Chapter 4
Prompt: Seriously
Title: Seriously in Trouble
"I do not think it's a good idea, Bessus."
Darius had been trying to convince Bessus not to treat Hephaistion like a criminal or something by binding him and having the guards drag him around.
"But, what if he was not the officer whom you were looking for, but someone in disguise who has come to harm us? How do you know that he is this Hephaistion, Alexander's most trusted and beloved officer?"
"I told you that I have seen him before."
"But, it was during the battle, wasn't it? You could have mistaken him with a look alike. There is more than one man who has long auburn hair with blue eyes in this world, you know?"
Darius sighed deeply. Although Bessus once accepted Darius' word on the identity of the captive, his suspicious mind was starting to send alarm signals to him once again. He was like a snapping turtle. He would never let it go once he had a doubt until he received a satisfactory answer.
"Take a look at this."
Darius handed him a sword that looked almost like a large knife with a slight backwards curve.
"So?"
Balancing the sword in his hand after inspecting it briefly, Bessus looked up at Darius in puzzlement. It was a well-made sword, but there seemed to be nothing special about it.
"Push the leather out of the pommel."
He pushed away the leather that wrapped around and covered the entire length of the hilt with his thumb towards the end.
"This is …"
Bessus gasped and his voice trailed off being taken with sight of the beautiful purple gem that was inlaid at the pommel of the sword.
"Now, bring it over to the flame."
As Bessus brought the hilt over the brazier, the color of the gem changed from mystic purple to bright blue.
"So beautiful, and exquisite! I have never seen such a gem before."
"I have heard of it from an Egyptian ambassador. He said that there is an extremely rare gem that changes the color with light, and they are found only at the upstream of the Nile River. Check the symbols on the blade by the guard, too."
Bessus squinted his eyes. There was a gold Vergina Star, the symbol of the Macedonian Kingdom on one side, and also entwined Greek letters 'A' and 'H' engraved in gold on the other side.
"Do you still doubt it?"
"No…"
Bessus mumbled still being mesmerized with the beauty of the gem. He hesitated and held the sword in his hand for a little longer before giving it back to the king.
ooOoo
Everything was extravagant in the palace. Hephaistion could not believe the size of the bath where they took him. It was almost as big as his tent; you could literally swim in it.
Hephaistion jerked on instinct when the servant pulled his clothes to take them off, but he let him continue his task as he met with the other's almost frightened expression. He was not used to being tended by others while taking a bath. It was not because he was ashamed to show his naked body to others, he was a Macedonian, but he felt awkward being tended by somebody else when he was totally capable of taking care of himself.
The scented hot water with the mixture of lavender and rose oil relaxed his nerves, and the servant's skilled hands kneaded to loosen every fiber of his tensed muscles while splashing more lavender oil over him. Hephaistion let his gaze wander around the room while enjoying the expert touch.
The place was not only big in size, but also was decorated with expensive materials; precious gems were inlaid among exquisite bright colored tiles. Hephaistion wondered if this excessive luxury was the reason that made the Persians corrupt and weak. It was a kind of luxury that Alexander had never allowed himself.
Alexander…the name triggered the image of his king to flood into his mind, and Hephaistion winced in pain. How much he had missed Alexander. Hephaistion took a deep breath, and scolded himself. It was not the time to be sentimental, but the time to plot for his important mission.
The servant took an extra time to wash his long hair while massaging his scalp. It felt so good that he almost purred audibly. After the long bath, he was dressed in an indigo blue soft woollen robe over a white silk tunic and loose pants. Hephaistion was not accustomed to wearing pants, but this soft slick material felt almost like his second skin, and did not bother him at all. A narrow pale blue sash embroidered with silver threads completed his new costume.
After his hair was brushed thoroughly, Hephaistion was taken back to the king's chamber by two guards. Darius wished to have a private meeting with Hephaistion alone, but it was impossible not to include Bessus, the last person to whom Darius wanted to reveal his secret passion and admiration for the young Macedonian officer.
Dairus had never trusted Bessus, he was not brave enough to confront with him, yet coward enough to betray the kingdom in exchange for his own personal benefit. However, he was still the satrap of Bactria, the very next in line to the king of Persia. It was not by his choice, but as he had neither a son nor a brother who could fill the position, Besus, a cousin of his was the only option.
Darius put the sword on the table where he wanted the young Macedonian to sit, and Bessus instantly opened his mouth to protest. However, Darius' sharp accusing gaze quickly stopped him. He instead questioned Hephaistion to hide the embarrassment of being treated like a child.
"So, is it true that you fled Alexander's army because your lover slept with the eunuch?"
Bessus asked Hephaistion as soon as the guards stepped outside the door. He did not even give Hephaistion a chance to settle at the table where the light dinner and wine were set.
Hephaistion was stunned with this direct and rude inquiry, but he took time to sit in front of the satrap while bowing slightly to the King when he recognized the familiar sword laid in front of him. He pretended that the asked question was as casual as discussing the weather.
"What would you have done, if you were in my position?"
Accepting a cup of wine from the sneering Bessus, Hephaistion answered nonchalantly looking directly into the other's dark eyes. Darius was relieved. One, he could observe Hephaistion without meeting with the direct line of his eyes since he was sitting at the end of the table to the left of the young warrior. And two, the conversation was taking off without him.
Darius took this opportunity to indulge himself with the sight of his desire. Hephaistion looked even more beautiful with his skin radiating a healthy glow after the bath. His hair was full and shiny with being well groomed with oil. His lips were moist and soft with a hint of red from the wine. The light woollen robe hugged his slender body loosely revealing delicate collarbones and emphasizing the long sensual neck. Darius was in the gods' world.
"I would have slashed the throat of the eunuch before fleeing. Or even better, slashed both Alexander and the eunuch on the same bed."
