Ch.2 Riding home
/Be prepared but never be ready, when it comes to his love for Alexander./
The faster the horse ran directly toward the destination, the farther he wanted this journey to continue. Hephaistion was on his horse leading troops through desert routes from Sidon to Bactria. Part of his heart wanted to rush back to the arms of his lover, another part wanted this journey to go on forever. His body was exhausting from a week of long ride in the desert land and his heart was trembling from the rumours of his lover, Alexander.
He had heard that nowaday the great king Alexander has taken a eunuch Bagoas as his bed companion. He knew this day will come and always reminded himself to be prepared. However, no matter how much he tried, he would never be ready when it happens. His heart was weak, his mind was numb, even his tear was not running but his heart was breeding.
This was the first time in many years that he felt farther away from where he's belonging. The distance between them were only weeks of horse ride but he felt like a year in desert. He never felt so loss as this moment. How many times in this journey that he wanted to turn back to Meiza, the only place which he felt like home when he was not with Alexander. But how he could leave his heart and failed his duty to his king Alexander. Instead, he pulled his horse forward and rushed the troops to fasten their pace to Bactria.
After a long hard ride toward the sun, sand dust hurt his eyes and hot wind dried his mouth and skin, all that suffering seemed to be nothing compare to a minute he caught the first sight of Bactria city in front of him. The journey would end soon, in a few more hours he would have to face Alexander and it was the first time in his life that he afraid to see his king.
What he should do? Should he smile or sober in front of his king? Should he come to see him first as he always do every time they're apart or should he go to his place to hide for one more hour? He knew he need more time to think and to prepare himself to be ready for his king. His body is too exhausted to think clearly. What's a pity, he never felt like he had to be prepared to meet his king before, not until today.