CHAPTER 91

 

Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die,

We look up towards the sky for answers to our lives.

We may get some solutions but most just pass us by,

Don't want your absolution cause I can't make it right.

I'll make a beast out of myself, gets rid of all the pain of being a man.

(Avenged Sevenfold, Bat Country)

 

Hephaistion remained at Alexander’s side. The King was the chain that bound him to reality, his sanity, being close to him gave him something to focus, he had to protect him and he concentrated in doing so. His problem wasn’t to kill, his problem was that killing was very easy for him, the pain, the blood, death…none of this scared him, and that made him unstoppable.

 

When you become such a good killer you no longer fight against your enemies, you also fight against yourself…and this still happen to me, but now is worst, much worst, not only because I’m as strong as a God, also because I no longer have Alexander at my side…

 

The General forced his attention on Alexander, this way his mind left behind the massacre, the screams, he destruction and the debris of what was once a proud and rich city. He could ignore the shadow of death that crawled behind him when he was near his King

 

Alexander let his men do as they pleased, this was just the beginning of his revenge against Melkar, first it would be his city, after that his daughter and, at the end, he would capture the Carthaginian and made him pay, he would make him beg for death with his last breath.  

 

- Sire! –one of his officers came running. He was panting but tried to regain his composure before speaking again—We found… —he took a deep breath— King Azemilcus and some notables of the city, including envoys of Carthage, in the Temple of Melkart. What are your orders, sire?

 

- I already gave my orders Damoetas –said Alexander, wiping the blood from his face—Every man or woman who seeks refuge inside a Temple should be spare.

 

- Yes sire, sorry sire.

 

- Send a group of your best men to guard that Temple; I’ll deal with King Azemilcus later –said the King. Damoetas saluted and left to carry on his orders.

 

The Sidonian soldiers were horrified with the bloody spectacle that received them inside Tyre; and even if their city and Tyre had been rivals for many years, they put aside the old quarrels and rescued as many Tyrians as they could. Thanks to them, 15 thousand of them were safe.  

 

Before dealing with the King of Tyre, Alexander went directly to Apollo’s Temple; he too had heard that the Tyrians had tied the statue of the God to prevent his escape from the city and felt obliged to go there first. Hephaistion followed him closely, paying attention to everything; he cut down 2 men who approached suddenly to his King, his blades whistling in the air before tasting the flesh of his enemies. The two inert figures fell at his feet, like heavy sacks of grain, their eyes open and under them a pool of blood; Hephaistion didn’t give them one last look and followed his King into the temple. Yes, for him it was easy to kill.

 

Alexander climbed the steps of the Temple that stood in the middle of the destruction and fire as if nothing could damage it; the King’s cloak floated behind him at every step, the fabric stained with blood, and the metallic sound of his armor resounded inside, echoing through the chamber where the statute awaited for him, trapped with golden cords.

 

Inside, the sounds of battle appeared to be something distant, the smells, the smoke, the rasp of swords against swords…it was as if he had stepped into another world, and, when his uneven eyes settled on Apollo, for a moment he thought the God was going to speak to him. Hephaistion stayed closed, contrary to Alexander he was alert, he knew how easy would be for a man or woman to hide inside the Temple and attack his King.

 

Over my dead body –the General closed his hand around the hilt of his sword.

 

Alexander drew his sword; the sound of the blade against the scabbard was amplified in that stillness, and cut the cords setting the God free.

 

- From now on, this image will be known as Apollo Philalexander –he said in a whisper, but Hephaistion heard him clearly. He said nothing.

 

It was a strange moment, even for the General who didn’t believe in Gods, but the stillness, the silence, the statute in front of them…it was as if a power beyond his comprehension were approving the King’s actions, as if, in any moment something supernatural would happen.  

 

It was already afternoon when order started to be restored. Alexander gave precise orders that every man in military age should be crucified, and soon the Macedonian soldiers were sent to found timber for 2 thousand crosses, the rest would be sold as slaves.

 

XXX

 

Berenike and Thais stood on a hill, watching the city at the distance, the fires, the destruction cause by the artillery, the fleet surrounding the island and the Tyrian fleet trapped in one corner unable to do something to help their hometown. Even at that distance they could hear the high pitching screams of sheer terror chilling their blood.

