CHAPTER 202

 

That day began like any other. Achilles woke up early, as he always did, took a bath with almost boiling water, just as he liked it, ate a pretty frugal breakfast and went to the royal tent, ready to show that ferocious enemy known as paperwork who was in charge. He took very seriously his new assignment and every day started early and ended late, checking with all care each one of the King’s letters, marking different baskets to sort the documents accordingly: one basket for everything that came from Macedonia, another for Egypt, one more for Babylon, several for the army: supplies, equipment, records of casualties, and so on.

 

The Prince had 3 slaves helping him to give order to that chaos and, whenever he had a doubt, he made a separate pile to ask Alexander, or Hephaistion, as soon as it were possible. He knew how busy were his fathers and, the last thing he wanted, was to bother them— Maybe I should ask Eumenes again, even if he doesn’t like it, but there are several letters that don’t make sense to me.  

 

Achilles liked routine and this day was no different from others, which suited him well; one of the slaves brought him a tea and he had just sipped it when his perfect day with its perfect routine ended abruptly in the same instance Perdikkas came in, unannounced, as if he were the King himself.

 

— Leave us –he said to the slaves who turned to look at the Prince.

 

Achilles took his time before nodding. He had to talk to the hipparch about this mania of his of giving orders to his servants as if he were the master there but he hadn’t found a way to do it without offending him— He is my fathers’ friend and Perdikkas thinks he is doing me a favor. I have to find a polite way to tell him I hate when he tries to boss me around.

 

— How can I help you, hipparch? –asked the Prince, swallowing his anger and leaving his face blank, something he was very good at. 

 

Perdikkas approached in two strides until he was standing at his side, slightly bent to the front, his hand resting on the desk, and an extremely serious expression on his usually smiling face. Never before the blond hipparch of blue eyes had looked so old to the Prince as he did in that moment— He is upset –but the boy said nothing more and waited. 

 

— We need to talk –the hipparch said with gravity— I know how was what you gained the support of Alexander’s officers –he said as if he had caught the Prince trying to poison the King, which only served to increase Achilles’ confusion— I thought it was strange that suddenly that group of old hens had stopped quarrelling to listen to a 13 years old boy but, now, I know how you did it. 

 

— Hipparch, I have no idea of what are you talking about –and it was true. For a moment the Prince toyed with the idea that Perdikkas had gone mad, what else could explain this suddenly outburst of indignity?

 

The older one bent even more to the front, until his face was a scarcely centimeters from Achilles’ lips, dropping his voice but his words still firm and hurtful like the edge of a sword.

 

— You slept with them –he accused him without preambles and without proofs. 

 

— You are insane –it was official now. The Prince tried to stand up but Perdikkas pushed him back to the chair with an abruptness he was not expecting. Achilles saw him confused, startled, his uneven eyes round and big. 

 

— Am I? I saw you –the hipparch accused him, pointing at him with his index finger, a finger trembling with barely contained fury— I saw Krateros kissing you and last night I saw you fucking Seleucus on the corridor. You bedded them both, didn’t you?

 

— I did not! –Achilles was beginning to get angry and to lose his always cold and detach demeanor. The accusation was as outrageous as it was insulting and he was not planning to stay there listening to that bunch of stupidities. But the older one did not let him go.

 

— Do you take me for a fool? –hissed Perdikkas through clenched teeth— You fucked them all: Lysimachus, Laomedon, Meleager, Krateros…All of them! How else they would become so obedient when I could not control them?

 

Control them? –that choice of words did not pass unnoticed for the Prince.

 

— You are indeed a fool if you think I am capable of something as despicable as this –finally Achilles lost his composure. Truly and genuinely angry, visceral angry, no longer thinking, just reacting. The hipparch considered him so incompetent, such a fool, that he could not have gained the support of such men by any other means but trading sexual favors like a woman. He was offended— I never slept with any of them!

 

Perdikkas laughed a hurtful, taunting laugh.

 

— And Seleucus? Or are you going to tell me you never fucked him? –when the Prince vacillated to answer, the hipparch took him by the arm and pulled him, forcing him to stand and throwing him against the desk. Papers, letters, reedpens and ink fell on the floor— I asked you to be my eromenos, I wanted to do the honorable thing with you, I always treated you well…

 

— You treat me like a woman! –shouted Achilles, finally exploding after days of swallowing Perdikkas’ humiliations, swallowing his anger to forcing himself to be polite— You think I am incapable to taking care of myself! 

