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The next morning his parents gathered the staff in the courtyard. Hephaistion came down with Lycania who regarded this war with Macedonian eyes and was absolutely thrilled at Macedonian rule. But she was sensible enough to remain demure and composed, attired in her black dress.
Amyntor's household employed over twenty people and owned a dozen slaves. The servants were all from Attica and one of them had lost a son in the battle.
"Athens has suffered deeply; nothing, not even politics, erases this. Yet with a defeat comes the chance to build a new future. Let us always remember the past while still moving forward."
"I expect all of you to wear black for the mourning period and to be somberely attired thereafter. You may take guidance from the members of this family," Amyntor adressed the household. He turned to Athene,"Thank you to Athene for managing the house so well and to all of you for continuing your duties with determination. You may speak to your heads of household about days off. They will be granted. Health to you all!"
The rest of Hephaistion's day was a blur. He'd ridden with his father to Kyros' house and Amyntor had paid his respects before leaving to the Council House. Ambrosia and he chatted with Kyros about the memorial plans. It would be in two weeks' time.
All too soon it was mid-morning and they left for the state burial of the Athenian dead. Their ashes had been handed over the previous day by Prince Alexander. Demosthenes would give the oration-much to Kyros' disgust. Prince Alexander was there, too, standing with Aeaschines and Demades. Hephaistion looked at him blankly, vaguely taking in his black chiton and boots. Why, Hephaistion wondered, would he wear boots in summer at such a formal occasion?
He spent the rest of the day with Kyros and Ambrosia, planning the memorial. Kyros was grieving and angry. He felt insulted by Demosthenes doing the oration and demeaned by the marble monument which had been placed over the ashes. He had called Athens' best sculptor and would alternate between giving directions for a new one and attacking the current one.
Hephaistion looked at Ambrosia as Kyros calmed down speaking to the sculptor. Her cherrub face was tired. She smiled weakly yet with incredible warmth, "Shouldn't you be getting home?"
He nodded," But what about you? You look exhausted. I can always stay."
She stood and shook her head. He followed her as she raised her delicate eyelids with a tiny smile,"I'm not tired; I love him."
Hephaistion considered her for a moment and then smilingly embraced her. He greeted Kyros and then left, pondering Ambrosia. She had been one of Laconike's great friends before they fell out about something. Laconike had dubbed her 'the original whore', he recalled. He knew about her history but her loved for Kyros was obvious.
He had been home an hour when he heard horses at the gates. It was dinner time and he added a tiny necklace of obsidian.
Lycania met him on the staircase and they walked towards the dining room together. Outside the room, in a large, airy lounge, his mother was laughing softly. He and Lycania entered to see the rest of the family gathered and talking to about ten Macedonians. Hephaistion felt his heart drop as he spotted Prince Alexander's golden hair.
Lycania was introduced to the Prince for whom she curtsied. He was very charming, Hephaistion noted in the way of someone who was forced to own something positive about an enemy. While they were talking he spotted someone he had been friends with at Pella-Perdikkas.
Hephaistion's face lit up as they recognised each other and embraced.
Perdikkas grinned,"Hephaistion! I always wondered what happened to you!"
Amyntor approached," Perdikkas was saying he thought he knew you."
"He's been speaking about you since we arrived."
Hephaistion gazed over his father's shoulder to see Prince Alexander join them. He laughed softly and greeted the Prince. Alexander's eyes twinkled," Call me Alexander."
Hephaistion would've rolled his eyes; he did not need to be told that, it was basically his right as a Macedonian nobleman!
"You'd best meet Alexander's companions, seeing as you'll be seeing a lot of each other" Amyntor said. "I've invited them all to stay for the next few days."
He was introduced to the Companions: Ptolemy,Leonnatos,Philotos, Nearchos, Seleucos and Cassander. They were all noblemen. Hephaistion was feeling like an object on display and was fuming with his father. Why was he told nothing?
During dinner he sat with Perdikkas as they caught up. They talked of the battle, of what it had been like to fight against the Sacred Band. Perdikkas' enthusiasm for Prince Alexander was clear as he described the cavalry charge that the prince had led.
Soon they all retired and the Macedonians followed Europene on a brief tour of the house.
He and Athene walked up the stairs together, talking softly about Kyros. They stopped as they reached her room. He kissed her cheek and headed back along the banister towards his room. As he crossed the rooms between the first and second courtyard he spotted Alexander and Ptolemy walking up the staircase.
He forced a smile at them as he reached them.
"You people have an incredible house," Ptolemy joked. "I've never had such a grand room in all my life!"
Hephaistion laughed, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Not even at the palace, Ptolemy?" Alexander faked being displeased with his friend.
