CHAPTER 191

 

Despite the rain, the hard march and the mortal perils waiting for her husband at the other side of the river, Roxanne looked as if all this had nothing to do with her; as if she was just a guest, an spectator, an outsider, and not the Queen of all these tired and soaked bodies risking their lives for the everlasting glory of her husband.

 

He is not my husband, no more than I am his wife –thought the Queen, her cold eyes fixed at the royal tent merciless flogged by the rain. She let the flap of her own tent drop and walked back inside, one hand on her swollen belly and her mind on treasonous thoughts— But I don’t care, titles are important and lies, as long as you play them right, can be as certain as truths…even more useful.

 

She took 2 fingers to her month and paused for a moment, listening in complete stillness. That maddening sound drop, drop, drop of the rain hitting the roof of her tent was driving her crazy– We should have never come here, India is a mistake and it’s my duty to show Alexander that its time to go back.

 

The flap opened again letting a gust of wind-laden with water to come in, hitting her cheeks for a brief instant— Finally –Roxanne took a deep breath and laced her fingers over her belly. She did not want to appear anxious and forced her face to look as if she had no idea how long had been since she summoned Peisandros— He surely took his time. He is growing bolder everyday since he became my lover…It’s time to dispose of him or he will become a serious burden...and a danger.

 

— You called? –asked the mercenary hipparch with a shameless smile that did nothing to improve her mood. He took off his wet cloak and threw it over the closest chair. 

 

Obviously I called you…—she almost rolled her eyes— Handsome but an idiot, always a great combination –the mercenary could be a good hipparch, a good soldier, but it was a fool about everything else.

 

— Tell me something Peisandros, do you want to be rich? –the question was so sudden and unexpected that it took the Athenian a moment to answer, opening and closing his mouth a couple of times, like a fish out of the water, before a word came out.

 

— Of course I want to, why else would I be in this shit hole risking my life? –Roxanne made an effort not smile.  

 

This will be so easy –she thought, caressing her belly, the head down and her hair falling freely over her shoulders. With only a lamp, casting a weak light over the tent, it was impossible for the mercenary to see Roxanne’s expression.

 

— Oh, but it would be a shame if something happened to you –the Queen sweeten her voice, raising her head and approaching him slowly; leaning her body against him while the mercenary surrounded her waist— I don’t know what would I do if something ever happened to you…I’m sure there can be a…safer way to accomplish your goal –for the look in his eyes she knew she had arose his interest.

 

— What are you talking about? –he laughed without noise, thinking it was a joke but hoping she were serious.

 

— I can make you richer than you ever dreamed and, the only thing you have to do, is a…small something for me –Roxanne’s voice had turned in a whispered, a caress that touched Peisandros full of promises of greatness.

 

— What something? –the Queen whispered in his ear what she wanted and the mercenary laughed– Are you out of your mind woman?

 

— Why? –she feigned surprised— I thought you were a brave man, not a coward afraid of a little danger.

 

He pushed her away.

 

— This not a “little danger”, you are talking about treason –Peisandros was angry, calling him coward had worsen his mood but that was exactly what she wanted.

 

— It was not treason to sleep with me?

 

— That’s different –he passed around, visible uncomfortable and, even if he made an effort to hide it, confused. 

 

— Really? –Roxanne sounded amused— Different how? 

 

— You are asking me to cross the river, go into enemy territory and…—Peisandros shook his head— I would be dead before approaching the barbarians, let alone say two words to explain why I am there.

 

— Peisandros don’t overreact; think about my proposal carefully –the Queen talked to him as if the mercenary were a small child— What do you think of this King Porus’ army?

 

This time Peisandros did not answer immediately. He was not allowed in the inner circle of the King but that did not mean he did not have eyes and ears to know what was waiting for them at the other side—This River is the Styx, only death will welcome us at the other side –thought the mercenary.  

 

— It’s impressive –he answered at long last— Specially the elephants. Horses are uneasy and nervous near them and I don’t want to imagine what could happen if we were to charge directly against these beasts –that was exactly what Roxanne was waiting to hear.

