CHAPTER 81

 

Hephaistion was deeply asleep after a very long night settling things with his men. Apparently one had slept with the other’s woman, with the woman’s consent, and the aggravated man had tried to kill the other. The General hated fights for money or women, they were always the worst kind, and someone always lost among hate and resentment. But his skills as negotiator and diplomat had served him well this time and the situation was solved…or at least he hoped.

 

Hephaistion was having a very peaceful sleep, without dreams, when Kyros came into his room. A true warrior, the General opened his eyes before the teenager could touch him, aware that someone had approached him.

 

- What is it? –asked Hephaistion, straightening himself. Even in the dark he could tell something bad had happened, the Theban was shaking.

 

- Someone left this at the tent’s entrance –said the Theban scared, showing him a cloth bag—It’s dripping blood –he said with ghost of voice.

 

The General stood up and took the bag; it was heavy and wet at the bottom.

 

- Turn the lights on –he asked now fully awake and Kyros ran to obey. The teenager didn’t know what to think, many terrible thoughts crossed his mind in a second while feeling his heart beating savagely; it took him a while to turn the oil lamp on, his hand trembled too much. 

 

Hephaistion felt his pulse quickening, and a horrible feeling of fatality pressed his heart. He hadn’t heard an attack, and judging by the peaceful atmosphere outside someone had infiltrated the camp, because he didn’t thought for a second that one of his own companions would left him a bag dripping blood outside his tent, not even Krateros.

 

Once the lights were on, he opened the bag, on the table, and found Eurycliedes’ head. The Theban turned pale, took his hands to his mouth, drowning a silent scream. The General saw the severed head with cold fury: the young’s guard platinum blond hair stain with blood, and his once so lively amber eyes half open.

 

Eurycliedes wasn’t just one of his men, he was also one of his best guards, a nice young man always eager to help, one of the bravest in the Agema. Hephaistion cursed with a voice he hardly recognized as his own, scaring Kyros even more, and felt a dangerous fury and hatred running through his veins.

 

Then, he saw the head more carefully, and found a note accompanying this macabre gift. The General took it. It was a fine paper and as soon as his fingers touched it, he knew this was the Persian’s doing; the note was slightly stained with red and written in Greek.

 

Hephaistion son of Amyntor, if you want to see your King and the Crown Prince again you will come alone to the goat path through the northern mountains. Any attempt of rescuing them, mobilizing the army or by deploying a special party, and the next heads you are going to receive would be theirs.

 

Melkar

 

He crumpled the letter squeezing his fist tightly. If Hephaistion was angry when he saw the head, now he was beyond fury; in a heart beat he knew what he had to do, it was insane and very risky but he wasn’t going to endanger the lives of the most important persons in his life. 

 

- Kyros –said the General without looking at him— Buried the head and don’t say a word about this to anyone, understood? –his voice was firm and the Theban nodded, unable to speak.

 

Hephaistion didn’t explain anything, he was very grateful that Xsayarsa slept so deeply, he was in no mood for the eunuch’s questions. One part of his mind told him to talk to someone about the note, go to his brother or leave a note for other of his companions explaining the situation…but he was also afraid. The note said he had to come alone, what if he told someone else about this and his actions made this Melkar killed Alexander and Achilles? No, he would take no risks with their lives.

 

He got dressed, put his armor on, took his swords and dagger and went immediately to look for a horse.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion left the camp like a thief, under the cover of darkness, moving like a cat, and making as little noise as possible. He knew where to sneak out without dragging the attention of the sentries, and, with a map folded in his pocket, he headed to the northern mountains.  

 

He traveled all day, without pause and almost killing his horse in the process, he almost didn’t eat, too concerned and too angry for that; the only thing he had in his mind was arriving as fast as he could to Alexander’s and Achilles’ side. The General knew he was heading into a trap, whoever had kidnapped them was after him and was ready to do anything and risk everything in order to capture the King’s lover.

 

If a common criminal had kidnapped the Macedonian King, he would be asking for a millionaire ransom…or heading to Susa to ask the Great King for a reward, not writing that note and sending the guard’s head. But, in the other hand, if the kidnaper was after him, that would make things easier for Hephaistion, he was ready to give his own life in exchange of theirs.   

