CHAPTER 94

 

“I have no need of your money, nor is there any call upon me to accept a part of the continent in place of the whole. All Asia, including its treasure, is already my property, and if I wish to marry your daughter I will do so, whether you like it or not. If, moreover, you want kindliness and consideration at my hands, you must come and ask for it in person” (1)

 

Darius saw the letter in his hand for a long moment. He was alone in his room, and he was truly grateful for this, because he couldn’t stop shaking. He had been a fool and only now he truly understood this and the magnitude of the problem in which he was now. The Great King had hopped to tempt the young King with promises of wealth, but in that warm afternoon, he truly realized that the Macedonian King was not a common man.

 

He was a sleeping lion and my actions have awakened him –he thought—There is only one path now: to fight again. I’ll have to call all my satraps to join me here in Babylon –he cursed.

 

The cupbearer entered the room, bowed and then approached Darius, he was followed by two servants carrying a silver tray with one cup in the shape of an egg, for the only used of the King of Kings, and a jar of water, the Great King’s especial water that had to be clear and tasty; the secret was to boil it in order to sterilize the water before serving it to the Great King, and this not only for medical purposes, it was also for his own security. “The Great King's water was also poured into receptacles reserved for his own use in order to protect his life. It was the same for his wine” (2).

 

Darius ignored the servants, too busy planning and thinking to pay attention to them. It was not until he heard the voice of his cupbearer that he turned absently, hadn’t paid any attention to man’s words.

 

- What happened?

 

The cupbearer cleared his throat.

 

- The satrap Bessus is asking for an audience, your majesty –the man repeated. 

 

Darius didn’t answer immediately. He didn’t trust Bessus anymore, but he was the satrap of Bactria and he knew he couldn’t defeat the Macedonians without his help. He was sure the satrap was planning something, after all they were distant relatives and Bessus had the right to fight for the throne.

 

Just what I need, another greedy bastard behind my throne –thought the Great King.

 

- Tell Bessus I’m indisposed –the cupbearer bowed and left the room, leaving the cup with water at Darius’ side.

 

As fear washed away from him, he started to think more clearly. Darius closed his eyes and took a deep breath, why was he afraid? He was still the Great King, and, as he had said to Alexander, the Persian Empire was vast and he was the one with the advantage of great resources, he had all the gold that the Macedonian wished to have and with that gold he would buy the most impressive army of all times.

 

His eyes caught sight of a magnificent painting on the wall and a smile curved his lips as an idea took form in his mind. He would build scythed chariots, what did Memnon like to say? That the Macedonian infantry was far superior than the Persian? Well, he would fight them with 2 hundred scythed chariots.

 

And lets see if they can fight without limbs –he thought, feeling much better.

 

XXX

 

Soon it would be dark in the Macedonian camp, at the distance it could be heard the sound of trumpets calling for the change of guard at the gates, and as Kleitos walked through the narrow streets form by hundreds and hundreds of tents arrange according to their units, he could hear the grumbling voices of the men who were on duty that night, cursing their officers and complaining all the way to their posts.

 

That made the hipparch of the Ile Basileke smile. Soldiers liked to complain, but that was part of the job, and he truly didn’t care as long as they did their duty, and if there was something that the Macedonian soldiers knew, it was to fight like lions and to obey orders thanks to their strict discipline.

 

Kleitos found a shield and a spear blocking his path, the equipment left halfway without care.

 

- By Ares’ ball! What son of a bad mother is the owner of this shit? –asked the hipparch with a booming voice. All the pezetaioi stopped on their tracks to look at him, until a young man approached.

 

- It’s mine, sir.

 

- And what the hell is doing blocking my path? Get your ass here, pick this up and clean it –said Kleitos and the man ran to obey—And who is the superior officer here? 

 

- That would be me, sir –answered a man of the hipparch age, who had came closer as soon as he heard Kleitos shouting.

 

- See that this boy has a punishment for leaving his equipment like that –said the hipparch, watching the young pezetairoi picking up his things—Let’s see if a night cleaning the latrine can teach him to behave like a soldier.

 

- I’ll see to it, sir –answered the officer. 

 

Kleitos nodded and continue his way. It was so funny how after a while soldiers just followed orders before even thinking in what they had been told.

 

But that is how things has to be –he told himself, scratching his head—An army without discipline is useless and that is what the Persians can’t understand, they insist in having great numbers, amassing hundreds of men who ran at the first bad turn of the battle.

