Title: "The Persian Campaign"
Author: BalianswordChapter: 7, "Changes"
A/N: Thanks so much for your reviews. To answer Koalared, we'll see what happens to Cassander. You know Alexander, he's huffy. By the way I loved you comment about the ice in your coke! Queen, again I say thank you. I can only hope it was written to please you.
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Cassander opened his eyes slowly, expecting to awake alone. But at his lids fluttered open Hephaestion was sprawled out next to him. Cassander had obviously rolled off of him in the middle of the night. He dug his elbow into the bed and held himself up for a moment, staring at Hephaestion. A lock of his lighter brown hair fell over his face, spreading out and shielding his beauty from Cassander. Cassander reached out, pulling the hair back, and then just stared silently at him. He was imperishability, a myth still, but Cassander had known him last night.
Drawing in a breath he continued to stare at the magnificence before him. Even while sleeping he had an aura about him. His jawline perfect, his lips lightly pouting, and rather swollen from the night before. Cassander leaned closer, kissed Hephaestion lightly on the temple, and then slid out of the bed. He glanced back at Hephaestion as he made his way to the bath. He drew a bath, and then returned to the other room, to see if Hephaestion had awoken. He stopped, leaning against a pillar, and watched the rise and fall of Hephaestion's chest for a moment.
Turning, he went back to the bath and climbed into the warm water. He let his body soak, and thought back on the night's previous actions. It brought a soft smile to his lips. After a few moments he slid beneath the water, holding his breath for as long as he could. He then came up, tipping his head back, and sat with his eyes closed. Subsequently he heard Hephaestion enter the room from behind him, stopping after crossing the threshold.
"Don't go," Cassander whispered, eyes still closed. He held a hand out of the tub and heard Hephaestion come forward. Hephaestion took it, and sat on the edge of the tub. Cassander opened his eyes. Hephaestion had a sheet wrapped around himself, but left his upper chest exposed, revealing a small red blood blister that Cassander had caused just above his right nipple. Hephaestion glanced down and smiled a little. Hephaestion then leaned down, the tips of his hair falling into the water, and brushed his lips against Cassander's. Cassander let go of his hand, bringing it to his cheek, and kissed him passionately back. Hephaestion's swollen lips still ached for Cassander.
"What would you have me do," Hephaestion asked as he brought his lips away. Cassander looked away from his eyes for a moment. Hephaestion had never known him to be so tender, and perhaps Cassander himself didn't know how much he could feel. Perhaps it scared him. But Cassander then lifted his head, trying to keep himself emotionless, but still let out a small plea.
"Stay with me," Cassander asked of him. He took his hand, ran his fingers over the back, felt each finger with his own. He knew very well what after Hephaestion's nights with Alexander, Hephaestion would leave immediately before others knew he'd been there. Everyone knew though. What would make this different?
"I haven't left."
Cassander playfully grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the tub. Hephaestion was caught off guard but found himself laughing as the warm water spilled over him. Cassander glanced over as water splashed onto the floor. He didn't care though. It wasn't his palace. Instead he wrapped his arms around Hephaestion and pulled his back to his chest. Cassander put his hands on Hephaestion's chest, and playfully kissed at the back of his neck. As he did Hephaestion tried to untangle himself from the sheet. He pulled it away from himself and then began to wring it out. After a moment he tossed it onto a chair, hoping it wouldn't drip, for he still had to respect the palace even though he hated almost everyone in it. He then leaned further back, sliding down a little, and let Cassander nip at his neck. Hephaestion turned his head, meeting Cassander's lips with his own. He took the opportunity to playfully bite at Cassander's lower lip. Cassander only messed around back with him. He bit back at Hephaestion, nipping lightly at him, and at the same time wrapped a leg around Hephaestion's midsection.
"I don't think I'm going to let you go," Cassander said into his ear just before sucking at the lobe. Hephaestion put a hand in the water, cupping it, and then threw water at Cassander as a child might have.
"Behave," Hephaestion joked. He then reached over and took the sponge from the bath stand. He dipped it into the water before reaching for the soap. He then slipped away from Cassander's hold on him and turned himself over. Silently he put the sponge to Cassander's shoulder and began to wipe away at the sweat that had been there.
Cassander tilted his head back, resting it against the tub, and let Hephaestion delicately wash him. Hephaestion raised an arm, lightly trailing his fingers over the soft wet skin before rubbing the sponge against him. Cassander rested in silence for some time before he felt the urge to speak.
"Hephaestion," he began quietly, keeping his head back and his eyes closed. He found that with his eyes closed he could feel everything better. "Did he ever hit you before?"
