Title: "The First Campaign:
Author: BalianswordChapter: 11, "Revolts"
A/N: I know this story was supposed to be about the first campaign and likely should have already ended, but you know Muses. They won't let you stop sometimes. Therefore I will continue for a little while longer. Thanks for the reviews and support, esp. Queen. Everyone else, review and enjoy. This chapter begins to show how truly one Alexander and Hephaestion are.
Historical Note: When Philip was assassinated and Alexander was crowned King of Macedonia there was unease amongst the states that once belonged to the fallen king. The first state to revolt was Illyria, and soon after Thrace and Thebes revolted against Alexander as well. Therefore, before he could do anything else, Alexander had to regain control of these areas. Just days after Philip's death this began in 336 BC. Thebes, the last city to fall, fell in October, 335 BC.
000
He stared at the blocks before him, his arms crossed, just thinking. He knew that the others around him waited for an answer, but it mattered not to him. Sometimes you were only given one chance from the gods. It would make no sense to waste it. Again he looked at every angle, walking around the room in silence, wondering what the best angle was and how he'd go about getting to it. After some time he glanced up at Hephaestion and Cassander. He nodded to both and they came forward.
"Here," he said pointing to a gate in the wall. Both commanders listened carefully, watching his every move as he ran his finger in the path he wanted them to take. "Split here. Cassander take the right, Hephaestion the left."
"And you my lord," Parmenion asked from where he stood by a wall. Alexander looked up with a smile. He knew that one would ask it. Parmenion may have been one of the only few bold enough to do so. Alexander in turn pointed to another gate, showing him where his legion would enter, and the path they would take. He then knocked over the block.
"That would be how to conquer them," Alexander finished. He glanced up then, saw that look in Hephaestion's eyes. He wanted to say something but would not risk doing so in the company of others. Alexander decided to address it anyway. "What is it Hephaestion?"
He looked up suddenly. His cerulean eyes showed concern. Whatever he had to say he wanted to keep private. Alexander knew he must find the statement to be something that could shed bad light on him. After moments ago in his mother's room he wasn't sure that it would. Hephaestion swallowed, and then in the lightest tone stated his question, instead of the plea he wanted.
"What about those that aren't revolting," Hephaestion asked. For the first time Cassander looked over at him. He didn't hold his usual stance though, he softened, knowing that Hephaestion was right. He did not glare at him as he usually did when Hephaestion made some comment when they were discussing battles. Despite the gallant scar on his leg, Cassander was still unsure of his capabilities, for Hephaestion was too soft for war. He had a soul that could not be corrupted and he felt the pain of others. Cassander knew the one reason he'd ever chosen to follow the path of a Companion, knew it well, and thought it was a foolish reason for someone that wasn't even that good.
Alexander glanced down. He looked at the buildings around the armory, where he knew the Illyrians would be after their retreat. But he also knew that there was a market surrounding this building. He thought of it for a moment but wasn't sure of what to do regarding the others. The thought really hadn't crossed his mind. Hephaestion, feeling that it was his fault he'd put Alexander in this predicament, quickly stepped in though.
"What if," he said, placing the block back up. Alexander then watched as he took the small figure of a horse and placed it in front of the gate he was to enter. Another horse was stationed in front of the other gate, both now stood with a wooden horse figure in front of them.
"Don't give them the opportunity to retreat," Cassander finished. It was hard not to smile a little and it wasn't even the thought of the plan that made him do so. He liked the fact that Hephaestion had come up with something so, merciless.
Parmenion sighed and came forward finally, "And how do you plan, Hephaestion son of Amyntor, to get a legion in front of the gate. We can't be on the field and around their hold at the same time. It would never work."
Alexander looked up at Hephaestion. He wanted him to be able to finish his plan. He silently prayed that Hephaestion would stand up to Parmenion. Hephaestion rarely stood up to anyone, feeling that it was not his place. But it was, especially if he had a formulated plan. There was a silence, but he saw it in Hephaestion's eyes. He had an answer but why wasn't he speaking it!
"Let him finish Parmenion," Cassander said, even casting him a glare that showed he thought himself above the older leader. Cassander then glanced across the table to Alexander. There was a silent thank you whispered from the king's eyes and Cassander looked down. At least he'd finally noticed something. It took another moment but Hephaestion swallowed once more and finished his thought. To begin he pointed to the field where they would first encounter the Illyrians.
