I know I take a lot of twist and turns in my story and it's far from historically correct but I only hope it works in my story and no one is offended by it.
I have taken a scene for the movie and added it in my story. It does not belong to me (sadly) but to Oliver stone and to the wonderful performance by the actors. I adapted it to fit my story so it's not a 100 the same but it comes very close.
I don't know what to believe anymore about the DVD, some say he will cut scene's, some say he will rearrange scene's. Some say one disc, some say two disc. Some say cinema version, some say director's cut. I'm going crazy with it all. I decided to just wait and see. I'm gonna buy it anyway. ;)
Thanks again for your lovely reviews!
Shioban: I do have a devious mind sometimes but everything will turn out okay, you'll see ;)
Mara: You'll just have to wait, but you won't be dissapointed. This chapter is more serious as well but more fluff is on the way!
Chapter 18: Bactria
After his marriage with Roxane, Alexander tried to avoid her as much as possible but everywhere he went, she soon followed. It did not only annoy Alexander but his closest companions as well.
Instead of staying in Sogdia or returning home he decided to continue his quest, after hearing about the wonderful countries and riches, Alexander wanted to continue on ahead. He had hoped Roxane would stay in Sogdia but it was in vain since she followed him everywhere. No soldier enjoyed her company and frequently let her know she was unwelcome but still she seemed not to care and followed. She tried in vain to attract Alexander's eye who only had eyes for Hephaistion these days. He still felt guilty for marrying the girl and frequently drank too much wine.
They marched for months and months, trough rain and sun, trough muddy and dusty ground, they often went hungry and had no water to add to the wine. Men were killed by heat and cold, by hunger and thirst, because of wounds they suffered during the many battles they engaged in, they were killed by snakes and animals they did not know. Always moving further and further away from their homes, wives and children. The army became more grumpy everyday but still they followed Alexander, like loyal men, for they all loved him like brothers.
One day after two years of wandering trough deserts and mountains, Alexander decided to let his army rest in a province named Bactria. There he met several Indian leaders who have up their city to Alexander who thanked them by reinstating them as leader of their towns in his name. They celebrated this new alliance by giving a big feast. Wine, who was unwatered and very strong, flowed richly that evening and soon most attendances were drunk. Hephaistion, Ptolemy and some others however stayed sober and watched Alexander and the others, knowing their unhappiness with events that had transpired those last two years. Rumour grew of a plot against Alexander, a plot he was well aware of and at a time like this when they all drank too much wine, someone might be bold and to something they might regret later.
After a dance of some slave boys Alexander thanked them by embracing the leader earning a few stares by both his officers and their new allies. He sat back down while several toasts were made and drank a goblet of wine in one go and accepted another. Suddenly, Cleitus, who was the only one of King Philip's former guards still alive, stood up, goblet raised high,
"To the memory of Philip, had he lived to see his Macedonians transformed to such a pretty army. To Philip to a real hero!" and they all toasted to Philip. Ptolemy who sat next to Alexander this whole time, knew Cleitus resented the fact Alexander incorporated Persians in his army and decided to intervene, he locked eyes with Hephaistion quickly and raised his goblet yelling,
"To Cleitus and his new appointment of Satrap of Bactria." Everyone raised their goblets again except for Cleitus who just smiled knowingly sitting down with his legs crossed,
"Fancy way of putting Ptolemy but we all know what a pension and an exile is after 30 years service." Alexander had indeed given Cleitus the position of Satrap, thinking he was doing him a favour my giving it to him but Cleitus never liked it and found it offensive,
"You find governing this major province, exile?" asked Alexander with a laugh, drinking yet another goblet of wine,
"Has your majesty given any of his closest companions, a province so far from home?" questioned Cleitus from the other side of the room. Ptolemy looked between the two in worry,
"Then you won't make a good Satrap now will you Cleitus?" laughed Alexander again while someone filled his goblet, Hephaistion began to feel worried as he watched while Cleitus and Alexander drank more and continued their conversation. Everyone laughed at Alexander next comment while Cleitus stood back up with a evil smile, looking around,
"So be it. Let me rot in Macedonian rags rather then shine in Eastern pump." Every Asian present looked up at the last comment while Cleitus continued, " I won't quake and bow down like the sickofans you have around you: Hephaistion, Nearchus, Perdiccas,…" everyone began to feel the tension rising as Cleitus continued his rambling. Hephaistion locked eyes with Alexander and knew if anything were to happen he had to be fast,
