Warning: —M– Chapter.

 

CHAPTER 206

 

It turned out Lys was not entirely wrong. The disaster at the desert of Makran made Alexander realized how fragile was the empire he had built in such a short time. Nine years! He accomplished too much in too little time and this was not necessary good. As soon as we got lost in the burning sands, Indian tribes and other people revolted, giving the King for dead and his army for lost or destroy. Alexander was the only one who kept the empire together, he was the only one capable of controlling the high commanders of the army, he was the only person the satraps obeyed and only he was able to keep the hard discipline of the troops.  

 

You can say this was a one-man show and here it lay the greatest of my King and, also, his biggest fault. He could not last forever and, who would be able to follow in his steps? Who would the men obey? In a Empire that covered from Greece to India, how could you be sure no one would betray you as soon you turn your back? All this thoughts tormented my King like torture souls; he had won every battle but, despite of it, would that mean he was going to lose the war?  

 

Alex, who after Parmelio’s conspiracy was becoming paranoid, now saw enemies everywhere, who could he trust when even his childhood friend Harpalos had proven to be nothing more than a treacherous thief? And after the Makran desert things never were the same. He was convinced the satraps had refused to come to our rescue because they wanted to see him dead. Many of his satraps were Persians of Medians, could it be that they longed to restore the former glory of their lost Empire?

 

It did not matter that Oxyathres, Darius’ brother, were with us, Alexander couldn’t trust the Persians, what if they were seeking revenge giving him a false sense of security before striking? And Nearchos, what about him? Neachos was his friend and Alex was reluctant to believe he had betrayed him too but did not discard the idea entirely.

 

When we reached Gedrosia it was late September, when we arrived to Pura, capital of the satrapy, it was the end of Octuber. 60 days took us to cross that hell on earth the locals called desert and, from Pura we moved, after a short rest, to Salmous, a city in the satrapy of Carmania. We were back again in the Persian Empire, close to Persepolis actually, and, it was in this place where Alexander planned to begin a purge of the satraps, starting, just as Lys had said, with Apollophanes, the satrap of Gedrosia.

 

As soon as the men had recovered their strength, or at least enough to resemble again living men instead of walking dead, and Alexander had gathered sufficient supplies, pack animals and wagons, they marched to Carmania approaching from the east and moving south of the satrapy. Despite the fact that the last thing they all wanted was to march again (and more than one had cursed, blasphemed and grumbled when the order was given to advance) the men were grateful because this time they enjoyed an easy short journey through friendly territory and, what was more important to them all, through fertile, green territory.

 

They could think of it almost like a picnic and the King took precautions to see the troops did not suffer this time from either hunger of thirst, he even allowed the distribution of his own wine supplies among the troops and gave to each soldier a slave to look after him, and everyone was happy.

 

— We’ll rest as soon as we arrived to Salmous –said Alexander that night in his room, sharing a simple dinner with his beloved. They had made a short stop at a nearby town and the people had insisted to have him as the honor guest of the most prominent man there. The rest of his officers had received similar invitations and they had the opportunity to rest with a roof over their heads for a change— I don’t plan to stay long but at least long enough to settle thing in the region.

 

Hephaistion nodded, chewing his bread in silence. He was not feeling as well as he wanted but at least was strong enough to ride and attend to his duties even if the King had insisted that Glycon was more than capable of taking care of everything while he rested but the commander refused to travel with the wounded or be treated like an invalid— The last thing I need is to have Eumenes saying I am a pampered fool.

 

Hephaistion, the same as all the men in that camp, had lost a lot of weight, and Alexander had been truly alarmed when he found himself able to count his beloved’s ribs; his beloved had always been slender but never this thin. Unfortunately there was little the King could do to remedy this, except see his commander ate well and took care of himself, reason why they shared every meal since they left Pura— I’m sure that, if I leave him alone, Phai will start working and neglecting his health. 

 

— Are you planning to spend winter at Carmania? –his beloved wanted to know but the King shook his head.

 

— No. Just enough days to…—how to say that? How to explain Hephaistion what had been eating him since they reached Pura?

 

— To what? –Hephaistion saw the concern on his lover’s face and knew exactly what was he thinking, almost as if he had words written across his forehead— To wait for news of the fleet? –Alexander nodded slowly.

 

It did not surprise the King so see how easily had his beloved saw through him, the fleet was the first concern in his heart after the possible conspiracy behind his satraps reluctance to send him help; and this was not only because of the serious implications of losing it, but also because Achilles was with them. He hadn’t talked to Hephaistion about this, he wanted to let his beloved rest after collapsing in the desert and also, did not want to give voice to his fears hoping and praying with all his forcers he were wrong.

