Hello all,
Here comes the conclusion of Illyrian Autumn. In this we will learn more about the origins of Amanda and how she came to live all on her own in her remote grotto. A dear friend comes, in dire need of medical help and assistance. This brings out old troubles and conflicts, also for Hephaestion who comes to their assistance.
We will also see more about how Alexander and Hephaestion and their animal friends are coping with their new life in Illyria.
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,
// NorthernLight
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TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Autumn (10 / 10) Conclusion
Author: NorthernLight
Email address: aur_
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: November 2008
Feedback: Yes, , on and off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, but please tell me first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is for entertainment only, and for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their times and great adventures.
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions. You sure make my stories a far better read.
Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion experienced hard times during their Illyrian exile. There were some memorable moments, though.
Warnings: One OMC. Amanda is my alter ego, a wishful dream come true.
Author's note: I don't know much of Ancient Illyria. The Mountain Illyrians are a proud and stubborn people of my own invention. Elk and lynx are animals living in the North of Europe. I don't think that they lived in Ancient Greece or Illyria in Alexander's time, but I like them to be there all the same. :)
Amanda thinks that the God of Healing actually is a Goddess. That's why she says Asclepia.
Dedication: To my dear friend Jun. I remember that you wished to be in Illyria, meeting our Dear Ones for *real*. I hope that you like your character, new home and family in this chapter.
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Illyrian Autumn, Part Ten, Conclusion
A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC
Domestic Bliss
The mornings were getting chillier all the time now. Only when the sun had risen as high as a golden orb on the azure blue sky was there some true warmth. Alexander carefully wrapped his wolf fur cloak around his broad shoulders before leaving their homelike cave. Hephaestion followed him, wrapped in his warming bear skin cloak.
"I don't want to leave you here alone all day long, Phai, but I must see to my traps and find more firewood in the forest, "Alexander prudently stated. "The puppies need some proper hunting training, too."
Peritas and Pollux merrily barked and yelped, jumping around their feet.
"Xander, we are skilled hunters already, "they indignantly told their Dear Masters. "Mother taught us a lot - and we brought you a fine boar and many rabbits, too!"
Hephaestion gently patted their furry heads.
"Yes, we know and appreciate your catches, "he reassuringly told them before turning to Alexander again. "I do not want you to be alone in this unknown forest, either, Alexander. It's good that you bring Bucephalus and the puppies. I will have my lynx kitten here with me, and there will be plenty to occupy myself with. Amanda borrowed me a big cauldron and taught me a useful recipe to make rose hip jam and jelly, so I will boil it all day long. It'll be good for us to eat when winter comes. "
"You are always so good at domestic matters, "Alexander thankfully stated. "I already look forward to coming home to you. "
"Yes, you will be most welcome back here in the afternoon, "Hephaestion answered with a blush on his cheeks.
They gave one another a warming embrace. Then Bucephalus sank down on his haunches before his Dear Master. Alexander mounted him and man and horse merrily went away into the forest followed by the eagerly running and yelping puppies. He waved with his right hand as a greeting before he was swallowed by the birches. A halo of golden leaves surrounded him, then he was gone.
Hephaestion sighed, and looked into the forest for a long time. Then he prudently went to the cauldron, taking care of the enormous heap of rose hips he had picked. Most of it wold be turned into jam and jelly, but he had another smaller cauldron at the side. Amanda had also told him how to make rose hip wine, a very strong and tasty brand. She had sternly admonished him NOT to let Alexander have too much of it. He smiled as he remembered the small golden haired woman sternly admonishing him:
"Your Golden One has a dangerous taste for strong drink! I will tell you how to make this since you are so eager to please him - but you will just make some small jugs, and you must not let Alexander drink too much of it! It is for warmth and medicinal purposes only, and to be taken just in SMALL sips!"
After both cauldrons were boiling at the fireside Hephaestion sat on his favourite warm moss clad stone near the rose hip bramble. Little Lyllia came to him with her siblings. The small lynx cubs played merrily around his feet. Then they went away for a while, soon returning and proudly presenting three enormous rats and a dozen of small mice.
"Here, Phaiston! These fine rats and mice will be most tasty and succulent with rose hip jam on them!"
Hephaestion swallowed with a gulp but then he realized the kindness of the small lynx cubs and that they meant to honour him with their fine prey. He gently patted their furry heads.
