Alexander and his Macedonians are once again beset by enemies in all the four cardinal signs. Things are made worse by the King's slow recovery after his injuries at the Danube. Fortunately he has good friends and divine helpers.
Back in Pella Cassander and Eumenes walk right into a nest of vipers. We will also learn more about the Queen Olympias' close bonds to her dear Son.
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading
/NorthernLight
TEMPLATE: Title: FIC: Hazards Of Friendship ( 9 / WIP)
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story. Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: April 2006. Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on or off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, if you like, but please tell me. Archivated at the ATG Slash&Fanfic Yahoo Groups.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. For entertainment only. Not for gain - my work is for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their time and adventures.
Rating: R Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions, and also for helping me to improve on language and formatting.
Summary: In the beginning of his reign Alexander made a campaign towards the Danube. Some rumor said that he was severely wounded, dead or missing in action. Perhaps Demosthenes made it up, perhaps there was some truth in it.
History note: The surprise attack on the Getae, when the corn fields were coming alive with the Macedonian army and the Illyrian and Autariatians nutcracker maneuver around Pelium are historically correct and mentioned in several sources. .
Warnings: This is AU, very close to but not "real" history. Violence, hard fighting, angst and intrigues. Explicit description of incapacitating pain and sickness.
Dedication: To Juu. Written on behalf of your fic challenge about Hephaestion and his constant trouble with the envious generals.
The Danube, 335 BC Aftermath of the Celebrations
Alexander was feeling so very good. He was back with his army, feeling their courage and confidence returning. He had his True Steadfast Friend close by his side in the midst of a glorious drinking party. The food was succulent and tasty, the wine, though well watered, heightened his spirits and warmed his aching bones, and the company was excellent. He proposed another toast for his rescue and safe return to camp. All the army drank to his health and prosperity and the cheering seemed without ending. He didn't notice Hephaestion getting down from their shared couch, not until he returned and put his arms around his shoulders, gently pulling him up from his reclining and most relaxed position amongst the soft cushions.
"Alexander. We have received some very bad news from the South. You must hear this out at once. "
"What do you mean by this? You cannot disturb me now when we are celebrating at our best!"
Hephaestion saw that his friend had gotten the worst from all his drinking, even though he had seen to all the wine being well watered. Alexander's cheeks were flushed, his eyes shiny and he was so very warm, almost as if he were to come down with some kind of fever. He had to act in a rash manner.
"Yes, I can and I must! This messenger just came in, telling us all of Athens and all the South thinks you are dead! Demosthenes told them all about your accident in one of his demagogue speeches. I cannot understand, however, how he got to know of this calamity so very soon. "
Craterus came up to them.
"My King, my General Hephaestion, you must excuse me for overhearing these dire news. I surely can understand this ominous business in the South. It must have been Eumenes "friend" Curios spying upon us all. He went missing just after your accident, Alexander. He must have run away and told the tale to Demosthenes!"
Alexander rose to his feet, suddenly stone cold sober.
"We must call a War Council here, at once! Time is of the essence!"
Servants cleared all the tables and all cups and wine jugs were carried away. All the guests were leaving and the couches were set in a close packed position, just for the King and the High Command. Alexander addressed them with serious concern.
"My gentlemen, the South is in an uproar. We will be forced to the utmost efforts to settle the Peace once more. And we cannot leave the Getae and the Illyrians unchastised behind our backs. "
The leaders of the mightiest war machine on Earth came together in careful planning. No one who hadn't seen it for themselves would have believed that King Alexander had been in a drunken stupor shortly before the War Council. He was looking his very best and bravest, a golden wreath upon his clear brow, his beautiful golden hair in wavy curls and his gray eyes set upon brave defense and even braver conquests.
"We'll have to deal with the Getae first. I have a plan..."
