I, Too Am Alexander

by Norrsken

Alexander's drinking habits leads to some very serious complications. Hephaestion will have to use all his diplomatic and fighting skills to keep the reckless King out of harm's way.

6. To the Rescue!

TEMPLATE:

Title: FIC: I, Too Am Alexander ( 6 / 7 )

Author: NorthernLight

Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story. Alternate History.

Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion Date: October 2005.

Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on or off list. Archive: Yes, if you like, but please tell me.

Disclaimer: I don't own them. For entertainment only...hopefully. Not for gain - my work is for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their time and adventures.

Rating: R

Beta: Denise. Many thanks for good discussions and suggestions.

Summary : Alexander and his army come to the Paradise of Nysa on their march to the East. They decide to have a feast under the starlit sky. With everyone senseless from heavy drinking and carnal pleasure Alexander is kidnapped by a band of cunning mountain bandits. Hephaestion soon finds out that his Beautiful Golden One has been taken into captivity at the inaccessible Rock of Chorienes. Meeting strong opposition from all his detractors he has to unite the whole army for a bold rescue party. He will have to call upon all his strength and diplomacy for this impossible mission.

Warnings: This is AR, very close to but not "real" history. Alexander besieged the Rock of Chorienes but was of course never imprisoned there. Angst, violent fighting, high heights and dangerous climbing, intrigue, quarrels and adversities.

Historical note: The Rock of Chorienes is a real place, being besieged by Alexander and his army on his way to India.

Dedication: To Denise. Thanks to your excellent and positive fic challenge about Alexander being kidnapped and Hephaestion taking over the army for a daring and dangerous rescue operation.

Rock of Chorienes, 328 BC

Greed Denied

"King's ransom! Are these petty baubles and few pieces of gold supposed to be a KING'S ransom? Do you mean we cast such clever plans and risked our lives for this? I've never been so disappointed in my whole life!"

Ohrlasz stamped the stone floor and tore his fiery red hair in anger and disappointment. He was kicking the treasure casket around and throwing the gold coins and jewels all around the room. Chorienes looked at him with terror and amazement.

"Calm yourself, my dear Scythian guest. It is a bad thing we didn't get all the gold and jewels we expected for our prisoner - but now we can kill him for sure! Our world would be a safer place without Sikandar!"

"Yes, you are right, old man. We must do it together. All my brave men could not injure a hair on his head! Sikandar is not like other men. They say it's something uncanny with his eyes..."

"Let's go! It's better to have it done now than later..."

The two culprits armed themselves with swords and daggers, and then they went with quick and determined steps to the dreary dungeon of their hapless prisoner.

Murder Prevented

Alexander was sitting on his hard stone bench, sadly looking at the shackles around his wrists and ankle joints. They had torn deep into his flesh by now, leaving angry red welts. He was cold and hungry and feeling severe pain all over his body and inside his starving stomach. Time had passed along, day after grief stricken day. He'd lost account of how many sunrises and sunsets he had spent locked up in misery in this dreary dungeon. Where were all his companions and his invincible army? Where was Hephaestion? What took them so long to come to rescue him? Could it really be true that they all were dead and gone, poisoned by his vile captors? He cradled his aching head in his cold and trembling hands, once more giving in to despair.

The afternoon went by and the sun was setting like a blood red ominous orb in a sea of crimson clouds. The door opened. He dragged himself up from the stone bench, facing his visitors on his feet, legs trembling from weakness and too much time spent in unfamiliar stillness. Ohrlasz again - and with him an old man with long gray hair and beard. His yellow eyes glared at him, sly and calculating, together with the Scythian's cold and cruel green orbs. Alexander felt nothing good could come out of this visit.

"Sikandar! You seem to be of precious little value to your followers. The King's ransom we demanded for you has not been paid. You have outlived your usefulness to us. Today is your last day of life!"

Together they pulled their sharp, scimitars from their sashes. Red rays from the setting sun made them glitter as if they already had been plunged into his heart's blood. Then, both murderous chiefs came towards Alexander, determined to kill him right there and then. He gazed down at them, his beautiful gray eyes shining with cold contempt, filling up with an inner strength and glorious light, more radiant than precious pearls or sparkling diamonds. Starved , dirty and unkempt, his golden hair a mess of wild, neglected curls, dressed in rags and trembling from weakness and despair, he still looked like a true King in every inch.