 

— Phai, what am I going to do if Nearchos betrayed me? –finally! He said it aloud and Hephaistion felt as if a cold hand were gripping his guts. He had thought the same thing and suddenly he wasn’t hungry anymore.

 

— Don’t rush to take conclusions –his beloved advised but, was he talking to the King or to himself?— What can Nearchos gain betraying you? He is doing great having you in charge, why would he want to ruin everything? –Alexander shook his head. 

 

— I don’t know! And that’s what is eating me –the King sighed— I have no idea of what is Nearchos thinking and that worries me as you can’t imagine. He had been my friend since I was a boy, a part of me wants to believe he would never betray me but then…then I think is all the things that are said about Harpalos and…—he ran his hands down his face— I have no idea of what to think.

 

— Alex, I am as worried as you but we can’t give up hope –Hephaistion held his gaze— There are thousands of possible explanations of why the fleet disappeared, lets wait, as you said, at Carmania and…we’ll see.

 

The King forced himself to smile.

 

— You are right. Lets wait –but for how long? Alexander did not want to worry his beloved even more so he kept his thought for himself. His uneven eyes settled on the half eaten food in front of Hephaistion— You haven’t finished your meal.

 

— I’m not hungry –his lover frowned.

 

— Phai, don’t force me to feed you –that made Hephaistion laugh, remembering on time when he had sat down in front of the King to feed him like a child when he had completely forgotten to do with having so much work to do.

 

— Fine –he cut another piece of meat and for a moment neither talked.

 

Watching the food in front of him made Hephaistion think how curious was life. A couple of weeks ago they were lost in the middle of the desert with no food, no water and no way to protect themselves from the burning sun and now— Now I can eat whatever I want –he smiled— Alex even went as far as to order to bring ostrich meat for me knowing how much I like it –Perdikkas, Ptolemy, Nikandros, Lysanias and Seleucus…all of them had survived the desert but so many were lost there, the eternal sea of sand their tomb.

 

Seleucus…—the commander of the Argyraspides came to his mind. I could be that the only person equally worried about Achilles in that camp was Seleucus, Hephaistion had only seen him 2 or 4 times since they arrived at Pura but the other commander looked so bad that anybody could think his mother had just died— He truly loves Aki, I misjudged him –and that remind him he never told Alexander about his talk with their son— We both have been extremely busy and I completely forget— Hephaistion opened his mouth to tell him about the relationship of the Prince with Seleucus but…

 

— I received a letter today from India –Alexander spoke first.

 

— Good or bad news?

 

— Terrible news –the King’s voice put him on alert— Philip, my recently named satrap of Taxila, was assassinated.

 

Indeed, terrible news. Philip was Harpalos’ brother but he was a good man, not at all like his brother— And just when Alex is jumping at shadows this has to happen.

 

— Any idea of who was behind this? –Hephaistion’s mind was racing, was indeed a conspiracy to overthrown or kill Alexander? He felt again that cold grip in his guts.

 

— His mercs –answered the King— As soon as they knew I was lost in the desert they conspired to kill him. Luckily my men caught them before they could cause more damage. I am writing to Ambhi asking him to take control of these territories while I think whom to send to replace Philip.

 

— It’s a good idea, Ambhi proved to be a good friend –said Hephaistion. 

 

— For now –those last words did not pass unnoticed and left the commander even more worried. Had the King finally forgotten how to trust in other people? And with so many things buzzing in his head Hephaistion forgot about Seleucus and Achilles.

 

XXX

 

The satrap of Carmania was Astaspes, a middle age man who did have never harbored great ambitious and was more than happy with his life. When he heard the King of Kings was coming he did not lose time and outdid himself in the wonderful reception he gave to Alexander and his exhausted troops. The satrap was nervous and anxious, continually talking alone while walking through his house, scaring his servants who were beginning to think he had lost his mind.

 

A royal visit could mean many things, a King, and a Great King more than anyone, did not came to your house just because he was passing by, it could mean great blessing or great calamities and Astaspes not knowing what to expect, had spent a fortune to make his master comfortable and happy. A happy King would be more willing to be generous, he thought.  

