Chapter 7

Hephaistion was troubled; Alexander had given him just four days to decide Cleitus' fate.

Sometimes he would go and stand outside the dungeon door where after Alexander had caught Cleitus in his room had him taken.

Get rid of him had been his first thoughts but he knew that if he did that then Cleitus might pose a threat to Alexander and himself.

His mind was still blank on the third and final day, tomorrow the trail would begin and Hephaistion must deal out the punishment.

He was out in the city with two servants that had been assigned to him during his recovery when they passed a group of work men building a simply shop which got him thinking and be the end of the day he had the perfect punishment.

The trial began bright and early; Hephaistion was sat next to Alexander waiting for the prisoner to be brought in.

Cleitus was brought in still dressed in the rags he had worn when he had been caught and bound in chains.

Alexander stood up and spared no time in beginning the questioning, he would ask question after question sometime crossing examining and sometime contradicting.

Cleitus kept his head up high and only answered the question he wanted, sometime he would catch Hephaistion's eye causing him to turn away and look somewhere else.

As it was getting close to the sentencing Alexander finally asked the question he had been longing to ask but decided to save till the end.

"Why?" he asked

Cleitus looked up and meet the king's full gaze.

"Why," he repeated causing Alexander to nodded his head

"You wanted to know why," Cleitus said "Because I was jealous."

Alexander laughed a little "Jealous, of whom?"

"You." Cleitus said

A shocked gasped filled the room and people being to whisper only to be waved hush by Alexander.

"Me, Why?" he asked

Cleitus looked at Hephaistion again and licked his dry lips "I was sick of you having what I could not." he simply replied

This made Alexander mad but he remained calm. "And that gives you the right to try and take Hephaistion away from me."

"No." Cleitus replied flatly

"Alexander nodded his head "I see," then he was silent for a second deep in thought then he turned to Hephaistion. " You can sentence him now he."

Before he sat down he helped Hephaistion stand, Hephaistion held on to the chair arm for support and cleared his throat and turned to face Cleitus.

"Cleitus, "he said "For your crimes I sentence you to be sent from here and be placed in hard labour."
As he sat he looked at Alexander who nodded his head to approve Hephaistion's decision.

"Make sure that Hephaistion's punishment is carried out immediately." he ordered the guards.

Two guards came to take Cleitus away; as they took him out of the room he got a last glimpse of Hephaistion.

Hephaistion did not turn away this time as the guards led Cleitus away for his dark eyes were filled with an unspoken thank you for being merciful.

Only the touch of Alexander's hand on his arm made he come around.