 

It was almost dark when Hephaistion arrived to the goat’s path in the mountains, his horse was exhausted with spit in the mouth, and there 3 men dressed in black were waiting for him.

 

- Are you Hephaistion son of Amyntor? –asked one of them in a horrible Greek.

 

- Yes, I am –answered the General with all dignity.

 

- Come with us –the group turned their horses to follow the narrow path, and Hephaistion followed them, paying attention to every detail.

 

XXX

 

- I knew you'd come – said Melkar, half amused and derisive, at the entrance of what was once a proud fortress hidden in the mountains.

 

- Where are they? –Hephaistion's voice was different; his eyes were like the ones of a wolf, shining dangerously in the dark.

 

Melkar’s men were scared, there was something in the Macedonian in front of them that chilled their blood, perhaps it was his voice, maybe it was this aura of power surrounding him or the imposing silhouette against the dark, outline by the dim light of the torches hanging on the walls.

 

The night was too dark, like those in which the demons roam the land of the living, it was almost as if the moon knew that something terrible would happen and, would rather hide before witnessing the atrocities that were to take place.

 

Melkar saw that Hephaistion wasn’t wearing a helmet, he was clad in his armor, and his 2 swords were hanging on his back.

 

- I would not let you see them until you lay down your weapons –said the Carthaginian, and the General clenched his jaw.

 

- Who are you? –Hephaistion spat the question with hatred. Never in his whole life had he been so angry.

 

- Oh, but where are my manners –Melkar feigned surprise— My name is Melkar, I ...

 

- So you're the bastard who kidnapped my King and my son –the Macedonian rudely interrupted. He was in no mood for nonsense. Anyone else would have fainted seeing that cold gray eyes that only promised a slow and painful death, but not Melkar, the only smiled– What's so funny?

 

- Nothing, nothing ... I was thinking in your great entrance, and in how the strong words you have spoken, will not serve you for anything here –said the Carthaginian with calm.

 

- I wouldn’t be so calm if I were you –Melkar’s guards took their swords.

 

- Calm down boys –said the Carthaginian to his men in a friendly tone— The General will not do anything because as soon as his swords are draw, I’ll cut the boy’s neck –that smile again! It was starting to tire the Macedonian.

 

- Daddy! –Achilles's voice made Hephaistion turn.

 

Galussa had him, strongly immobilized with one of his powerful arms, and with his free hand he had a sharp knife pressed against Achilles’ throat, the blade biting the flesh of the child and soon the General saw a drop of blood running down the blade. That was the spark that ignited his rage.

 

- Don’t you dare to hurt my son or ...

 

- This conversation is boring me already –Melkar interrupted the General— I give the orders here, and you only have two options: One –he showed him his index finger— Surrender your swords and all your weapons, you obey my instructions and nobody gets hurt, or –he showed him two fingers— You resist and I gave you two corpses –Hephaistion clenched his jaw— General, you can kill me –he continued, successfully reading his mind— Cut me into pieces and feed me to the dogs, but as soon as I die so will the King and the child. The choice is yours –he stretched his arms to the front showing him the palms of his hands.

 

Hephaistion cursed. He knew Melkar was serious, his eyes spoke louder than his words, and the Macedonian was sure this was a man capable of great cruelty, capable of eating, yawning and getting bored while someone was tortured in his presence. He had no choice. He threw his swords to the front and one of the guards ran to take them; but Melkar continued staring at him.

 

- These are all your weapons General? –asked the Carthaginian. A look at the frightened eyes of Achilles was all what Hephaistion needed to take a dagger from his belt and a small knife from his boots, and threw both to the front—Good boy. Now the armor, and fast that I don’t have all night.

 

Melkar was not satisfied until he had the General only in his wool military chiton, barefoot and hair down. One of his men bounded Hephaistion by the wrists with heavy shackles attached to a long and rusty chain.

 

- I'm sorry for the inconvenience, General, but I don’t trust you –if looks could kill, Melkar would have fallen dead in the same moment Hephaistion laid his gray eyes on him— Let’s say this is for your protection and ours –again that ugly smile—This way, please –he said, leading the way through the dark hallway as if he was taking his guest to a gala dinner instead of a cold, dark, underground dungeon.