 

Astaspes saw that every man was treated like a King, food, wine, women or boys, and the satrap took especial pains to have the King treated like a God. Everything Alexander wanted he got and soon was installed in the palace, a small but beautiful place with gardens and fountains that helped Hephaistion relax and forget the nightmare of sand and heat that for 60 days had been his life. He rarely asked for something for himself but, this time, he asked to have his room as close as possible to that wonderful garden with its pools of fresh water.

 

The Queen was not with them. Roxanne had also being sent with Nearchos, which was another reason of why Alexander was so concerned. He couldn’t care less for her but, without her, her father’s loyalty would become doubtfully at best or open hostile at worst— I should have never sent my Crown Prince and Queen with him, that gives Nearchos too much power –it was a thought that had crossed Alexander’s mind more than once but was fighting to stop that line of thought— Phai is right, I have to wait. It makes me no good to have this kind of doubts about my friends.

 

At Carmania Alexander and his men were reunited with the camp followers, hostages and men unfit for battle that had been left behind at Hyrcania just before they marched to India. Here Hephaistion met again with Bagoas, whom Achilles had left behind, but the commander was so busy and worried that had no time to spare paying the eunuch much attention. Astapes had also seen that this group was treated with all considerations, going as far as preparing special accommodations for them.

 

But the satrap’s efforts were all in vain and his fears all too real soon turned out to be his worst nightmare. Alexander did not care much for the splendid reception or for lavishing gifts or banquets and, the same as Apollophanes the satrap of Gedrosia, Astaspes were of the first ones to fell the full wrath of his sovereign. Astaspes had failed to send Alexander help when he most needed it, he had not sent food when his King was starving, had not sent men to guide them, water when they were thirst and this, this what really mattered to the King.

 

Why had Astaspes failed? The satrap gave a very stammered replied listing pretexts and claiming that he had indeed sent help but his men were unable to find the King. No one believed a word and he, despite all his efforts to please his King, was condemned.

 

— Do you think he was guilty? –asked Lysanias, watching how the guards took a terrified Astaspes away to be executed. 

 

— I don’t know –said Hephaistion, his eyes on the front but not on the pity figure of the satrap but on Alexander’s hard expression— Astaspes doesn’t have a valid reason of why he did not help the King but a lot of thing could have happen. What if he received the news that we were lost late and had no time to organize a rescue party? But, on the other hand, even if Astaspes were innocent Alex cannot forgive him.

 

Lysanias frowned and turned to look at his brother who was still looking at the King.

 

— Why not? But if he is innocent this is not justice, it’s murder.

 

— With Kings things are not always white and black, Lys –Hephaistion turned to look at him. He looked so young.

 

Did I look like him when we first came to Asia? –he wondered.

 

— Alex cannot let him unpunished, he has to set an example to the rest of his satraps, to let them know he would not tolerate disobedience –the commander explained— This Empire is an illusion, strong while the King is strong.

 

Lysanias did not understand well the meaning of his brother’s words but he decided not to ask. He had learned that Hephaistion almost always was right, he was a wise man— And I wasted time hating him instead of learning from him —Lysanias regretted many things, among them, having being jealous of his brother, sleeping with the King and being Philotas’ eromenos. He had taken bad decisions and had hurt Hephaistion— But not anymore. One day, I will be like him —and so, he decided to keep these conversations in his heart sure that in time he would understand them better.

 

XXX

 

The following days were all but uneventful. If Hephaistion had hoped to rest he had hoped in vain because he was required to stand at Alexander’s side, in the honor place, while his King gave audience to his satraps. Hephaistion was now the sole commander of the first hipparchy of the hetairoi cavalry, the most important officer in the entire army, only the King was over him, and a member of the Somatophylakes. His son was the indisputable heir of Alexander and, rumor was, he would soon become, officially, the second most important man of the Empire.

 

Hephaistion was Alexander’s most important and trustworthy advisor and many people knew it so, it became a common thing for him to receive his personal share of petitioners with all kinds of requests for the King. Just as Alexander had said he usually treated more with the Persians than with the Macedonians because he was very opened minded and tolerant, which gave the Asiatic troops confidence to approach him. But now he was not just receiving soldiers, the commander was sought in person, and by letter, by important men. 

 

— What did you expect? You are the King’s lover and now also a very powerful man, that makes you pretty popular and not just for your looks –said Nikandros, playing with an apple while his brother answered the pile of letter on his desk— Who would have thought my brother would become the second most important man in the Persian Empire? –he threw the apple making a juggling with it. 

 

— Who would have thought? –Hephaistion lifted his head— Thanks for the vote of confidence.

 

— Hey! I always knew you would be the lover of a King, but this?…Ouch! –the commander kicked him under the desk and the apple fell— I lost my apple. 

