Author: Dysis Nyx

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, but I would loove to own Hephaistion. Rawr!

Note from Author: I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter! I had fun writing. I will try to update at least once a week. Not much to say, so I shut up and let you read. Oh yeah, ignore the grammar and spelling problems, please.

Babylon palace

current

Storming through the halls of the palace anyone could feel Alexander's wrath. No one knew what was wrong, not even Alexander. His generals followed though. They followed like lost puppies with their tails chopped off, especially Ptolemy.

He had been attempting to calm his king down in any way he knew "Alexander, if we just sit down and discuss what you think the problem is, then-"

"No! Something is going on right now and I do not like it. You want to do something right by getting every one of my counsels together. Find Hephaistion and Cassander and give word to them."

"They have not been seen since dinner, Alexander."

Stopping in the middle of his step the young king pivoted on the ball of his foot and hissed "Then I suggest you find them."

Just as the statement had been finished Cassander crossed a corner to join the group of men. He seemed shaken and confused, but in his own Cassander way. He may not of looked really fazed, but one could still see the short panic.

A sudden wave of fear crossed Alexander by the look Cassander had in his eyes. For his eyes showed sympathy and fear for what he was about to say next. "Alexander, one of the page boys informed us that of a group of unknown mercenaries broke into the palace and captured some of our men."

"Names? Do we have any certain names? Speak, Cassander! Who has been taken?"

His mouth started to speak, but only a small hesitating sound came out until he found the use of his words again "Some new soldiers, a few of our veteran warriors like Anatole from the

East. Meloncton the Black Flower has been taken as well. Along with Lykaios, Theophilus,

Andreus, and Vasilus."

"You are not telling me everything. Are you, Cassander?"

"No, Your Majesty. Hephaistion has been taken, as well. Some say they saw him heading for Bucephalus, your horse, but there seems to not be much of a struggle there."

Pausing for a moment Alexander let everything sink in. Then once it did, he pounded a wall with his fist.

Anger, hatred, revenge, all boiled, fused inside of him. They crackled and sizzled like lightning in a jar dying to be free. His body did not know how long they could deal with all the emotion inside of him. So, while he seethed against the wall Cleitus asked Cassander "Is that where you were so you could not join us right away?"

The suspicion was clear in Cleitus's voice, Cassander sensed this and quickly added with a new sting in his voice "Yes, I felt it best to check this out first. I knew Alexander would care to hear about Hephaistion's whereabouts immediately."

"Alexander would want to know of his men! Not some humble, do nothing lapdog!"

"Alexander isn't like you, Cleitus! He cares about his friends!"

Both men started to fight and Ptolemy and the men surrounding them quickly had to try and break up the oncoming altercation. As they started this a penetrating yell coursed through the mob. It almost reminded them of a war cry. It contained hatred, distress, and fury.

Silence surged through every person within a mile radius of Alexander. Every person stared in fear and veneration as well. This was the most focused and powerful man in all of Asia, possibly the world. This almost all-powerful being was filled with rage and breach of faith. Their silence was the only way to insure their lives.

As he passed through them he was eerily calm. His sudden words gave them all a jump

"Collect my counsel. I will be there in a few moments and when I get there, everyone of you better be there."

Starting to walk into his room Alexander added "And you all better listen."

Every single one of them waited to move till he shut his door. The minute it shut they all scattered to collect every general and counsel of Alexander's.

As soon as his door was shut Alexander let out a huge breath and leaned against those doors for support. He didn't know what he would have done if he hadn't have left when he did.

He needed these few minutes alone to collect himself. Without them he would have erupted on every single man out there. His only hope was that Hephaistion was alive out there and could hold out till he found him.

Somewhere on the streets of Babylon

One hour later

With the blindfold around his eyes Hephaistion paid close attention to the sounds and ways his body was being directed. It had been awhile worth of walking, so the very minute he heard a door open he knew they had reached their destination.

Suddenly with a jolt and a push his body was tossed to the ground with the sound of other bodies thumping down on all sides of him. Clearly, he wasn't the only one taken.

The room began to fill with people and objects as his blindfold was removed. The people on the floor were Macedonian soldiers part of his unit. The men staring down at them weren't in the least bit familiar. They were rugged, scarred, and disgusting. Not knowing how long he had been unconscious Hephaistion didn't know how far out from the palace they were. It was obvious just how angry Alexander might be right now.

Had he even noticed Hephaistion's absence?

This thought concerned him. He never doubted their friendship, but now Alexander had

Bagoas and Roxane to tend him at night. He probably wouldn't notice till the morning when they would have the regular meeting between generals.

Water streamed down the sides of Hephaistion's face, not tears though, actual water. He looked up to see a young girl damping his face with soaked fabric. She looked no more than eighteen and still innocent. Their eyes met and with a side-glance to the others, the girl left.