The Getae Getting Surprised
The Getae were peacefully minding their own business, being most satisfied with their mighty warlord Gehrig and his allied Ohrlasz, the terrifying Scythian. Their combined efforts had liberated them from the Macedonian threat for a very long time to come. The Macedonians had made a withdrawal in complete confusion without their young King. No one could have survived that nasty fall into the swirling waters of the Danube. King Alexander would never more frighten and harass his hapless neighboring countries with his wily and ingenious war ruses. A field of high growing early spring corn was merrily waving to and fro in the golden rays of the sun. The peaceful farmers of the Getae were walking towards the fields in an anticipating row with scythes and sickles in their hands, expecting a very fine and abundant harvest.
A mild breeze of spring first made a ripple through all the corn ears. It just went on, and on, and on, growing like a mighty tidal wave. Suddenly, a whole army of fierce Macedonian warriors rose from the barley field. In front of them marched a mighty golden haired warrior in silvery armor flashing in the bright spring sun. His helmet was crowned by two white feathery plumes, flying like victorious eagle's wings. He was closely guarded by two black maned giants and an auburn haired, strong and determined champion.
"King Alexander is back! But, he is supposed to be dead!"
The poor Getae farmers got the fright of their lives. They dropped all their scythes and sickles to the ground and ran for their very lives, screaming in sheer terror. The warlord Gehrig collected all his men in arms as quickly as possible - but it was very little they could do. The Getae felt like the Grim Reaper had come upon them, and all in one day they fell like wheat before the scythe of the Macedonian war machine. It was a grim and bloody harvest that fell upon them this ominous day of Spring.
Alexander felt satisfied with himself. The ingenious war ruse he had used against the Getae had been cruel, but necessary. The enemy didn't expect the river crossing at all. They didn't even think the Macecdonians were still at large. The floating rafts had been working excellently and the fields with the high growing spring corn was a diversion that came in handy. It was Hephaestion who had chosen the right place and suggested that they should hide themselves in the corn fields. The Getae had been totally surprised and their armed men came far too late to their defense.
Now the peace negotiations were over. The warlord Gehrig had submitted to all the Macedonian demands and promised to keep to his side of the Danube. No more raids from the North, and the Macedonian farmers could work and sleep in peace from now on. One thing annoyed King Alexander, though. When he asked the defeated Getae warlord what he and his people feared the most the proud man defiantly answered him:
"We are afraid of nothing and fear no one, except that the sky might some day fall down upon our heads!"
This made his victory somewhat less devastating but at long last there was peace in the North.
Pella 335 BC
The Serpent's Nest
The Macedonian capital was brimming with intrigue like a serpent's nest. All citizens were in shock and fear at the devastating news of King Alexander's death at the Danube. What would happen now? Who would grasp the supreme power in Macedon? In the Royal castle things were looking even more ominous. The Regent Antipatros and the Queen Olympias had brought their mutual dissent out in the open and they were watching each other with hatred and cold calculation.
Queen Olympias was sitting secluded at an oval table in her dimly lit chambers, her eyes red and weary from crying over the death of her beloved son. Her faithful old handmaiden Hyrmina from Epirus sat at her side and at the other side of the table were her hand picked life guards Viper and Python. Those men looked as dangerous as their ominous names. Their armor consisted of scales in leather and iron. Some said that it wasn't armor at all, but their own hides! An oil lamp with a flickering flame stood in the middle of the table. It was surrounded by a circle of bottles in green and blue glass and some jars in dark, green stained terracotta.
"My faithful friends, time is of the essence. We must act in haste, before our Enemy puts us all to death. Now when my dear Alexander cannot protect us from him we are in grave danger. Every minute can make a difference!"
She took one of the green bottles in her hand, gently tapping it with her sharp fingernails.
"This is completely without smell or taste - but it will work fast - very fast. We must only find the means to get to our Enemy before he gets to us!"
