Chapter 3

The army finally returned after a month. Cleitus presented Alexander with a beautiful pot containing Keyumars' head. He ordered it to be set on a pike and placed next to the remains of Firouz outside the city walls. Hephaistion, who was finally deemed well enough to leave the confines of Alexander's suite, listened to Parmenion's report of the destruction of the city. The generals had followed Alexander's orders and razed the city to the ground, killing most to the population. They presented Alexander with the few survivors as slaves.

After the meeting broke up, Alexander and Hephaistion slowly walked back to the King's rooms. All of the other generals stopped them in the halls to comment on his health and looks, even Cassander. It didn't surprise Hephaistion that the other general did so – after all it wouldn't do to risk Alexander's wrath. What did amaze he was the genuine relief he could read in the dark eyes.

Hephaistion sighed tiredly when Alexander helped him in to a chair. His slow recovery was truly beginning to grate on his nerves. It had been almost a month since he had been drugged and he had yet to regain all of his old strength and stamina. At least he had spent half that time in and out of consciousness or he would be going stir-crazy by now.

After one week confined to the bed, he had demanded to be allowed up. Glaukos had been reluctant, because he feared a relapse and Alexander's temper. This Hephaistion could understand; most people feared his temper. His first attempt to walk across the room had been disastrous. Alexander had hovered behind him, which was annoying at first, but proved useful when his legs had given out. His lover had scooped him up and carried him that rest of the way to the balcony, ordering Bagoas to bring blankets and pillows to keep him warm and comfortable.

At least now he was given leave to walk around the palace, though never alone. The rare times that Alexander was not with him, Hephaistion was accompanied by two of his newly assigned bodyguards, one page, Milos and either Bagoas or Glaukos or both. He felt ridiculous and pretentious with an entourage always following him around, but was not yet strong enough to argue with Alexander about it.

Bagoas lifted up his feet and placed them on a stool, and then covered his legs with a blanket. Alexander brought him a glass of water, which he made a face at but still drank. His lover was overly concerned about his health and carefully monitored his diet. Food was carried in by two of Alexander's guards. Hephaistion knew that the meal had been ordered before they had gone to the council so guards could watch it being prepared and it could be tasted well before serving it.

With warm food in his stomach, Hephaistion felt sleep creeping up on him. "Alexander, my love, help me into bed." His lover and the eunuch undressed him and lay him down. When Alexander looked like he planned to join him, Hephaistion spoke up. "Alexander, go to your office and help Ptolemy. You have scarcely been there all month and I'm sure there is a stack of paper work for you and me. Go, go, I'll be fine with all these watch dogs you have assigned me. Join me later and we can laze in the bed come morn."

Alexander was reluctant to leave Hephaistion, but knew that his lover was right. It was rather cruel to leave Ptolemy and Perdiccas to perform both his and Hephaistion's duties for so long. He kissed Hephaistion chastely on the lips and forehead. As he left his suite he noted the four guards on duty, two inside and two outside the doors. "He's sleeping, no visitors." With those orders he joined a thankful looking Perdiccas going through supply lists and other correspondence.

----------------------------------------

TBC