Dear friends: I want to start with an apology for stopping updating this story for the whole two years. I have some good excused but they hardly matter. It was never my intention to stop writing this story. As a matter of fact, it still has a long way to go, we didn't even reach the middle of it. I hope to update regularly going forward.
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338 BC late fall, house of Attalos in Pella
"I thought you would like the girl," Medos leered and made a suggestive move with his body, "and boy too. I always find it exciting to f* siblings at the same time."
"They don't look much alike," Attalos stared at the girl with appreciation completely ignoring the boy who was too young for his tastes.
"Maybe their mother was a slut," suggested Medos. He himself would much prefer the younger boy but he thought it prudent to have the general to choose.
"How dare you, moron!" the boy darted toward the offender but Medos easily pushed him away sending the boy flying to the floor.
"Feisty!" Attalos commented without much anger. "Stand up and tell me your name."
Standing up meant to obey and the boy hated to submit but staying helplessly plastered on the floor was even worse option so he stood and, proudly squaring his shoulders, announced, "My name is Eteocles!"
Attalos laughed, "Eteocles, "truly glorious", your parents has had high hopes for you, it seems. Do you also have a brother called Polynices?"
"No, but I have a sister called Antigone," the boy stared defiantly at his new owner and then nodded in the direction of the girl.
"Is it so?" Attalos inclined his head and came closer to Eteocles. "How old are you?"
"I am nine!" proudly announced the boy.
"I see. And what do you want to do with your life?"
Eteocles was taken aback by such an unexpected question but then stared with hatred at the older man. Sometimes words can be more insulting than actions and obviously his new master was making fun of him. Impudence was his only weapon and so, after brief consideration, the boy announced, "A cavalry officer first and then a general. Rich too. And marry a king's daughter."
Attalos merrily laughed and nodded to Medos, "You bought me an ambitious slave. And what about you?" Attalos turned from the boy and approached the so far silent girl. "Antigone, isn't it?" he reached out towards the girl and cupped her trembling chin with his hand.
"I was brought up to be an obedient daughter," the girl whispered. "To do what I am told. What do you wish of me, master? Please, just don't hurt my brother. He is young…."
"Hmmm," Attalos looked at the girl with interest. She was rather attractive with delicate but well defined features, light blue eyes and a tangled mane of red hairs.
"How old are you, Antigone?"
"I am twelve, master."
"Did you know a man?"
"How dare you!" Eteocles made an attempt to rush toward his sister but was promptly restrained by Medos.
"I am a virgin," whispered Antigone.
"Did you check?" matter-of-factly Attalos asked his crony.
"Yes, both of them," Medos scowled, "paid a good price for that too. Do you want them both?"
"I might find a use for them, yes," Attalos chuckled. "Tallos!" the general shouted to his chamberlain and the said individual appeared within moments of being called.
"You may go," Attalos nodded to Medos, "As usual, I am very pleased with your service. You know where to receive your payment, right? And don't disappear too suddenly, I may require your services soon again."
"Glad to be of service," Medos declared, "but if you don't like the boy, I will buy him out for myself."
"I will keep it in mind," promised Attalos and switched his attention to Tallos. Then, to Eteocles' distress he proceeded to give his chamberlain some instructions in a quiet voice. The boy couldn't hear how his destiny was decided.
"Come with me," Tallos commanded the boy.
"I won't go anywhere without my sister," declared Eteocles.
"Brother, please," pleaded Antigone, "do as our new master commands."
"Listen to your sister, or I will gift you to Medos. Do you want that?"
Eteocles hesitated and Tallos roughly grabbed him by the hair pulling in the direction of the door.
"Let me go!" shouted Eteocles in pain but Tallos wasn't listening.
"Please," Antigone pleaded for her brother but Attalos wasn't moved by the teary eyes of his new slave.
"Your brother have to learn how to behave," sternly announced Attalos. "And you're going to help me with it, aren't you?"
"Yes, I will do whatever you want just don't hurt my brother, he is young, please."
"We'll see," promised Attalos. He already had plans for the girl and decided to start implementing them immediately.