They put their heads together and started whispering. The flame from the oil lamp flickered to and fro in agonized gyrations, as if from sheer dislike of their poisonous plans. All the Queen's snakes hissed in their baskets and clay pots. If they had but been granted the gift of speech they surely would have partaken in the sinister plans.
At the other end of the Royal castle the old Regent Antipatros sat wringing his hands, together with his associate the General Polyperchon.
"Why did King Alexander have to get himself killed in that reckless accident? Macedon is in grave danger - but we are in even worse peril. We must have the Sorcerer Queen killed, before she puts us to death with her poisons and sorcery! "
"But, my Regent - we cannot kill the King's mother! There will be trouble with Epirus - and she has many dangerous friends in high places. "
"There will be even more trouble when she poisons us - or has us stabbed someplace in the dark. We won't be safe one minute as long as she stays alive!"
The two men huddled together, whispering, making sinister plans to rid themselves once and for all from their most feared Enemy.
Dream Of Hope
Queen Olympias patted her favorite snake on its scaly head and addressed him as if he had been human:
"My dear Glaucos, I wish you could guide me to the Dream Kingdom and show me a path to get rid of my Enemy! My life is empty and worthless without Alexander - but I still wish to get rid of that horrid man!"
The giant speckled snake hissed in a friendly manner and slid comfortably over her neck and cheek. She fell to her knees, leaning over the bed and cradling her head in her arms. Now she was weeping uncontrollably into the white furs, as a shock of her red hair came unbound and washed like a crimson cloak over her back and shoulders.
"Oh, Alexander, my Dearest One. Why did you have to die and leave me all alone, prey to my worst Enemy? It is a thing of utmost horror for a Mother to survive ones own dearest child!"
She cried long and hard for several hours before she succumbed to a troubled sleep wrapped into the warm white goat skin furs.
/ A cold hand with long claw like nails came down on her shoulder. She looked up in an unusual fright, seeing the Dark Goddess before her, clad all in black, her face white like chalk, her opulent jet black hair coiling with hissing vipers. Three black dogs cowered at her feet, eager to do her dark biddings. The mighty Queen bowed her head in reverence.
"Oh, Threefold Hecate, what do you want with me? Is it time for me to follow my Dear Son Alexander to the Gates of Hades?"
The Dark Goddess answered, her voice almost compassionate:
"No, dearest Child of Mine. Your son is not dead. He has been saved by his dearest friend and will go on to many glorious victories. You must stay your hand, let your Enemy be and abide your time. Tomorrow glad tidings will come to you and yours. Now you must rest easy and let me send you the sweetest of dreams. "
Queen Olympias felt the cold hand stroke gently and comforting all over her brow and long red hair until wonderful pictures came before her Inner Eye. A strong, auburn haired hero took her Loved Son in his arms, carrying him to safety through the swirling blue green waters of the Danube. Hephaestion! Always steadfast and reliable, the very best friend a man and King could hope for. A black, high spirited stallion protected Alexander from a pack of ravenous wolves as he lay helpless on the river shore. Bucephalus! A four legged friend, always there, fiercely fighting to save his Young Lord from all danger. A Cave of Care unfolded before her eyes. Her son was nursed back to health by his dearest friend, his good doctor, his reliable General and his faithful guards. /
All was well and the Queen fell into a deep and salutary sleep with tears of happiness on her cheeks.
Good News and New Servants
Hyrmina woke her up early in the morning.
"My Queen, You must rise. All is ready for our plans to proceed. Our Enemy will not see the sunset of this day!"
"No, Hyrmina. He will live to fight another day. We must put our green bottle away - for the time being. Today will bring us some glad tidings. "
"Glad tidings? What do You mean by that? We are all in deep mourning - and Macedon is in grave danger..."
Someone violently banged and slammed at the door.
"My Queen, there is important news from the front! You must come at once!"
Queen Olympias leaped out of bed and Hyrmina quickly helped her into her black robe and cloak, covering her uncombed hair under a dark veil rimmed with black laces. She almost ran to the Audience Hall. The Regent Antipatros was already there, occupying the Seat of Honour. Two men huddled before his feet. It was his son Cassander and the Secretary Eumenes.
