Hephaistion had waited for Alexander to come to his rooms. They had arranged that they would meet here and then go on to the theatre.
The servants had lit the lamps, by the time Hephaistion decided not to wait and ate supper alone. He then went out on to the small balcony and looked up at the stars, trying to remember their names, then he just looked out in to the darkness, listening to music playing somewhere in the distance, someone laughing, dogs barking, a child crying.
Sighing, he stepped back in to the room and undressed, taking care to pack his clothes away in the wooden chest. He extinguished all of the lamps, save one, then climbed in to bed, enjoying the comfort, but wishing it was shared.
He had watched Alexander with Olympias, and noted how tense Alexander seemed around her. She had not stayed at the games for long, but she had Alexander leave with her and he had not returned. Ptolemy, Seleucus and Perdiccas remained a little longer, but then, they too, had gone.
Unable to sleep, he considered how his life had changed since he had come to Pella. Trying to remember what his hopes and aspirations were when he arrived with a message for the king…for Philip. That he was almost a victim of Philip's desire, and if it had not been for Alexander he might not have been saved. But before then, perhaps becoming a captain at the garrison was the best he ever hoped for, that Lysias would stay by his side.
He had friends at the garrison. Many friends. While he understood the natural wariness of Alexander's companions, he had hoped by now they would see him for what he was, not what they thought he might be.
He turned over on to his side, and punched the pillow in to shape. Being with Alexander made his life easier. When he was with Alexander he felt he had the strength to cope with the time he spent alone. Only Olympias' return might mean he spent more time in isolation.
Closing his eyes, he lay still until he felt sleep begin to claim him. He had made his choice. There was no going back.
Not sure how long he was asleep, Hephaistion awoke as he heard the door to his room open. He reached for his dagger, but let it go when he saw it was Alexander.
"I thought you might be sleeping," Alexander whispered, closing the door and stepping towards the bed.
Hephaistion smiled. "I was, but I am glad that you woke me."
"Can I stay here?" Alexander asked.
"You know you can."
Alexander quickly undressed and climbed in to bed next to Hephaistion. He wrapped his arms around him and kissed him gently on the lips, but seemed a little hesitant, almost as if he were afraid to touch. He took Hephaistion's hand and held it to his chest, but made no further move and offered no explanation of where he had been.
Hephaistion turned and blew out the lamp, Alexander still held his hand, as if afraid to let him go. Wanting to offer comfort, Hephaistion wrapped his free arm around him, pulling him in to an embrace. Alexander nestled his head on Hephaistion's chest.
"I should marry," Alexander murmured, lifting his head a little, as if he were going to try to look in to Hephaistion's eyes, but changed his mind. "Before I go to Persia I should marry."
Swallowing down his emotions at Alexander's statement, Hephaistion struggled to know what to say. Before he could reply Alexander spoke again.
"I asked my mother about her honouring Pausanias' body. She said that she had no part in my father's murder, but placed the wreath on his murderer's head in gratitude, because of how my father had treated her."
"And what of Eurydice?"
"Eurydice?" Alexander hesitated. "She will not harm her…or the children. I explained my reasons for letting her live. I am no tyrant, Hephaistion."
Hephaistion kissed the top of Alexander's head. "No, you are not," he agreed.
"I took her to Epirus. When my father banished me, I took her there, to keep her safe. I left her there, and was glad for it. Like at Mieza, I could think clearly. I could not get away from her tonight, she plots and schemes, she protests and accuses until my mind is filled with her conspiracies, until I do not know which way to turn." He wrapped his arm around Hephaistion, holding him tightly. "I came back to my own rooms, trying to clear my head. What she says can make perfect sense to me, while I am with her. I needed time to think…and then I realised you were here." He kissed Hephaistion's chest. "I have never had anyone like you, Hephaistion. Someone I can trust. Someone I can love so freely."
Hephaistion broke the embrace, to move down the bed and lie face to face with Alexander. He caressed the side of his face, and kissed him with a gentle passion.
When their lips parted Alexander smiled, pulling Hephaistion even closer to him. "I do not need a wife," he whispered, returning the kiss with a stronger passion.
OOXXOO
Ptolemy was surprised to see Hephaistion on the parade ground. For the past fourteen days he had seen nothing of him, almost as if he had been taken from the world. The games had been completed, and Alexander had attended banquets, met with ambassadors and hunted with his friends, but there had been no sign of Hephaistion.
