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Stand out on the edge of the earth,
Dive into the centre of fate,
Walk right inside of the gun,
Look into this new future's face.
- Edge Of The Earth by 30 Seconds To Mars. -
Chapter 14: A Summons
Alexander, now aged sixteen, was summoned together with his closest companions: Hephaistion, Ptolemy, Cassander, Leonatus, Nearchus, Philothas and Perdiccas to the royal palace at Pella. All boys had grown much in the last few months and resembled men now, instead of boys. They walked tall and proud, they were all fairly muscled and looked strong. All came to a fair height as well, all but Alexander who was a lot smaller then most but looked fairest with his blond hair and two coloured eyes.
They had all ridden on horseback from Mieza, where they were tutored under Aristotle, Leonidas, who later was replaced by Lysimachus, who taught Alexander to play the lyre and appreciate the arts, three of the most respected men in Greece and Macedon. About a week earlier, they had all received a summons from the King himself and now they found themselves in front of the massive palace. They all dismounted, handing the reigns to a nearby stable boy, dusted themselves off and followed the guard inside.
All had been in the palace before, most of them having spent a lot of their youth there but still looked around in awe.
Alexander, wearing a white chiton and red cape, fastened with a star-shaped broach, walked in front. Immediately his companions surrounded him in a protective circle, a habit they formed over the last few months. They walked trough several corridors before stopping in front of the big wooden doors leading to the throne room. The door opened and someone announced them with a loud voice. Alexander sighed before looking to his left where Hephaistion stood, they locked gazes for a moment, reassuring themselves, before slowly and proudly walking inside.
The throne room was filled with several occupants and Alexander recognized most as his father's closest generals: Parmenion, Cleitus, Antigonus and Antipater, he also saw Pausinias, Philip's personal guard and first companion. Alexander and his companions stopped before the throne, where the King sat and they all bowed down, staying on one knee crouching on the flour looking down.
"My son…"
Alexander looked up to his father, who gestured for him to stand up and walk closer. Standing up, Alexander noticed for the first time that his mother was also present and he frowned before stepping to his father and kissing both his cheeks as a sign of respect.
"Father."
"I am glad you are here, we have a lot to discuss…." Said Philip, gesturing with his arms, "….Ah, you brought your companions, good. Stand up!" all of Alexander's companions slowly stood upright, standing in a single file next to each other, looking strait ahead. Philip walked closer, arm around Alexander shoulder and stopped in front of Ptolemy.
"Help me my boy, who is this again?"
Alexander sent an apologising smile to Ptolemy, who didn't move an inch. Alexander silently cursed his father's tact or rather lack of.
"This is Ptolemy my King, son of…"
"…Lagos. Right, I knew your father well. I am sorry to hear about his death." Muttered Philip looking Ptolemy up and down.
"Thank you My King!" answered Ptolemy bowing his head slightly, The King nodded before moving to the next person and looking him and down as well,
"This is Leonatus, son of Anteas." The king nodded when Leonatus greeted him and moved to the next person,
"This is Nearchus. He is already shown great skill in his knowledge about the sea and boats. He will make a fine Admiral one day." Nearchus smiled at Alexander for a second before greeting his king.
"Admiral huh?" muttered Philip looking the broad boy in the face before moving of,
"And This is Perdiccas, great horse master and great asset to your army sire…" continued Alexander,
"Good Good…" muttered Philip moving on, "… Ah now these two need no introduction Cassander, son of Antipater and Philotas, son of Parmenion. I know your fathers will be glad to see you again."
"Thank you sir!" shouted both boys standing at attention, making Alexander raise eyebrow, trying to hide a smile behind a cough. He moved along, dragging along his father who still had a an arm around his shoulder. Alexander smiled at the next person and opened his mouth,
"This is…." But Philip interrupted him,
"Amyntar's boy. I remember him. Strong, brave but stubborn…." Alexander was about to interrupt when Philip's next comment stopped him, "…The first companion. Hephaistion was it not?"
"Yes sire…" nodded Hephaistion, ignoring Alexander's questioning gaze,
"Well, if you are anything like your father then Alexander is lucky to have you around."
"Thank you, My King" bowed Hephaistion before standing back up. Alexander however stared at him, not believing Hephaistion never mentioned his father made him first companion. A voice cut of his musing.
"If you are quite done staring at your companions…" Alexander and Hephaistion both blushed, not believing they ended up staring at each other in a room filled with people. Laughter joined the comment, "…. Could you join me?" Alexander pretended the comment didn't get to him and walked towards his father stopping in front of him.
"Now, I did not summon you just to get reacquainted but to inform you of my plans…" started Philip while he sat back down taking a swing of his wine. Alexander waited patiently for him to start. He shared a look with his mother who rolled her eyes as her husbands behaviour. Alexander wondered again why she was there for she had yet to speak.
"I am leaving…" Alexander's head snapped back to his father, "… for Byzantium (1) in a few weeks time. As you know."
Alexander nodded, reaffirming that he indeed knows of his father's plans,
"I will be gone for a few months, tops, but I need someone to stay behind and rule in my stead whilst I am gone…" continued Philip, when he saw he had Alexander complete attention,
"… I have taken a great deal of time and discussions with my generals to whom this could be. At first I had Antipater in mind but…" Alexander looked towards Antipater who looked him in the eye before motioning his head towards Philip and he turned back."… I need him on the field." Philip sighed before taking another swing of his wine before standing up and pacing up and down before Alexander.