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Antigone shivered and looked around in desperation. The small bedroom was more hot that cold but Antigone was completely naked. The old woman who brought her here and then ordered to undress strictly forbade her to hide in the bed or use any of the linen for cover.
"The master wants to see you naked when he comes here or he will be angry. You don't want to make our master angry, believe me."
The girl hesitantly touched her hair. Under the normal circumstances she could have used it to cover her body at least partially but the servant braided it tightly and secured it around her head forming a heavy crown. She wanted to loosen it a bit because the tight hair dress hurt her scalp but then she got afraid that she may somehow undo the elaborate structure and she decided to bear the pain. She hesitantly felt her neck, first the right side of it and then from behind; with her hairs brought up she felt even more exposed.
The room was empty of any furnishing or decorations, just a fireplace and a bed; not even a single chair or chest where she could sit. The stone floor was covered by the thick but hardly new or clean carpet and dark woolen coverlet was spread over the bed. She stood hesitantly in the middle of the room, with one hand along her side and another absentmindedly massaging her neck continuing to survey the meagre accommodations of the room when the door flung open and Attalos stepped into the room.
Antigone jumped away from the general and tried to cover her nakedness with her hands. Seemingly ignoring the girl, Attalos closed the door and proceeded to the bed. Fully dressed and showing no intend to take off his clothing he sat on the bed and order Antigone to stand in the middle of the room facing in his direction.
"Place your hands along your sides and don't clump your legs as if I am trying to get between them."
Antigone hesitated for a moment but then did as she was told.
"Good," Attalos nodded in satisfaction. "Do you know who I am?"
"You're a very important man in Macedon," started Antigone, "and you're a father-in-law to the king Philip himself because he married your niece Eurydice."
"What else?" Attalos asked in even voice and Antigone had no idea whether he liked her answer or not.
"I am very sorry, I don't know much," Antigone said quietly and lowered her head.
"My niece Eurydice is pregnant with king's child and when she delivers a son, that son will be the next king of Macedon."
"And you become even more important and prominent man in Macedon," wisely supplanted Antigone figuring out that it's was what her new master wanted to hear. "I am so lucky to be given a chance to serve you."
"Smart," approvingly nodded Attalos. "I also want you to remember that the fate of your brother is in my hands. If you do everything I tell you and obey me unquestioningly, no harm will come to him."
"Of course, my lord," Antigone quickly agreed and took a step towards Attalos thinking he wanted to be pleased sexually.
"Stay where you are," ordered the general.
The girl hurriedly stepped back.
"Do you know how to pleasure yourself?" Attalos enjoyed mental torturing of his victims as much as he liked to hurt them physically.
"No," mumbled the unhappy girl. She knew very well what was coming and just wanted to be done with it.
"What, you never touched yourself or let others touch you?" nonchalantly asked the general.
Antigone moved her head in a negative motion.
"Touch your breast, your nipples, make yourself moan," dispassionately ordered Attalos.
Antigone froze with humiliation but forced herself to touch her breast. She felt anything but pleasure.
"Not convincing," Attalos declared.
"I don't know how," whispered the distraught girl.
Attalos snorted, "I don't believe you. You don't act innocently enough."
"Please," begged Antigone, "I don't know. If you would only teach me….."
Attalos ignored the plea and switched the topic of conversation from sexual to a domestic one, "My wife Larisa is the only daughter of general Parmenion. He is a very important figure at King Philip's court."
Antigone distractedly nodded and let her hands fall along her sides. She couldn't figure out what her owner wanted from her.
"Until recently," continued Attalos as if he was relating some important information to a newly appointed dignitary, "she had my niece as a female companion but since Eurydice moved into the women's quarters at the palace, my wife feels lonely. She needs somebody to spend her time with, you know, to gossip and other stuff."
"I am not of noble origin as your niece is," noted Antigone, "Why would your wife want anything to do with me?"
"That can even be to your advantage," suddenly smiled Attalos, "though the last companion I brought my wife ended up, as I was told, killed, raped and mutilated somewhere in the hills. I think my wife didn't like her much. Or maybe it wasn't my wife, maybe some servants envied her.
Antigone paled, "Then what should I do?"
"Make my wife like you and take into her confidence. Not only your life depends on it but also that of your brother."
