Chapter 7: War
Alexander's 'soon', came quicker then expected and a couple of weeks later The King ordered his soldiers to get ready for war. Soon thousand of soldiers flocked together in and round the city of 'Pella'. New swords and shields were made, together with bows and arrows and were put in hundredths of wagons. Horses from all over the country were brought in for inspection and by the end of that month the army was ready to march off.
Alexander, Hephaistion and Eudora didn't have much time to discover their new found love but spent their last night together and in the throws of passion they screamed each others name, clutching each other afterwards. The following day, Eudora was unable to keep her tears at bay as she clutched Alexander and Hephaistion close, for what may be the last time. She even hugged every single one of Alexander's companions making them all swear to keep her husband safe. Alexander mounted his horse looking at his wife, which he left in his cousins Amyntar's care, and set of in a hurry before he could change his mind.
After a long march they finally made it to Egypt, pitching their tents and eating something. The king called his Generals, Alexander and his companions for one last meeting, confirming that Alexander and his troop would attack the 'sacred band' and destroy it. A hard job since they had never been defeated but everyone knew if anyone could do it if would be Alexander. That night, everyone spent the night in their own tents, even Alexander and Hephaistion.
The following day, Alexander woke up before dawn, put on his armour and stepped outside seeing half the army was already awake. He inspected his troops before going to his fathers tent and wishing him luck. He mounted his horse and rode passed his troops seeing everyone was ready and armed, he nodded towards his companions and yelled,
"Move out!"
Alexander rode in front of his troops, followed closely by his companions. Soon they stopped on a slope from which they could see the battlefield. Looking around Alexander saw his father was already in the midst of battle, as was Parmenion and Black Cleitus, his father's closest and most loyal generals. Alexander closed his eyes thinking of Eudora, as he suddenly heard the signal for him to attack.
"Conquer your fear and I promise you will conquer death. Come Macedonians ride, ride now, ride for ruin and a red sun rises. Death!" and his army repeated his words their swords banging on their shields making lots of noise.
"Death!"
"Death!"
"Death!" Alexander spurred his horse with a loud battle cry and moved forwards attacking the 'sacred band', his army following closely at his heals. Soon, the air filled with screams of pain, blood and limbs flying everywhere.
Their enemies where very efficient, every time a soldier of the sacred band fell another took his place. It seemed Alexander and his army were hardly moving, suddenly he saw an opening and he headed in that direction, his sword swinging left and right taking down enemy soldiers. His companions, who had their hands full, had a tough time trying to follow him and they feared the worst. Through the dust and sand they could see Alexander's shining armour and tried to make their way towards him when suddenly Alexander disappeared from view having fallen from his horse. Ptolemy spurred his horse on but realising it was in vain, he dismounted and made his way towards Alexander on foot, looking around he saw many of his companions, including Hephaistion, had the same idea.
Making it to the place Alexander fell, they saw him back to back with one of their soldiers trying to keep the enemy at bay. They pushed harder trying to reach their prince when they heard a loud yelp, looking up they saw the soldier had pushed himself in front of Alexander catching a blow meant for him. Finally they reached Alexander and they formed a circle, Ptolemy wanted to ask the soldier if he was badly hurt , but he already left leaving the protection of their prince in their hands.
The battle was over before anyone realised it. The sacred band was destroyed and King Philip and his generals had won their battles as well. Cheers of joy soon filled the air as the soldiers realised they had won. Alexander sighed and looked around shaking his head.
'Such a waste.' thought Alexander feeling nothing but respect for the sacred band, he felt a hand on his shoulder and his turned coming face to face with a bloody Hephaistion and he frowned,
"I'm fine." Said Hephaistion before Alexander could even utter a word and he sighed in relieve smiling at his love. Looking behind him, he saw all his other companions as well and he was glad. Soon, the King approached and they discussed what they should do with the bodies. Alexander suggested that they deserved a honourable funeral, their bodies burned and their ashes put into urns and sent to their families. He even suggested making a monument for the sacred band and everyone agreed. Soon the air was filled with fire and smoke, and they all paid their last respects to their own dead soldiers and those of the enemies.
When it was over the King suggested that Alexander wrote his wife a letter saying they were victorious and in one piece, saying he would do the same with his wife. Alexander smiled and made his way towards his tent, closely followed by Hephaistion. When they entered the camp, they saw someone entering the camp from the other side on a horse, riding at full speed. Wondering who it was, as he made his way towards them, they stopped. The rider stopped, dismounted and fell to his knees in front of Alexander crying,
"Forgive me, my prince for I have failed." Recognizing his cousin Amyntar, Alexander turned pale,
"What do you mean? Where is Eudora?"
