A/N – I am happy I was able to keep my promise and post another chapter this year. New dramatic events take place in this chapter but before Alexander's and Hephaistion's adventures continue, I have to apprise you about the developments in Pella. Some of the recurring characters have their lives turned upside down and since their story-lines will cross those of Alexander and Hephaistion in future, you should know about them too.
I hope you still remember Antigone (she was introduced in chapter 18), a young beautiful slave installed by Attalos in the household of his wife in order to spy on her.
Warning: this is M chapter.
Spring, 337 BC
x
Antigone wiped away her tears. She knew she looked awful, with her eyes puffed, paint smeared all over her face and bruises probably forming in those places in her body where the boys rough handled her. She ignored physical pain because it would pass but humiliation and disappointment would stay forever.
When Attalos first raped her, she didn't resist and he got angry. He demanded she must fight him and when she did, he raped her again, even more viciously than the first time. He said that his wife should never suspect their collusion and because Antigone wasn't good at acting she should develop a true hatred and fear of him. He continued to molest her till he was convinced that she could play the role. When he deemed her ready, Attalos took her to see her brother. Unlike herself, Eteocles was treated almost as if he was Attalos' son. No one dared to lay a finger on him, he had his own rooms, was very well fed and dressed in expensive clothes, had his own servants and teachers. Before the visit, Antigone was given a luxurious bath, maidservants dressed her in expensive clothes, eye-catching jewelry and make-up was applied in such a manner that underlined her beauty even more and at the same time hid any signs of abuse.
"I will be listening to your conversation with Eteocles," warned her Attalos. "I want to see how well you can lie. Your brother should know nothing about how you're treated. Quite on the contrary, he should be convinced that I treat you as well as I treat him."
"Did you have the same conversation with him?" Antigone quietly asked. She hoped that Attalos won't strike her for impudence because he needed her to look her best.
"No," Attalos said rather peacefully, "for now I treat your brother exactly how he will tell you but it all may change, you know. As I told you, his treatment depends on your behavior."
She was given less than an hour to talk with her brother but it seemed Attalos didn't lie to her. Eteocles was too young to realize the truth behind his sister performance, he truly believed she was treated as well as he was and didn't dwell too much on such a strange behaviour of their master. Instead, he spoke with enthusiasm about his days in Attalos' care and it even seemed to Antigone that he didn't miss her too much. She was sad but sternly reminded herself that Eteocles was just a young child of nine winters whereas she, at almost thirteen years old, already knew very well what the slave's life was.
Soon after, Attalos deemed her ready to be installed her in his wife's household reminding her again that her brother well-being depended on how successful she proved to be in gaining Larisa's confidence.
It seemed to Antigone that the gods took pity on her at last. She managed to strike all the right cords of Larisa's mood and Attalos' wife not only seemed happy to keep her in her service but after a short time started to show her favoritism over her other servants and confidants. Antigone was responding in kind and constantly searched for the ways to please her mistress even more. Still, there was nothing to indicate that Larisa was going to open her heart and divulge any secrets she kept to her new confidant. "It will come with more time," Antigone repeated to herself as a mantra. To her relief, it seemed that Attalos was of the same opinion. He was satisfied with the fact that Antigone managed to get some recognition from Larisa and didn't push her to produce an immediate result.
Little by little, Antigone became acquainted with a circle of people who were around Larisa. On two different occasions she even was taken to the palace when Larisa went to visit Eurydice, the latest wife of King Philip and Larisa's former charge. She also met two of Larisa older brothers, Philotas, who gave her quite an appreciative look and Nicanor who hardly noticed her presence. Now, for the first time, Larisa took Antigone to visit her mother Aretha in their home estate. To Antigone's surprise, it wasn't Attalos who accompanied them but the oldest of Larisa's brothers – Philotas. He seemed quite annoyed by this assignment so he was very distant during their journey and also when they arrived at the estate.
The first two days were uneventful. Larisa spent the most of her time with her mother and got mainly served by the maidservants of the estate who, though not hostile towards Antigone, weren't too eager to include her in their daily life. Antigone got a few interested glances from Philotas and she wasn't sure how to behave. On the one side, it would be a welcomed change from Attalos' rough handling but on the other side, what if he behaved just as bad. She decided to wait and see, if Philotas give her more than benevolent glances, it would be probably a wise thing to agree.
