CHAPTER 26

Follows Chapter 25 directly

*The equivalent to our Sept/Oct.

** The equivalent to our May/June

Bagoas could feel his body still trembling. It hummed with the energy of Isis' healing power. He sat back satiated with food and closed his eyes. Save for Hephaistion and Alexander, he and Setapas plus the three priests were the only one's present in this small inner room behind the sanctuary. It was not quite as dark as the outer precincts as it was well lit by lamps and candles. It smelled of beeswax, frankincense and freshly roasted meat as they had just finished a meal. Ptolemy, Nearkhos and the other bodyguards stood outside the temple precincts. What was being discussed was better known by few.

"No, I will not have him separated from me, never again!" Alexander's voice forced him back to the present. He frowned, Setapas and the priests were arguing with Alexander, whom Hephaistion was restraining, but not too much, with his arm. "Why, why does this have to be? Explain this to me!"

Bagoas sighed and rose from the bench on which he had been perched. This was his doing and he must bear the responsibility of the telling and Alexander's temper. "Setapas," he shook his head at his friend and pushed his way toward Alexander who was pacing agitatedly about the small chamber. His energy was filling the room up quickly and Bagoas felt it would stifle them if he did calm him. "I will tell him…everything. It is time." He filled his wine cup took a large swallowed and bowed before Alexander who studied him with eyes that seemed to only just recognize him, so upset was he. "Please, my King, I must speak with you, and Hephaistion. I have something you both must hear, and…" His voice faded away when Alexander his brow furrowing scowled with what seemed impatience.

"You would rather I sit than pace like a wounded lion? I'll not harm you again, Bagoas." Alexander put a gentle arm about the younger man and allowed him to lead him back to his chair. "Forgive me my actions, you do forgive me, don't you Bagoas?"

Bagoas sighed deeply, "I think it is rather for you and Lord Hephaistion to forgive me." He turned to glance at Setapas who urged him on with a nod of his head.

"Alexander," he began and then stopped, how to do this…..? He turned to Hephaistion. "Hephaistion do you remember you spoke to me of confusion as though you had been somewhere, but could not recall where or why?" Hephaistion shook his head. "Yes, but I think now I know." His face quiet and still grew grave. "I died, didn't I?"

Several exclamations filled the air, Alexander sat up and frowned. Bagoas put out his hand, "Yes, back in the month of your Hyperberetaios*, while we were in Ekbatana you caught fever, it was quick and unexpected no one thought it serious, but after several days you died." He looked up at Hephaistion the man's eyes were wet with tears of remembrance. "Yes, I recall it all now."

He turned to Alexander, and spoke so softly Bagoas almost missed his words. "I heard you crying over me, but I could not speak, I was already on my way, but your grief I heard it in my heart. I didn't want to leave you, Alexander." He caught up Alexander's hand in his, both were trembling and Alexander brushed back fresh tears and bit his lip against them.

"I think I can remember it now, too. I came too late. I was at the Boy's games and you'd already…" Alexander fell forward in his chair with a great sob, his hands in his face, remembering. "Oh, gods, Hephaistion, I, I, oh, gods." His shoulders shook with the sobs, and Hephaistion knelt beside him stroking his head to soothe him.

"Alexander, we are here now, I am alive again, and so are you, do not cry anymore." Hephaistion spoke gently to Alexander. "Go on, Bagoas tell everything."

Bagoas wiped his own eyes that were threatening to spill over, "Alexander after Hephaistion died it was as though part of you had died too. It pained me to see you so inward and sorrowing and knowing I could do nothing to ease your pain. I was afraid you might lose the desire to live, and in the end knew that only Hephaistion, himself could relieve your suffering. Ever since I've been a child I'd heard stories, legends and myths of the gods bringing people back from Paradise. So, I began seeking out each temple until I found a priest of Ishtar who would help me, and that is where it all began to go wrong. I was able finally to bring you back, but the cost was much too high, I fear." he looked up at Hephaistion, who shook his head.

