Dear friends: Thank you for the wonderful responses to the previous chapters of this story. I hope you will continue to enjoy it. Your comments are always eagerly anticipated and appreciated.
A lot of different things take place in this chapter and I hope you will continue to follow the events that are happening in Hephaistion's life with great interest. It will take another chapter or two till Hephaistion and Alexander meet again.
348 BC – late spring – mid summer
Hephaistion awfully missed his father and realization that he'll never see him again hung heavily on his heart. He never doubted Amyntor's love for him though he still couldn't understand what made his father leave their native Macedon and come to this foreign land. As long as he could remember, his father was a great supporter of the king Philip and was even his personal friend. So, how could they suddenly quarrel? Why did his father refused to tell him what happened? Now, he will never know, unless his father confided in Mazaeus. Would he? Did he tell the Persian satrap more that his own son? Will he be ever able to return to Macedon without being branded as traitor's son or should he forget about his native soil and make Persia his new home? But how? Mazaeus told him he'd provide for him but he can't take him with him when he returns to his satrapy. What was going to happen to him? Mazaeus was his only remaining link to his father, with that link severed, he'd be alone in his world, alone forever.
Hephaistion shuddered, "I have no right to complain. It could have been so much worse." He remembered those poor castrated boys; that could have happened to him easily! How one could survive such a horror, how one could remain a slave all his life, being subject to the wishes of other people, never being able to be his own person? Hephaistion realized that he never thought about it before. He saw a lot of slaves including those who served his own family but he never thought much about them, just took their existence for granted but now….. how do those poor people live? How do they manage to survive, to take if from morning till evening, every day knowing that they never can be free, that there was no any hope for them for the better, only for the worse? How one can deal with it?
And yet Hephaistion was grateful to Mazaeus for those slaves that he gifted to him. Interacting with them allowed Hephaistion to forget his grim thoughts, especially in a company of Nur-ah who was the youngest and had a very cheerful disposition, always up to some mischief or exciting game.
Hephaistion didn't see Mazaeus for a few days after their truce, satrap was very busy and didn't have any time for him. Then one morning Hephaistion was brought to Mazaeus' presence though it was quite evident that the satrap was about to leave.
"The Great King departs for Persepolis tomorrow morning. In a few days we'll decamp and move to Sidon to take care of affairs there. I will be able to give you more freedom," Mazaeus said to Hephaistion looking intently at him. The son of Amyntor could feel that there was more to the satrap's announcement, it would seem strange that he would call him just to tell the future plans. And he was right, after a few moments of silent scrutiny, Mazaeus said, "I am sorry, but I have some bad news for you. I know you will be upset so I didn't want you to hear it from somebody else. Teitu, I found out it was the boy's name, had died yesterday. His wound became infected and I think he was weak before. I am sorry."
Hephaistion's heart sunk. He knew immediately whom Mazaeus meant and though the boy's face was just a blur, he could suddenly hear his screams and he began to shake, reliving his nightmare again.
"I am sorry," the satrap came closer and raffled Hephaistion's hair. "Here, I have something for you, you can keep it as a memory." Mazaeus beckoned Hephaistion to a small table and taking something from its surface, presented his charge with a small object wrapped in the cloth. Hephaistion opened the folds with his trembling hands and discovered a small stone, almost half the palm of his hand. The stone resembled a clouded glass of purplish colour; on its surface was a distinctive carving of a bearded man with strangely big and almond shaped eyes, bulbous nose, almost square lips, beard that covered the bottom of his chin and went up to the ears; no hairs could be seen and the top of the head was covered in some sort of decoration shaped in a semicircle around his brow and hangings that almost reached the eyes. Hephaistion never saw such an image before.
"This was found in the boy's clothing when they striped him naked before the procedure. It was sewn in his tunic. Maybe the image of his god or guardian of the place he is from. The other boys said he was very withdrawn and didn't tell them anything but his name, he didn't speak much of the language either. He was bought in the slave market in Byblos. It's all I could find about him for you, I am sorry. I have to go now. Kamarta will take you to your quarters now or you can stay here for a while if you wish."