Then suddenly, another visitor came – Hector, the youngest of Larisa's brothers. The fifteen years old looked very attractive, good natured and seemed to be everyone's favorite. What is more, the first time he saw Antigone, he looked at her in youthful admiration and didn't even try to hide his obvious interest. She modestly blushed and lowered her eyes. The next day it seemed to her that he used every possible excuse to accidently bump into her in different parts of the house. And then in the evening he whispered in her ear that he was burning with desire and wanted to get know her better. To spend a night with a very attractive young man just a few years her older was a welcomed change from the cruel treatment of Attalos.
So Antigone shyly murmured her consent and followed Hector to his rooms. Soon after she wished she never did. First, he gallantly opened the door for her but when she hesitated at the threshold, more so to behave proper that out of reluctance, she suddenly felt being pushed inside. In surprise, she stumbled and then felt being roughly grabbed by her hair. She let out a cry of pain and then heard Hector's laugh, "I told you the bitch would be complaint. Let's have some fun."
To her horror Antigone realized there were other young men in the room, probably Hector's friends from the neighboring estates. It was too dark to see their faces. Hector got the first turn to violate her and then pass her on to his friends. They laughed and made rude comments. While one of the boys raped her, others watched while drinking wine and eating food. At first, she tried to cry for help but was smacked across the face and told to keep her mouth shut or else.
After Hector and his friends got their full of her and all the food and drinks in the room, Hector grabbed her by the hair again and ordered her to get lost and never mention what had happened.
"Larisa will see me like this, and she would know," Antigone insisted through tears.
"Tell her you went to the woods and got attached by strangers," suggested Hector; the fifteen's year old creativity wasn't very original.
"Why would I go to the woods, it is far from here," tried Antigone.
"I don't care what you say to my sister," Hector laughed drunkenly, "as long as you don't mentioned me and my friends, because if you would, I will tell everybody you're lying. Who is going to believe you? Don't even try to point a finger in my direction because if you would, I will cut you open and hang you on your own intestines, understood? And, don't hide from me, I may want to have more fun while I am here," with those words the youngest of Parmenion's sons rudely shoved her from his room.
She took a few steps and cringed in pain. The teenagers were already drunk and horny when Hector brought her in, they took their pleasure fast and didn't want or didn't know how to prolong their sexual intercourse. The each of them were spent so fast that total the time of her torture was hardly longer that one session with Attalos. Still, they were all strong and muscular and the force they used on her far exceeded what would be needed to simply subdue her.
It was dark in the corridor and the place seemed completely unfamiliar. It surely was a part of the andron and Antigone never visited it before. She had no idea how to find Larisa's rooms or what story to tell to her mistress when she sees all the bruises and other marks on her body. She was afraid that Larisa would think that Antigone encouraged some men interest and what happened to her was her own fault. She might believe her story that she had submit to Attalos but in the house of her parents nobody would think of harming one of her servants. Did she know about her youngest brother's inclinations or she thought of him what Antigone herself thought when she met him – a respectable and polite young man, maybe even a bit little shy for his age and status?
She took small steps and used the closest wall for support. As she had no idea where to go, she just prayed to the Hermes to guide her in the right direction and get safely to the women's quarters. Alas, the god wasn't listening and after some time she realized she was completely lost. Desperate to get some rest, tired and wretched, she had no more strength or desire to fight the circumstances. She would simply lay on the floor and let herself be discovered in the morning. Whatever punishment would come, she didn't care any longer. Her mind was so warped around her misery that she even forgot about her brother.
She took a few more steps forward and when she was about sank to the floor, the realized there was some nook in the wall; she moved into in and dropped to the floor, curling into a small ball. The floor was hard and uneven and she instinctively tried to shift to find a better position. She got the impression it wasn't a dead end, the recess extended further from the corridor. She crawled a bit more and, founding a comfortable position, blissfully closed her eyes. The peace enveloped her and she felt relaxing and even calming down somewhat. She felt falling asleep but then soft moans floated into her consciousness. She thought she was dreaming and the moans weren't real. Slowly she realized that moans became louder and she could distinguish between man and woman; there was no mistake, the moans were of the sexual nature. Now she knew she wasn't dreaming. She moved quietly and brought herself into sitting position. There was no mistake, somebody nearby was having sex and it was definitely a far more enjoyable experience that she went through just short time ago.