 

- Oh dear Zeus! This is horrible –said Thais, taking her hands to her face.

 

- It’s worst when you are inside –said Berenike, shivering with the memory of her experience in Halicarnasus—It’s as if men cease to be men for a moment to become wild bloodthirsty beasts. 

 

The hetaira saw another explosion at the distance and heard the sound of stones crumbling.

 

- I thought you were going to take part in the battle –said the Thais, but her friend shook her head. 

 

- I don’t like to fight inside a city –said Berenike in a low voice—Innocent people suffer greatly…I witness that in Halicarnasus and…I don’t want to see that again.

 

Thais felt a knot in her throat, and just nodded.

 

- When I was in Athens, I heard many bad things about the Macedonians –said the hetaira after a moment—The Athenians were scandalized for the way in which the King destroyed Thebes, they called him a barbarian, a butcher, an illiterate brute, a greedy bloodthirsty man –she brushed one rebel lock of hair aside—My clients…specially the politicians were the ones who complained the most.

 

- And…do you think is true? –asked Berenike, watching her with attention—That we are barbarians?

 

Thais smiled a sad smile.

 

- I think Eni that every man has a barbarian inside him –she said—If the Athenians never destroyed Thebes, and if they aren’t the ones slaughtering the Tyrians right now, it’s not because they are noble and merciful, or more civilized as they like to call themselves. It’s simply because they never had the opportunity to do these things.

 

Berenike fell silent for a moment. She had never before thought this but found it fascinating.

 

- The King does what he has to –said Berenike suddenly, watching the city again and Thais saw her taken by surprised by her words.

 

- Now you are talking like a philosopher –said the hetaira amused.

 

- I’m very sorry to disappoint you but these are not my words –said her friend.

 

- No? Whose words are they?

 

- Phai’s words.

 

- That doesn’t surprise me –Thais sighed—Your brother is truly something.

 

Berenike smiled.

 

- Do you like him? –she wanted to know.

 

- Who doesn’t? –Berenike laughed—I met him in Athens and I truly wished that he would fall for me and that he would take me to Asia. 

 

- Fat chance…but maybe if you were blond and short and look like Alexander’s twin sister –this time Thais laughed— He would have considered it. 

 

- I wonder…—the hetaira crossed her arms—What is going to happen with these 2 in the future?

 

- Only the Gods know…but in the meantime I’m having so much fun observing them –said Berenike.

 

- Me too –the hetaira admitted and both laughed.

 

XXX

 

- Where is Hephaistion? –asked the King as soon as Tyre was secured and he was back at his tent. He was so happy that he appeared to float; he felt as if he were in the middle of a wonderful dream; after thinking in giving up, after despairing seeing how all his attempts to take the city failed, he had finally conquered the proud Tyrians.   

 

He couldn’t be in a more splendid mood.

 

- Still inside the city with his men –answered Hektor, Philotas’ younger brother.

 

- It’s dark already –said Alexander, while Ceyx, one of his pages, helped him to take his armor off— Iolaos! –he called Antipater’s son and Lysanias best friend. The very tall and muscular boy, that appeared to have 20 years instead of 15 years old, approached him at once.

 

- Yes, sire. 

 

- Go to Tyre and look for General Hephaistion, I want to see him at once –said the King, running his fingers through his untidy hair.

 

- Yes, sire –the boy left immediately.

 

- I wonder on what Antipater fed that kid? –said Hektor, watching the door and making Ceyx laughed. 

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion stayed in Tyre until it was dark, paying attention that Alexander’s orders were obeyed and no man or woman who had sought refuge inside a Temple suffered any harm. The first stop he made was at Melkart’s Temple, to see that King Azemilcus and the other notables of the city were taken to the Macedonian’s camp unharmed. The King of Tyre was devastated; his son Magon had died near the Shrine of Agenor, where Tyre’s defenders had made their last stand, fighting to the death. Alexander’s veterans had cut all of them down, and one Tyrian, seeing his Prince down, had dragged him unconscious and bleeding profoundly to the Temple where he had died hours later at his father’s and wife’s side.

 

King Azemilcus had asked for permission to celebrate the funeral rites for his son, and Alexander agreed.