 

— You know the King, do you truly believe Alexander will not to attack King Porus? –Peisandros watched her in silence; could it be that the King would play the part of Charon to them all?— I don’t know much about war but I am no fool. The river is swollen and dangerous thanks to the monsoon rains, there is no crossing point…well, at least not one that is no strongly defended by, oh yes, elephants –the sole mention of these beasts put him nervous. That was good— As I see things, I think your chances to survive are greater if you follow my plan than if you stay with Alexander.

 

The mercenary was still unsure but, by the look on his face, Roxanne knew he only needed a small push and he would be in her hands— I’m so close and I’ll finally be able to secure the throne for my son. 

 

— The King has never lost a battle –said Peisandros but he did not sound as sure as before.

 

— True, but he is just a man. How can you know this place will not become his grave? –she approached him again— No one will know what you have done, it’s just a simple thing to cross the river, deliver King Porus my gift and come back. You will be rich and, more importantly, alive –the Queen caressed his cheek with the back of her hand— I promise you, do this and Alexander would have no other choice but to turn back, to go back home and leave this land for good.

 

At the end Roxanne could not tell what convinced Peisandros, the riches or the promise of going back home, but he accepted to do it…but not alone. He claimed to need help of 5 of his men and the Queen agreed to pay all of them— Of course, they will have to come back first –she smiled.

 

XXX

 

How many times Hephaistion had played the same roll? How many times would he play it in the future? He, sitting on the opposite side of the table listening to Alexander explaining their difficult situation, scarce chances of survival, imminent death and ultimate destruction if something went wrong— Too many times –he thought. Sitting there, watching the maps made him feel at the beginning of the campaign, when he was younger, less tired and when everything was a big adventure.

 

Yes, he was tired— But Alexander is not, he still speaks with the same passion, the same fire burning in his uneven eyes –and that was enough to give him strength to face whatever King Porus had ready for them at the other side. 

 

King Porus…they had never faced an enemy like him and not because he had a reputation of a brilliant strategist, because he hadn’t, because his was the most exotic and strange army they had ever seen. At Gaugamela Darius had had elephants but he never used them in battle, here it was clear that these beasts were part of the enemy’s army just like horses were part of their own. 

 

At long last, and after a very detail explanation of what they knew of the ground, the river and the Indians, Alexander declared…

 

— We cannot cross –that much was obvious and Hephaistion was waiting to hear something more, something like: “we cannot cross but…” but Alexander kept silence.

 

— We cannot cross, so? –this usually was the part where the King surprised everyone with a brilliant plan to save the day, what was wrong?—What are we going to do?

 

If Alex doesn’t not know what to do nobody would –he thought.

 

— Nothing.

 

— Nothing? –just when the commander thought his lover could no longer surprise him. He could not be thinking in giving up, not him— What do you mean?

 

The King smiled, enjoying the astonishment in his beloved’s eyes and leaned his weight back against the back of his chair. His plan, as all his plans, was as dangerous as it was crazy.

 

— We’ll make Porus believe we are going to wait here until the rains stop and, meanwhile, we will look for a crossing point –Alexander explained— I want him to get use to our presence here, to our routine, to let his guard down and then, we will cross and attack him.

 

It was a good plan but risky because— All depends on the tiny detail of finding a crossing point. What if it doesn’t exist? What would happen if we were force to wait here until the rains stop? –many things could happen in a month, many things could change for better or worst, but there was no point in raising all these questions now. They would deal with one problem at a time and, for now, they really had no other choice but to stay where they were… or turn back— But Alex would never turn back. 

 

— I guess not many can know about your true intentions –said Hephaistion after a long silence.

 

— It’s wiser this way, if word reached Porus all this would be for nothing –his beloved nodded. Ambhi had come with them leading a force of Indian troops, but, even if the rajah of Taxila had proven to be a friend and even if King Porus was more his enemy than theirs, they couldn’t be too cautious.