She felt resentment. Why somebody was blessed to feel joy from the sex but she had to suffer all the time? Fully awake now, she stood up and moved in the direction of the sounds. No, she wasn't about to interrupt but she wanted to see with her own eyes how it was to be in the throes of passion. She realized there was a split in the wall, it was only visible because there was some source of light inside the room from where the moans were coming. She carefully moved forward and peaked inside. The next moment she recoiled in shock. The brief intrusion granted her the picture of her mistress, naked, hairs down and dishevelled, riding frantically on top of the man whose face Antigone couldn't see.
So, Attalos was right after all, his wife was having an affair! But with who? Her own pain forgotten, Antigone smiled. The gods made her to pay a high price for the discovery but now she can give Attalos what he wanted and maybe he would let her and her brother go or at least stop threatening her to punish Eteocles. Maybe Attalos would even take her as his permanent mistress and treat less savagely? After all, she saw women come and go from Attalos' bedroom, in most cases never to return but she became a constant fixture. True, he was brute with her though never as brute as the first time. Was it possible he enjoyed her more that he let her know? Encouraged by the unexpected development, she felt her spirits go up. Now, she just have to make sure she can see man's face.
She peaked at the scene again, this time determined to watch till the end, at least as long as her mistress stayed in the room. Larisa was shouting in ecstasy now and the man echoed her passion cries. A few moments later it was over and Attalos' wife collapsed exhausted on the man below here. They remained still for some time and Antigone could hear nothing. Then Larisa rose again from the bed forcing the man under her into the sitting position. The man gave her a brief kiss and then in a swift motion whirl Larisa around so that now he was sitting on top on her prostrated mistress. Antigone's jaw dropped as he recognized Philotas.
Antigone pulled back, her eyes wide open in a reaction to this completely unexpected discovery. She quickly brought the palm of her hand to the mouth to forestall any sound that might escape her lips. Attalos was definitely going to get more than he bargained for. Or maybe he suspected as much? It was obvious that Larisa and her brother didn't enjoy each other for the first time. So, how long? Antigone's thoughts run from one unimaginable scenario to another. She didn't know yet how but she knew there were many ways to exploit her discovery, she just have to think carefully and don't act in a rush.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the new sounds. Antigone didn't have to look to realize that her mistress and her brother started to engage in another round of lovemaking. Still, she decided to watch, who know what other useful information she may discover. Such as, she realized, it wouldn't hurt to learn how exactly Larisa and Philotas enjoyed each other, she might as well learn and use it with Attalos or maybe somebody else. Her thoughts brought her to realization that probably there were too few occasions when her mistress and her brother could enjoy each other company and how careful they must be to make sure not to be discovered. Antigone smiled as she came up with what she thought was a clever idea. She remembered how Philotas gave her glances that showed his interest. What if she would encourage his interest? Then, she can become his mistress as well and he would have an excuse to visit Larisa more often. Of course, Larisa may become jealous; on the other hand, she would be able to see her brother and lover more often.
She wouldn't sleep with Philotas right away, she will play hard to get. Of course, nothing would stop Philotas from simply raping her but maybe he was clever enough to realize it was enough to simply woo her without actually having sex. She would say the same to Larisa that she was honoured by her brother attention but didn't surrender to him. Such a game could be played for a long time and she would have both siblings grateful to her. And if Philotas wanted to go any further than simply wooing, she let him have her but on her own terms. She wanted to enjoy sex as much as she saw Larisa was enjoying it and Philotas would have no choice but to please her.
Antigone smiled and watched with pleasure all the intimate things that Philotas did to his sister. She already imagined how Philotas was going to give her the same pleasure and she felt her body reacting in want of satisfaction despite the awful things she experienced from Hector and his friends just a short time ago. Remembering Hector sent her body from experiencing the pleasure to the painful memories of rape. "One day you would pay for it, you stupid little monster," she silently promised and continued to watch the sexual paradise that was unfolding before her eyes. She suddenly knew her immediate plan of action. She'll watch Larisa and Philotas taking pleasure from each other but at some point her mistress would be obliged to leave Philotas' quarters. She would also leave and find a quiet place to spend the rest of the night. By the morning, she would either find a way back to Larisa's rooms or let herself being found somewhere else. She would say that she was attacked by unknown men who covered her face so that she couldn't recognized them. Then she would say there was apparently a woman who seemed to be an instigator of the attack and consequent rape. Then woman told her to stay away from Philotas. Many people saw how Philotas looked at her, so it wouldn't be far stretched but it will calm Hector and his rabid friends and also will make Larisa to look for a rival.