 

Hephaistion stood immobile watching the sad procession of captives, who were like condemn men heading to the scaffold, dragging their feet, with heads down and walking with a slouch; not one of them turned to see the surrounding, the piles of rubble and the dead bodies and the General couldn’t blame them for this. 

 

- Astrabacus, see that the captives reach the camp without troubles –said Hephaistion to one of him men—The Tyrian King must be given special accommodations, I’m sure that King Alexander is going to see him as soon as he can.

 

- Yes, sir; what about the women and children? The ones still locked inside their houses –asked Astrabacus.

 

Hephaistion took a moment to think.

 

- They are going to be sold as slaves –he said, remembering what had happened at Thebes—Take them apart, the wounded ones would have to wait until the soldiers are treated, the same goes for food and water, the men will eat first. Leave the dead bodies where you find them, I heard that Polyperchon’s men are the ones who have to clean.

 

- Yes, sir –Astrabacus saluted and left.

 

- Sir –said Iolaos, walking to him.

 

- Yes?

 

- Sir, the King sent me, he wants to see you at once –the General laughed confusing the page. He had a very good idea of why his King requested his presence immediately.

 

- Tell the King I’ll go as soon as I can –he said at last and Iolaos went back to the camp—Dismas!

 

- Yes, sir –his veteran second in command came running, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of the hand.

 

- I’m going to the King’s tent, stay here a little longer and then you can take the lads back to rest and celebrate –Dismas smiled.

 

- I will sir –his second in command turned—Get back to work ladies! This is what the King paid you for! –he shouted to his men, walking back to them. 

 

Even if Hephaistion said he was going to the King’s tent, he made a stop first at his own tent to take a bath. Kyros was helping him to take his armor off, when Achilles came running, asking all kind of questions about the attack. He had seen the battle from a hill with his friend Cyrus, both boys sharing their thoughts about what was happening at the city, their young minds, unable to imagine the horrors that took place, embellished the battle like poets, with heroes, fantastic duels and honorable soldiers crushing the evil enemies. 

 

- Daddy, why is dad selling the population into slavery? –asked Achilles and Kyros tensed for a moment, that conversation was bringing him back terrible memories.

 

- Why do you think? –Hephaistion took his cloak off, letting it fall on the ground.

 

The boy took a moment to think.

 

- To have more money for his campaign –he decided at last.

 

- Yes Aki, that’s the reason –said his father, 30 thousands souls were going to be sold to enrich Alexander’s war chest. He had done the same at Thebes, but this time he had other reasons for taking this decision: Melkar had sold Hephaistion so he would sell all the Tyrians. Hephaistion left his helmet on the table and brushed his hair with his fingers.

 

Achilles nodded.

 

- I think is a good idea.

 

- Do you? –asked Kyros, unable to keep his mouth shut anymore—Tell me something? –he put Hephaistion’s sword and belt aside to face the boy—What would you do if the Great King comes one day, kills your father and sells you into slavery? –Achilles was taken aback by the hard tone of the Theban’s voice—Do you know that the King destroyed my city? Macedonian soldiers killed my mom and dad and if it wasn’t for your father I wouldn’t be alive –the teenager was trembling and Achilles saw him with eyes wide open, he liked Kyros and he had no idea of his terrible past.

 

Hephaistion decided to say nothing. It was good for Achilles to see by himself that all action always has a consequence. An uncomfortable silence fell upon them; Achilles saw his feet not knowing what else to do and the Theban continued helping his master. All his conversations with Alexander filled Achilles’ head with ideas of greatness and glory, but he had to learn also to be a good King, not everything was victory and fame.

 

The General clenched his jaw; as soon as Kyros took off his breastplate he felt a sharp pain in his right side.

 

- Wow! You have a very nasty bruise here –said the Theban, raising his eyebrows.

 

Hephaistion turned to see, his military chiton was torn and he found his skin purple and swollen.

 

- How funny –he murmured.

 

- What? –Kyros and Achilles asked at the same time.

 

- I don’t remember how this happened –said the General—But it’s fine, I don’t think I have anything broken. 

 

- Do you want me to call one of the doctors? –asked the Theban.