Suddenly the crimson rays from the setting sun turned into a searing golden light, forming a protecting shield around the hapless prisoner. Some rays stroke out at the both chiefs, burning their hands so badly that they dropped their murderous scimitars to the ground. Ohrlaszh and Chorienes turned and fled the dungeon in sheer terror, slamming the door shut after them. Next day there was no food or water at all to have for the imprisoned King.

Nysa 327 BC

Hard Riding

At long last they were on their way to rescue King Alexander. The chosen crack troops consisted of experienced mountaineers. They were all armed to their teeth and riding at their hardest pace on the straightest path to the Rock of Chorienes. Hephaestion took a deep breath of the fresh air on the open steppe and fondly patted his brave and resourceful war stallion Castor on his muscular neck. Warm winds were blowing around them, and the sun was shining golden and beautiful above their heads. It could have been a wonderful excursion in this fine weather, if not for their serious and dangerous mission looming in front of them. The Generals Cleitus and Craterus were riding at his sides, Bagoas and Cassander right after, the latter constantly scolding the Little One. Hephaestion turned his head to them:

"Cassander. Shut up your foul mouth! We have an important mission to accomplish and we must not quarrel amongst ourselves. We are all here to rescue and help our King - and we don't know which one of us will matter the most at the end of the day!"

One more, most important member was following the brave rescue party like a giant, black shadow. Bucephalus, in his Kingly array, was running at the side of Castor and Hephaestion, his powerful hooves thundering over the steppe. He allowed no one to ride him! The legendary war stallion had been missing his Dear Master sorely, becoming more and more unmanageable for every day that went on without the King. The grooms said they could swear that the King's horse was constantly upholding a grumbling dialog of sorrowful malcontence with the General Hephaestion's more docile stallion.

They rode hard all day over the green and yellow grass. Tufts of beautiful flowers, red, orange, golden, blue and violet were crushed under the horses' hooves, immersing them into all kinds of fragrances but the brave rescue party had no time to rejoice in Nature's beauty.

Arrival To The Rock

The Rock of Chorienes was far away and, despite their hard riding, it took them well over a week to reach it. When they saw the cragged inhospitable mountain walls with its impregnable hill fort at the top looming ahead they felt a surge of despair. This Rock was quite unreachable!

"Oh, no! Whatever shall we do? We'll all get killed one way or another if we try to climb up there!"" said Eumenes, cowardly as usual..

Cassander agreed:

"Yes. We cannot attack it from the road up to the main gate. Those people could hold on up there forever! And - the mountain slopes all around the hill fort look completely impossible to climb!"

Craterus gave them a stern reproach:

"Yes, my friends. You are telling the truth - but we must find a way to break inside! King Alexander must be rescued at any cost!"

Hephaestion told them all with desperate determination:

"My gentlemen, you are totally right. This Rock seems even more difficult to take then I could imagine. We cannot proceed now when the sun has set - but we'll begin our rescue mission first thing in the morning! I'll think of something...Let us now have our supper and then a good night's sleep. It'll do wonders for us. "

Hephaestion went some distance away from the company, feeling he needed some solitude to gather his troubled thoughts. His faithful guards and watchdogs followed him closely - but soon someone else, quite unexpected, came up to him and called upon his attention. He felt a discreet pull at the right side of his cloak. A friend, since the guards had let him come that close. Looking over his shoulder he saw Aristander. The venerable old seer had often helped Alexander with signs and sacrifices - and warned him about the dangers he exposed himself to only too willingly. He asked with great curiosity :

"Oh, my Aristander, do you have some good signs or omens to tell me? I have never needed them more!"

"My General Hephaestion. I want to give you some good advice. When in dire need or facing difficult situations, King Alexander can sometimes dream about good advice from the Gods - or deeply hidden sources of knowledge inside his own clever mind. You are more like him than you think! I recommend you to try it out this very night. You will not be disappointed!"