"We fight them here," Hephaestion said and Parmenion rolled his eyes as if to say everyone already knew that. Hephaestion did not notice though. He picked up a medium sized building and placed it out on the field. He then took a smaller building to represent the Illyrians and put it down in front of Macedonia's arms. "If they retreat they will first try to reach this gate. Cassander's men won't be able to cover it if they still fight, none of out men will. But we have three times as many men. If we let these soldiers," he said indicating a trained group in the back, "go around the fighting then they can hold the gate."
"Insane, having them go around," Parmenion instantly protested. Alexander already had a look in his eye though. He paid no attention really to the fight that was starting before him. He heard Cassander say something, looking around Hephaestion in the middle. Cassander may or may not have been defending Hephaestion. It was most likely that he just wanted to fight with someone and now had an excuse.
"It is brighter than anything you have suggested," Cassander threw at Parmenion, not afraid to give him an honest opinion. Hephaestion stood in between them, thinking of which one to hold back should there be a fight. Parmenion called Cassander a young fool and he almost lunged at him. "Better a young fool than a dried up hag that's afraid to fight."
"Stop," Alexander ordered when they became too loud. He had the same fearless smile his father got in his younger years. He pointed to the Illyrian forces, tapping the block with a finger, same smile all the while. "They will retreat, just as the Thebans at Chaeronea. Hephaestion's right Parmenion. If they retreat into the city we risk killing women and children and those that want nothing to do with this fight. We have to take the opportunity of abandonment from them.
"He's also right in saying we have a far vaster group of legions. Moving these men around Cassander's," he said pointing to the group of saris holding men Hephaestion had pointed out, "makes more sense than anything."
"But if we destroy them on the field we won't have to wait for their retreat," Ptolemy said from his position against the wall. He knew that others were thinking it. He just liked the idea of having it said. Alexander glanced up at him and merely shook his head.
"We will destroy them, but it won't be without a fight. These Illyrians know how to position their men. They have weapons we haven't been able to see before and hold in our hands. Do not take them for a simple enemy because your fathers call them barbarians Ptolemy, it isn't wise." He then changed his plans entirely. All listened even though some disagreed with this new strategy. "Cassander, your men take the right as planned. Hold them off best you can, don't let them take our ground. Hephaestion, you take the left. I want your men to make sure they don't push back as well. I will take their center, which will be their strongest."
He glanced up to make sure they all followed, they did, and he continued. "Ptolemy, when Cassander's men hold the Illyrians order your men to wrap around. You must make sure that gate is protected. But as you approach look for archers on the walls. There may be a few. The rest of you, take the centers of the left and right, covering behind Cassander and Hephaestion's men. Hephaestion and Cassander, listen closely. If I break through their center, ride to meet me before the gates. We shall turn and charge them back. Bring your men with you and the others will stay where they were fighting.
"If I don't get through by the time Ptolemy is at the gate, or by the time they begin to retreat, wrap your men around anyway. Get in front of Ptolemy and ride your hardest straight towards me. We won't let them near the city. We'll push them farther back and take care of them there."
Parmenion still did not like the idea. It was not tactical, having never been done, and it had never been tested or taught. How did Alexander think he knew more at the age of twenty than he, who'd passed that day long ago? It was in his blood, this foolishness, and he hated it. He glanced back to Cleitus. He merely shook his head, for what say had he? Not to mention –he rather liked the idea, new as it was, it would work.
"Good," Alexander finished. "Now go."
The men did as they were told. Few left in anger, but it mattered not. Alexander glanced up as Hephaestion went to get his helmet, which he hated due to Alexander's modifications to it, and glared at Cassander who followed. There was something he did not trust about him. He had the eyes of his mother, always watching, always predatory. He didn't like it. But he looked back down at his new strategy and made his own move to dress for battle.
000
Hephaestion was barely out of the tent before Cassander grabbed him hard on the back of the arm. He then pushed him to the side, into the side of a weapons cart, and put a finger to Hephaestion's lips. It was his warning for him to be quiet but Hephaestion had no intention of screaming anyway. Cassander glanced over both shoulders before putting a finger inches away from Hephaestion's face.
"Never," he ordered him, "make Alexander look like he doesn't know what he is doing. Half the men in there would overthrow him if they thought he wasn't commanding the army well. Opening your mouth only puts him in an awkward situation. Don't do it again."
"I only spoke when asked," Hephaestion said, shoving Cassander away. Cassander didn't come back at him. But he didn't let the conversation drop either.
