Hello all,

Here is the conclusion of my Gaza tale. My apologies for the delay. I hope that it will be worth the wait. I have made some changes in comparison to *real* history. You will see why as the story proceeds.

I have chosen two prompts for this tale. In war there are always two parties and the ideas of Conquest and Disaster are well chosen. For the victor there is always a Conquest, but then we have the other part. Defeat is truly a disaster, especially for Batis...

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/ Northern Light

Prompts: Conquest And Disaster

The city of Gaza shivered from fear. Its proud Commander Batis awakened from another night filled with bad dreams, angst and worries. The same dreadful dream had tormented him all night long, all until he could not remain in his bed. He had to rise and refresh himself with some bread and water before he prowled the dark corridors of the Citadel. The air indoors was stifling hot. He went outdoors to take some cooling night air.

It was to no avail.

His worries became even worse as he prowled the high walls of his inexpugnable Citadel. He could see the Macedonians from the heights. They were so many, and his proud defenders so few. He had thought that his city was impossible to take, but he had been proven wrong. The Macedonians had managed to build an enormous ramp of earth and they now threatened the city walls and made them most vulnerable.

Today would be the crucial day of the long and arduous Siege. Batis knew this. He could feel it in the very marrow of his bones. As he put on his black armour he felt his faded courage return. He had to be brave and strong for the sake of his subjects and his proud City.

This day he decided to lead from the front, to follow the heroic example of the young upstart Macedonian King. He went out and addressed his men. The cheered him and rallied. He managed to give them courage and strength as he assessed the desperate situation.

"My brave men. Our situation is very serious. We have a most merciless Enemy at our gates. The Macedonians must become repelled today, or else we will lose our City, our freedom and probably even our very lives. We know what happened to Tyre. Our fate will be similar if we are defeated, "he told them. "We must fight bravely and resist all their attempts to take our proud City! We will become victorious and successful! This King Alexander is just an ordinary man, just as we are. He can be wounded, that we all have seen. He is not invulnerable, and it is possible for us to beat him! Today is the day that we drive King Alexander and the Macedonians from our Gates!"

All his men cheered him once more.

"Batis! Batis! BATIS!", they called out loud, their voices booming all around the city of Gaza, even making the Macedonians tremble a bit.

Then they all went out to defend the City of Gaza.

Batis had a secret plan. He knew that King Alexander had one weakness. That was something he would take advantage of. A cruel smile lit up his dark features. He was not proud of what he was up to - but in war one must be prepared to do even the most unthinkable to save the day, ones people and City!

Alexander looked truly magnificent in his shining golden armour and his Royal red cloak. The sun warmed him with its glorious golden rays and he let it fill him with warmth, strength and confidence. His Macedonians cheered him. They looked up to their young King, knowing that nothing was impossible with him to lead them.

"My brave Macedonians! We have marched a long way together. The riches of Egypt and Persia now awaits us. It is just this stubborn City of Gaza that stands in our way. Let us take it - TODAY !

All Army cheered and rallied. They knew that King Alexander would lead them to Victory once more. Their voices boomed and carried, making the citizens of Gaza shudder and cover behind their high red walls made of hard stone and clay.

"Alexander! Alexander! ALEXANDER! Victory! Victory! VICTORY!"

There was One standing in the shadow behind the young glorious King. He was dressed in silvery, shining armour and a sky blue carefully watched over his King and friend. Alexander looked well today. There were no signs of his recent weakness whatsoever. He stood proud and tall. There was no trembling, no shivers, but he was white under his tan and his right arm was carefully bound up to his side, hidden under the Royal red cloak.

Hephaestion followed Alexander, faithful as always.

He knew that his Dear One would lead from the front, as usual. No wounds, no weakness could stop him from taking the City of Gaza today.

Together they rushed up the earthen ramp. They were met by the brave and stubborn defenders. Stones and arrows rained over them but they were protected by their strong shields and armour. The fight was brutal, even vicious. In the midst of battle Alexander felt a great stone boulder smash into his leg. The pain was excruciating and it severely bruised his thigh and knee, almost causing him to topple and fall. Hephaestion had to steady him for a while. Soon Alexander rallied and he smiled to his Dear One and Cleitus and the faithful Guards who surrounded him with care and protection.

"It is nothing, my friends. It will have to be tended to when we have taken this stubborn city!"

Suddenly Hephaestion was grasped by an enormous Knight in black armour and he was forcibly dragged away from the side of his Dear One. He was totally surprised by the violent assault. Before he could resist his attacker he was disarmed and surrounded by a forest of other Knights in black armour. They dragged him away towards the city of Gaza. He kicked and placed his feet stubbornly in the ground but to no avail.

"Let go of me!, "he shouted at them, "Or else something terrible will happen!"

The black Knights did not listen to him. They continued to drag him away.

Alexander saw his Dear One surrounded by a dark cloud of Black Knights. It all happened so suddenly that he did not understand from where they all came. He was staggering from weakness and wounds and the scorching sun was already taking its toll on him. Now he quickly forgot all his injuries and ailments.

