Chapter 214

 

Warning:  –M– Chapter ahead, so beware. Also, this is a –H– Chapter. You have been warned.

 

CHAPTER 214

 

April

 

We left Susa as soon as we were ready, we were going to march to Ecbatana, making just one stop at a town called Opis. The plan was very simple, stayed at Opis until summer, then moved to Ecbatana, spend some months there, and continue the journey to Babylon. My orders were to go by land with the bulk of the infantry while Alexander sailed down the River Eulaeus. It was not a dangerous march but it would be uncomfortable so I did not take Drypetis with me.

 

— I don’t want you to travel with the men, it would be hard for you so, take your time, pack your things and, I will see you again at Babylon –Hephaistion explained to Drypetis in her room. He knew, thanks to Xsayarsa, with what alarming number of baggage the Persian nobility used to travel and he had no time to wait for his wife to be ready— Yarsa will stay with you to help, he is being with me for years now and he knows pretty well his way in the army. Whatever you need ask him.

 

She nodded.

 

— I will, my Lord.

 

— What did I tell you? It’s not necessary to call me that, Hephaistion is fine –he smiled at her and the Princess blushed. She still blushed after sharing the Chiliarch’s bed a couple of times— If you want, you can take your cats with you –that made her smile with sincere joy.

 

— Thank you my…Hephaistion.

 

— I like cats too –he said, they hadn’t had much time to talk but he had noticed how much she loved her pets— When I was a boy we used to have one named Mr. Hermes, he was a good cat, died of old age.

 

— I have seven cats –Drypetis said excited, almost jumping— They are good cats too, the oldest is Xerxes –she blushed again— I…I put them all names of Persian Kings, but my grandmother scolded me and…

 

That made Hephaistion remembered one of his strange dreams, one where he had had 7 cats with Persian names—How curious.

 

— I think it was very clever of you –the Chiliarch reassured her— You’ll have to introduce me your cats one of these days –and that made her immensely happy.

 

XXX

 

They were leaving next day and Hephaistion still had many things to do, issue orders and leave Xsayarsa with a very long list of recommendations; he was making mental notes of all his pending things when Chrysaor arrived at his study. One look at his face told him it was serious and, without saying a word, he took the guard to his room.

 

— What happened?

 

— Heph, now I know when is going to take place the mutiny –said Chrysaor without preambles— The lads heard a rumor that the King is planning to discharge the veterans and, when he gives the announcement, then, the mutiny will began.  

 

Hephaistion felt as if an invisible hand were gripping his guts. He knew about Alexander’s plans to discharge the veterans but…

 

— Are you sure?

 

— Positive –the guard nodded.

 

All right, now, how do I tell Alex this? –he puffed his cheeks out, he was planning to ran to Alexander but, when he turned he saw a very happy Chrysaor smiling at him. 

 

— What? –the Chiliarch had so many things in his head that truly had no idea of why was the guard smiling like that. The situation was chaotic, and he was smiling?

 

— Well, dear Heph, I did as you wanted so…—he moved closer— I want my kisses. 

 

Hephaistion blinked, taken aback— Crap! I forgot. 

 

— Now?

 

— If not when? I risked my life for you, you know?

 

— Chrys, listen I have to talk to the King before he leaves. Aki is coming with me that means you will be coming with me too, so, I’ll pay you tomorrow, you have my word –said the Chiliarch. Chrysaor wasn’t happy to hear this but he agreed and Hephaistion ran to catch Alexander before he left.

 

XXX

 

— Are you sure? –asked Alexander when he heard everything from Hephaistion— They are planning to mutiny, again? –he was about to explode in what promised to be the mother of all outburst of anger but his beloved calmed him down.

 

— Alex, listen to me carefully –he said, his voice just a mere whisper— Don’t do a thing about this…Please let me finish –he said, raising his hand when the King opened his mouth— You know now who is involve in this, you have the advantage but, if you go and arrest these men you will only gain the distrust of the troops who already suspect of every single one of your actions. They are paranoid and to arrest their officers won’t help. If you want my opinion I think you should let them act but be ready and when they act, arrest them. 

 

Alexander took several breaths, calming his burning rage down. His first impulse was to start shouting, calling the guards, the Agema, the Argyraspides and to arrest them, order their execution and leave the corpses to the carrion birds. He was becoming allergic to the word ‘mutiny’ and felt a terrible hate threatening to eat him, asking for blood but… He looked into his beloved’s eyes and started to calm down— Phai is right, I have to be calmed.