"Yes, I remember that too." Hephaistion laughed and pulled back his long hair with one hand. "I was living a future incarnation when you found me. My name was different, too… Jerry, Jonathan no…."

"Jarred," Bagoas said, "you were an actor. Can you believe it, Alexander, Hephaistion an actor?" Alexander smiled and laughed a little, "No. Well, possibly at times I believe he has put on a mask especially when around certain individuals." Both men smiled at one another each knowing to whom the other was referring.

"But, Bagoas how did you know where he was and what he looked like? How did you know where to go, where to look? Do we change much throughout other lives? I do not know what to think of this, living other lives. I know Pythagoras did write of such things, but, well, it matters little what I believe, he is here, that is proof enough." Then he frowned. "Why was he not a warrior as he is now? Was he much the same in his person, the height, build?" He was filled with questions and Bagoas exchanged a knowing smile with Setapas if they didn't stop the interrogation they would never finish the story.

But Hephaistion himself came to his rescue, "Later, Alexander, tell the rest now, Bagoas."

However, Alexander stopped them as he drew Bagoas to him by the shoulders and looked deep into his eyes. "You did this for me, for my happiness?"

"Yes, my Lord, I would do anything for you, anything to make you happy, my Lord." He caught Alexander's hand and kissed it.

Alexander drew him close and kissed him, "You sacrificed everything for me, I cannot fathom it. I am truly overwhelmed, Bagoas."

"I love you, Alexander, you are my King." Bagoas said simply bowing his head and Alexander stroked the fine, soft black hair.

"Continue, Bagoas I promise not to interrupt you again."

"Once I brought Hephaistion back, you came back to yourself. Everyone could see the change. But, I became desperate, you see Hephaistion was only supposed to stay one night. But, after seeing how you were, that day we went hunting, you were as you hadn't been in so long, laughing, silly, so playful…oh, Alexander, I couldn't let him leave again and have you go back into yourself. I couldn't watch you die in front of me."

"That is when you went around inward and heavy, not smiling. I remember, I thought perhaps you were caught up remembering your past, and didn't know what to do to help you." Alexander said.

"Yes, after the hunt, especially after that boar got free and went after Hephaistion… Oh, Alexander I could see then, I had to do something. Hephaistion could not leave. So, I went back to Ishtar's priests, but what I learned was terrible. For Hephaistion to stay a greater price was asked."

At this Alexander interrupted him, "Bagoas, what price did you pay the first time? What cost did Ishtar ask from you to bring Hephaistion back?"

Bagoas gulped and looked down the around the quiet room, anywhere but to meet Alexander or Hephaistion's eyes. "My soul," He answered quietly. Hephaistion let out a gasp that was followed by Alexander's shout of anger.

"What? No!" Alexander turned swiftly to Setapas, "Can you help him? Your gods are much stronger than Ishtar, is there nothing you can do? This is unfair, for so great a love, to ask for such a price. It is not the work of heaven, but great cruelty."

The Egyptian motioned toward Bagoas, "Listen to the rest, my King, all will be told."

Bagoas continued, "I did not know what to do and finally in desperation, my courage failing… I," he stopped and looked toward Setapas who smiled gently urging him on. "I learned that each day Hephaistion would stay on this earth, your life, Alexander would shorten. I, I had to then make the choice between you, which would live, but I could not. I could not make that choice, for I knew that neither of you could live without the other." he shut his eyes tightly remembering the day he discovered this horrible truth. "I felt I had betrayed you, Alexander. My desperation grew and my courage failed, and in my weakness I sought to take my own life." He hung his head, unwilling to meet anyone's eyes lest they show the anger and outrage at his cowardly act. He felt a gentle hand on his face and opened his eyes to Hephaistion who smiled at him. He looked into those dark blue eyes, so like Alexander's and was at a loss.