"Yes, my seer. I'm thankful for this good advice. I'll do as you say. Now I wish you a good night. "

Path Of Stars

Long after nightfall they made their makeshift camp, sleeping under the starlit sky, hiding from the Rock behind a verdant copse. Hephaestion went about his usual rounds, seeing to everyone before he sat down to his supper. After strenghtening himself with broth, bread and well watered down wine he wrapped himself in warm furs, trying to get some sleep. Pollux and Peritas curled up on his sides, giving him some extra warmth. The night was unusually cold and he looked up towards the silvery stars and the waxing moon with some important questions.

/Where was Alexander now? How did his cruel captors treat him? Was he even still alive/

Hephaestion put his right hand over his heart. Finding it was still beating he felt reassured that his Beautiful Golden One was still alive. Sleep came to him, wrapping him into a velvet, starlit blanket.

/ Something dragged him up in a sitting position. All camp was still around him, all except the guards were soundly asleep. He knew he was dreaming - but it was not the usual clouded visions of sleep. The velvet black sky formed a friendly cupola over him, adorned with stars sparkling like diamonds and silvery pearls. Suddenly he saw a ray of gleaming silver emanate from the waxing moon. It formed a path towards the Rock of Chorienes, all the way up to the hill fort, on its most unreachable side. Friendly stars were flocking upon the silvery path, forming a pleading choir: " Follow us! Follow us! We will show you how to succor your Dear One!" Throwing the warming furs at the side he rose and let the wonderful stars carry him in their silvery arms. They looked cold like ice from afar - but when they closed in upon him he found them wonderfully warm and reassuring. He found himself soaring high up on the mountainside. Tiny voices told him, ringing like a heavenly choir in to his ears:

"Memorize this path! You'll have to climb it first time in the morning!"

He thoroughly heeded their well meaning advice, committing all of the path to memory. It was steep and dangerous - but quite possible to climb. A barred window aperture loomed closely before him, lit up by he silvery rays. He looked inside and felt his heart take an extra leap of sheer rejoicing.

" Oh, Alexander!"

His Beautiful Golden One was sleeping inside a dreary dungeon on a cold stone bench, wrapped in a threadbare blanket, his body so thin one couldn't discern much of it. He was in a desperate condition, barely breathing and he seemed to be starving. Hephaestion desperately tore at the cruel iron bars and suddenly he found himself at his Loved One's side. It was as if his body had been dissolved into pure starlight and then materialized again in the dreary dungeon. He shivered from the cold inside and looked with horror upon the damp and mildew on the cragged stone walls. Then he embraced his Beautiful Golden One and cradled him in his powerful arms. Alexander was cold like ice and he had never felt so thin and wane, not even during his horrible sickness in the desert beyond the Jaxartes. He was barely breathing and Hephaestion shook him violently, desperately afraid that he wouldn't regain consciousness.

"Alexander! Wake up! You must wake up for me! I'm here to save you..."

His friend made a wry face, contorted with pain and fright. Eyelids fluttered and he gasped strenuously after breath. Then he looked up, his beautiful gray eyes at first filled with horror but soon warming up with the most overwhelming love and friendship. He managed to whisper, his voice barely audible:

"Hephaestion. You came for me. At long last! I knew you would never desert me...never let me languish in this horrid captivity! "

"No, Alexander. Never! I'll be with you always..."

"So hungry...so thirsty...I've had no wine to drink all this time...and now not even that stale bread and musty water they used to give me!"

Hephaestion fumbled at his belt and felt the wine jar at his side. He quickly unstrapped it and put it to Alexander's lips. His friend took some desperate deep draughts from it, almost like a suckling babe. "Aaaah...That felt real good. You always know what I need the most. "

He closed his eyes and put himself to rest in the arms of his True Steadfast Friend. Some warmth had returned to his cold and starved body, his breathing came easier and his complexion was somewhat healthier. Hephaestion wished he could have stayed and watched over him but now he felt the silvery path pulling him back to the window aperture. He gave his friend a loving caress over his chin and reassuringly told him:

"Sleep well and tight, my Loved One. I'll come for you first thing in the morning!"

The star choir chimed in his ears:

"Remember! Remember the silvery path!"