This place smelled of death and wine, two smells that made his stomach churn. He looked up to see the oldest man smiling down at him. "So, you decided to finally join us. I didn't think

Altair squeezed you that hard. You fools, thought you were invincible, but you were easy enough to take."

"What is it you want from my men and myself?"

With a laugh the man beckoned to a tall Greek-looking man. Hephaistion guessed that to be Altair, the man who attacked him. As the older man kneeled in front of Hephaistion the smell of wine and death increased greatly. A sickened feeling crossed Hephaistion as he attempted to turn away from the horrible smell. Instead a pair of strong hands caught hold in his long hair and forced him to look the man in the face "It is not what we want with you, but what they want with you."

With his hands tied behind his back and his feet shackled Hephaistion was practically forced to remain on his knees. He watched the men with caution. They were most likely mercenaries hired by someone. Who else would do this and since he didn't know them the enemy choice was out. So, it was either someone who hated him or Alexander's empire that hired them.

The older man rose to his feet with his bones creaking as they did. He was either too old or too drunk to do the simple task with ease. Hephaistion guessed the second.

He barked at the other men a slurred order "Get them into the cellar. I don't want to see

their faces till our orders come in."

As they were being dragged away the man started to call the name "Dianthe".

The door to the cellar closed and Hephaistion and his men were left in that dark place in silence. At least, in silence till Hephaistion was sure they were alone.

He quickly looked over each of them to make sure they were all fine. Some suffered from minor injuries, but none life threatening. This was at least one thing going right tonight. This night Hephaistion knew wasn't going to be the easiest one. It would try him in more ways then one. He would have to last mentally, physically, and spiritually. He would have to last for the sake of the men.

The door to the cellar opened once more to reveal the girl. Several other women followed her as she entered. One of the women walking directly next to her was definitely her mother. She looked exactly like her, except exactly twice her age. The other woman might have been a younger sister because she was a ten-year-old version.

Now the girl herself was very pretty herself, well nothing like his Alexander that is. Her hair was raven black and donned beautiful ringlet curls. Her fair skin contradicted the dark hair with its ivory complexion. Those turquoise blue eyes seemed to pop out the most about her. They sang gentility, kindness, and decorum, but at the same time they screamed abuse, defilement, and fear. She was the typical type of woman Alexander would love to save.

The mercy that man would want to show to her made Hephaistion smile at the thought. If there was one hidden pleasure of Alexander's, it would be his unknown love for showing mercy to beautiful people. Both genders.

Each woman fed and tended the men with water. The girl took Hephaistion under her wing. He immediately knew by her smile they would be friends, obviously nothing more. He had no use of another special person in his life. His heart and loyalty were perfectly content with Alexander being the only one. He did need a friend though, because the closer he and Alexander came, the farther his old friends went.

"My I ask your name, sir?"

"I am Hephaistion."

She gave a small grin and meekly said, "I am Dianthe. You have met my father, Anker." she gave a pause to wipe his face till she continued "I feel responsible for Altair's roughness with you. I told him to do whatever necessary to be safe. I had heard of your reputation and feared for him."

"I see. So, it is me they wanted. Then why take the others if I am the aim?"

Those eyes shut for a moment before she spoke again "I can see why the king loves you.

Do not hate my father and our people. We follow orders and I could see by their eyes the envy they held for you." she laughed at herself, then added, "They must have in order to hire people to get rid of you."

When she tried to leave Hephaistion grabbed her wrist with his newly freed hands "Tell me who these people were."

Babylon palace / Alexander's room

Current

As Alexander recently sat on his bed the frustration and anger still boiling inside of him.

How could some of the brightest minds in Pella be so foolish? He once thought these men to be a little less than gods, but now? Ha, he'd be surprised if they were equal to the brain intelligence of a slug.

He was very aware of Roxane's new presence in his room and said gruffly "The most frustrating part is that he is out there in Babylon. He is within a mere hour's distance. Nearly an arm's reach of me. Yet, I am still helpless to get to him. You would think out of the military and political strategy of these men they could find some way of saving a few taken soldiers."

"And Hephaistion?"

"Yes, Roxane, 'and Hephaistion'. Is it a crime to worry about him the most? If it is then I will deny nothing."

Instead of taking the normal angry face she usually bore, Roxane surprised Alexander and kissed him. Her hands desperately, almost clawing, held the sides of his face while her lips drank his. Even as this beautiful woman, his wife and queen kissed him, Alexander couldn't help, but feel less than...motivated. So, he dismissed her to her room.

His spine tingled as she spat the words "Yes, my king..." at him like poison on her tongue.

He fell back onto his bed breathing, "Someone is behind this act. I will find out who and he will be back safely."

Try as he may though Alexander couldn't think of a single soul. He knew there were those who hated Hephaistion, but that was obvious. Hephaistion was his dearest friend and closest to his heart. Maybe though Alexander had to think just how much he did care for him. He knew he loved him. That was obvious for any eye. The question on his mind was just how deep or shallow that love was.

To be continued