 

— I wanted to help you –the hipparch hit the desk with his fist.

 

— You humiliated me! –by now the Prince was shouting at the top of his voice.

 

— To be concerned about you is to humiliate you? Is this why you slept with everyone but me? I am the only one who cares about you, and this is how you pay me? –he reproached the boy as if it were his obligation to do something for him, to be grateful for everything he had done, to love him. 

 

— Are you deaf? I did not fuck everyone just Seleucus –the words escaped before he could think what was he saying and it only served to enrage Perdikkas beyond the limits of what was healthy.

 

— Seleucus –he pronounced the name as if it were a curse and took Achilles by the arm, hurting him, marking his fingers in the pale skin— Do you like to be treated like a whore? –he shook him— Do you want me to take you on the corridor? Like a slut? What does Seleucus has that I don’t?

 

What happened next happened too fast, the world spun around the Prince, he did not know how but, at some point, saw himself lying face down on the desk, his arms trapped behind his back under Perdikkas powerful grip— What’s happening? –he thought confused, his heart beating furiously, his breath ragged, feeling the hipparch weight crushing him and his breath hitting his ear.

 

— I begged you like an idiot and you only played with me –Perdikkas was beyond fury— I treated you always with respect but that wasn’t enough for you, was it?

 

And Achilles panicked. In that moment the hipparch could do whatever he pleased with him, kill him, rape him, beat him, anything! And the Prince would be unable to defend himself in that position. He was at his complete mercy— I never thought he was this strong –Achilles tried to think what to do, should he scream for help? His pride did not let him do it and he tried to kick or bit the older one, fight back, do something, anything! But all was in vain— Daddy, where are you? –he was truly scared but then…

 

— I’m sorry, sir, but I’ll have to ask you to move the fuck off –Chrysaor held his blade next to Perdikkas’ neck, so close the hipparch could see his own reflection on the metal, ready to kill him if he tried something funny.

 

Perdikkas was as surprised as Achilles to find the guard there. When had he come in? The hipparch did not move, stayed where he was, defying Chrysaor silently and, for a heartbeat, the Prince thought he wasn’t going to obey— This will end with blood. No, please father Zeus, don’t let this happened —the Gods took pity on him because the pressure on his wrists ceded.

 

— Do you have any idea of what kind of punishment awaits a man who kills his superior officer? –asked the hipparch with all the arrogance he was capable to show when Chrysaor did not lower his sword.

 

— No idea sir, but I’m pretty sure is not worst than the punishment for assaulting the Crown Prince –replied the guard, unmoved by the other’s display of authority. Perdikkas snorted and, without looking at Achilles, left the room, kicking the door on his way out.

 

— Achilles, are you all right? –asked Chrysaor worried, sheathing his sword, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand.

 

— I’m fine –the Prince rubbed his wrists.

 

— You scared me –the guard admitted with a nervous smile— I heard your shouts and then nothing. I thought something was wrong and I decided to come…You know? When I saw the hipparch on you, I really though he was going to rape you.

 

— For a moment… –Achilles made a pause looking at the door— I thought that too.

 

— Motherless dog! –Chrysaor exclaimed angry— I never like him, don’t ask me why, but I never did. You have to talk to Heph, he…

 

— No –the Prince did not raise his voice but he was sure of what he was saying.

 

— No? But you have to tell him! –Chrysaor was in shock— This moron –he pointed at the door with his arm— Is only bad news.

 

— It would be worst if I tell daddy –Achilles was still scared and there was nothing that he wanted more than to run to his father, embrace him and cry. But he was the Crown Prince, he had a duty and could not do that— Perdikkas is his friend.

 

— I know Heph –the guard insisted— If he knows what is this guy doing they won’t be friends for long.

 

— Exactly! That’s what I want to avoid –said Achilles successfully confusing him— I don’t want to cause problems and both, daddy and dad, have lots of problems right now. Perdikkas is not just their friend, he is an important officer, and with the men as they are now, at the brink of another mutiny, the worst thing it could happen is to have daddy fighting with Perdikkas.

 

Chrysaor shook his head. He was a simple man with simple solutions and would never understand this kind of thinking. 

 

— You know better but…I still think you should talk to your fathers, what are you going to do if this moron tries to hurt you again? –Achilles smiled sweetly.