 

Alexander leaned again to the front, rested his arms on the table and took his hand. The sole touch of his lover was enough to make his soul shudder, like a leaf at the mercy of the wind. And, why not? He was a leaf and the force that drove Alexander’s life was as strong as the wind, wiping everything out, pushing them all forward. Unstoppable— But we all have our limits, do you have none Alex? –Hephaistion did not want to find the answer. The fire that burns with greater force is also the one that dies first. 

 

They fell silent. It was during these silences, that wrapped them like a cloak against winter, where Hephaistion had learned to know Alexander; not in heated conversations, not in the middle of the battlefield or between the sheets of their bed, it was when one look could make them understand better than a thousand words that he had unraveled the mystery of who really was his lover.  

 

— You are tired.

 

— I am –it was pointless to lie, Alexander knew him too well for that.

 

— Send Perdikkas to take care of your men and…

 

— No. It’s fine, I will sleep after the camp is complete –Hephaistion smiled, but the smile failed to reach his eyes.

 

— Aki will be fine.

 

— Now you read minds? –that was exactly what had him worried. The Prince was not better and the commander had the impression he would only get worst being so close to the river.

 

Hephaistion was no doctor but he was a good observer and his son always got sick in damp places, when it snowed or during rain season. He had never met another boy as sickly as his boy but also with the sufficient willpower, or stubbornness, to keep going without complaining— I always thought that, when he were older, he would be stronger…I guess I was wrong –the father in him thought that Achilles should have been left at Persia, the commander in him knew that was dangerous. The safest place for the Prince was at his side, if not the best for his health. 

 

— Do you want me to send our son back to your tent? –since they left Taxila and the monsoon began, Achilles had been resting in the royal tent, attended personally by the Queen, with all the comforts available, which in this case were a lot.

 

— No –his beloved shook his head— He is much better here.

 

Even if Roxanne had tried to seduce him months Hephaistion admitted she now behaved impeccably. She was a good Queen but still there was something he did not like in her. She took really good care of his son, Roxanne was sweet and loving with Achilles, as if he were her son of her little brother, but…— Why I cannot like her? Could it be I am jealous?

 

— Phai, go to rest. Someone else can take care of your men…and that is an order –he said in that particular tone of voice of his that couldn’t be refused.

 

The commander sighed, it did not make him happy to rest while the rest were working but he had to admit he needed desperately to sleep.

 

— Fine.

 

Alexander wanted to ask him to stay and Hephaistion wanted to share the bed with him but neither voiced these wishes; both had to attend to their duties first and later would be time for them— Many want desperately to be a King in order to do as they want, but to be a good King is to attend others’ needs before indulging your own wishes –yes, they were there because Alexander wanted but the King was the first one to raise at mornings and the last one to sleep— We’ll have time for us later.   

 

XXX

 

As soon as the commander arrived at his tent Kyros ran to help him with his wet cloths and served his dinner. It was late but only now he appeared to notice, the constant rain had the sky as dark as a night without moon, making it difficult to know when was day or night. He sat down in front of his table and rubbed his eyes so hard that he saw stars for an instant. So many things had been buzzing in his mind that Hephaistion had also forgotten how hungry he was until his servant arrived with bread, cheese and hot wine.

 

The march to reach the Hydaspes River had been truly hard and had all of them exhausted, wet and depressed. It was easy to say it was raining all day every day, but after days without the sun many were beginning to feel low and the moral not as good as it could be— And the elephants at the other side of the river are not helping –there was nothing that scared a man more than the unknown and they had no idea of what was an elephant capable to do on the battlefield.

 

— Where is Yarsa? –asked the commander after taking 2 bites of bread. The tent was unusually silent and that was not normal when the eunuch was around.

 

— Sleeping. 

 

Just when I wished to hear noise more than never –he thought, missing his son’s laughter— I should not think like this, he is not dead…maybe I should go to my brother’s tent if what I want is noise.  

 

— So early? –he asked and Kyros shrugged.

 

— He has been acting weird lately –the Theban explained— Doesn’t talk as much as before, sleeps most of the time…if you ask me, I think he is depressed.

