As soon as Hephaistion had arrived back at the barracks, he was informed that the king wanted to see him immediately. He brushed the dust from his clothing, as he walked, then inspected his chiton, pulling it straight before deciding it would just have to do.

He made his way through the market, past the houses of scientists and architects, up to the royal stables and headed right, up the sweeping stone steps that led to the wide courtyard and on to the palace.

As he walked in to the large entrance hall, his footsteps echoing around him, he was told where he could find Philip, and it was only then that he began to wonder why he had been summoned.

His mind ran through several things but he discounted each of them. Everything was fine. The more that Olympias tried to part him from Alexander, the more eager Philip seemed to see them together. From what Alexander had told him, his mother was once again pushing for him to marry, so Philip was pushing his son to spend more time with him.

He smiled to himself. He was happy with his life. He had settled into the army routine, since returning from Mieza, he liked being in the cavalry. All was well.

He gave a final tug on his chiton and straightened his chlamys as he approached the guarded door to the room where Philip was waiting for him. He was expected. The guards opened the door for him, and he could see Philip looking over maps on his desk. He was alone, and though he must have known he had arrived he did not acknowledge it.

With wolves, the pack leader showed its dominance by ignoring the actions of the rest. He looked down at the floor, biting his lip to stop himself smiling, then looked up to see Philip looking at him.

"Do you have any idea why someone would ask for you to go as a hostage to Thebes?"

Hephaistion fought the desire to turn around and see if somebody else had walked in to the room behind him. "For me?" he asked, dumbfounded.

Philip picked up a letter from his desk, then limped over to him and pushed it in his hands. The king wanted to negotiate with Thebes, he wanted to send envoys. The Thebans had replied, listing who they would talk with and who they would want as hostages, while the talks were held. Hephaistion traced his name with his finger, as if the answer might come to him that way.

"Your father had no dealings with the Thebans?"

Hephaistion shook his head, but being as his father fought for Philip, then Philip would know better than he.

Philip pulled a face. "And would you go?"

Hephaistion considered the question. He had no real choice in the matter. The king could order him to go. He guessed this was just his chance to accept willingly. "If you wished it," he replied. "But can I tell Alexander, if you do decide to send me?"

Philip laughed. "This has nothing to do with Alexander."

"He'd have to know sooner or later," Hephaistion replied. "Whether it concerns him or not," he quickly added.

Philip took the letter from Hephaistion and read it again. "They also want Diocles and Polyctor. I know why they are asking for them. Diocles mother was a Theban, they will be hoping he might tell them what I have planned," Philip grinned, "I don't know which spy has informed them we are close, for we are not." He tapped at the letter with his right index finger. "Polyctor has spoken out against the Thebans. I suspect they want to see him face to face…he is too outspoken to be a successful envoy and his bladder is far too weak to keep him in one place for long."

Then his one eye gazed on Hephaistion. "And you, Hephaistion? The last name mentioned. A junior officer in my cavalry with no connection to Thebes. You have a connection to Alexander they are sure to know about, but why would they be concerned with that?" He sighed. "I will send you then, and leave you to tell my son. Perhaps, when you return, you will solve the mystery." He turned away then and went back to his desk.

Hephaistion hesitated, but knew the meeting was at an end. He gave a bow, not sure if Philip could see, then he turned and left the room.

He hesitated on the other side of the door, looking towards the way that would lead him to Alexander. He knew he was with Antipater. He could go to his rooms and wait. His head was reeling with what had just happened. Needing time to take in what had just been decided, he headed out of the palace and back towards the barracks. He had to think of a way to tell Alexander - he was not going to like it.

OOXXOO

"You're what?"

"It's all been agreed, Alexander. I saw your father this afternoon."

"I won't let you go, Hephaistion. He can send somebody else."

"And what if I want to go?"

Alexander hesitated, open-mouthed. He was about to suggest another couple of fine hostages his father had available. He had not thought that Hephaistion would actually want to go.

He sat up in the bed, pulling the discarded pillows up around him. Hephaistion had waited until they had finished making love before telling him. He swallowed down his temper and spoke softly. "You really want to leave me?"

Hephaistion laughed, moving up the bed to embrace Alexander, treating him like a petulant child. "No, Alexander, I don't. But we both knew there would be times when we would have to be parted. This is just one of those times, I will be back before you know it."

Alexander considered Hephaistion's words, lying silent, his hand stroking his lover's arm, finding comfort in the action. "You found out this afternoon, and you wait until now to tell me."

Hephaistion kissed his cheek. "I dread to think what you would have been like if I'd told you before you dragged me to your bed."

"I didn't drag you," laughed Alexander. "I simply encouraged you. The afternoon with Antipater was tedious enough to allow time for me to decide what I would like to do to you this evening.

"And that is all you came up with?" teased Hephaistion.

Alexander grinned. "Oh, that's just the start of it, Hephaistion. Especially now I know I have to make the most of you before you go," he said, suddenly rolling over to pin Hephaistion to the bed.

"That's not fair," Hephaistion protested, not trying, for a moment, to pull away.

OOXXOO

When the letters of agreement had been sent, it seemed no time at all before they were leaving Pella to go to the set meeting point, an equal distance from Thebes, where the changeover of hostages would take place.

Hephaistion was enjoying a certain amount of notoriety amongst the soldiers now, his friends continually thinking of more and more elaborate reasons why he was requested as a hostage.

Philip had been held hostage there, years before. If anything he had gained from the experience, for at the time, Thebes had the greatest army, and the Sacred Band was to be envied for its fighting prowess. Philip had watched and learned and in his time trained his own army, developing it so it had become the unstoppable force.

Alexander rode close by Hephaistion. Despite all of the far-fetched suggestions there was a general acceptance that the reason he was to be held hostage was because of Alexander's love for him.

The son of Philip was no child now, and had proved himself in battle, while Regent. Even Philip had said that the Thebans would be looking for a way to control him too, that with someone he loved held hostage Alexander would only argue for an agreeable conclusion for both sides.

They camped for four nights before they reached the meeting point. Each night Alexander came to Hephaistion, hardly sleeping, gazing on him as if to have a memory of every moment, of every word spoken.