End – Night of the Erinyes

Continues directly from Part III

They came on, his Generals, friends, and other statesmen to offer words of encouragement and guidance. Hephaistion, knowing him too well, came but only sat watching him as they shared a meal. He alone could look into his soul and saw he was suffering still. At length he took his leave but returned with the philosopher Anaxarchus. Many others, Aristander, Kallisthenes had come and gone their tiding full of good meaning and some offered a little solace, but not enough. However, Hephaistion knowing well the man who was his King sought a different route. The man would have to endure the suffering, and for this, knowing and seeing Alexander's anguish Hephaistion's felt as though he too had been slain, but the King must be brought to his senses and reminded of his obligations.

Anaxarchus stood before Alexander leaning over him his presence calm and reserved but his words full of power. "My King, art though not master of the world? " When Alexander replied with a shake of his head Anaxarchus continued to address him. "Then why dost thy lie as though a slave quivering and weeping fearful of men's words and the law? Dost thou not represent the law and regard its order for justice. Why did thou conquer and set laws upon those thou hast conquered unless it was to command? What care thee for the opinions of fools and lesser men? Does not Father Zeus seat himself with Justice and Law beside him to prove that all is done as proscribed by the ruler of the world in a just and lawful manner?"

Alexander was quiet, his mind set upon Anaxarchus' clever words. His eyes grew lighter, as his mind saw the truth in the words set before him. Then he was plunged into despair and self-pity again.

"Kleitos spoke true, though it hurt me, he spoke true and I heedless of the law slew him for it. It is not our way, I have broken with all of thee and become full of hubris, as a scapegoat thou should shun me. I broke faith with thee all and took into my own hands the role of tyranos."

"What?" Anaxarchus raised his brushy brows, his dark eyes full of intelligent thought and strode toward Alexander's panoply. With his hands he gestured towards the gleaming armor. "Did thee not conquer and win great battles on the field?" Without waiting for Alexander's response he continued as he took up one of the swords. "These swords thee wielded them without fear, without regret and went on to victory, did thou not? Did thou not say that nothing is impossible to he who will but try to put one's mind and being into any endeavor?

Straightening up, Alexander's face showed the words of the philosopher were beginning to sink in. "Aye, I did, and this is still true." He looked thoughtful for a moment then pulled a platter toward him and took a piece of bread and slathered honey upon it, rather a lot and licked it from his hand as it dripped. Chewing slowly he listened his entire focus upon Anaxarchus. He failed to notice Hephaistion who threw back his head and gave a soft sigh of relief. The seemingly simple act of Alexander's eating the bread and honey gave him hope. To others it would mean little, but he and perhaps Bagoas knew Alexander well enough to see it was a sign that he was coming back to himself.

"Then these are the words of Alexander? The man who had conquered his enemies both within and out? When they would call thee but a mooncalf, a mere boy, a youngling who should seek his mother's breast again and leave off the work of men did thee then lie low trembling with shame and fear?"

Alexander's lips formed into the ghost of a smile. "The Athenians are fond of calling me such things." Then with a great sigh, Alexander spoke slowly with great care as though with a child who is in need of learning their lesson over again. "However, though King of Persia and all its environs, I as king of the Macedonians am not above the law of Macedon which I do honor as I honor my ancestors, for I am also Macedon and this I did forget. I mangled it with my rage and slew it when I let fly the spear from my grip."

"True, but thou art, Alexander!" Hephaistion stepped forward his voice lifting as to pour its strength into Alexander. "Thou art not a common solider, wanderer or plain man in the city! Dost thou forget this? Do you forget your quest, that which the gods have laid before you? The conquest your daemon had guided you toward since you were a boy. "

"Nay, I do not forget this, Hephaistion, but in my raging anger I became less than man and in that broke the fellowship of those around me and became a beast without reason. You know the depth of what I have done."

Hephaiston inclined his head and spoke strongly, his eye calm when meeting Alexander's. "Aye, I know it as dost thee, for no man may slay another without consent of the Assembly, and as we speak thus, the Army gathers to pass judgment upon Kleitos for his insult to thee. Thou art his king and he in his arrogance forgot this and was forward and familiar with thee and thus did wound then until thee had no choice but to defend thyself."

"Nay!" Alexander cried out, sweeping the table of its implements, the plates and cups crashing to the floor. "I forgot he had the right to speak as a man to me, and that I as his king had the responsibility to bear, to hear him with an open mind. Thus I denied him twice, his right to speak and his right to live." His eyes flamed and his cheeks with flushed with emotion.

Then Anaxarchas faced him, his face stern and solemn. "With these things we do not deny thy argument, but remember yourself, who you are and your duty. You are not as other men, thou art Alexander! The world looks to thee, recall thy obligations."

Slowly, Alexander reached out and took Anaxarchas' hands and holding them tightly he bowed his head before them. "Aye, and as Alexander I am falliable but I have heard thy words of wise counsel and will heed them well." He rose and turned toward Hephaistion and laid a gentle hand upon his shoulder. "My dearest friend, I thank thee for bringing this good man to me to rouse me back to my senses" He took a deep breath and smiled. "Now, I must seek forgiveness of the Gods before all else begins." A page was summoned, and directed that his seer be summoned forth. "Offerings must be made for Kleitos and to appease the Gods. Once I have seen these done then I will hear more of thy entreaties."

The Army hearing the king had roused himself from his self-imposed exile celebrated. There was much cheering and good hearted reasons for extra drinking and small celebrations. During a ceremony held the next day, the Army watched as their king was purified of his actions, and accept their decision to proclaim Kleitos a traitor, thus his death was appropriate and manner of execution worthy of his actions. However, they refused to allow his remains to be given a proper burial and this vexed Alexander. Finally, reminding them he was their king he proclaimed Kleitos would be buried according to the honors due his rank and privilege. The burial was private and small, as Alexander knew enough not to push the matter with the army who still felt Kleitos unworthy of any honor and felt his remains should be left on a cross for the crows to feast on.

Soon, the Army left Marakanda and its many tragedies and horror behind it. Men relaxed and laughed pleased to see their king more himself again. He rode with his Companions as before, feasted, hunted and seemed the man he had been before that terrible night. However, few knew that while the King had reconciled himself to his actions and left them behind them with each mile that passed, the man still suffered and with each mile his private anguish grew greater, but he knew what his work was and who he was. Perhaps someday, the man would be able to forgive himself, but for now the king could not allow it.

FINIS