 

Hephaistion had also noticed that too but he was so busy with the army, Alexander, the monsoon, Roxanne’s pregnancy, the rumor of his incestuous relationship with his brother and of course Achilles, that he did not pay Xsayarsa much attention— Depressed? Why not? This rain has all of us depressed. I guess this time the march was too hard for him. Maybe I should have left him at Taxila.   

 

But now that he took a moment to think about it Xsayarsa had also being weird at Taxila, it was not the march, something else was bothering him…

 

— Hephaistion?

 

— Mm?

 

— Is the King forcing us to cross the river? –the question made him smile.

 

I guess half the army is asking the same thing –he thought.

 

— No. We are camping here until the rains stop –the relief was visible on his servant’s face.

 

Days of rest will serve us all –he said to himself.

 

XXX

 

Days passed and things went exactly as Alexander had planned. King Porus got use to the usual activity at the Macedonian camp and stopped paying attention to the deploy of cavalry squadrons that always patrol the river, to Ptolemy who was ordered to “take a large cavalry force up and down the bank of the river, making as much noise as possible, shots, war cries and every sort of clatter and shindy which supposed to precede an attempted crossing” (1) Since nothing happened, the enemy began to ignore them, utterly unaware that small cavalry patrols were tirelessly searching for a way to cross.

 

— Why do you always order Ptolemy to go out at night? –asked Hephaistion, walking around the camp the only afternoon when the rain decided to give them all a respite— Why not during day light?

 

— Because it’s more exhausting to keep your men on guard all night, unable to see where will the enemy attempt to cross, than to do it during the day –Alexander explained while trying to walk over the mud the rain had left them as a gift.

 

The commander smiled, only his lover would have thought in such a brilliant detail.

 

— I did not think it would work but King Porus no longer pay attention to what we do.

 

— You did not think? –the King frowned at him— Thank you so much for the confidence in me –Hephaistion laughed— Honestly, when haven’t my plans worked?

 

— Well, you tried to cross the Granicus River and had to go back, wait and find a safe cross point –his beloved reminded him.

 

— It only happened once –Alexander grumbled. 

 

— You made us rode all night to catch Bessus and he still killed Darius before we could get him.

 

— You don’t have to make a list –Hephaistion smiled.

 

— You know what is your problem?

 

— I don’t have problems –answered the King stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest.

 

— Oh, yes you have…a lot actually –Alexander frowned again— But one of your problems is that, you are so used to win that you became a bad loser. 

 

— If you said so.

 

— I’m saying it.

 

The King couldn’t be angry at his beloved and, he ended laughing with him— A bad loser? Only Phai would be capable of saying something like this to my face, everyone else is too busy trying to win my favor or too scared to incur in my wrath…Kings are cursed to be alone but the gods showed me just how much they love me by sending Phai to be at my side.  

 

XXX

 

Finally, after days of wait terrorizing King Porus’ nights while small cavalry squadrons reached around, they found a large wooden island near a bank were men could hide, and preparations began immediately to cross the Hydaspes River. The Macedonian camp was like a dead man raising from the grave, after days of scarce activity, the camp stirred and woke up, men running from one side to the other, shouting orders and the metallic sound of armors and arms soon filled the air.  

 

A terrible storm unleash just as the preparations began, like the whip of a master against his slaves, and the men began to mutter about the possibility of having enraged the gods; others spoke of bad omens, spirits and tormented souls but not even the wrath of heaven was enough to stop the King and his orders to cross that night remained the same. Absolutely everyone appeared to be working, busy attending to their duties, even the Queen… 

 

— It has to be done now –Roxanne urged Peisandros at her quarters as the storm raged outside, thunders and lighting fighting each other, turning the night into a phantasmagoric day with they pale lights— The King is leaving with half of the army to cross at Admana while Attalus will play his double, dressed like him, will stay at the camp with Krateros to make Porus believe that nothing out of the ordinary is happening –she took him by the arm— If you leave now you will be able to reach Admana before him, cross and get to Porus.

 

The Queen was perfectly aware that her plan would ruin her husband’s strategy but that was exactly what she wanted. Roxanne wanted to go back to Persia, to leave this place, and she thought it would be only possible if Alexander was defeated— Or even dead, that will leave me as the regent and my son will be King. 