"That is the problem with the two of you. He can see in your eyes what you are feeling. Do you think that he can't? You have to learn to be a different person now Hephaestion. You can't be his lover in that room, you can't even be a friend. You have to be a general, nothing more. Understand me?"
"Yes," he answered weakly. Cassander, accepting this, quickly strode away. Hephaestion did the same, returning to his tent to further dress for battle. He entered and instantly let out a sigh he had been holding. He picked up the helmet that Alexander had given him. It was rather extravagant, far prettier perhaps than protective. He'd given helmets to the other commanders, but this one was by far the better of the group.
Hephaestion picked it up and looked at it for a moment. As light hit it the helmet appeared more golden. The plume was made of a silver white hair, shining all the more. Hephaestion set it down on the bed and then went back to dressing. He'd thanked Alexander, understanding it was a gift, but didn't tell him what he truly felt. He didn't want his gifts, he wanted only his love. Nothing else mattered to him.
"Phae," Alexander whispered from behind him. Hephaestion turned to face him. He did not know how Alexander had managed to dress so quickly. But he looked wonderful in his battle armor. He always looked like a god fallen from Mount Olympus to Hephaestion though. That would never change. Alexander put his arms around him, held him, and Hephaestion held him tightly back.
"Be with me," Alexander whispered into his ear as he held him. It was what he felt. He wanted Hephaestion to be beside him in this battle but knew, like the last, they would be separated. Hephaestion held him, lightly running a hand through his hair.
"I'll be there," Hephaestion told him, the longing clear in his voice. He pulled away to place a kiss on Alexander's lips to calm him. It wasn't needed though. Alexander knew that he would win and that no harm would come to him. He always knew such. "Just don't do anything foolish."
"Hephaestion, when we get back, this time I won't let you go. I want to be with you tonight Hephaestion."
They both knew that it was a deeper wanting then just their bodies. They wanted one another's soul again. They wanted that connection that had always lain between them, the one that had been covered for some time, but had never faded. It was an invisible thread that bound them and would never be cut, not by the strongest enemy, or the sharpest blade. Both knew this thread existed, felt it in their being. Hephaestion pressed his lips to Alexander and kissed him, telling him in doing so that he would come to him tonight.
"Alexander, you are the foremost of them all," Hephaestion then said, touching his cheek, eyes of sky meeting eyes of earth. "You are Achilles, and they will not beat you. Go and prepare now, and next you see me I shall be your general, but tonight I will be only yours."
000
Cassander could see the plume of Hephaestion's helmet from where he was positioned. He spotted him and then looked away. He stared at the advancing Illyrian fleet. Revolting, it was the most dull-witted thing they could have done. They didn't even appear to have a strategy, just a large mass of men. Cassander's horse stepped forward and then turned its head. Cassander glanced to where the horse looked and saw only Alexander upon Bucephalus. What was he doing now?
He rode in front of the lines, speaking to the men, causing them to cheer and become wild. Cassander sighed. At least Alexander had them excited before Ares took those that died. He glanced once more over to Hephaestion. Stupid fool, he thought. Why couldn't he have picked someone else to fall in love with? He laughed in his head then, looking at Hephaestion as he sat perfectly atop his horse. If we were in Persia, he'd be missing his testicles.
The Illyrians stopped and Alexander turned Bucephalus toward them, and then screamed at them with his sword raised. Cassander felt it, the moment about to come, and then Alexander was off. In his head he counted, counted five seconds off, and then he raised his sword and moved his men out at a run. The two armies collided with a crash when they met. The screams of horses and some men echoed across the planes.
All fought for their lives, for if you stopped fighting, you were dead. Cassander drove his sword downward, in forceful thrusts, as he broke through the first line of Illyrians. They were not a simple enemy, and they fought well, but Cassander had a higher vantagepoint. Some of his men did not. But those on the ground were not of his concern. He could only have concern for himself at the moment.
By the time he saw Ptolemy's men sealing off the gate he realized for the first time how far he'd gotten amongst the center of the Illyrians. He drove his sword down once more into the shoulder of a man, pulling it away with a stream of blood that hit his leg. He then screamed loudly to his men, turning his horse, and began to cut around the rest of the Illyrians. With his sword he made a good path, and waited for Nearchus' men to hold back some of the Illyrians. He then charged through them with his horse, pushing those not out of the way away, with his men trailing behind him.