He was almost tempted to go over and ask where he had been, but then Alexander got there first. Watching them he knew where Alexander had been spending his nights. He saw Alexander reach for Hephaistion, saw the laughter between them and began to realise that he might have been mistaken.
Still, he made no effort to offer friendship as Hephaistion rode up alongside him and waited to discover which troop he would be leading. Seleucus, Perdiccas, Philotas and Cassander waited too, only moving as the troops were called out and they went to meet the men they had been designated.
Ptolemy watched. Hephaistion had not been given any favours. They each had a mix, some good, some bad, but Hephaistion had Caletor, the race winner in the games, an excellent soldier and yet a born troublemaker.
Hippodamus was with Hephaistion now, joking with him, nodding towards Caletor. Hephaistion seemed untroubled, calling his men to order and moving them away to the far side of the parade ground so that he could talk with them.
Alexander had gone over to Antipater and Cleitus. He was pointing out an area, and looking over to where the phalanx were already going through their paces. He seemed relaxed, at home in this environment.
Curious. Wanting to see what would happen, when a man not trained to lead would be given the chance to head a troop, he directed his men over to the same area. A couple of them, Iasus and Echepolus, called out to him, pleased with their new leader. Ptolemy turned and smiled at them. They were both opposites to the loud-mouthed Caletor, and with their approval he knew his troop would work well for him.
They had been instructed what exercises they needed to work on. Each part of the cavalry to practice in troops, before coming together and working with the phalanx to come as close to battle formation, to hone several techniques and strategies which could only give them an advantage in combat.
Cassander and Nearchus were having a discussion. Seleucus was talking to his men, his hands painting the manoeuvre. Perdiccas had his men dismounted, gathered around him.
Ptolemy looked to his left. Hephaistion's men were also dismounted. He gave a wry smile. Caletor had wasted no time, and was loudly declaring that they had all been dealt the worst of it, given a leader who had only known garrison life and had only achieved this position because of what he was to Alexander. Ptolemy's hand tightened on his rein.
Caletor deserved to be whipped for his insolence. He had no right to talk like that, and he knew it. But the men were with him, Caletor looked to them, signalling for them to agree with him, to purge themselves of this nobody before they found themselves stuck with him.
He turned his horse, meaning to go over there and sort out the problem. But Hephaistion stepped forward and he stopped, aware the men of his own troop were also watching, to see what would take place.
OOXXOO
It was the last thing that he needed, but expected that this might happen. That some challenge would be issued as to his authority.
True enough, he had only come from the garrison at Methone, Caletor had him there. As for Alexander…that was true as well. He had not earned this troop on merit, but because of Alexander's feelings for him.
"Caletor," he began, speaking loudly so that the troop could hear him above the noise of the parade ground. "I saw you win at the games. Not in wrestling, but in the races."
Caletor stepped forward, grinning. "I can't be beaten. Why do you think you could?" He turned back, obviously appreciating the support of the rest of the men.
Hephaistion looked to the ground, then back to Caletor. "You should be punished for the way you speak to an officer," he said, "but what you say is true. So I will make a bargain with you." He pointed to his left. "See the stump of that old tree in the distance there?"
Caletor looked. It was a fair distance but he could run to there and back easily enough. "I see it."
"I challenge you to a race. If you win, I will go to Alexander and ask him to relieve me of my duties here…"
"And go fight in the phalanx.," Caletor laughed, the men laughing with him. He spat on the ground, then looked at the tree stump judging what his pace should be.
Hephaistion smiled. "If I win, I want your full support and obedience, Caletor."
It was done. Hephaistion would soon be just a memory. Caletor scoffed at the stupidity of the man. He had seen him win at the games and yet he had set up this challenge. Perhaps he did not want to lead them, perhaps he had no stomach for a fight. Well let him go lie with Alexander, and leave the fighting to the men. "I accept," he said, his voice sarcastic.
Caletor removed his breastplate and greaves, amused to see that Hephaistion had not removed his armour, not even his helmet. "I don't think you want this command," Caletor said.
"Oh, I want it," replied Hephaistion. "When you're ready, Caletor."
Caletor could not believe he was being given the added advantage of decreeing when the race would start. He jogged on the spot, taking in deep breaths of air. He smiled, when he noticed Ptolemy's troop were also watching. This was better than the games. He only feared Alexander might be angry with him for dislodging his favourite. Still, it was this Hephaistion's choice. Not his.