"You may rise. What brings the both of you here in such haste?"
"We have some glad tidings to all in Pella and Macedon. King Alexander is alive and well! He has been saved by the Generals Hephaestion and Cleitus. It is like a true miracle. No one knows how they were able to find him at the river shore. And - the Getae has been defeated. There is Peace in the North!"
"This is truly wonderful news. Now we may rest easy once more - but - why did he send you two home as messengers?"
The two former conspirators bowed their heads, hiding their blushing shame as they handed over two scrolls bearing the Royal Seal, one to the Queen and one to the Regent. They were read with eager and reverend anticipation. After some time of astounded afterthought the regent took his unreliable son by the ear in a hard and painful grip and started to drag him out of the Audience Hall.
"You, my Cassander, will come with me. What did I tell you about obeying the King and not annoying him to our sad disadvantage! You have put the house of Antipatros in disgrace!"
Queen Olympias looked down on the Secretary Eumenes.
"Well, my good man. It seems I have found myself a most competent assistant. You will begin with dusting the shelves in the Royal Archives - and then I will have some important correspondence to dictate to you. My Son the King tells me you will do your very best to please me. "
The Danube, 335 BC
Moments Of Comfort
After the Danube campaign and the peace negotiations the Macedonians returned over the river to get some rest in their hidden camp. Messengers awaited them with more bad news. They knelt before King Alexander as they told their grim story. The Illyrian tribes had united and their mightiest warlords Clitus and Glaucias had managed to capture the important fortified town of Pelium and all the heights around it. This was the key point between Macedon and Illyria and it must have succor and be retaken at once! The most severe trouble was that the Illyrians had managed to unite all their tribes into an enormous army, spreading all over the heights and being able to hold all the important places around Pelium. Retaking the town and its surroundings would be like marching right into a nutcracker! To make things even worse the fierce Autariatians had made some advanced movements and now stood between them and their march route towards Pelium.
Alexander felt himself being washed over by a wave of fatigue and despair. Always at war with all his neighbors in all the cardinal signs. When one fire was extinguished enmity flared up someplace else. He needed a decisive victory, something to permanently deter all his domestic enemies so that he could leave for his Persian conquest with Macedon as a safe and secure home base. He told them all:
"Yes, this is indeed dire news. I'll think it over for myself and then we'll met in a new War Council early tomorrow morning. "
Alexander was very tired and he felt his head spinning when he walked towards his tent. He had been suffering from aches and stiffness in his neck ever since his accident but now the pain became unendurable. Liquid fire leaped like a searing stream from his neck all over his head and he felt two iron fists scratching his shoulders with grim talons. His powerful muscles betrayed him and plagued him when they contracted into agonizing cramps and spasms. He barely managed to get inside before he was engulfed by a wave of darkness. Two strong and friendly arms were there to catch him and he felt warm and secure despite his weakness.
Hephaestion was there for him, as always. He was one of the very few who knew the true state of the King's health and he had seen with rising alarm that Alexander was getting weaker all the time after their return to camp. His friend was hanging limp in his arms, cold sweat all over his brow and his whole body and he was very pale and wan. Hephaestion swiftly dragged him to his bed, quietly telling the guards
/" Fetch Doctor Philip here, immediately! I fear that the King is very ill again. But - you must not let anyone know or see him go inside. Use the backside entrance. "/
Hephaestion lifted Alexander from the floor and gently put him to bed, unlacing his corselet and removing his jeweled iron collar in the procedure. He was worried over the ominous pallor of his cheeks and his shallow breathing. Alexander was shaking as if from a violent chill and he covered him with a warm fur before sitting down and taking him into his lap. He gently supported his head and shoulders. The muscles were feeling cold, tense and clammy. The agonizing stiffness was so marked that Hephaestion could feel the pain and suffering of his friend creeping inside his own body. It was a blessing to be as close as he was to his Beautiful Golden One - but this time it almost felt like some kind of obsessive curse. Hephaestion put his hand upon Alexander's cold and clammy brow and told him with determination:
"My Dear One. You must get better soon - or else I won't be able to share this pain and suffering of yours anymore. "
Doctor Philip arrived at the back entrance, almost being dragged inside by the worried guards. He anxiously asked:
"How is Alexander? I thought he was almost restored, leading us with such confidence when we gave the Getae their worst surprise visit ever!"