He was floating back through the aperture, back down the mountain side, seeing the silvery Path of Stars all the way until he was back at camp. He stood for a long time watching and memorizing, until he returned to his warming furs and true sleep wrapped itself around his tired body. /

Hephaestion awoke long before first light. He remembered every moment of his strange and important Dream Come True and immediately felt for the wine jar at his belt. It was empty now !

Climbing Of The Cliff

Long before dawn the brave rescue party shared a nourishing breakfast. They then armed themselves and brought their climbing gear. It was a clear and chilly morning and they were thankful for it since no one could discern their shudders of frightfulness from nature's own chills. Hephaestion came up to Aristander and put a hand on the old seers right shoulder.

"Thank you for your sound advice. I really think it will work!" "Yes. The Gods never lie to me!"

He addressed the troops:

"My gentlemen. You know I have some experience of tough mountain climbing. I have thought about our important mission all night long and now I know of a secure path up to the hill fort. You just follow me and you'll see that all things will turn for the best. "

He looked so confident they all believed him. Only his three detractors gave each other sly glances and knowing nudges. The rescue party were dressed in cloaks in modest insignificant colors and armed to the teeth as they started the ascent to the hill fort. Hephaestion had brought all the necessary equipment, especially Alexander's favorite wine jar and of course the King's Miracle Cures. He could feel three small jars for emergency purpose jingling towards each other in a sac strictly bound up on his sword belt. They were closely wrapped in protecting cloth and so prudently packed they would not fall off, not even during an earthquake.

The mountain slope loomed before them, an enormous, high wall of stone and surly bushes. Even the flowers and herbs looked hostile, covered with thorns and in sharp, warning red, yellow and orange colors. They closed in on it with wholesome awe, creeping and covering through the bushes and steppe grass. Hephaestion led them through tufts of razor sharp grass so high and hostile not even hungry animals had wanted it. There was a tunnel in a thicket of thorny bushes and small trees, leading to the foot of the mountain. In amazement they looked at something similar to a flight of stairs, consisting of sharp stones, much to far from each other.

"My gentlemen. This is our path to the King's rescue! I'll go up there now. I want all of you who are brave and dedicated to follow - but if someone feels he's not up to it, I'll show respect to your decision. King Alexander is not helped by those who are faint of heart and who even might fall to their own doom."

Cleitus, Craterus and Ptolemy came forward, together with Leonnatos and Lysimachos.

"We'll go up there with you, Hephaestion. Let's just get our climbing gear out. "

Bagoas also came up to him:

" Please, let me follow up there. I was born in a hill fort much like this one - and I was an able climber before..."

Tears broke through in his hazel eyes and his voice faltered. Hephaestion put his hand comforting on the Little One's shoulder.

"Yes, Bagoas. Of course you must come with me. I think the King will need both of us when we find him...You may climb right after me - but please look well after yourself and your footing!"

They all started the arduous climbing. The King's both dear friends came first, together with a skilled blacksmith, his tools in a satchel closely bound to his side. The generals and the faithful guards followed closely. After them climbed all the experienced mountaineers. From afar they looked like some kind of giant snake or dragon's tail winding up the mountain slope.

Two persons remained, cowardly hiding in the bushes under their cloaks. Cassander and Eumenes were too afraid of the steep precipice, putting their own security before the King's welfare.

Dear One Detected

The climbing was hard and trying. No one dared to look down the steep cliffs. One glimpse was enough to scare even the braves mountaineer. They were all eagerly occupied holding on for dear life, their hands and feet grappling for sure footing and the next hazardous step up to their important goal. Hephaestion was the first one to reach the barred window aperture. He looked through the cruel iron bars. Alexander lay huddled in an unnatural stillness, wrapped into a threadbare blanket . His beautiful golden hair was a mess of lusterless curls, matted and dirty, he was pale as a marble statue and one couldn't see him breathing at all.

"Oh, Alexander, my Dear One. Whoever has done this to you?"

Hephaestion beckoned one of the blacksmiths the chief engineer Aristobolus had assigned to the rescue operation. He had tears in his eyes and his voice didn't carry:

"Master blacksmith. Have those bars done away with as quickly as possible! Time is truly of the essence!"