 

— Tell me something, do you really think the best is to let them act? –the King needed to know and his Chiliarch nodded slowly.

 

— I do.

 

— Fine –Alexander sighed— But I am not happy with this.

 

— I know –Hephaistion closed the distance between them and kissed him— Trust me, I think this is the best. 

 

The King surrounded his waist and kissed him again, and again, taking his time to enjoy his lips and to safe in his memory this moment, knowing weeks would pass before feeling his beloved again— I insist, I am crazy for even thinking in sending Phai away but…he is the only one I can completely trust. 

 

— I promise…this…Mmm…will…be…Mmmm…the last time…I will…send you…away from…me…—whispered Alexander between kisses.

 

Hephaistion smiled against his lips. He knew it was not true, he knew as long as Alexander were as powerful as he was now they would not have much time for them but he said nothing, wanting to believe his words.

 

XXX

 

When Hephaistion agreed to pay 5 kisses to Chrysaor it sounded like a good idea…now he was starting to regret it. The guard outsmarted him claiming the Chiliarch agreed to give him 5 kisses, but he never specify where and, after all Chrysaor had done, risking his life, lying to his companions and taking part in clandestine meetings, Hephaistion had no heart to refuse.

 

— Chrys…you truly…—Hephaistion panted, lying face up on his bed, his knees bent up and the guard’s head between his legs— Are…worst than…Mmm…my brother…—his face was burning and he could feel his entire body reacting under the guard’s kisses— And…I…Oh dear!…never thought someone could be…worst than Nick…

 

Chrysaor lifted his head and gave him one of his wolfish smiles.

 

— I don’t know why you complain so much, it’s obvious from here –he lower his pale gray eyes between the Chiliarch’s legs— That you like it.

 

— Shut up!… You just have one kiss left –of 5 kisses, one had been on his lips and the other 3 on his thigh, crotch and the other one… And of course these were not chaste bashful kisses, and, since no one told the guard how long could the kisses last, Chrysaor took all the time he wanted.

 

— Fine –the guard, bent over again between his legs and Hephaistion arched, moaning loudly when Chrysaor kissed his…

 

— Mm…Son of a bad mother! –the Chiliarch exclaimed, making him laugh.

 

— Are you sure you don’t want to sleep with me? Because from what I see…

 

— Out! –shouted Hephaistion, feeling how all his treacherous hormones were screaming to let the guard do as he wanted with him— Get out, NOW!

 

It amazed Hephaistion to see how much he had changed. Ten years ago he would have never done this with Chrysaor but now it was not he loved Alexander less, now he was more sure about himself and his feeling towards the King— Sometimes I feel it was thanks to King Philip that I never turned out to be like Nick –he smiled, resting on his side as soon as Chrysaor left him, grumbling that now he was in a desperate need of a woman. 

 

The Chiliarch took his hand between his legs and sighed softly, musically. If he were like Nikandros he would have bedded Chrysaor but— I would never hurt Alex and he would be furious if he knew I slept with him…

 

— Mm…—he closed his eyes, feeling his face burning and his fingers throbbing, moving his hand up and down, thinking about his lover, evoking Alexander’s image, the smell of his skin, feeling his strong body pressed against him— Alex…—he had never liked anyone as he liked the King, he desired him with all the force of his soul and desperately wanted to feel him, to have him inside... But since that wasn’t possible in those moments he would have to use his imagination, pretending it were his King’s hands touching him.

 

XXX

 

May

 

Hephaistion met Alexander again at Opis, an old Babylonian city on the banks of the Tigris River, after weeks of easy march through friendly territory. This time alone had helped the King to think carefully about the mutiny menace and about his Chiliarch’s words. At the end, he reached the same conclusion as Hephaistion and decided to continue with his plans and be ready in case something happen. 

 

— You want to do the announcement today? –asked Hephaistion, walking at the King’s side along the streets of Opis.

 

— I don’t want to lose time, I have to do it and, if the conspirators are really planning to strike, I think is best to act suddenly and not give them time to react –Alexander explained.

 

And so, Alexander ordered his troops to assemble, taking especial care in having the Agema and the Argyraspides close in case of being necessary. Seleucus was near the dais from where the King was going to make his announcement, looking for dekadarcha Aster and Eetion and dekasteros Mydon among the crowd. The archihypaspistes saw Hephaistion near the King, armed with the 2 swords his grandfather had given to him, looking deathly and impressive, as the great warrior he was.

