Ambassador of the Emperor
Hephaistion had not needed to look to know that Alexander was approaching. All around him voices died to a murmur and he could feel the heat of Alexander's gaze on the back of his neck. Leaving the horse in the capable hands of one of his squires, Hephaistion slowly turned to face his lover.
As he watched, Alexander's brows knit together, taking in Hephaistion's slightly battered appearance. The blue-eyed general remained silent, minor hurts forgotten as Alexander lifted a hand to touch his fingertips lightly to a scabbed over gash near his left temple.
"Our guide's translation proved to be incorrect and there was a brief scuffle before I was able to convince our host that I had no intention of carting off his daughter," Hephaistion said by way of explanation. "She was quite ugly in any case."
"I will send Bagoas with you next time," Alexander offered, his eyes still fixed on the healing wound. "He speaks both languages fluently."
A smirk tugged at the corners of Hephaistion's lips as he shook his head. "It would be better for the boy to remain with you. He does not have the training or discipline to keep up with my men. Even if he did, I doubt that he would permit anyone to take him from your side. Even me."
"I would order it if I thought it would keep you from harm," Alexander insisted, his hand finally returning to his side.
"And I would leave him behind anyway."
The two men stared at each other, unaware of the others who moved about them. The younger ones who had stopped to watch could not hide their shock. That one of the generals should refuse an order from the king was inconceivable. The older ones were merely amused, taking bets among themselves as to which one would cave to the other's will first. Most bets favoured Hephaistion as the victor.
"You forget, Alexander, that even if there were no language barrier, we are still their conquerors," Hephaistion reminded his beloved friend. "However noble your intentions might be, there will always be those who will not stand for peace of will find oppression where there is none. You cannot conquer that, Alexander, not even with a will as strong as yours."
"Words are easy when you are not the one to give the orders," Alexander sighed, his words as much of a concession as Hephaistion knew he would receive from his friend.
"Yet since I too am Alexander, your orders are my own and so you cannot take full blame when things do not go as well as you would hope."
It was difficult for Alexander to maintain his disapproving scowl in the face of Hephaistion's cheerful grin. He was glad that the bruises he had received were fading and that those that had not could easily be explained away without increasing Alexander's guilt. In truth Hephaistion did not blame him. Since he was a boy Hephaistion had been trained to be a soldier and soldiers followed orders without any regard to their own personal safety. He would not hesitate to step in the path of an arrow or a sword point if it would save Alexander from harm. Even if it would risk his own kingdom, Hephaistion knew that Alexander would do the same. It was not conceit on his part, but a simple truth. A truth both he and Alexander would admit to the validity of.
