Chapter 7
Prompt: Disaster
Title: When Disaster Strikes
Three days later after the storm, Darius left the royal palace of Babylon heading north with his massive army. Once they had started their campaign, the king could not have any private moments with Hephaistion. The only time when he did enjoy the presence of the young Macedonian was at the daily war councils. He cherished these brief moments of meeting even more by the day, because he knew that Hephaistion would be gone very soon.
On the other hand, Bessus was waiting for an opportunity to strike. Ever since he had witnessed the sweet lovemaking between his cousin and the young Macedonian warrior, his mind was plagued with bitter envy. He felt that he had been treated unfairly, and it was time for him to stand up to do something about it.
'Why is only Darius so fortunate? I was as equally qualified as Darius, but at the end, Bagoas chose him to be the king. And now, he has captured the most beautiful man in the world. It is not fair. Somebody should teach him a lesson that he cannot and will not always win to get what he wants.'
It had been almost a month since they left Babylon, and the tension among the soldiers was rising, while they sensed the day to face Alexander's army was getting closer. The morale of the camp rose and fell with the omens they had recognized, as they became overly sensitive with them; even the direction of the wind whichever it blew determined the mood of the camp.
The night when they camped along the river of the Little Zab was particularly sensational. The soldiers gathered around the fire restlessly. The blood red full moon hung over the ridge of the Zagros Mountains. The night was in a complete silence; not even a chirp of an insect was heard as if it held its breath for fear. Everybody stared at the uncanny moon.
Hephaistion was no exception to this either; he stood outside of his tent, and looked up at the eerie sky like everybody else. While the edge of the moon darkened and the black shadow gradually ate away the red, the gasps of the soldiers were audible. He could hear the whispers rising from all directions.
"It's a bad omen. The moon-god, and the head of the gods, Sin is eaten away. It means the defeat of our god, the king."
Hephaistion wondered what Alexander was thinking while looking up at the same moon.
'I bet he is telling his generals that it is a good omen, because the sun, Alexander, is shadowing over the moon, the Persian king.'
Hephaistion smiled at this, but his brow clouded right away with the painful thought of what the Persian king was preparing to face. He knew that Darius was looking for an honorable death on the battlefield as a warrior king. Hephaistion was not sure what he was going to do. The only thing that was certain for him was that he could not simply go back to Alexander after the battle as Darius suggested. Nor he could take his own life, because that would mean a betrayal against Darius' sacrifice.
"King Darius summons you."
The voice of a royal guard brought Hephaistion's gaze back from the moon to the earth. He nodded to the guard in agreement, and followed him. To his surprise, the guard was taking him away from the camp.
"We are not going to the king's tent?"
"No, sir, the king would like to meet with you in private."
They walked along the riverbank until they were far enough that nobody could see or hear them. The half of the red moon had now gone increasing the darkness around.
"Hephaistion."
As Hephaistion turned to the voice in surprise, the guard punched him hard in his stomach making Hephaistion drop to his knees. All of a sudden, three more soldiers appeared from behind a tree. Before Hephaistion could even get his breath back one of the soldiers bound Hephaistion's hands behind his back, and the other tied his ankles together while the guard and the third soldier firmly held him in place.
He was propped against a tree facing to the owner of the voice.
"Bessus!"
"I'm sorry Hephaistion, but there is no Darius here."
"What is the meaning …"
"Patience my beauty, patience." Bessus cut in. "I'll explain it all. At least you deserve to know what would happen to you. I am a reasonable man."
Hephaistion glared at the smirking Bessus.
"Well, I think I am going to write an offer letter to Alexander, too. Let's see, I will request my status as the satrap of Babylon in exchange for your life and his victory."
Hephaistion scoffed.
"Are you so naive to think that Alexander simply accepts it? How do you convince Alexander that you can ensure his victory?"
"Remember? I have the whole left wing under my control. If I pull out far enough, it will eventually create a hole at the center where Darius commands."
Hephaistion was astonished. He realized that he had underestimated this Persian satrap. Bessus was quite a strategist and could be a great force for the Persians, if only he would have used it for his country's benefit, not for his own.
"But Alexander would not believe that you have me. How are you going to persuade him? If you are asking me to write a pleading letter to Alexander, then it will not happen."
"I know that. I have a better idea."
With this, Bessus snatched Hephaistion's sword.
"Alexander must love you very much."
Bessus pushed back the leather out of the hilt exposing the magnificent gem. It shone in midnight purple drawing a faint crimson glow from the red moon that was now coming out of the shadow of the sun once more.
"So beautiful, and look at these symbols. Vergina star and entwined letters? How many Macedonian soldiers do you think have this kind of sword? Do you think Alexander would believe that I have you if I sent this sword along with the letter?"
Bessus looked down at Hephaistion's paled face with satisfaction.
"I thought so."
"Darius will catch you before you can make a deal with Alexander!"
"Who would tell him? You have realized that the guard who brought you here is his, right?"
Hephaistion clenched his teeth.
"And if Darius ever decided to kill Alexander and win the battle, I have a solution to that scenario, as well. If he wins, then I will show him the letter from the bandit who brought you to Babylon asking another sum of money. When he goes to rescue you in the mountain, we trap him and murder him. Both the kingdom and you would be mine."
