CHAPTER 212

 

The first thing Leonnatos did when he came back from India was to ask for an audience with Alexander and just as Chrysaor had said, to get an audience with the King was now more difficult than to submit the entire Persian Empire. The clerks asked Leonnatos so many questions before admitting him in the royal presence that he wouldn’t surprise if someone had asked him to strip naked for a closer inspection. They asked even for his grandparents’ names, for Zeus’s sake!

 

Just what I needed after such a long trip from land of the Oreitai to Susa –he thought, the journey had been a difficult one especially because of the constant uprisings that kept the whole region on its toes since Alexander left— It was like shaking a beehive –he mused while walking along the corridors of the palace at Susa. It had been so long since the last time he was here that more than once he had to stop and ask for directions. The place was huge! Like a luxurious small city where the only citizens were servants and guards and the King and nobles and friends guests that came from time to time but never stayed for long. 

 

Leonnatos looked at his own reflection when he passed in front of a polished bronze vase. He had a new scar crossing his left eyebrow to match the many more that covered his body, especially a nasty one on his neck where an Indian almost cut his head. In his opinion he was closed to look like the late King Philip, lacking an eye and with terrible scars on his face, but Berenike said he looked very handsome this way, dangerous and interesting.

 

He smiled like a fool remembering his wife but, at the same time, the sole memory of her made him shiver and he kept walking, quicker this time. Leonnatos had had to fight against a revolt and, after all the problems he had to face he couldn’t stop wondering, what had they gained by going to India— Besides elephants and sicknesses, nothing –but he knew better than complain aloud in front of the King.   

 

It was not necessary for him to go in person and report to Alexander but he wanted to use this opportunity to discuss another matter, a personal matter that had been stealing Leonnatos’ precious hours of sleep for a week now. He sighed. Why had he agreed to do this in the first place? The answer was simple, because his only daughter had looked at him through her big sweet eyes and begged with her trembling lip. That was why.

 

— Daddy, please, you have to do it –had said Sophia a couple of weeks ago while they were traveling on their way back to the Persian Empire— I love Achilles and I want to marry him, I would never be happy if I don’t do it.

 

— Sophi, you are 13 years old, how can you be so sure that you are in love? –Leonnatos had tried to reason with her, but she was adamant. Stubborn and high-spirited just like her mother.

 

— I know it daddy, deep inside me –Sophia touched her heart— Please, talk to the King, you are his friend, he won’t refuse.

 

The problem is not Alexander, the problem is Eni –Leonnatos shook his head. His wife was completely against the idea of their daughter marrying the Crown Prince. They had talked about this and Leonnatos was very surprised to find her so angry at the sole mention of a possible marriage between them. Very few times he had seen her so sure about something and even if he hated to argue with his wife he couldn’t help it. His daughter’s eyes haunted him and, at the end, he had agreed to talk to the King behind Berenike’s back— Eni is going to be furious when she finds out.

 

He shuddered. He could fight against thousands of Indians but couldn’t face the wrath of his wife.

 

And speaking of which, what was Leonnatos doing in India? He had been left behind with the Agrianes, a group of archers and a couple of cavalry squadrons, a force of mercenary cavalry and infantry and was ordered to stay in the land of the Oreitai to await for the fleet to help them with provisions and supplies, and then, he had to settle the affairs of the Oreitai, but these people weren’t too cooperative and immediately raised against him.

 

Leonnatos won a great battle where “he killed six thousand of them, and all their leaders. And of his own forces Leonnatos lost only fifteen cavalrymen and a handful of infantry […] when Nearchos arrived at the shore near Rhambakia, Leonnatos had prepared provisions for his Ocean voyage. He also exchanged troops with Nearchos, taking with him those men who, on account of their laziness, had caused or might cause disciplinary problems in the fleet. After Nearchos’ departure, Leonnatos put everything in order among the Oreitai, as he had been instructed.”(1)

 

Berenike had been immensely proud of his victory over the enemy and he couldn’t avoid smiling recalling the warm welcome his wife had given him— Although I am sure she will become a demon as soon as she knows I came to Alexander –that was enough to erase his smile once again.

