Chapter 9

Alexander learns of the arrival of Kassandros to Babylon.


With a frustrated groan, taking a deep breath to compose himself Alexander pulled his robe tightly closed. With a slight grin, Hephaistion raised an eyebrow and Alexander loosed the robe. Ptolemy's voice continued to resound. "Alexander, forgive me the intrusion, but I must speak with you. It is urgent!"

"By Three-fold Hekate, he will…..uhggg!" Alexander stomped back toward the bed gripped the posts hard in his hands and closed his eyes as he clenched his teeth until they hurt. After a few moments, he felt more composed. He slapped some water in his face and splashed more at Hephaistion who had dunked his face in the bowl.

"Ptolemy?" With the rapid jerk of his hand, Alexander pulled the door open and stood grim faced before the head of his private guard. "Speak, but speak carefully for your…speak carefully." With a sweeping glance that told he was all too clear of what his disturbance had broken up, Ptolemy bowed and began to speak softly.

"From Macedon, Kassandros, son of Antipater has arrived." Alexander began to turn away. "His father does not accompany him." Alexander stopped dead in his tracks both Hephaistion and Ptolemy felt the hair along their arms rise. Alexander's eyes had gone pale and his voice was deadly soft.

"He does not?" He stood still a moment then called for his pages and began to dress. "So, Antipater seeks to disobey my command." Slowly he shook his head, his lips drawing into a thin, white smile. "Oh, I will see to this… Oh, by the Gods! My Mother warned me. Now…oh, they will come to rue this!" Hephaistion and Ptolemy exchanged glances and Hephaistion swallowed almost painfully.

"Ptolemy, see him to his quarters, but detain him. He is not to leave them without my leave. Relieve him of all correspondence, but be careful, I do not wish to alert him to any concern. I will send Eummenes along after I have spoken with him. He can handle that best. Do not forbid him visitors, but keep track of who they are and how long they stay." Turning to Hephaistion he directed. "See to it that all the recent correspondence from Krateros, Antipater and my Mother is gathered. See Eummenes as well, he will assist you. I wish for you both to have it prepared for me." For a brief moment Alexander's eyes, cold and steely met Hephaistion's. Hephaistion nodded silently. "I wish to review it along with whatever Ptolemy finds." Dressed and armed he moved quickly then stopped pulling on Ptolemy's arm. "The other members of his entourage, separate them from one another. Do this quickly, each to a private chamber, treat them well, but begin to question them. You know what I wish to know." Both men nodded understanding everything perfectly.

"Send for Eummenes and Chares. They are to attend me immediately in the council chamber." Alexander directed a waiting page as he strode toward from his chamber.


During the time Alexander had been with Hephaistion Bagoas had seen to certain duties and was on way toward the audience hall when Perdikkas called out to him. He turned and gasped in shock. Kassandros stood behind Perdikkas' tall form. Approaching the two men, Bagoas observed the tall red haired man. He was frowning and his person seemed to radiate disapproval as Bagoas approached. Immediately Bagoas felt something shift within himself.

"Bagoas," Perdikkas called him over. "Alexander, where is he? Kassandros, son of Antipater, has arrived from Macedon and seeks an immediate audience."

Slowly Bagoas bowed low to both men, but kept his eyes on Kassandros, the spitting image of the other Kassandros from the movie, except for his hair. So, Hephaistion was not the only one to reincarnate into the far off future. How curious that both he and Kassandros' paths had crossed. However, he could see from the haughty, bitter expression in the man's eyes, this was the Kassandros to be wary of, to warn Alexander of. There was nothing of recognition or the good nature of the other man, the one in the future. This man's eyes were orbs of cold grey ice.

He would kill him, he knew he must and quickly, too. Then he hesitated, could he and be relieved of any repercussions? Would it disrupt anything? It matters little, Bagoas reflected. The man could not be allowed to live. Too much rested on his whether lived or died. All of an instant Bagoas recalled what he had read in the future of Alexander's unborn son and the others. Perhaps if Alexander lived there would be no disintegration of his empire, perhaps… He glanced up into eyes full of hate.