Cassander looked to where Alexander was still fighting in the Illyrian center as he cantered his horse towards Ptolemy's forces. He turned his head and looked over his shoulder. Yes, his men were there. There were only a few missing if he had to guess. He then pulled his horse around, telling his men to go on and get into formation. From his new position, higher above the plane on a slight slope, he surveyed the battle.
He saw Alexander, who was in no real danger. The king was fighting his way through the center but there were far more men there. Cassander cursed silently when he saw Hephaestion's men breaking through on the left. He cursed not because they did it, but because he didn't see Hephaestion. He could find that silver-white plume nowhere in the battle. Cassander turned and rode up to his men, waited a moment for Hephaestion's men to come to a formation. He then looked behind him for Ptolemy.
"Ptolemy," he called out when he saw them. The other commander turned his horse and looked at Cassander. He nodded, his men were ready. Cassander then looked to the formation of men, two formations, that he would have to lead. He called out to them loudly. "Don't let them pass back! Now!"
000
Hephaestion pulled the horse hard to the right, knocking an Illyrian down as he did so. As he did the plume of silver-white hair blew in front of his face. He kicked the horse, ordering it to move, and then reached up and pulled off the helmet. It was easier to see without it. He saw Alexander and moved his horse toward him. After a moment he appeared to be closer, but still far away. He thrust his sword downward, into the men that were trying to stab at his legs, and continued.
"Hephaestion," he heard Cleitus scream. Hephaestion looked around for him but there were no other horses to be seen. This could only mean that he was on the ground. Hephaestion looked for him in a blind furry, still thrusting at the men around him, not willing to go down like he did in Chaeronea. Finally he saw Cleitus sprawling on the ground with an Illyrian. Cleitus had the better of him and picked a large rock off of the ground and smashed it against the Illyrian's head.
"Hephaestion," Cleitus called to him, "protect Alexander!"
Hephaestion looked again to where Alexander was. He clenched his jaw and he forced his horse forward more. Damn his helmet, it gave him away on the field. Finally his horse startled and made a sudden mad dash through the men around them. It was about time. The horse ran through the Illyrians, taking slices to the chest, and a spear to the back flank, but was wild with fear and made its way to just a few men away from Alexander.
The horse wouldn't still as Hephaestion pulled at its reins. It was in a blind furry now. Hephaestion pulled as hard as he could to the right and jerked the horse around. He knew that it wasn't the horse's fault but if he couldn't control it the charger was no use to him. Hephaestion finally got the horse under some control and raised his sword before thrusting it down again. He looked over to Alexander, who was doing fine. He then saw Cassander and the rest of the legion coming back.
Hephaestion saw an Illyrian knock Nearchus from his horse and climb onto the charger. Hephaestion kicked his horse, giving it that wild feeling once more, and raced through a small path free of Illyrians. The horse leapt over a few bodies but trampled over the rest. He reached the Illyrian before he could get far and drove his sword into his back. He showed the Illyrian off and grabbed hold of the other horse. He turned both chargers and led the other one back to Nearchus. He tossed the commander the reins.
"You'll need that," Hephaestion said before turning back for Alexander. He rode hard, killing many Illyrians on the way, before he reached Alexander's side. Just as the Illyrians began to flee Cassander and the left and right legions hit them. It was working, there were hardly any Illyrians to flee, but they were trying to. Hephaestion looked over at Alexander, who was covered in blood.
"None of them leave," Alexander said as he turned Bucephalus. He had the rage of a warrior at the moment. Hephaestion worried that one-day that would be his demise. But it wouldn't be today, not with Hephaestion riding next to him, so he followed him. They rode out, and Cassander made his way to Alexander's right. They continued to crash through the Illyrians until there were no Illyrians. When the last man fell to the ground at Alexander's sword he let out a barbaric scream. "Show them all, this is why you do not defy Alexander the Great!"
Hephaestion felt the very words cut at his heart. So it would begin. Long ago, after Alexander had shown the world that he could tame the might Bucephalus, his father had congratulated him in front of all.
"My boy," he had said loudly, "seek a kingdom to match yourself. Macedonia is not large enough to hold you."
Hephaestion saw the blood smeared on his face and the way he screamed. He knew it then, even though he didn't want to admit it to himself. Alexander was no longer the Alexander all knew. He had just become Alexander the king. He had just become Alexander the Great. Whether it was for the better or the worse, Hephaestion did not know, but looking at him he feared that this new Alexander would swallow the Alexander of old.