 

He found Alexander in a good mood, which was great, and quickly gave his report, calm and sure of what he was saying, remembering every detail as if he were living the moment again, but, as soon as he finished with his account, he began to sweat and feel anxious and nervous.

 

— Alexander, I know you are busy but, I would like a word with you –he said, feeling his hands trembling.

 

— Yes, of course –the King, sitting down in front of him, looked at his friend and Leonnatos forgot how to talk, all words abandoned him and he babbled like a baby.

 

Oh, dear –he thought, feeling about to faint.

 

— It’s em- something personal –said his friend— You see with all this big celebration and the weddings I was wondering if you have er- thought about finding Achilles a em- bride –he congratulated himself, that had gone really well.

 

— Yes, in fact I have –answered Alexander, leaning back against his chair— I have been thinking very carefully who could be a good wife to my heir and, I came to the conclusion that Aki should marry a cousin of his.

 

That brightened Leonnatos’ day. Could it be? Could the Gods be so merciful with him?— Oh dear Hera help me and I promise to make a splendid sacrifice in your honor.

 

— Really?

 

— Yes, I mean, if Aki marries one of my daughters, as soon as Stateira or Parysatis, give me one, no one would be able to question his right to the throne –and there ended Leonnatos’ smile.

 

Something that truly troubled Alexander was ensuring his adopted son had no problems inheriting his Empire. The King had suffered palace conspiracies, had suffered Attalos and his niece Cleopatra Eurydice and had been one step of losing the throne if it hadn’t been for Hephaistion who gave himself to King Philip in exchanged of keeping Alexander as the Crown Prince— But I will make sure Aki doesn’t have to suffer that, he will be my undisputable heir.

 

— Oh…I see, but…you’ll have to wait years for that –his friend insisted— If-if you have a daughter next year, for example, and you will have to wait until she is 13 then Aki…

 

— Aki will be 27, what’s so strange with that? –Alexander took a moment to see beyond his friend, to read him— What do you want Leon? Why are you asking me all this?

 

This was his opportunity, he had to seize it. He took a deep breath.

 

— Well, I was thinking that I have a daughter and well, Sophia is still young, 13 years old, but in a couple of years she will be in age to get married and well, she is Achilles’ cousin –Alexander suspected that much but still it surprised him to find Leonnatos, from all people, offering him a marriage alliance. Could it be Berenike’s idea?

 

— Why do you want to marry your daughter with my son? –there were thousands of possible answers to that question but the King wanted to hear his friend’s reasons.

 

— It was not my idea –answered Leonnatos with all honesty— In fact it never crossed my mind to marry Sophi to her cousin but…She is in love with Achilles –that was the last thing Alexander was waiting to hear— Alexander, I am no fool, I know Achilles one day will be King and will be the most powerful man of the known world, just as you are now, and I also know you can marry him with whomever you want. I agree that to marry him to one of your daughters is brilliant but, as I said, you’ll have to wait years and many things can happen in that time. Achilles can have 2 or 3 wives, and my girl is a noble Macedonian, my family is from the Lynkestian royal house and your grandmother came from our family. Sophia is a beautiful girl, smart and well learned, thanks to her mother, and it wouldn’t be a bad thing if the men saw that your heir marries a true Macedonian girl.

 

Alexander blinked truly impressed by his friend’s words, he did not stammer or trembled, he was sure of every word. This wasn’t the Leonnatos he knew, this was Leonnatos the father fighting for his only daughter and the King had to admit he was right in several things.

 

XXX

 

— And what did you answer Leon? –asked Hephaistion as soon as Alexander finished his story.

