Chapter five
Hephaistion's world had become black only disturbed by the Hooded man, if that is what you would called it came to visit.
When it was around Hephaistion knew that bad things were going to happen so he ran he ran till he couldn't but he pushed himself harder every time and yet the hooded man didn't run after him, he walked a slowly relentless pace that always caught up to him and took hold of him with gnarled and bony hands to drag him kicking and screaming into the tarrying garb from which there was no escape.
Inside unseen hands would caress, touch and scratch whilst unseen lips would kiss, lick and bite.
He fought against them but if he got rid of one hundreds more would come in its place.
They would whisper to him in a hypnotic sort of way.
"Stay with us, you are ours be with us."
It went around and around like a snake eating it' own tail and very soon that fine barrier between sanity and insanity broke and Hephaistion welcomed it with open arms.
Sometimes, for brief moments Hephaistion was aware that the torments were only in his head and that he was in a tent that had a familiar feel to it and that he was surrounded by familiar people who were not going to hurt him but that was quickly silence when he felt and saw those gnarled hands reaching for him, no where was safe everyone wanted to hurt him the only relative safe place, was here in his mad world.
But things began to change; warrior men and women would come and chase away the hooded man.
He would call to Hephaistion.
"Come to me stay with me, we love you."
But he warriors would cry out as well causing him to hiss and spit at them.
"NO, no don't go, come back to us; we love you more come, your golden one awaits.
Hephaistion was caught in the middle, choosing the hooded man's word he found hypnotizing and he would start to go in his direction but as the warriors repeated "Your golden one awaits broke that seemed to break the contact and send Hephaistion going towards them. Once he was in the safety of their clutches they turned their backs on his nightmarish world.
Alexander was worried, it had been what felt like an age since the Indians had gone into Hephaistion's tent and sealed it.
He wanted to burst in and help when he heard Hephaistion's despite cries of "go away" followed by sounds that suggested they had a struggle on their hands but it soon fell silent and had been for sometime now. Only once did someone come out asking for a bowel of water and some fresh linen, everyone craned their necks to see inside but only saw the end of the bed and the others moving around it, once the items had been brought he disappeared back inside and the waiting began again.
"What do you think they are doing in there?" asked Cassander
"I have no idea, but it has gone on for quiet long enough." Alexander replied
He marched the short distance to the flap the tent and was about to call out to those inside when it opened from the opposite side and out came one of the Indians.
Alexander pelted him with questions till the Indian held up his hands for him to stop.
"We have found out what we needed to know will you help us by providing us with able men to go after this fiend."
Once more Alexander found himself trying to see inside the tent and agree to what was being asked of him.
"You may now go and see him." the Indian said stepping aside then stepping back when the others started to follow " not you."
Alexander looked back at the others and saw the tension in their bodies he nodded that it was ok and the tension left them.
He sighed and shook all of his own tension away before pushing aside him flap and entering.
As he entered the other Indian went pashed bowing to him as they went which he returned with a dip of his head.
The tent smelt of strong incense and herb and there was a faint smoke haze. Alexander slowly made his way to the bed till he was stood by it.
Hephaistion wasn't looking at him which wasn't a good signs, He looked so small and fragile huddled down semi propped up by the pillows.
Hephaistion turned to face him and Alexander waited for him to start screaming, but he didn't he just look at him.
A small movement by the side of the bed made them break eye contact and Alexander looked down at Hephaistion's open hand.
He took it before scooping him up in a hug of which Hephaistion barely managed to return.
"Alexander?" Hephaistion asked in a small voice " Can we go home now."
Alexander buried his face deeper to inhale the scent of Hephaistion hair.
"Yes Hephaistion, we can go home now," he said " But first I must do something."