Chapter 21
Prompt: Come
Title: Coming Through
Bagoas hated the battles. As soon as Alexander had decided on the next target, everybody became so busy that nobody had time to even talk to him. Besides, Alexander often sent Hephaistion for different missions these days leaving Bagoas behind. Bagoas had asked Hephaistion if he could come with him, but Hephaistion simply replied with a mischievous grin.
"Well, Bagoas, I do not need a beautician in the battle field, but a soldier."
Bagoas seriously thought about becoming a soldier, and asked Cleitus to give him swordsmanship lessons, which he gave up after only one practice.
This is not for me. Look at my poor hands. Blisters are all over the place. Cleitus said that the blisters are the decorations of hard work, so I should be proud of them. But, how could people abuse their body so brutally, and even feel good about it? I do not understand. Oh, what have I done? I have ruined my perfect soft skin. I do not want my Greek god to feel ugly calluses when I squeeze his glorious manhood. I want him to feel the smooth tender perfection.
Bagoas giggled being amazed by his own dirty thoughts.
It was not different this time either. While Alexander decided to attack the cities of Mallians, he sent Hephaistion for five days, and Ptolemy for three days ahead of him to clear the path. They were to make the camp at the confluence of the Hydraotes and the Acesines River, and to wait there for the main force of Alexander to unite. Bagoas would be joining them later, but until the time came, he was compelled to stay with Alexander's main force apart from his Greek god.
Ah, it is so boring. All Alexander does these days is to fight battle after battle. I know that the soldiers are growing tired of it, too. I don't see the excitement in their eyes any more. I can almost hear them say 'not again'. I wonder if I can spice it up.
Wandering around the camp, Bagoas' mind searched for ideas. High-pitched children's excited voices brought him back from the deep thoughts.
"Take that!"
"You coward!"
Several boys were playing a war game by throwing pebbles with a toy sling to each other. Each time the pebbles hit the other side, they shouted insulting words toward the opponents followed by delighted laughter. Bagoas' face lit up, and he hurried back to Cleitus' tent.
When Bagoas entered the tent of the veteran General, he was polishing his swords and armor.
"Cleitus! I have a good idea."
Cleitus looked up at Bagoas suspiciously.
"Whenever you have an idea, something tells me to be alert. And no, I am not taking you to Hephaistion."
"No, not that, but I have an idea to make the battle more fun."
"A fun battle? There is no such thing, although I personally enjoy fighting a lot. It boils my blood with excitement."
"Please, hear me out. It could be fun."
"All right, then."
Cleitus reluctantly agreed. Anyway he did not have any better things to do besides preparing his weapons and armor for the upcoming battles. Bagoas smiled delightfully and started to explain his plan. The corners of Cleitus' lips curled up.
"That sounds like fun, Bagoas. Let's spread the word and get ready. I am sure that Alexander would love this idea, as well."
On the day before the battle, Alexander felt good and excited. It was not a major battle like the one against Porus, but after talking with Bagoas and approving his plan, he could not wait to start. Especially when he realized a major flaw in Bagoas' plan, and came up with a better idea to fix it.
He hurried to Kalanos' tent hoping that the old sage would give him the information he needed. When Alexander arrived at the tent, Kalanos was sitting in a meditating position on the ground. Alexander coughed to get his attention first.
"Kalanos, will you spare for a few moments for me?"
"Certainly my king."
The old sage half opened his eyes, and bowed to Alexander politely. He wondered what was so urgent for the king to visit him right before the battle, but he did not show it on his calm expression.
"Would you write down a few of the most offensive words in your language for me? You sure have those swearing words in your culture, too, right? "
Kalanos raised his eyebrow in surprise, but he did not question the king any further. He silently took a pen and a paper from Alexander's hand and wrote them down.
"Looks good. How do you pronounce them?"
"Lund chuse, Teri gaand me danda, Meragota moo may lay.'
"Sounds interesting. What do they mean anyway?"
"I just say that they are highly offensive, and are all something to do with human male body parts."
Kalanos just looked at Alexander with the same expressionless face, and then replied.
"Perfect!" Alexander grinned widely. Now, the flaw was completely corrected.
I admit that the concept of Bagoas' idea was excellent, but how can we convey the message if we do not use the same language? If we write only in Greek, it merely serves us as self-satisfaction. Oh, wait! I have a more brilliant idea. Why don't we write those words on the stones of the catapult? Those stones are big enough to send a clear message to the enemy. What a genius I am!"
Being amused by his own thought and idea, Alexander smirked. On the way back to his tent, he stopped at the heavy artillery unit, and had them bring white rocks, a brush and ink. He opened the paper he got from Kalanos, and started to copy the scripts on the rock. Soldiers threw questioning eyes, and Alexander explained to them that they were swearing words in the enemy's language.
The soldiers immediately caught on with Alexander's intention, and brought more brushes and inks to copy what their king had written. Some of the talented soldiers even managed to add explicit pictures. All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the army turned into an impish and playful one.
On the next morning, Alexander's army was so eager to throw the first shot at the enemy that Alexander had to give his full attention to hold them back. As soon as he yelled the approving first war cry, they threw the stones as quickly as they could. Alexander felt as if he were a teenager again, fighting a mock battle with his friends.