 

— Where is the boy? –asked Peisandros as a lighting illuminated the interior, their shadows long and thin like tortured souls that appear to scream without voice.

 

— In the room at the end of the tent –she answered.

 

— Get everything ready, I will gather my men.

 

XXX

 

As always Alexander’s plan was brilliant, and as always the smallest mistake would be fatal. The only way to face King Porus’ force was dividing the Macedonian army in 3 parts: one staying behind at camp under the orders of Krateros, other under Meleager’s, Attalus’ and Georgias’ orders and the last one under the direct command of Alexander. Hephaistion, Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Ptolemy, Koinos and Seleucus would be going with the King to face the most difficult part of the plan— It’s typical of Alex to take command of the most dangerous mission –thought Hephaistion.

 

Every military action at night is difficult, under the horrible storm hitting them with wind and water was even worst—But it has to be done –the commander rode right behind Alexander knowing he was but unable to see a thing, except for the time the lighting appeared on the night sky like a crack. Nikandros was somewhere among his own men, the same as his cousin Demetrios, but Lysanias had stayed with Krateros at the camp.

 

 This is our first major battle without Parmelio, Philotas and Kleitos –even if he had no love for Philotas or his father, he had to admit they were excellent officers, they had won at Gaugamela with their help, at Issus, at the Granicus… Every major battle had been fought with them…

 

But it was always Alexander’s plan that brought us victory –the storm had already claimed the life of several men, and it would be at least 3 hours before sunrise. They had to move quickly or the surprise factor would be over and with it their chances of success— It’s a good plan but, why am I so nervous?…I have a bad feeling about this.    

 

XXX

 

Berenike rushed outside her tent to see what was going on. Since Leonnatos and Amyntas left she had been unable to resume her sleeping, not only was she worried for her family, the camp was an ordered chaos and men ran getting ready for the upcoming battle. She was getting used to the noise, trying her best to keep her children calm while telling them stories or singing a song, when a suddenly outburst caught her attention. Outside Berenike was welcome by the sight of men running to the Queen’s tent and the sound of Roxanne’s screams.

 

— What’s happening? –asked Netikerty pale and scared at her side, but her mistress shook her head.

 

— I have no idea –what could have happened? Was Roxanne fine? Maybe she was giving birth—…Stay here –her slave nodded, watching Berenike ran to the Queen’s tent, fighting her way inside.

 

If Berenike thought the camp was a chaos inside the Queen’s quarters was no better. The place was crowded with soldiers, servants, slaves and people, like her, who had nothing better to do; the smell of damp cloths, sweating bodies and burning candles was so strong that for a moment she felt dizzy. It was hot in here and with so many people was difficult to breath. She found Roxanne sitting on a couch, crying with a purple swollen bruise on her cheek, speaking to a very serious and tensed Krateros. Chrysaor was with them too, looking as if his mother had just found dead and floating on the river. She had never seen the guard so serious but couldn’t think of what could have him like that.

 

Berenike tried to stand on her toes but was too far to hear what they were saying— Roxanne doesn’t look like she is giving birth so, what’s going on?…I need to find someone who can explain me the situation —she looked around for a familiar face when luckily for her, she found Kyros among the crowd.

 

— Kyros! Thank the gods! –she wounded her way to reach him, becoming the target of several frowns and bad words as she advanced— What happened here?…what happened to you? –the Theban looked so pale that Berenike feared he was going to faint, it was as if all the color had abandoned him leaving only a ghost without bones instead of a young and lively lad.

 

Kyros could not answer immediately; he was in shock and appeared to be floating in the middle of a nightmare. He needed to take several deep breaths before finding his voice again.

 

— It’s Aki… he was kidnapped.

 

— What?!…how?…what?…why? –her head was spinning, she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

 

— The Queen says 6 men came, assaulted her, attacked several of the servants and took Aki with them.

 

— But who?…was the enemy? How could they possible get in here without being noticed? –oh she was going to kill Krateros if that was the case— And where, in the name of all the spirits of the underworld, was Chrysaor?