"Many thanks, my little dear ones. Those rats look really fine, big and tasty. I am not so sure that they will do well together with rose hip jam, though, "he thankfully stated. "You must be hungry after all your merry games. Perhaps you want to eat them yourselves. "
The small lynx nodded and took the rats into a bush for a tasty meal. Hephaestion went into the cave and stirred both cauldrons with a ladle, taking extra care of the rose hip wine brew. Alexander would be greatly surprised when it was ready to drink in a few weeks time.
Amanda watched her new neighbours from behind her rose hip curtain. They fondly embraced before Alexander went riding on his brave black horse, straight into the forest. The young men were so beautiful and friendly. Amanda had never before seen two people looking so very complete together. She could even see a wondrous golden light around them as they embraced.
She sighed, for an instance wishing that she would meet someone worthy of this kind of love, friendship and total confidence.
There was a yelping from the bushes, which took her away from her brooding.
"Lupina! I know that you are there, my friend. You and your cubs may enter now. Ptolema and her puppies are out hunting!"
A big gray she wolf came through the rose hip brambles with five cubs in tow. Two were dark gray, two had a silver gray shade in their furry hides and one was almost black. They came up to her, merrily licking her hands and fingers. Amanda cuddled the small wolf cubs and talked kindly to their mother, giving her good advice about their future upbringing. At the same time a mother viper with her small snake children came slithering up to her. She gently patted her small head.
"Oh, Medusa. Are you and your children still awake? You ought to go into hibernation real soon, now. There is a fine place near my grotto, a warm crevice filled with moss and straw. You may sleep there all winter long. "
The mother viper nodded and hissed friendly. All her children slithered merrily around, looking at their new winter home.
A Call For Help
Next, there was a rustling in the rose hip brambles. A small, dark haired woman dressed in a lovely dark red tunic and a warming wolf fur cloak came through the secret tunnel. She knew it well and went straight to Amanda, regardless of the she wolf and mother viper and their children. There were tears in her eyes and she called out loudly for Amanda.
"Amanda. You must come and help me! My dear boys are so very ill! They are running a very high fever and they can hardly breathe at all. Mother is seeing to them now. I hope that it will not be to late for your miracle concoctions !"
"No, it sure won't. Do not worry so much, my dear friend, "Amanda prudently stated as she rose from her comfortable mossy stone. She went into the cave and swiftly returned with a pouch filled with herbs smelling strongly of mint, camphor, spicy salvia, elderberry and chamomile.
"Here you are, Jun. You must boil these into an infusion. After they are boiled you must let your dear boys breathe in the fumes. That will help them to breath much easier, "Amanda adamantly stated. "Then you must let the infusion cool down a bit before you let them drink one cup each from it. It doesn't taste too good, but afterwards they will be feeling much better! "
"Yes, Amanda, all this is very good and well, but my boys are very seriously ill. I think you must come and see to them yourself. There might be a need for even more potent remedies! "
Amanda started to shudder.
"I don't like to go into the village! You know that very well, my dear Jun - but for your sake I will do it!"
She brought her big leather satchel filled with all kinds of pouches, jars and cloths. Then she wrapped an enormous muffler made from dark green wool around her neck and dressed herself in a cloak made from wolf fur. She pulled the big hood over her head so vehemently that one clearly saw that she wanted it to make her invisible.
The mother viper slithered into the stony crevice with all her children. Jun drew a sigh of relief when the snakes were gone. Lupina and her cubs sat down in front of the entrance of Amanda's grotto. She gently patted their furry heads.
"It's so good of you to guard my home when I am away. Look out for your husband Old Zacynthos, though, "Amanda admonished. "He will not take kindly to it that you are befriending a human!"
The little lupine family nodded prudently as they remained at the grotto. The cubs started to play with their mother carefully watching over them.
Hephaestion had seen the small dark haired woman rush through the rose hip tunnel, clearly in some kind of dire need and distress. He was curious so he went to the thicket to listen to her errand. As he overheard the anxious conversation he could clearly understand the emergency. He instantly liked the small dark haired woman and saw that she was a dear friend to Amanda. It pained him to realize her plight. He was also puzzled by Amanda's sudden fearfulness and clear reluctance to go to the Illyrian village, even to help a very dear friend. She was not afraid of the she wolf and her half grown cubs, and she was very friendly to the mother viper and her small snake children, too.
Whatever was so terrible with the people in that Illyrian village that Amanda didn't want to go there at all? Amanda was a very brave and courageous woman. Why did she not want to visit her native village?