"Since when are barbarian creatures such as this allowed to speak of Alexander so freely?" Kassandros sneered as his gazed at Bagoas from head to foot as though he were something to crush beneath his foot. Bagoas watched Perdikkas color and gave him a pleading look. Bagoas nodded ever so slightly. He kept the polite smile on his face. Having spent years at Darius' court had prepared him such intrigues as this, but the man's manner toward Alexander, his familiarity was disturbing. Perdikkas was a good man, never giving Alexander any reason to doubt him, and one of his dearest companions. Indeed, he was as though a prince in his own right, being from the royal house of Orestes in the highlands of Macedon. Bagoas knew he trusted this man and had great respect for him. Watching Perdikkas strain to keep his temper in check Bagoas decided would not see the man insulted any further; this Kassandros clearly knew nothing of court etiquette to insult a man as Perdikkas by behaving so poorly. It reflected back on Alexander most of all. This Alexander would not stand for. He insisted on the utmost courtesy within his court.

"My Lord," Bagoas began directing his comments to Perdikkas. "He is closeted with the Chiliarch."

Kassandros snorted in distain, raising an eyebrow. "Catamites and Hephaistion…" The man shook his head in disgust. "My father was correct to send me. There is much Alexander must give heed to. I've no time to squander, Perdikkas. I will see Alexander now."

Perdikkas moved a bit and cleared his throat. "Bagoas will see that he is alerted to your presence." He turned to the younger man.

"I go now, my Lord." Bagoas backed away as he heard Perdikkas direct Kassandros.

"The audience hall is through there or you may wish to remove to your chambers and await his word there."

"What?" Kassandros' tall, rangy body stiffened with rage. Fury was apparent in every inch of his being. "I wait upon some barbarian to see Alexander?" He moved forward and thrust an arm out pushing Bagoas off balance. He caught himself easily, but his heart was racing with anger. "A rot has spread through Macedon and it grows from here, I think. Through creatures such as this Macedon is growing weak and our hold on the hegemony throughout the rest of Hellas is threatened.

Bagoas noted the muscles in Perdikkas' face moved especially about his mouth as he pressed his lips into a thin line. His fine nostrils' flared and his eyes darkened, in a manner similar to Alexander's. He cleared his throat and spoke very softly. "The hegemony is in Alexander's name as heir to Philip, not that of Macedon."

"My father is acting regent, it is he who makes those decisions –"

"We will not discuss this now." Perdikkas smiled cutting him off, but Bagoas could see it cost him. "Bagoas, can you see that refreshment is placed in Kassandros' chambers, then send word to Hephaistion I wish to speak with him?

Before he could respond Kassandros gave a sneering laugh. "Hephaistion! No doubt he dresses the barbarian here, and imbibes in the weakening customs of creatures such as this and is diluting Alexander with them. Where is that fawning toad anyway? Hephaistion as Chiliarch! Alexander's mind is addled. He has grown weak from Persian air seeping into his body and corrupting his blood. My father and I will set things to right quickly, both here and in Macedon. Alexander must heed this." His laughter was a veil of calamity floating through the air. Bagoas shivered as he watched Perdikkas' blue eyes narrow. How fortunate for Kassandros that today Perdikkas had dressed in the Hellene style, for more and more he had adapted to the clothing of the people he was liaison with.

"I think it would be wise if you refrain from such comments in front of Alexander." Perdikkas turned and spoke to Bagoas fluidly in his own tongue. Kassandros' eyebrows rose to his hair line. "You will find that here, in Babylon as wherever Alexander's court may be there is a mixture of Hellene and other people's from all over the Empire. One is wise to recognize this quickly and adapt oneself to the ways of the court." He glanced at Bagoas again and added softly. "All the ways of the court."

I will see the King now!" Kassandros ignored him and spit at Bagoas' feet as he strode off.

Eyeing him with great contempt Bagoas bowed low and followed after he and Perdikkas along the long passageway. He fingered the dagger in his belt as he watched the receding figure of Kassandros. "I will prevent much sorrow if I kill this man." He decided.

To be continued….