 

— That’s why you are here, to protect me –and his guard laughed.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion, the same as his son, had waked up early that day. Again he hadn’t been able to sleep more than 4 hours but he did not complain, taking into consideration the present situation 4 hours were as precious as 8. The army once again was complete and preparations were needed to continue the march south. If something could be said of Alexander’ gallantry act at the walls of Sudracae, which almost cost him his life, was that the Malli had finally surrendered.

 

Despite the rumors and the horrible week they all had suffered, full with uncertainty and constant attacks, the Indians had no doubt now that the conqueror was very much alive and in a mood to continue the war until he had finished with them all. Their fighting spirit had finally broken and the King was once again free to continue his quest for the Ocean.

 

— I will need a full account of the wounded men and the medical supplies –said Hephaistion to Glycon. He had asked the young man to become his secretary and, the now 22 years old lad, gladly accepted immediately.  

 

They had worked together before, when Glycon had served at the Agema, and the commander admired the lad’s organizational skills. He had everything in perfect order, was fast to obey, intelligent and always made the right remarks at the right moment. The Agema of the Hipaspist… that made Hephaistion nostalgic. He missed Dismas, his veteran second-in-command, and he would not have doubt to ask him to become now his right hand if Alexander hadn’t sent the man back to Macedonia when he discharged the veterans at the Oxus River.

 

But it was only fair, Dismas deserved to go back home after so many years of service –he smiled at the thought of Dismas enjoying his wealth with his family.

 

— Sir, would you like also a list of our dead? –asked Glycon, taking notes while following him around the camp.

 

— Yes, and make a different list for all the men missing.

 

— Do you want me to mark them as deserters?  

 

— Not yet. Make the list first and, if in a couple of days we know nothing of them, they we’ll have to mark them as deserters –answered Hephaistion, walking near the river where the men were taking care of the fleet. He knew perfectly well the terrible punishment that awaited deserters and he preferred to wait before taking a rash decision.

 

Missing men –the commander almost laughed remembering the mysterious forest where many of his men had disappeared while they constructed a bridge over the Indus River. After their victory at the Hydaspes River, when King Porus became their ally, he had confessed that his own men had been behind these disappearances, trying to scare the enemy to make them run away— The worst part is this plan could have actually worked with an army with less discipline than this. 

 

The only thing the commander admired of the late King Philip was his vision to train this army, to create a professional army with a hard discipline, strong and deadly as a sword, a magnificent weapon in the right hands— If Alex would have had to create the army first, all his life would have been devoted to it and he would never have come to Asia. I guess we should be grateful with Philip for that…

 

— Sir, if you don’t need me for anything else, I would like to start this right now –said Glycon, folding his notes and Hephaistion nodded, stopping near the riverbank where several men were taking a bath, laughing and joking.

 

— Go, the faster we end with this the better –Glycon saluted and left. Hephaistion shielded his eyes against the sun and surveyed the fleet. A magnificent sight! A most tangible proof of Alexander’s power and a silent statement that he would do as he pleased and would go wherever he felt like it. He had the power, the means and the will to accomplish the impossible. How many men could claim the same? 

 

And he almost died by an arrow, cast by a nameless faceless man who would never know how close his was to end the life of the most powerful man on the known world –he thought.

 

— Phai! –Perdikkas appeared, taking him out of his meditations, striding to catch him.

 

— Perdikkas! Just the man I need –said the commander, smiling. He too wanted to take a bath at the river but had duty first and his friend could help with what he had in mind— I need a full account of the equipment of your men, if they need something you have to ask now because, as soon as we start the march again, it would be impossible do it.

 

The hipparch nodded impatiently.

 

— I will see to it but listen, I really need to talk to you –the urgency in his voice took Hephaistion by surprise. Usually Perdikkas wasn’t like this, he had known him since they were pages at the royal palace at Pella, 18 years ago, and had never seen his friend like this, shaken? Angry? It was hard to tell.

 

— Sure, about what? –the commander brushed aside the locks dancing in front of his eyes and walked to him.

 

Perdikkas licked his lips, taking a moment to think in what he was about to say, in what he was about do. A part of him was shouting, scolding him, saying he was just being childish and was angry because of the Prince’s rejection. It had hurt him to know that, after all he had done for the boy, he had chosen to share his bed with a nobody like Seleucus instead of himself.

 

He liked Achilles, he truly liked him, desired him, but had wanted to make things right because he was the son of his friends— But none of this mattered to him –he hated that feeling of being ignored, of being left aside, he wanted to be someone important and, one day, he would be– One way of another –the hipparch was angry, yes, but, somehow, he had managed to lie to himself, saying that he was doing this for his friend, for Hephaistion, he ought to know what kind of person was his son— I have to do it, it’s the right thing.