 

Berenike was being unjust. The Theban was not in charge of the Prince’s security and he certainly was the last person who deserved to be interrogated like this…but she was desperate. The lad shook his head.  

 

— I don’t know much but it was not the enemy, apparently they were Greek mercs, or so the Queen and her servants said –Kyros explained, trembling from head to toe— Chrysaor was not on duty tonight and he came as soon as commander Krateros summoned him.   

 

Dear Gods this cannot be happening –Berenike took her hands to her heart; it was all she could do before start eating her nails.

 

— What about the guards? Nobody saw anything?

 

— I…I don’t know but…Yarsa was here –said the Theban— He came to deliver a couple of Aki’s books and…

 

— What? Come on Kyros you are killing me.

 

— He is dying, one of the bastards tried to pierce his heart with a sword but missed…still…the doctors do not think he will live.

 

Berenike did the first thing that crossed her mind, she embraced Kyros— This cannot be happening. Why would the Greek mercs kidnap Aki? It has no sense.

 

XXX

 

Curiously but Krateros was thinking exactly the same thing “this cannot be happening.” He was in charge of the troops left at the camp and he would lead the attack, why had this had to happen to him NOW? In the same moment the Queen finished telling her story he ordered to search the camp and, after a brief investigation, they found out that Peisandros and 5 of his men, who had to be with Meleager ready to cross the river, were missing.

 

Crazy sons of a bad mother! What can they possible be thinking? –the most obvious conclusion was that they sought to reach Porus, who else would be interested in holding such a hostage? Alexander had many enemies but none as close as the King beyond the river— But, even if that is the case, how they planned to reach him?…what would I do in their place?

 

— Sir, do you want to send the scouts after these bastards? –asked one of his men, standing at his side. 

 

— It will be pointless –answered Krateros, crossing his massive arms over his chest. He was so angry that was beginning to look like a mad bull. Not only he had lost the Crown Prince, he also liked the boy and it bothered him to know Achilles was in the hands of mercenaries.

 

But I cannot send troops after them, I need every man here for the attack. Alexander was very clear, I would move as soon as the enemy mobilizes their forces to attack him, provided that they don’t leave the elephants –Krateros could hear his King’s voice loud and clear inside his mind. If Porus left elephants to guard his side of the river, the commander would not cross. He cursed.

 

A good mercenary is a dead mercenary –thought the commander. He did not like the sort, despite their usefulness, never trusted them and this only served to reaffirm his believes.

 

— If I were them –Krateros continued, feeling the bitter taste of failure in his mouth. He had always done as his King commanded, he had never failed him and was not planning to start now— I would have left before the King, it was the best chance to reach the enemy on time.

 

— Then…what do we do?

 

— Send a rider to the King.

 

XXX

 

Roxanne was not wrong, it took Peisandros no time to reach Admana, even with the storm, but when they crossed it was only to find that they did not arrive to a riverbank but to a narrow island— Ares’ balls! –the mercenary cursed, clenching his teeth while his eyes surveyed their surroundings. The wind blew which such rage that had the trees bent to its will in forced submission. 

 

— Sir, what now? –asked one of his men and Peisandros walked to the river’s edge, almost falling thanks to the mud that gave no place for safe foothold.

 

Go back is out of question –he thought, soaked from head to toe—Even if Roxanne helped us to seize the Prince without raising the alarm, we’ll find the King on our way back.

 

It had been really easy. The Queen sent the guards out with the pretext that she had heard noise outside the tent and the only opposition they encounter had been the bloody eunuch Peisandros had bedded to get information about Hephaistion. Nobody knew the Prince was missing and, just as Roxanne promised, when they got back nobody would know what had they done— If we can get back –the mercenary heard more than saw the river’s torrent. This was getting more and more complicated and soon Peisandros began to regret helping the Queen. 

 

— We have to cross –the mercenary hipparch said at long last. 

 

— But the torrent is too strong.

 

And the King is just behind us –it was a hard decision, how did they want to die? Drown or executed?— This was a terrible idea. 