 

— That I will think about it but, I don’t know what to think –the King admitted— Leon has a point, Aki can have as many wives as he wants, or needs, and many things can happen in years to come.

 

— And you may as well never have a daughter –said his beloved realistically, nodding slowly— Alex, what Leon proposes you is not far-fetched. His family is important and well connected in Macedonia and, after marrying all your officers to Persians, I think the men would welcome the news of their Crown Prince getting married to a Macedonian.

 

Especially now after what Chrysaor said about the possible mutiny –thought Hephaistion. He had considered the possibility of telling Alexander about the men’s complains but he discarded the idea— I will do it when I have more information, if I do it now, Alex is capable of arresting everybody and that would help no one.

 

— So, you agree? –the King sighed, rubbing his eyes.

 

— I think is a good idea –said Hephaistion— Alex, your men are truly restless thinking you are changing Macedonia for Persia, this will serve to reassure them –he made a pause— But I will want to ask Aki first.

 

The King walked to the window and rested his arms on the frame, bending slightly to the front and watching the beautiful gardens where servants ran decorating everything for the big event. Exotic flowers had been brought from all over the Empire, the same as all kind of delicacies, wines, fruits and an army of cooks ready to surprise the King’s guests. Night and day people could be found working at every corner of the palace, like restless bees, something that had Roxanne complaining because of the noise. 

 

— We are getting old –said Alexander suddenly.

 

— Why do you say that? –Hephaistion approached him, following the King’s gaze, watching 4 men carrying a flower tree to plant it near the fountain. 

 

— We are discussing our son’s engagement –said the King slowly and both laughed— When was that Aki grew so much?

 

— It’s part of life, Alex –the Chiliarch sighed— And one day we will be standing here watching this same garden and planning our grandchildren’s weddings –that thought pleased Alexander, their grandchildren with the blood of both of them, yes, it truly made him very happy to think about it.

 

— Do you think Aki will want to marry Sophia?

 

— I am afraid yes –that choice of words made the King turn to see him.

 

— Why afraid?

 

— Aki is too cold sometimes –Hephaistion explained— If he thinks this marriage is politically correct, if he thinks marrying his cousin would help the Empire, he will do it…and I don’t like that.

 

— You would prefer he marry for love –that was not a question and his beloved nodded slowly— But whom does he love?

 

— I wish I could answer that question –the Chiliarch sighed.

 

— I just hope he falls for his friend Demetrius –said Alexander, in a naïve tone of voice full with hopes and dreams in a better future— I don’t like Seleucus for him –that remark made Hephaistion smile. 

 

— You say this because you want Aki to be like us, to have a Macedonian friend his own age.

 

— What is wrong with that?

 

— Aki is…

 

— Is not me –Alexander finished the sentence— I know.

 

XXX

 

Since all kinds of delicious and exotic food had been brought to the palace, from barley groats, fine flour for beverages, minced cress, mustard seed, to meat of every kind, sheep and goats, cattle, fattened geese, pigeons, lambs, goslings, gazelles, including fresh milk of the day, sweetened whey, sweet must of sweetened apples, black raisins, and other hundreds of things, the area near the kitchens and the storerooms smelled like heaven. Achilles and Demetrius had felt their mouths watering when they came back from riding around the palace complex and the Prince had used all his authority to demand the surrender of a especially deliciously looking cake.

 

— Now I see what are the benefits of being the Crown Prince’s friend –said Demetrius with his mouth full. Both were sharing a bench in the garden where a cold breeze could be enjoyed under fruit trees that smell like honey. It was so peaceful there, the sun bathing everything in its orange light, ready to surrender its place to the pale moon and its phantasmagoric coldness. 

 

— Its good, isn’t it? Dad summoned the best cooks in the Empire and they had been experimenting the whole week –answered Achilles licking his fingers— Tomorrow they are preparing a desert demonstration and dad is going to pick what he wants to be served at the weddings. Do you want to come?