"Yes, he managed to deceive everyone but his own body! It's that damn pain in his head and neck all over again! I saw it coming to him. He has no restraints. He simply will not give in to pain and weakness - and now he has to pay the price! Please, Doctor. You must help him! "
"Yes, let me just examine him, and then I'll know what to do. "
The good doctor felt the Royal patient's brow and neck, letting his fingers rest on the jugular to feel the pulse beating strongly but irregularly and way too fast.
"I don't think it is something worse than too much pain and tension. I'll go and prepare some medicine that'll make him feel much better. Just keep him warm and comfortable until I come back. "
Hephaestion sat cradling his friend, gently holding him for warmth and comfort. Soon he was rewarded for his patience as Alexander opened his beautiful gray eyes. They were clouded with mists of pain and exhaustion but he looked with gratitude upon his friend. He spoke with great difficulty :
"You. Always there for me when I need you the most..." "Alexander. How are you? You got me really worried for a while!"
"It's my head and neck! This awful pain...The cramps...I think I'm going to be sick!"
Alexander felt his stomach heave. The guards were there immediately, bringing a basin and holding him securely as he got violently sick. Afterwards he felt cold waves of dizziness reaching for him and he lost consciousness once more. Hephaestion wiped his face with a cold cloth and then put another on his cold and clammy brow. When Doctor Philip returned with the potion the patient was resting in the lap of his friend, looking worse than ever. Hephaestion looked up, telling the good doctor:
"I don't think he can swallow anything right now. This pain is so very bad it is upsetting his stomach. "
"We must try to give him this all the same. If he could just keep it down it will give him a good night's rest. That's what he needs the most right now. "
They managed to wake Alexander up enough for him to swallow the doctor's medicine. It was poppy juice mixed in strong red wine and as soon as he had taken it some color returned to his cheeks. Hephaestion felt the painful tension slowly leave him and saw how his breathing became easier. He gently turned him on his side, supporting him with cushions as he undressed and quickly took some broth and well watered wine the guards prudently brought him. The good doctor gave him prescriptions:
"Yes, Hephaestion. You must preserve your own strength in this dire crisis. Alexander will need several days of rest to recuperate from his exertions. You must watch him closely and see to it that he stays in bed until he is feeling better. "
Hephaestion spent all night at Alexander's side, faithfully keeping watch over his Beautiful Golden One. He gently stroke and massaged his neck, back and shoulders until he felt the muscles relaxing and the warmth returning to his friend's tormented body. Only then could he get some rest for himself. He crept under the warm furs covering Alexander, getting behind him and taking him into his arms. He held him close as he gave of his own strength and warmth. When he felt Alexander being warm and relaxed against him he at long last dared to succumb into a deep and exhausted slumber. The friends rested comfortably all night with both guards watching. Stefanos pulled the furs closer over them to give them a better shelter against the cold of the night. He gave them a worried glance:
"My Dear Ones. It is a good thing you are so very close - but I have great fear for your future. My Lord Hephaestion is a very strong man - but he cannot endure too much of all this pain and anxiety. "
His companion Alexios nodded in assent.
Heroic Dream
Alexander was having one of the very worst nights in his life. The pain in his head and neck followed him into his deepest sleep, tormenting his body and soul. Only his True Steadfast Friend holding him in his strong and loving arm could save him from completely losing all sanity. Now he felt himself engulfed in the most wonderful warmth and tenderness.