 

— I know that, but we have no choice –roared Peisandros angry.

 

I wonder, what is Alexander going to do when he finds out that this place is not a cross point but another island –he thought— If he tries to cross with an army, the Indians will be over him in a heartbeat.

 

— Sir! The boy is not breathing! –exclaimed one of his men in alarm.

 

This cannot be happening –cursed the mercenary hipparch.

 

XXX

 

Krateros’ rider reached the King in time, just before he crossed the river. His men were scared of the storm and the force of the river and no one wanted to be the first to cross. More and more Alexander began to hear that this river was the Styx and their doom waited at the other side— Yes, but they forget that Herakles crossed the Styx and came back from the underworld alive; and I am Herakles’ descendant.

 

— I will cross first –announced the King to nobody’s surprise. They were used by now to this and, if no one wanted to cross then Alexander would set the example. 

 

— I will go with you –Hephaistion said at once but the King shook his head.

 

— I need you here, to help with the crossing –his beloved was not happy with this so Alexander took him by the shoulder— I will be fine, I will go with Ptolemy, Perdikkas, and Lysimachus; besides…

 

But Hephaistion could not hear the rest because Seleucus arrived with the rider from the camp. 

 

— Do you want me to go? –asked the commander.

 

— No, stay. You know I have no secrets for you –but soon the King regretted his gallant answer.

 

To say he was angry when he heard the news about his Prince was to underestimate his fury, the messenger was sure Alexander would kill him in that instant for bringing such dreadful news but this did not happen. The King cursed using all the bad words he knew in both, Macedonian and Greek, and a few in Persian; the storm echoing his bad mood with thunders and lighting. He would have loved to conceal this news from his beloved but now was too late.

 

This is impossible –thought Hephaistion, as pale as milk, feeling a chill running down his spine that had nothing to do with the rain. He couldn’t breath, for one agonizing moment it was as if the air couldn’t reach his lungs and the world spun around him. His son had been kidnapped by Greek mercenaries who, according to what Krateros thought, could be heading to the enemy camp to sell the King’s heir as a hostage.

 

But that has no sense, why would they do such a thing? –Greed. Of course they were looking to enrich themselves but, to cross the Hydaspes with such a storm, just before a battle, and risking their necks to reach an enemy they did not know…— Unless Porus planned this and he paid them to kidnap Aki.

 

That was the only likely explanation but, whatever the reason, it did not change the fact that his son was sick and in danger. Hephaistion may not shout and curse like Alexander but that did not mean he was not worry and angry— Our only chance now is to catch them before they reach the enemy –he turned, his dark gray eyes on the flotilla that would carry them all.

 

— They cannot be far –said Leonnatos when he considered safe to talk, almost reading the commander’s mind— If we hurry…

 

But the King did not let him finish, he rushed to the nearest boat and climbed— I will catch them and, when I do, I will make them wish they were never born –thought Alexander.

 

Alexander and I were so worried and shaken that neither took notice of Seleucus. I may not have liked him but he was as stricken as we were by the news and, the same as my lover, he also ran to the nearest boat. Now I see what kind of fool I was. I mistrusted Seleucus who truly loved my son and left Achilles alone with Roxanne. Yes, I was good reading people but I am not perfect and certainly I am not a god. I cannot read people’s hearts and my mistake almost cost my son his life.

 

XXX

 

The elephants and the furious torrent of the river had forced Alexander to take with him he took a force small enough to go unnoticed and large enough to withstand an attack while his commanders and officers had specific orders about what to do in what moment. Every piece had to be in its place but, it almost cost the King the battle a little miscalculation.

 

His scouts failed to inform him that the crossing point would take him to a narrow island between his side of the river and King Porus’. And Alexander cursed and shouted but had no other choice but to cross without the help of his flotilla, which meant, taking the horses and men through the savage waters of the Hydaspes, fighting against the torrent while praying to all the gods the Indians took no notice of their presence there.

 

Did the mercs took Aki across this? –Hephaistion saw the Hydaspes feeling the cold hands of fear clenching his heart. What if they didn’t make it? What if the current dragged them and his son was somewhere downstream floating face up? He shook his head, it made him no good to be thinking about such things. 