"It will work out just fine," dreamily thought Antigone watching Philotas making the first trust into her mistress' body, "one day, you'll do all those pleasurable things to me."
x
It was strange to find Alexander still sleeping in the morning; the prince was always the first one to wake up. But then again, this morning was like no other. Hephaistion looked pensively at Alexander's face, so close to his own. In his sleep, the prince was relaxed and not troubled by any dark thoughts. Hephaistion lightly traced the muscles of Alexander's back with his fingers. Lying on his stomach, one hand under his own head and other across Hephaistion's side, the prince presented the perfect opportunity to be studied and caressed. When Hephaistion's hand moved first to the lower part of the prince back and then settled on buttocks, the son of Amyntor signed and withdrew his hand. He brought it closer to his eyes and looked at it almost with puzzlement.
He couldn't understand his sudden lust for Alexander. Was the prince's horrific story the true cause of this change? It seems so but the feeling couldn't have come from nowhere. From where, then? And did he made love to Alexander out of pity or because of something else? What was that "else" that he couldn't either name or define? He remembered how desire hit him as a powerful wave that he neither could nor wanted to fight. Alexander submitted to him not only willingly but also passionately, without any reservation or inhibition. Hephaistion vaguely remembered hesitating before taking Alexander, afraid to stir horrible memories but the prince urged him to continue mumbling something to the effect that he wanted Hephaistion's actions to erase everything that happened before. There was logic in that but what logic was in Hephaistion's own desire to make love to Alexander? The son of Amyntor couldn't understand.
"What are you thinking about?" Alexander's question pulled Hephaistion out of his reverie.
"I thought you were still sleeping." The son of Amyntor whispered instead of answering the question.
"I just woke up," simply stated the prince.
"Did you sleep well?" asked Hephaistion. He immediately felt that his question sounded too formal and impersonal and he hurried to dispel the erroneous impression by sliding his fingers into Alexander's hair and gently massaging his head.
"Very well," smiled Alexander, "and you?"
"Very well too," Hephaistion mirrored the smile and leaning closer, whispered, "you still didn't answer the question I asked you yesterday."
"What question?" Alexander moved closer and Hephaistion's body flared up with desire.
"Did you like me kissing you?"
Alexander moved even closer, "Yes…. I did like….. and not only the kisses."
"Is it so?" Hephaistion withdrew his hand from Alexander's hair and, turning him on his back, moved above him.
"You don't believe me?" Alexander encircled his hands around Hephaistion's head and pressed it slightly down, bringing their lips together.
"How about I test the truthfulness of your statement?" whispered Hephaistion.
"How about you do just that?" Alexander challenged.
x
Hephaistion realized it wasn't just overwhelming desire to make love to Alexander. Never before he felt so obsessive of spending every single moment with anybody. Even in a daylight, among other people, he needed to be within close proximity of Alexander, being able, should the urge come, extend his hand and touch Alexander, even if not intimately, then at least without any restriction. The son of Amyntor tried to fight this obsession but found himself quite powerless. Alexander, to Hephaistion's great relief, didn't seem to mind.
The physical closeness was not the only need that Hephaistion had. He realized he had a lot of gaps in his knowledge of Alexander's earlier life and constantly urged the prince to tell him about his past. During their journey in Illyria, Alexander and Hephaistion talked a lot about their hopes and aspirations, about their views on different aspects of life and people. Suddenly, Hephaistion felt it wasn't enough, he needed to know about Alexander everything the prince knew himself and even more.
Alexander was more than happy to share his heart and thoughts with Hephaistion but found it hard to pry the similar information from his lover. Hephaistion quite successfully dodged most of the personal questions and learned to shift Alexander's attention from the past to the future. The prince, though in exile, felt quite excited about the future; Hephaistion dreaded it and this was why he tried to take as much as possible from the present. The prince had no doubt that, should he return to Pella, his beloved Theseus would come with him; the real Hephaistion knew it can never happen.
A few weeks passed in such manner. Hephaistion lived in a moment, savoring every second he spent with Alexander. He didn't question his sudden feelings for the prince and preferred to spend the time in a blissful isolation from reality. In the back of his mind he knew his happiness is going to be short-lived but he refused to contemplate how his life is going to be without Alexander. There was no way he was going to reveal his true identity to the prince, he was too afraid to shorten the paradise he was living in.