Hephaestion wanted to find out. He also wanted to be of help to both women. Quickly he put the reins and a saddle cloth on Castor and hurried towards the brambles shielding Amanda's grotto. The small lynx followed him, merrily meowing.
"Phai! Are you going for a ride? We want to go with you! The village is ever so fun, we have so many smaller cousins there. Mother has forbidden us to visit them - but if YOU are with us all will be well. "
"I do not think it is such a good idea for you to visit the village, my little darlings, "Hephaestion told them. "The villagers like cats and kittens a lot, but it is different with you since you are the fearsome woodland lynx! I need you to guard our cave when I am away from home. "
The lynx cubs prudently nodded and remained at Hephaestion's cave. He proceeded to Amanda's grotto, leading Castor by the rein.
"My dear ladies, "he kindly addressed them, "I happened to overhear your conversation. I understand that you need to reach the village real soon. Castor and I will take you there a lot faster than if you have to walk."
Jun looked in awed astonishment at the handsome stranger and his enormous auburn colored war stallion. She had never seen such a beautiful man before. He was so very tall, looking so strong and muscular. His hair was shoulder long, shining and glossy auburn , his features were extremely beautiful - and - his eyes were a cerulean blue, mirroring the azure blue sky with their unique colour.
"Amanda! Whoever is this?, "Jun asked, at the verge of passing out.
"It is my new neighbour Hephaestion, "Amanda prudently answered. "He and his friend Alexander have come here all the way from the South. They suddenly found themselves in need of vacation in a calm and friendly place."
Jun nodded, even more puzzled about this explanation. Now the handsome stranger took her into his arms. The well trained war stallion sank down on his haunches and he mounted with her in front. Jun was usually very shy in front of men. Her departed husband, the village smith, had been very strong and raucous. He was not always kind to her and the boys, and they had been very afraid of him. When he was slain in a skirmish with some of the Mountain Illyrians' enemy tribes Jun had managed to run the smithy all on her own, with help of Amanda's two strong brothers Bength and Laurens.
Now, Jun felt strangely warm and secure in the handsome stranger's arms. She looked up into his beautiful blue eyes and gave him a shy smile as she huddled closer to him. Amanda climbed up on Castor, too, holding on to Hephaestion's slim and muscular waist. The war horse slowly rose, careful not to upset his new and inexperienced riders.
"You don't need to be afraid, my ladies. Castor is a very calm and reliable horse. He has carried me safely through even the most fearsome battles. Now you must tell me how to reach your village. We will be there in no time, to help your dear boys. "
Jun pointed towards a narrow glen with a trembling hand. Off they went in a fast but steady canter. The road was lined with birches, chestnuts and maples; with their golden and orange glowing leaves swirling all around in the chilly autumn winds.
To The Village Of The Mountain Illyrians
They entered a large village situated where the glen opened up into a bigger valley. It consisted of around fifty houses made of clay with roofs of dried yellow straw. The people came out watching in astonishment. They had never seen such a fine stallion before. They were even more impressed by its rider. The Mountain Illyrians were tall, strong and well built, but this man impressed even them with his tall built and glossy auburn mane.
// How strange, "the Mountain Illyrians mused. "June went to fetch the Healer, but she returns with this handsome stranger. Wherever does HE come from?" //
Now the stranger dismounted and put June on the ground. She trembled so badly after the ride that he had to support her with one arm around her shoulder. Amanda stood at his other side, hidden in her wolf fur hood.
"Where do you live, Jun?, "Hephaestion asked.
She pointed towards a fine looking round house made from orange red bricks. It had a big well in front of it. Fresh cool water murmured inside. They had to walk some distance at the village street to get there. The villagers watched them with vigilance. Then there was a bunch of women with a small, weasel like fellow in their midst. Two women were fair haired and thin, with razor sharp ugly features. One other was grossly fat, dark haired with round. plump cheeks. The fourth was tall, dark haired and produced a shrill, ear splitting laughter. Then the nasty whispering started.