 

Hephaistion kept all his senses on alert, without losing sight of his terrified son in the arms of that dark-skinned Titan, and memorizing the distribution of the place, abandoned for so long that the walls were mildewed. Mice, rats, cockroaches, crickets, worms and all sorts of vermin could be watched from time to time; some fled when the light of torches lit them and they seek shelter in a hole or under the rubble that could be seen at the corners.

 

The air thinned and a foul odor filled the Macedonian’s nostrils. It was clear that this site had been abandoned for a long long time, but for what he could see it was used often.

 

- This, General, was a Babylonian fortress that was taken, dismantled and looted in the days of Cyrus the Great –said Melkar, as if they were tourists visiting ancient ruins— A shame, this place has a great location –he continued, running his fingers along the old rock wall– Hard to find, difficult to access, and difficult to escape.

 

Hephaistion said nothing and continued to pay attention to everything around him.

 

Down the hall, they stopped at a huge wooden door almost rotten by the pass of the years. The General expected to find a cell, as grotesque as the rest of the fortress, but instead, he found a cell arranged as a room, even a fire was burning in the background keeping the inside warm; and there, seated on a magnificent chair that looked terribly out of place, Darius was waiting.

 

Melkar entered first, while his men took Hephaistion to the center and got the chain stuck into several metal rings on the floor.

 

This is so bad –thought the General, if Darius was there that could only mean bad news for them.

 

The Carthaginian bowed, with great theatricality, in front of the Great King, and Darius applauded.

 

- Excellent work, Melkar – the Great King congratulated him—I never thought that... –his dark eyes roamed through the chains and shackles that bounded the General—Someday I will contemplate Hephaistion so... so vulnerable.

 

- Your divinity, I am flatter knowing that my work pleases you – said Melkar, with feigned innocence.

 

- “Please me” is very modest –Darius was still talking when the guards brought Alexander, dragging him with great difficulty as if they were trying to bring a lion inside.

 

Unlike Hephaistion he was not chained, but strongly tied up, still wearing the same chiton of the previous day, his hair disheveled, dirty and stained with red, a large drop of blood, as a tear, slid down his face, he was beaten on the head, had a bruise on his forehead and a bruise on his face that made Hephaistion’s blood boiled with rage.

 

- Ah! The guest of honor –said the Great King.

 

Alexander had only seen Darius once, but he didn’t recognize him, he had no idea who he was, but judging by the look on his beloved’s eyes he knew this man and had no love for him. The King wasn’t surprised of seeing his beloved there, Melkar had told him since he caught them that he was luring Hephaistion into a trap, and Alexander knew he was going to succeed. He knew his beloved, and there was no way in which Hephaistion would not come for them if he knew that he and Achilles were in danger.

 

Knowing this, the King had tried to escape 3 times, and the last one, Galussa had hit him so hard on the head that had left him unconscious for at least an hour. Now all his fears were true.  

 

- What’s the meaning of this? –Alexander demanded to know, with his commanding voice as if he were the one sitting in that magnificent chair instead of the one tied and bleeding, and for a moment no one could speak. Only he had the power to do that, and it was clear even for Melkar that this young man had more power in him than the Great King, with all his Immortals and million of servants. 

 

He is dangerous –thought Melkar, giving nothing away, just watching and meditating everything—And he has to die now. 

 

- You must be the barbarian King –said Darius, trying to hold his gaze and failing miserable, he had to blink and turn his face for his utterly humiliation. Was he, the Great King of all Asia, scared of this young man, this man tied and held by guards? Nonsense! Darius tried to fool himself, but in his heart he knew he was afraid.

 

A smile curved Alexander’s lips, a smile of superiority that didn’t escape the small audience there.

 

- I knew I have seen your face before –said the Macedonian King—But, I must confess it took me a while to recognize you, after only seeing your back for hours during your escape –Hephaistion laughed and one guard hit him hard behind the knees forcing him to fall, but he didn’t make a sound—You are Darius –the Great King tried his best not to blush in embarrassment.

 

- You are rude, barbarian –said the Great King with all the dignity he could summon.