"No, never! In fact I'm sure I was given the dingiest room possible!"
Hephaistion smiled at their closeness. They had reached the passage to his rooms.
"Is this your room?"Alexander asked.
"Down the hall," Hephaistion replied. "Goodnight."
They greeted him and then they parted. Hephaistion let his breath out.
Breakfast the next morning was a drawn out affair for Hephaistion. His mother and Lycania chattered happily with all the Companions about where in Macedon they were from and their families. Athene was talking earnestly with Antipater who was advisor to Alexander. Amyntor and Alexander were discussing the day ahead and the meeting of the Council. Hephaistion couldn't help but feel left out. Normally he and Laconike would team up to entertain dignitaries but even she had been swept up by the Macedonians. Already, Hephaistion could see her excitement at the presence of so many good-looking Macedonians as she laughed at something Ptolemy said.
It wasn't as if he was being ignored. Alexander had enquired politely about Xenocrates only to be answered curtly. Amyntor, who had heard his response, had caught his eye and frowned before suggesting that Hephaistion take Leonnatos to the gymnasium some time. Hephaistion had smiled graciously and agreed to. Antipater had spoken at length about the theatre and Hephaistion had longed to reply but something had stopped him.
It wasn't as if he had never had foreign dignitaries to stay. But these were Macedonians who had defeated his city and he felt embarrassed and confused. Could it be true what Demosthenes said, that his father only courted the winner?
Eventually, Hephaistion stood up and excused himself.
"What are you doing today?"Amyntor smiled.
" I'm going to see Kyros."
"Give him my best," Amyntor said and then returned to his conversation with Alexander. After a few moments, Alexander broke eye contact with Amyntor and glanced at Hephaistion's retreating silhouette.
The entire family and their guests were gathering in the formal lounge before dinner. Hephaistion adjusted his black chlamys as he came down from his room. He could hear excited chatter coming from the first courtyard and glanced up as a palette of colours flew at him. He beamed recognising his godson's sandy hair," Gaius!"
"Hephaistion!"Lucius exclaimed, his tight embrace bruising his godfather's waist.
"When did you get here?" Hephaistion exclaimed as he embraced Agrippina and Juliana.
"Just now, we came straight from the harbour,"Juliana replied.
They were walking towards the first courtyard as Amyntor and Europene came through the doors, followed by Kallas who carried a drowsy Marcus.
"And you're here, too?" Hephaistion laughed as he reached for his godson who was now very much awake and excited.
Just as he was about to congratulate Marcus on his Cretan tan, Alexander and Ptolemy came down the stairs, advancing towards the family. Hephaistion paused a moment and then embraced Kallas.
"How come you're here too?"
"Took the same boat as Diana, she asked me to bring them to you, thought you could have them for this week and next."
Hephaistion smiled, unusually touched by Diana's thoughtfulness.
"Alexander, I don't think you've met Hephaistion's godchildren," Amyntor beckoned them up. "This is Gaius, son of Agrippa. His brother, Lucius."
Alexander was charming to each child, shaking hands, ruffling hair and bowing.
"Are you really a prince?" Agrippina asked, her head cocked.
Hephaistion caught his breath and met Kallas' eye, exasperated.
Alexander was taken aback," Do I not look like one?"
"You don't have a crown."
Alexander didn't know whether he would laugh or hit the child. He smiled uneasily," No, I don't wear a crown."
Lycania bent down," Princes don't wear crowns, darling. When Alexander's king, then he'll have an official crown."
Agrippina pouted, nodding seriously and then bobbed a quick curtsey. Everyone laughed and Alexander pinched her cheek. Hephaistion pursued his lips.
Kallas joined them for dinner and Hephaistion spoke happily to him.
"Do you like him?"
"Who? The prince?" Hephaistion asked, glancing at Alexander who was chatting to Laconike about a politician he had met that day.
Kallas nodded and Hephaistion shrugged, "I don't know, it's all so new...I haven't really spoken to him."
Kallas raised an eyebrow, confused," He lives in your house."
"And it's not my life's goal to be friends with a prince."
Kallas chuckled and then changed subject, frowning, "How's Kyros?"
Hephaistion's face darkened," Upset. Ambrosia's with him, he's planning a memorial..."
"Ambrosia?" Kallas noted." Is it safe to visit then?"
Hephaistion elbowed him, his eyes resuming a twinkle for a moment before he frowned again. "I'm so worried about him."
Kallas nodded, "I'll visit tomorrow morning first thing. Come with me?"
"I'll try but my father might have something planned."
Kallas nodded and then turned to reply to something Leonntos had asked. Soon, they were getting along splendidly and embraced warmly when Kallas left.