Chapter 2
Babylon
"I worry for you with out me," said Hephaistion weakly
He took hold of Alexander's hand and caught a glimpse of the scar on his palm, the scar that matched his own.
"I'm nothing with out you," Alexander replied his voice wobbling a bit
Hephaistion's back bowed upward and Alexander broke down "Oh Hephaistion."
They had fought many battles and faced many dangers but each time they pulled through together and afterwards patted each other on the back for a job well-done Alexander wasn't going to give up on Hephaistion now.
Hephaistion's body eased back down on to the bed
"Please Hephaistion fight it's our destiny."
Alexander let go of his hand but kept it near to show that he wasn't going anywhere.
"We'll have children with our wives and our son's will play together as we once did a thousand ships will launch for here Hephaistion.
He went to stand by the window and looked out on to the harbour below.
"We'll round Arabia and from there we'll build a channel through the desert and out to the middle sea,"
He looked over his shoulder at Hephaistion who was watching him in awe he smiled as he turned back to the window and continue with their future plans.
"Then we'll move on Cathage and that great island Sicily they'll pay large tribute after that the roman tribe good fighters but we'll beat them,"
Alexander smiled to himself as more and more plans for him and Hephaistion came into his head.
"We'll explore the northern forests and at the pillars of Herakles turn to the western ocean and then one day not ten years form now Babylon with its deep water harbour will be the centre of the world, Alexandrias will grow populations will travel and mix freely Asia and Europe will come together.
He paused as he let the tears fall down his face he bowed his head and licked his dry lips and he continued in a shaky voice "And we'll grow old Hephaistion looking out our balcony at this new world."
He stopped something was wrong; his heart lurched as he turned around.
Hephaistion was laid still eyes open
"Hephaistion!" A single tear slide out of his eyes "Hephaistion"
He crept closer to the bed his hand shook as he touched Hephaistion's shoulder and gave it a shake Hephaistion made no response
"Wake up!" Alexander said putting on his general's voice as he shook Hephaistion
Then he began pounding Hephaistion chest screaming "Don't leave me over and over again
But Hephaistion had left him and he knew it he lifted the body up and cradled it close to him burying his face into the brown hair and screamed a scream etched in sorrow and pain.