"HEY! As governor of one of our most Asian of satrapies, Cleitus, does it not occur to you that if my Persian subjects bow down before me, it's important for them to do so? Do I insist on Greeks doing the same?" asked Alexander in a light tone,
"You accept Greek offerings as the son of Zeus do you not?" asked Cleitus suggesting to what happened in Sogdia, Alexander lowered his cup and answered slowly,
"Only when offered…" Ptolemy looked between the two in worry as things started to heat up,
"Then why don't you refuse these vain flatteries, what freedom is this to bow before you?" yelled Cleitus getting more angry by the minute, he stepped forward but someone placed a hand on his shoulder and he stayed put;
"You bow before Heracles do you not and he was mortal BUT a son of Zeus." Answered Alexander drinking another cup of wine,
"How can you, so young, compare yourself to Heracles?" yelled Cleitus offended,
"Why NOT?" asked Alexander starting to feel angry at Cleitus' words, "I achieved more in my years, brought us as far, probably further." At this all the Indians who were present began to leave feeling a fight coming on leaving only Alexander and his men behind,
"Heracles did it by himself. Did you conquer Asia by yourself Alexander?" yelled Cleitus heatingly "I mean, who planned the Asian invasion? Was it not your father? Or is his blood no longer good enough? Zeus-Amon is it?" they all saw Alexander stand up and walk closer, several hands went up to stop Cleitus from moving any closer and tried in vain to stop him from talking.
"You insult me Cleitus, you mock my familyBe careful! " And he pointed angrily at Cleitus while his companions, Macedonian and Persian stepped closer, knowing Alexander's temper and they all knew his love for his family.
"Never would your father take barbarians as his friends, asked us to fight with them as equals in war. Are we not good enough any longer? I remember a time when we could talk as men strait to the eye, none of this scrapping and grovelling. Now you hug them…" and he motioned to the Persian dancers who were still present and then to Roxane who was also there, "… Take a barbarian as your wife and betray our queen." At this Alexander looked guilty but quickly recovered, staring Cleitus in the face.
"Go quickly Cleitus before you ruin your life." Muttered Alexander quietly while he swayed drunkenly, he looked around feeling people standing close behind and beside him.
"Doesn't your great pride fear the gods any longer?" Alexander just looked at him not really knowing what to do, " This army is your blood, boy!" suddenly Alexander saw his father, "Without it your nothing!" then he saw him spit blood. Alexander rubbed his eyes and shook his head while Hephaistion looked on worried afraid Alexander might truly lose it, but he recovered and yelled;
"You no longer serve the purpose of this march, get him from my sight!" Everyone looked at each not really knowing what to do, doubting if they should intervene or not.
"I no longer serve you purpose? When was I serving your purpose when I saved you puppy live at Gaugamela? You think we'll be here now? You force us to mate with brown apes…." At this both Alexander and Cleitus became so angry they charged at each other but were both held by several of their friends. Drunk or not they were both still incredibly strong. Hephaistion tried to calm Alexander down by putting a hand on his shoulder and calling his name;
"Alexander! Alexander!" But it didn't really help.
"Turn out the guards! Arrest him for treason!" Ordered Alexander making everyone fall silent at the command, looking between the two. Alexander shook himself free and looked around with wild eyes.
"Whose with him? Whose with him?" But they all shook their head afraid of Alexander now, "I call Father Zeus to witness. I call you to trail before him. I will see this conspiracy caught, TAKE HIM!" and again they were both being held back.
"There is no plot against you !" yelled Cleitus back, "What about pour Parmenion, make me do your foul deed…" Alexander and the others knew what he was getting at, about a year earlier Parmenion's son was accused of a plot to kill Alexander and was killed my the army. To make sure Parmenion would not revenge his son, he was killed as well. Hephaistion knew Alexander regretted this act and still had nightmares. He tried to hold him back but Cleitus' words only sent Alexander in a rage as he continued, "….Have you no shame? Heh? Hypocrite! Despot! False King!…" At this Alexander ripped free and yelled in anger turning around to leave until Cleitus last words sent him in rage no one ever saw before.
"You and your barbarian mother live in shame!" No one knew where he got the spear but suddenly it was in Alexander's hand and he moved through the crowd and ran it through Cleitus who fell down lifeless. Realising what he had done Alexander fell down on his knees close to Cleitus' body and started moaning in grieve.
Everyone looked shocked not believing what had happened. No one dared to move. No one dared to speak as they looked on as Alexander cried over Cleitus his body.