 

The page’s eyes shone with excitement.

 

— Can I?

 

— Of course, it’s a lot of food and dad is inviting his friends too.

 

— Great! –they fell silent for a moment, just eating and enjoying the delicious cake, until Demetrius found the courage to ask a question that had been eating him. This was a good time as any— Aki, I was wondering. Do you really want to marry your cousin? 

 

— Yes, why do you ask? –he had told the page a couple of days ago about Leonnatos’ marriage proposal, he told Demetrius everything except…

 

Why can’t I say anything about Seleucus? Why can’t I tell Dris about him? –not even him knew the answer. Achilles thought the marriage proposal was not too important but, judging by his friend’s voice and expression, it was for him.

 

— Don’t you think you are too young?

 

— I am not marrying tomorrow –the Prince finished his cake— Dad and daddy said I have to wait at least until I am 20 –and relief washed over Demetrius as if someone had lifted a very heavy rock crushing his shoulders.

 

— I am glad to hear that.

 

— Why? –but the page did not answer him.

 

— What do you think of your future stepmothers? –asked Demetrius, changing the subject and Achilles took a moment to gather his thoughts. Both Princesses were Cyrus Ochus’ sisters, he had met them before and it had depressed him to meet them again now that his friend was dead but, as always, he said nothing.

 

— They are fine –he answered at last— I already knew them but now they are paying me more attention. Stateira is trying really hard to act as my mother but she doesn’t fool me, she is not doing it because she loves me but because she knows what happened between Roxanne and I and wants to make the King happy. 

 

— The King should have executed that bitch –said Demetrius, talking about Roxanne.

 

 He had been furious when Achilles told him that story— But not as furious as Seleucus –the Prince remembered that day, the archihypaspistes had been one step of killing the Queen.   

 

— He can’t, not without losing her father’s support –said Achilles— But its fine, I don’t mind.

 

— You don’t mind? She tried to kill you –Demetrius was in shock.

 

— Yes, but you have to understand we are all competing, as if we were in a race –said the Prince for the page’s utterly confusion— We are all members of the royal house with the same goal: power. Roxanne did what she had to reach the goal and failed. Now I think Stateira is trying to join the race but she is not as cunning as Roxanne and lacks common sense, behaving like a capricious small girl. Parysatis doesn’t want to get involve, she is scared of dad not knowing what to expect of him, and Drypetis is very sweet –he smiled— Drypetis truly wants to be my friend but she doesn’t realize how many problems that is going to cause her. 

 

— Why?

 

— Because I am the King’s heir and the King had been very clear on the point that, no matter if his 3 wives give him male sons, I will remain as his heir –Achilles explained in that dispassionate voice of his; just stating the facts— Therefore, whoever wants to have the power of a true Queen has to be the one I acknowledge as my ‘mother.’ Drypetis wants to be kind but she doesn’t realize what is she getting herself into.

 

Demetrius sighed and rubbed his eyes.

 

—  You have a complicated life. 

 

— I know, but I am ready for it –Achilles knew Hephaistion was worried for him, wanting him to be happy and to have a loving family.

 

But in a royal family things cannot be as they are in Nanny’s family –thought the Prince, his eyes on the fountain— Don’t worry daddy, I know what am I doing and I will win this race…—but suddenly, he was taken out of his thoughts when the page licked the corner of his mouth to remove a piece of cake. Achilles blushed.

 

— Well, your royal highness, you may have a complicated life but, I can promise you that, when you become King, I will be your most loyal commander –said Demetrius.

 

— Commander? –the Prince smiled— What makes you think I will name you my commander?

 

— You’ll see –said the page with overwhelming confidence— I will be your best hetairoi and you will have no other choice but to name me your commander.

 

And that made Achilles laugh.