"I cannot think of a more courageous person than you, Bagoas. You did this for Alexander, for the man we both love. You were willing to sacrifice your own happiness so that Alexander and I might have ours." He looked at Alexander and then back to Bagoas. "Alexander, truly you are blessed to have such a love as Bagoas'. When you first came here, true I did not think much of you. I thought of you as an irritation, something that would pass – a fancy of Alexander's. I did not give you much notice, as you may recall except the time I had Ptolemy secure you to quarters and questioned you. Yes, that was my duty to Alexander, I needed to know he could trust you, but I know I was rude, my crudeness was deliberate. Once, I am ashamed to admit I even thought of killing you."

Bagoas jerked back in his chair and gasped, startled. To hear thoughts so like those he'd first had when they'd first met was startling. He was also surprised at Hephaistion's confession of his feelings, especially in front of Alexander. He glanced over at the man, but instead of anger, those blue-grey eyes showed only adoration and some amusement. Bagoas could see he was enjoying Hephaistion's admission and the knowledge that his two lovers had fought over him, albeit silently.

"However, I knew I could not harm you, nor would I unless you had threatened Alexander's life in any way. However, as time passed, I began to see, that you felt as I did, and knew, that as I perceived in you, I knew I could not rob Alexander of anything he needed to live. Although sometimes when I was weary and sorely tried by own duties and cares, I felt anger toward you, as you were with Alexander and I was not, perhaps swaying his thoughts in some way I might not agree with, and as I'm sure you did of me, hoped you might meet with an accident." Hephaistion studied Bagoas' face solemnly; both men knew their inner thoughts were mirrored back at them.

"You see what problems your divine beauty has caused, Alexander?" Hephaistion turned toward him, but his voice was light and teasing and his caressed Alexander's fingers with his own. Alexander actually blushed as his gaze went from one man to the other. Bagoas could see he was uncomfortable. The thought made his smile, just a bit. "But I don't know if I would have done what you have done. Truly, you have great courage, little Persian." Then, much to Bagoas' surprise Hephaistion leaned forward and kissed him gently on the forehead.

Setapas, seeing that Bagoas was overcome by this unexpected revelation hastened to his friend's side to comfort him. He poured wine into Bagoas' cup and saw that he drank and then continued the tale himself. "I found Bagoas just before he tried to harm himself, and prevented it. Then he told me what had been done. I knew I could help him and revealed myself, as a high priest of Isis and Keeper of the Mysteries of Isis. I showed him the Chronicles of Horus and also the power of Isis' when used for healing."

At this both Alexander and Hephaistion interrupted with anxious questions about the Chronicles, but Setapas silenced them both with his hand. "Later, we must finish this now." Bagoas watched, still awed by the power Setapas seemed to hold over even Alexander, but then he knew how much Alexander revered the gods and always respected their servants.

"We were on our way to tell you what had happened when we discovered that you had gone to the Hanging Gardens, and you know the rest until now." He stopped and took a long drink of wine.

"Now, what you don't know is that time is already righting itself, and when we step from the doors of this temple it will be as it was before Bagoas brought Hephaistion back. Only we few will know what has transpired and remember it. No one else will."

He looked up at Hephaistion meeting those fathomless blue eyes with his own dark ones. "You are dead, to all save those of us in this room, you died seven months ago. You cannot walk from these walls back into the palace it will cause great disruption." Then he turned to Alexander, who was already rising from his chair in confusion, and continued, his voice firm and steady, not betraying the trepidation in his heart, "Son of RA, great King, both you and Lord Hephaistion are now immortal. You will never die, but one month from now, in your month of Daisios** you must appear to die."

Setapas heard the gasps of disbelief and held his breath waiting for the outburst and was not disappointed when it came. Alexander's voice shook the walls, so loudly did he scream that his voice echoed off the walls and in the distance Setapas heard the shouts and footsteps of the bodyguard running toward them.

"How can that be? What trickery is this? All men die! Am I so divine that I do not bleed?" He ripped his chiton open to show the many wounds. "Cut me and I will bleed, I promise you." So saying he grabbed the dagger from his belt and plunged it into his arm. The blood flowed quick and red. "How can I be immortal and then die? I do not take kindly to being made a fool." Bagoas tried not to breathe as he watched Alexander's eyes spark furiously as he spoke to Setapas.

