Needs Met, FIVE
Continues directly following part Four. It is the night before the trial of the Thessalians accused of impiety. Alexander has a very bad night.
Alexander jerked upright out of sleep and shuddered at the reverberation of a cry ringing in his ears. Footsteps quickened from the outer perimeter of his tent and in the outer room and carried frantic shouting toward him.
"Alexander!"
He sank back down with a groan, waving his hand as four men arms at the ready, the horsehair of their helms swaying entered his chamber. "'Tis nothing, a bad dream." He closed his eyes, lay quiet a moment then opened them. "I am well, do not worry."
"You were shouting like a man besieged by the Erinyes. Such dreams, as you know are not mere dreams but torments bringing ill omens. Shall I send for Aristander?" Leonnatus asked.
Alexander shook his head. "Nay, for I cannot recall what it was I dreamed. What did I call out?"
"You were crying out to Athena for mercy." Hephaistion answered and turned as Ptolemy entered the bedchamber. They stood a moment together as word was passed on to the outer guard that the king was well.
"I am well enough. When does the first watch come on?" Alexander directed his question to Hephaistion.
"Several hours, 'tis the full of night." The rest was unspoken but each man knew the king's wish. Alexander sighed and threw back the blanket from his bed. The other men resumed their places while Hephaistion stood guard with his back to the door his eyes never leaving Alexander's face.
"Is the camp quiet?"
"Aye," Hephaistion shook his head in affirmation.
"I will sit a while and take some wine." Alexander strode about while a page was summoned from the outer chamber and wine was fetched. He sat idling thrumming his fingers against the wood frame of his bed while speaking quietly with Hephaistion. When the wine was brought he drank it slowly.
The night wore on, finally relieved by the first watch in the hour just before day break, Hephaistion put down his spear, shield and removed his helmet. He yawned and splashed some water on his face and sat on the edge of the bed next to Alexander. Their voices rose and fell softly stirring the stillness about them but a little.
"Lie back. You have had just as long day as I, longer even, for I have not had to stand watch for hours on end on top of the rest of my duties."
"I do not carry the fate of twelve men on my conscience, Alexander. I'll not allow your rest or thoughts to be disturbed this night, but act as guardian to them. The gods would be harsh with me did I fail in this."
"Aye, and I am thankful for your counsel and the comfort of your presence." Peritas appeared suddenly, and padded slowly into the room and sank down with a great sigh next to Hephaistion's feet on the carpeting. Thunder boomed somewhere in the distance.
"Zeus gives his omen of the day before us." Hephaistion spoke softly as he listened to the rumbling that seemed to near with every passing moment. He stroked the cool, silky fur of the sleeping dog that rested his large head upon his sandal clad foot.
"Aye, and I fear it is an ill one, only Peritas sleeps soundly." Alexander moaned and turned over wrestling for a moment with the pillow beneath his head. Hephaistion's hand came down gently upon his forehead brushing back the sweat dampened curls.
"Sleep a little, I'll not leave but will watch until you rise."
"I cannot and will not sleep. I feel a terrible uneasiness within. I hate such as this day brings. It serves nothing good, trial and execution both are bad for moral. It is too soon after victory for such a thing to occur. This carries an ill fate, it tastes of defeat. I'll eat nothing nor sit at peace until the sun has set on this day, and this duty finished."
To be continued...