"Yes, my General. I'll do my very best. "

The man got to work, using his sturdy pincers and long hacksaw with energetic resolution. Hephaestion and Craterus helped him out, holding him to give him a steady platform to make his important work successful. All the party prayed and hoped that no one inside the hill fort could hear all that noise. Hephaestion looked watchfully up towards the other window apertures:

"Work quickly, my friend! Quickly! The enemy could easily shoot us down from those apertures!"

"Don't worry, my General. Those nasty bars will be gone very soon. Yes! There we are now!"

One iron bar gave way, and then another. Soon all of them came dancing down the mountain slope, well avoiding the heads of the brave rescuers. Hephaestion gave a great sigh of relief and gave out an eagerly awaited order: "Follow me, my gentlemen! Let's get inside quickly!"

He was the first one through the stony aperture. Bagoas eagerly followed, hidden in a fold of his camouflage cloak. Cleitus and Craterus came s right after, followed by all the others. The dreary dungeon quickly filled up with a whole army of brave men, armed to the teeth. Hephaestion rushed to Alexander's side and embraced him tenderly. The King was deeply unconscious and barely breathing. His face was very pale and wan, almost transparent and he had deep hollows under the eyes. His whole body seemed emaciated from complete starvation. He was chained to the hard stone bench, and the cruel shackles restraining his hands and feet had made festering wounds and welts all around his wrists and ankles. Hephaestion had never before seen him in such a desperate condition. He started to cry and desperately shook him, holding him closer to his side.

"Oh, my Dear One. Now I'm here. All is well. I'll cut away those cruel chains and take you with me from this vile place! Alexander! Wake up now! Speak to me!"

At long last he was rewarded. Alexander's eyelids fluttered and he looked at to his True Steadfast Friend, his wonderful gray eyes filled up with fond recognition. He spoke, but his voice was so weak the words were barely audible:

"Hephaestion! I knew you were coming for me! Whatever took you so long?"

He tried to put his hands around Hephaestion's neck but the shackles restrained him, cutting into his wrists, making him wince with pain. His friend cried out in outrage:

"Master blacksmith! Cut away these shackles immediately! The King must be free!"

The blacksmith rushed to them and started his work at once, while Hephaestion was holding Alexander in his arms, telling him words of comfort:

"Patience, my friend, patience. We'll have you free in no time, my dear one. Whatever happened to you up here? You seem to have been starved almost into oblivion!"

"Yes, I've had very little food - and no wine at all! Did you remember to bring any?"

"What do you think? I always know what you'll need the most! Here it is..."

He took the King's favorite wine jar from his belt and quickly unstoppered it, holding it to Alexander's lips. The King drank avidly, until his friend prudently took the jar away.

"No. You cannot have more now. We'll have to wait a while, or else you'll only become sick! I think I'll give you a sip from the Miracle cure now. You look like you need it badly."

He unleashed the jar from his belt but didn't have the time to administer the medicine. The door flew open with a great bang. A cold wind and foul stench of unwashed bodies blew against the brave rescue party.

Enemy Assault

It was Ohrlasz and Chorienes, together with all their cruel mountain bandits. The red haired Scythian stamped the floor in amazed frustration. He screamed out loud at Hephaestion:

" You! You again! Only you, with your Wonders of Virtue, could climb an unclimbable mountain to save Sikandar! But, now when I'm having you here straight before me, I'll see to it that this is the last time ever you get in my way!"

Ohrlasz brandished his scimitar and flew at Hephaestion, who had to quickly release his hapless friend and jump to his feet. His sword was in his hand long before he was facing his and Alexander's most deathly enemy.

"No, Evil One! I'll see to it that you'll never again harm my King and my very dearest friend! To me, my friends! Let's have at them all. Leave no one alive!"

He met the Scythian right in front of Alexander, his sword clashing with the enemy's scimitar so violently the air was sparkling with flashes. The two men held long and hard grudges against each other and they fought with red hot hatred and determination. Parries and slashes made the air sizzle around them. They were both strong men of grand stature and excellent sword fighters, managing to deflect all violent slashes and keep out of harm's way.