Hephaestion continued to run his fingers over Cassander's chest, not answering immediately. Cassander drew in a slight breath as he felt himself begin to grow hard beneath the water. He said nothing more though. There was nothing he could do to force Hephaestion to tell him his secrets if he wasn't up to it. But before he knew it Hephaestion had come closer to him again and was kissing his chest lightly.
"At times," he answered quietly. Cassander reached over and put a hand in Hephaestion's hair. Hephaestion titled his head up and looked at Cassander. He brought his lips to Cassander's, kissing him tenderly and wholly on the mouth. He then brought his lips away and stared at Cassander's dark eyes. Cassander was searching his cerulean eyes though, looking for answers he'd never tried to find before. Hephaestion let him, knowing that at this moment anything he could ask, he would be willing to answer.
"Did you ever hit him back," Cassander asked with the same tender curiosity. He watched as Hephaestion averted his eyes. At the same time Cassander put his hand on the side of Hephaestion's cheek and rubbed his finger over his jawline. He even liked the feeling of the new stubble coming in against the soft, but tight flesh. Cerulean eyes came back to him there. Not very well hidden behind them was a twinge of pain, a memory.
"No."
"You should have." Cassander paused. "Or you should have had someone do it for you."
Hephaestion looked at him for a moment. Something had been bothering him all this time. When he'd been drugged Cassander had left the room. Yet he could not remember where he'd gone. He couldn't even remember if Cassander had mentioned it. Everything inside of him told him that if he was to ask Cassander would lie to him. He was good a lying. Yet Hephaestion had the slightest bit of hope, and a great deal of trust, and decided to ask anyway.
"Cassander," he began softly. "If I ask you something will you promise not to lie to me."
"Promise," the other said after a long time. He couldn't begin to imagine what he was going to ask. But he wouldn't lie to him. He took one of Hephaestion's hands, entwining their fingers. He then brought Hephaestion's knuckles to his lips and kissed each one lightly, waiting for Hephaestion to speak.
"Where did you go, when you left with the dagger."
Cassander quickly looked up at him. He felt his heart skip a few beats. He knew that telling Hephaestion could lead to so many possibilities. There was the possibility that Hephaestion would hate him for not staying out of the situation. Yet perhaps not. After taking in a light breath he ran a finger over one of Hephaestion's brows.
"I went to speak to Alexander."
"What did you say?"
"I," Cassander began but then stopped. He felt emotions tugging at him again. Before he started again his eyes glistened with tears. He put a hand to Hephaestion's neck before Hephaestion drew him closer. Hephaestion wrapped his arms around him and held him for a moment. Cassander held him for a moment, and then sighed into his shoulder. "I told him that if he ever touched you again he would regret it."
"The cut on his neck," Hephaestion asked after remembering the mark he'd seen before he'd stormed away to find Cassander. No, that wasn't right. He hadn't meant to find Cassander. It was just fate that had led them both to the same place, staring at the same stars. When he'd seen Alexander, at Parmenion's request, he'd noticed the small red cut on his throat. He knew that it wasn't from shaving either.
"Persian daggers are sharp," Cassander said with a shrug as if it were the simplest thing in the world. He wanted Hephaestion to be horrified. At least then it would give him a reason to leave. It would give him a reason not to love him and go back to Alexander. Cassander knew that he'd be able to handle it if he thought he hated him. But he knew that if Hephaestion simply left, his heart would break, or at least what heart he had.
"Why?"
"Because…I knew that no one else would tell him. Not even you. That's part of you mythos. You have never denied Alexander anything, nor gone against him, nor told him not to lay his hands upon you."
"No," Hephaestion agreed. Tears then began to well in his eyes. He worried for Cassander, worried for what he'd been thinking when he'd decided to love him. Alexander would know. Alexander would be furious. Alexander would hate him. He pressed his lips to Cassander's, then put his forehead against his, holding the back of Cassander's head and in doing so holding them together. "Cassander you're so insane. What were you thinking? He'll hate you, he'll try to send you on some mission that you won't be able to win if he doesn't try to kill you himself. Cassander, you're so deranged! What were you thinking?"
"I don't know," Cassander said as he tightened his jaw. Hephaestion hated him, at least he did now. But Hephaestion didn't hate him. He reached out, and with two fingers turned Cassander back to face him.
"I love you," Hephaestion whispered quietly. "I just worry for you now. I worry about, about Alexander's rage."
"He won't touch me," was all Cassander could say. He paused then, retracing Hephaestion's words. Looking up at him Cassander pressed his lips against Hephaestion's. "I love you. I won't let him hurt you again."