 

Finally he arrived at Leonnatos’ tent. He had seen him with Perdikkas on the other side of the camp and he had hurried to come here, even if a tinny part of him was screaming that his was a very bad idea and that by coming here, again, he was just asking for trouble. It was so curious how a man so good disciplining others couldn’t restrain himself from coming here. He shook his head and was going to enter when Berenike came out.

 

She almost collided with him and froze in the same moment her eyes found him. This was the third time Kleitos came to her, and Berenike no longer knew how to explain to him that she didn’t want to see him again, hadn’t she been clear enough the last time on the beach? What did she have to do? Climb one of the hills surrounding the camp and shout from there that she was done with him? Berenike took a deep breath, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but before she could say a word, Kleitos took her hand. 

 

- This is for you –he said and that took Berenike by surprise, leaving her speechless for a second.

 

Kleitos took a moment to admire her and then he left. Berenike stayed where she was, watching him go and not knowing what to think. She turned both sides, nervously, to make sure that nobody had seen them and went back inside the tent. Netikerty wasn’t there and she thanked the Gods for that little mercy, in those moments she didn’t want to give any explanations.

 

Berenike took a deep breath trying to calm down the furious beating of her heart and opened her hand; she found a beautiful necklace with small and rare pink jewels. She sighed and shook her head, what was she going to do with Kleitos? 

 

XXX

 

In a moment of utterly stupidity Hephaistion had said “yes” when his overexcited brother came to his tent to talk to him, now the General truly wished his brother would go. He was tired after a very long long afternoon with Glycon and his clerk preparing his reports and lists, he had forgotten that he had to update the record of every man in the Agema, which meant writing down the decorations that each man had won, and also the punishments and transgressions that they had committed. And Hephaistion had under his command the not inconsiderable number of 762 men, without the recent casualties and the wounded.

 

The wounded! –Hephaistion exclaimed mentally, remembering that he had forgotten to include the equipment of the wounded in his report—I’m going to die before I can finish this.  

 

He was in no mood to hear Nikandros talking about his Persian twins and the extremely detail explanation of what he had done with them all week, and what did Vasthi like and what did Ayesha like and who was the pervert one and who the sweet one… The General felt he was having a headache. It was already dark, and Hephaistion was lying face down on his bed, his brother sitting at his side still talking. How much could someone talk about 2 Persian twins?

 

- Nick, can we leave this for tomorrow? –said Hephaistion at last.

 

- Why are you so grumpy? Doesn’t Alexander satisfy you in bed anymore? –the General tried to punch him, but Nikandros dodged the blow laughing.

 

- Why don’t you go to talk with Kleopatros and your friends? –Hephaistion rolled to rest on his side—I’m sure they will appreciate your conversation more than I do.

 

- Kleopatros is busy, Philotas put him to do the report about the wounded members of the hetairoi cavalry –explained Nikandros and up went the General’s eyebrow when he heard that.

 

- But that is Philotas’ obligation –said Hephaistion remembering all the hours he had spent sitting at his desk. At that rate he would end the week without any buttocks left.

 

Nikandros shrugged.

 

- Maybe, but he is our superior officer and, what choice did Kleopatros have? To say no to Philotas? –the General sighed. His brother had a point but it truly indignant him to hear that Philotas was abusing of his power over his men.

 

Then an idea struck Hephaistion.

 

- Wait a second, you are hiding here –he said, sitting at his brother’s side—You didn’t came here to talk to me, you came here because you are hiding from Kleopatros because you don’t want to help him to do the report.

 

- Seriously Phai, you make everything sound worst than it really is –said Nikandros.

 

Hephaistion stood up with all the intentions of dragging his brother out of his tent so he could sleep, but two steps later he closed his eyes in pain.

 

- Ouch!

 

- What? –asked Nikandros with curiosity.

 

XXX

 

Alexander entered Hephaistion’s tent and Kyros ran to take his cloak, the Theban was trying to stay calm around the King, he had said to himself many many times that there was nothing to fear that everything and that was in the mind. He was the master of his own destiny.

 

- Where is Aki? –the question made Kyros jump, so much for self-control.

 

- In his room, he is sleeping, sire –the Theban lifted his face but one look at Alexander’s uneven eyes made him shivered. He was screw, he would better get use to it.

 

Kyros turned and left the room, while the King watching without understanding what was wrong with him; he had always find Kyros a little…odd.

 

At least this time Phai didn’t pick up another refugee –thought Alexander smiling.

 

He thought in going to see Achilles, but then decided to go directly to his beloved’s room; he had waited all day to talk to him, and was determined to do it now. But then, he heard Nikandros voice.