/ All his pain was gone and a beautiful golden light came before his eyes. It was Heracles once more. The young God stood before him in his cloak of lion's fur, the lion's head like a cowl over his own golden hair.
"My dear young King, I cannot understand what brings you into dire need and trouble all the time! Now when you are at your very weakest you will need all your wits and strength to retake the city of Pelium. "
Alexander addressed the young God with reverence:
"Yes, mighty Heracles. It seems like an impossible feat. The Illyrians are many and determined, well rested and in an inexpugnable position. We are exhausted from our long campaigning - and - I'm still weak after my accident. I don't even think I'll be up to leading another hard campaign as I feel right now. My wits are so addled by this damn pain and sickness, I simply cannot come up with any unexpected war ruses!. "
Only before the mighty God of Heroes the proud King Alexander was willing to admit that he had encountered insurmountable difficulties. The young God put his arm around him and covered him with his warm lion's cloak. Alexander felt all his aches and tensions wash away from his tormented body. His mind was restored to its ordinary lucidity and he was ready for another lesson of Divine Strategy.
"Your situation is desperate - but not hopeless. You are not alone in your troubles. No, you have the most formidable Friends and Companions - and the best army in the world. You must rely on them! This is how you can solve the Illyrian threat once and for all... "
Alexander first saw the town of Pelium, the rivers of Apsos and Erygon and its sheltering mountain passes as if on a big map. Then it all came alive before his very eyes and the God of Heroes pointed out all hidden dangers and possibilities to him. They spoke for a very long time, until Heracles put his big, strong hands upon Alexander's shoulders. They were radiating a wonderful golden warmth and the King felt himself filled up with new strength and vigor.
"You will remember all of this when you need it the most. Now I must leave you to your own strength and wits. "
Heracles lifted his right hand in greeting as the golden light slowly faded away. /
Alexander drifted back into a salutary sleep. Hephaestion felt the change and woke up for a short time. He recognized the wonderful warm glow around his Beautiful Golden One and knew Alexander has been given Divine help once more. He embraced his friend with new reassurance and drifted back into a far more relaxed sleep.
War Council
The Generals rose early and went to the King's tent. They were told to wait outside. King Alexander would soon be with them. They waited for hours and hours filled with anxious and determined speculations about the Illyrian threat. Where was the King? And - how was he? Someone had seen him staggering from fatigue the night before, able to stay on his feet only with the support of the General Hephaestion. Shortly after Doctor Philip had been brought secretly inside his tent - but all camp knew about this, and also his long stay with the King and his bringing a goblet of medicine. This was very bad news. The King couldn't be ailing in these hard times.
Alexander slept on through the night, at first fitfully but then more soundly. Hephaestion woke up long before the first light of day and heard the Generals gathering. Cleitus came inside, worriedly asking:
"We'll have to wake Alexander up. The news from Pelium are serious. The Illyrians have taken all the heights around the city - and the fierce Autariatians stand between us and our march route towards Pelium. It'll be like marching right into a nutcracker. I cannot figure out how we'll solve this dire crisis. Now we truly need his Military Genius!"
Hephaestion answered him with equal worries:
"Yes. I understand - but Alexander has been very ill. He will need all his strength before he can come up with some solutions. "
They sat brooding over the maps and dispatches in the dim light of sconces. The more they thought it over the more impossible the situation stood before them. The Illyrians held the key point to the West - and from Pelium they would be able to raid the southern Macedonian countryside at free will - or even make a veritable invasion of the precious Native Country. The Macedonian army was far away from home - and the Illyrians and Autariatians stood between them and their most important supply lines. Things were looking very dark indeed. Hephaestion felt his head spinning and his eyes became red and weary as he looked at the maps and imagined the poor town of Pelium beset by fierce Illyrian war tribes. His shoulders were drawn all up to his ears and his head dropped deeper and deeper into the annoying maps. He gave a great sigh and General Cleitus put a strong and comforting arm around him.
