Chapter 50

Prompt: Too Loud
Title: Hindu Kush Was Too Loud

Alexander was losing a battle, not against human enemies, but against the elements. The howling wind was so loud that it blew away his voice, and the blizzard was so intense that made it impossible to follow the tracks.

Snowflakes attacked them like sharp needles, as the freezing temperature numbed their bodies and minds. The weather in the mountains of the Hindu Kush was unforgiving. Soldiers fell if not from losing their footing along the sharp cliff, then from exhaustion.

Only Alexander had a determination to advance. Soon, there was nobody behind the king except Hephaistion.

"Alexander, we'd better find a shelter, or we will both fall before reaching the next village."

Hephaistion shouted to Alexander while leaning against his mare to steady himself.

"I know. If only I could find a place to protect us from this wind."

At that moment, the storm broke for a brief moment to reveal a great protuberant slab-sided rock. Underneath, Alexander could barely see the cave.

"There, Hephaistion, hurry!"

It was cold inside, but at least they were shielded from the wind. Although they spotted some branches piled up at the back of the cave, no tinder could be found to start the fire.

"Where are you going, Hephaistion?"

"I saw some bushes around the rock outside. I think some of them are dry enough to make a kindling. I will be right back."

With this, Hephaistion went outside in the storm. He soon came back with a handful of stalks. Purple tinted dried leaves hugged the blue green clusters of seeds at the top. Alexander and Hephaistion had never seen the plant in Macedon, but it seemed to be very common around here. There was abundance of them on the mountainside.

The dry leaves immediately caught fire, and quickly spread to the branches. Hephaistion threw the rest of the stalks into the blaze. The warm glow felt so good against freezing skins while the purple smoke filled the cave.

Alexander did not understand why, but he felt so cheerful and funny. He giggled like a girl and could not stop.

"What's so funny Alexander?"

"Look at the flame, Hephaistion, doesn't it look like a dancing devil?"

Lying on his elbow, Hephaistion giggled, too.

"Yes… no wait! It's naked Cassander! And Craterus, also naked, is just about taking him from behind!"

Uncontrollable giggles and a hysterical laughter filled the cave.

When they woke up next morning, they found themselves totally naked. Unthinkable parts of their bodies ached, and their throats were rough as if they had been screaming out all night.

Clear blue sky and mild temperature greeted the still foggy minds of Alexander and Hephaistion. The previous night's storm seemed like a dream. When Alexander looked up at the top of the rock, he saw the marks of eagle claws.

"The Caucasus of Prometheus?"

Alexander murmured tracing a talon mark on the rock.

"We were saved by his magic fire?"

Hephaistion replied in amazement still feeling the effect of loud purple Kush.