Hephaestion looked at him. "I know."
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Alexander screamed and picked up the vase, throwing it across the room. It shattered against the wall. Shards of porcelain flew threw the air. The Persian flowers fell to the floor quickly though, with the water that didn't splatter. The loud crash was enough to make Bagoas jump a little but he kept his eyes averted. Alexander began to pace again, but this time grabbed a metal vase and tossed it across the room. It clanged against a wall, falling bent to the floor on the opposite side of the room.
"Are you sure," he said as he spun around again to face Parmenion. "You did not see either of them all night?"
"Not since Hephaestion entered your room my lord," Parmenion replied. He wasn't sure what Alexander was fuming about. He'd just assumed that Hephaestion had not come to dinner because he was sound asleep in Alexander's bed. It had happened before. As for Cassander, how was he to know where Cassander was? Cassander was a free spirit and was likely roaming around with Persian women.
"Get out," Alexander ordered, and Parmenion exited quickly. Alexander continued to pace. He grabbed the chair from behind his writing desk and threw it across the room this time. It didn't break, Bagoas managed to note, glancing up just to see. He then cast his eyes back to the floor and stood with his hands behind his back.
"Cleitus," Alexander screamed. The doors opened and Cleitus entered. He didn't seem to even notice Alexander's fit. He was used to it, or at least Bagoas figured he must be. The man dressed in black Macedonian garments just waited for Alexander to speak to him. "Did you see Hephaestion last night?"
"No, my lord."
"What about Cassander? Did you see that son of the snake named Antipiter?"
"I'm not sure I follow," Cleitus said slowly.
"I will kill him," Alexander responded as he found another porcelain vase to throw. Cleitus watched as the vase shattered. A large chunk of porcelain flew back too close to Alexander. The king reached down, picked it up, and threw it back at the wall. Laughing to himself Cleitus glanced over at Bagoas. He wondered what the boy thought of this disrespect for the palace. "I'm going to tear the flesh from his skin until he can't even scream in pain because he doesn't realize it hurts! I'll let the vultures pick at his eyes! I'm going to kill him!"
"Which one, my lord?"
"Cassander! That son of a whore and snake. I'm going to make him beg at my feet for forgiveness, and then I'm going to rip his tongue from his mouth!"
"Over what Alexander?"
"Don't question me," Alexander spat venomously back at him. He picked up a scroll and threw it. He then completely tore apart another before falling back into a chair. He glanced up at Cleitus, remembering he was there. "Cleitus, go and find Cassander. Bring him to me."
"I don't understand."
"I'm going to kill him," Alexander screamed. "Just go, and take some men with you, and get him. He'll try to resist. Break his legs and arms if you have to. Just bring him to me or it will be you I tie up for the birds!"
Cleitus nodded and then stepped out of the room. He glanced at Ptolemy, and gave a slight nod. He made sure that the others and the guards did not see it though. Ptolemy acted as if he'd lost interest in the situation and started down the hall.
"Parmenion, Nearchus, and you there, Ajax, come with me. We must go to Hephaestion's rooms and see if perhaps Cassander is there. Let us go now, before Alexander gets angry with us."
As he led them to the left Ptolemy went to the right. As soon as he turned a corner he began to run. Turning down another smaller hall he almost fell, his feet sliding on the Persian floors. He stopped quickly at a door and pounded on it. He looked down the hall in both directions. Still no answer, so he pounded on the door again. Finally he heard movement from within. He pounded harder, hurry, this was no time to be slow Cassander. After a moment Cassander opened the door, a towel around himself, still dripping wet from a bath.
"Get out," Ptolemy said.
"What?"
"Alexander knows, or suspects, and you know its true. We all do. Cleitus has started at Hephaestion's room to look for the two of you. He'll soon be here though. Get out now, the both of you."
Ptolemy watched as Hephaestion pulled the door further open. He had at least dressed himself in the time that it had taken Ptolemy to explain things. There was nothing but fear in his eyes. He glanced over at Cassander and then with the tilt of a head told him to go get dressed. Meanwhile Hephaestion looked back to Ptolemy.
"Go with him," Ptolemy advised.
"I can't, it's my fault."
"He's wants to kill him Hephaestion," Ptolemy whispered. "I'm not saying he will, but he wants to. If you go with him you may be able to protect him. If you stay here, Alexander will just send men after him. Hundreds if he has to. He'll have them kill him, or beat him to a pulp before bringing him back so Alexander can finish him. If you don't go with him he doesn't stand a chance."