 

— You know? You would be an excellent fool in the court of someone.

 

— Haha –Nikandros laughed without humor— By the way, are there news of the fleet?

 

 

— No.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion was present during the long procession of audiences and interviews the King held with his satraps. He was present when the King received Cleander and Sitalces, Parmelio’s murderers and commanders of the Macedonian garrison left at Ecbatana, and was there when Alexander ordered their execution under the charges of having plundered temples, disturbed ancient tombs and committed crimes against the people of the province.

 

Were they truly guilty? Maybe. The King claimed he was punishing them to demonstrate that no one, no matter his rank or station, would be except for punishment if they were found guilty of a crime, but the truth was that Parmelio’s murderers were truly hated by the troops and Alexander needed the troops happy.

 

Hephaistion was also there, at his lover’s side, when he replaced the satrap of Paropamisus with his father-in-law, Oxyartes. If Oxyartes knew about his daughter’s behavior he did not show it, the commander had the impression he was aware that Roxanne had lost the King’s favor but, for the sake of appearances, was acting as if nothing happened.

 

— I may hate Roxanne but I need her father –said Alexander as an explanation to his beloved. Hephaistion had taken a liking for reading in the garden, close to the fountains and here was where the King found him that afternoon after he ended with that days audiences— Oxyartes does a good job here and he is so happy with his status as the father-in-law of the Great King that he is not a threat.

 

— I think it was a good idea, what concerns me is what is Roxanne telling his father about what happened at India –said Hephaistion.

 

— I don’t know and frankly, I don’t care –the King took a seat at his side on the couch— Oxyartes looks fine to me and, in any case, the one who should be worried is him. He has more to lose than I if I divorce his daughter.

 

— There you are right.

 

They fell silent for a moment enjoying the soothing sound of the water and then, the King soften his had expression and looked at him with that immense love reserved only for his beloved.

 

— How do you feel? –Alexander wanted to know.

 

— Much better –Hephaistion smiled, looking for his King’s hand— I even gained weight, how about that?

 

— Great! You know I only love you because of your outstanding looks –he joked making his beloved laugh. Hephaistion squeezed his hand fondly.

 

— You are the worst –Alexander kissed the back of his hand.

 

— Do you remember that bet we made before entering Babylon?

 

— When you ended doing what I wanted? –the commander smiled like a predator. Oh, yes. Of course he remembered— Why do you ask? Do you want to bet again? –one look at Alexander’s face made him reconsider what he had just said. His smile widened— You want me to make love to you like I did in Babylon’s gardens?

 

— This is a garden, isn’t? –Alexander wanted to sound detach and cold but the spots of his cheeks betrayed him.

 

— So –Hephaistion left the scroll he was reading aside and moved to face the King, taking his now free hand between his legs over the fabric of his Persian trousers— Are you asking me or ordering me?

 

Alexander caught his breath.

 

— If I say it’s an order, what would you do? –Hephaistion moved closer, close enough for him to feel his beloved’s breath hitting his lips, to feel his heat overwhelming him and the chamomile smell of his hair invading his senses. 

 

— Then…I would ask, what are my orders exactly? What would it please my King? –Hephaistion purred the words slowly, leaving Alexander at one step of start giggling like a teenage girl. The King forgot how to talk for a moment.

 

— Commander –Alexander cleared his throat and tried to talk with all the authority, and dignity, he was able to muster in that situation— I want you to... —he whispered in his ear. 

 

— As my King commands –said Hephaistion, taking his hand from between his lover’s legs— But not here.

 

XXX

 

How did they get to the King’s room? They had no idea. Alexander was truly horny and Hephaistion was not in better conditions after hearing what his lover wanted. His body was screaming to take him, as he asked, in the garden but the commander did not want to risk having someone spying the King doing that— Alex has a reputation to maintain, if the men want to think I am his boy toy I don’t care but I can’t have them questioning the King’s manliness.

 

Alexander kissed, touched and caressed his beloved as if the world were ending next day, wanting to cover him all at once while both of them undressed, not wanting to leave the lips of the other more than it was necessary, meaning when they needed air or risk turning blue.

 

— I…truly…Mm…hate your…trousers… –Hephaistion complained between kisses, throwing his own cloths to the floor. The King lying on his back on the bed, raised his hips and, at long last, his beloved threw the wretched piece of clothing away— Turn –asked the commander and his lover obediently obeyed, resting on his hands and knees— Beautiful –whispered Hephaistion leaving an almost sweet kiss on his butt, sliding his hands up his strong thighs until he reached the soft round skin. 