"I will do my best. C-can you teach me how to do it?"
"You have to figure that out for yourself," pitilessly said Attalos, "but I do know that my wife likes to take young girls under her wings and make them worship her."
"I will do my best," promised Antigone.
"We'll see," Attalos didn't seem convinced and Antigone was driven even further with desperation.
"But, if my wife likes you, she may take you into her confidence. It will be to your utmost advantage if she does. She goes to visit my niece in the palace, and also her mother at Parmenion's estate. I want to know what goes on there. Also," Attalos stared coldly at Antigone, "I want you to find out with whom my wife sleeps, besides me."
"Why would your wife to do so?" with quivering lips asked Antigone.
"I will leave it for you to find out. But if you ever think of betraying me by telling my wife what I just told you, your brother will be subjected to the most terrifying experiences, suffering for a long, long time."
Shaking in horror, Antigone slumped on her knees and prostrated her hands towards Attalos:
"No, please, I beg you, I would do anything, anything, just don't hurt my brother. I will make your wife to like me and confide in me, I promise."
"You know what else my wife likes?" as if sudden revelation came upon him he looked pensively at the supplicant girl in front of him. "She likes to take care of those who she thinks I hurt. You can earn her pity and desire to protect you more easily if she thinks I treated you badly, really badly," Attalos leered and stood from the bed. "I will give you a taste of what you and your brother can expect if you dare to disobey me."
Attalos stopped playing being nice and, grabbing Antigone by the hand, dragged her in the direction of the bed.
338 BC late fall, Epirus and Illyria
It seemed to Hephaistion that Chaonian King Charops wished nothing else but to entertain his guests and the guests themselves were quite enjoying their times. This is why when in the evening of the fourth day Alexander announced to Hephaistion that they were leaving early next morning, the son of Amyntor was taken by surprise.
"Can't we stay here longer?" he asked. "Is there any reason we should hurry? I was even thinking this city looked like a good place to wait your father's anger over."
"It is not my father's anger that drove me from Macedon," Alexander reminded, a rebuke bordering on irritation tinged his voice. "It only seems like a good place but looks are deceptive. We have to leave but…," Alexander stopped and looked in Hephaistion's direction, "I am not forcing you to follow. I told you, you could have stayed in Passaron and then go to Pella to join Perdiccas. You don't have to come."
"I just voiced my opinion," Hephaistion calmly responded. "I am not familiar with local politics, or Macedonian ones, for that matter. I told you already, I will accompany you whenever the road would take you. You don't know me much and maybe have no reasons to trust me and, well, the feeling is sort of mutual but let's agree that this conversation of me going back is the last one we're having."
"As you wish," Alexander shrugged his shoulders pretending indifference. He was ashamed of taking this cowardly way out of the situation and refused to admit to himself that he wasn't sure how to behave. He accepted that he was in love with Theseus and for the first time in his life the object of his affection was right in front of him, not in his dreams as it was with Hephaistion or other imaginary people he invented just to feel good about himself. What did it mean to be in love? He couldn't answer the question, nor did he knew how to behave. He hated being unsure of himself and poured this hatred towards Theseus in hopes that the feeling will go away. It didn't. Even more so, Alexander felt that the more he tried to hate and distance Theseus the more he felt in love with him.
Their next destination was Apollonia, a prosperous Greek city on the banks of river Aoos. It was established about two centuries ago by the colonists from Kerkira and Corinth on the territory belonging to the Illyrian tribe of Taulantii. The city itself was mostly populated by Greeks but they managed to co-exist more or less peacefully with the Illyrian tribes that lived outside of the city.
Apollonia didn't have a king but was ruled by oligarchs. The travellers were well received by the city's best but after a few days of rest and entertainment, it was time again to move on only this time their group consisted of just four people since king Alexander's envoys turned back to Passaron. Alexander and Hephaistion were told that their journey would take up two weeks and that if they won't meet any unforeseen obstacles.