 

- Stay still.

 

- You are hurting me, idiot –Hephaistion complained.

 

- You are such a crybaby; I bet that, if Alexander were in my place, you wouldn’t complain.

 

- That’s because he is better than you –Nikandros laughed.  

 

- Oh, I doubt that, I have been doing this to you before you two met; besides I have much more experience…

 

The King heard his beloved moaned softly, and that made his nervous system dance. 

 

- Mm… that feels better –Hephaistion sighed. 

 

Alexander thought a million of different things that could be happening inside his beloved’s room, but even if the rational part of his brain told him to stay calm and take a deep breath, because what he was imagining was impossible, the same image kept popping up inside his brain.

 

He decided to end his torture and walked inside the room, trying his best to look as if he hadn’t heard a single word. He found Hephaistion sitting on the bed with his foot on Nikandros’ thigh; both were looking at something in Nikandros’ hand, but when they heard steps they lifted their head at the same time. 

 

- Joy to you, Alexander! –said Hephaistion’s brother.

 

The King took a moment to watch the scene, both brothers looked slightly surprised to find him there but also extremely calm. Definitely he was a man with serious problems for being imagining his beloved with his brother doing…he shook his head. 

 

- What are you doing? –he asked at last.

 

- I had a splinter in my foot –the General explained and, even if the King didn’t want to admit it, he felt disappointed—You still want to talk? 

 

- What do you think? –Alexander was grateful that the rational part of his brain was still working and, he walked closer to the bed.

 

Hephaistion started to kick his brother, pushing his back with his foot.

 

- Out Nick! –Nikandros looked at him taken by surprise but also amused.

 

- After I took care of you splinter problem, this is how you pay me? –said Nikandros dramatically and his brother kicked him again.

 

- Nick, you used me and wasted my time just because you are hiding from Kleopatros –the General reminded him.

 

- I insist, you make everything sound worst than it is –Hephaistion kicked him with force—All right, I’m going –Nikandros stood up with infinite laziness and walk to the door—Health to you!

 

The King waited a moment to make sure that Nikandros was gone and took a seat at Hephaistion’s side. He had thought all day what he was going to say and felt he was ready. His beloved waited for him to talk first and even if he tried really hard to appear calm, inside he was terribly nervous. 

 

- I need to send you on a mission –said Alexander at last. That was the last thing Hephaistion had expected to hear.

 

- A mission? Where? 

 

- You are going to hate me for the rest of your life –the King smiled— But I need someone to take care of the supplies and go with the fleet, with my siege equipment, while I lead the army by land –he explained.

 

Hephaistion nodded slowly as he absorbed the sudden news. This was truly unexpected, he was sure that, as soon as everything was ready to march, he would go with his King by land. He didn’t like the idea of traveling by sea again, but if it was important for Alexander he would do it.

 

- When do I leave?

 

- Tomorrow, please Phai it’s very important that you keep the army supplied with water –said the King—The grain is no problem, it’s harvest season; I heard from my guides that the surrounding area of Gaza is generally sandy and marshy, but not far from here are plenty of productive farmlands. My problem is the water supply because at this time of the year the few streams along our route are almost dry; this zone depends greatly on the rains but in these months there is no rain –he made a pause—I sent my scouts days ago to check the route and they informed me that all the towns near Gaza have their cisterns are at the minimum level and they can’t afford to give us of their water (3)

 

Hephaistion could clearly see the problem ahead of them. If only there were a river, an abundant river that would also end with the second problem of the army: the distribution of the water among all the soldiers, officers, secretaries, camp followers, noncombatants, animals, etc.  With a river near them many individuals at the same time could draw water and problem solve. But, according to Alexander they didn’t have that option.

 

- Phai –the King took his hand—I need you to command the fleet and go to Syria to collect water from the rivers and transport it to the coast to keep the army’s supplies

 

- I’ll do it –the General nodded— Don’t worry about it, but, I only want to know one thing.

 

- Just ask –answered the King immediately, ready for all his questions. 

 

- Isn’t Eumenes the one in charge of supplies here? –alright, maybe he wasn’t ready for ALL his questions. Alexander took a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully.

 

- Phai, Eumenes does a terrible job –Hephaistion had to bit his tongue not to say: “I told you”—And I need someone I can trust, and you are so organize and meticulous in everything that I couldn’t thought of a better person for this job.

 

- All right.