// The witch is back! The WITCH is back! What will she do to us now? //
Hephaestion could hear these nasty whispers behind his back. He knew that Amanda was the target, but he felt an uncanny familiarity with this detraction. Ever since he became Alexander's very special friend he, too had been subjected to this kind of whispering behind the back. It utterly abhorred him and he took a closer grasp at Castor's reins, wanting to keep his faithful horse safe and secure at his side. The usually docile and prudent stallion felt his Dear Master's unrest. He instantly stamped his great hoof, making the ground shudder. Then he neighed loudly, showing his teeth to the nasty whisperers. At the same time Amanda withdrew her wolf fur hood and glared at them. Her blue green eyes were virtually blazing from indignant anger and hatred. The whisperers made the sign against the Evil Eye and hastily withdrew.
Now they had reached the Village Smithy. It was under a straw roof, but opened up towards the village street. Hephaestion carefully tied Castor at a pole, and then they entered in a hurry. Two strong and fair haired men were busily working at the anvil, one making cauldrons, the other making swords and knives. They looked up in surprise at the handsome newcomer. Hephaestion nodded politely and addressed them in broad Mountain Macedonian.
"I am Hephaestion from Macedon, escorting these ladies to see to Jun's dear boys. Could you please see to my horse? There seem to be some unkind people in this village and I do'nt want him to be bothered by them. You two are strong and reliable, I see."
The two smiths nodded with silent assent, also greeting Amanda and Jun with fond but worried smiles.
"Yes, Hephaestion. We are Bength and Laurens, Amanda's brothers. Your fine horse will be safe with us. Now you must go inside. Jun's boys are feeling very poorly, they are even worse than when she went for help!"
Hephaestion recognized the urgent situation and swiftly swept the two women indoors. There were two rooms behind the smithy, one fine and well equipped kitchen, smelling from the most delicious newly baked bread, herbs and onions. From the other room they heard some pitiful moans and groans and a soft crying. They instantly entered. There was a big bed covered with several sheep fleece, woolen blankets and big cushions. Two small, dark haired boys were resting there, watched over by a small, gray haired woman with tears running down her wrinkled cheeks. She gently held on to their hands, panting as she saw their distress. They had great difficulties in breathing. Their faces were strained and very pale and their lips, eye lids and ears had turned into an uncanny blue colour.
"Amanda! You came! I am so glad, you sure are needed her, "the old woman said, a desperate plea in her voice.
"Yes, I can see that, Dear Mother Kiyomi. You don't need to cry anymore, I will have them on their feet in no time!"
Amanda swiftly went to the small boys, talking kindly and reassuringly to them. They were feverish and unable to understand her properly but all in the room saw that they became visibly calmer when they heard her determined voice. She put her hands on their fevered brows, felt the pulse at their throats and wrists and put her hands on their chests.
"Michael and Dimitri are very badly off, but not as bad as it seems, "she stated. "I got here just in time. Jun, you and Hephaestion must sit up with them when I make the infusion. It will be ready in no time, clearing up their poor lungs. "
Amanda hauled up her medicinal pouches from her satchel and went into the kitchen. Jun sat down at the bedside, gently caressing her boys, holding their hands and speaking words of comfort. Hephaestion sat down at her side, holding his arm around her slender shoulders.
"Don't you worry. Amanda is a very skilled Healer. She will cure your boys real soon. "
"Yes, I know. She has cured so many hopeless causes. I hope that she can help my boys! They are all that I have!"
Now Jun started to cry uncontrollably. Hephaestion held on to her, gently rocking her to and fro, offering silent support. His strong arms around her made her feel better and soon she was calm again, thankfully looking up into his blue eyes. Amanda returned with a simmering cauldron in her hand, a red kettle holder wrapped around the steaming hot handle. Fumes of camphor, elderberry and all the other Healing herbs soared up in a cloud as she put it at the bedside. The small boys breathed in the fumes. In a short while they were breathing much easier and they regained some colour. As the brew cooled down Amanda poured it into two clay bowls. She gave Jun one and kept the other herself. They gently lifted the boys and put the bowls to their lips. They drank and swallowed with some reluctance, but when they had swallowed it all they were visibly improving and fell into a salutary sleep. Amanda felt their brows and their necks and held her hands around their chests.
"Well, now they are feeling much better. Their fever is down and their lungs are clearing up, "she reassuringly told them all. "Now we just need to keep careful watch over them, until we can clearly see that they are out of harm's way. "
They sat down at the bedside for their vigil. Jun's mother brought them small cups with strong raspberry wine and some newly baked bread with ham and cheese. They all ate with a hearty appetite before sitting down again. Amanda's brothers came in for the meal and then went back to work in the smithy. They brought a bucket with cool spring water, some fragrant hay and barley gruel to Castor. The giant stallion ate it all, but he kept careful watch over the village street. He could see the weasel like fellow and his company of gossiping and whispering women and he did not like the look of them at all.