 

He is expecting trouble –thought Seleucus, glad to see Achilles wasn’t there. The Prince had no idea about the possible mutiny, no one knew, but Alexander had forbidden him to come. If something happened to him his heir needed to be safe.

 

Once everyone was in position Alexander announced the demobilization “of all men unfit through age or disablement for further service. He promised them lavish bonuses and severance pay, enough to make them the envy of their fellow country men when they return home”(1) It was a good idea but, again, his plans did not turn out as he wanted. The men resented his words and took them to mean he no longer found then fit to fight for him, that he only was looking to replace them.

 

— “Go on and conquer the world with your War Dancers!” (2) –his men shouted angrily at him and that successfully infuriated Alexander. “He had grown at that time quicker to take offence, and the Oriental subservience to which he had become accustomed had greatly changed his old open-hearted manner towards his own countrymen.”(3)

 

It appeared as if everybody were talking at the same time, shouting insults to the Persians, the Asian troops and the King who had abandoned them after years of loyal service— This is worst than I thought –said Hephaistion to himself, his body tensed as if he were about to engage in battle, all his senses alert. He saw the ringleaders of the conspiracy among the crowd but, when he was about to move, the members of the Agema were already over them. 

 

It was a confusion of men, shouts and blows, it lasted only seconds but the Chiliarch was under the impression that hours had passed. Alexander came down from the dais with his officers behind him and had 13 men arrested, among them dekadarcha Aster and Eetion and dekasteros Mydon. The King had to shout to be heard and ordered the immediate execution of the traitors that had filled his men’s minds with poison for so long. Silence fell then on his troops then and, seizing the moment, Alexander climbed again on the dais. 

 

— “My country men, you are sick for home, so be it! –said the King with his powerful voice, reaching even the last ranks of his men— “I shall make no attempt to check your longing to return. Go whither you will; I shall not hinder you. But, if go you must there is one thing I would have you understand, what I have done for you, and in what coin you will have repaid me” –Alexander made a pause, they were so silent that it appeared to be funeral instead of a meeting.

 

— “First I will speak of my father Philip, as it is my duty to do” –he continued. Even if he had known about their intentions of mutiny it didn’t mean he was happy. He was furious— “ Philip found you a tribe of impoverished vagabonds, most of you dressed in skins, feeding a few sheep on the hills and fighting, feebly enough, to keep them for your neighbors, Thracians and Triballians and Illyrians. He gave you cloaks to wear instead of skins; he brought you down from the hills into the plains; he taught you to fight on equal terms with the enemy on your borders, till you knew that your safety lay not, as once, in your mountain strongholds, but in your own valor.”

 

Hephaistion thought he was exaggerating. It was not as if the men in front of him were living like savages until his father came but, he had to admit, that King Philip had indeed turned a bunch of peasants into fine soldiers— No one can deny that.

 

— “[…] These services which my father rendered you are, indeed, intrinsically great; yet they are small compared with my own […] My cavalry crushed the satraps of Darius, and I added all Ionia and Aeolia, the 2 Phrygias and Lydia to your Empire […] Babylon and Bactria and Susa are yours, you are the masters of the gold of Lydia, the treasures of Persia, the wealth of India, yes, and of the sea beyond India, too. You are my captains, my generals, my governors of provinces.” –Alexander did not miss this opportunity to compare himself to his father, to remind them, one more time, of everything he had done for them.

 

But he is doing this more often that I would like, with this, is the third time he say the same thing to his troops –thought Hephaistion, worried— If Alex has to keep reminding them what he has done for them, its a sign that they are really tired.

 

— “From all this which I have labored to win for you, what is left for myself except the purple and this crown? I keep nothing for my own; no one can point to treasure of mine apart from all this which you yourselves either possess, or have in safe keeping for your future use. Indeed, what reason have I to keep everything, as I eat the same food and take the same sleep as you do? Ah, but there are epicures among you who, I fancy, eat more luxurious than I; and this I know, what I wake earlier than you, and watch, that you may sleep.” –again the Chiliarch wasn’t very sure if it was a good idea to mention this.

 

Yes, Hephaistion knew Alexander liked to give spending gifts to his friends and yes, there were officers, like Perdikkas, that appeared to live better than the King— But Alex is the King and he does have more than any man alive. He truly is the Great King and this modesty… I not so sure the men will appreciate it. 

 

— “[…] There is no part of my body but my back which has not a scar; not a weapon a man can grasp or fling the mark of which I do not carry upon me […] Some of you have owed money, I have paid your debts, never troubling to inquire how they were incurred, and in spite of the fact that you earn good pay and grow rich from the sack of cities.” –Alexander continued.  