"Well, then, I might not be alive now, don't you agree?"
"True! The generals who wish to take over the kingdom would have killed you in order to secure their position before you could escape."
Bessus' eyes brightened up. He liked the way that the conversation flowed. Being encouraged, he continued.
"Do you think you would be an advantage for us against Alexander?"
"If I were not, you would have not given such a high price to the bandit, I assume?"
"I like how your mind works, Hephaistion. Did I pronounce your name correctly?"
"Yes, you did."
Hephaistion flashed a brilliant smile that could seduce even an inanimate object. Darius did not miss Bessus' eyes darkened a shade with lust.
"Good, Hephaistion, I wonder what role would best suit you in our court."
"Whatever you think the most beneficial for you."
"All right then, Darius, would you say that we will put Hephaistion to lead the mercenaries, the Greek hoplites, under my division?"
Bessus licked his lips suggestively. Hephaistion felt a chill of disgust run down his spine, but he concealed it by taking another sip, hiding his expression effectively behind the cup.
"No, I think he should stay as an advisor to me, as I believe that he is the best person next to Alexander who can tell me how the Macedonians fight."
A shadow of disappointment crossed the oily face of Bessus for a moment, but he gained his cheerful mood when he realized that he could have this kind of conversation with this young Macedonian frequently if he indeed became an advisor of war strategies.
Hephaistion let out an inaudible sigh of relief. While Darius was amused as he noticed that Hephaistion just managed to make Bessus believe that he had received the best answers to his questions without actually answering them. This creature was not only beautiful, but also dangerous and intelligent. He must have been the real power of Alexander.
The more Darius thought about it, the less he was convinced with the reason why Hephaistion had left Alexander. Hephaistion did not fit into the characteristics of those who would betray their country because of a feud that was rooted in jealousy. He seemed to be too noble and sincere for that.
Darius doubted if he was falling into a dangerous trap, but he also knew that there was no way of stopping it now, especially after seeing the man so close, face-to-face. He would even take a chance of losing his empire as long as he could keep Hephaistion by his side.
As the night grew older, Bessus had too much wine, and had to excuse himself. He could barely keep his eyes open. He stood up with unsteady feet, and walked to Hephaistion. He used it as an excuse to hug the young Macedonian tightly against him, who also stood up to show his respect.
"Good night, beau-ti-ful. I'll see you to-mmo-rrowww."
He slurred against Hephaistion's hair forgetting that he had ever doubted him. Darius peeled him off, and shoved him out the door giving the satrap to the guard to take him away to his own quarter.
"I'm sorry about that."
Hephaistion just nodded as recognition and gave the King a genuine smile. Darius felt his heart flip, and looked away towards the window. He hoped that his blushing would not show so obviously. It should be covered by the effect of the wine.
He debated if he should tell Hephaistion how he felt. One part of his heart wished to keep it as a secret only to himself, but another part screamed to get it out.
'If I love him so much that I think that I am ready to throw my kingdom away for him, I should confess my feelings. Even if it is a fruitless love, and how embarrassing it might be, I cannot be a coward. I owe it to myself.'
He cleared his throat, and turned back to Hephaistion.
"Would you like to get some fresh air?"
"Yes, a little walk would be nice before going to bed. I think I ate a bit too much."
Hephaistion let his sword slip in-between his robe and the sash as he left the table to follow the King. Darius guided him out to the royal garden.
The sun had set a long time ago, but the garden was lit with silver moonlight and the braziers that were placed strategically throughout the garden. Hephaistion appreciated the added warmth from the woollen shawl that was handed by the king when they stepped out into the garden. The night air of mid March was still chilly even in Babylon.
They walked in silence, Darius leading a half a step ahead of Hephaistion, until they came to a narrow path with rows of flowering trees. The red flowers with yellow centers looked like roses, but the petals were single and the leaves were thicker and glossier than those of roses. The biggest difference was that the flowers bloomed in the tree, not in the shrub.
Hephaistion had never seen such trees. Noticing Hephaistion's curious expression, Darius spoke.
"It's Camellia from far east."
"They are so beautiful."
They sat on the stone bench in the middle of the flowering path.
"I told them to stay at the palace."
Hephaistion looked at the King in question, but the King's gaze was cast on something far away. His soft voice continued.
"But they did not listen, especially my mother. She told me that the battle was as important for them women as to men, because they too own a part of the kingdom. She wanted them to see us win, wanted them to feel the victory. I would have forced them to stay if I had known what would happen at the battle."
Hephaistion finally understood what Darius was talking about. He thought that it might be rather rude to ask such a question, but he gathered his courage and asked the King that had been an enigma to him.
"What prevented you from taking your family back with you?"
"I had seen you."
Hephaistion whipped his head to look at him. He thought he had misheard him.
"I panicked, and fled. I forgot everything."
Hephaistion lost the words completely. Darius stood up, and snapped the branch with a single flower.
"Red Camellia means 'a flame in my heart'."
He whispered while twisting the branch between his thumb and forefinger. Then, he bent down and picked up a fallen flower on the ground.
"Do you see this?" He put the flower on his palm, "Unlike other flowers, when the petals of Camellia fall, the calyx falls with them. Therefore in the far east, it is a symbol of everlasting union between lovers."
With this, Darius handed a branch to Hephaistion.
Looking at the red flower in his trembling hand, Hephaistion wondered with a racing heart.
'Did king Darius just confess love for me? Oh, what have I done? Or, more importantly, what am I going to do?'
Hephaistion had been certain that he had sorted out all the dangers and obstacles of his mission before making a decision, but he had never expected this to happen. Now it was Hephaistion's turn to panic. He was in a serious problem.
TBC
A/N: I debated, but could not help making Bessus fall for Phai, as well.