Some hours went by and the boys slowly improved. Amanda administered another bowl of the infusion to them, making them feel a bit better.
Now it was late in the afternoon and the sun was standing low on the Western horizon. All in the room were dozing off, hearing the soft clangor from the smithy. Jun was still very upset, but slowly calming down. Hephaestion sat at her side, holding on to her and wrapping her into his warming fur cloak.
Then there was a severe disturbance outside. Horse hooves were clattering on the village street, people were screaming from terror and a determined Voice was calling out loud in anguish and distress.
"Where is he? Where is he? I MUST have him back!"
Jun looked up, seeing an enormous, golden haired stranger looming in the door. He looked very angry and upset, especially as he saw Hephaestion at her side.
"Oh, my, "Amanda whispered into Jun's ear. "I should have told you that he is already spoken for!"
Domestic Disturbance
Alexander had been out in the forest all day long. The puppies had been very well behaved, helping out with the hare hunting, and with carrying the prey home. Bucephalus was also well behaved. He kindly carried an enormous load of fire wood on his broad back, just with a slight grumbling. Now they were all tired as they were homeward bound plodding through the beautiful autumnal landscape. The low set sun blazed upon the golden and orange leaves and it warmed their necks as they slowly went through the forest.
"Don't you worry, my dear ones. Hephaestion will have a hearty supper ready for all of us, and then we will spend a fine evening together!"
Alexander smiled to himself as he thought about his True Steadfast friend waiting at the fireside with a tasty supper simmering in the kettle. He imagined him later on, resting amongst the furs with his auburn hair swirling around his broad shoulders. Alexander felt himself warming up from hunger and longing. He hastened his steps, making Bucephalus and the dogs walk faster at his side.
They soon reached the meadow. Bucephalus reared up, leaving the fire wood in a tidy heap near the rose hip bramble. Alexander ran through the tunnel, followed by the puppies.
"Phai, Phai, now I am home again!"
The cave was all empty. The fire had gone out. Two kettles, one bigger and one smaller stood prudently close to the fireside. The cave smelt strongly from rose hips and some more pungent ingredients. There was no tasty supper ready at all.
Worse of all, there was no Hephaestion waiting for him at the fireside!
"Phai" Phai! Where are you, "Alexander called out loud.
No one answered. Then the three small lynx cubs came up to him. They started merrily meowing as they butted and swept around him.
"Xander! You are back home now. We have waited for you. Phai is not here. He had to follow 'Manda to the village. He left us to guard the cave for you."
"The village! Wherever is this village? I must find him immediately!"
The puppies wagged their tails and yelped.
"We can help you, Xander. We know how he smells, we will find his trails wherever he is! And Bucephalus will be able to follow the tracks of his friend, too!"
"Good dogs, good dogs, "Alexander stated as he patted their furry heads. "Come, Bucephalus! We will pay a visit to this Illyrian Village!"
The giant black stallion gave up a fierce neighing as Alexander leaped onto his broad back. Peritas and Pollux ran before them as they rode through the glen. It was not a very long ride to the Village of the Mountain Illyrians, but Alexander found it eternal. Many worried thoughts coursed through his mind.
// "Hephaestion had to leave a good home and a loving family to follow me out here in this desolate wilderness, "he pondered. "He must be tired of living in a cave all alone with just me, a Forest Healer and some puppies and kittens as company. I understand if he wants to live in a comfortable house again!" //
Now the village was looming before him. He swiftly rode all along the village street. There he saw Castor tied in front of a big round house made from red brick with a roof covered in dry straw. The auburn colored stallion looked with disgust at a bunch of people who stood whispering and gossiping in front of this house. Alexander could clearly discern some disturbing words.
// "HE is inside now, together with HER! Whatever are THEY doing in there for such a long time? They must be up to nothing good for us ! That auburn haired fellow means trouble for us all ! " //
Alexander was deeply upset by this. He knew that Hephaestion had many detractors at the court in Pella. How could he have managed to find such a nasty bunch of them here in Illyria, too? And whatever was he doing together with Amanda in this red brick house? Hephaestion had never been much interested in women, and he had been most reserved to the forest Healer, until now.
