CHAPTER 87

 

Between Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Kaeso Fabius Dorso

216 BC Rome

 

“We inhabit a much bigger world than did our ancestors. The Spartans, who are renowned as great warriors, consider nothing more manly than the love of two soldiers; on their wedding night, a Spartan woman must cut her hair and put on a boy’s tunic, to coax the groom into desiring her. The Athenians put the love of an older man and a younger man at the very center of their philosophy. Carthaginian generals make love to their young officers before allowing them to marry their daughters. Jupiter had his Ganymede, Hercules his Hylas, Achilles his Patroclus, Alexander his Hephaestion –or perhaps it was the other way around, as Alexander was the younger partner”(1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Alexander arrived to south Italy, to Croton, just a day after Scipio’s ship. Paltibaal suggested to rest and find a guide, since he didn’t know the place and had no idea of how to reach Rome; but the King wasn’t willing to wait another second, it had been enough with the time they had lost at Carthage waiting for the storm to pass, and the long wait on the ship. So, without loosing another moment, he went directly to the town to ask how to get to Rome as soon as possible.

 

- To Rome? –asked an old sailor at the harbor, sitting at the side of his big brown dog, his eyes on the sea and a bored expression on his face—The fastest route is to take a ship to Ostia.

 

- Ostia? –asked Alexander, making an effort to hide his anxiety. 

 

- Yes, sir, it’s the nearest port to Rome –said the old man, whistling every time he spoke because he was missing 2 teeth—If you want I can give you the name of a man who can take you there, but it will cost you, of course.

 

The King was very tempted to accept this offer, he needed to arrive to Rome as soon as possible. According to the people Hasdrubal had interrogated at Carthage’s harbor, the Roman had sailed back to his city; what the old man was saying had sense but, something deep inside Alexander told him to keep asking.

 

- Do you know if a man, a Roman, named Scipio was here?

 

- Scipio? –asked Diocles, the same man who had traveled with Hephaistion and the Roman, near them, picking up some boxes.

 

- Do you know him? –asked Alexander.

 

- Of course I know him, half the town here know him –said Diocles, cleaning his hands on his clothes.

 

- Was he here recently? –the King insisted, keeping his emotions at bay.

 

Diocles nodded.

 

- We arrived yesterday from Carthage –he explained.

 

Alexander felt how a warm ray of hope fell upon him.

 

- Do you know if he left for Rome?

 

- Oh! Yes sir, he hired some horses and left immediately –there was something in Alexander’s voice that made people obey him, and Diocles found himself answering before questioning himself about the identity of this young man.

 

Hired some horses? Then he left by land –thought the King—If I go by ship I’m going to arrive before them.

 

XXX

 

- We are going by land –said Alexander as soon as his group was reunited again.

 

- Why? –asked Perdikkas; he knew his King used to have crazy ideas but this was too much—According to the people here that will be a journey of at least 15 days, we can’t loose so much time. Besides, if this Scipio went by land he has a day ahead of us, we should go by sea.

 

Alexander couldn’t explain it, but a hunch was telling him to do the same as the Roman, to hire horses and follow the same route.  

 

- No, we’ll do as I say –said the King stubbornly—Dismas, send one of your lads to find us horses.

 

- Immediately.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion and Scipio found a river near their location; they cleaned the remnants of blood, dirt and gore from the battle and started a fire, but it wasn’t until they had eaten their rations and night had fallen that Scipio talked about the attack.

 

- It seems that we were the only ones who survive –Hephaistion kept staring at the fire. Spite of the battle and the flight he didn’t feel tired, on the contrary, he was alert.

 

- Do you have any idea who attacked us?

 

- Thieves, deserters…this zone is dangerous since the war with Tarentum started –the Roman made a pause—We can continue our journey tomorrow, in a town nearby lives a friend of my father and he can help us to reach Rome...by sea –he sighed. The resent attack had ended with his adventurous spirit. 

 

They fell silent. In those moments the least of Hephaistion’s concerns were how to reach the city, he had other things in his mind. He raised his dark gray eyes to the night sky, it was cold but at least it was bearable.

 

- Why did you come back for me? –asked Scipio, turning to see the Macedonian’s profile—You could have escape in the middle of the battle confusion.  

 

- What makes you think that I want to escape? –he returned his attention to the fire, and even if he wasn’t looking at the Roman, he knew Scipio was smiling.

