Chapter 11
After they finished the letter, Hephaistion started hesitantly:
"Alexander, have you ever considered a marriage alliance or something like that with Bactrian or Sogdiana? Remember the Scythians King offered you his daughter for marriage last year? Maybe we can find you a bride with a good influential family here. That way we can be sure the region stays in peace when we move to India."
"Hephaistion! Why do you want to marry me off? Didn't I already tell you that I didn't want to marry that Scythian King's daughter, not to say some Bactrian or Sogdiana woman! Don't you love me anymore Phai?"
"I love you Alexander and please don't get angry with me. Marrying a Scythian princess may not be necessary because they are outside our boarders, but marrying into an influential Bactria or Sogdiana family might help to save hundreds of our men's lives. Think this way Alexander. We know how ruthless these Bactria and Sogdiana people are. After the almost two-year bloody war, you know they won't bend down unless you put a sword on their necks. Some of them even want to fight to death, because they view us as barbarians and invaders to their homeland. But if you marry into them they become your kinsmen and family and they will change how they view us. Besides, if we ever leave here for India, even we can purge Spitamenes and take all the rocks, there is still no guarantee they would not revolt as soon as we turn our back, even if we leave a strong garrison force behind."
"What you said made sense Hephaisiton. Tell you the truth I am tired of this guerrilla war too. I didn't know we would stuck here for so long and I really want to move to India, to the outer ocean."
"Then think about that Alexander. Unless we plan to kill every single one of those gods forbidden people, we better start to find alternatives. Remember Philip took one new wife each time when he won a campaign. He had saved a lot of blood for Macedonians from his seven marriage alliances."
"I don't want so many wives. I just want you Hephaistion!"
"You have me and you will always have me Alexander, wife or no wife."
"I don't think this idea sits well with the army."
"I think they will accept it – at least the army didn't reject Philip's marriages, did they? Besides, between one more brother's death and their king marring to a barbarian, the army will definitely chose the later. Trust me on that Alexander."
"Let me think about that. Would you promise me you will always love me even if I marry, Phai?" Alexander held Hephaisiton face tightly with both hands and looked into his eyes.
"I promise you I will always love you and always support you for your sake and our army's sake. Alexander, trust me on that." Hephaisiton answered sincerely and kissed Alexander.
"If I ever have to marry, I want us to marry sisters, such as Darius' daughters. I want our children to be one blood." Alexander held Hephaistion's waist while resting his head on his shoulder.
"We had talked about that before Alexander, but they are still young and they are far away. We can wait for couple more years. Besides marring Darius' daughter won't help the current situation. And if you marry now, you can still marry Stateira later and she should still be the queen." Hephaisiton assured.
"Let's think about marriage another time until Mauaces comes to us. Now I really don't want you go to Bactra. I wish I have other choice, Hephaistion. Promise me you will take care yourself and write to me often." Alexander held Hephaistion tightly and sighed.
"I will. And you take care of yourself too Alexander. I worry that you will always fight at the very front."
"Do not worry about me, Phai. I have gods' fortune. Now if we can capture Spitamenes this time then Bactria will be much safer. You will come up to me sooner then?"
"Either you go down south or I come up north in spring for sure. Let's see how things go. Now I'll have to check my men. So I will see you at dinner then?" Hephaistion prepared to leave.
"Sure, and don't forget what we planned for tonight." Alexander reminded him.