Hephaistion watched. Waiting for the moment that Caletor would launch himself forward. When he did a loud cheer went up. He was their champion. Loud-mouthed and opinionated but well thought of, a man who was a natural leader…if he only had the brains he was born with.
Hephaistion went to his horse. Leaping on it's back he pushed the mare forward, controlling it's pace, so that at only a canter he soon gained ground on Caletor. Not bothering to look down at the man, but hearing him cry out, knowing instantly he had been beaten, Hephaistion then released the horse in to a gallop.
In an excellent display of horsemanship, he wheeled the mare around the tree stump, galloping back, past Caletor, leaving him in a cloud of dust. As he arrived back the troop cheered him. He dismounted, the men stepped forward, patting him on the back, praising him for outwitting Caletor. They had not thought of it. They would be happy for him to lead them.
It took a while but Caletor came back. He rested his hands on his knees, trying to fill his lungs, looking up at Hephaistion and shaking his head. He stood up, walked over to Hephaistion and put his hand on his shoulder. "You won," he said, and smiled, shaking his head in disbelief. He looked to the men. "This is what we need. It was a clever trick. With Hephaistion leading us, with a mind like his, we'll do well…believe me."
Hephaistion put his arm around Caletor's waist. "You run well."
Caletor grinned, still breathing hard, he studied Hephaistion. "Maybe I should have wrestled you."
Hephaistion caught hold of Caletor's left wrist, twisting it as he hooked his foot around Caletor's right ankle. Unbalanced, Caletor crashed to the ground.
"Maybe not," Hephaistion grinned, holding out his hand to help the man up.
OOXXOO
Ptolemy smiled. Watching as Hephaistion and Caletor went to their horses, Caletor listening eagerly to everything that Hephaistion said.
He shook his head. He would have had Caletor whipped for his insolence, Hephaistion had simply outwitted him.
He called to his own men. If they did not get this manoeuvre right, he would be the one without a troop.
OOXXOO
Hephaistion rode back to the royal stables with a smile upon his face. It had been a good day. His men had worked hard, and if not the best when brought together, they were not the worst either. With a little more practice, they would do well, if only Caletor could curb his enthusiasm.
Laughing to himself, Hephaistion jumped down from the mare. The day had gone from one extreme to another, his men even insisting on staying a little longer to discuss where things had gone wrong, where they could improve.
They themselves had a friendly rivalry with what was now Cassander's troop. He understood, just pleased that they had accepted him for himself. During a break in the afternoon, Hippodamus had come over and told them all that there new leader was General Amyntor's son. They were all impressed with that.
He untacked the mare, then left her in the care of one of the grooms, anxious to bathe and have some supper. Alexander had no banquets to attend, he had promised to be with him earlier, than usual, tonight.
It suited him, this isolation from the court. He knew Alexander wanted him away from Olympias. He could see the changes in Alexander when he had spent any time with his mother. At least, for now, Alexander was not talking of marriage, and that was enough for him.
As he stepped in to the palace a horrified scream rang out. Hephaistion could not place the direction of it at first, but the wailing increased, shouts of men went up, running could be heard along the hallways.
Eurydice's quarters.
Hephaistion drew his sword, heading in the direction of the young queen's rooms. He took the steps two at a time, turning to see Peleus, the man who had previously guarded Eurydice with him.
Peleus was leaning on the wall, his face pale, his body shaking. He saw Hephaistion and struggled to speak. "Olympias…she has killed them all."
Running forward he found Eurydice's maids in the hallway, on their knees, wailing and consoling each other. No guards stood at the open doorway, and Hephaistion slowed to a walk, suddenly fearing what he might see.
Eurydice was hanging by her neck. Hephaistion hurried to her, sheathing his sword, but pulling his dagger free, pulling a nearby couch over, to stand on, so that he could cut her down. Eurydice's body fell in to his arms. She was dead. Hephaistion laid her gently on the couch, noticing the blood on her dress. She had feared this. She knew she would be killed. She had feared for her children.
The blood. It was not Eurydice's. Peleus appeared at the door with Aristophanes and Cynageirus. They too had their swords drawn, but it was too late, the killings had been done.
In the queen's bedroom, the body of Philip's youngest son lay on the floor. His throat cut. Almost as if Eurydice had tried to hold the child but had been forced to release him. Hephaistion picked up the body and went to the bed. There was Europa, the little girl who had run to his arms. He sat down, holding the small corpse to his chest.