 

At each passing moment their situation became more and more difficult. The storm had finally stopped but that did not make things any easier for them. They had no time; it was like running against the clock knowing that, if they lingered here it could mean not only the death of Achilles but also the doom of them all. Every battle was difficult to fight but, going to the battlefield with his heart afflicted, was something new for Hephaistion.  

 

I have to calm down, last time Aki was in danger after the battle of Gaugamela, I almost lost my arm –he reminded himself.

 

Alexander set the example again crossing first. But King or not he suffered greatly against the fury of the river that appeared to be fighting on the side of his enemies as another brave soldier. Boukephalous, his friend and old companion, was with him that day as he has always being in every major battle he had fought— But maybe this time was not such a good idea to bring you with me, this may be too much for you –thought the King, his jaw clenched in that confusion that had stopped being a squadron to become a mass of men trying to survive. 

 

His ears were filled with the sounds of the torrent, the whining of horses and shouts of men, his hard breathing and the pounding of his heart against his throat but his mind was set on the front, on the other side. Little by little the riverbank covered in gold light and Alexander knew dawn was coming— It’s taking us too long to cross, at this rate the mercs will reach the enemy and they will know about our presence in no time.

 

This was not part of the plan but there was nothing he could do to remedy this— We have to keep going, there is no other way. 

 

By the time they reached the other side his men were exhausted but otherwise unharmed. Immediately the cavalry arranged on the right, the very soaked infantry at the center and the light troops at the left. The Macedonian army could be many things but their discipline came before everything else and, thanks to this, they were ready, even before seeing them, when the enemy arrived.  

 

XXX

 

— What is going on? –asked Meleager impatiently, stretching his neck to see. They had been waiting for a long time and just as dawn broke, sounds of battle reached them— Do you think we should cross?

 

I have no idea –thought Attalus, clenching his fists. His orders were to wait here until Alexander had crossed, had he crossed already? What if the enemy discovered them and they were trapped?

 

— We’ll cross –Georgias decided at last.

 

Either way, if the King crossed its time to join him and, if he hasn’t, he is fighting and will need help –and with that in mind they ordered to advance.

 

XXX

 

When King Porus arrived at the Hydaspes River he was confident and calm. His army was numerous, his elephants unstoppable, and he had a vast knowledge of the ground. He had thanked his gods for the monsoon season, sure that the torrential rains would stop the invader, claiming his life and the lives of his men, but that did not happen. He had hopped the sole sight of his elephants would discourage the invader making him realize a crossing was impossible, but that did not happened.

 

The rajah of Kashmir, Abisares, was heading this way with an army as big as his own and, between the 2 of them, crushing the Macedonians would be an easy task…but now was not yesterday and now Porus had no time to wait for him and was no longer calm and confident.

 

The King of Paurava remained in utterly silence, sitting on a comfortable chair with cushions embroidery in gold thread, making his messenger nervous. That morning he had sent his son to end with the invaders’ attempts of crossing the river after hearing the news from the deserters…or at least he thought they were deserters because he could not find another explanation of why 6 Greek soldiers would come to him bearing a most important and significant gift as the son and heir of his enemy.

 

There were many things Porus did not understand, why had these men chosen to come to him? Why to bring the Macedonian Prince? And why were they not asking for any reward?—Because this is a trap –and with that in mind the King decided to put these men to death…but not the boy— If they were saying the truth they deserved to die for traitors and, if they lied and this is a trap, they also deserved that fate –King Porus frowned. He had no idea of what to do now.

 

He began to think the Greek soldiers had told the truth which left him in the very privilege position of being the captor of his enemy’s heir but…could he use the boy to stop the attack?— I don’t think so – his own son was dead, the invader kept advancing to his position and the remaining forces at the Macedonian’s camp were getting ready to cross— And if they do it, I will be trap between 2 armies –he had to relied on his forces and, after what appeared to be an eternity, he stood up. He knew what to do.

 

XXX

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 391.