And then the day came. The envoys of the Celtic chieftain whom Sirra was going to marry arrived to the compound and Alexander was going to leave with them in a few days. The prince tried to persuade Langaros to allow Theseus go with them but the Illyrian was adamant. It was true that he noticed that since the day he announced his decision Theseus kept his word and didn't seek Sirra out, even more so, he spent his time exclusively in Alexander's company and it seemed that the two young men became unusually close. Still, old rumours could surfaced unexpectedly and he didn't want any complications. Theseus was to stay; the whole embassy wasn't supposed to take more than two weeks and then Alexander would be back.
That night Hephaistion went to their bed frozen with dread. He couldn't accept the fact that it was the last time he was to spend a night with Alexander. His dismay reached such high levels that instead of making love to the prince he simply lay in the bed, smitten with desperation and hopelessness. Alexander tried to coax tenderly some action from his beloved but it was to no avail. Hephaistion was so wretched that he couldn't make his body to cooperate; he fretfully fell asleep lulled by Alexander's soft words and gentle caresses.
In the morning he lied stiffly in the bed pretending to be asleep while Alexander dressed up and got ready to leave. He stiffened at the prince's tender kiss and loving whisper "I will be back in no time, you'll see". Unable to move or say anything, Hephaistion continued to pretend being asleep though he knew perfectly well that Alexander was aware that he awoke some time ago. He opened his eyes and stared with mute hopelessness at the wall. In those moments he believed his life ended and wasn't worthy any effort of rescuing.
He didn't do anything for a few days. He stayed most of the time in bed, forcing himself to sleep and afterwards almost enjoying the dull headache that came as a result for sleeping for twelve and more hours non-stop. For the whole week he hardly ate, rarely got out of bed and to all Langaros' attempts to involve him in the stronghold's daily life, responded with a gruff annoyance and asked to be left alone. The Agrianian chieftain was puzzled by such strange behavior but decided to abide by Hephaistion's wishes and let the man be alone.
At the beginning of the second week Hephaistion began to panic. He knew that if he continued like that, he'd loose the precious time during the absence of Alexander and with the prince's return he would be left with a choice of either admitting to Alexander who he really was or leaving the prince alone without any explanation. Not that he would be able to escape this way because if he went missing with Alexander present, the prince would surely organize a search party and Hephaistion on his own wouldn't stand a chance against Agrianian scouts. And then what?
No, it would be better to pull himself together and taking some provisions, disappear into the wilderness. Langaros and his men probably would think that he's sulking alone in the house and by the time they decided to check upon him, he will be long gone. This way he at least would have a few days' advantage on Langaros' men and he may leave a note for Langaros that he left to meet up with Alexander. Hopefully, Langaros will believe and wait till Alexander comes back.
Coming up with this plan, Hephaistion sprang up into action. He didn't need much, just food and drink for a few days, he had his weapons and change of clothes. He hesitated about taking his horse. Obviously, he'll be able to cover more distance on a horseback but then he run into a danger of his absence being discovered sooner and he decided to try and escape on foot. Everything has been ready in a few days and the only problem Hephaistion had now was to fall asleep at the right time. His previous week erratic oversleeping schedule messed up his body recognition of day and night cycles.
On the eve of his intended morning escape he was fully awake and all his efforts to fall asleep were in vain. Just when he was thinking of the possibility of skipping the night rest and leaving even earlier than he planned, he succumbed to Morpheus' embraces without realizing it.
He woke up thinking that he never fell asleep at all but the sickening headache immediately dispelled the illusion. Hephaistion cursed. How late in the day was it? Does he now have to postpone his leave for another day? He quickly dressed and run downstairs. He cautiously opened the shutters and was greeted by the bright sunshine. "Damn it," he muttered and throwing a heavy wool himation around his shoulders, he stepped outside.
There were people running around. He frowned thinking they might be under attack especially since he realized he didn't recognize some of the faces. But no, there wasn't any panic and strangers he didn't recognize were wearing Greek type of clothing. Was it….?
"Young man, are you Theseus?"
Hephaistion turned in the direction of the voice, rightly presuming that the question was intended for him. He saw a stately man in his mid-forties with a carefully trimmed beard and black curly hair that started to recede at his forehead. His himation of a vivid dark blue colour was offhandedly wrapped around his strong body and the riding boots showed the evidence of daily use.
"Yes, I am Theseus," politely responded Hephaistion turning around but instead of courteous greeting he was met with incredulous stare of the stranger.
"Is something wrong?" asked Hephaistion with alarm. "And who are you?"
"My name is Demades," the stranger managed to regain his composure. "Theseus, you say? I never knew that general Amyntor had a second son."
"Who?"