"I do not know my lord." Answered Amyntar in a shaky voice. Alexander turned angry and grabbed him by the throat,
"What do you mean, you don't know? Where is she?" Amyntar tried to answer but Alexander was so angry that he gripped his throat so tight he couldn't breath. A soft voice behind him made him release his grip,
"Alexander." And Amyntar fell on the floor gasping for air.
"Speak quickly before I decide to have you executed" said Alexander in a tight and commanding tone stepping back slightly giving Amyntar the change to get back up on his feet. He coughed several times before starting to talk.
"It's like this…"
As soon as Alexander and the army disappeared from view Eudora collected herself and turned towards Amyntar.
"Thank you for watching me Amyntar. I fear I might lose my mind with worry if I did not have someone to talk to and knows Alexander so well. You grew up together did you not?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Can you tell me some stories about that time?"
"Certainly my lady… Now?" asked Amyntar,
"We have a saying where I come from: There is no time like the present" and she smiled moving inside, Amyntar shook his head and followed her inside.
"Shall we go to the lounge my lady?"
"No, I think your quarters will do fine. They are closer are they not?" Amyntar nodded but looked worried,
"Do not worry. Am I sure no one will think you dared lay a hand on Alexander's wife and if they do, then we'll set them strait, won't we?" reassured Eudora, Amyntar nodded, still slightly worried,
"As you wish my lady." And they walked off together towards Amyntar's quarters. When they arrived Eudora asked for him to close the doors, Amyntar found it strange but obeyed when she claimed if was for privacy, Eudora sat down sighing,
"Ah, I see my pages brought us come refreshments, will you join me?" Amyntar nodded excepting a goblet of wine, which he swallowed in one gulp. Suddenly he felt dizzy and his eyesight became blurry, he felt himself fall but was caught in warm arms and the last thing he heard was,
"I am sorry Amyntar. But I must do this, may you forgive me someday.
" I do not know, what she gave me but when I woke up I was in my bed and it was one week later. I looked for days before coming here and interviewed many people but none had seen her.
I am sorry My Prince but I cannot tell you were she is.
I understand if you execute me for this insolence, if my death shall bring you some comfort then I will gladly die." Finished Amyntar and he bowed his head. Alexander outstretched his trembling hand, filled with rage, towards Amyntar's head but stopped just above it. Alexander sighed suddenly and laid his hand on his cousin's head petting it slightly, then with much difficulty he said,
"I forgive you." Amyntar's shocked face snapped up and looked at Alexander, but he had already turned, Hephaistion made a head movement motioning for him to go before Alexander changed his mind. He stood upright and bowed, even though Alexander could not see it,
"Thank you… cousin." And he quickly left leaving Hephaistion and Alexander alone, feeling Alexander's worried mind Hephaistion stepped closer to his love and laid a hand on his arm but before he could speak, a page came running towards them and stopped in front of them. Hephaistion recognized him as Mathaeus, surgeon Philip's right hand,
"My lord…" and he bowed quickly, " Doctor Philip requires your presence in the medical tent."
"I already made my rounds of the wounded" said Alexander in a tired voice,
"He knows, my lord, but he said he found your soldier. The one that saved your life on the battlefield."
"I' will meet him tomorrow."
"But Doctor Philip asked you to come immediately, my lord, he says there is something about the soldier that concerns you. But if you are busy my lord, I will tell him so." Alexander sighed heavily, interest peaked even tough he was suddenly feeling tired,
"No…. no…. I'll come." And both he and Hephaistion followed the page to the medical tent, entering it was filled with wounded soldiers.
They all hailed Alexander as he passed, glad to see him and Alexander waved and smiled back, glad to see they were on the mend. The page lead them to the private part where normally only the king and the highest in rank were taken care of. Both men frowned as they ducked under the tent flap the page was holding up. The flap fell closed when they were inside and the page continued with his duties elsewhere.
Alexander and Hephaistion looked around to see a soldier lying on a table while Doctor Philip softly spoke to his patient as he sowed a wound close. When he was finished he bowed and stepped closer,
"My lord."
"Philip, I hear you found my soldier."
"Yes, my lord."
"Good, I will meet him and thank him for his valiant act." And Alexander made his way towards the wounded soldier who now sat upright, head bowed,
"But my lord, there is something you should…." But Alexander wasn't listening anymore,
"Hail my friend. I wanted to meet the brave soldier who watched my back at the battlefield. What is your name my good friend?"
"He said his name was…." Began Philip but was interrupted by Alexander,
"Let him tell me himself or has he lost his tongue?" Philip just shook his head and Hephaistion frowned at the strange look in his eyes,
"Tell me your name soldier, so I may reward you for your brave deed." still the soldier didn't answer, it annoyed Alexander to no end, and to top it of he didn't even remove his helmet to pay the proper respect to his prince,
"Remove your helmet and tell me your name." when the soldier remained where he was Alexander lost his patience and ripped the helmet of, only the drop it again in shock,
"Eudora!" she smiled slightly at Alexander before he crushed her in a hug,
"I was so worried when I heard from Amyntar that you were gone. What were you thinking?"