All around them the Macedonians fought the mountain bandits with cruel effectiveness. Cleitus clashed with Chorienes, managing to kill the old mountain chief with three violent sword thrusts. Craterus fought several foes simultaneously, killing them all with his long and sharp sword. The mountain bandits soon fled the giant General, howling from sheer terror. They were hunted down and killed by other ferocious Macedonians. The battle went on and on, the combatants milling out from the dungeon, chasing each other in the stone corridors all over the castle. It was by far the most cruel fight in the whole Persian war. The Macedonians were in an uproar over the outrage done to their beloved King Alexander and they wanted revenge in a way never to be forgotten in these unfriendly Sogdian mountains. After hours of hard fighting, all the mountain bandits lay dead in sorrowful heaps and puddles of dark red blood all around the Rock of Chorienes. Their hapless slaves and subjugated servants came forward from the shadows, cheering and thanking the Macedonians for their surprising liberation.

Hephaestion and Ohrlasz relentlessly fought on, long after all the other fights were over. The Macedonians saw them go at each other, no one wanting to yield. This truly was a fight to the death and no one dared to go between. They were equally skilled with their swords and had not managed to wound each other seriously. They had just a few scratches they didn't even notice in their red hot anger and hatred. The fight went on and on, the combatants relentlessly slashing and parrying, sword and scimitar sparkling with fury. The Scythian was somewhat older and felt a slight tremble and weakening of his sword arm. He knew his opponent would not show any mercy to him. In sheer need and desperation he searched through his clever brain for a resource. A cruel light started to shimmer in his green eyes when he found it!

Hephaestion felt he was getting the upper hand on his dangerous enemy and he prepared himself for a final deadly assault. He was met by forceful resistance and found himself being pushed back, step for step - until his left foot was soaring in thin air with nothing to support him. It felt like an eternity, and then he stamped on a mossy, slippery stone step. He dared a quick glance backwards. To his horror a narrow spiral stair case dwindled down into an abyss of darkness, every flight of stairs composed by slippery stones. The Scythian barred his way up with his scimitar and he had to chance one step more down. Ohrlasz knew every one of those treacherous steps and shrewdly took advantage of it, forcing his opponent downstairs, one step at the time. With a cunning smile he saw Hephaestion slip and fall on a mossy stone. Hephaestion fell down several stone stairs, soaring out in thin, cold air, until his back struck a sharp edged stone landing. The hard fall completely knocked the wind out of him. It all happened so fast the Macedonians didn't have any time to come to his rescue. Gasping for air he saw Ohrlasz rising his sharp scimitar to deal the killing stroke. Green eyes glittered with relentless cruelty and the hated voice hissed at him:

"Now, you Wonder Of Virtue, now I have you right where I want you! You'll never more help your precious King to harass our poor people!"

Hephaestion was now at the mercy of his worst enemy. None of his friends was close enough to save him. Alexander! Where was his Beautiful Golden One now when he needed him the most ?

Tender Care

Alexander saw with horror how his enemies came pouring through the door. Hephaestion had to rush from him to defend himself from Ohrlasz's vicious assault. He was not without help or attention. The master blacksmith worked furiously to free him from the cruel shackles, soon managing to free his right hand. A small figure lifted him with nimble hands, placing his head in his lap. He felt the wonderful fragrances of Persian perfumes and looked up at Bagoas. The brave boy was compelled to crying when he saw the cruelties committed to the King of his Heart. Crystal tears ran down his perfect ivory cheeks. Alexander reached out with his right, newly liberated hand and tenderly stroke his cheek and soft dark red hair, telling him with a faint whisper:

"My little Dear One. Do not cry anymore. You came to my side in this time of dire need. It is by far the bravest thing you have done for me. You are not strong, not skilled in the art of arms...still you came with my battle hardened friends..."

"Yes, my Lord. How could I stay behind, knowing of Your peril. I well know You need the both of us..."

Alexander winced in pain when the master blacksmith had to break loose the shackles around his left hand. Bagoas took the jar with the miracle cordial and put it to the King's lips.

"Here, my Lord. Drink this. It'll make You feel stronger...It'll ease the pain..."

Alexander felt the familiar taste of strong wine laced with salutary herbs and he drank deeply. Bagoas quickly withdrew the jar from him.

"No, my Lord. Not so much at a time. One sip is quite enough. It sufficed for the others when they were hurt..."

"You well know one sip of wine is never enough for me, my little Dear One. Now give me the whole bottle!"

