CHAPTER 88

 

There is a time, in every man’s life, when he had to face an awkward moment, and for Hephaistion the most awkward moment of his mortal life was the day when he had reunited in the same place: Alexander, Scipio and Paltibaal. He truly wished for a thunderbolt to stick him down and leave him unconscious so he wouldn’t have to face this moment awake. But as things were, the Gods appeared to hate Hephaistion, just as much as the Macedonian hated them, and decided to leave him alone.

 

Great! The only one missing here is Philotas –thought Hephaistion, trying his best to remain calm.

 

After the initial shock, the group had moved at the side of the road to…to what exactly? Alexander didn’t have to wait for his beloved to make the introductions to know that, the man at his side, was the famous Scipio who had bought him at Carthage. Even if the King knew nothing about the Roman’s romantic interest in Hephaistion he didn’t like him, why? Because thanks to him he had been unable to buy his beloved’s freedom at Carthage and, he had had to come here.

 

And what about Scipio? If Hephaistion had hopped to find him like a fan-boy in the presence of the Great Alexander, he hopped in vain. The Roman admired the Macedonian King, that was true, but he was also a very proud man… and smart. One look at the way in which Hephaistion saw Alexander told him everything he needed to know, even the dumbest person in the planet would have guessed they were in love. Besides, what kind of King comes in person all the way from Persia to Italy following a General? Scipio was very serious. Was he jealous? Hephaistion wanted to hit his head against the trees, he truly didn’t know what was he thinking and had no idea of what was going to happened now.

 

He was coming back with his King, that was obvious, even if the Roman refused to give him his freedom the Macedonians were more and they could easily force him. A solution Hephaistion didn’t fancy, because he liked the Roman.   

 

For a very uncomfortable moment no one spoke. Nikandros, Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Dismas and his men, didn’t know what was going on but they decided to say nothing, the tension was palpable even for them. Paltibaal ignored the heavy atmosphere, he was very grateful with all his gods for the opportunity to admire Hephaistion’s beauty unnoticed, he was part of the scenery now, with dreamy eyes and little stars and hearts floating around him. The guide, who had taken them here, was sleeping somewhere near the horses, not used to ride at the Macedonians speed; he was exhausted, and in seconds, the entire scene was reduced to Alexander and Scipio staring at each other with a very uncomfortable Hephaistion in the middle.

 

- You are King Alexander –said Scipio at last, with such calm that it would appear that he was used to meet famous Kings everyday.

 

- And you are the Roman who took one of my finest Generals –said the King, his tone a little aggressive.

 

That was rude –thought Hephaistion, knowing that things were going to be worst.

 

- Strictly speaking, I didn’t “took” him nor I kidnapped him, I paid for him at the salve market –Scipio clarified, and even if he wasn’t rude, each word worsened Alexander’s mood— I know the Persians sold Hephaistion into slavery and I can understand your anger, but don’t be mistaken, I did nothing wrong. I saw an interesting man at the slave market and I bought him, that’s all.  

 

Perdikkas saw Scipio with eyes wide open, nobody spoke like that to Alexander, even less one man surrounded and outnumber.

 

The King held his gaze and the Roman tried to do the same, but few seconds later he had to look away.

 

- You are a brave man –Alexander recognized, calming down—And what you say is true. But you must know that Hephaistion is coming with us, even if you legally…paid for him –how he hated that word. 

 

Scipio fell silent.

 

Not again –thought Hephaistion.

 

- Hephaistion can do as he please –said the Roman after a long moment that was starting to vex Perdikkas—He saved my life; I was planning to give him his freedom once we get to Rome.

 

Hephaistion didn’t know if he was telling the truth or he was just saying that in order to look like the “I don’t take orders from anyone” cool type. And judging by Alexander’s expression, he was thinking he same thing. 

 

- Then, we have nothing to do here –said the King, recovering quickly. He had no intentions of staying there to intimate with the man who had bought Hephaistion as a slave. Scipio was right, he had nothing to do with Darius’ and Melkar’s plan, but even knowing that, Alexander couldn’t forgive him for having his beloved, the most important person in his life as a slave. And only the Gods knew how the Roman had treated his other half—Let’s go.

 

The group moved back to where their horses were waiting, but Alexander stopped and turned when he saw his beloved still in the same place.

 

- I guess this is goodbye –said Hephaistion and Scipio nodded.

 

- It was nice to meet you –the Roman smiled. For once, Hephaistion thought he could tell what was the Roman thinking, he was sad but making a great effort to hide it. 

 

- Are you sure you are fine with this? –it may be a stupid question but the Macedonian had to ask—What are you going to say to your father?