 

XXX

 

— Leon, you did WHAT?! How could you do? –Berenike was at one step of throwing the furniture against her husband, absolutely hysterical, shouting at the top of her voice— Today Stateira came to congratulate me because of my daughter engagement to the Prince. And there I was, standing like an idiot looking at her like a fish out of the water because I have no idea of WHAT WAS SHE TALKING ABOUT!

 

She was so close to breath fire that Leonnatos could do nothing more than to swallow and look at her terrified. He knew she was going to be angry but certainly wasn’t expecting this kind of angry.

 

— Eni, Sophi is in love with Aki –he tried to reason with her. Bad idea. 

 

— She is 13! What, in the name of the 3 heads of Cerberus, made you think it was a good idea to engage a 13 years old girl?

 

— Sophi asked me to…

 

— What part of 13 do you don’t understand? –Berenike interrupted him— Who listens to a 13 years old girl? WHO?

 

— Sophi is very mature for her age –Leonnatos insisted— Eni, Aki is her cousin and he is a good boy, besides, our Sophi will be Queen one day.

 

— I don’t want her to be Queen, I want Sophi to be happy, to be loved –Berenike’s tears were trapped at the corner of her long eyelashes, her voice trembled. Her worst nightmare was coming true in worst possible moment, her girl would be trapped in the royal palace not only with Roxanne but also with Stateira and Parysatis. She had no idea of what kind of women were the Persian Princesses but Berenike had learned to distrust royalty.

 

Royal families are all screw –she thought and she did not want that for her daughter.

 

— And what makes you think she is not going to be happy and loved at Aki’s side? –Leonnatos approached her, taking her hands— Eni, Sophi is in love with him, we marry for love and see how happy we are…I mean, we had our moments but…

 

Berenike began to cry and embraced him, resting her head against his chest. She hoped he were right, she truly hoped but something was telling her it was not the case.

 

XXX

 

It had been a long day, lately all his days seen to stretch to eternity but, as some kind of twisted joke, time never seen to be enough— I have so much to do and so little time –there were moments when Alexander wished to disappear, leave everything behind, and float in the nothingness, far, far away from here— Except from Phai –he could get tired of always been surrounded by people but never of having his beloved close.

 

The King was striding through the gardens, 2 members of the Agema close to him but at a respectable distance, one of pages following with a torch to light his way. He was so use of having guards, servants and slaves around him that Alexander no longer noticed their presence, almost as if they were part of the scenario— But this is a dangerous thought, one never can forget they are people with ears, eyes and own ideas –he was always very careful of what he said in front of slaves of guards, he had to continue like this.

 

The place had a sweet smell, thousands of flowers had been brought to decorate the palace of Susa, making it look like a gigantic magical garden— But flowers also brought uninvited guests: bees –he thought, shaking his head, his footsteps resounding in the stillness of that night. Alexander had ordered to kill every bee for the utterly confusion of more than one person, especially since his orders didn’t explain why he wanted the insects gone. He and Hephaistion had agreed to keep Achilles’ allergy as a secret and only a handful of people knew about this.

 

His personal doctor and doctor Philip won’t talk, Perdikkas is our friend and, among Aki’s friends, only Demetrius and Isidoros know what truly happened to him –the King pursed his lips— And Seleucus…bloody Seleucus must know too –he had nothing against his archihypaspistes but he would be much happier if his adopted son fell in love with someone his own age— Barsine saw him the first time bees bit Aki but she never knew for sure what had happened then.    

 

Suddenly, Alexander stopped. He heard a woman giggling and the soft whispers of a male voice. Someone had chosen the garden to have a good time with someone. He shook his head and was going to continue his way when he saw 2 silhouettes and one of them was…— Phai?! –he would recognize his beloved everywhere. Now he was intrigued. He gave a silent command to his guards and page to stay there and walked stealthily to the mysterious silhouettes. 

 

Alexander heard again the woman giggling and the male voice, he could not understand what was he saying but…– It’s Phai, I am sure of it –he hid behind a bush and saw how Hephaistion bent over the woman, kissing her while his hand pulled down her dress, revealing a breast that soon was caught in his anxious palm. And the vein popped out and the earth trembled under the King’s fury. 