 

It’s the same he told them before the battle of Gaugamela –thought the Chiliarch— This is not good, he shouldn’t have to be reminding them these things, the men should know them in their hearts –it saddened him to remember that, at the beginning of this campaign, this kind of speeches weren’t necessary— I wish I could do more to help Alex. 

 

— “[…] And now that is on my mind to dismiss any man no longer fit for active service, all should return home to be envied and admired. But you all wish to leave me. Go then! And when you reach home, tell them that Alexander your King, who vanquished Persians and Medes and Bactrians and Sacae; who crushed the Uxii, the Arachotians and the Drangae, and added to his Empire Parthia, the Chorasmian waste and Hyrcania to the Caspian sea; so crossed the Caucasus beyond the Caspian Gates and Oxus and Tanais and the Indus, which none but Dionysus had crossed before him and Hydaspes and Acesines and Hydraotes, yes, and Hyphasis too, had you not feared to follow […] –the King was losing his temper— “Tell them, I say, that you deserted him and left him to the mercy of barbarian men, whom you yourselves had conquered. Such news would assure you praise upon earth and reward in heaven. Out of my sight!” (4)

 

And just as Alexander had done at the Hyphasis River, he stormed down from the dais and locked himself in the royal residence, refusing to see his men. He even went as far as to declared, on the third day, that he would use his Successors, his War Dancers, to form new units and appointed Persian nobles to brigade commands previously held by Macedonians.

 

XXX

 

— Phai, there is something I want to talk to you –said Alexander, sharing dinner with is beloved after the second day locked in his room. Unlike of what happened at the Hyphasis, the Chiliarch had been at his lover’s side, trying to comfort him— We have never talked about this but, I think is necessary.

 

— I’m listening.

 

With the light of the candles the eyes of the King looked even more mysterious, his amber eyes dark and his cerulean one even brighter— As having the sun and the moon looking at you at the same time –thought Hephaistion, fascinated.

 

— If something happens to me, if I die, I want you to be regent until Aki comes to age –said Alexander with all seriousness. 

 

The Chiliarch said nothing and kept chewing, thinking very carefully in all the implications of what was the King saying.

 

— Your mother would be the first one to oppose –said Hephaistion talking like Achilles, without emotion, just stating the facts— Not to mention Eumenes and Krateros. They all would accuse me of trying to crown me King and, among your high officers and satraps, I’m not sure they would let me govern as regent.

 

Alexander sighed.

 

— I’m not planning to die any time soon –he said— But, at this point, I think we have to discuss these things.

 

— And I can’t agree more with you –said Hephaistion, meaning every word— But, what I am telling you is true. I don’t want my son to suffer what you had to live when Philip married Cleopatra Euridyce. 

 

— Neither do I, this is why I am talking to you about this –said the King and his beloved nodded.

 

— Alex, let’s assume for a moment that you…you…—it was difficult to even say this but it was necessary— Let’s think that you die tomorrow. If I am left as regent more than one will think I am manipulating my son to become the real power behind the throne. We can’t have the men looking at Aki and thinking ‘that’s Hephaistion’s son’ because all the power my boy will have one day comes from you. If Aki were your biological son it would be different, but he is not, and I don’t want to have your mother claiming that I want to establish my own dynasty.

 

— Then what?

 

— Aki is already 14, this November he will be 15, if you…die I think the best is to let him govern by himself –said Hephaistion— He has proven to be mature for his age and I trust him.

 

— But, would you be at his side? –Alexander needed to know— Would you help him?

 

The Chiliarch smiled sweetly.

 

— You don’t have to ask me that, of course I will –and that left the King feeling much better— Want an advice?

 

— Tell me.

 

— If you are truly planning to go to Arabia leave Aki in Persia as your regent –said Hephaistion— We both know Aki is too fragile to travel with the army and it would help him to learn how to be King; just as you father left you in charge when he went to Byzantium –Alexander nodded.

 

— That’s a great idea.

 

I will miss my boy terribly, but it’s for the best –thought the Chiliarch, sure that, if the King went to Arabia he would go with him.

 

XXX

 

Seleucus put down the letter his new wife had written to him— Or more precisely, the letter she dictated –Apama was pregnant and he found himself unmoved by the news. He wanted to have a son, an heir, and Apama was of his liking, young, pretty and, more importantly, obedient. Then, why wasn’t he excited with the news?— Because I have many things in my head to be thinking in becoming a father right now, that’s why –the situation of the men alarmed him too.    

