Chapter 10

Things turn nasty between Alexander and Kassandros…

Followed by Hephaistion and Ptolemy, Alexander strode hurriedly through the small closet off the main audience chamber. He sniffed, as he entered the room and smiled discreetly to Hephaistion as they were greeted by the elegant figure of Eumenes. The man had a tendency to dress the dandy and usually was perfumed with some overwhelming scent. Privately, they thought it funny, as the man was a wicked adversary on the field of combat. However, when attending to his other duties, as keeper of the Royal Diaries and acting as the King's secretary, he indulged himself recalling to Alexander that he was a Greek serving Greeks. They had butted heads on several occasions, but Alexander revered him, much to Hephaistion's regret as he had long been in service first to his father and then him.

While Alexander met with Eummenes he alerted Chares, his chamberlain that Kassandros had arrived. Chares hurried off to see to those duties required of him.

Alexander and Hephaistion drew up chairs before a table upon which Eumenes had spread the various correspondences from Krateros, Antipater and the newly secured letters Kassandros had brought with him.

"I think it is clear that Antipater seeks to usurp…" Eummenes stopped abruptly. His long face drew into an expression of displeasure as studied Hephaistion's tall figure. Hephaistion smiled at him, but ignored him other than to respond to comments and questions. Alexander noted the cold civility with which each man treated the other and smile briefly as he glanced from one to the other. He let out a small sigh, at least he would not have to deal with complaints and recriminations from either of them as both men stayed focused on the matter at hand.

Hephaistion was well aware of Alexander's attention to him and Eumenes and kept himself directed fully on Alexander who was sorting through a series of letters from his mother.

"She has warned me, as have my agents. I have long known this was coming." He tapped a long finger on a letter Hephaistion passed to him. "Look here, there is clear evidence of Antipater's –"

"Alexander, I seek a word." He turned as a curtain was drawn aside and Perdikkas entered. For a moment the other men in the room held their breath. They could tell by the hectic color in Perdikkas' thin face something was amiss. Alexander drew him aside, his own color rose and his eyes began to darken as he heard Perdikkas' words.

"Indeed! Perdikkas see Chares and direct that he keep Kassandros waiting in the antechamber." His temper beginning to rise again, Alexander slammed a hand down upon the table causing a cup of wine to spill over. "He can bide his time with the lower rank chamberlains. See that they allow him all courtesies as are allotted to all visitors to my court. I do not wish him to find any more to complain of than he already has prepared." He took a wet cloth from a waiting page to clean his wine stained hands and rose. "He does not come to my court and bid me attend him as he directs!"

He gestured to Hephaistion and Ptolemy who were standing behind him. Ptolemy spoke for a moment with Alexander's private guard to keep a constant watch on both Kassandros and the King. Gesturing to Hephaistion to stay in the shadows and observe the proceedings Alexander entered and jumped upon on the platform where his chair of audience stood. The usual hum of conversation died down to near silence as all present could tell something had upset the King. There was an undercurrent of expectation. Hephaistion watching from nearby could see by the set of his lips Alexander was not expecting this audience to go well. Led by two elderly, but stately eunuchs whom he was clearly trying to pass, Kassandros approached Alexander. There was an intake of breath throughout the length of the large chamber. Kassandros made no effort to honor the King in the appropriate manner, but instead stood and directly addressed him as though they were standing on a horse field rather than at court.

"Alexander." Kassandros inclined his head, his lips curling slightly as he studied the man he had not seen in several years. "You look well, though thinner than when I saw you last. I can see, also that you keep more state about you, than I had heard." With the nod of his head Kassandros gestured toward the long line of guards both Greek and Persian as well as the small army of eunuchs who lined the long audience hall. "The place reeks of expensive incense and gums. Oddly, such proceedings are not observed back in Macedon. There audience is attended to in a more austere manner."

"I do not hold court in Macedon, but here in Babylon." Alexander pressed his lips together and leaned forward glaring at Kassandros.

"Kassandros what do you here? It was your father's presence I have ordered here, not yours."

"My father's is old and in ill health. I have come in his stead."

"Have you met with Krateros, who was sent by my orders to relieve your father as regent? " For a moment Kassandros looked down then faced Alexander with an arrogant sneer.

"It is our understanding both that of my father's and mine, that Krateros is only come to offer military aid. We – " In an instant Alexander was on his feet. As he moved the Royal Guard shifted moving immediately toward Kassandros. With an irritated wave of his hand, Alexander told them to stand down.