 

- The truth –said Scipio confusing him—You did save me, and you deserved to have your life back. My father is not going to be happy, but he will understand –he made a pause—You are a fine man, Hephaistion; it would be a waste to have you as a slave in a Roman house. 

 

Silence again.

 

- I’m going…

 

- Hephaistion –the Roman called him—I would like to write to you.

 

The Macedonian smiled.

 

- I would like that too.

 

XXX

 

- What was all that about? –asked Alexander, while Hephaistion mounted a brown horse at his side.

 

His beloved smiled truly amused.

 

- I knew you were going to ask that –he said as an answer. The King opened his mouth to insist, but he thought things better and remained silent. He didn’t want to spoil the happy moment.

 

They rode all the way back to Croton. Nikandros, Perdikkas and Leonnatos asked Hephaistion all kind of questions about his captivity, listening fascinated his story; even Dismas and his men listened with all their attention, and sometimes gathered courage to ask their General a question or two.

 

I should write my story –thought Hephaistion amused and very happy, it was great to talk in his own language again. 

 

The only one who was in silence all the way back was Alexander; he was not mad, on the contrary, he was extremely happy, but all the things he wanted to say or do with Hephaistion required a more…private place. He couldn’t start to explain all the emotions that assailed him in that moment, and he had so much to say that all the words appeared to be stuck in his throat, trying to find a way out. So, the almighty King decided to fell silent and wait. 

 

- So, your great plan was to escape and go to mom and dad? –asked Nikandros, on their way back.  

 

They were no longer riding as if they were still chasing the Great King, which allowed them to talk and, for the first time since they arrived, admire their surroundings.

 

- Can you think of a better plan? –Hephaistion challenged him—Macedonia it’s not so far from here, and dad could have helped me to get back to Tyre.

 

- He has a point –said Leonnatos—Your father would have take Hephaistion to the first ship sailing to Tyre. 

 

Mom and dad, who are they? –Hephaistion asked himself. He missed them and Cadie, and more than once he had wondered if he would see them again, would he see his home again? A part of him said “yes, sure, why not?” but deep inside him, he was sure he would never see his home again. 

 

- Nick, what happened with Vashti? The concubine with the twin sister? –asked Perdikkas, suddenly remembering the beautiful girl.

 

Nikandros sighed.

 

- Well, so far our beloved King –he said, looking directly to Alexander—Said that Krateros and I are even, so we are still trying to prove who is the best…but I’m sure that coming with my brave King to rescue Hephaistion made me earn some points, right? –he smiled adorably.

 

- Technically, Krateros also earned points by staying at Tyre taking care of things there, don’t you agree? –said Alexander in an excellent mood.

 

- We still don’t know how are things at Tyre –Nikandros struck back.

 

- We’ll see –answered the King as if he was talking with a small child.

 

Paltibaal was too shy to approach Hephaistion, in front of the Macedonians, as he did back in Sidon, and he, the same as Scipio, had noticed the King was in love with him. What Paltibaal didn’t knew before coming to Italy, was if Hephaistion felt the same as Alexander, but it took the Sidonian just one heart beat to know they were in love, their eyes spoke louder than words. But, he didn’t feel jealous, he knew very well he could never compete with a man like the Macedonian King. 

 

They sailed back to Tyre that day. Their captain didn’t like the idea of traveling by night but now that Hephaistion was again with them, Alexander didn’t want to lose time. He had a very important siege waiting for him.

 

The King was very impatient during the dinner, tapping the table with his finger, or sighing constantly; they ate with all their friends, but the dinner was taking longer that he had expected, they were all very happy and celebrating the success of their rescue mission as Macedonians used to do: drinking a lot. Alexander kept looking at his beloved insistently across the table, and more than once Hephaistion turned to find his uneven eyes on him; he knew perfectly well what was he thinking, as if he could hear his thoughts as clear as spoken words. The General just smiled at him, his own way of saying “wait just a little longer” and he kept talking with his friends and brother.

 

Nikandros was especially reluctant to let him go, maybe it was the fact that this was the second time his brother was kidnapped and he had been unable to protect him, or the fact that he had truly feared that he would never see him again, but the last one in leaving, the King and his General alone, was him.

 

More than once Alexander thought in the possibility of saying to Nikandros that, if he leave in that moment, he would give him the Persian twins, but at the end he decided to go back to his room and leave Hephaistion to talk to his brother, after all they were family and their family was very closed.

 

Not like mine –thought the King.

