipparch complained when Amyntas came running.

 

— Uncle, the King sends for you –said the page.

 

— I’ll go immediately.

 

XXX

 

(1) Curtius, p 202

(2) (3) Curtius p 203

(4) (5) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 389