"So, after long consideration and your mother's permission…" Philip motioned to Olympias who sat proudly on her throne with a small smile that gave Alexander the chills. Suddenly a heavy hand fell on Alexander's shoulder, "… I have chosen you to be regent of Macedon while I am gone." Alexander's head snapped up in shock as he looked into his fathers eyes. The room was silent for a couple of seconds before cheering filled the room.
"Alexander! Alexander! Alexander!"
Philip smiled at the shocked face of his son and pulled of his ring, containing the royal seal of Macedon, showed it to everyone and then slid it around Alexander's finger. More cheering filled the room and Alexander turned to look around and saw all of his companions smiling and cheering as well. But Alexander only had eyes for Hephaistion, who nodded at him, pride shining in his eyes. Looking at the ring in shock he asked for silence. When the room fell quiet he said
"I am honoured father for your trust and the task you set upon me. I will not let you down…" Philip held up his cup of wine in acknowledgement and Alexander continued, "… My first act as Regent is…" Alexander walked towards his companions smiling at each of them, "… to appoint Ptolemy, Leonatus, Perdiccas, Nearchus, Cassander, Philotas and Hephaistion…" all boys snapped at attention when they heard their names, "….the title of Personal guard. I trust them and therefore place my life in their hands. With your permission of course, father!"
All boys looked shocked at Alexander and they felt honoured beyond believe. They had never imagined becoming part Alexander's personal guard, a soldier in his army maybe but never part of his personal guard. When the king nodded his consent, they all bowed. A clerk stopped in front of them shouting,
"Do swear to protect Alexander, crown prince of Macedon and any future wives and children he might have, with all your lives. Until your lord releases you or death takes you?" Alexander smiled as they all yelled 'We swear' but still noticed Hephaistion flinch slightly when the clerk came to the part of future wives and children.
Again cheering filled the room and music started to play. After Philip made a hand gesture, the doors opened and servants filled in placing great platters of food on the tables and carrying goblets of wine around.
Everyone started to mingle and talk, Alexander's saw Parmenion and Antipater hug their sons and claps their shoulders in pride. They all raised their goblets of wine in Alexander's direction when they saw him watching. He nodded back and looked around, seeing Hephaistion standing alone, holding a cup of wine staring into it with a lost look on his face, biting his lower lip out of habit.
Alexander walked towards him with a frown, when he reached him and Hephaistion did not look up, he sighed,
"Hephaistion…" Hephaistion looked up startled but smiled when he saw it was Alexander, "What's wrong?" Hephaistion shook his head slightly staring in Alexander worried eyes,
"I…"
"Congratulations on your appointment my Prince…" said one of Philip's new generals, Alexander had never seen him before but nodded, "… You too…" muttered the general to Hephaistion who nodded as well, before noticing his cup was empty and sauntering of. Not wanting another interruption, they both moved of to a silent corner.
"Tell me what is wrong, Hephaistion…" muttered Alexander, brushing a stray lock of hair out of Hephaistion's face. Hephaistion took a step back,
"Not here Alexander…." Whispered Hephaistion, "…We are in public…" Alexander sighed, dropping his hand, knowing Hephaistion was right,
"Tell me…" asked Alexander again,
"It's nothing, it's just…." Muttered Hephaistion looking down,
"… you feel uncomfortable about a certain part of the vow…." said Alexander making it sound more as a statement then a question, Hephaistion looked into Alexander eyes, "… about me having a wife…." Hephaistion knew there was no point in denying it, it was clear Alexander already knew but he kept his mouth shut in any case and looked down in embarrassment. Cursing himself for not hiding his feelings better. But he knew, ever since he and Alexander became closer then merely friends, they could both read each other like a book, not able to hide from each other anymore. He felt a hand touch his face, sliding down his cheek, stopping at his chin and lifting his head,
"You know I only care for you Hephaistion…"
Hephaistion had to bite his lip at the words, to prevent the tears from falling. He cleared his throat several times before being able to say,
"And I you, my Alexander."
Alexander smiled and continued to caress Hephaistion face, and for once Hephaistion let him even when they both knew they were in public. Suddenly they heard a voice yelling Alexander's name and they both stepped back.
Looking behind him Alexander noticed his mother was making his way towards the both of them, he turned around with a sigh. He felt Hephaistion take his hand in his and squeezed gently in encouragement. Alexander felt grateful and smiled as his mother reached him.
"Mother…" he nodded and kissed both her cheeks,
"Alexander…" and she smiled before looking at Hephaistion with a sour look.
"Mother, this is Hephaistion…" said Alexander motioning to Hephaistion with his free hand, Hephaistion bowed and said,
"My Queen…"
"Yes, I remember him. He has stolen you long enough this afternoon. Come, we have a lot to discuss." Olympias took Alexander by the arm and escorted him away, severing Alexander and Hephaistion with a big swoop. Alexander looked back with an apologising look in his face and mouthed,
'Later'
To witch Hephaistion nodded before watching Alexander leave with his mother. He downed his goblet of wine in one go and shuddered at the taste of it, not used to drinking a lot of wine, he decided to stop while he was ahead. He found some servant to show him to his quarters and laid down on his bed, patting Peritas who licked his hand in contentment. Hephaistion hoped to see Alexander soon, he felt uncomfortable in the palace for some reason.
Byzantium is now known as Istanbul, in case you were wondering.
Alexander was made regent at the age of 16, when his father left to fight in Byzantium, the year is 340 BC. So this was not made up.