 

— It’s about Aki –that put Hephaistion’s senses on alert. He knew his friend was pretty much obsessed with his son. Yes, ‘obsession’ was the right word, and he had also noticed that this was not necessarily a good thing; so he listened with all his attention— I truly did not know if I should be telling you this but, at the end, I think you deserve to know. 

 

— What are you talking about? Did something happen to Aki? –now the commander was worried. Perdikkas had stayed at Achilles’ side when Alexander was unconscious and while he was far with his troops, had something happened then that he did not know?

 

— Phai, I think you should talk to him –his friend continued, with all seriousness— You know I wanted, I still want, to be his erastes…

 

Again with this? –thought Hephaistion, a little exasperated.

 

— And Alexander decided to let Aki choose whoever he wanted, a decision, I may add, I support –the commander interrupted him— Aki does not want an erastes and we respect his decision –he did not want to be rude with his friend but needed him to understand that, if Perdikkas wanted to convince him to force his son to accept him as his erastes, he was out of his mind.

 

— I get that Phai but I think you 2 made a mistake –Perdikkas insisted.

 

Excuse me? –Hephaistion was at one step of losing his patience but he forced himself to remain calm and give his friend the benefit of the doubt.

 

— Why would you say that? –he had to ask.

 

— Aki is too young to know what is good for him –Hephaistion did not like this but closed his mouth and listened— And he is abusing the freedom you 2 gave him. Just see what he did to control Alexander’s men.

 

— Perdikkas, you are my friend but I think this weather doesn’t suit you because, apparently, at some point, you truly lost you mind –said the commander— Aki did a wonderful job controlling the men while Alexander was unconscious.

 

— And did he tell you how he achieved this wonderful feat? –the hipparch successfully left Hephaistion silent— Phai, what I am about to tell you is difficult to accept but, you have to know. I saw him, nobody told me this, I saw him with my own eyes, fucking Seleucus and Krateros –Hephaistion felt a hollow in his stomach, a feeling hard to explain took over him— I saw Krateros kissing Aki. Why do you think he is so sweet with your son when everybody knows he hates you?  

 

The commander felt dizzy and stunned. Krateros slept with Achilles? He felt sick just thinking in those man’s hands over the naked precious innocent body of his boy, the vile raising in his throat— This cannot be possible, Aki would never do something like that –but then, he remembered that day when he had found Krateros talking to his son as if they were best buddies.

 

— I know why you are behind my son, you are doing this to piss me off, but I won't let you touch one hair of Achilles' head.

 

— Everything must be always about you, eh? So arrogant are you that now you presume to know what I think? You know nothing about me!

 

— I give a damn about you or what you think! I don't want you near Achilles, and the only way in which you would be his erastes is over my death body.

 

I told Krateros to stay away from Aki. I warned him! –thought Hephaistion furious, feeling something he had felt very few times in his life. That man had touched his son, his beautiful innocent boy, and the commander saw red around him. He did not pay attention to Perdikkas’ accusation of Achilles’ conduct, he did not hear anything else after this, all he could do was to burn in a murderous anger and, without saying a word, he left his friend, still talking, to look for Krateros.

 

XXX

 

— Lads, I understand your arguments, but things are not that simple –said Krateros to his men, who were complaining about the way the King was diving the conquered territory.

 

— On the contrary commander, the situation is clear as water –answered one his men called Aniketos— King Porus was our enemy, he killed several of our companions with those hellish beasts of his. I lost my brother at the Hydaspes, an elephant crushed him, and I can still hear the cracking of his bones in my nightmares –his voice trembled— Borus here lost his son, and Dieneces his best friend. And what did the King do? Nothing! He gave Porus all the territories we conquered! He is now more powerful than before we defeated him –several heads nodded their agreement— That’s unfair, sir.

 

What a problem –Krateros shook his head, crossing his massive arms. For some time now he had been the intermediary between the King and his Macedonian soldiers whereas Hephaistion had helped Alexander with his Persians and barbarians. Krateros knew about the complains and resentment in the hearts of the Macedonians and had did his best to keep them happy but he did not know for how long he would be able to do it.

 

— KRATEROS! –Hephaistion’s furious voice made them all turn at the same time.

 

What the…? —the bigger man could not remember if he had seen the King’s beloved as angry as he was now and, more than one of his men, felt a shiver running down their spines, watching him striding to where their commander was.