"Your understanding!" Alexander nearly shouted at him. "Who are you to seek to understand, to interpret my orders for the benefit of yourselves!" He motioned to Eumenes who stood nearby. "Take this letter, to both Antipater and Krateros: Again, Antipater is forthwith ordered here to Babylon into my presence to explain his failure to follow my orders. Krateros is to see that this is achieved quickly. I have every confidence in his ability to see to this work. As well, he has my permission to do whatever is necessary to enforce all my recent decrees and treat with Athens and any other City-State that wishes to contest my orders. See that this is set off immediately, no delay." Eummenes nodded as he set down the King's word. Alexander watched as Eumenes quickly and efficiently set his aides to making a fair copy of the letter while he sealed it and beckoned for Chares who came immediately to take the scroll and see that it was sent immediately on its way to Macedon.

"Alexander, again, I recall to you, my father is ill, he has taken to his bed."

Alexander who had sat back down stared at Kassandros, his eyes cold and lips thinned with rage. "And, I recall to you, Kassandros I did not invite you here, but you have come and give me excuses which are a means to allay the transfer of power from your father to Krateros. I will not have it! I have waited long enough for your father's explanations of his actions, his failure to enforce my decrees and orders throughout Hellas. It is a sad day when I must remove a man I have long trusted from power, but I cannot have my word, my decisions questioned, not here, not in Macedon!" The hall rang with his words.

"And it is a sad day when a Macedonian must seek the permission of a barbarian whore for audience with his king!" Kassandros' voice rose in turn, his ire growing as he studied the faces of those gathered about Alexander. Scarcely had he finished his words when with one smooth, fluid movement Alexander rose from his chair and strode the length of the hall until he reached Kassandros. "You dare insult members of my court in my presence!"

"I am the son of your regent, in Macedon, Alexander, a regent who is sorely tried by the restraints, absurd decrees you put on him. Or do you forget that? Macedon cannot be kept waiting for you to decide its fate, as, as -" Wildly Kassandros looked about seeing faces he hated at every turn. "You keep me waiting!"

"I keep you waiting!" For a moment Alexander closed his eyes and breathed in deeply as though some foul air had entered the room. When he spoke his words were carefully measured. "If I do so it is my business. I have an empire to run of which Macedon is a part! You, who I did not summon to my court, dare to tell me -"

"I too have work to do! Macedon, Hellas cannot wait on your pleasure, while you while away your hours here, in Babylon…" Kassandros cut him off breathless with anger, no longer thinking upon his choice of words only seeing once again the boy who had become the arrogant man he disliked. "And, I must seek an audience with a catamite first before I am allowed into your presence! It is unseemly! This is not our way! It is not as your Father led his court! Have you forgotten –

"You forget yourself!" Alexander's voice lashed out as he jerked to his feet. Those near him could feel the heat emanate from him. Hephaistion sucked in his breath wishing for a moment he could pull Alexander back, wishing that this meeting had taken place in the privacy of the council chamber. However, it was too late for that. He closed his eyes briefly as he watched Alexander's face flush with growing rage. "This is my court and it is run according to my wishes!

With the stealthy violent grace of an attacking lion Alexander was upon the luckless Kassandros before most present knew what had occurred. He dragged him toward the outer doors of the audience hall into the long tiled passageway. There his blood coursing with rage he commenced to throw Kassandros against the tiled walls of the passageway. Though the King's guard was present they did nothing to stop the King from pounding Kassandros' head against the blue tiled wall. Nor did they do anything when Kassandros stuck back at Alexander, for they knew Alexander could defend himself quite well.

Hearing the shouting of a man in pain Bagoas flew through the hallway, pushing and knocking over anyone in his way. "I am too late!" He wailed and as he came upon the scene his heart thundered in his chest painfully. Alexander's face, hair, hands and front of his clothing was spattered bright red. His nose was leaking blood and his lip already beginning to swell.

"Ale-" He began forward only to be jerked back by Perdikkas. He raised one blond eyebrow and smiled. "Alexander has beaten Kassandros to a pulp." The man lay in an ungainly heap at the King's feet. He was moaning, both eyes already blackening and his mouth so full of blood his clothing was painted with it. Ptolemy and two other of the guard were already helping him to his feet and leading him off.

"Bagoas?" He looked up to meet Alexander's blood spattered face. "I understand you had some words with Kassandros' earlier?" Thinking he would be chastised the young Persian looked down and would not meet his King's eyes. "Bagoas?" Alexander's finger reached out and lifted his chin. Their eyes met, Alexander smiled. "Well done." He turned and walked toward his quarters followed by Hephaistion.

To be continued…..