 

For a moment Alexander hoped to find one of his pages in his room; he smiled when he realized how used he was of being a King. How long had it been? 4 years! 4 years since the murder of his father and for him it looked like an eternity, as if he had been a King for much longer than that.

 

Maybe, I feel like this because I have lived more things in 4 years that many of my ancestors in all their life –he said to himself, looking for the vessel with water to wash his face—Sometimes I wonder for how long would my reign last? But I guess, at the end, it doesn’t matter the number of years but the thing you did in that time.

 

He was drying with a towel when someone knocked his door. 

 

- Come in –said the King, leaving the towel at his side.

 

Before he could turn and see who entered his room, Alexander felt the very familiar sensation of Hephaistion’s body pressing his own, his strong arms embracing him with force. The King didn’t wait and surrounded his waist; he looked for his lips and kissed his beloved hungrily. He moaned softly feeling that wonderful sensation, those soft and loving lips, and the sweet taste of Hephaistion’s mouth.    

 

- I missed you –whispered the King, without breath, between kisses.

 

- Not more than I…missed you –Hephaistion smiled against his lips. 

 

They couldn’t stop kissing; it was as if they feared that, in the moment they stop, the other was going to disappear. They fell on the bed, still embraced; the General caressed the King’s blond hair while leaving a trail of kisses on his jaw, feeling how Alexander touched his back with unusual tenderness.

 

- Does it hurt? –asked the King; it was so much concern and love in that question that Hephaistion smiled, feeling like the luckiest person in the world for having a man like Alexander at his side.

 

- Not any more –said his beloved, caressing the King’s lips with his own; a thin strand of his own hair trapped between his lips. 

 

- I’m sorry –said Alexander suddenly, taking him by surprise—I should have never left you in that place. 

 

This had been eating the King since the night he and Achilles ran away from the fortress; he had had terrible nightmares, seeing his beloved death, alone in a pool of blood with horrible wounds or viciously tortured, screaming like the spirits of the Hades; images that haunted him like tormented souls during day and night.

 

- I asked you to leave me, it was not your fault –Hephaistion’s words made him feel much better—The important thing is –he caressed the King’s cheek—That we are together again, believe me this was the only way.

 

Alexander nodded.

 

- I know –his beloved smiled. 

 

- How is Aki?

 

- Better than I thought –said the King proudly, resting on his side on the narrow bed —He has…changed. 

 

- Changed how? –Hephaistion was worried. Achilles had witness a terrible thing and he had felt the cold edge of a dagger against his throat, he feared the situation had been too much for a kid like him to handle.

 

- Relax, there is nothing wrong with him –Alexander kissed his eyelid, sliding his fingers up and down his arm, enjoying his creamy skin—He is more mature and less naïve. Kleitos even told me that Aki asked him to train him now; can you believe that?

 

The King was very happy with this news but Hephaistion wasn’t very sure that, the best thing for a 4 years old boy was to train with the hipparch. Yes, yes, yes he knew Alexander had trained with Leonidas, but the King had been older and his health was perfect, not like Achilles. At the end the General decided he had to see Achilles first before reaching a conclusion of how good or bad was this.

 

Kleitos’ training wasn’t as bad as I thought at that time. It was thanks to him that a sickly and shy boy became an intelligent and independent King that managed to control Alexander’s most veteran Generals, commanders and officers; Achilles even knew how to obtain the support and love of his uncle’s army, challenging everyone, even his grandmother Olympias. Achilles truly loved Kleitos and always remembered him with respect and admiration…what happened when Alexander killed him? Well, you will have to wait to know.

 

- Sometimes –whispered Hephaistion in a soft loving voice—I thought I would never see you again.

 

- You doubted that I was going to rescue you? –asked the King, pretending to be offended.  

 

- I didn’t even know if you were alive –said the General, resting of his side too, his leg between Alexander’s—I didn’t know if you and Aki had managed to escape or if Melkar and his men had captured you.

 

The King kissed him softly, taking his time to taste his lips, telling himself again and again that this was truly happening and Hephaistion was again at his side.

 

- It wasn’t easy but the Gods helped us to run away under the cover of darkness –he said.

 

- You shouldn’t leave Tyre –said Hephaistion, but his eyes and big smile said otherwise—Your place is at the front of your army; what kind of commander leaves at the middle of a siege?

 

- My place is at your side, never doubt that –said Alexander in that tone of voice that gave no room for discussions—And regarding your question, you should know by now that I’m not like any other commander.

 

- Oh, I know that, believe me –his beloved leaned his forehead against the King’s—I’m very happy to have you here –he ran his finger gently over Alexander’s lips— What are you planning to do now? 