Alexander and Bucephalus took an instant dislike to the whispering bunch of people. Bucephalus leaped in great strides towards them, sending them screaming and sprawling all over the village street.
"Away with you, you nasty whisperers!, "Alexander roared at them with his most commanding Voice. "My friend is not a troublemaker. He is the most reliable man I have ever known!"
The village gossips watched the golden haired stranger with terror and astonishment. They had never seen anyone like him, and his giant black stallion was the most fierce and well bred horse they had ever seen. Their hearts filled with fear and their minds, otherwise clouded with envy and mischief, now were occupied by one thought only. Flight!
The village gossips crept, crawled and ran away from the golden haired stranger. They would never forget him.
Alexander leaped from the back of Bucephalus and ran into the red brick house. Bucephalus remained with Castor and the stallions stood together, snorting at the nasty whisperers who peeped at the red brick house from afar.
The red brick house was a smithy with two tall, strong and fair haired men busily working at the anvils. They looked at him with astonishment as he screamed out loud.
"Where is he? Where is he? I MUST have him back!"
They pointed towards the door and followed him close by. They were not afraid of him, just wary and reserved. He clearly realized that they were not a bit like the nasty village gossips. No, they were brave and reliable men with a clean conscience.
Alexander heard some cautious whispering behind a door. He ran through a kitchen smelling from newly baked bread and the most delicious food. In the other room he saw Hephaestion in his bear skin cloak. His friend was sitting at a bedside, holding his strong right arm in a protective manner around the shoulders of a small beautiful dark haired woman dressed in a flaming red gown. Amanda sat at his other side. Both women were giving Hephaestion fond looks and Alexander felt a dark wave of jealousy surging up in his mind. He swiftly leaped at them and grasped them at the nape of their necks, dragging them away from his dear friend. They looked up in sheer terror.
Amanda had always known that the Golden One was dangerous. She had never thought that Alexander had such a fiery temper, though. He was virtually flaming and burning from jealousy, surrounded by an orange, golden glow. Amanda wriggled in his strong right hand, all until she managed to forcefully smack his fingers.
"NO! Alexander! Let go of us immediately!, "she called out to him. "It is not as you think. My friend Jun's little boys have been very ill. Phai took us here in haste with Castor, and he has been helping us to see to them. They are feeling much better now, thanks to Asclepia and my Healing herbs. "
Now Alexander saw two small dark haired boys sleeping in the bed. Their colour was high, as from a fever, but they were resting calmly now. An old, gray haired woman was hiding from him in a corner. She looked very kind and Alexander felt sorry that he had upset her. He immediately released Amanda and her dark haired friend.
"My apologies to you all. I was so worried when I came home, finding no one there! Now I see that you have a very fine home, and a fine smithy, too! I am Alexander from Macedon, here to see more of Illyria. "
Jun smiled to him and kindly addressed him.
"Welcome to my home, Alexander. Would you like to share our humble evening meal?"
He nodded and they sat down and ate the newly baked bread with cured ham. There was also a delicious soup with vegetables and lots to drink from a delicious foaming golden brew. They ate and drank well for a long time, talking and spending a fine afternoon together. Amanda and Jun occasionally checked on the boys, finding them steadily improving. Towards the evening Amanda once more hid herself under the cowl of her wolf fur cloak and went outside. She returned after one hour, calmly smiling but clearly worried, not only for the boys.
They all spent the night at Jun's home. When morning came Jun's boys were feeling much better and they already wanted to be up and about. After saying a kind farewell to Jun and her family Alexander and Hephaestion returned to their cave home together with Amanda. She sat behind his back on Castor, carefully wrapped in her wolf skin cloak and with the cowl forcibly drawn over her head and face.
A perpetual nasty whispering followed them all the way down the village street. Hephaestion shivered from discomfort, and he felt Amanda shiver in unison as she held on to him.
// "Amanda is a kind person and a very good Healer, "he mused. "Whatever could have happened here to make these people dislike her so? " //
Dark Clouds Of The Past
Alexander was once more away hunting in the forest. Hephaestion was seeing to his interrupted making of rose hip jam and home brewed wine. Their cave home was filled with delicious fumes and he vigorously stirred the cauldrons with the ladles. Amanda came to him, followed by Ptolema and her three little she dogs. They wagged their tails and sniffed at his legs in a friendly manner. He gently patted them and sat down at the fireside. Lyllia at first hissed at them, but soon the puppies and the lynx cub were playing peacefully together out in the morning sun.
