Title: "Leaders of Macedonia"
Author: BalianswordChapter: 2, "Councils and Trials"
A/N: Thank you for the reviews. Here is a continuation of this journey. Thanks for reading and drop a review if you have the time!
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Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he pushed the sheet away, then rose. Stretching his arms he went to the balcony. As he stepped out the sun shone over his bare chest, the day greeting him, yet so far there was no other greeting. Staring out for a moment Alexander glanced around at those that walked in the courtyard. Still there was no sign of Hephaestion, whom had left the palace in the early hours of the morning. Alexander had offered to go with him. He'd offered to at least ride with him to the market, or wherever it was he was going. Hephaestion had only smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek, and had left saying that he would be fine. Where he went the young prince did not know, and even though he knew that Hephaestion would be fine, he still worried about him.
"Alexander," came the voice from the knocking at the door. Alexander glanced over his shoulder before leaving his position at the balcony. As he made his way across the room he glanced at his empty bed. In the last few weeks he was used to Hephaestion jumping up and hiding. Today, he would not have to do so, and it felt as if a routine had been broken. When he reached the door and pulled the door open he was glad to see Cassander, for at least it was a friend, but then again it was not his beloved Hephaestion.
"Cassander," he greeted him, seemingly happy.
"Have you already heard," Cassander asked as he made his way into the room. He never really cared whether or not Alexander would permit him into his rooms. Authority and Cassander were strangers and when they did meet, Cassander would always win, like fire and water.
"It is too early to start with which new pages are to attend…"
"No," Cassander interjected. "There is to be a meeting of the Council. Apparently the Thebans have armed themselves once more. This time, they've called the Illyrians to fight beside them. The two armies are combining and are not taking heed to your father's warnings. To think, you are the prince, yet already this morning I am well informed whereas you keep looking over your shoulder for your whore."
"What?"
"Hephaestion," he said as he walked about the room. He paused, taking an apple from a dish on a stand. He bit into it, chewing loudly, still glancing about the room. There was a complete lack of respect, and Alexander thought about hitting him, for Hephaestion was not his whore. In no way was he anything but a loyal friend and a trustworthy companion, but no whore.
"He is not a whore, and you would be wise to watch your tongue in my presence."
"Or what, you'll beat me sprawling? We are no longer children Alexander," the other replied, afraid in the least bit by Alexander's hollow threats. Soon he was back to his apple and by the time he'd circled all of Alexander's apartments once, he was done, setting the core back on the tray. "You and I both know that the only one that can beat you is Hephaestion."
"So are you jealous because he's a better fighter," Alexander asked cockily, "or because he is better politically?"
"Hephaestion," shot back Cassander, coming dangerously close to Alexander, so close that as he cursed the name a few drops of spit happened to land on Alexander's lapels, "is nothing compared to me. He is not political, Alexander, he is your little whore whom you drag along with you. Without you he'd be nothing but an Athenian swine making a mockery of this palace. As for a better fighter, I would challenge him to a battle and I would win, but since he's too worried about his appearance I guess we'll never get to crown a victor. Tell me Alexander, to you keep him pretty, or does he just like looking at himself?"
There were only so many things that Alexander could put up with. At this moment he had had enough though and within an instant of taking a breath Alexander had knocked Cassander to the ground. Falling, Cassander let out a breath of air, then reached up to check his nose. There was blood, but in the long run the punch had not been so bad. Even if it had been Cassander felt his pride was now in question and he was up in an instant. Shoving Alexander back, Cassander took a stride forward, only to be shoved back. With this done, they were locked, trying to push the other back. Alexander was the first to get a hit in, and Cassander was forced to move back, and Alexander took this opportunity to his advantage. He pushed Cassander against the wall, pinning him there, his arm pressed firmly against Cassander's neck.
"I warn you," he then angrily advised, "not to speak of anyone in my court in such a manner. You're out of line Cassander."
"No," the other said as he brushed Alexander off of him. "You are out of line, Alexander."
This was the last thing he said before storming out of the room. His nose still bled, but not terribly. It was not even close to broken. Alexander cursed Cassander as he left then went to defiantly slam the door behind him. Just as the door swung, it was stopped, and Hephaestion pushed his way into the room. Alexander spun around, since he did not see him and did not hear the door shut, believing it was Cassander. Yet he relaxed, his fists unclenching, when he saw that it was Hephaestion.
"What's wrong," Hephaestion asked as he shut the door quietly. Taking a few strides forward he put his hand to Alexander's cheek. Then, glancing down, he saw the blood on Alexander's knuckles. "Alexander, what happened."
Immediately Alexander was being led by Hephaestion to a wash bowl. Hephaestion picked up a piece of cloth and dipped it into the water, then began to wash the blood away. He did this with extreme care. Alexander smiled, then laughed a little as he tried to pull his hand away.
"It is not mine," he assured a concerned Hephaestion. Hephaestion took his hand back and continued to wipe the blood away. He was satisfied, but it was clear that he still cared. "Cassander came by to say good morning."
"Does he know," Hephaestion inquired, worried for Alexander. It was one thing for Alexander to decide to take young girls into his bed. His father would likely encourage it. But to be taking a boy his own age, and of a noble status, into his bed was uncalled for. If Cassander knew he would be dying to get the information out, and somehow, it would be used to make him look better. If he could not be Alexander's best friend then his plan, and his father's, was to make sure that no one else could be.
"No," Alexander answered. It was a lie and he regretted it. Hephaestion did not deserve lies from him. However, it was better to have him believe a lie then worry, which would lead to him spending all his nights secluded in his room and away from his clutches. "He does not know. He was angry about something else."
"What?"