Bagoas knew what Alexander did not and ran between them. "Wait, Alexander!" He glared at Setapas, shaking his head and muttering under his breath. "Let me explain for Setapas. Alexander, you may bleed, but you will not die. Your body will not age this is what Setapas has told me. Neither will Hephaistion. This is the gift of Isis. However, you cannot appear to live forever. What you do not know, Alexander, what I learned when I went into the future to search for Hephaistion is your destiny. And in learning it, I found out you died at thirty-two, just a few weeks before your thirty-third birthday, eight months after Hephaistion's death." His eyes glowed and he smiled as he recalled the immortality of his beloved king. "Alexander, two thousand, no almost three thousand years into the future your name will live as strongly as it does now. The gods you and I worship today will pass away into the dust of time and memory, but you, Alexander, your name and deeds will not. The world you have created now, your empire, it…" Bagoas stopped breathless from the excitement as he remembered all that he had seen and learned in the future.

"You will live on greater than even the name of Zeus!"

"No! That is beyond hubris do not speak such a thing! Bagoas, never…do not speak such a thing!" Alexander shouted at him his body quaking with emotion. For a moment no one spoke and then the room was overcome by the shouts of Ptolemy and the bodyguard who ran in.

"Stop!" Alexander shouted into the maelstrom of confusion that ensued. He ordered everyone but Setapas, Bagoas, Hephaistion and Ptolemy from the room. "I want Ptolemy to know of these secrets, it is my decision." Quickly he brought the stunned man into his confidence. Ptolemy blinked his eyes several times during the telling, but remained silent. Then he fell into a chair and gulped down a cup of wine.

"Incredible! I'll not believe it, but I know it must be true. If I had not seen what I did just recently, Alexander, I would think you truly mad. Now, I think, yes, the gods have some greater role for you yet." He shook his head as though trying to dislodge any doubt from it. "I will keep my silence. But, how…?"

"The king must appear to die. There is no other way, and it cannot be in battle, it must be some way where we can control all that happens right down to where he is buried, which must be Egypt." Setapas said.

Alexander rose, pacing and then turned his eyes wild and brilliant with fire. He turned to Setapas, "Have you an herb that can make it appear I am dead? Ptolemy you will take my "body" to Egypt." They could all see Alexander was enjoying this. "There you will reign as Pharaoh, in Alexandria. You will protect our secret. Will you do this for me?" Alexander's eager face met the still stunned face of Ptolemy. The air was electric with excitement. Ptolemy swore at Alexander's feet he would do whatever was asked of him.

"But, Alexander, do you realize you will have to relinquish your dream of further conquest? And your empire, what will happen to it? With Hephaistion gone too, who will you give leave to govern the empire? Krateros is in Macedon, I suppose you can call him back…" Ptolemy's expression and almost drawn as they all were as they watched Alexander face this truth.

Alexander sighed deeply and ceased the pacing he had resumed. He fell into his chair, closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. "Oh, why are there so…." For a moment no one spoke, then he leaned forward his eyes glinting with his restless thoughts. "You are right, that is a serious question. I cannot leave my empire unchecked. I must protect it. I must see that my people are cared for." He was up and began to pace, again, rapidly sighing often as he wrestled with the gigantic problem.

"Son of RA, I am sorry, but you must leave your empire and its peoples to the will of the gods. Even you cannot stop some things. The Chronicles of Horus have already foretold that upon your death your empire will be divided. There will be war and it will seem to crumble, but you must believe me, Son of RA, what you have built will live on many, thousands of years into the future. That is your true legacy. Do not think of the small things now, but the future, which will be so much richer than you can imagine. Through you and your legacy the world will become far greater than you can ever dream. I promise you, Son of RA, you are as a father to the future of mankind that has never been seen before. "

In the end, after many, many hours of discussion that left them all drained a course of action was agreed upon. Alexander unwilling to part with Hephaistion for too long was in agreement when he learned he would be with him again in just a little over two months time. Knowing that never again, would his beloved be taken from him, he was more content to let him go, but not just yet.

To be continued….