 

- And you a coward –Alexander spat back. One guard reacted quickly, hitting him hard on the face. Hephaistion tried to stand up and go to him, but 2 men kept him still, pointing at him with their sharp swords—You don’t like to hear the truth –the Macedonian King spat blood at his side—If you don’t like it, then behave yourself as a man! –his voice echoed through the walls—Do you think this is an acceptable behavior for a King so called Great? You want to defeat me? Then took an army and fight me like a man.

 

- Don’t you dare to speak to me like that! –Darius raised his voice, he had had enough with his letter, he would not hear those same words again aloud. He walked near Alexander, his magnificent cloak dancing behind him, his jewels jingling at every step—You are in no position of defying me, don’t you see that I can order the execution of your Prince and your lover? You should be on your knees begging for your life and theirs?   

 

Those words made Alexander laughed sincerely amused. He begging? That was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. 

 

- This is your plan? –he asked—To make me beg?

 

Darius clenched his jaw; he was red with fury.

 

What is he doing? –thought Melkar—Darius is playing the barbarian’s game when he should be ordering his execution, he had lost the stronger position in this conversation. He is only disgracing himself, even if I despise the Macedonian King, I have to admit that he is all the Great King is not.

 

Galussa was still holding Achilles, the knife still pressed against his throat, but he was no longer crying; the boy was following the conversation with all his attention, remembering the words his uncle had said to him the day before: Men who feared death were doom to fail, to die forgotten because the only way of conquering death was showing it indifference. In his young mind he didn’t understood that completely…until now. His uncle and his father were not afraid of death.

 

Darius gave Alexander his back, pacing around furiously, thinking what to do to make him pay for his insolence. He stopped suddenly and nodded; then he raised his head proudly.

 

- You will regret this day –said the Great King with hate. He turned and looked directly to Hephaistion—Don’t you dare to think for a moment that I have forgotten about you –he walked around the General, who, the same as the King, looked at him defiantly—I will not forget how you humiliated me, death is not enough punishment for you, you will learn some humility...as a slave –those words caught Alexander’s attention— Danush! –the Great King called his secretary—See that Hephaistion is sold as a slave immediately, but first…Melkar, see that he is beaten enough to remind him that no one insults the Great King.   

 

Alexander struggled to free himself.

 

- You are worst than a worm! –the Macedonian King shouted.

 

Melkar slightly opened his eyes. In his opinion this was foolish, Hephaistion was a dangerous man, to leave him alive was a very bad idea, this way Darius was giving him the opportunity to raise again one day, to accumulate hate and vengeful thoughts for years and then strike again with vicious force.

 

- Your majesty, if I may, is this wise? –asked Melkar with caution in Persian—He could become a danger in the future. 

 

- I’m not stupid Melkar –Darius was furious—Slavery would break his spirit, there is nothing to worry about.

 

The Carthaginian didn’t thought so, a man like Hephaistion, or like Alexander, couldn’t be broken, and one day Darius was going to look back in time and regret this decision, he was sure of that. 

 

- And what about the barbarian King and the boy? –asked Melkar, still speaking in Persian, but the Great King answered in Greek, he wanted Alexander to understand his words.

 

- Let them watch how your men whip Hephaistion –said Darius, Alexander gave him a terrifying look that chilled his blood, but the Great King tried to remain calm—And proceed, now.

 

Darius sat again in his magnificent chair, and Melkar nodded. One of his men ran to call a rather small person, bald with no teeth, looking like a more like a mouse than a man. One man tore Hephaistion’s chiton leaving his back uncovered, he didn’t make a sound but he turned to see Alexander. Never before he had seen his King so furious.

 

Hephaistion forced himself to smile.     

 

- Don’t worry for me –he said in Macedonian, sounding calm as if he were going to take a walk—You know I’m stronger than this.

 

Alexander’s eyes changed, they looked warmer, full with love for him. The General knew how difficult was this going to be, but not for him, for Alexander and also for Achilles; he could bear the pain but not to know that his loved ones suffered because of him. 

 

He looked at Achilles, making a supreme effort to look as if nothing was happening.

 

- Close your eyes –he said gently in Macedonian, at the same time the mouse looking man, took a whip with 3 metal spikes specifically designed to tear the skin.

 

Another man pulled the chain that was holding Hephaistion’s shackles to make him stretched his arms to the front. The General lifted his head and saw Darius straight to the eyes.