"I told him that I would attend a boar hunt with him," he said. Inside he was beating himself up for continuing this lie. Before he knew it he had an entire story. In his version, he'd told Cassander he would to hunting for boar today with him. However, he'd also promised his mother that he would visit her. So he decided to visit his mother, and now Cassander was angry. In the end, they'd shoved each other, and Cassander had been hit.
"Oh," was all that Hephaestion said. If he knew that Alexander was lying he said nothing about it. Instead he dried the back of Alexander's hand and then made his way to Alexander's couch. He sat down, pulling something from his pocket, wrapped in a thick hide. "I found something for you."
Alexander came closer as Hephaestion unwrapped the book. He sat down next to Hephaestion, who was completely fascinated, carefully unwrapping the old book. Alexander watched him, staring at his profile, watching his cerulean eyes sparkle in the light of the day. As Hephaestion's lips parted, about to speak, Alexander leaned forward and pressed his lips against Hephaestion's. He kissed him deeply, putting a hand on his cheek, the other around his back, feeling for him something only Achilles had felt for Patroclaus before them. He continued to kiss him until he felt as if he could not breathe. Then, he pulled away.
"I love you," Alexander whispered, brushing hair away from Hephaestion's face. Hephaestion smiled, glancing down at the ground for a moment. When he looked up, he had a smile upon his lips, which Alexander had never seen before. However, it suited him. Without saying a word Hephaestion handed him the book, a copy of the Odyssey, which Alexander had lost his copy of.
"I love you too," Hephaestion whispered. "For now, and for always."
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His arms were folded across his chest, as if this gesture would protect him here. He continued to watch the small fly that was flying from plate to plate on the table. It was by far more entertaining than anything the council was talking about. After a moment he glanced up once more, to view him. Again the other across the table did not see him because he was staring at the palms of his hands. Yet Alexander knew that Hephaestion hung on every word spoken.
"It only makes sense to attack here," Parmenion said as he pointed at an etched map. Alexander glanced in that general direction. Already his mind was at work, tossing the idea back and forth in his head, figuring out the advantages and disadvantages to this strategy. He knew that he likely would not have to utter that attacking from the western rear of the Theban army would not work. Hopefully his father would say something, or perhaps Cleitus. However there was silence.
"It is a good idea," Philip said after taking in a breath. He leaned forward, looking at the map, tracing the same line with his fingers. Alexander lifted his eyes once more and finally he caught Hephaestion's eye. The other glanced at him and winked so quickly that no other would have seen it. Only Alexander, who loved the subtle acknowledgments that Hephaestion sent him, would have noticed and would be grateful that he did.
"Father," Alexander spoke up, clearing his throat. Suddenly all eyes were on him, except for the pair of eyes that he hoped would look at him. He cleared his throat once more, glancing at Parmenion, before he shook his head. "Attacking from that angle gives us no advantage."
"Excuse me," his father asked. He leaned forward, interested. Hephaestion glanced over at him. He swallowed, heart pounding, hoping that Philip would not later take his aggressions out on his son. It appeared though, for the most part, that Philip was genuinely interested. Hephaestion quickly glanced over at Alexander, and when looking back, caught the look of Cassander. Cassander smirked, holding back some snide remark and a snicker as always, and then looked away. Hephaestion was used to his rude comments and did not look at him again and vowed he would not for the entirety of this meeting.
"To attack from the western rear gives your forces no gain," he said once more. Slowly he stood, then pointed to where Parmenion had purposed to attack from. "To come from here would catch them by surprise, which is what I believe Parmenion is striving for."
"Is there a problem with this," asked a now aggravated Parmenion.
"No," Alexander laughed, his confidence gaining. He looked up as he moved around the table, again hoping that Hephaestion would look up at him. As he moved Hephaestion's cerulean eyes lifted and a slight smile crept across his lips. No one knew why, only they knew why this was interesting to them. "Attacking with the element of surprise is only part of what we need for success though. From this angle you would surprise the Thebans, however, it would not strain them enough. They would be scared and confused for a moment, but the Thebans do not arm themselves as we do. They are less formal. Within minutes they will be able to turn, and attack."
"We would drive them back."
"If you were to drive them back, where do they go Parmenion? Driving them back brings them further away from their lands. This only gives the advantage to us if they run out of men holding arms, or arms. If they don't have a problem, then, we just drive them closer to our lands. Our men would have to attack then from the back, and from the front, meaning half of our men would have to break from battle to go around to attack them as they move closer to our territories."
"Foolish boy," Parmenion laughed at him. He leaned back, laughing once more. Hephaestion glared over at him for a moment yet then forced himself to pry his eyes away. At the same time, he couldn't bring his eyes to Alexander, for the fear that he'd loose his mind. "Macedonians will not be fought off by the Thebans."
"The Theban forces are just as skilled as ours Parmenion. Isn't that why years ago you lost my father ground fighting against them?"
Cassander even laughed under his breath at this. When some of the laughs settled Alexander sat down. Philip leaned to his left and whispered a few words to Cleitus. After doing this he then turned and looked back to his son. Alexander pretended not to be waiting for Philip to ask more of him. When his father said his name he came to attention though.
"If we do not bring our forces there, where shall we position, since you seem to know so much," his father asked.
"You come straight at them," Alexander explained. "As they begin to attack, move into three groups then. Not before. Take the left flank around them to trap them from behind. The right will do the same on the right side. Once they are surrounded, send the rest of the cavalry at them from either side."
There was a pause. Alexander watched as the older generals all began to think, then began to chatter amongst one another. He glanced again to Hephaestion, who nodded, and it was then that Alexander sat. A soft smile spread across his face. He then turned his attention back to his father who was laughing and clapping Cleitus on the back.
"That's my boy!"
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A/N: Thank you for reading. Now make my day and review!
