Chapter 5
Athens, a city of wonder.
As we rode through the crowded streets I stared in awe at the busy markets, the different types of people beggars, workmen, and ladies with their escorts, soldiers, senates and children.
From the people I found myself staring at the craftsmanship of the buildings and the temples.
On a hill just outside the city was the place that we would be staying for however long this diplomatic meeting would take.
It was a peace offering to Alexander's father by the land owner and was used when the king and some of his court would come and visit Athens, which was not very often.
It had its own vineyard and a little bit of farmland with one or two animals.
We pulled into the court yard and my Father jumped down, and then went round the other side to help my Mama down then me. We watched as the servants unpacked our belongings and sent them up to our rooms.
Mine was close to my Mama and Father's and looked out onto the rows and rows of green that were the vineyards.
I flopped down onto the freshly made bed and almost being hit in the face by the pendent Alexander had given me.
I picked it up and held it up to the fading light and began to twirl it.
If I twirled it one way it was a light green then if I turned it the other way it was dark green, and it was then I noticed the inscription; it read: Alexander. I smiled knowing that his said the same.
It was then that I found myself wondering what he was doing now; I stood up and went to the open window and by the curve of the sun in the sky I know that he would be with his Mother now.
As I thought about Alexander and his Mother, my door open and in came mine
"Hephaistion, it's late you should be in bed."
"I'm not tried."
I was really and though I had slept on the way here it had been very uncomfortable
"Yes you are come on," she said holding out her hand which I took.
She led me to the bed, where she knelt in front of me and began to undress me,
"What were you thinking about?" she asked "When I came in."
He held up my arms for her to put on my nightshirt.
"I was just wondering what Alexander was doing," I said muffled by the nightshirt begin pulled over my face.
"Any theories?" my Mama asked.
"A few."
She pulled back the blanket and I got in, snuggling deep down.
"Goodnight my sweet," said Mama reaching down to kiss my forehead.
"Goodnight."
She got up and left, leaving the door open a jar
Though very tried I tired my best to sleep but I was too scared of being in a new place.
I pulled the covers over my head wishing Alexander was here with me, I took hold of the pendent and held it tightly and all my fears went away.
In our time in Athens I saw my Father twice, he was gone when I woke up and sometimes by the time he had come back, I was in bed and something that I thought would take weeks turned in to years.
I spent my time with tutors or playing out in the vineyards. There weren't many children my age, but I still played with them anyway.
Of course I wrote to Alexander as promised and he would write back telling my tales of his Father's grand war plans and his Mother's quest to groom him into a king.
We sent each other gifts on our birthdays and we grew up close but yet so far apart.
One night just after I had turned sixteen, I was woken to the sound of a heavy banging; I thought nothing of it and tried to get back to sleep but the banging continued.
It was coming from the front door.
Someone must have opened it as the banging stop and the call for my Father to be sent for, filled the house.
I wanted to know what was going on, so I swung my legs over the bed and tiptoed to the door and opened it gently.
I made me way to the top of the staircase, where I stood and listened.
Both my Father and Mama had turned out to see what was going on so late at night .The man was dressed for long distance journeying and in his hand was a letter which he gave to my Father, who read it once before passing it to my Mama.
From my position at the top of the stairs, I could not see their reactions to the letter.
Suddenly my father turned and I had to dart into the shadow as he started moving towards my hiding place, but was stopped by Mama.
A few words were said and then she started towards the stairs causing me to tiptoe quietly back to my room.
I was back in bed with my back to the door by the time she entered.
"Hephaistion," she called softly coming to stand next to the bed and gently shaking my shoulder.
I rolled over and rubbed my eyes to show that I had been asleep.
"Hephaistion Sweet there is a man here to see you."
I frowned and looked outside; it was still dark.
"At this time," I asked trying to keep the anger out of my voice.
"Please it is important." was all she said
I got up again and followed her down to where my father and the man was waiting.
The man bowed to me.
"Please My Lord, I have brought you important news," he said holding out the already read letter.
I looked at Mama and Father who looked away and held onto each other.
I took the letter off him, opened it and began to read.
When I had finished all the air went out of my lungs, I fell to the floor with the letter loosely hanging from my hands not caring at the pain that shot through my knees as I hit the floor. Tears reamed down my face.
There was a rustle of material as Mama pulled me into her arms to calm me down.
"I have to go to him," I said over and over "He'd me want to go."
"Of courses," Mama replied "But first you must go and rest."
She helped me to stand and though her slander frame she supported me back to my room, where she placed me back in my bed.
She pulled the covers up before sending the servant for a mild sleeping herb, which when it arrived she made me drink it all.
It took hold very quickly and I could forget about Alexander for a while.