 

- For this? –he smiled—No, they have a lot of work right now to deal with a bruise –said Hephaistion—if you want to be useful, prepare my bath instead.

 

- I have that ready since hours ago –Kyros protested and Hephaistion patted his shoulder. 

 

- Don’t be mad.

 

- I’m not mad –Hephaistion smiled and ruffled his hair playfully.

 

- Where is Yarsa? –asked the General, discarding his chiton. 

 

- Outside, I think he went to the Persians’ tent –said Kyros, blushing savagely when his master stood naked in front of him—He…he does that often –his green eyes ran through the General’s magnificent body—I think he feels better surrounded by other Persians…do you want me to go for him?

 

- What? No! –answered the General.

 

Much better for me if he is not here –thought Hephaistion, he was planning to use other of his advices, but just thinking about what he was going to do made him blush—Someone must have hit me on the head during the attack, because I find no other explanation for being seriously considering doing this.

 

The General bathed and dressed in a black linen chiton, he knew the King liked to see him in black. He brushed his hair and then, in the loneliness of his bedroom, he blushed one again remembering Xsayarsa’s advice. He puffed, went to the door to see that nobody was around and went back inside, determined to do that as quickly as possible.

 

XXX

 

- Daddy, where are you going? –asked Achilles, sitting near the tent’s entrance with a book on his lap, this time he was reading Xenophon.

 

Hephaistion had his cheeks slightly pink and he was feeling a little…uncomfortable, now he regretted listening to the eunuch’s advices.

 

- To Alexander’s tent.

 

- Can I go with you? –his big uneven eyes shone with excitement.

 

- No, you can’t. Alexander is probably having a banquet to celebrate our victory and that is no place for children –said Hephaistion and Achilles made a pout.

 

- I don’t want to be a child anymore –he said, crossing his arms.

 

- Where did that come from? –the General was going to sit at his side, but he thought things better, and just bent over, in front of him.

 

- I want to be older, so I can fight with you and dad –his son explained.

 

- All in due time, Aki –he caressed the boy’s cheek—For now, you have to enjoy this moment of your life because you will never be a kid again.

 

- Fine –Achilles didn’t sound convince but he said nothing more.

 

- I’ll see you tomorrow, and be a good boy with Kyros –his son moved his head up and down.

 

XXX

 

Alexander was reading the last report of that day, one of Nearchos regarding the casualties of the fleet and the number of prisoners and enemy vessels that had been captured or destroyed.

 

- Alexander –the King lifted his head and found Hektor standing in front of his desk—We found Melkar’s daughter –those words caught Alexander’s attention immediately.

 

- Where? Is she alive? –he left the report on his desk.

 

- She was inside Melkart’s temple with the Tyrian King, and yes, she is still alive –Hektor informed him—I gave orders to keep her apart from the rest of the prisoners and to watch her closely, she was carrying a bottle of poison when we found her. 

 

The King nodded.

 

- You did well, I’ll deal with her tomorrow –he closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed his temples.

 

- Headache? –asked Hektor.

 

- Yes, but nothing worth worrying –Philotas’ brother walked to him.

 

- When I was little, my mother used to do something to help me with my headaches…may I? –Alexander nodded and Hektor pressed his temples, stroking him slowly.  

 

That felt truly wonderful and the King leaned his back against the chair, he closed his eyes and let Hektor caressed his head with his skilful fingers. He was tired, happy, excited, and also aroused. The adrenaline, the sense of danger, the fight in the city…all those intense emotions had his body tense with desire; it was as if being surrounded by death and destruction made him want to feel alive again.

 

XXX

 

- Joy to you, lads! –said Hephaistion in an excellent mood to the young guards of the Agema, who were standing on each side of the entrance leading to the King's chambers.

 

Both guards stood to attention when they saw their General.

 

- Sir!

 

Hephaistion continued his way, but when he arrived at the King’s study he stooped. The door was ajar, and through the opening he could see Alexander sitting on his magnificent chair, his eyes closed, the head back and moaning softly while Hektor’s fingers were going all the way down to his neck, caressing him, sliding them through its length until he reached his shoulders to stroking them.