"I promised to keep you safe and I will."
"You stupid girl…" whispered Alexander before crushing their lips together, Hephaistion, who also felt relieved, smiled at the scene and motioned for the doctor to step outside for a moment giving them some privacy.
"What are her injuries?"
"She has a deep cut on her right leg and shallow cut on her left arm. The rest are just cuts and scrapes. She has a nasty bump on her head and will have a headache for some time. She had numerous bruises on her body, the biggest one being on her stomach…." And when Philip trailed of, Hephaistion heart gripped in fear,
"She lost it didn't she?" Philip's shocked eyes met Hephaistion's,
"You knew?"
"Yes…"
"Does the Prince…"
"No and he must…." But Hephaistion didn't get the change to finish his sentence as Alexander stepped out,
"She wants to see you." Hephaistion nodded and stepped inside as Alexander remained to speak to the doctor, he just hoped he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, Hephaistion stepped inside and saw a very pale Eudora laying back down on the bed,
"Eudora."
"Hephaistion." She reached out and he took her hand as she started crying, "I lost it Hephaistion, I lost it…"
"I know. I am sorry. " and he kissed her forehead trying to comfort her, but before he could say anything Alexander rushed back inside,
"You were with child? My child?" he yelled accusingly pointing at Eudora was tried to sit back up, "And you never told me?"
"Alexander." Began Hephaistion,
"And you…." He pointed his finger at Hephaistion, "You knew, didn't you? Didn't you?"
"Alexander please…" tried Eudora again,
"No! I don't want to hear it. Consider yourselves in luck that I don't execute you for treason." Yelled Alexander getting more angry with the minute,
"Alexander please listen"
"No, I don't want to see either of you again." Shocking both Hephaistion and Eudora at the final tone Alexander used. He stared at them for a second with hard eyes before turning and leaving the tent,
"Alexander, please…. wait" Eudora tried to scramble after him but fell on the floor in pain, sobs shaking her body. Hephaistion just held her as she cried.
No one saw Alexander for days and no one dared approach his tent after what happened to Leonatus who tried to talk some sense in his friend. All his companion heard what happened and they made regular visits to Eudora's, now private, tent. Hephaistion never left her side, watching her wither away until he had enough and entered Alexander's tent without announcing his presence.
When he entered, he saw Alexander pase up and down the tent, clearly still mad. Hephaistion remained silent,
"I don't want to talk to you or even see you. Go!"
"No."
"Didn't you hear what I said, I said Go!"
"Not until you listen." Stated Hephaistion not moving an inch. Having had enough of Hephaistion's insolence, he struck him in the face making Hephaistion stumble and fall, when he was about to strike again, Hephaistion quickly said,
"She's dying." Alexander stepped back, lowering his hand,
"What?"
"She's dying Alexander!" said Hephaistion again, getting back on his feet.
" No, you are lying."
"Have you ever known me to lie Alexander?"
"You didn't tell me she was with child."
"That is not lying Alexander. It was not mine to say, it was hers."
"She cannot be dying, her wounds weren't that severe." Stated Alexander after a long silence,
" You are wha'st killing her Alexander, not her wounds."
"What?"
"Because of what you said and did… what you are still doing….." explained Hephaistion when he knew he had Alexander's complete attention, "She believed she is unfit to be your wife and mother of your children. She would rather die then disappoint you again…."
"What…when… How…" Alexander stumbled, eyes lowered but Hephaistion understood,
" She refuses to eat and drink, slowly killing herself. She does not move, nor does she speak, she just sleeps all day and night. She thinks she murdered her child because of what she did and believes you no longer love her. She didn't tell you she was pregnant, so you would not worry on the battlefield and keep your focus. She only wanted you to be safe Alexander because she loves you…very much. And now she lost her child…" Hephaistion trailed of as Alexander suddenly dropped into a chair, his hands gripping his hair hard in despair.
Hephaistion crouched down and hugged him close,
"It is not too late Alexander. Go to her and tell her you still love her, like I know you do." Alexander moved back, tears in his eyes,
"Thank you for putting me back in my place…." He scanned Hephaistion's face, eyes falling on the new bruise and he lightly kissed it, "I am sorry…"
"It's alright Alexander, I understand. Go to her." And he pulled Alexander upright, pushing him towards Eudora's tent. Hephaistion saw him disappear in the tent, rubbing his throbbing jaw, he hoped everything will work out.
No one knows what was said in that tent but soon Eudora was eating and back on her feet. As soon as she was strong enough the army moved back to Macedonia, enjoying a well earned rest. Ever since that incident Alexander took his wife everywhere he could, no one protested since they all liked her presence and after hearing what she did on the battlefield, they welcomed the help even though she promised Alexander she would not fight anymore.