 

The King fell silent for a moment, watching him. He didn’t want to ask what had happened that morning, after thinking all day about that he had decided that it was a terrible idea to press the subject. He wanted Hephaistion to tell him, but when he saw that this was not going to happen he sighed. He wanted to know why his beloved had reacted in the way he did but he didn’t want to overemphasize, besides his beloved used to close himself when people insisted so much about something.

 

Again, he would have to wait.

 

XXX

 

As soon as Melkar heard of Alexander’s return from Carthage with Hephaistion, thanks to his spy inside the Macedonian camp, he left Babylon in the cover of night, without saying a word to anyone, and headed to Gaza looking for the first ship that could take him to his hometown. He knew it was a bad idea to let Hephaistion live, even a worst one not to kill the Macedonian King and his heir when they had the change and now, thanks to Darius foolishness, Melkar had to run away like a common thief.

 

The Carthaginian wasn’t stupid, he had known Alexander would take Tyre since he heard about the desertions of the Phoenician ships in order to join the Macedonian fleet. One thing was to try to reach Tyre with a mole, another completely different to construct a mole and have the aid of a numerous fleet.

 

This time the naval battle had sealed Tyre’s destiny, and Melkar knew it was a matter of time before the Macedonian King marched to Egypt.

 

The Carthaginian wasn’t surprise when he heard the official news of Tyre’s fall. His daughter was the only one who worried him but he didn’t show any emotion when a messenger came with news about her. She was going to be sold into slavery; that was all that said his spy’s note. Some of his men thought he had no heart and that he didn’t care about Didobal, the truth was that Melkar couldn’t do something to help her in his present situation so he decided not to think about it…first he had to leave Asia, once in Carthage it would be easier to look for her; after all if Alexander could find Hephaistion, why wouldn’t he be able to find his daughter?

 

But so far things hadn’t gone the way Melkar wanted. Batis, the King who Darius had entrusted with the defense of the garrison in Gaza, had closed the gates of the city as soon as word of Alexander’s victory in Tyre reached him. No more ships were coming or leaving the city and the Carthaginian was now trapped inside Gaza, the only thing he could do now was pray to all his Gods to protect the city. Maybe if the siege of Gaza proven to be something extremely difficult and tiresome, the Macedonian King would reconsider and leave the city alone; after all he had been through a long and exhausting siege at Tyre and it would be wiser to continue the way to Egypt.

 

But somehow I know that this is not going to happen –thought Melkar, inside the study in his house.

 

It was late, but sleep kept eluding him. Alexander had arrived 2 days ago and asked for the surrender of the city. Of course Batis refused and the Macedonian King had given him another opportunity asking for Melkar, as soon as he heard the Carthaginian was inside the city, but Batis refused again, enraging the young King.

 

Now he could hear the siege weapons working without rest even if it was such a dark night. His destiny was in the Gods’ hands.

 

XXX

 

(1) Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander, 144

(2) Pierre Briant. From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire, p 263 and 264

(3) Donald W. Engels. Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army, p 57 and 58

 

A/N: OK, I have to explain something here. I’m sure that everybody has heard that Batis (the one in charge of Gaza) was a eunuch, well, while reading Pierre Briant’s book about the Persian Empire, I found this on pages 275 and 276:

 

“The case of Batis is also interesting: Darius III entrusted him with the defense of the garrison of Gaza (phrourarch in Josephus, Ant. XI.320). An ancient tradition, recorded by Arrian (II.25.4) refers to him as a eunuch. But on coins he is called "king of Gaza." It is likely in this case that the word eunuch is a corruption of a title. Placing the sources in juxtaposition brings out the fact that the ancient authors some times used the term eunuch for persons who clearly were not”

 

I decided to name him King and not treat him as a eunuch in order to make things more original and interesting here. I have read other versions of the siege of Gaza and I don’t want to bore you, so I hope you can forgive me for this.

 

Also, I don’t know if Alexander’s army was so bureaucratized, but the Roman one was like this. They had records about EVERYTHING, including a saving fund for the burial of the soldiers because almost all of Roman soldiers, after Gaius Marius’ reforms, came from the Head Count, the poorest Roman citizens who had no money to buy their equipment or to pay for anything. But, if you remember, Alexander’s soldiers were also the poorest of the Macedonians until Philip came with his great idea of creating a professional army.

 

I found a lot of similar things between Alexander’s army and the Roman army, like the fact that Alexander made his men march while carrying their own equipment like the famous Marius’ mules, so that was why I decided to write this. As I said many many times before I know more about the Roman army so I fill the gaps in my story with Roman information. Also, I hope you can forgive me for taking these liberties.