 

- Mm…locked you inside a cage surrounded by guards –said the King and his beloved pinched his nose.

 

- About the siege.

 

- Oh, that…well, I don’t expect that Kleitos and Krateros have succeeded in taking Tyre –said Alexander, so sure of this that it would appeared as if he had been watching the progress of the mole on the night news—The sole construction of the mole, according to Artorius, will take at least 5 months, but I expect to see the construction well advance.  

 

Hephaistion nodded, closed his eyes and leaned his head on his King’s shoulder, hiding his face in his neck. The General felt Alexander’s body shudder at his touch, feeling his eyelashes and his breathe against his skin. Hephaistion was so tired that, in the same moment he felt Alexander’s warmth he fell asleep.

 

XXX

 

In Tyre, the men returned to work at the mole as if nothing had happened. Ptolemy’s plan worked, and for a while the Tyrians attacks ceased which gave Kleitos time to focus his attention in other matters.

 

That day, the hipparch went to Leonnatos’ tent to…to what exactly? He had no idea of what he was going to do when he arrived, he didn’t even know how was Berenike going to react towards him. Last time things hadn’t gone as he had planned, he didn’t wanted to yell at her, but all her words about Achilles and why he was being too hard on him had truly made him mad.

 

Kleitos didn’t even reach Leonnatos’ tent, halfway he saw Berenike at the distance, sitting near the beach sewing a new chiton for her son, Amyntas. Thais was with her, and every now and then they laughed happily. He walked to them and started to think what he could possibly say to justify his presence there, he was going to open his mouth when Thais saw him and asked first.

 

- Kleitos, did something happen?     

 

The hipparch was taken by surprise by the sudden question.

 

- Wha…no, I am looking for…Achilles –he congratulated himself for the quick answer.

 

Berenike frowned, her eyes still on her sewing.

 

- You are looking for him here? –she asked surprised—I thought you were the one who said that he shouldn’t be…how do you said? Oh yes, “hiding behind his aunt’s dress” –she reminded him, cutting the spin with her teeth.

 

Kleitos frowned. This had started bad again. Sophonisba came running, she stopped at her mistress’ side and whispered in her ear a message from Ptolemy. The hetaira stood up.

 

- I have to leave; do you want to eat lunch with me? –she asked and Berenike nodded.

 

- I would love to.

 

- Good! –Thais turned while her slave picked up her things—Health to you Kleitos! 

 

The hipparch said nothing, waited until Thais was out of earshot and sat at Berenike’s side, taking her by surprise.

 

- I want to talk to you –he said and, for the first time since he arrived, Berenike turned to see him.

 

- About what? If it’s about Aki again…

 

- About us –she tried her best to not blush.

 

- There is no “us” Kleitos –Berenike corrected him, and turned again her attention to her sewing, she was very nervous.

 

- But we had a great time –now she blushed. She had tried really hard to forget that. 

 

- That was a mistake –her voice trembled—I was…vulnerable.

 

- So, now you are telling me you didn’t like it? –Kleitos insisted and she blushed even more.

 

Berenike put down the chiton and turned to look at him.

 

- Kleitos, I don’t know what do you want, but if you have the strange idea that I want to sleep with you again…you are wrong –her voice trembled but she was sure of what she was saying.

 

- Why not? –she saw him with eyes wide open as if she couldn’t believe what he had just said—I mean, I like you and you enjoyed being with me, Leonnatos is not here…

 

- Wait, wait, wait…Are you out of your mind? –exclaimed Berenike after her initial shock—You have no idea how many nights I didn’t sleep thinking that I had betrayed Leon, I am not doing this again, no matter how much did I enjoy it.

 

- So, you finally accept you had a good time with me.

 

- Honestly, that was the only thing you understood? –she took her things and stood up—If you are horny, I suggest you to look in other place –and with that she left, leaving a very frustrated Kleitos behind.

 

That, definitely hadn’t go the way he had planned it.

 

XXX

 

During the trip back to Tyre, Alexander and Hephaistion almost never left the King’s room, but not always because of what Perdikkas was thinking, they talked a lot, had to much to say to each other.

 

- I never imagined that you have seasickness –said Alexander one night, rubbing Hephaistion’s back.

 

- I have never traveled so long by ship –said the General with his eyes closed—And for your information, I don’t like it.

 

The King kissed the back of his head.

 

- Try to sleep, the tea I gave you will help you to rest without dreams –he assured him. 

 

Without dreams? –thought Hephaistion, suddenly remembering his strange dreams about the future, because now he was sure that he dreamed about the future, even if he didn’t understand half the thing he saw there.

