Hello All,

Surprise! My Muses found another suggestion for my S entry, one of my very favourite words. This one merits a tale of its own!

All the best wishes, Read and enjoy,

// NorthernLight

S Is For Sobriety

Hephaestion had always held sobriety in high regard, finding it one of the greatest virtues. For him it was of the utmost importance to keep his mind and senses clear and unaffected by the deceptive delusions of wine and alcoholic beverages. Many were unable to avoid these dangers. The Royal Banquets offered numerous temptations. The wine flowed freely, often undiluted. It created great merriment, but also drunkenness, delusions and brawls.

It was no great sacrifice for him to stay sober while all others were carousing.

Wine made people see themselves from their very best side.

Others often saw them at their very worst.

Alexander was always beautiful, even when deep into his cups. Hephaestion rested at his side on the Royal couch. He saw him holding great and captivating speeches, intently listening to the talk and speeches of others, singing, dancing and carousing when the Komos was pronounced. Always he was surrounded by his very special golden aura of vitality, mirth and beauty.

When the Banquet was over Hephaestion, still calm and sober, begun his important work. He supervised the clearing up of the Royal Banqueting Hall and told the servants to carry the sleeping Companions back to their quarters. Then he turned to the Royal couch. Alexander was sound asleep. His purple robes were stained from food and wine, but the lights from the sconces flickered around his hair, making it shine like pure gold. His face was flushed and his cheeks the colour of roses. His scent was as always of violets and roses, the most enticing scent in all the world.

Even when dead drunk Alexander was still beautiful.

Hephaestion did not try to rouse him. He gently cradled him into his arms and carried him to the King's bedchamber. There he put his King and friend to bed, seeing to it that he rested calm and comfortable. He spent the night at his side, so that no harm would come to him.

They were two souls sharing one body. When Alexander was deep in his cups Hephaestion always kept his sanity and sobriety, seeing to the safety of his King and Friend.

The End