Hephaestion glanced over his shoulder. Cassander was packing a bag as quickly as he could. Hephaestion then turned his attentions back to Ptolemy. There was pain in his eyes. Ptolemy didn't want to see Hephaestion go but knew that he would.
"There are two horses waiting for you at the west gates. There are no guards. The chestnut has a bag containing some of you clothes. The black has the food, water, and some other supplies you may need. They are the fastest I could get. Hurry, the guards will only be away until they realize that Parmenion didn't call for them."
"How did you manage that," Hephaestion asked with a light smile.
"What can I say," Ptolemy said with a shrug. "We've all wanted to see your eyes as clear as they were when we left Pella years ago. We've all seen the deterioration. Secretly, we've always wanted you to leave, so that you could live. Hephaestion, go, and live freely for the rest of us. Hurry though!"
Hephaestion threw his arms around Ptolemy and whispered a thank you. He then left the room, Cassander following quickly behind him. Cassander threw a bag over his shoulder and they walked quickly down the hall, looking for others that would see them. Suddenly they heard footsteps and Ptolemy screamed at them to run. As they both looked back they saw a group of Alexander's new Persian fleet turn the corner. Hephaestion paused, not sure what to do, but Cassander immediately bolted. He grabbed Hephaestion and pulled him into a run as well.
Cassander ran down the hall until he saw a group of Macedonians turn down the other side of the hall. Cursing Cassander glanced over his shoulder and saw the group of Persians close behind. He glanced to the left, immediately running out onto a balcony. He pulled Hephaestion with him. Cassander glanced over the side and screamed out another curse in frustration. There was no way that they could jump without breaking at least one leg. He turned and saw the others begin to emerge onto the threshold of the balcony. Hephaestion threw himself in front of him, shielding Cassander's body with his. Cassander was stuck, his back against the rail of the balcony, and his chest against Hephaestion's back. Hephaestion wasn't going to let him move.
"Don't touch him," Hephaestion ordered as the Macedonians and Persians approached. The Macedonians didn't even have their weapons drawn. The Persians on the other hand held short golden handled daggers, some spears, in their grasp and were pointing them at the pair. The Macedonians glared at the Persians, knowing that weapons were not needed. Hephaestion and Cassander were not yet fighting. Cleitus stepped forward and motioned for the Persians to back away. They did, each man taking only two steps back. They were still ready to attack.
"We aren't here to hurt him," Cleitus assured Hephaestion. He glanced at Cassander, who held contempt into his eyes. He was ready to attack the first man that got near Hephaestion, or perhaps himself. Weapon or not he would still stand a fair chance. Cleitus took a few steps closer, Hephaestion chest heaving, and spoke in a lowered tone. "Are Alexander's accusations correct?"
"What is he accusing," Cassander asked spitefully, still trying to get Hephaestion to let him up a bit. Hephaestion didn't budge though. Cassander knew well enough that he wasn't going too easily. He made a wonderful shield, Cassander admitted, first for Alexander and now for him.
"Did you too share relations last night?"
"That stupid prince," Cassander screamed, lunging towards Cleitus, but being held back by Hephaestion as he did so. "He doesn't know anything anymore Cleitus. You know it too! He took that Persian whore, is wearing their robes, and thinks he's one of them. He's a fool yet you still pester me for him? Cleitus, have you no sense anymore, or any honor to Philip?"
"Of course, I honor Philip everyday by watching over Alexander. You would be wise to keep comments such as those in your mind. Otherwise he may hear…"
"Let him hear! Let him hear that I call him a fool! You have seen what he has done to Hephaestion, what he has done to all of us! Don't defend him Cleitus for you hate him as much as I in the end."
"But he doesn't say it," a Macedonian said objectively. Cleitus turned, beckoned the man with a glare to be silent. The Persians then began to creep forward again. Hephaestion immediately pushed Cassander back again and pointed to the Persians closest to him.
"Come any closer and I swear it," he screamed at them. A Persian came closer and Hephaestion turned slightly, pushing Cassander back. Cleitus yelled at the Persian, but he didn't listen. He came closer and raised a dagger. Hephaestion didn't notice that move, just lunged forwards and pushed the man back. The blade sliced through the muscle in Hephaestion's lower arm as Hephaestion dodged back to shield Cassander. He didn't notice the stinging or blood at first, but heard Cleitus yell at a Persian that spoke better Greek. Hephaestion glanced down at the blood, but didn't mind yet.
Cassander was desperately trying to push past him though so he could get a lick in at the man. Finally he pushed past Hephaestion and with the dagger he'd concealed at his waist approached the Persian. He violently, and rather madly, screamed in the Persian's face as he slid the blade into his throat. He pulled his arm back, dagger drenched in blood to the hilt, and let a spray of blood hit him in the face. The rest of the Persians were coming closer. Hephaestion grabbed Cassander and pulled him back.
