Thank you For Your Lovely Reviews.

Shioban: Of course they made up, can't stay mad at each for long after all. Yeah, Phai can be pretty stubborn sometimes, add to his charm I guess ;) Thank you for reviewing.

Mara: Yeah, it's been awhile, I have been having troubles with my future chapters for some reason. Ptolemy is older so he understands more about what's happening then the others. Thank you for your review.

Emerald Amber: I think Ptolemy acts more like a big brother looking out for the well fair of his younger brother but knows fully well Alexander can take care of himself. I know I'm evil like that but I promise you won't have to wait long… And about the lion? You'll just have to read I guess ;) Thank you for reviewing!

XZanayu: Of course Hephaistion can do it. They will do their best. Thank you for your review.

Valo: Thank you every much, Hephaistion isn't always easy to write but I do my best. Thank you for reviewing.

Queendel: Love is never easy, especially not at that age. Yeah, Ptolemy is smart and observant like that  They do their best at the lion hunt but it won't be easy. Thank you for your review.

Save me, Save me, Save me
I can't face this life alone
Save me Save me Save me.

- Save Me by Queen. -

Chapter 8: Hunting & Saving Lives.

After having joined his father for lunch and being lectured, for what seemed hours to him, about Lion hunting, Alexander was quite relieved to be outside once again. He shielded his eyes from the burning sun as he stepped outside, as his eyes became accustomed to the light he noticed he was he last one to join the group.

Looking down, adjusting his bow on his shoulders, he apologised.

"Sorry I'm late, I was just…"

"No need to apologise, we quite understand." Said someone, Alexander just nodded glad they weren't angry but he still hated the fact they forgave him while any other student might have gotten punished for his tardiness. He sighed, walking towards Bucephalus, who he noticed was prepped and ready, he looked towards Hephaistion standing nearby and he smiled in thanks. Hephaistion smiled back before looking in front of him again.

All the student were equipped with the same things: a sword, a bow and arrows. Nothing more, nothing less. They were all given a horse to use for the day, except Alexander who had his own. They were all divided in pairs, ready to set of. King Philip emerged from the building, wearing the same weapons and talked loudly for all of them to hear.

"Right. A lion had been signalled in a town not far from here, the beast has been terrorizing the citizens for many weeks, killing their live stock and sometimes even women and children….." At this Alexander's eyes became very cold and he stood determent. "….The beast had been quite elusive and no one has been able to catch it. One villager though said he wounded the beast in his front, right leg. Which should make it easier for you to catch him….." shouted Philip waving his hands in excitement, taking a swing of wine now and then, "… I and some of my guards will come but only to observe not participate. We will only intervene when I see fit and not before…." Said Philip quickly sensing a protest coming up, "…I know you will make me and your fathers proud. Now go!"

All eight boys, checked their armour again making sure everything was in order before one by one mounting their horses and setting off. Alexander was about to mount his horse, Bucephalus, when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder, he turned around coming face to face with his father, no words were spoken but the light squeeze on Alexander shoulder said it all. The king then turned to Hephaistion who witnessed the exchange, when he saw the king's eye turned on him he nodded, conveying a silent promise to keep Alexander safe. The king then turned and left again, leaving Alexander staring after him. Alexander sighed and mounted his horse, exchanging a nod with Hephaistion they both set off.

When they reached the village, the other companions were already there, Ptolemy walked towards them.

"He's recently been here, killed several sheep and a dog, luckily it was lunch time so most people were inside and no one was hurt. They saw him head in that direction…" Ptolemy pointed to his right, in the direction of the woods. Alexander nodded, seeing the paw prints in the dirt. The called all his companions closer, while he drew a little picture of the woods in the sand with a stick.

"Okay, here the plan. Cassander and Philotas…" both boys nodded, "… you two go around the woods and enter in the middle quick and silent." Explained Alexander showing where they should go with his stick,

"Then Nearchus and Leonatus, you go in by the left…" he pointed his stick on the left side, then on the right, "…. While Ptolemy and Perdiccas enter the woods by the right." Both boys nodded staring at the little drawing, "Myself and Hephaistion here…." he looked towards Hephaistion who was listening intently, "… enter from the front. Each by going in a different direction, the lion will have no where to go and is effectively trapped in his own hide out. When you do see the Lion, be careful and don't hesitate to call for assistance. By helping each other we make sure we will stay alive… Agreed?"