Amanda at first gave him some more advise on the cooking. They worked together to make the rose hip jam and wine. He watched her in the flickering light from the flames. She was a beautiful woman, small and slender but very strong. Her blue green eyes had an uncanny glow, as of past troubles and injustices.
"Amanda, all that whispering and trouble in the village, what is it all about?, "Hephaestion kindly asked. "You don't need to tell me if you do not want to - but I will gladly listen. I am used to such whispering behind MY back, too!"
Amanda had some difficulties in understanding Hephaestion's refined language. Alexander was the one who had a certain way with words, instantly becoming familiar with the tongue of the Mountain Illyrians. This question she clearly understood, though. Hephaestion asked her from a genuine and well meaning interest, not from any malicious curiosity. Amanda certainly did not want to speak about it. She seldom even thought about it, it was far too nasty and painful. She had managed to repress it a long time ago. Now she resolved to give him the answers all the same. He was a true friend and since he had heard the nasty whisperings he had the right to know.
"Yes, it is because of HIM, I suppose, "she reflected. "Your friendship is sincere and genuine, something rare and precious. Not all approve of such things. You will be faithful to him all the same, and the rewards will be great........"
Amanda silenced herself in the midst of the sentence. She saw before her Inner Eye that the prize Hephaestion would have to pay for his friendship would be great, too. He nodded, exactly understanding her meaning. They sat down at the fireside, watching the cauldrons as her tale unfolded.
"I have never had such a friend as what Alexander is for you, "Amanda stated with determination. "I was alone from the day that I was born, despite my kind parents and older brothers. My longings have been for the art of Healing, my dear animals and the star lit sky. There was this haughty and mean woman in our village, Karine is her name. You saw her amongst the whisperers. Her husband Leuis lusted for all women. She was too haughty to see what all the village knew. One day he came to harass me at my Healer's hut. He pretended to want some remedy, but it was actually ME he wanted!"
Hephaestion looked at her in an outrage. He knew that women often were subjected to this kind of indignities, but it was worse when told with such calm outrage.
"Suddenly he was all over me, pawing and slobbering, "she continued her story. "I said NO, then I screamed and begged him to let go of me, but he did not listen. I was filled with such a rage, I did not want to let him have his way with me. My sickle was at my belt. It was very sharp, the better to severe the herbs of Healing. Now I grasped it and held it up pointing at his jugular. I just intended to scare him away - but he was still at it, trying to wrench it from my fingers. My hands are small, but strong so I did not let go of it. As we struggled and I desperately held on to my sharpened sickle it went straight into his unfaithful heart, killing him at the spot."
Hephaestion looked at the small woman with astonishment and respect.
"You did the right thing, "he said. "It was terrible that he died at your hand, you a Healer and all - but you sure had the right to defend yourself!"
"Yes, but Leuis was one of the richest and most important men in our Village, his wife even more important. My Father is the Village Chief, or else I would have been put to the stake, "Amanda answered. "As things now are, I live here all by myself. The villagers need my arts of Healing, but they may just seek me out in case of the most desperate need. Karine has several friends and followers. Every time I venture back to the Village they taunt and haunt me. I can NEVER return to my home and family.........."
Hephaestion had no words to comment on such a tale of horror and dismay. He just put his arm around her shoulders in silent understanding and comfort. They remained like that for a long time, until the brews boiling in the cauldrons were ready. The rose hip jam and wine had the bright colour of newly shed blood, but it soon darkened when they put it into the jars and jugs Amanda had provided him with.
When Alexander returned from his hunting there was once more domestic bliss in their homelike cave. They all shared the evening meal, understanding one another better now. All three were exiles in a remote and hostile place. Only time could tell what their fates would become.
First Frost
Hephaestion's foot injury swiftly healed and he could follow Alexander into the Illyrian forest for hunting trips and to explore all of its mysteries. Now most of the glowing autumn leaves were gone. The winds were more chilly, the days turned shorter and the nights became darker. One morning as they went outside their homelike cave all the world had changed. The grass, herbs and all tree branches were coated with a cold whiteness. The hoarfrost was silvery and glittered with an uncanny beauty in the early morning sun.
Winter had come to Illyria. It would be long and hard, filled with many dangers.
// At least we are together, "Hephaestion silently mused as he wrapped his warming bear skin cloak around himself and Alexander. //
TBC in Illyrian Winter
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