Hello all,

Surprise! My Muses think that Mieza is so important in our Alexander Universe that they wanted me to write an extra M Entry. This one is a short story about Nature's beauty, the beauty of Knowledge and of course about our Dear Ones. They spent some of their happiest times in Mieza, so of course it has a given place in our Alexander Alphabet.

All the best wishes, Read and enjoy,

// NorthernLight

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M Is For Mieza

Mieza was at its most beautiful in the late summer and early autumn. Then the famous apples grew big and beautiful and matured into shining bulbs of red and yellow sweetness and goodness. Alexander had enjoyed them at the Palace. They were beautiful and delicious resting in their golden bowls on the King's banqueting table. They were even better hanging from the trees in the Gardens, in their very own natural beauty. The sun was soaring high in the heavens, pouring its golden light and warmth down into the gardens, making the apples shine and sparkle with all kinds of red and golden colours.

Aristotle and his pupils were out in the Gardens. They walked around, carefully watching and scrutinizing every tree, leave and apple. The great Teacher told them all about the fruits and their origins, asking them all kinds of intricate questions to bring forth their own knowledge and develop it into more, adding his own immense learning to their more modest one.

It was a warm day, but now a chilly breeze came down from the mountains. Hephaestion shivered a bit. Alexander instantly noticed and put his arm around him, warming him with a fold of his wolf fur cloak. Cassander noticed, sneering. Cleitus gave him a forcible pinch that took the sneer away from his face.

The lesson went on and on. Now the students sat down on stone benches, their sandaled feet safely planted in the soft, lush deep green grass. One might have thought that they would be bored by discussing apples and apple trees for hours and hours.

With Aristotle one never got bored. His education was always fresh and interesting. You always learned something new and he always managed to connect the things he taught them to their own lives and futures.

Evenings came earlier and earlier this late in summer. Now the sun was soaring low on the western horizon. Aristotle called a break and servants came into the gardens, carrying a trestle table. It soon became laden with a delicious evening meal. There was well watered wine, steaming broth, and bread with an ample supply of cheese and ham. The young men ate with a hearty appetite, cheering and conversing about all kinds of interesting topics.

When they were almost satiated there was an extra treat. Hellanike was there to visit her brother Cleitus. Now she came to the table, proudly presenting an apple pie she had baked for them. It was in a very big silver bowl, its crust was plaited in a delicious and elaborate manner. It was steaming hot and a promising smell of crispy crust, well baked apples and almonds turned into delicious marzipan met their noses. They all called out with applause when she put it before them in the middle of the trestle table. Servants came with another silver bowl filled with warm vanilla sauce.

"Many thanks for baking this delicious pie just for us, "Alexander said. "I still remember all the good things you baked to me when I was a little boy."

Aristotle and all agreed before they tore into the pie. It was so very beautiful, looking like a work of art. It was a pity that they would have to ruin it to devour it. Hellanike blushed when she heard all their praise and she sat down eating together with them. After the meal they all washed. Aristotle and the pupils went indoors to go to sleep.

Some time went. Then a golden haired shadow sneaked outdoors into the Gardens, heading towards the Spring of the Nymphs. A warming fur cloak was thrown into the lush green grass and then there was a splash and a cascade of sparkling water. Alexander tumbled merrily around in the Spring, eagerly enjoying a cooling bath before going to sleep.

He was not alone. An auburn haired shadow came outdoors, searching for him. Silvery stars lit up the Gardens and the Spring. They looked different in nighttime, their lush greenery turned into colours of blue and turquoise and their features softened by the darkness and silvery starlight. Hephaestion watched Alexander tumbling around for a while before he undressed and joined him in the Spring.

They bathed for a long time, until the waters chilled them and they went up. They shook off the water and then sat for a while wrapped into their warming fur cloaks, watching the star lit sky together. Alexander told a tale about the stars. This time it was all about Perseus, Pegasus, Andromeda and the Heavenly Family soaring high up in the skies. Hephaestion listened intently together with Alexander's dogs Sirius and Procyon who had joined them for the good night tale.

Mieza was a wonderful place. It was filled with learning, friendship, security and happiness.

When Alexander and Hephaestion looked back at their school days at Mieza they remembered them with fond enchantment.

It was probably the happiest time of their lives.

The End

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