"The king is waiting for you," Ptolemy said, before quickly ducking out of sight again, having seen he had disturbed Alexander and Hephaistion as they said their farewells.

Hephaistion laughed, watching the tent flap fall back in to place before turning back to Alexander, who held him in his arms. He sighed and bit his lip.

"It will not be for long and you act as though it is forever that we will be parted."

"I wish they had chosen someone else, that is all," Alexander replied. "I need you here."

Hephaistion nodded his head, then spoke softly. "It is the first time we have ever been parted. There will, perhaps, come a time in the future when our partings grow easier. If I had known, when your father called for me, that this moment would hurt so badly, then I would have tried to refuse him."

Alexander smiled and brushed a wisp of hair away from Hephaistion's face. It had come loose from the braid that his lover had tied with such care that morning. He had watched him, saw him dress himself in the finest clothes that he possessed, after he had washed and shaved, determined to be a good ambassador for Macedon. "The men of the Sacred Band will think their lovers less than perfect when they see you, Hephaistion," he said.

"Your father has told me so much about the city, I am curious to see it," Hephaistion said.

"I'll see it fall if they harm you," vowed Alexander.

Throwing his arms around Alexander's shoulders, Hephaistion pulled him close. "I thank the gods for such a love as this," he said, releasing his grip only to claim a kiss.

They kissed deeply. A kiss to hold in their memories, to treasure while they were apart. When they finally broke it, Hephaistion spoke.

"It will not be for long." He sounded as though he was trying to convince himself. "We better go. They will be waiting," he said, looking back towards the tent flap, breaking the embrace to step outside.

Philip was already on his horse, waiting. Polyctor was with him, looking uneasy on a horse that had been chosen for him because of its steadiness. Diocles was just riding up, while Seleucus waited with Hephaistion's horse.

Bucephalus was not there, Philip had commanded that Alexander stay behind, he did not want the Thebans to see just how much Hephaistion meant to his son.

The army watched, some looking out across the plain to where they could see the Theban army, and the small group now riding towards them. The hostages Philip had requested coming to the exchange point.

Thanking Seleucus, Hephaistion mounted his horse, then looked to Alexander.

"I aim to have these talks done as soon as possible," Philip muttered, looking on his son. "Best to get it done then," he continued, pushing his horse forward.

Philip's bodyguard rode in to place, Diocles and Polyctor right behind them.

"I'll be back before you know it," Hephaistion said, and smiled, urging his horse forward to catch up.

He turned back only once, for a final look, before joining the others.

OOXXOO

Alexander watched, cursing himself for being a prince, for not being able to go with him, for not being able to offer himself as a hostage instead, for loving Hephaistion so much that even the Thebans would name him, ask for him.

He was unaware of Ptolemy coming up to stand by him, until he heard his voice.

"The one good thing about a parting is the knowledge that the reunion will be sweet," he said.

Alexander forced a smile.

Ptolemy put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It's done now, the only thing you can do is live with it."

"If he should be harmed," Alexander said, his voice soft but threatening.

Ptolemy laughed. "Not with the hostages your father requested. The Thebans wouldn't dare harm our people. The talks can start now, and pretty soon we'll have an idea whether we are to fight or live by the rules of a new treaty."

Alexander nodded, then turned away. "Tell the men to break camp. We are to return to Pella as soon as my father returns, and then the envoys will be despatched. The sooner the better."

OOXXOO

Hephaistion took his first look on Thebes four days later.

The Thebans provided lavish hospitality, always courteous, but watchful during the journey. He was no prisoner to be bound and paraded, it was left to his own conscience as to whether he stayed or took flight.

As a hostage, the closest he had to a friend was Diocles, having found Polyctor withdrawn and sullen, preferring his own company. Although, Hephaistion found himself admiring the man, as he appeared to take no interest in the fact that it was the army of their enemy who escorted them now.

Diocles was in his forties, intelligent and kind. He had a good sense of humour and found it amusing that Polyctor's bladder caused the man so much trouble, causing him to leave the tent several times at night, he also found it hilarious that at least five of the guard had already made their interest known to Hephaistion.