 

— What is going on here? –Alexander asked as if he were shouting orders in the battlefield, making the suspects jump scared. The woman quickly dressed again.

 

— Alexander? –asked Hephaistion in a husky voice the King knew all too well. His beloved was aroused and that only served to ignite his anger even more— What are you doing here?

 

— What am I doing here? What the hell are YOU doing here with her? –he pointed at the woman and his anger took Hephaistion aback.

 

— Why do you care? –his beloved’s answer left him speechless for a moment.

 

— Why do…? –words chocked in Alexander’s mouth— Do you think I will stay here doing nothing while you fuck her? 

 

— Until now you never care with whom do I sleep –answered Hephaistion so shamelessly that the King was one step of exploding like a volcano. 

 

Alexander took a deep breath and was going to start shouting at the top of his voice, not caring if he woke up the entire palace, when his page came running with the torch, followed by the guards who had decided to come and see if their King was in danger. The warm orange light washed over them and the King saw…

 

— Nikandros?! –Alexander felt like the most idiotic and stupid person in his Empire— But I…

 

— You thought I was Phai? –the lochagos made a supreme effort not to laugh. It wasn’t very wise to mock the King in that moment when he had went from surprised, to angry to embarrass. 

 

Under the fickle light of the torch Alexander saw with all clarity his beloved’s brother with a very beautiful, embarrassed, and scared, girl of generous proportions who, judging by her cloths, must be a noble girl invited to the weddings— I just hope she is not one of the brides –and knowing Nikandros this was very possible. 

 

— I want a word with you –said the King, overcoming his initial shock and managing to regain his royal composure. 

 

— Sure.

 

Nikandros winked to the girl and follow Alexander. They walked for a while in complete silence while the King asked himself over and over again how was that he had mistaken the lochagos for his Chiliarch— I have always known they were a like…not even Lys or Aki are so alike to my Phai as these two are now —he felt embarrassed and that was a feeling he did not like.

 

— Please tell me that girl is not engage to one of my officers –said the King, trying to masquerade the whole episode as just concern for the virtue of his officers’ future wives.

 

— She is not. She is the youngest sister of one of the brides, though –answered Nikandros with all calm— Pretty little thing, don’t you think? It took me 2 roses and a smile to convince her to join me in the garden –he laughed without noise. 

 

Phai is right. Nick knows no shame –thought the King. It felt so weird to be talking like this with Nikandros, after all, they had slept together— Well, not together exactly –Alexander felt his face burning remembering that night. He had kissed the lochagos and it had been a damn hot kiss. He had never had a lover besides Hephaistion; yes he had slept with Barsine, Lysanias, a hetaira, the royal concubines and Roxanne, but neither had aroused him as he had been that night and to talk to Nikandros after what had happened with him…—I should stop thinking about that.

 

— About what happened with the girl…

 

— You don’t have to explain, or apologize, lets just assume it never happened –said the lochagos and Alexander nodded, really grateful with Nikandros.

 

— How old are you, Nick?

 

— Why do you ask?

 

— Curiosity.

 

— 30 –answered Nikandros and Alexander stopped. Frowning.

 

— So, now you are younger than Phai? –his lochagos laughed.

 

— Fine. 37 since tomorrow –answered Nikandros, brushing back his black hair. 

 

— I never knew your birthday was on February –there were so many things Alexander did not about his beloved’s brother and only now he stopped to think about it.

 

— You never asked –the lochagos shrugged— And I would have told you before if I knew I would be receiving a present –he looked at the King adorably and Alexander laughed.

 

— We’ll see, lochagos. Health to you!

 

— Health to you, sire.

 

XXX

 

(1) Waldemar Heckel. The Marshals of Alexander’s Empire, p 91