 

- I’m not a fool –said the Roman—You have never thought of yourself as a slave and a man with your spirit can only be thinking in one thing: freedom. Do you want to go back to Macedonia or…?

 

- You have been good to me –said Hephaistion interrupting him, still without looking at Scipio. The flames of the bonfire dancing in his eyes—I saw no reason for not helping you, that is why I came back.

 

That was half true; but the Macedonian decided to say nothing more about his intentions of escaping. Scipio had read his mind, his plan was to obtain money and find a way to go back to Macedonia. Then, he would go to his house, to his parents, and from there back to Tyre. Scipio nodded gravely even if he knew there was something more hidden.

 

- I owe you my life –he said meaning every word.

 

Hephaistion took a moment, choosing his words carefully before speaking again, and this time he turned to look at the Roman.

 

- Why did you kiss me? –for Scipio’s expression it was clear that he wasn’t used to be questioned like that, only his father used that tone with him.

 

The Roman felt silent for so long that Hephaistion thought he wasn’t going to answer him, but the truth was that Scipio was thinking if he should explain his actions, why should he? But, at the end he decided it was the least he could do, after all the Macedonian had saved his life. And he thought for long minutes how to voice his deepest feelings.

 

- I like you –he said at last. It was clear that it had been extremely difficult for him to pronounce those words. Was he ashamed? Scared? Or both?

 

- That’s why you bought me? –asked Hephaistion. He was not judging the Roman, he just wanted to understand his present situation.

 

- Part of the reasons, yes –Scipio admitted, even his voice was different now. He was completely honest, bringing his most intimate thoughts and feelings into light—But, what I said on the ship is also true, I want to know more about your King and his campaign.

 

Hephaistion didn’t understand why was so difficult for the Roman to admit this, but then, an idea struck him.

 

- This is the first time you like a man, isn’t it? –Scipio blushed slightly and turned to see the fire.

 

- No, it’s not…but it’s the first time I like one this much –said the Roman—I…Romans are not Greeks, Hephaistion. For us is a disgrace to be with another man, and this is one of the reasons why Romans despise Greeks so much. In my city, every time someone says he admires Greek culture, people assumes its because you like your own gender –he made a pause, still avoiding to look at him—If my father knew this, he would kill me –somehow, the Macedonian knew he wasn’t speaking metaphorically— A man who likes other men can’t have a political career, can’t follow the Cursus Honorum and can’t be Consul…all my ancestors had been Consuls and I can’t disappoint my father or my family.  

 

The Macedonian didn’t understand quiet well what was the Cursus Honorum or why was so important to become Consul, but he wasn’t stupid. It was clear that Roman society and his were very different and he felt sorry for Scipio, he couldn’t even start to imagine how difficult would have been his life if he couldn’t share his life with Alexander.

 

- I should have never bought you –said Scipio in a whisper—You are too much of a temptation but…—he turned to look at him—You are extremely beautiful –how many times Hephaistion had heard that? Too many; but, there was something in this man’s voice that made him blush.

 

- Have you ever be with another man?

 

- No, not even with a slave –the Roman smiled when he saw the Macedonian’s surprise—I can’t let anyone know…you are the first person to whom I confess this.

 

For a moment, Hephaistion didn’t know what to do with this piece of information. In Pella it was the most common thing for a grown up man, like Scipio, to have a younger male lover; in Persia were eunuchs and, even if Xsayarsa had said they weren’t prostitutes, he had also said that sometimes they slept with their patrons. This was new, and it was obvious that for Scipio was very important to keep it a secret.

 

Now, the Macedonian had many options of what to do. He could blackmail the Roman, which he would never do because he was a man of honor, or he could seduce him. It would be so easy…but he felt sick just thinking about this, he would never deceive the Roman, not after hearing his confession. Scipio had trusted him with his most precious secret and he could never take advantage of that, not even if his situation was this bad. He had been sold as a slave and was lost in the middle of an unknown place without money or means to go back to Pella.

 

Hephaistion sighed, he knew Scipio wouldn’t free him in return for saving his life because he had paid a fortune for him, it would be like throwing 1 Talent and a half to the ocean.    

 

- Did you…have a male lover? –asked the Roman with curiosity.

 

The Macedonian needed a moment to understand the question; he had been lost in his own thoughts for a moment.

 

- Yes, just one –so far Hephaistion had hidden the fact that Alexander was his lover in order to protect him. Only the Gods knew what an ambitious man could do with that kind of information, and even if he liked the Roman he didn’t know him enough to assure that he wasn’t going to seize an opportunity like this.