 

— I warned you to stay away from my son! –growled Hephaistion through clenched teeth but, far from scaring Krateros, he made him smile.

 

— So, you know? –he grinned, thinking about the kiss and Hephaistion felt the sudden urge to break his neck.

 

— Do you think this is funny? –the newcomer looked like a wild best, beautiful and dangerous, his eyes shining with a savage glint. 

 

— Well, yes –Krateros laughed. He did not take him seriously and saw this as an opportunity to make him angry— The sight of you playing the part of a goose mother thinking it necessary to come here to defend the maidenhood of a boy. You have to admit it’s hilarious! Are you under the impression that Achilles is a girl? Do you have any idea of how pathetic you sound?

 

— I wonder, how pathetic I would sound when I break your fucking face? I told you I would NOT let you touch a hair of my son –Hephaistion hissed in a tone of voice that would have made the hair of a more cowardly man stand at the back of his neck.

 

And Krateros had the nerve to shrug.

 

— So what? I did it. I put my lips on him, what are you going to do? –Hephaistion threw him a punch and Krateros barely dodged his fist.

 

It took him a fraction of second to react, ducking and dodging him under the astonished, confused and alarmed expressions of his own men who failed to truly comprehend what was happening. Krateros did his best to defend himself but the other was too quickly, hitting him hard on his side and chest and moving away before he was able to do something— Bloody Hephaistion! –Krateros was stronger but, if he couldn’t touch him, all his strength was useless. 

 

Finally the opportunity arose and he was able to stop the King’s beloved, successfully grabbing the other’s arm with force, pulling him closer.

 

— Listen to me Hephaistion, I give a fuck if Achilles is or not your son, I’m sick of your threats and I’m sick of your overprotective hysteria and, if the Prince doesn’t mind, I don’t see why you should be so angry –Krateros squeezed his arms painfully but his opponent did not even flinch, he just watched him through narrowed furious eyes— Or could it be that you are jealous? –he smiled nastily, sliding his other hand up through Hephaistion’s arm, enjoying the contrast of his creamy soft skin against his own callous rough hands.

 

Hephaistion froze. Callous rough hands?

 

These hands –like an avalanche he remembered a pair of big, strong and callous hands over his body, exploring his chest, buried between his legs, a disgusting roughness against his creamy skin that was forever burned in his memory. The same sickening feeling, the same revulsion in his throat, assaulted him and then, he lifted his head, watching the man in front of him under a completely new light.

 

— IT WAS YOU! –he exclaimed with all the indignation and anger he could muster, his voice and body trembling with barely contained rage. He pulled himself free while Krateros tried to think what was Hephaistion talking about, now afraid of him and the hungry look in his dark eyes that appeared to claim for his blood— You are Philotas’ partner, you tried to rape me in Egypt. 

 

He didn’t need a spoken answer, Krateros’ expression told him everything, the purest surprise and astonishment in his round eyes and his mouth half opened with a myriad of frozen words hanging there. It was him and only now, 7 years later, he clearly saw the commander for what he really was. 

 

I was an utter fool! I had him right in front of me all this time, laughing behind my back –Hephaistion reacted before thinking, something he almost never did, drawing both his swords at the same time. The bigger man barely had time to come out of his shock and was able to block the first blow with his own blade, using the scabbard to protect himself from Hephaistion’s second sword.

 

Hephaistion was no longer looking to harm him, was looking to kill him.

 

For once in his life the King’s beloved was as furious as Alexander had been the night he killed Kleitos, everything was red and anger around him, everything was hate and fire, he did not care about anything and all he wanted was to see that man in front of him, the same that almost raped him, the same who was always humiliating him and the same who had bedded his precious son, dead over a pool of his own blood.

 

He wanted blood.

 

It did not took long for Krateros to notice Hephaistion was aiming to cut his head, this was no joke and so, he defended himself with the same ferocity. It did not matter if Hephaistion was or not Alexander’s beloved, if it was a choice between his own life and the life of the man in front of him the decision was an easy one.

 

XXX

 

— Eumenes, I am tired of this, can you just forget it? –asked the King rubbing his eyes. He was inspecting his camp with Ptolemy when his secretary had appeared from nowhere with more complains about the Crown Prince. 

 

— Sire, the boy’s behavior is preposterous –said Eumenes with such indignation that one may think Achilles had insulted his mother— He is questioning me regarding the answers I gave to various people by letter on your behalf. Questioning me! Who does he think he is?