With those words Mazaeus left, leaving Hephaistion alone with his thoughts and misery. Amyntor's son didn't respond immediately and by the time he came out of his reverie, the satrap was gone. Hephaistion traced the lines of the carvings with his finger, marveling at the beauty of the craft. "At least he had some piece of his home with him," sadly thought Hephaistion, "I have nothing like that. I wish I knew where he came from….Teitu, what a strange name… I am so sorry you died, or maybe it is for the best, you don't have to suffer any longer in some unknown land at the hands of the cruel masters…." Hephaistion sat on the now familiar couch and let his thoughts drift in different directions, wondering about his own future, about faraway lands and mysterious people who inhabited them and about his native Macedon and if ever he'd ever see it again.
X
The city of Sidon, though mainly in ruins, fascinated Hephaistion. Mazaeus and his retinue resided in the former royal residence, where the late king Tennes and many of his predecessors enjoyed life for hundreds of years. The complex suffered the least during the recent siege and resulting assault and by the time Mazaeus took a full possession of it, all the necessary repairs were done and all the comforts of life were at the satrap disposal.
Hephaistion had separate quarters that sprawled over several levels. On the main level was his bedroom that could be reached from the main corridor via antechamber and cosy reception area which also led to a study room and a play room. From the bedroom there was exit to the small observation pavilion with a magnificent view to the sea and short spiralled staircase that led to a secluded garden that had no other entrances.
Hephaistion's quarters were in close proximity of Mazaeus and though the satrap gave a lot of freedom to his charge, at least six guards followed Hephaistion whenever he ventured outside the palace, which was almost always. Sometimes he also had company of this slaves and on other occasions he was joined by the children of the wealthy citizens who didn't perish during the siege and wished to gain favors from the all power satrap. There were so many things to do and explore that the biggest challenge for Hephaistion was to decide what he wanted to do most during each and every day. There was swimming in the sea and diving from the rocks, walking around the market where stalls were packed with exotic and fascinating things, going on the small fishing boat along the seashore to explore limestone caves that littered the jagged seashore, watching the tradespeople to handle and work on the tiny sea mollusks from which famous purple die was extracted. The time flew so fast that Hephaistion didn't notice how days stretched into weeks and weeks into months and when Mazaeus one day visited him in the garden where the son of Amyntor tried his hand at creating mosaic from the colourful pebbles and said that they will be soon leaving Sidon, Hephaistion was taken completely aback.
"Already?" he asked the satrap after he listened to the news, "but I thought we're staying here for winter, are we not?"
"No, I intend to spend winter in Tarsus, the capital of my province. Still, there are few months left before the winter comes and we'll have time for our respecting journeys."
"You are not taking me with you to Tarsus, are you?" with rebuke in his voice asked Hephaistion.
"You know I can't," Mazaeus shook his head.
Hephaistion mood immediately grew dark. The days when he hated Mazaeus and wanted to run away were long gone, instead, he almost used to think about the satrap as being his uncle or some other relative who didn't want anything else in the world but to spoil and indulge his young charge.
"You don't have to become my official guardian or adopt me," tried Hephaistion, "give me something to do, I can be useful and..."
"Hephaistion, it is not how it works," signed Mazaeus. He knew how much Amyntor's son enjoyed his life in Sidon and he postponed the announcement till the last moment in the effort to extend Hephaistion's blissful existence. "I can't take you with me, remember, we talked about it in the camp?"
"It was long time ago," murmured Hephaistion, "I hoped you'd change your mind. I really like you."
"I know that and I like you too, but…. for almost everybody here you're my pleasure boy, I can't introduce you to my family as such and I don't want to tell them the truth."
"Why not?" Hephaistion tried his most convincing tone, "surely, they won't betray you."
"Of course they won't but don't you see, for everybody else…. You are what you are and you can't suddenly become a part of my family. It is…..scandalous and will be considered as an insult to them."
"I see," Hephaistion looked downward trying to hide his water filled eyes and trembling lips, "you just going to throw me away as a …. some old thing that you don't need or enjoy any longer."
"I am not throwing you away, I am going to provide for you."
