Chapter 4

One day when I was twelve my Father came with the news that we would be moving to Athens as part of a diplomatic meeting. I didn't want to go, so I protested anyway I could until my father grabbed hold of me and put me over his knee after that I was sent to my room where I was left to continue my protests.

After an hour or two I had worn myself out and was sat in front of the door my arms folded, lip out.

There was a light knocking on the door to light to be my Father.

"Go away." I said

"Hephaistion, it you mama." said the voice through the door "Please let me in."

I scooted forward so that she could open the door, she opened it half way and slid in.

She came in carrying a small tray with bread and cheese which she put on the table before sitting down on the bed.

I was hungry but I sat there still biting me lip arms folded

"You look like your father sat there like that." my mama said trying to lighten the mood

"Not." I murmured

"You have even inherited his stubbornness."

I frowned and wanted to say something else but mama got up off the bed and came to sit next to me on the floor.

"But I know you to deal with stubborn children."

Without warning she pulled me in a bear hug and despite my wiggling she held on till I just accepted.

She rocked me back and forth.

"You don't want to go because you'll miss Alexander." she said

I nodded "I will never see him again."

"Of course you will, we will be back here real soon."

That made me fell at ease a little but I was still not happy all sorts of secret thoughts were swimming around in my head.

What if he makes new friends and I get left out, what if he doesn't want to be friends anymore and what happens if he forgets me.

It was around this time that my visit to Alexander was due. I feared going and tried all sorts to not go until my mama saw through my fake illness and temper tantrums.

We had planned to hike out to the shelter we had been working on; Alexander stormed ahead while I legged behind praying to any of the gods to grant me the courage to tell him.

"What's wrong Phi." Alexander asked

We were sitting outside the newly completed shelter

I looked away and picked up a twig and begin to pull it apart

"Nothing."

"There is I can tell." Alexander said

I mentally cursed with a word that I had heard my father say when he was angry; I had to tell him now.

Put the twig remain aside and bit my lip which had started to trembled.

"What is it?" Alexander asked

So it came out I made sure I talked fast so that it was over and done with and hoped that he didn't hear any of it.

But he had heard, he had heard every word and was sat there not moving eyes wide. Then he began shaking his head.

"No, no no," he said "You can't go you mustn't."

I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand "I have to." I sniffled

Alexander fell silent again and sat staring at me which made me feel a bit uncomfortable I could see that he was trying not to cry as well.

"Then," he said suddenly casing me to jump "if you must go then promise me that you will write everyday and never forget me."

As soon as he said that all my fears washed away and I found myself smiling

"I promise."

Alexander jumped up and pulled me with him

"Race you," he said smiling "First one to the river."

He set off at a jog waiting for me to catch up to him, he never seen my attack coming.

When I was level with him I grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him back causing him to stumble but he managed to stop himself from falling.

While he was correcting himself I took the lead.

"Why you." Alexander said as I waved to him

I laughed as I made it to the river and jumped in followed by Alexander a couple seconds later

"You cheated!" he accused flicking the water in my direction

"Did not." I smiled innocently as I splash him back

"Did to." he replied splashing back

We squeezed every ounce of our time together and were late getting back.

The day of the move came, carts and carts piled high with all of our belongings stood out in front of our house which was to be left with a few servants the rest would be coming with us.

The sound of a horse coming into the courtyard made us all turn around. The mass of blonde hair identified the rider as Alexander.

"What are you doing here?" I asked pleased to see him

"I wanted to say goodbye and give you this."

He reached inside his tunic and pulled out small parcel, he unwrapped it and held up its contents.

It was a green coloured stone attached to a leather thong.

"I had them made for the both of us," he said "That way we will remember each other."

I felt the tears well up again as he placed the pendent around my neck and pulled out his own.

They were a bit long but we would grew into them.

Then it was time to go I was sat in the middle between my father and mama and waved Alexander goodbye.

We waved till each of us were nothing more then blobs on the horizon

I promised myself not to use Phi but I think that in this content it is ok.