 

— He is my son –answered a very serious Alexander. Since he recovered he had been listening to his secretary’s never-ending litany of complains, going from Achilles’ way of talking to the nature of his orders and questioning always with what authority did he what he did.

 

The King was proud of his adopted son and approved all the things he had done, even those where Hephaistion had doubtfully raised his eyebrow, and this did nothing more than to increase Eumenes’ resentment and anger.

 

— Your nephew, you mean –but one look told the secretary it would be wiser just to close his mouth.

 

— I’m sure –said Alexander, sighing and looking in the least pleased— Achilles does not want to question your judgment, he is just curious, that is all. 

 

The secretary snorted.

 

— That’s not what I…—again that look telling him to close him mouth and take the easy way out. Eumenes swallowed— You are right, he is just a curious boy.

 

— I’m glad you understand –Alexander gave him a humorless smiled and, was about to continue his way along the bank of the river, when a commotion drew his attention, men running to one direction, pointing and shouting.

 

— What’s the meaning of this? –asked Alexander frowning and Ptolemy did not wait to run and ask. The King was not going to tolerate any disturbance in the routine of his camp, since he men were restless, the best thing he could do to keep him calm was to overwhelm them with work. Hard discipline had brought them all here, had saved their lives and would take them to the Ocean. He almost felt sorry for the poor devils behind the commotion because he would not show pity. 

 

His friend came back in shock and in utterly confusion

 

— Well?

 

— It’s Hephaistion.

 

— What about him?

 

— He is fighting Krateros.

 

XXX

 

When Alexander arrived he was welcome by a complete anarchy. A cacophony of shouts, insults and steel against steel floated to him in what appeared to be a tavern fight out of proportion and completely out of control— What the hell happened here? –his astonished uneven eyes looked around the place. It did not took him long to identify Hephaistion’s men arguing with Krateros’ men, surrounding the 2 commanders who were…

 

— Oh. Dear. Zeus! –exclaimed Ptolemy, watching the 2 men fighting with savage fury, looking to kill each other and bleeding from several wounds.

 

For what Ptolemy saw Krateros was helplessly losing the fight, he tried with all his might to attack Hephaistion but his opponent was faster and stronger and, for each one of his blows Hephaistion answered with 3 powerful and accurate lunges, driving the air out of his lungs, his blades tasting the blood of his opponent. Krateros’ men tried to stop the King’s beloved from killing their commander but Hephaistion’s own men were standing on their way. They were not going to let them attack their commander.

 

If the King was angry before arriving, now he was beyond fury, and he approached his commanders walking right in the middle of their subordinates’ fight, successfully stopping them, making that human tie split in his wake. And, with his strong booming voice, he shouted:

 

— ENOUGH! –just when Hephaistion had Krateros on the ground, ready to cut his head. Only Alexander would have been able of such a feat, to stop his beloved in the middle of a fight to death just with one shout.     

 

Hephaistion looked like a savage beast, his hair disheveled, panting furiously, a dangerous glint in his dark gray eyes and blood running freely through his right arm, blood dropping on the ground, and that sight was what enraged Alexander the most, the sight of his beloved’s blood, it anger him even more than the foolishness of such an act in a moment when you could smell “mutiny” at every corner. 

 

— Are you out of your mind?! –he shouted to Hephaistion, the vein on his forehead popping out and his face turning into a non healthy purple that marched perfectly his royal cloak— What the hell do you thinking you are doing fighting Krateros like this? –his words stunned his beloved, leaving him speechless— I am the King and this is my army, my camp and my rules, and you –he pointed at Hephaistion with his index finger— You are nothing more than a reckless, crazy fool if you cannot understand the stupidity of this. How can you disobey my orders? You! Of all people, ignoring my direct orders! –by  now he was shouting and everyone could hear him. Wanting or not—  Can’t you see? Why can’t you understand “what will be your power and your accomplishments, if someone bereave you of your Alexander?”(1)

 

His beloved said nothing; he sheathed his swords while Krateros’ men helped their commander, or what was left of him, to stand up.

 

— Come with me –said the King to Hephaistion but, before leaving, he stopped to look at Krateros— I want a word with you too in 2 hours, understood? –the bigger man nodded, feeling about to faint. The King was not happy with him and only the Gods knew what would he do to him once Hephaistion told him why were they fighting.

 

And Krateros, for the first time in his life, was truly afraid of his King.

 

XXX

 

(1) Plutarch. Moralia