"There is no need," the old Hephaistion, the one that revolted against Mazaeus in the first days after Amyntor's death, resurfaced from the depths where he was buried for the past few months, "I can survive on my own."
"Of course you can," Mazaeus thought it was better not challenge the young boy directly, "but you have better chances with my help. Come on, Hephaistion, you're ten years old now, don't behave as five years old child. Look at me," the satrap tried to lift the boy's chin up but Hephaistion jerked his head away, ashamed of his tears which he considered to be a weakness.
"Remember Teitu?" Mazaeus asked pretending he didn't notice the tears.
"Yes, he is dead because you, heartless Persians, like to castrate young boys to have your way with them."
The satrap chose to ignore the rebuke and continued, "I found out where he was from. Do you want to know?"
"What does it matter? He is dead."
"True, but didn't you want to know more about him?"
"It won't bring him back, besides….I never had the chance to really know him, or even to talk. I just want to forget about it all, I just want….I don't know what I want….I can die and nobody would care, not even you. You go back to your family, your sons, I will be just a memory. I don't blame you, I….."
"Hephaistion, you have all the reasons to be upset," Mazaeus tried his best to comfort the boy, "but I am sure one day you will find somebody who'll love you and care for you and….maybe one day we'll meet again. You will tell me about your adventures and all the people you met on the way; you'll grow up beautiful, rich, powerful man, you…"
"Why you have to be so cruel?" shouted Hephaistion to whom such words sounded mean and taunting.
"Cruel? No. I believe you can have a bright future even if you can't see it now. You are very inquisitive, studious, talented boy. Given the opportunity, you can make a name for yourself and I want to help you."
"How?" asked Hephaistion with a sigh.
"You know that many people come to me asking for favors."
"Sure, you rule here in your king's name."
"You are right. So, some time ago a very rich merchant from Tyre, his name is Sikarbaal, approached me with a very interesting business proposition."
"Why would a merchant from Tyre come to you?" Hephaistion's frustration and uneasiness gave way to his natural curiosity. "I've heard that the cities of Tyre and Sidon were rivals."
"You've heard right. And now, that Sidon lies in ruins, many Tyrians see it as an opportunity to get rid of their rival city for ever. Many Tyrian merchants are trying to buy houses and businesses here, very cheap or claim that they were in business with former owners, who now either dead, sold to slavery or escaped the city leaving everything behind."
"But if the original owners are gone, from whom they are trying to buy it?"
"Ah, clever question. All their property now belongs to the King of Kings, the Great Artaxerxes himself, and I, as his satrap, can make whatever decision I want, in the interest of our King, of course. I can sell, or grant anything as a gift."
"But this is wrong!"
"Those are the rules of war, Hephaistion. When you conquer other people, everything that belonged to them now belongs to you."
"But the Tyrians didn't conquer anything!"
"Correct, though they provided certain help by supplying information and barring the movement of Sidonian ships along the Tyre coastline."
"So, are you going to grant all the Sidonian property to Tyrians?"
"Of course not!" Mazaeus gave an amused laugh. "Do you want to think of the reasons?"
"Because this is not right," Hephaistion said with a frown.
"I expected a more intelligent answer from you."
"It is still not right," Hephaistion pressed his lips, "but….Tyre will grow more powerful if their rival is removed?"
"Yes," Mazaeus smiled, happy with the answer. "Of course, Tyre can never be a real threat to us, but they will become more arrogant and, if they have monopoly on the purple die trade, they will dictate the prices. Well, there are many other reasons but I can tell you this, I intend to have the city of Sidon restored and able to regain their former glory."
"But you're leaving soon."
"Yes, but I already found people who are going to do it for me; and, if they are not as good as I hope they are, or if I get a whiff that they are plotting something, I can always summarily execute them and find other governors. But enough with this adult talk. This Tyrian merchant, Sikarbaal, he has a guest at his house, another merchant, from the city of Theodosia."
"Where is Theodosia?"
"In Tauris," calmly responded Mazaeus as if he was talking about some nearby place.
"You mean in the Pont Euxine? (1)" Hephaistion's eyes grew big in surprise, "but only barbarians live there!"
"Of course not, what a nonsense. Your Greek people established many cities there."