Amongst the Thebans, their general, Pylaeus, had spent time with Hephaistion, thinking that a few questions, which seemed of no importance, might bring out some information which might prove useful when it came to a battle.

Pylaeus was sure it would come to a battle, and Hephaistion had been able to discover that they were only waiting for more men to come from Athens, and whoever else would form an alliance. The talks might come to an agreeable solution to both parties, but more than likely they would fight.

The man had known Philip when he was held hostage. Hephaistion thought he was roughly the same age, only Philip's body had been ravaged by battle, whereas Pylaeus, for all his pride and bravado could count the battles he had fought on one hand.

"Now they shut the gates on us and we truly are hostages," Diocles said, riding over so he was alongside Hephaistion. "Take your last breath of freedom, my friend."

"Does it worry you?" Hephaistion asked, turning to look on the man.

Diocles laughed and shook his head. "It is just my sense of drama coming to the fore. Perhaps, I should have been a playwright instead of a messenger for Philip."

"You were more than that," replied Hephaistion.

Diocles shrugged his shoulders. "My mother was a Theban. Did you know that?" He looked to the walled city not waiting for a reply. "It will be good to see the place again. I have not been inside its walls since I was a youth."

They rode forward, through the high gates of the city, to be watched by crowds who gathered on the streets to watch them pass.

Some called out, telling them to let Philip know that Greece would not stand for his tyranny. Some laughed that Philip should dare to try to conquer the might of Thebes and Athens combined.

Hephaistion chose not to react. He looked around the city, thinking of what he could tell Alexander about it. That the buildings were old, like those at Aegae, but the streets were wider and seemed to go on forever. Pindar's house was pointed out to him by Diocles, and he would have liked to stop to look for longer, but the army swept on to the centre of the city, where impressive buildings stood around a large open area.

"I take it this is where we will be staying," whispered Diocles.

"Not so impressive as Pella," Polyctor commented, struggling to bring his horse to a halt.

Diocles laughed. "You are biased in your opinion, Polyctor. Even though the Thebans may be our enemies, you have to admire the city."

Polyctor spat on the ground, and then struggled to dismount his horse, groaning as his feet touched the ground before taking a few stiff steps, before asking where he could locate the latrines.

Pylaeus led the way in to a large building, where in the main hall dining couches and tables were arranged. It was late afternoon, and as yet no food had been served.

Polyctor disappeared, after being directed to what he sought. Diocles nudges Hephaistion and laughed to see him go.

"This building houses all that you will need," Pylaeus said. " If you wish to wander around the city I would be obliged if you would tell a guard, who will then accompany you. There are servants to do your bidding and to guide you to your rooms. I hope your stay will be a pleasant one." He bowed and left the room, just as Polyctor returned.

Diocles placed an arm around Hephaistion's shoulders, suggesting to Polyctor that he took the room nearest to the latrines and laughing at the insulting reply he got for his trouble.

Diocles took the first room on the right, leaving Hephaistion to go to the next room along. He stepped inside, it was pleasant enough, not at all like a prison. He went over to the window looking out across Thebes, seeing glimpses of the wall surrounding them, trying to locate Pindar's house and wondering if he had time to walk down to it and take a closer look.

Instead, he sat on the window ledge and looked out, watching life go on by, the same as it did at Pella. Children ran, soldiers marched, dogs barked and women called.

Two servants arrived carrying the chest with his belongings in. One went to prepare a bath, while the other fetched a tray bearing a flask of wine and a bowl of fruit.

When the bath had been prepared, the two men bowed towards him and then left him alone. He took a look at the sun setting over the city, then walked over to the bathroom, stripping off his clothes. He shaved first, using the water provided in a silver bowl, and then stepped in to the water.

After the journey, the water felt good, after washing his hair he closed his eyes, lying back in the water.