"Stop this madness," a sudden order echoed it seemed in the hall. All turned and watched as Alexander walked through the parted line between the Macedonians and the Persians. He stopped beside Cleitus, and glanced down at the dead Persian. He then looked up at Hephaestion, who shielded Cassander, who was covered with blood. Alexander took a step closer, and Hephaestion took a step back. He was going to guard Cassander no matter the cost. "Move Hephaestion, I have no quarrel with you!"
"No," Hephaestion immediately shot back. Cassander put a hand on his arm. Cassander then looked at the blood that dripped from his arm. The cut was deep, but could have been worse. No major veins had been cut through. For that he was glad. But he wouldn't let Hephaestion protect him any longer. He tried to get past Hephaestion, and Hephaestion knew this, but refused for him to do so.
"Move," Alexander ordered, loudly, with anger dripping from his voice. He was loosing his patience. Everyone around him knew that he was. Cassander tried to get past Hephaestion once more, but Hephaestion glanced back at him and shook his head, whispering 'no'.
"It will be alright," Cassander said softly.
"Where is the dagger," Alexander asked as Cassander moved Hephaestion gently away from him. He pushed him to the side, then took a step in front of him. Cassander raised the blade in his hand, not even trying to hide it. He tossed to Cleitus, who caught it, and then crossed his arms.
"What now Alexander?"
"Don't even," Alexander said as he tried to step closer. Cleitus reached out and stopped Alexander with an arm. Hephaestion also stepped forward but Cassander reached back and stopped him with a hand. "Don't even begin to think you are better than me Cassander, son of Antipiter. You are nothing! Nothing without me!"
"But bigger," Cassander maliciously replied. This caused Alexander to try to push past Cleitus. Cleitus had to turn and stop Alexander with his whole body this time, pushing him back. He didn't want to see anything bad happen to Cassander, but knew the boy was digging his own grave.
"You son of a whore!"
"That would make us brothers."
"Agh! How dare you!" Alexander continued to try and get past Cleitus, but now Parmenion helped hold him back. Alexander continued to fight, and watched as Hephaestion took Cassander by the arm and tried to reason with him without speaking. Hephaestion then reached down and put a hand over his cut, and pressed to get the bleeding to slow. After a moment he was cradling his arm, the pain beginning to intensify. "You have taken the one thing in life I loved away from me!"
"I took nothing from you!"
"Is this what you want," Ptolemy finally asked Alexander, motioning to the dead Persian on the ground. He then motioned to Hephaestion, who was gritting his teeth and holding his bloody arm. "Is this what it has come to Alexander? Fighting amongst your own men?"
"Take him," Alexander screamed, staring at Cassander as he did so. "Get him out of my sight Cleitus! Put him with the helots while I decide how to kill him! Take him away, now!"
"Alexander," Hephaestion said as he stepped forward.
"Take him with you!"
"You hypocrite," Hephaestion accused. This time Cassander had to grab him and hold him back. "You charlatan! You have no reason for this. You've lost your mind here Alexander!"
"Cleitus," Alexander raged as he reddened all the more. He wanted to kill both of them now. He wanted to rip them both apart. "Get them now!"
Hephaestion lunged at the first man that tried to grab Cassander. It didn't matter to him that it was a Macedonian. They'd become the enemy. Before Alexander's eyes things fell apart. He watched, as Cleitus tried to pull him back, as Hephaestion began to fight. He watched Cassander fight all the same, but not for himself. He was trying to get to Hephaestion to pull him back. Alexander screamed for it to stop before it got worse. His cry was unheard though. A Persian struck Hephaestion hard on the back of the head, and he stumbled forward, and then fell to the ground. Oblivion claimed him before he'd hit the ground. Cassander screamed and darted through a pair of Macedonians, he threw himself over Hephaestion, trying to shield him. The butt of a Persian sword collided with the side of his head. He felt dizzy, the world spun, but he held on for Hephaestion. He was hit again in the back of the head. A kick to his right temple caused him to pass out though, his vision fading as he desperately gripped at Hephaestion.
As Alexander's cry was heard and both groups backed away from the two, they were both limp. Both were in complete blackness. Alexander pushed away from Cleitus so that he could better see. Both bled from wounds on their head, and Hephaestion's arm bled terribly. He ordered for Hephaestion to be taken to his room and treated. Cassander, on the other hand, was sent to the stockades where he'd be dealt with soon enough.