 

The Macedonian was still meditating about his new circumstances, when the Roman leaned closer to him and shyly brushed his lips against his cheek; the reaction was immediate, and Scipio blushed savagely feeling that creamy skin and the soft warmth of his body against his lips. Hephaistion just stayed very still not knowing what to do.

 

- I’ll have the first watch of the night –said the Roman, again changing the subject abruptly—You can sleep.

 

Hephaistion just nodded.

 

XXX

 

- Alexander, its late and we don’t know this land –said Perdikkas, exhausted after riding for hours without rest since they left Croton—We can camp now and continue tomorrow –Leonnatos yawned at his side.

 

They had hired a guide in Croton and the man was literally falling asleep on his horse, not used to ride for hours like the Macedonians.

 

The King remained very still on his mount, trying to see beyond the darkness that covered the surroundings like a mantle.

 

- The man we found wounded on the road –said Alexander without looking at them—Said Scipio’s group was attack nearby and that only he and Hephaistion escaped, riding to the north. They can’t be far from here.

 

- Alexander, I can assure you that I want to find my brother as much as you –said Nikandros, feeling his eyelids very heavy—But Perdikkas is right, it’s too late and too dark. If Phai and the Roman escaped the ambush, then, they must be resting now. 

 

Alexander turned to look at his friends, and saw a group of very tired men, Leonnatos couldn’t stop yawning and one of Dismas’ boys had fallen asleep in the same moment they stopped.

 

- All right, we rest now and continue our way in the morning –said the King.

 

XXX

 

It was near dawn, Hephaistion had finished his second watch of the night and was sleeping on his side, exhausted after all the emotions of that day. Now that the adrenaline had gone, it was replaced by an overwhelming sensation of tiredness and he was deeply asleep.

 

Scipio rubbed his eyes trying to stay awake. It had been some years now since the last time he was on sentry duties; but this night had reminded him of how much he liked this life, and the life in the army. One day he would be a conqueror and he would have a Triumph, to make his father and his family proud of him.

 

But…

 

The Roman turned to see Hephaistion. This would always be his weak point, and once again he reproached himself for buying the Macedonian. He had gone to the market that day to buy a bodyguard, the faithful Gaul that had served his family for years had died of disease and his father wanted to acquire a Numidian slave, he had heard they were strong and very healthy.

 

But…

 

When Scipio had seen Hephaistion on that dais, he had stopped breathing marveled at the Macedonian’s unearthly beauty. In 29 years he had never seen a man like him and even if he tried to not look at him it proved to be impossible…as it was now. His eyes followed the Macedonian’s silhouette feeling again that smooth and warm feeling invading his body.  

 

His eyes followed Hephaistion’s hair, flowing like a touch of smoothness and the sensual curve of his spine highlighted the strong muscles of his back under the fabric. The Macedonian was sinfully handsome, and he made the Roman feel butterflies in his stomach, he liked him a lot, and since he had seen him Scipio was daydreaming; Hephaistion awaken in him his most secret and forbidden fantasies.

 

The Roman approached him and took his fingers to the back of his neck, he hesitated a moment before touching the Macedonian. He licked his lips, a nervous tick, and sliding his fingers down on the fabric of his tunic, reaching his waist, up and down, his fingers throbbed wanting to feel his smooth skin. Scipio licked his lower lip again, lay down beside him and pressed his body against the Macedonian. He remained motionless for a few seconds, listening to the other’s slow breathing, which told him that Hephaistion was deeply asleep.

 

It’s so peaceful here –thought the Roman.

 

Scipio kissed his shoulder and followed the curve of his neck, brushing the silky strands of his hair. The feeling of his skin under his lips was so intoxicating, so wonderful that soon just kissing him wasn’t enough. His right arm surrounded the Macedonian’s waist and his fingers looked for his abdomen, going all the way down. The Roman suppressed a moan, Hephaistion had the most perfect body he had even seen and he greatly enjoyed feeling his warmth against him, inhaling his delicious smell.

 

Hephaistion opened his eyes when he felt a hand on his thigh, going all the way up under his cloths. Scipio kissed him behind his ear, tasting his creamy skin and caressing him with his lips and nose. The Macedonian didn’t move nor did he show signs of being awake; he didn’t know what to do, he didn’t want to sleep with Scipio that was for sure, or… whatever this was, but he didn’t want to hurt his feeling, not after hearing his confession. 