Everyone stared at Alexander, mulling his plan over not believing how he ever came up with it in such a short notice. It was daring plan, going for a frontal attack but had many changes of succeeding so they all shouted,

"Agreed!"

They all mounted their horses, dividing, each going in their own direction. Alexander and Hephaistion rode closer but about half way they dismounted, going to the woods on foot, because it was much safer to do so.

Alexander and Hephaistion walked very silent, keeping their eyes and ears trained on the woods, aware of every movement and every sound. They blocked out every irrelevant sound, only what was in the woods and each other. They kept their distance, but still close enough so they could see each other clearly.

Stopping by the woods, Alexander gestured to Hephaistion to be silent and keep low, Hephaistion nodded and together they entered the woods. Careful to avoid dead wood and stones, to avoid tripping, they held their bows at the ready.

Suddenly a loud crack resounded in the woods and they both pointed an arrow in the direction from which it came, both sighing as they saw it was just a branch that had fallen. They nodded to each other before moving off again, they reached a clearing in the woods and scanned the area. They heard a soft noise and some of the bushes suddenly moved, the both froze and cocked their arrows pointing in the direction of the bushes. When, after a couple of minutes, nothing happened they relaxed, each moving in another direction scanning the clearing and it's environment.

Alexander moved to the right while Hephaistion moved to the left, suddenly Alexander saw some prints in the sand and he bend down to investigate. He heard a soft noise but dismissed it as being Hephaistion but when said person suddenly yelled his name he stood up turning around,

"Alexander!"

Alexander turned in time to see the Lion jump in his direction claws bared. He fumbled with his arrows but dropped them due to his hurry, he braised himself for the inevitable but someone pushed him aside hard and he fell head first against a tree. He heard Hephaistion shout in pain,

"Aaaarrgghhh!" and tried to see but his vision had suddenly become blurry. He heard the lion roar in pain and some shuffling in the sand. He opened his eyes again and saw clearly again, seeing Hephaistion on the ground, bleeding seriously from his leg trying to drag himself away from the lion to his sword who had fallen on the ground. The Lion swiped with his paw, ripping Hephaistion shoulder open. Hephaistion fell down in pain, suddenly fearing for Hephaistion's life, he quickly stood up, his vision swimming for his eyes, standing on wobbly legs he shouted,

"Hey you… Lion. Don't you rather have a piece of this." The lion merely ignored Alexander advancing on a bleeding and helpless Hephaistion, who shook his head in fear,

"Alexander, no!"

Alexander then picked up several stones an threw them at the lion until he caught his attention. The lion roared and turned around slowly advancing on Alexander, who braised himself, holding his sword. They stood face to face, seizing each other up, the lion suddenly jumped and Alexander quickly moved aside but was still hit in the chest by a quick swoop of the lion's claws. Alexander gasped in pain and but stood tall between Hephaistion and the lion, when the lion advanced again. The Lion roared loudly standing on his hind legs, but yelped in pain as he was hit in the leg by an arrow shot by Hephaistion, who by now lost so my blood, he had trouble keeping his eyes open. But fear for Alexander, gave him enough adrenaline to keep going.

Due to the arrow, the Lion lost his balance and fell on Alexander angry as hell and bit Alexander hard in the shoulder. At the same time, Alexander thrust his sword in the Lion's throat, hitting a major artery, killing him instantly. Due to the weight and because the lion's jaw had clamped himself on Alexander shoulder, they both fell down hard, dust rising in the air. Worried for Alexander, Hephaistion dragged himself trough sand and mud towards Alexander calling his name,

"Alexander…. Alexander…"

"Hephaistion…" whispered Alexander extending his hand, sighing in relief, Hephaistion extending his hand, barely able to touch Alexander fingers. They both stared into each other eyes before their injuries and exhaustion make them close again as they both fainted.

A couple of minutes after, the rest of the companions, who heard the lion's roar, rushed into the clearing to find both Alexander and Hephaistion, unconscious, reaching out for each other. At first many of them thought Alexander died due to all the blood, they also had a difficult time trying to remove the lion who a dead grip on Alexander shoulder. They ended up having to tear the lion's head of Alexander, who spasmed in pain. Both boys were rushed of to the school's infirmary, where their wounds where disinfected and sown.