"I am a Macedonian!"
"Yes you are. So, the city of Theodosia is a very beautiful place and, just like Sidon, situated on the sea shore. Currently, it is ruled by the king Perisad who got it as an inheritance after the death of this father, king Leukon who traces his origin to the Thracian Cimmerians."
"I've never heard of them. It is so far away!"
"Maybe it is for the better. Do you want to hear the rest?"
"I guess," Hephaistion sighed, "but why there?"
"This merchant from Theodosia, his name is Agenor, is one of the richest citizens of the city, so, he is a very important man. Unfortunately, a few years ago, all his family was killed in the Scythian raid when they travelled to nearby Pantikapaion. He is left with no children to inherit his wealth and name. He is willing to adopt you, if, of course, you are as smart as I said you are."
"I don't want to be a merchant," determinately said Hephaistion, "I am going to be a warrior, just as my father was!"
"In those parts of the world, being a merchant means being a warrior. Agenor's oldest son was a personal friend of king Perisad. If Agenor adopts you, the king's favor will extend to you as well. It is a rare opportunity, Hephaistion. You should embrace it with all your heart. I am sure, you will thrive there, besides, your Macedonian origin or not, the city of Theodosia is a Greek city, established by the merchants from Miletus, a very rich city north of here. Did you know anything about Miletos?"
"It is a big city," Hephaistion succeeded to present his only piece of information with the air of utmost importance, as if he was revealing some vital and hitherto unknown fact.
"You'll do well," Mazaeus laughed. "Now, later today, I am going to entertain both merchants. You have to be on your best."
"But why me?" Hephaistion asked the logical question. "If this merchant…"
"His name is Agenor."
"All right, if this merchant by the name of Agenor, is looking to adopt somebody as his son, why me? Can't he find somebody in his own city? Doesn't he have nephews or other dependants?"
"He doesn't have any nephews, at least he told me so. He wants his new charge to be of Greek origin as himself and though his many trading partners in Athens offered to help him in his quests, he doesn't want to own them any favors."
"Wow, he trades with Athens," Hephaistion was impressed. "I've heard it is a very beautiful city, do you think I can go there with him on our way to …. this city of Theodosia?"
"I don't think you're going to see Athens on this trip, Agenor just returned from there. But maybe in some ten years…."
"Ten years? It is a whole lifetime! Why I have to wait for so long?"
"Well, I said, maybe…. First, you should prove yourself and learn the trade. Besides, wealthy merchants usually don't travel by themselves, too risky, but your future adoptive father may want you to prove your mettle, so, he can send you onto independent mission. But this is far away. First, you have to make sure Agenor likes you."
"Is he…..?" Hephaistion looked at Mazaeus with suspicion. By now he was too mistrustful when he heard of men liking him, he always presumed it was for the reasons he wouldn't like.
"Nothing of the kind," the satrap assured his charge, "when I said "likes" I meant that he would find you promising enough one day to step onto his shoes."
"But if he knows that I…. what everybody thinks I do for you…won't he demand the same?" worried Hephaistion.
"Not everybody," corrected Mazaeus, "remember, he is a guest of Sikarbaal, and Sikarbaal is from Tyre, he wouldn't know."
"Of course he would," Hephaistion whispered loudly in dismay, "everybody in Sidon knows and surely Sidon is full of Tyrian spies, you told me so yourself. You don't know what people say about me, the boys always gossiping about it behind my back when they think I can't hear and older boys made me some lewd propositions."
"What boys?" frowned Mazaeus.
"The ones you arranged for me to play with, children of those rich Sidonian families that you and your king spared. They say such ugly things! You know nothing!" Hephaistion suddenly became agitated. This was something that he tried hard to ignore and forget, he tried not to pay attention because it was not true, he tried to occupy his mind with other things and pretend, when in company of those boys, of being blissfully ignorant of their wicked gossips.
"I am sorry," Mazaeus felt sincerely upset, "I tried to shield you from it but I guess I failed. Even if Sikarbaal is aware of those rumors, he will never dare to repeat them to his guest. He is aware that I am very interested to find you a worthy home and he needs my favor far too much to risk it for the sake of idle gossiping."
