Chapter 10
Alexander, Hephaistion and Olympias left the safety and comfort of Epirus. They set a brisk pace riding for most of the day in silence. By the time the sun had started to set they had travelled a good distance.
Long after Olympias had fallen asleep Alexander and Hephaistion were still wide awake huddle close by the side of the fire.
"Why are we doing this again?" Hephaistion asked
Alexander puffed put his cheeks and signed "Because it's family, When we spent winter with that family I was watching how close they all were and that got me thinking, maybe I can go back and change things become a better son prove to my father that I am a free thinking person and not a puppet for mothers."
Hephaistion nodded his head as if he agreed to some but not all of the statement.
"Ok so what happens if he does not see or what the same things as you?" he asked
Alexander shrugged "Then I don't know what I'll do, but by Zeus I hope it doesn't come to that."
A guard at the gates of Pella saw a group of riders approaching, they rode at some pace and he saw who the riders were. He ran into the guard room in a furry. He punched the young solider dozing in the chair awake. He hurdle him up by his upper arm before he had chance to full awake and shoved him towards the door.
"Go and tell the King his son has returned." He barked
He then went to open the gate and bowed to the prince and queen as they rode passed. As the rode into they were meet by Cleitus and a small body of the king's guard.
"Welcome back." he said as Alexander dismounted "My lady." He added to Olympias "I am to take you all to your rooms where you will be placed under guard till his Majesty says otherwise."
Alexander nodded; the first thing if he was to start building bridges was do to as he was told.
It was a week later before the king decided to see his son. He was matched to his father's council room between two guards and shoved forward they then retreated to standing front of the door. His father was stood with his back to him.
"Why have you returned?" the king asked with out turning around
"I wanted to come and say that I am sorry for the way I acted it was very rash of me I wasn't thinking." He said
Phillip turned and limped towards him the shadows cased by the afternoon hiding his features. He came to stand in front of his son and god few inches taller and stared at him with his good eye.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Alexander chin in a steely grip.
"Liar." he spat "Have you come because she told you to, with fake stories and lies, or is everything you said true and be warned if a lie passes your lips I will punish you."
The grip on his chin force him to look deep in to his father battle scared face and he showed no fear in being in the grip of his father rage.
"No Father I did not come back because mother told me stories." He said." I came of my own free will as did the others."
From his position in front of his son Phillip saw in Alexander's face that he was telling the truth. He let go off his chin not to gentle forcing his face to one side and walked over to the desk.
"You spoke true and for that I am willing to forgive but not forget." he said "Do you understand."
Over the next couple of hours his father spent integrating his son and when it was over and he was allowed to go but under the supervision of the guards Alexander breathes a sigh of relief but deep down he knew that his father would not make his life easier.