Cleitus ran in, Ptolemy straight after him, more orders were given, questions asked. Peleus had come to the bedroom. He stood in the doorway wringing his hands. "It was Queen Olympias. We couldn't refuse her. She dismissed the guard, told us to go. She had her guard with her. Four of them went in and we heard the baby cry, the little girl call out for her mother. But Eurydice, we did not hear her cry out…it was as if she was accepting her fate."
"Give the child to me, Hephaistion," Cleitus ordered.
Hephaistion gave the baby a final embrace, then handed him over. He went to Europa, reaching to touch her cooling hand, then he left the room.
Eurydice's maids had come to see to their mistress. They tentatively touched her, overcome with shock and grief. Touching the blood on her gown, looking to the bedroom, wailing once more.
"It had to happen," Ptolemy said, following Hephaistion. "Olympias would never let them live."
"Alexander…" Hephaistion began, but Ptolemy cut him off.
"You don't know Alexander when his mother is around," Ptolemy snapped.
Hephaistion looked at Ptolemy. "Eurydice said the same thing."
"She will not let anyone get in her path," Ptolemy warned. "Anyone."
More footsteps were heard from the hallway outside. Alexander entered with Antipater and Cassander. Cleitus went to him and reported what had been done, told him that Olympias was responsible.
Alexander looked at Cleitus, knowing what he said was true. He had told his mother to leave Eurydice unharmed, but she had not listened to him. Always thinking that she knew best. Waiting until the games were over and everyone was too preoccupied to stop her.
Although Cleitus tried to stop him, he went in to the bedroom, to see the children lying there. Taking only a moment to commit the scene to memory "Where is my mother now?" he asked.
"In her quarters no doubt," Cleitus replied.
Alexander nodded.
"Do you want a guard?"
As if puzzled by the question Alexander shook his head, looking up to see Hephaistion, not having noticed him before. Stunned by the slaughter; that his own mother had been directly involved, he could not think clearly. "No," he whispered, keeping his eyes to the floor. Ashamed that he was her son. She used to tell him that Zeus was his father; at this moment, he wished some other woman had been his mother.
He stepped forward, wanting only to leave these rooms.
"And what will you do?"
The question was asked by Hephaistion. Alexander stopped, not turning round, unable to look at him. In long, loving nights, together he had held Hephaistion, talking of the past, knowing that when he spoke of his mother, he had tried to assure Hephaistion that she was no danger. She would simply advise; she would never act. She had made him out a liar.
"I'll talk to her." Alexander took another two paces towards the door.
"It won't bring them back, Alexander."
Alexander turned with tears in his eyes, to gaze on Hephaistion. He felt as if he had lost him. All of his reassurances had come to nothing. He did not deserve to be loved, when he came from such a she-wolf. He needed Hephaistion, desperately, though, but held back from going to him, fearing his rejection.
"Don't give her the satisfaction," Hephaistion said.
Antipater, sensing that only Hephaistion could advise Alexander at this moment, signalled for those present to leave. The guards, helped the maidservants to their feet, and Alexander and Hephaistion were left alone.
Alexander looked around the empty room, to Eurydice, and then to Hephaistion. No longer thinking he had the right to touch. "I didn't know. I should have posted more guards, had Eurydice moved from here"
"You told her not to harm them. So if you go to her now, what will it achieve?"
"They will all think I am a tyrant."
"Your people aren't fools, Alexander. They will know who is responsible."
Alexander nodded, looking over to Eurydice's body, then to the bedroom. He took a step back. His heart lurched in relief as Hephaistion came suddenly to him, embracing him, his legs nearly buckled beneath him with the strength of love that he felt there.
"Don't blame yourself for this," Hephaistion soothed. "You weren't to know. I just don't want you going to her, I see what she does to you, Alexander. Sometimes I feel as if you are slipping away from me; that she is pulling you away from me. But I love you, Alexander, and I'll fight her for you if I must."
Alexander wrapped his arms around Hephaistion, holding him tightly to his chest. Closing his eyes he saw him for the first time, a messenger, looking around the room while his father read the letter he had brought. If he had known then; if he had realised how much he would love this man. "You have my heart, Hephaistion. Stay by my side. Help me."
"For as long as you need me," Hephaistion vowed. "Come, Alexander. This is no place to be." Holding each other around the waist, they made their way from Eurydice's rooms.