"Somebody else may tell this Agenor. Besides, what did you tell him? What did you tell him about me?"
"I told him you're a son of my friend who unfortunately met his untimely death; that my friend was Greek and I think it is better if you are raised by your own people. I also told him that I was going to provide for you nicely."
"If he is so rich, why would he need your money?"
Mazaeus chuckled, marveling, not for the first time, how observant Hephaistion always was during their conversations and how effortlessly he could produce a relevant fact to prove his cause, "He doesn't. He said that he didn't need my money but he might appreciate my protection for his ships and cargo in the territories I govern."
"I think you told me he trades with Athens."
"Hephaistion, you will learn soon enough that for merchants it is very important not to put all the eggs into the same basket. Athens buy a lot of wheat from Theodosia and other cities in the area, it is very lucrative trade but recently they looked into Egypt as well which is also rich in this crop and far closer to Athens, less risk. King Perisad and his merchants don't like it; because army of King Artaxerxes is going to submit Egypt and crash their rebellion, king Perisad wants to make sure that Egyptian wheat doesn't compete with his own."
"But Athens will never buy anything from Persians or their minions, you are enemies!"
"Ah, Hephaistion, as I am sure you will discover one day, politics is a very complicated matter. But you shouldn't worry about it now. Your current agenda is to make a good impression on Agenor."
"What if he adopts me and then re-marry? He will have other children and will want to pass all his wealth to them. What will become of me then?"
"You already thought of everything," Mazaeus smiled. "Even he is decides to remarry one day, he can't have children, so you have nothing to worry about?"
"Why he can't have children? Is he a eunuch? But you said he had children before?"
"Your curiosity knows no bounds," the satrap chuckled. "No, he is not a eunuch but he was injured in that area, you know, he would never be able to beget another child."
"What if the woman he marries has her own children and….."
"Hephaistion! This is enough!"
Hephaistion winced, Mazaeus was never stern or rude to him, not since the first days when he came into satrap's care.
"I am sorry," the boy apologized, "I just don't want to leave you," he admitted.
"I know," Mazaeus sighed, "but this is the best I can do for you. You have to accept it and make the best of it. Oh, com'on , you are going on a very exiting journey, Agenor will be good to you and in a few years, you'll forget that I ever existed in your life."
"I will never!" Hephaistion was firm in his promise. "Even if Agenor going to be as good to me as you say, I will always think about you as my second father."
Of course Sikarbaal knew the rumor and seeing Hephaistion with his own eyes, he couldn't believe that the satrap was parting so easily and so cheaply with his slave. "He could have made a fortune selling the boy if he became tired of him, what a fool! No wonder those Persians left all the trade to us, they know nothing of making profit," the merchant disdainfully screwed his lips for a moment but seconds later he effortlessly put his most subservient smile while lisping another compliment to his host.
Mazaeus, not much mistaken in his judgement of the Tyrian merchant, faked his pleasure at hearing some exaggerated flatter with equal easiness. He paid him only nominal attention, Sikarbaal was just a useful intermediary, with whom the Persian satrap didn't intent to be in any sort of contact in future. Agenor, on the other hand, was scrutinized more closely. Mazaeus made a lot inquiries into his background to make sure the man wasn't a fraud and found all the information quite satisfactory. It was of course not for the first time he met the man, he was on his radar for more than a month now and managed to form a very positive opinion. He was also glad to observe that the Theodosian took immediate liking to his future charge and it seemed that Hephaistion behaved quite at ease with the man after a short period of time.
"I will miss you, Hephaistion, son of Amyntor," sadly thought the satrap, "I wish I knew how you managed to captivate my heart with such an ease. I hope you do well in life and we don't end up staring at each other across the enemy lines one day. Your father was a very convincing man but I still find it hard to believe that he came here bearing a grudge against his king. Maybe I shouldn't begrudge Artaxerxes for killing him as a lesson for Mentor or one day I would end up on the executioner rack for treason. I wonder if the tables were turned, would Amyntor take such a care of my sons as I did of his. And all for the sake of the promise I never gave and pair of honest eyes that speak of hate and love at the same time."
