Chapter 2
During the meeting all generals and staff members were informed the situation in Bactra and all agreed with Alexander's decision of splitting the cavalry and sending Hephaistion to lead two cavalry hiparchies to Bactra.
"Alexander, who else's hiparchy will you send with Hephaistion?" Perdiccas asked, hoping he can go. He had been secretly in love with Hephaistion since childhood.
"I can certainly go with some of our men, Alexander." Cleitus hoped. Cleitus was the General of the Companion Cavalry Agema, the Royal Companions, in Alexander's column. The Agema was the largest cavalry hiparchy and had 2000 horseman, twice the size of other hiparchies. Although as the Agema General, he had to be near the King all the time, he still hoped he can go. Ever since he and Hephaistion became secret lovers a year and half ago Cleitus treasured every moment he could spend with or near Hephaistion.
"Not this time Cleitus. Coenus and Artabazus, you two go with Hephaistion with your joint hiparchy. Artabazus, I'll also need you to set up your satrap office during this time and Hephaistion can help you on that. I hope the civil administration can start in spring when the whole region is cleared by then. " Artabazus was appointed the Satrap of Bactria/Sogdiana a year and half ago but actual civil administration was never started nor needed due to the guerrilla war ever since Alexander's army crossed the Hindu Kursh last year in spring. Bactra used to be the capital city of the satrap.
"Yes my King." Artabazus nodded and padded Hephaistion on the shoulder.
Hephaistion glanced at Cleitus' frustrated face and bitted his lower lip and swallowed hard. Personally he wished that if he couldn't be with Alexander, at least he could be with Cleitus. But he realized the rational for Alexander to send Artabazus with him, as well as Alexander's resentment for his continues love affair with Cleitus. He never revealed his affair to Alexander and Alexander never asked, but he knew Alexander already knew it for a while, and he could sense that Alexander tried every opportunity to separate him from Cleitus using his kingly power. It seemed that Alexander didn't understand sometimes that by forcing their separation he actually enhanced Hephaistion's longing for the older general, especially when Alexander couldn't be there to fulfill his role as Hephaistion's lover.
"Ok, that's all for today's meeting. Coenus and Artabazus, get your men ready and you'll leave tomorrow morning, and Hephaisition you leave the day after. Ptolemy, I'll assign you to temporarily take over Hephaistion's supply office for Sogdiana. Hephaistion, before you leave, make sure you arrange additional supplies for us wintering here and tell Ptolemy what to do and how to follow up."
"Sure Alexander. Also to whom do you want me to transfer the Construction Office? Originally I planned to inspect all new Alexandrias in Sogdiana at least one more time before leaving for Bactria."
"Oh, to Cleitus and Perdiccas then. Oh Artabazus, can you go and find some local people with good knowledge about the mountainous area southwest of Sogdiana? I'll need to think about possible routes that Spitamenes might take to attack us. "
"Yes my King."
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Outside the hall after the meeting, Ptolemy, Perdiccas, and Cleitus stand with Hephaistion discussing the transition.
"Now I realize how important you are to our army, Hephaistion. It'll take us three people to assume only part of your responsibilities." Perdiccas joked.
"I am certainly amazed by Hephaistion's workload. If I were you, I shall drop dead long time ago." Ptolemy said sympathetically. Cleitus didn't say anything but looked at Hephaistion sadly.
"Ok guys, no more jokes. Ptolemy, why don't you come to the Supply Office this afternoon and we'll go through the supply stuff. And Perdiccas and Cleitus, can you come to the Construction Office tomorrow morning after breakfast? I'll have to go to my men to break the news for moving out."
"Of course, I'll see you later then." Ptolemy nodded and left.
Hephaistion nodded to Perdiccas and said:" I will see you at dinner then." Then he grabbed Cleitus' arm and said:
"Cleitus, you want have some quick lunch with me?"
