Alexander was untied early the next morning. He was given a bowl containing scraps of meat and a cup of warm goats milk.
As he ate, he looked over at Hephaistion. He was awake, but Ajax was not.
One of the guards spoke to Alexander, then remembering that he did not speak their language. He went over to Ajax, kicking him awake, talking to him. Ajax grunted and then complained, moving as if to turn over and continue sleeping. The guard kicked him again.
This time Ajax sat up, swatting a big fist at the guard's leg, but missing when the man moved away. He cursed and spat then turned and released the rope that held Hephaistion. The guard took it, pulling Hephaistion up, while Ajax lay back and closed his eyes again.
Speaking to Hephaistion, the guard pushed him over to Alexander. "Joy to you," Hephaistion said and smiled.
Alexander could not help grinning back. They were in the worst predicament they had ever been in in their lives and yet Hephaistion was finding a way to make it seem alright. "Joy to you," he replied, wishing he could hold Hephaistion, wishing for the comfort of touch.
"Some of the men you trained yesterday are going hunting today. They have more men for you to teach."
Alexander sighed. Another day of fending off over eager Illyrians.
Hephaistion laughed. "Apparently, yesterday you trained their elite forces. These men are a little rough around the edges, but some you trained will stay and help."
A woman came over and put a bowl of meat before Hephaistion, a cup of water too. The guard spoke to Hephaistion, and in turn Hephaistion spoke to him."
"He just asked if I had explained. I told him I had, but that you would need to rest if they were to be shown properly. He'll speak to the chief."
Ajax grunted loudly and sat up. Other men came to fetch Alexander. He stood up, then they pulled him, by his arms, wanting him outside. Alexander turned to see Hephaistion eating and drinking what had been put before him, before he disappeared from sight.
If it were possible, it seemed colder than the day before. The sky was a dark grey, the wind seemed sharper.
Alexander wrapped his arms around himself to keep warm, as the men tried to organise themselves. They had their own disputes and grievances to sort out before they would begin training.
He turned to see Hephaistion being led from the hall. Ajax brought him up alongside him.
"It's going to snow," Hephaistion observed, his breath coming in a white mist as he spoke. He involuntarily shivered, and stepped closer to Ajax, once again intending to use him as a shelter.
Alexander was handed his wooden sword and shield by a one of the tribe. This man wore a hat made of rabbit pelts, sewn together, the hat was worn with the fur on the inside, but on the brow the pelt had been turned up to leave a line of brown fur. He turned back to Hephaistion. "How would you like a hat?"
Hephaistion shook his head, looking at the man who had brought the sword. He was short and wiry, older by about ten years, with a scar on his face and several teeth missing. In a fair fight, with Alexander, he would be dead within seconds. But this was not a fair fight and Alexander was in no position to take what was not his.
"Ask him if he cares to gamble," urged Alexander, ignoring the fact that the chosen men were waiting for their lesson to begin. He kept his eyes on the man with the hat, watching how he reacted with the rest of the men, how he moved. Hephaistion had not spoken, he turned back to him. "You believe in me, do you not, Hephaistion?"
Hephaistion spoke, gaining the attention of the man in the hat.
"Tell him that I will beat him. No shields, just my wooden sword against his metal one. Tell him I will have his hat."
Hephaistion's words caused great amusement amongst the tribesmen. They nudged the man, who laughed, looking nervously at Alexander, then grinning as he weighed the sword in his hand. He looked back at Hephaistion and spoke.
"He wants to know what he will get. What can you offer?"
Alexander grinned and held up his left hand. "A finger from my left hand."
"No."
"Tell him," urged Alexander.
Hephaistion spoke again, though even in Illyrian you could hear the reluctance in his voice, as if he were willing the man not to take the bet.
The man considered the offer, looking at Alexander's left hand as if choosing what finger he would take. He spoke. Alexander did not need Hephaistion to interpret his words, as the man stepped forward and stood ready.
The tribesmen gathered round, in eager anticipation of the fight, forming a large circle, calling advice to their comrade. Alexander stepped forward and grinned at the man. He swung the wooden sword in his hand, getting the man's attention, then quickly pulled it back, throwing it over the man's head, into the distance.
The man could not resist. He watched the flight of the wooden sword. Turning back with a grin on his face, to a fist in his face, knocking him to the ground. Alexander stomped on his wrist, freeing the sword, quickly bending down to pick it up and hold the blade at the man's throat.
There were some groans and complaints from the crowd watching, as Alexander pulled the hat off the man's head. He walked away, pushing the metal blade into the icy ground and leaving it. He placed the hat on Hephaistion's head.
"That's better," he smiled, not even breathless from the fight. "It looks better on you," he said.
The man had struggled to his feet and regained his sword. He was complaining bitterly. Ajax spoke loudly, the man backed down, others laughed.
Alexander looked at Hephaistion, he was concerned by something. "What is it?"
Hephaistion hesitated, before speaking. "He just said that it was a fair bet, that the hat was won fairly."
"So it was," agreed Alexander.
Hephaistion looked at Alexander. "He said that it would only be until the next full moon. We are still to be sacrificed, Alexander. They still intend to kill us."
Alexander took in Hephaistion's words, then smiled. "There is time, Hephaistion….and we will be long gone from here before the next full moon." With that he turned and walked away. His wooden sword had been brought back, the new men were ready to learn."