He missed Alexander, and realised that he had begun ticking off the time until they would be reunited, from the moment he left him. This would be the first and only time that he would allow himself to be held hostage. Next time they could request someone else. He smiled as he realised that Alexander would be able to list suitable hostages for his father to select from.

He thought back to their last time together and felt arousal grow in him, but he was not so comfortable in his new surroundings to think of giving himself relief.

Sighing, he lifted himself from the water and reached for a towel, drying himself. Then wandered in to the bedroom, going to his chest, unclasping it so that he could decide what to wear.

Choosing a white chiton with a gold braid, one which had belonged to Alexander and that his mother had embroidered for him, he dressed. He then put away his boots and picked out a plain pair of sandals to wear, fixing his belt, missing the dagger that would usually have been hanging from it. He then chose a red chlamys, fastening it with a gold brooch with the Macedon Star upon it, before braiding his hair. With this done he headed back to the dining hall.

Some members of the council were there already, as well as Pylaeus and some of the Sacred Band.

Just then, Diocles arrived, followed by Polyctor and Hephaistion stepped back while the introductions were made again.

Some of the Sacred Band came to him, as soldiers talking to another soldier. Hephaistion noted that Diocles and Polyctor turned their attention to the council members. It was the way of the world, he supposed, that like would find like.

The men of the Sacred Band were pleasant enough company, encouraging him to sit amongst them while they ate and drank, telling anecdotes of their times together, but cautious not to talk of the present climate, of what might occur in any battle to come.

They asked him about Alexander, but Hephaistion was as vague as possible. Not wanting to be impolite he changed the conversation back to their daily life, their feelings at being a part of the Sacred Band.

They flirted with him openly, so much that he doubted if each man were true to their chosen partner. He began to feel uncomfortable and was pleased when Diocles came over and sat by him, throwing his arm around his shoulders and telling them that they would only incur the wrath of Alexander if they did not back off.

With Diocles having confirmed their suspicions, saying what Hephaistion had tried not to, they looked on him with new respect and declared Alexander a lucky man. Hephaistion smiled and said that he was the lucky one.

It grew late, Pylaeus got to his feet and practically commanded everyone to go to their beds. Two of the Sacred Band had retreated to a couch, at a discreet distance from the group, and were all but rutting on it. Polyctor headed for the latrine, wishing health to everyone as he left.

"He's the one that needs health," Diocles stated, "with that poor bladder of his". He smiled. "Come, Hephaistion, let's get to our beds."

Diocles led the way along the hallway, but went past the doorway to his own room and headed for Hephaistion's instead.

Lamps had been lit in the room, and Diocles went over to the wine and poured them both a cup, turning to hand one to Hephaistion. "What were you asked?" he said.

Hephaistion thought back over the evening. "Nothing that I gave a direct answer to."

Diocles nodded. "In truth, I was watching you. I think you would make an excellent diplomat."

"I prefer being a soldier," Hephaistion replied, taking a drink of the wine so he would not have to say more.

"The talks should just be beginning. If they can reach any agreement then they might take a while to do it." Diocles frowned. "I would prefer to be at home, with my wife and children…and my dogs, I have some good hunting dogs." He drank the wine down. "Ah, well, we will get through it as best we can. I wish you health, Hephaistion."

"Health to you, Diocles," Hephaistion said, waiting until the man had gone before going back over to the window.

The moon was full and he looked upon it and wondered if Alexander were doing the same back in Pella. He wished it were possible to go to him, if for only a moment before returning to Thebes, just to see him. He laughed to himself at the foolish idea, at the way love made him act, made him think. He drank the wine and looked over the city seeing how many houses still had lamps lit.

When the cup was empty he went over to the chest, undressing and placing his clothing in it. before pulling back the sheets on the bed and lying down, covering himself. He lay a while and listened. He could hear the servants clearing the hall and whispered voices.

He looked towards the window, then turned back to look upon the ceiling, feeling sleep claim him. He thought of Alexander, that he should have some things to tell him, that he should like to explore the city in the morning, then closed his eyes.