 

A half smile curled Hephaistion’s lips; he shook his head and crossed his arms. Of course he knew Alexander was horny since Iolaos told him the King requested his presence immediately, but he had never expected to find this. The General considered the possibility of knocking at the door, or simply stepping inside, but at the end he decided to stay where he was. He wanted to know how far would the King let Hektor go.

 

I never thought Hektor could be this bold –the General said to himself.

 

He hadn’t paid much attention to Parmelio’s youngest son, but now that he looked at him closely, he had to admit that Hektor was beautiful, more than Philotas and Nikanor, but in a feminine way. Philotas was like the stereotype of the Macedonian soldier, tough, short blond hair and blue eyes; Nikanor was very much the same but with long wavy hair and a kind nature that made him the perfect companion. Hektor was slender, with fine and delicate features and short blond hair.  

 

If Hektor were an actor, Hephaistion had no doubt that he would have all the women rolls.

 

And the General found, to his great surprise, that he was amused; not jealous, not angry, not indignant but amused with Hektor’s feeble attempts to attract the King’s attention.

 

Alexander was very aroused, the red spots on his cheeks spoke louder than his soft moans; and judging by Hektor’s face he was too. Philotas’ brother licked his lips almost compulsively, he was nervous and his hands trembled slightly every time he stroke the King’s shoulders, he hadn’t plan this, but now that he was here he was determined to make the most of the situation. Alexander was melting under his touch, but, when Hektor slid his hand to his chest the King stopped him, taking him by the wrists with force.

 

- That would be all, Hektor –said Alexander in that tone of voice that gave nothing away. Philotas’ brother didn’t know if he was angry, disappointed or embarrassed, he could think a hundred of different possibilities of what was on the King’s mind but he was sure that none would be correct. To try to guess what was Alexander thinking was as useless as to try to teach Krateros manners. 

 

Hektor opened his mouth to say something but, at the end, he closed it again and walked towards the door. 

 

Hephaistion moved away, to hide behind a huge vase and, from there, he saw Hektor leaving. He was going to the King study, when…

 

- Phai! –Nikandros voice made him turned.

 

His brother looked so happy that the General couldn’t think the last time he had seen him smiled like this. He was still wearing his armor, dirty, covered in red from head to toe as if someone had emptied a pot of blood over him, but what caught Hephaistion’s attention was that Nikandros was limping badly.

 

- You are wounded, what are you doing here? You should be in the infirmary –said the General hurrying to help him.

 

- This? This is nothing, I’ll go to the doctor after talking to Alexander again –said his brother.

 

- Why are you so happy? –asked Hephaistion, taking Nikandros by the waist.

 

- Ohh! You will never guess –his brother was eager to share the news—I was the first man in climbing Tyre’s walls –he said proudly—Alexander saw me killed at least 6 Tyrians to open a path for the rest of my squadron, and he told me that I won the Persian twins.

 

The General shook his head.

 

- Nick, your perversions are going to kill you one day –he said, unable to stop smiling.

 

- Yeah, whatever; I want to see Alexander to ask him to send the twins to my tent –said Nikandros—I want to find them there after the banquet.

 

- And your leg?

 

- What about it?

 

- When are you going to see the doctor? I doubt that you can have fun with the twins if the doctor has to amputate you one leg –Hephaistion scolded him and his brother puffed his cheeks out. 

 

- Fine, lets go to see your lover and you can help me to go to the doctor.

 

- Who said I am going to take you to the doctor? You are a big boy I’m sure you can find the way by yourself –the General was eager to spend sometime alone with Alexander, not only for what he had seen with Hektor, but also for what he had done back at his tent.

 

I should have never do as Yarsa said –he regretted.

 

- You are leaving your injured brother in order to jump on the King’s lap? –Hephaistion blushed, how was that Nikandros had read his mind so accurately? His brother laughed—Don’t look at me at that, you are pretty obvious, and if I were you, I’ll be doing the same thing.

 

Hephaistion dragged his brother, as if he were a sack of grain, to the King’s study.

 

- All right, lets do this quick.

 

It didn’t make Alexander happy to see Hephaistion leaving with his brother after waiting for him for hours, but he couldn’t complain; Nikandros’ leg looked pretty bad and he had no heart to tell his beloved to leave his brother alone. He would have to wait…again.

 

XXX