 

- You will pay for this, you have my word on that and I always keep my promises –said Hephaistion in a dangerous tone that made Alexander proud of him.

 

The mouse looking man was stronger than the Macedonian King would have thought, he whipped the General savagely; he liked his job and enjoyed inflicting pain, more than once he smiled watching at his work, but Hephaistion didn’t make one sound, he had to be strong for Alexander and for Achilles, not even when his back looked like a mass of blood and tore skin he did as much as sigh.

 

Never in his life had Hephaistion felt such pain, he had no words to describe the agony that those metal spikes caused him, his back burned and every blow made his whole body quiver with pain. Blood slid down his sides and dripped to the ground, but all he did was to clench his jaw.

 

Alexander felt his blood burn. It was as if he too had been beaten, as if his own skin were bleeding like that, as if all his beloved was suffering were his own pain too. 

 

Achilles closed his eyes as he was told, but he sounds gave him all the mental images he needed. He was scared, yes, but he was also very impressed, he knew he had to be strong to make his father and uncle proud of him.

 

Melkar ordered his man to stop that horrible display. According to the Great King wishes Hephaistion must be kept alive in order to sell him into slavery, but also, the Carthaginian didn’t want to make a martyr from the General. One look at his men told him they were impressed by his courage, that, and Alexander’s words had made enough damage for one night.

 

Darius ordered to lock Alexander and Achilles in one cell, next day he would execute them, and Hephaistion was going to the slave market in that moment. The Great King and Melkar left together, the guards dragged a half dead Hephaistion to the corridor while Galussa, still holding Achilles, lead the way.

 

Hephaistion opened his eyes, when he was sure Melkar wasn’t anyway near and, that the men around them had lower their guard. His whole body ached and screamed in horrible pain, but he had to do this. He hit one of his guards with the shackles leaving him unconscious, then, he broke the second guard’s neck. When Alexander noticed what was happening, he also hit his guards with his elbow and knocked them unconscious.

 

Galussa reacted quickly, he was going to open Achilles’ throat but the boy bit his hand with all his force making him threw the knife.

 

Hephaistion hit Galussa with the shackles, but it was as if he had hit the wall, the only thing he accomplished was to make the Numidian released Achilles. Galussa was going to draw his sword when Alexander pierced his chest, with of the guard’s weapons, it was a clean thrust directly to his heart and the Numidian dropped dead in that moment.

 

That was too much for Hephaistion and he felt on his knees, feeling as if he were to faint at every moment.

 

- Phai! –Alexander ran at his side, with Achilles—Phai…oh dear Zeus…—he didn’t dare to touch him, he didn’t want to hurt him more.

 

- I’m…fine… —the General answered panting, he was in terrible pain— You have to…go…ran away…with…Aki…

 

- I’m not leaving you here –said the King with firm voice.

 

Hephaistion smiled.

 

- You have…no choice…—the General saw the colors blurred, and started to hear the sound far, far away. He was going to pass out—I can’t walk…I’ll only slow you down…you…know, this is…the right thing…

 

- No, no, no, I can’t leave you here –how could Hephaistion ask him that? It would be easier for him to cut his own arm. 

 

- We don’t have time…you heard…them…will not kill me…and you have…to live –Hephaistion passed out on the cold stones of that forgotten fortress.

 

- Daddy…—Achilles voice trembled but he didn’t cry.

 

Alexander took his hand to his head. For the first time in his life he didn’t know what to do. He had only seconds to make a decision and Hephaistion was right, if he took his beloved with them, the 3 would be caught in a heart beat, he would have to carry Hephaistion and he too was very weak after the beaten Galussa had given him and barely eaten since the day before. Also, Darius had said he was going to sell his beloved into slavery whereas they were going to be executed. He saw Achilles face and then Hephaistion’s form.

 

Maybe if Alexander were alone he would have tried to drag his beloved out of there, risk everything, but he couldn’t endanger Achilles’ life…Hephaistion would never forgive him. 

 

- Forgive me, my love –he kissed his beloved’s head—I’ll find you, I promise by my ancestors that I will.

 

Alexander cut the rope tying his hands, took one sword and killed all the guard to not leave witnesses behind, and ran away from there with Achilles.

 

XXX