 

When the problems were only the satraps or the rebellious Persians or Indians, it was fine, but, when the problems began among the troops…— No Macedonian King can be on the throne without the army –he had many friends in Macedonia and, for what they said, the situation back home was also complicated. But, what worried Seleucus was not Alexander but Achilles. The Prince was the heir of this vast Empire and what the King did now would affect his adopted son.

 

But I will see that nothing happen to him, even if it cost me my life –thought Seleucus, making a secret vow to the Gods.

 

XXX

 

Unlike what happened at the Hyphasis River, the men seem unsure of what to do. At the Hyphasis they were ready to leave Alexander behind if the King refused to let them go back home, but here, they seemed lost, not knowing how to act now that many of the leading conspirators were executed. But some of them still remained and were trying to convince the men to open revolt.

 

— You say Alexander is trying to dispose of you like garbage after years of hard service –said Hephaistion to one veteran man of 42 years old named Charis. They were surrounded by a large group of curious men and the Chiliarch knew he had to be really careful or the situation would be even more complicated— If that were the case, why is he giving you so many gifts and bonuses? 

 

— Because he is trying to buy us like whores –answered Charis but Hephaistion saw with relief that almost no one nodded their agreement.

 

— Fine. You don’t want to be discharge honorably with money and gifts, and you don’t want to stay here. What do you want? –asked the Chiliarch truly at lost here.

 

— We want the King to take us back home.

 

— And what if the King can’t leave right now?

 

— Can’t or doesn’t want to?

 

— Careful soldier. You are questioning your King –said Hephaistion in a dangerous tone— The King himself has said in numerous occasions how highly thinks of you all. Your Macedonian troops, I think it’s unfair to pay him with distrust.  

 

— Unfair is to be threatened to be replace with Asians after all we have done –Charis insisted— I defeated single handed 2 Indians officers, and what do I get?

 

That ended with Hephaistion’s patience.

 

— And I have ended in single combat with more enemies than I dare to count and I am not here crying –and that successfully made Charis close his mouth.

 

For someone with such a short patience, Alex does have much patience for his men –he thought, trying his best to calm down and speak to the men. He had never done this before, addressed the Macedonian troops— This is Krateros’ job –but still he did what he could to help his lover. 

 

XXX

 

— I can’t believe your emotional blackmail actually worked –said Hephaistion two days later, shaking his head.

 

— The men are unhappy, I get it, they want to go home, I get that too; but they are not going to dictate my life and I had to make them understand who is in charge here –said Alexander very far from being happy, not even after his men had came weeping to him asking for forgiveness and ready to hand the leaders of the mutiny, had his mood improved— I meant what I said and, if they don’t want to follow me, I will use my Asian troops then.

 

— Well, at least they felt better when you said you regarded them all as your kinsmen and kissed some of them –said Hephaistion still thinking this situation was far from being over.

 

The men complain more and more, I don’t think they will stand more if Alex decides to march them again into battle. A couple more of years and the troops can very well desert him if Alex doesn’t do something –thought the Chiliarch, truly worried for his lover.

 

— I have to think of something –Alexander sighed, almost as if he had read his beloved’s mind— But I think I have a plan.

 

— What is it?

 

— I will send back home 11, 000 veterans –the King explained— Krateros will have orders to escort them back home with Polyperchon as his second in command. Do you remember what I said to you at India? –Hephaistion nodded. 

 

— You will send Krateros back home as your new regent –it wasn’t a question.

 

— Yes. I don’t want to believe what my mother says about Antipater to be true but, after what happened with Harpalos, I feel as if I can’t trust anyone…—Alexander took his hand— Except of you, my love –Hephaistion smiled— Krateros will have instructions of taking over the control of Macedonia, Thrace and Thessaly. I think is not only a precaution, its just that Antipater is more than 70 years old now so…

 

— So nobody would be able to say you are suspecting Antipater. Instead they will say it was just fair to let the old man retire –the Chiliarch guessed and the King nodded. 

 

It was a good plan. It surprised no one Alexander’s decision but, what it was a surprise was his summon to meet with his old regent at Babylon as soon as possible. Antipater was scared, after all Alex had executed Parmelio, Philotas, Kallisthenes, Koinos’ brother and he had no idea of what to expect.

 

He was sure Alexander would execute him too and so he sent his older son, Cassander to Babylon. But that’s another story.

 

XXX

 

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 453

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 454

(3) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 360

(4) (3) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, p 360, 361, 362, 363, 364.