From Apollonia they travelled through Taulantean territory but their journey was still close to the Adriatic seashore. They travelled like that for a few days covering as much as they could during the day and staying in fortified villages at nights. The Illyrian ambassadors, Gaso and Vara, were terse in their speech and their Greek was rather limited. Soon, they turned into the mainland and the landscape became even more wild and intimidating. They had to hunt in order to supplement their food supply but the game was still rather plenty especially fowl and the water was in abundance.
At some point they reached a mighty river and had to travel almost a day in order to find a suitable place to cross. Gaso and Vara were arguing in their own language and it was obvious that one of them miscalculated the route. At last when darkness almost conquered the clear sky they came across a well-fortified fort. Gaso announced they were staying there overnight and would cross the river in the morning.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Hephaistion asked Alexander spreading the firs on the earthen recess above the hearth. There was enough space for three or four people so both Alexander and Hephaistion felt comfortable enough to share the space.
"I know that we left Taulantean territory some time ago. This big river is called Drilo [1] and has a lot of tributaries. I think it might be as big as our Strymon and Axios. My father defeated Autoriates' king Pleurias somewhere not far from this river only to the south of our current location."
"Is this the same Pleurias we're going to stay with?"
"Yes, he is."
There was some silence and then Alexander continued, "I don't know what to expect. I hope Pleurias thinks that future gains are more important than past losses and don't kill us on the spot. Besides, Macedonians are not the only threat to Pleurias; his territory gets constantly attacked from the north by Celts. I am told they are even wilder than Illyrians, real savages, very tall and blond. But personally, I never met one."
"Maybe we'll have a chance," suggested Hephaistion. "And how savage these Illyrians are, the one we're going to meet? The people that we met so far seem friendly enough."
"We're accompanied by Illyrian guards, remember? Also, we speak Greek so villagers may think we're some sort of merchants that want to establish trade. I am sure some of the more adventurous colonists visited these parts of the land before."
"You don't look much like a merchant," smiled Hephaistion and extended his hand to Alexander to help him to climb into the recess.
"What do I look like?" frowned Alexander and, ignoring Hephaistion's hand, jumped into the improvised bed.
"Like a fierce warrior," smiled Hephaistion moving back to the wall to give Alexander some space.
"I suggest you start looking like one too," though Hephaistion couldn't see Alexander's face clearly the tone of his voice was sour. "Autariatae kill their weak and wounded so they won't fall into the hands of enemy tribes."
Hephaistion ignored Alexander's comment and continued with his questions. He already knew that the best way to distract the prince from his foul mood was to ask questions that were based in facts or something to do with war strategies.
"What else do you know about them?"
"They are good at metal working. I saw some of their weapons captured during my father's latest campaign, they are really good. Not only weapons but things like belts and buckles, cups to drink from. Some of them very masterly decorated in gold and silver. They worship different gods from us but I don't know their names. The gods of war are mostly venerated but also a sun god. Their women have a lot of freedom and many raised to be able to defend themselves. Theseus, did you fell asleep?"
"No, I was listening. Alexander, I want to ask you something. It is important."
"Ask."
"Are you in love with me?"
"What?!" Alexander jumped to sit but hit his head on the lower ceiling.
"It's a simple question."
"Why on earth you would think that?" Alexander grumbled in confusion. He didn't expect anything like that from Theseus.
"It doesn't matter why I think so. Is it true?"
"Of course it does," Alexander tried to avoid a direct answer and instead launched into attack of his own, "Are you in love with me?"
"No." Simply answered Hephaistion.
"Good for you," mumbled Alexander.
"You still didn't answer my question."
"I am not under any obligation to answer your questions." Alexander knew it was a week defense and anyway he realized that by not answering straight away he already provided the answer.
"It is not in our power to decide with whom we fall in love," simply stated Hephaistion. "I would love to be your friend, I would be honored but…. I am not attracted to men physically and I don't think I would ever agree to have sex with another man and I know you're not that sort of person who'd use force to get what you want. I just want to be honest with you and let you know where I stand, even if my blunt approach makes you angry. I don't want to mislead you."
"Thanks. Can I go to sleep now?" curtly asked Alexander.
"Good night," simply said Hephaistion and buried his face under the heavy furs.
Alexander remained silent and stared sullenly into the dark ceiling.
Ooooooooooo
[1] River Drilo, modern day Drin