Consequently, when he saw a wall of the citadel in front of him, he did not think. As he used to climb up on top of the other team's hill to claim the victory, he climbed up on the ladder to the top of the wall. He heard his bodyguards urgently scream at him from behind, but he did not pay attention. The game was too exciting. Even from this far, he could hear the enemy's angry growl. It was obvious that they had received the messages loud and clear.
What Alexander did not expect was the counter effect it caused from the enemy. It raised their spirits so high that they fought furiously. They were determined to crush the king of Macedonia who insulted them, and Alexander was made to know that it was not just a game when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. An arrow was deeply digging its head in his chest. He realized that it was serious as the copper taste filled his mouth. While struggling to stay conscious, the only thought that came into his mind was that Hephaistion would be so mad at him.
Hephaistion had never expected this tragedy. He was convinced of Alexander's easy victory by judging from the numbers of refugees that had spilled out of the citadels to their direction. He was certain that Alexander would join with them soon. Therefore, he could not believe his ears when he heard from distressed Bagoas that Alexander was severely injured and could be dying.
Hephaistion's heart jumped, and for a moment, he thought it would never start beating again. If Nearchus had not been there to support him, he would have fallen over. After recovering from the initial shock, he was urged to run to Alexander right away, but he contained himself. He knew that he had to be strong especially when Alexander was down.
Hephaistion waited for good news about Alexander's recovery while keenly praying to the gods. The days passed slowly and painfully as if an invisible force tortured him on a mound of needles. He could not sleep or eat. Seeing Hephaistion suffer so much, Bagoas was devastated.
If I had not brought up that childish idea, then Alexander would have been more careful, and this would not have happened. I really would like to comfort Hephaistion, but I don't know what to do. He looks so lost and distant. He has built a hard shell around him, and I feel that I am not allowed to see him even to apologize.
Bagoas sighed sadly.
Five days after the first dreadful news arrived at the camp, Ptolemy who was now joined to the camp spoke to Hephaistion worriedly.
"Hephaistion, why don't you go up to see Alexander? Nearchus and I can hold this camp if the enemy would ever attack."
"No, Ptolemy, I cannot abandon my duty for a personal matter. Alexander depends on us to keep his kingdom intact until he recovers."
Ptolemy saw a determination in Hephaistion's feverish eyes, and did not press the matter any further. He knew how Hephaistion could be so stubborn.
It was two more days later when Hephaistion heard a commotion outside of his tent when he was praying to the gods as a daily ritual. Bagoas stormed into the tent and screamed.
"Hephaistion! Alexander is here! He is alive and well!"
The sight that he saw outside of his tent was the most beautiful. Alexander was still gravely pale and it was obvious that he was in great pain, but he was up on horseback. He was definitely alive. Hephaistion could not help but let his tears of relief run down his cheeks. Alexander stopped, and their eyes locked. The army was applauding for their king's survival in loud cheers, but the sound did not reach to Alexander and Hephaistion's ears. They were overwhelmed by high waves of emotion.
Without breaking eye contact, Hephaistion walked up to Alexander to help him to dismount before carefully guiding him into his tent. As soon as they were inside, Alexander slumped, and Hephaistion helped him to stretch on the cot that was hastily brought in, and set next to Hephaistion's. Hephaistion took already dozing Alexander's hands in his. It felt so good to feel the warmth in his.
The first thing Alexander noticed when he woke up was the curled up finger around his hand. As he opened his eyes, the guilt washed into his mind. It was obvious that his friend had suffered from the torment. The dark circles had formed under his sunken eyes, and his face was almost as pale as his.
"I am sorry." Alexander whispered.
"What happened?"
Alexander explained to Hephaistion how it all started, and why he received the wound. Hephaistion's eyes grew wide.
"You did what? Did you not only listen to Bagoas, that nothing but a trouble making boy, but also escalated his idea?"
"At that moment, it seemed to be a great idea, and fun."
"Then, what happened!"
"Yes, I realize now that it made our enemy to fight more aggressively."
"Alexander, you are the king. Your life does not belong only to you. You have a responsibility to your army, and you cannot act just like a mere soldier."
"But, Hephaistion, there is no glory without sacrifice."
"Alexander!"
"All right, I admit. I was careless." Alexander puffed out.
"It seems that I have to punish both you and Bagoas."
Seeing Alexander not fully convinced, Hephaistion said with a firm voice.
"Oh, I have an idea for Bagoas," replied Alexander, with a naughty smile, " how about showing him your gorgeous naked body, but not letting him touch a bit?"
"Ah, it sounds like a perfect punishment for you, my king."
With this, Hephaistion started to peel the coverings off his body. Seeing the irresistible body appear little by little in front of him, a shaky sigh escaped from Alexander's lips. After letting Alexander fully drink in the sight, Hephaistion slipped into the cot next to him.
Alexander yearned to run his fingers on Hephaistion's hard body, but alas, he was not able to extend his arm due to the injury. He groaned, and promised himself that he would learn to come to his senses and to be more careful. The punishment was much more painful than his wound.
A/N: The bold letters are the phonetic translations of Hindi swearing words. I apologize in advance if those words are not close to the true Hindi, since they are all from google search.