The burst of laughter broke Mazaeus' thoughts and the satrap tried to regain his focus of reality. The party was quite underway with wine flowing freely, sumptuous food served nonstop and entertainers to satisfy any taste. Agenor and Hephaistion talked quietly about something mostly oblivious to the racket around them. "You two will do well together," thought Mazaeus with satisfaction and, happy at the task well done, distracted himself with his supposedly main task of serving a perfect host.
x x x x
"Two days? We are leaving in two days?" Hephaistion burst into Mazaeus' bedroom which, in all honesty, he considered his as well.
"By fifty names of Marduk," angrily shouted the satrap, "does any of my servants know how to assure the privacy of my bedroom?"
"I tried to keep him out," Kamarta appeared behind Hephaistion's back and hurriedly tried to explain the situation while other servants murmured their assent in the background, "but the boy won't heed my warning."
Hephaistion gaped at the naked Mazaeus' torso trying to understand why the satrap became suddenly shy when a curly ginger head of the young woman picked out from the covers.
"So, this is infamous Hephaistion who kept you for so long from my embraces," said the satrap's mistress in an amused and slightly humorous tone. "Come here, darling, I won't bite." With those words she propped herself up behind the satrap and, sliding one hand behind Mazaeus' neck, extended the other towards Hephaistion. In doing so she exposed her naked body to all the spectators to see and though the area below her waist was still covered in blanket, her lovely breasts came in the full view, mesmerizingly moving up and down with each breath she took.
"Cover yourself," Mazaeus ordered his mistress in angry tone without casting a glance in her direction, "Hephaistion, wait for me outside."
"Mmmm, are we not inviting the boy to our bed?" mischievously asked the girl and leaned slightly forward to plant a sensual kiss on the satrap's neck.
Hephaistion's eyes opened at such an outrageous proposition and he hurriedly backed out almost knocking down the servants who congregated behind him.
"I told you not to go inside," Kamarta admonished Hephaistion when the door to Mazaeus' bedroom was safely closed, "now we're both in trouble."
"Don't worry, I saw naked women before," Hephaistion regained his wits and now tried to excuse his rash behaviour, "I know what men and women do in bed, and also what some men like to do to the young boys."
Kamarta exhaled in exasperation, "you are impossible! Listen, Hephaistion, one day you'll have to know what orders mean, and I hope it'll happen rather sooner than later. Not every master is going to be as understanding to you as lord Mazaeus is."
Hephaistion was about to respond that Mazaeus wasn't exactly his master but he wisely decided against it. He even went as far as acknowledge being at fault.
"Can I return to my rooms now?" asked Hephaistion in the end.
"Lord Mazaeus commander you to wait here, it would be advantageous if you listen to him at least sometimes."
"Yes, but…." started Hephaistion trying to figure out how best to say what he was thinking, "wouldn't lord Mazaeus want to spent some time with this lady? I wanted to talk about my trip….but I can wait, nothing is going to change, isn't it?"
"Aren't you excited about your journey?" asked Kamarta trying to steer their conversation in different direction.
"Yes, I am, only, I will miss Mazaeus," admitted Hephaistion, "and I even miss you, I think."
"It is all right, we'll miss you too, Hephaistion," Chief Steward assured the boy. "In meantime, how about I will bring you some chilled sherbet from the kitchen, what flavor do you fancy today?"
"Thank you, I am not hungry yet," said Hephaistion sullenly.
"Ah, sherbet is not for satisfying hunger, it's for pleasure. Almond? Or apple blossoms? How about octopus flavored?"
"Yew, octopus sherbet? This even sounds disgusting. I think I'd like pistachios. Do we have some?"
"I see what I can do," smiled Kamarta. "Stay here, and no wandering around or going where you're not supposed to be. Here, lord Mazaeus bought some new maps, you can check them out in meantime."
This was how Mazaeus, who after all decided to take his sweet time with the mistress, found Hephaistion, pouring over the new maps, tracing the geographical features with his finger and mouthing the difficult and exotic names that appeared on the richly decorated papyrus.
