Another meeting. Pointless, really, since Alexander had already informed them what they were going to do, how they were going to do it, and when they were going to do it. No one dared try to argue with him anymore. It wasn't worth incurring his wrath, which he seemed to have no problem unleashing these days.
After Alexander had gone over their plans, again, he stopped and looked around the room. "No one has any comments this time? No questions?"
He got no response from his usually vocal generals.
After a moment of silence, Craterus finally spoke up. "No, Alexander. I think the plan is quite clear. We all know what you expect of us. We will not let you down."
Alexander nodded, pleased with that answer. "Good, see to it that you don't. You are all dismissed. Health to you, gentlemen."
As was typical, Hephaestion was one of the last to file out of the room. He glanced at Ptolemy, who was walking beside him, and shrugged.
"Hephaestion! A word please." Alexander spoke in a commanding tone.
Hephaestion cringed inwardly. This could not be good. Ptolemy gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and left him alone with the king.
Hephaestion took a deep breath and turned around. "Yes, My King. What is it that you need?"
Alexander leaned back against the table, arms crossed over his chest. His steely gaze met the equally steely blue eyes of the general. "Just what the fuck kind of game are you playing, Hephaestion?"
Hephaestion crossed his arms in a defensive posture and glared at Alexander. "What are you talking about?"
Alexander slammed his fist down on the table, knocking over several wine goblets in the process. "You know damned well what I am speaking of! What is this thing with you and Cassander? You sleep with him, not once but many times, and you flaunt it in my face! How dare you show me such disrespect?"
Hephaestion nearly laughed. "Me? Show disrespect to YOU? Gods, Alexander, you truly do not get it, do you? You do not own me. I may sleep with whomever I wish. What I do on my personal time should not concern you, so long as I do my job. And you can find no fault with my work; I can assure you of that."
"Work be damned, Hephaestion! You have no right to have your little affair right under my nose! How do you think the others look upon this? You are making a fool of me in front of the men who are supposed to respect me. I will not tolerate it!"
Hephaestion's voice rose considerably and his anger started to get the best of him. "You, Alexander, make a fool of ME, every day. You flaunt your little eunuch in everyone's face. You grope him in public, and you are behaving like a drunken fool. Those who always wished ill of me because of my relationship to you are now gloating and laughing at me. They laugh at you because you cannot stay sober long enough to behave with any sort of dignity. If your men do not respect you any longer, perhaps you should look in the mirror to see who is truly to blame!"
Alexander spoke softly, his voice shaking with fury. "Do not dare speak to me that way, General Amyntoros. Do not cross a line that you will regret."
Hephaestion simply stared at him a moment. He spoke in a tone that seethed with anger, but a twinge of sadness as well. "I was once able to speak my mind to you, as we all were. Now you no longer listen to us. You do not treat us as equals as you once did. You think yourself a god, and you expect us all to bow before you. You are becoming like Darius! How dare you treat us as servants!"
Hephaestion didn't see it coming. Alexander caught him off guard as his fist connected with the general's jaw, jerking his head backwards. Hephaestion lost his footing and staggered back against the wall. He was too stunned to even react. He could not believe Alexander had hit him!
Alexander stepped back, a sneer on his lips. "Do not speak to me that way again, Hephaestion."
Hephaestion straightened himself and moved to stand in front of Alexander, close enough to feel his hot breath. Alexander's eyes were those of a madman. It took everything he had not to beat Alexander senseless, for he knew he was strong enough to do it. It would serve no purpose though, and most likely would get him executed for treason.
Taking a shaky breath, he spoke softly, his voice dripping with venom. "Have no fear, My King. I will not speak to you any more than is required of me." Something inside him broke, despite the anger he felt. His voice was filled with regret now. "The sad thing is, Alexander, you once loved me. The Alexander that I fell in love with…that I still love…would never have treated me so. It seems that man is no more. So, I will do as you command. Nothing more." He held Alexander's stare for a moment. "May I go now, My King?"
Alexander simply nodded. He wasn't sure he could speak at the moment.
Hephaestion turned on his heel and walked swiftly from the room.
Alexander dropped into a chair and buried his face in his hands. "By Zeus…what have I done?"