 

Alexander moaned softly, his beloved hands massaging him, burying his fingers in his skin, leaving a trail of kisses looking for his entrance.

 

— Dear Gods…Phai…—the King moaned and panted when Hephaistion tongue moved inside him and he felt on his arms, resting his head against the soft mattress when his beloved’s finger joined him, brushing that spot that made his entire body trembled and melted— Mm…Phai…

 

Hephaistion did not lose much time preparing him. He knew what his lover wanted, it had been a while since the last time he had taken Alexander like this but he could never forget how to make his lover scream with all his forces. The King moaned with force, tightly holding the sheets beneath him when his beloved thrust inside him, it had hurt but it was a delicious pain. His entire body was tense as Hephaistion could see on the muscles of his back but that did not stop him from moving with force, jerking Alexander body back and forth, taking him by the waist.   

 

— Phai…Phai…—the King panted, closing his eyes. His whole body reacting in a delicious way that only his beloved could make him feel, submitting him entirely, taking him almost with hate but always with infinite love, a overwhelming pleasure hidden in the pain that came also with each lunge, the King at the mercy of his commander. And it was precisely that contradiction what Alexander liked the most, what he enjoyed so greatly.

 

— Is my…King…pleased…? –Hephaistion teased him, never stopping that maddening rhythm that had Alexander touching heaven.

 

— Oh…yes…Mmm…dear…Zeus…—he loved to hear his beloved like that, demanding and strong, it made the very core of his soul burn. 

 

Hephaistion smiled and bent over to kiss his back, his skin covered with sweat was hot, almost feverish, and he took his hand to slid his fingers over his spine feeling Alexander shuddering under him, moaning harder and rocking his hips, looking for more, to impale himself, to have his beloved further inside, to do something to keep feeling. Hephaistion pulled him to make him sat on him and his King arched, moaning with all the force of his lungs, it was almost as if his beloved could touch his soul. 

 

— Phai…Mmmm…don’t you…

 

— Don’t what? –he asked with a husky voice that made Alexander shuddered, jumping on his lap and beyond words by now. It was a whirlwind of emotions, Hephaistion’s hypersensitive body felt aflame, the most innocent touch was like electricity and the friction between the 2 of them was sweeping his rational thought–…Nn…Alex…—he kissed the King’s shoulder, tasted his skin, suck it and bite it, and that proved to be too much for the King.

 

— Phai…I…can’t…

 

— Oh no…you won’t –he did not think just act, and the commander took the hard desire of Alexander in his hand, tightening his grip and making his King moan in a mixture of pain and pleasure and opened his mouth in a perfect ‘O’.

 

— Mmm…Phai…—Alexander had never felt something like this. He couldn’t find his release and it hurt, the Gods knew it did but he liked it. He was going crazy, his whole body throbbed and ached but he wanted more, and the motion that it was Hephaistion, that monument to men’s beauty the one who made him felt like that only serve to boil his blood. 

 

Hephaistion felt like floating in a dream, half conscious of what happened around, the heat clouding his mind in a mist of pleasant sensations that had him reacting more than thinking. He wanted both to finish at the same time but he was far from feeling satisfy, he had missed Alexander and his recent escape from death did nothing more than made him realize how brief was life. He wanted to spend every single moment with his lover, to stretch this moment to eternity, to be always one with him.

 

He was complete, he felt calm and happy when they were like this and did not want to stop. Hephaistion’s thighs burned and his body was aching for the effort of keep thrusting with fast and powerful lunges inside his King, but he could not stop. By now Alexander was muttering something he did not understand, his lover’s body was tense, he could feel it but was also arouse as very few times in his life. At long last Hephaistion felt his own desire throbbing and then released Alexander, both of them emptying in a long moan.

 

— What the…hell…was…that? –asked the King panting when they were resting face up on the bed. He turned to look at his beloved— Where did you…learn…that?

 

— Well…—Hephaistion took a deep breath trying to calm down his accelerated heart— You…you learn a lot of thing when you…sleep with all your men –he teased him.

 

— Very funny –they fell silent for a moment— So?

 

— So what?

 

— Where was it? –Alexander insisted.

 

— What?

 

— Where do you learn that? –the blond was getting impatience and Hephaistion laughed.

 

— Yarsa told me –he finally answered.

 

— Ah –and that all the King said before both of them started to laugh unable to stop.

 

XXX