Hello all again,

Now Alexander is back at the Pella Palace. He is in for some great surprises that will make his days brighter, even if he misses Hephaestion very much.

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/ NorthernLight

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The Golden Treasure Of Friendship, Part X

Return To The Palace

Alexander looked back at the Keep until it disappeared from his sight. They rode through the dense forest and he felt calm and secure when sitting on horseback with Cleitus. The big black haired man was the brother of his dear nurse Hellanike, and he had been a frequent visitor to the nursery, playing all kinds of games and telling all kinds of wild tales from the King's campaigns.

They soon came to the Palace and entered through the gate. When they had dismounted and seen the horses taken away by the stable hands, Cleitus immediately took Alexander to the Hall.

"My little one, you will have the first surprise at once!", he told him.

King Philip sat on his throne, entertaining his Generals and Companions. When he saw his son he held out his arms. Alexander ran towards him and jumped up in his lap, crumpling and upsetting the King's fine purple chiton and mantle.

"Father! You are home again! I didn't know that. Are you well?"

"Yes, Alexander, of course I am well. I have heard about all your adventures while I have been away. It seems that my good friend Amyntor has a fine and resourceful son. I am happy to hear that you two have become dear friends."

Alexander talked with his father the King for some time, eagerly listening to what King Philip could tell him about his travels and Campaigns. Then he went to the Queen's chambers and had a fond reunion with his Mother and little sister.

In the afternoon there was a splendid dinner at the Palace, to celebrate the King's homecoming, and Alexander's, too. The young Prince sat in the Seat of Honour together with his father, and he enjoyed the finest foods with fresh mountain water to accompany it. There were steaks, soft boiled vegetables, newly baked, soft bread and also some raspberry juice served in a golden jug.

Towards the end of the evening the young Prince fell asleep and the King carried him to his bed. There Queen Olympias joined him. He embraced his Queen, finding that he had longed for her more than he could have thought.

"My Dear Olympias, "he told her, "I have listened to you and I know what Alexander needs. Our son will have quite a surprise when he awakens tomorrow!"

Olympias smiled. It was not very often that her illustrious husband listened to her and followed her advise.

This time she was most satisfied. Alexander's wellfare was the most important thing in the world for Olympias.

Absent Friends

Alexander woke up in the morning. All his animal friends were with him and they merrily talked to him. Ladybird and Bumblebee tinkled like little silver bells, Hypnos hissed and Sirius and Procyon yelped.

"Where is Phai? Where is Phai?, "they all yelled in unison. "And where are Achilles and Antigona and all the squirrels and rabbits?"

"Yes, my little Dear Ones, I wonder that, too, Alexander said. "I sure miss them all, especially Phai!"

He sat down at the window and looked out with great longing. A tear fell from his right eye. It made a shining trail down his cheek and then it fell on little Hypnos' scaly head. The house snake looked up and hissed in astonishment.

"Alexander, you are crying. Boyssss are not sssupposed to cry, "Hypnos adamantly stated.

Alexander gently patted his little house snake on his head.

"Yes, I know, but I miss Phai so very much, "he answered.

"We too, we too, "all the animals said in unison.

A New Tutor

Alexander waited at the window. He was very surprised that Master Leonidas had not come yet to purr him and force him to swim in the ice cold moat. Then the door opened. Alexander jumped up, adjusting to a rigid, standing pose. The little boy was suddenly filled with dread and dismay.

It changed into total confusion.

A kind looking old man came into the room. He had white hair and a long beard and the kindest light blue eyes.

"Who ever are you, "Alexander asked with great curiosity.

"I am Master Lysimachos, your new tutor, "the new arrival answered. "Master Leonidas has been taken ill and I am his replacement."

"Well, at least you cannot be worse than HIM, "the young Prince stated.

"Alexander!," Ladybird and Bumblebee chimed. "Now you are naughty! Can't you see that Master Lysimachos is a good person!"

"Yes, I see that now. I suppose this school day will be a better one than most! Well, let us go and take a swim in the moat and then run seven leaps around the Palace. "

"I know that you use to do this every morning, Alexander, but today we will do it differently, "Master Lysimachos said. "Take all your animal friends and go out in the garden. I am sure that you will like what you find there. "

The school day became a fine and strange experience. Master Lysimachos let Alexander and all his animal friends have breakfast in the garden. The bread was soft, it was served with soft goat cheese and sweet raspberry and strawberry jam and goat milk in an ample supply. They all became satisfied, they had not had such full stomacs ever, Alexander and his animal friends mused. Then they had lessons in reading, mathematics and writing. When the intended chores were accomplished Lysimachos told Alexander stories from the Iliad and the Odyssey. The young Prince could clearly see Achilles and Patroclos before his Inner Eye.

For some strange reason Patroclos had glossy, auburn hair and he was surrounded by kittens, rabbits and squirrels.

There was a good luncheon in the garden, cabbage stew, pork chops and softly boiled carrots, with clear mountain waters to drink. Afterwards they had an afternoon nap. Then Black Cleitus came and there were lessons in spear throwing and fencing. Lysimachos sat and gave him kind comments and applause all the time. Alexander found that something was missing from the practical lessons. It took him sometime to realize what it was.

Master Lysimachos had no cruel wooden cudgel that rained constant beatings over his back! The young Prince did not miss it at all.

Alexander missed Phai and Master Lernias a lot, but he liked his new tutor all the same.

/ I sure hope that it takes a long time before Master Leonidas recovers, "he mused to himself." /

TBC

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