Bagoas couldn't resist his strong grip on the bottle and saw the King drink down all of the cordial in a few mighty gulps. It seemed to work true miracles for him. His pale cheeks turned into a healthy rosy color and his beautiful gray eyes sparkled from new life and vitality. He patiently endured the blacksmith's hard poundings to free his left hand and then both his feet from the shackles. Bagoas held him tenderly in his lap, giving him consoling strokes on his hair and cheeks.

"Rest easy , my King. Soon all our enemies will be hunted down and killed. We are many here to rescue you. "

"Yes. I saw you pouring through that stone aperture. It was a most welcome sight!"

A Friend's Plight

The King suddenly rose from the stone couch. He put his right hand over his heart and called out:

"Hephaestion! Where are you? I'm coming..."

Alexander was very weak from his cruel exposure. His legs were trembling so badly he could barely stand. Bagoas gave him all the support he could manage, trying to restrain him:

"My Lord, you should not be up so early. You are not well. You might fall and hurt yourself. "

"Yes, but I have to! Hephaestion needs me desperately. I can feel it in the very core of my heart!"

Alexander saw horrible pictures before his Inner Eye. Hephaestion was lying on a mossy stone landing, knocked out of breath and completely defenseless. Ohrlasz was standing over him, brandishing his sharp scimitar, aiming straight at the heart of his True Steadfast Friend. The King gasped for air and took a sword from Stefanos who was standing guard over him. His hands were shaking and he was so weak he could hardly hold on to the weapon. The faithful guard prudently told him:

"My King. What is it you want done? You have only to tell..."

"Follow me and hold me steady if I need it. Time is of the essence!"

Alexander leaped out of the hated dungeon. He was unable to run but staggered with fast and unsteady steps, reeling from side to side and steadying himself with support from the stone walls. Bagoas and the faithful guards followed him closely, ready to catch him if he should stumble and fall. Horrible sights passed before their eyes. All the mountain bandits lay dead in their blood, horribly slain and mutilated. The Macedonians had taken a cruel revenge on King Alexander's infamous abductors. They ran through several galleries, big rooms and corridors, lit up from a bright afternoon sun shining in from stony apertures. The Macedonians were milling around everywhere, all asking the same question:

"Where is the General Hephaestion? "

Alexander didn't ask anyone. He knew with some uncanny inner clarity - and he was staggering straight towards the right spot. They saw the spiral stair case, heard Ohrlasz cruel laughter and merciless rantings. The red haired Scythian prepared to run Hephaestion through with his scimitar. He raised the sharp weapon and took careful aim, thrusting with all his might. A strong blow to his back interrupted his cruel intentions, and then a sword sliced straight through him, its point dripping blood and piercing his chest. He looked at it with amazement, then turned his head. His very last sight was of a figure clad but in a white, dirty, threadbare linen shirt, with blazing gray eyes and beautiful shining golden hair, wielding a sharp Macedonian sword with trembling hands and deadly accuracy. Ohrlaszh breathed his last with one word:

"Sikandar...".

King's Rescue

Hephaestion saw Ohrlasz prepare for the death blow. Tears of shame and sorrow clouded his eyes. He was so close to his Beautiful Golden One, the rescue mission had been a complete success, and then he was to be mercilessly killed by their worst enemy. He heard fast steps down the spiral stair case and felt a warm wind rushing towards him. A white figure fast as lightning came leaping down the stairs, wielding a sword with deadly accuracy. The Scythian was pierced from behind and violently wreaked aside. Strong hands scooped him up, strong arms embraced him and he felt that wonderful warmth and strength only the King could give to him. Alexander asked worriedly, his voice unsteady and tears running down his cheeks:

"My dear friend, how are you? Did he have the time to stab you...?"

Hephastion struggled desperately for breath, at long last managing to get enough air to answer his King and brave rescuer:

"No, Alexander, I'm fine. Let's leave this place - forever!"

The Macedonians saw King Alexander and his True Steadfast Friend coming up from the abyss together, helping each other to stay on their feet. A wonderful golden light of true love and friendship was emanating from them. They all cheered and prepared to celebrate the victory.

TBC and conclusion in part seven