"General Amyntor. You must be his son!" Demades stated firmly, no hint of doubt on his face.
"I don't know who this general Amyntor is, or why you think I am his son, but my father's name was Agenor, son of Zenon," Hephaistion stated in a firm voice.
"You wouldn't say….." Demades said clearly not convinced. "You're general Amyntor's splitting image."
Hephaistion shrugged his shoulders trying to look unperturbed, "I never met this Amyntor so I wouldn't know but I can assure you, I know quite well who my father was. Who are you, Demades, son of…..?"
"Son of Thespomenes," Demades supplied, "I arrived from Pella with a message from King Philip to Prince Alexander; luckily, we met him on our way here but he insisted on coming back for you."
"Alexander is here?" exclaimed Hephaistion not sure whether to be happy or concerned, "where is he?"
"Briefly deterred by chief Langaros, he is….."
"Demades!" a powerful voice of unknown man interrupted their conversation, "did you already find this Theseus?"
Hephaistion raised his eyes at the newcomer whose approach he didn't notice before.
"Ares' balls!" swore the newcomer and almost froze, his mouth agape.
"See," Demades nodded to Hephaistion, "Black Cleitos knew general Amyntor too and I am sure he is as surprised as I am."
"Son of the bitch!" boomed Black Cleitos and moved menacingly in Hephaistion's direction.
The young man proudly stood his ground. "I don't know this man you are mistaking me for but I have nothing to do with this Amyntor," coldly stated Hephaistion hoping, against all hope, that he still could extricate himself from this damning situation.
Suddenly, Black Cleitos laughed, loudly, viciously and with unhidden glee. "My dear King Philip has no idea what present I will be bringing him back from this journey. The return of Alexander doesn't even stand close in comparison. If you submit peacefully, young man, I can assure you I am not going to torture you on our way to Pella, despite my burning desire to do so. The honor rightfully belongs to the King!"
Hephaistion's heart sunk. So much for the planned escape. The worst part was not the threat of the promised torture but Alexander's unknown reaction when he learns the truth. Still, he wasn't going to be a meek victim.
"You must be out of your mind!" with all the rudeness he could master Hephaistion pushed Black Cleitos aside and stepped past him. "Maybe he simply stab me in the back," gloomily thought Hephaistion as he tried to walk out between the two men.
Instead of stub in the back came a suffocating grip on his neck and feeling of being forced down. Hephaistion managed to shift his weight to his left leg and to swing his right arm upward. His fist didn't collide with any firm part of the body but Hephaistion instinctively unclasped his fist and managed to grab what happened to be Black Cleitos' hair and he pushed it down with all the force. The vicious struggle in close quarters ensued with Hephaistion and Black Cleitos fighting for dominance in the most ferocious manner.
"Bloody Hades! What's going on here?!" shouted Alexander and broke into the run when he saw the two men fighting. He collided with both of them and tried, fruitlessly, to pry them apart. Frustrated at being completely ignored, he unclasped his himation, twisted it into a thick rope and, taking the ends into his two hands, threw the improvised loop around Cleitos' neck, successfully dragging him away. The enraged officer tried to hit his new attacker but when he realized who it was, he just shook his head. "Don't let the traitor escape," he panted, working to regain the normal breathing.
"Traitor?" Alexander exclaimed, outraged. "What got into you, Cleitos? Are you mad? This is Theseus!"
"Theseus, my arse!" barked Black Cleitos. "You've been duped, just like your father was. This godless son of the traitor is Amyntor's whelp!"
"Amyntor's…. what does he mean, Theseus?" Alexander turned to his lover in puzzlement.
"Whatever my father did, I never betrayed you, Alexander," Hephaistion said softly. "But this man is right, I am indeed Hephaistion, son of general Amyntor." Hephaistion realized that there was no point in denying his true identity any longer. If both Demades and Black Cleitos recognized him immediately, it could only mean that he looked exactly like his father and there were more people, King Philip obviously among them, who would confirm his identity. Desperately trying to hide behind a false name was now a sign of cowardice and it was an attribute that Hephaistion didn't wish to add to his name.
The heavy silence fell between the four men but moments later it was broken by the sound of weapon unsheathed from the scabbard. Hephaistion closed his eyes, he didn't want to see the hatred on Alexander's face as he was piercing his heart. But the blow never came. Black Cleitos push Hephaistion away, successfully saving his life.
"No, Alexander, you can't kill him now. I am afraid that the pleasure belongs to your father."