Hello all,

Here is the desert adventure that I have been talking about for such a long time. It is not set in Gedrosia, it is set beyond the Jaxartes during the Scythian Campaign. One of their worst enemies, Ohrlasz the Scythian, is planning a major defeat for Alexander and Hephaestion. In the merciless desert even worse dangers than human violence and cunning awaits our Dear Ones.

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

// NorthernLight

Title: FIC: Perils Beyond The Jaxartes ( 1 / 9 )

Author: NorthernLight

Email address: aur_

Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure and action story.

Pairings: Alexander&Hephaestion

Date: Winter 2010

Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on and off line, preferably *nice* :) .

Archive: Yes, but please tell me first.

Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions, also for improving my English. You sure make my stories a far better read.

Disclaimer: I, the author do not own them. For entertainment only, and for my deep and long time interest in Alexander and Hephaestion and Ancient times.

Summary: In 329 BC Alexander has to do some very hard campaigning against many hostile people. After the successful taking of the Seven Cities Alexander finds himself on the border of Scythia. He cannot resist the temptation to invade this extremely hostile country.

Warnings: Angst. Merciless desert. Nightmare coming true.

Perils Beyond The Jaxartes, Part I

A Gathering Of Vultures

Sogdian Rock, 329 BC

High up in the Sogdian mountains there was a castle resting in regal solitude on a lonesome mountain peak. It was called the Sogdian Rock. No one had ever managed to take it. The Lord, Oxyathres, Chief of the Sogdians, was trying to feel safe in his impregnable mountain keep. It was stored up with food and wine and all kinds of supplies, enough for a siege going on for up to three years. Pure and cool mountain water was easily accessible from several clear springs .

The night skies bore heavily down upon the keep as dark clouds were gathering. One window was lit up by sconces and orange fire flamed upon the walls. Three men sat around a crudely carved table, resting on woolen cushions on sturdy benches. A meal of roasted mountain goat rested half eaten in front of them. Some strong Bactrian wine was left in their silver goblets, swirling to and fro as they stared down upon its blood red surface. These three men were very concerned and worried. Brave as they were, they had to meet with a Formidable Foe and the most scaring prospects.

"Sikandar is a threat to all our countries! What evil have we done to suffer him and his merciless armies?"

"Why does he continue marching against us? He ought to be satisfied with the treasuries of Babylon, Susa and Persepolis?"

"What can we do to deter him?"

The Bactrian satrap Bessus boomed confidently.

"My Brave Bactrians will rout him completely! I don't think you others will have to meet him at all. I will defeat him utterly before I can be elected High King!"

The Sogdian satrap, scheming and secretive Spitamenes countered.

"You are far too sure of yourself, my Brave Bessus. Sikandar is a very dangerous and stubborn man. He has many powerful friends and allies, and he is unconquered. All the might of Persia thrown against him could not deter him. My strong and sharp Sogdians will do their best to defeat him, but I think that we must use more than sheer strength and the might of arms. He is very hard to out-march and outfight. Instead we must find some clever ruses and traps to get rid of him."

The wary Warlord Oxyathres put words to all their fears.

"I certainly hope that we won't have to make a last stand here at my Sogdian Rock. We have supplies to last us for over three years - but he is a master of sieges. No city however strongly fortified has ever resisted him for long. Even mighty Tyre fell before his formidable army."

Spitamenes patted his strong hairy arm in a calming fashion.

"Do not worry, my wary Oxyathres. If all else fails us, we have our Secret Ally. He is strong and resourceful. His country is so hostile that no one has ever defeated it. Whole armies have perished after crossing its borders. If we can lure Sikandar to go after him into this unknown and hostile realm, we will have seen the last of these annoying Greek Invaders. "

"I hope that you are right, my secretive Spitamenes. We will hold out together and protect our poor people from this invasion. "

They pledged each other in strong Bactrian wine and then finished their meal in ominous silence, each thinking about the best way to finish off Sikandar and his fearsome army.

Outside the sturdy wooden door, a tender teenage girl listened intently. Chilling spells made her pull her heavy veils of soft turquoise mohair wool tighter around herself. Her dark sparkling eyes shone of fear. Who was this Sikandar, this foreign Invader who even scared her Fearless Father out of his wits? Little Star certainly hoped that she would never have too meet with this horrendous man.

Secret Ally

Scythian Desert, 328 BC

Time went by, bringing waves of war and misfortune to the Bactrians and Sogdians. Bessus was now dead, betrayed by his own men. They had been overcome by their fear of the foreign invader and captured him, offering him as a gift to Alexander. His punishment for killing the former Persian King Darius was gruesome. Oxyathres and Spitamenes feared for their very lives and the lives of their people.

The Seven Cities had fallen to Alexander's mighty army. He was now coming close to Sogdiana, threatening to overwhelm this vast territory. Oxyathres and Spitamenes were desperate. They had no other resource than to turn to their Secret Ally. A reliable, fast riding messenger was sent on a race camel to pledge for assistance.

Ohrlaszh, the Scythian sat amongst his brave warriors. They had set up a camp in an oasis in the midst of the desert far beyond the Jaxartes River. This evening, they were feasting on kumiss and roasted goat meat, gorging themselves and becoming more drunk and satiated for every minute that went by.

Nights in the desert were cold. The bright silvery stars shone down from a deep blue sky, trying to warm the wary sentries with their glittering light. Suddenly, there was a soft clattering of very big cloven hooves.

"Halt! Who rides there?"

An enormous race camel appeared, riding into camp from the darkness. On her back was a small, wiry and inconspicuous fellow. He swiftly presented a Sogdian Banner as he jumped from his comfortable seat between her two hunches. The sentries knew him well and immediately let him into the tent where the Scythian High Command were all present. He was reeling and stumbling, exhausted by his long and arduous ride. He fell on his knees, gasping for breath for a long time before he was able to convey his desperate message.

"My Lord Ohrlaszh, I bring bad tidings from your allies Oxyathres and Spitamenes. They are in dire need of your help. Sikandar and his merciless armies are threatening to overwhelm them all."

Any sane person should have been frightened out of their wits by this alarming message. Ohrlaszh was during normal circumstances sane of mind, but his hatred against Sikandar and his invincible army was bordering towards utter insanity. A baleful fire was lit up in his green eyes and they sparkled from anticipation. His red hair was electrified, and it rose like a lion's mane. He virtually roared out his answer.

"My friend Tobah, I have waited a long time for this! Sikandar is a long time enemy of mine. I am much looking forward to meeting him again - and this time it will be on MY terms. You are welcome to a well needed rest and a meal with our richest food and most refreshing drinks before you return to Oxyathres and Spitamenes. Then, you will tell them that they must see to it that Sikandar reaches the border of the Jaxartes. From there, I will take over - and when my brave Scythians and I are ready, they will have seen the last of Sikandar and his dreaded armies!"

Ohrlaszh rubbed his hands with anticipation.

"I can barely wait until the time comes when we will meet and annihilate him and his men here in our merciless desert."

Tobah looked up into his baleful gleaming green eyes. Then, the messager fainted out cold from fright and exhaustion.

TBC