"You must not give in to despair, my dear young friend. What if Alexander doesn't recover in time to lead us against the Autariatians and the Illyrians? Then you and I must lead the defense - and you will have to forget all your troubles with Craterus once and for all! We need him with us to be successful. "
"Yes, but not even his famous Military Mind is enough to save us from this dire crisis. We need a miracle to come out of this unharmed!"
Alexander heard them, at first from afar, not being able to take in the meaning of their words. His head was filled with a gray mist of pain and fatigue and he had never before been feeling so very weak. Soon, he regained some of his senses and turned on his side, watching them with his eyes clouded from weariness. He listened intently now that he was able to understand more and more of their serious and troubled discussion. Complete knowledge of the crisis washed over the King all at once. He tried to sit up but fell back on the cushions, groaning and holding his hands on his neck. Cold sweat once more seeped from all the pores of his body and he almost lost consciousness again. The pain in his neck and head was intense, like red hot iron and he had to fight against nausea once more. It took him forever to gather enough strength to get out of bed and stagger towards his friends.
Hephaestion and Cleitus continued their discussion in vain, being quite unable to find any solutions. They both moaned and groaned, feeling depressed over the terrible fix the Macedonians were in. Suddenly, they felt a Presence glowing from power and determination right behind them. Strong hands were put on their shoulders and they looked up in surprise. Alexander was with them, his beautiful gray eyes filled with knowledge of their desperate situation. He addressed them, although he still had great difficulties with his speech
"Don't you worry, my dear friends. I know how we will defeat the Illyrians once and for all!"
Alexander suddenly felt how all his new found strength left him. His legs gave way under him. He would have collapsed in a sorrowful heap on the floor if Hephaestion hadn't come to his help, taking him into his strong arms and carrying him back to bed.
"Alexander! You are not supposed to be up at all. Doctor Philip told us you needed your rest!"
"Yes, I can feel that for myself - but we have enemies that wont' wait that long! Get me some of the Miracle Cordial! I cannot stand being like this any more!"
Hephaestion quickly found the jar and brought it. Alexander was still very weak and he had to cradle him in his left arm and put the jar to his lips. The King took some small sips, followed by a deep draught that restored the color to his cheeks. Now he was able to sit up but he was feeling very weak. All the world was spinning around him and he had to sit for a long time, being supported by Hephaestion, before he was able to rise and put on his armor and purple Royal cloak. He was staggering from fatigue and exhaustion as he went to the outer chamber of the Royal tent to face the Generals. They gave him many worried glances, never having seen him so very pale and wan. Still he was glowing from some inner light and strength and they all felt reassured when he was in their midst once more. They gathered around a trestle table with all the maps and dispatches. Hephaestion and Cleitus were sitting on the right and left side of the King with Craterus and Ptolemy close by. They all brooded over the serious situation. At long last King Alexander addressed them:
"My gentlemen. Once more Macedon is in grave danger. We must retake the city of Pelium and drive the Illyrians from our borders once and forever. There are no other options. We will march towards Pelium first thing in the morning!"
"But, my King, the fierce Autariatians now stand between us and our march route towards Pelium. And, if we manage to reach there all the heights around the city are beset by the Illyrians. There are so many of them that we are grossly outnumbered. We will be marching right into a nutcracker. They will utterly defeat us. "
The General Craterus came up with these serious objections, just as a messenger came riding in great haste outside, before he dismounted and came rushing inside the Royal tent. He knelt before Alexander, speaking quickly and almost out of breath:
"My Lord, my Master Lambarus, King of the Agrianians, wants you to know that he has defeated the Autariatians and driven them away. Your march route to Pelium is now secure. "
This was a True Sign from Heracles. Now Alexander and his High Command had been given new Hope.
TBC