Hephaestion was in grave danger! He must be rescued!

Alexander brandished his sword and leaped at all the Black Knights. There was one especially enormous, dark and ominous holding on to his Dear One.

"King Alexander! You have to leave Gaza alone, ore else you will never see your friend again! I know your weakness, "the Black Knight shouted at him. "You, Alexander, you are nothing without him I hold on to here!"

Alexander knew that this was the simple truth. He admitted it to himself, every day. All other Macedonians knew, too, that withoutHephaestion King Alexander and Macedon would be in great difficulties. He was an anchor of stability and order and he knew all the King's secrets.

Not much could be done without him.

Even his most vicious detractors knew and admitted this, but just to themselves.

Now all could see his predicament and the gasped out loud when they saw King Alexander challenge all the Black Knights on his own. The young King was soon flanked by his faithful Guards and Cleitus.

Now the Black Knight held a sharp sword over Hephaestion's throat. He let its cold, merciless steel grind over the links in the jewel studded collar that was protecting his valuable hostage. The Macedonians shuddered. Even King Alexander gasped out loud from fear.

Only one did not shudder.

Stefanos was a master marksman. He always carried a light bow, for all eventualities. Now he swiftly hid behind his companion Alexios and notched an arrow. He held his aim, knowing that the shot would be precarious. It was of the essence that he hit the right target.

He waited until he feared that the Black Knight actually planned to slit the throat of his valuable hostage, in front of King Alexander and all the Macedonian Army. He shuddered from cold dread but then he managed to steady his hands and aim.

He let the arrow fly and his aim was true. He managed to hit the right hand of the Black Knight, wounding him so seriously that he would never have the full use of it again. The sharp sword fell to the ground, no longer a threat his Dear One.

Alexander acted at once. He charged all the Black Knights together with his Guards and Companions. There was a violent fight asHephaestion retrieved his arms and joined in and helped his brave rescuers.

Stefanos and Alexios soon held on to the Black Knight.

"Here he is, King Alexander. It must be Batis himself."

Alexander felt his mind become consumed by a cloud of red rage. This man had thwarted him in a most violent and stubborn manner. He had almost managed to capture and kill his Dearest Friend.

Now he would suffer for it.

Hephaestion shuddered and shivered. Now when he was safe and once more at the side of his Glorious Golden One he felt the disaster that he had almost succumbed to. His legs suddenly gave way under him and he fell to the hard, dry ground. The red earth received him and mercilessly bruised him. He was swallowed by a dark cloud of icy cold and unconsciousness claimed him.

He woke up to the most ungodly screams he had ever heard. Amanda sat at his side, cradling his head in her lap. She held a linen clot drenched in cold water smelling strongly of mint and camphor and she gently stroke his face, forehead and throat.

"Oh, General Hephaestion, you are awake once more. Good! You must stop this atrocity! You are the only one who is able to do it! !"

Hephaestion sat up and looked around. What he saw made him think that he might still be unconcious and deep into a hideous nightmare from the very Iliad.

Achilles himself was driving his chariot, urging on two black horses with cruel and bloodthirsty screams. He was so beautiful in his goldenarmour, with his golden hair streaming down his shoulders. It was a pity that such a magnificent and brave Warrior should condescend to such a cruel deed against a defeated Enemy.

Hector had been a most Formidable Foe! He did not deserve to be dragged behind a chariot, still alive, round and round the red walls of Gaza! He was screaming so loud and hard that it must have shattered his vocal cords a long time ago.

Gaza! Hephaestion now fully recognized the stubborn city. The one being dragged behind the chariot must be Batis! The one doing this horrible deed must be Alexander!

He must be stopped!

Hephaestion rose on trembling and unsteady legs. Amanda held on to him and called for Castor. The prudent and faithful auburn war horse came to him, saddled and ready. Hephaestion mounted and rode after the Golden Warior and the chariot with its pitiful passenger.

He had to ride long and hard before he was able to stop the dreadful ride.

Alexander now stood at his side, trembling from deep emotions. There was fear, love and the all overwhelming wish for Revenge!

No one could take his Dear One from him!

He put his good left arm around Hephaestion's shoulders, loking down at Batis, now dead at their feet. The features of the dark warrior now were at peace, almost calm, as if he knew that he had done his utmost to save and protect his people and city.

Now he could do no more.

"He fought bravely. I am glad that you managed to stop me from manhandling his body any more and that you are here to share my Victory, "Alexander said with heartfelt thankfulness. " We will give him a funeral of a true Warrior, together with all the Fallen of this day."

Alexander and Hephaestion went together to take care of the aftermath of the long and cruel Siege of Gaza.

The funerals were solemn, the Pyres burned long and hot before the Victory could be celebrated.

Far away in the West fabled Egypt awaited them.

There would always be new conquests. Alexander's Pothos was endless and insatiable.

Hephaestion would always be there to share it with him

The End