 

- Alex?

 

- Yes, my love?

 

- Do you ever have…weird dreams? –Hephaistion had never before told him about his dreams; in fact he never mentioned them to anyone because he feared someone would think he was crazy.  

 

- Weird how? –the King continued rubbing his back.

 

- Have you ever dreamed something that later comes true? –his beloved asked shyly.

 

- No, why? Do you? –asked Alexander with interest.

 

- A few times –Hephaistion admitted.

 

- Now that you mention it –the King stopped his attentions—You once knew about this hetaira my mother had sent me before I told you about her.

 

- Yes, I remember that too –said the General, his eyes on the ship’s wooden wall.

 

- And that happen often to you?

 

- More or less, last time was a day before Melkar kidnapped you and Achilles –Hephaistion confessed—I knew something bad was going to happen to you.

 

Alexander fell silent for a moment, thinking in what he had just heard.

 

- Phai, but you have a gift, that’s great –said the King excited—The Gods let you see the future.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- I don’t know if it’s a gift from “the Gods”, but so far it hasn’t been useful, every time I dream about something, like you falling sick at the Cydnus or your kidnapping, it’s too late to do something –he said, feeling again his King’s hands on his back, at some point Alexander touched a sensible spot that made him feel a hot tickling through his spine.

 

- You are a blasphemer –said the King laughing—One day your dreams are going to be very useful to you.

 

- I hope so. 

 

- Phai?

 

- Mm?

 

- What happened with the Roman? –that question made the General smiled. 

 

- I was wondering when were you going to ask that –said Hephaistion—Why do you assume that something happened?

 

- Because I doubt he paid a fortune just to look at you –said Alexander boldly.

 

His beloved almost laughed, he turned to see him, resting on his side. 

 

- Nothing happened, he…–Hephaistion hesitated, he thought it was a bad idea to tell Alexander about Scipio’s secret, even if the King wouldn’t care less about that, but the Roman had trusted him, so he skipped that part—Scipio kissed me –he could see clearly how Alexander was getting angry, it was as if he had a meter attached to his forehead; he knew the King was going to get mad at that but he didn’t want to keep secrets from him.

 

- He kissed you, how? –Alexander was so serious that this time Hephaistion laughed.

 

- It was just a kiss, no foreplay or anything –he explained.

 

- Why did he kiss you? What did you do? Where were you?

 

- He kissed me because he likes me and I stopped him, happy?   

 

- Why did you say you want to write to him? Do you like him? –asked Alexander as if Hephaistion was a suspect in a murder case and he the detective in charge.

 

His beloved sighed.

 

- You know what? If you are going to be like this every time I mention that someone likes me, I’m going to stop doing it –he warned the King.

 

Alexander fell silent for a moment.

 

- You didn’t answer my questions –he pointed out.

 

- I don’t like Scipio in the way you are thinking, I like talking to him and I would like to write him the same I do with Aristotle –said Hephaistion resting on his back—You never have a problem with me writing to Aristotle.

 

- That’s different.

 

- How? Enlighten me –asked the General.

 

- Aristotle is not a young and handsome man –said the King and his beloved laughed again—What’s so funny?

 

- You think Scipio is handsome? –Hephaistion teased him—I should be the one jealous here.

 

- Bit me, Phai! –exclaimed the King angry.

 

- Don’t get mad –his beloved straightened on his elbow, and kissed Alexander’s thigh over the fabric—Probably I would never see Scipio again –he leaned his head on his legs.  

 

- And that makes you sad?

 

- Alexander!

 

XXX

 

They arrived at Tyre a week later. First they had to disembark in Sidon and from there ride to the Macedonian’s camp. As soon as they set a foot inside the camp, an avalanche of men came upon the young King, everybody had something urgent to say and everybody thought his problem was more important than the rest.

 

Hephaistion left Alexander alone and went fist to see if he still had a son after Kleitos’ brutal training, and after that to see his family.

 

XXX

 

- Is there something more? –asked a very tired King. It was late at night by the time only Krateros and Alexander remained in the King’s study.

 

- Just one more thing, I don’t think its too important but you should know –said the commander, rubbing his eyes.

 

- Yes?

 

- Your sister sent a messenger to talk to you, a woman, I think her name is Reah –said Krateros yawning.

 

- Reah was her nurse; did she say what she wants? –asked Alexander, resting his cheek on his hand.

 

- No, she insists in talking to you.

 

- Very well, I’ll see her tomorrow –the King stood up and patted Krateros’ shoulder—Go to rest, we have things to do in the morning.

 

XXX