One Evening at the Granikos
Author: Lysis (November 2012)
A new story, light and playful about Alexander, Hephaistion and a few of their companions, human and canine that takes place not to long after Alexander's victory at the Granikos River.
(* I'll update with next chapter on Monday.)
No Warnings
Chapter One
Alexander, the young king of the Macedonians and Hegemon of the Hellenes nodded to his guard as he pushed through the small crowd milling before his tent. The air was replete with the scent and sound of life in a military camp. Freshly tanned leather, the pungent scent of thousands of smoky, crackling fires, the ring of the hammer from the smiths, roasting meat, the musty odor of hay and unwashed bodies all mingled with the sharp animal scent and call of thousands of horses, dogs, mules and the men that were part of this life. To Alexander it was as home, comforting and familiar.
He stopped briefly to discuss something with Aristander, his seer and then with a wave of his hand passed through to his private chambers. After giving orders to two of his pages he knelt to hug his dog who had risen from a bear skin to greet him. For a moment he pretended to wrestle with his beloved pet and then rose humming. He was in an exceptionally good mood. The blessings of Nike resonated throughout the camp. It had been two weeks to the day of his victory against the host of the Persian king Darius at the Granikos River.
He grinned at the youngest page, Kleon who placed a cup of wine before him, and ruffled his curly red hair. "So, has he been a well behaved dog?"
"Aye, Alexander." The boy - one of his regent Antipater's sons smiled shyly. Alexander patted him on the back and gave him some instructions that sent him off to fulfil the king's command for some supper for Peritas who was sniffing at the wine-cup.
"Peritas have you noticed how quiet it seems this night?" Moving toward the rear of his chamber with his back to the entrance Alexander began to unlace his sandals but stopped a moment and stood still listening. He was about to turn but stopped smiling to himself as Peritas began to thump his plumy tail as an intruder advanced into his chamber.
"Nay, beloved master I have not. I am too consumed with thinking about filling my stomach with a brace of rabbits or that deer you hunted today. Don't bother skinning the deer I'll eat it as it is." The response in the disguised attempt at a high pitched voice did little to mask the speaker's smooth deep tones.
"You are still limping." Keeping his back turned, Alexander worked hard to keep his face still and not burst out with the laughter tickling at his throat. It was clear the intruder was trying hard to disguise his stride as well.
"How can you tell? I was being very careful." Suppressing a smile, he turned to study his companion Hephaistion who had stopped in mid stride and was frowning as he stared down at his feet as though he had never seen them before.
"I would know your step in my sleep. You are still putting too much weight on your right foot to compensate besides Peritas gave you away."
"Traitor." Hephaistion made a face at the dog whose tail wagged excitedly as he bent down to stroke its furry head. He got a wet handful of red tongue in thanks.
"And who are you primping for?" Hephaistion grinned roguishly as he sank down on the polished ebony and ivory camp stool by Alexander's camp bed. Alexander was studying his own reflection in a polished mirror set before him on a large brass bounded clothing chest. Hephaistion smothered the strong desire to laugh. He knew how vain Alexander could be about his appearance.
"Peritas." Alexander answered jokingly as he lightly ran a finger along a raw long red scar closed with tiny careful stitches that ran down his scalp and stopped high on his forehead.
"Ah, and does he find it pleasing?
"Always.
"Of course he is but a dog and easy to please. 'Tis lucky you Mother cannot look upon your sweet face, she would scream Zeus of it."
"So I am a monstrosity?"
"Nay, merely a gentle eyesore." Seeing the grimace on Alexander's face, Hephaistion leaned forward and playfully grabbed the hem of Alexander's chiton which was worked in bright colours along the hem and neck. "Your sister's work - I recognize the prodigious use of golden thread."
"Aye, Kleopatra is skilled with her needle." Alexander turned a smile on his lips and sat on his bed. He studied his companion with thoughtful eyes. He found himself met with Hephaistion's speculative deep blue-eyed gaze.
"So is Philip." He nodded toward the long row of tiny stitches that ran across Alexander's head. "Does your head still pain you as much as it has?"
"It is less this week. 'Tis common enough with a head wound as you well know."
"Aye, I know. 'Tis still quite raw looking – what says Philip about it?"
"That I should get a stronger helmet and refrain from getting such wounds as I am king and am more valuable alive than dead." Both men grinned at one another. "He well knows Haides would freeze over before I do such a thing, but he will scold me regardless, particularly when I am in a weakened state and in need of his services. I cannot escape his harping it is his duty to treat with me thus."
"Aye, as it is yours to ignore it."
Alexander smiled. "You know me too well." Hephaistion raised a burnished eyebrow at him and took the small jar of unguent that Alexander had set out and began to smooth the mixture over the jagged scar.
"Let one of the pages do that."
Hephaistion made small clucking noises and sniffed the mixture before proceeding. "Nay, I am here, let me aid you. Besides they can be clumsy and will make sloppy work of it. My touch is tender as a babe's." He smiled for a moment and patted Alexander's curl shorn head. "You cut it shorter, well, it will grow back. You are still beautiful a little missing hair does not change that."
"Your touch is good – careful and gentle - you have done this before I think." Alexander sighed and closed his eyes briefly as Hephaistion's long fingers massaged the medicine around the wound.
"My experience is prodigious and I'm well-known for my gentle touch." Hephaistion laughed as he brushed his hand tenderly over the golden stubble on Alexander's scalp.
"Ah, truly? Tell me more about this gentle touch." Alexander nudged him with his shoulder and moved over on the bed. His eyes were full of playful light. "For I can only recall how hard-handed you are with your horses and dogs and spear which you throw with a graceless, lumbering tread."
"Ah, aye, I am forever a blight upon your shining glory with my poor attempts at the manly arts. My poor father, ah, his unhappiness at my failures is ever my greatest sorrow."
"'Tis true and in the palestra you spurn true victory by teasing your opponent with the sight of your misshapen puny form. I've no taste to pound your head into the ground. 'Twould be unworthy of me."
Hephaistion bit his lip and smothered a chuckle. "Ah, 'tis all true as you say. I am a bumbling Cyclops. You should shun me, 'tis the only decent thing to do. My Father should have exposed me on the hills of the Vermenios." He hung his head and sighed deeply in mock resignation. "Tis the cruel workings of the Morari that he did not."
"Oh, aye, I see in your wisdom you agree. At least you have the wits to see the truth in my words."
With a great groan Hephaistion pulled his full lips into a moue of thoughtful consideration and began to rise. He tried to keep his mirth contained as he strode clumsily, playing up his limp toward the outer chambers. "Again, I see the wisdom of your words. I will go and no longer plague you with my unfortunate person."
Laughing merrily Alexander rose and put his hand on Hephaistion's shoulder and nudged him playfully. "Let us not be too hasty." Then he placed the jar of unguent back in Hephaistion's hand and lay back on his bed with a great leisurely stretching of his limbs and a mischievous leer. "If you were to massage along my forehead I will be in a much better mood."
"Oh, indeed." Hephaistion leered back and stuck out his tongue as they both turned at the sound of Peritas' barking and the scent of cooked meat came toward them. Alexander made a face and pulled himself upright as the guard announced the return of his page Kleon with Peritas' supper.
"Now my head truly aches." He groaned as Peritas began to bark excitedly at his approaching meal. Hephaistion hugged the prancing dog to him and grinned at Alexander who collapsed on his bed and pulled a pillow over his head.
To be continued...