"So, did you have a good time yesterday?" asked Mazaeus, startling Hephaistion who was completely absorbed in one of his favorite pastimes.
"Yes, I did," Hephaistion put away the maps, "I am sorry I barged in, I didn't mean to disturb you."
"It's all right, don't worry," smiled Mazaeus, "the girl didn't scare you, did she?"
"No", admitted Hephaistion, "but she looked so…. well, adult. Are all women like that? I mean…. I sometimes see the girls, bathing, some of them I think like being watched…I mean…," Hephaistion nervously licked his lips not quite sure how to continue.
"Well," started Mazaeus trying to come up with an answer suitable for a ten years old boy. "All women are different, just like the men, and, it depends on what each of us likes. But I think you're still too young to figure out what type of women you're going to like and sometimes you may like different."
"What women do you like?" ventured Hephaistion. "Do you like ginger, like the girl in your bed? Is your wife ginger too?"
"No, my wife is not ginger, and that girl, her name is Ashina, just happen to be ginger. I like…. well, it doesn't really matter. Let's talk about you, how did you find Agenor?"
"He seems nice enough," admitted Hephaistion quite happy to change the subject because he suddenly felt quite embarrassed to discuss it with Mazaeus.
"That's all, nice enough?"
"Well, he told me about this city of his, Theodosia, and about his king whom he remembered as a child and to whom he used to bring presents from his journeys. He misses his family and he said I would like it there. And…"
"What else?"
"I saw he liked me and I was afraid he'd start to touch me, you know, like some other people try to do."
"What?" Mazaeus exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't know. I thought nobody would dare, why you didn't tell me before?"
"I didn't want to bother you," admitted Hephaistion, "besides, once I threaten that I'd complain to you they all start to excuse themselves saying I misinterpreted their intentions, they just wanted to draw my attention or something but I am not a fool. Even some boys approached me, they wanted me to play their games when they all get naked and touch each other; I never agreed, I said I wasn't interested. Some boys simply got the hint and never asked again but others teased me saying that they had more youthful cocks than you and won't get tired as quickly."
"What?!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to tell you, I just…. I was glad that Agenor didn't try to touch me or something. He misses his family, though." Hephaistion fell silent.
Mazaeus pondered at his unexpected revelation. He wanted to demand the names of the boys and the adults who dared to make all those indecent propositions to his charge but he realized that Hephaistion didn't want to pursue this conversation and decided to drop it. He would be able to get those names without Hephaistion's help and make sure that they all pay for their audacity, especially the adults.
Instead, he simply said, "I hope that you'll be able to heal each other's wounds though I advise you to hide your real identity."
"Doesn't Agenor know who I am? I know you told him I was a son of the friend but…. doesn't he know who my father was?"
"Sometimes, it is wise not to ask too many questions and Agenor is a wise man. He suggested that you assume other name when you come to your new homeland. What do you think? And it is better to do now, before you board his ship; so, when he introduces you to his people they wouldn't know your true identity."
"I like my name," Hephaistion frowned, "it is the name that my father and mother gave me."
"Hephaistion, I understand, but your name is too unusual, and the people of Tauris deal a lot with other Greek city states, Athens especially, and Macedon too. You don't want it to be discovered who you really are, I am sure that in your native Macedon your father's name cursed as a name of a traitor and King Philip, while he can't do anything to your father now, might want to exert revenge on his son."
"You didn't have to remind me about that," Hephaistion whispered.
"I didn't remind you in order to humiliate, but to protect you. Pick some other, more common name."
"What about Teitu, like the boy who died?"
Mazaeus sighed, he wished Hephaistion would forget about that unpleasant episode of his life but he knew it would take time. "Teitu is not a Greek name, you have to choose a Greek one; don't you have some favorite hero?"
"I like Theseus, he was Athenian too, so if Agenor trades a lot with Athens, such a name would be good, right?"
"Yes, Theseus is a good name and Theseus son of Agenor sounds great, I believe your adoptive father will be happy."
x x x
1 - Pont Euxine, as you obviously know, is what we currently call Black Sea. The city of Theodosia, established around VI century BC is still in existence. Tauris, of course, is the ancient Greek name for Crimea peninsula.