 

Hephaistion’s face burned, feeling Scipio’s kisses behind his ear, but when his hand ventured between his legs he stopped the Roman, taking his wrist with force.

 

- That’s enough –said the Macedonian, breathing heavily and feeling his heartbeat accelerated.

 

Scipio moved away from him, and returned to his makeshift bed without saying a word. Was he angry? Upset? Hephaistion truly didn’t know, the man was impossible to understand. And what now? Awkward moment, very awkward. The Macedonian knew that, in Scipio’s mind he was in all his right to touch him, because he was his slave and therefore his property, but in that place, the 2 of them alone in the middle of no where, he was not his master, they were just 2 men and Hephaistion was by far the strongest. He knew the Roman was thinking exactly the same thing and most probably Scipio didn’t know what to do now, because for what he had seen, the Roman was used to do things his way.    

 

The Macedonian opened his mouth to say something and end with that uncomfortable silence but, he didn’t know what to say; what should he do? Apologize? And apologize for what exactly? Explain why he didn’t want to sleep with him? He shook his head; that would only worsen the situation. At the end he lay down again and tried to go back to sleep, unsuccessfully.

 

Next day, Scipio and Hephaistion woke up early and continued with their journey. The Macedonian thought the Roman was going to say something about last night, but he waited in vain because he didn’t say a word for hours; until they heard horses behind them. 

 

- Someone is following us –said Scipio and Hephaistion turned. He had heard it too, but he hadn’t said anything until he was sure.

 

- Do you think it could be the same men of yesterday? –asked the Macedonian, all his senses on alert.

 

- I can’t say for sure, but we’ll better get ready to fight again –said Scipio.

 

- The town you mentioned yesterday –said Hephaistion hearing the horses closer—Where the friend of your father lives, is still far from here?

 

- A couple of hours –said the Roman.

 

- We should leave then.

 

- And ran away again? –asked Scipio outraged.

 

- We are only 2 and we don’t know how many men are behind us –explained Hephaistion—Our best option is to seek refuge.

 

The Roman wasn’t very sure about that but, after a moment, he nodded. Hephaistion was right, it was foolish to risk their lives without knowing who was behind them.

 

XXX

 

- I saaaaaaw…2 riders at the front –said Leonnatos, shielding his eyes with his hand.

 

- It’s Phai –said Alexander completely sure, he would recognize his beloved anywhere.

 

- Why is he running away? –asked Perdikkas frowning, seeing how the 2 rider increased their speed.

 

- I have no idea –the King pressed the sides of his horse and rushed behind them.

 

XXX

 

- They are getting closer –said Scipio, turning to see their pursuers—They are definitely after us. 

 

- Damn!…Do you know of a shortcut? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- Not around here…

 

- HEPHAISTION! –the Macedonian’s heart skip a beat. It was Alexander’s voice.

 

He stopped abruptly and Scipio turned to see him as if Hephaistion had gone crazy.

 

- What do you think you are doing? –the Macedonian ignored him and turned, finding his King riding directly to him. For Hephaistion that was one of the happiest moments of his life. Now he knew how fairy tale Princesses felt when the Prince charming came to the rescue. 

 

When Alexander finally stopped in front of him, Hephaistion didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t stop smiling, he wanted to jump, embrace him, kiss him and scream, all at the same time but at the end he just dismounted at the same time the rest of his friends arrived.

 

Before Hephaistion could approach the King, Nikandros ran and tightly embrace his brother.

 

- Ni..ck…I can’t… breath…—said Hephaistion with difficulty, and his older brother laughed.

 

- You are a pain in the ass, Phai –said Nikandros, releasing him at last. 

 

- There I have to agree –said Perdikkas gravely.

 

- What are you doing here? –that was the obliged question for Hephaistion.

 

- What else? We came to rescue you –explained Leonnatos—We saw you in Carthage but before we could do something we heard you had been taken to Italy.   

 

Hephaistion felt terrible ashamed hearing those words. That meant they had saw him at the slave auction, he wished the earth to swallow him. Alexander had said nothing, he also was extremely happy, but he was just looking at him, as if he couldn’t believe this was actually happening. 

 

- You know them –said Scipio in Greek, making the group to turn and paid him attention for the first time.

 

- Of course I know them –Hephaistion was so happy that he appeared to glow and that almost made the Roman blush—They are my friends, my brother and…my King –he smiled to Alexander.

 

XXX

 

(1) Steven Saylor. Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome, p 351