Bessus' dark eyes that were filled with lust and depravity gave Hephaistion a shiver of disgust. Bessus crouched besides Hephaistion and caught him by the chin. Hephaistion tried to turn his head away, but Bessus' grip was firm. A pair of wet slippery lips covered Hephaistion's. As soon as Bessus let him go, Hephaistion spat out. Ignoring Hephaistion's reaction, Bessus chuckled.
"What sweet lips you have! Now I completely understand why both kings are so obsessed with you. Humm, maybe I should use the same trick on Alexander, too. Whoever wins the battle, you and I would have fun together, or should I rather say that I would? I am not demanding, so you don't have to love me. I just take what I want."
Bessus licked his lips looking at Hephaistion with feverish eyes while giving an order to his men.
"Take him away, but make sure that you would never harm him, and take a good care of him. He is a precious jewel to me."
With this, Bessus left. One of the Persian soldiers put a linen sack over Hephaistion's head and loosely tied the string around his neck. Next moment, he was lifted and was swung over the horseback on his stomach.
Darius was spending a restless time in his tent next evening. He had not seen Hephaistion for all day, and nobody seemed to know where the young Macedonian was. He checked his tent, but it was empty with no sign of the owner ever sleeping in the bed.
"Bessus! Have you found anything about Hephaistion?"
"Yes, that is why I am here. I checked with a groom, and found out that he left late last night with his mare. I think he might have gone back to Alexander."
"But, it is not like him leaving just like that."
"I understand how you feel Darius, but I can imagine how strong the temptation of escaping would be for him. As Alexander's army is just a few days away."
Darius still doubted, and he hoped that nothing terrible had happened to Hephaistion. He was urged to go searching for him by himself, but at this point, when the battle was on the verge of breaking out, it was impossible for him to do so. He just wished that Bessus was right this time, and that when he faced Alexander on the battlefield, he would see fine Hephaistion by his side.
oooOooo
Alexander did not know if he should be relieved with joy or worried sick. The offer from Bessus had proved that Hephaistion did not betray him, but at the same time it raised the stake of the battle for him. He understood if he were ever to lose the battle, then the Persians would be sure to kill his Hephaistion. He had to win this battle no matter what. However, some of the reactions from his generals were something he had not expected.
"There! This letter from Bessus proves that Hephaistion is not a traitor."
"It could be a trap, Alexander."
Parmenion contradicted.
"Yes, Alexander, if this was a trap like my father says to make you drop your guard?"
"Then, it still does not prove that Hephaistion is not working to their benefit."
Craterus did not miss the opportunity.
"Your minds are all twisted! What more evidence do you need?"
At that moment a guard came into the royal tent, and announced the arrival of the king of Sidon. Alexander was impatient. He showered Abdalonymus with questions before he even had a chance to greet properly.
"What brought you here? Do not tell me that there is a movement of revolt in Phoenicia!"
"No, Alexander. Phoenicia is in peace and we all have faith in you for defeating the Persians. I am here, because I thought it was time for me to tell you about Hephaistion."
"What do you know about him?"
Alexander's heartbeat quickened.
"Hephaistion visited me before he left for Babylon. He was afraid that you would lose against Darius, excuse me to say this but because of your cockiness. He had a plan to steer the Persians to your advantage."
"Why did you not come to tell me sooner!"
"Because Hephaistion forbade me. He said that you needed to fool your allies first if you were to fool the enemy. But since I heard that you are facing Darius again, I wanted to let you know the truth before it was too late."
"Thank you very much Abdalonymus. Now here is another proof. Does anybody still doubt Hephaistion's loyalty?"
"No, Alexander."
"Good! Tell your men not to attack Hephaistion if they see him at the battle. Come, Abdalonymus, tell me more about it."
Alexander was grateful, but at the same time, he could not help guilt filling his heart. Now he knew that it was not his curiosity that drove Hephaistion away, but was his over confidence. Even if the reason was different, the outcome was the same. Because of his inconsideration, he had driven Hephaistion into such a dangerous situation.
He promised himself that he would never act this stupidly again if he got Hephaistion back by his side. Looking at the entwined letters on the blade of Hephaistion's sword that was delivered with the letter from Bessus, Alexander just hoped that he would be given a second chance.
oooOooo
Hephaistion struggled to stay alert. The sack over his head was making it difficult for him to breathe, and being placed on the horseback on his stomach with his head dangling around the side did not help it either. He lost track of the time as his mind moved back and forth from consciousness to unconsciousness.
Next time when Hephaistion became fully aware of his surroundings, he was in a cave on the mountainside. The sack was removed from his head, and the rope was cut to free his legs, but both of his hands were now chained to the wall. He could see two guards standing at the entrance of the cave, and two building the fire inside.
Hephaistion tried to find the opportunity to escape, but a pair of guards took turns to watch Hephaistion at all times. Besides even if he could succeed to kill the guards with some sort of a miracle, he could not move unless he was able to free himself from the bondage. The only relief to Hephaistion was that the guards followed Bessus' order, and did not bother him. They did not even come near him except when giving him a drink and food.
It was frustrating that he could not to do anything even if he knew that Alexander and Darius were both in danger under the cunning plan of Bessus. The time passed slowly, and when his anxiety became so unbearable that Hephaistion thought that he would cut his wrist off to escape, he heard the horses and commotion outside. Hearing the screams, two guards rushed outside. Hephaistion's heart beat like a drum. He fixed his gaze at the entrance expecting to see either Alexander or Darius. Instead, the chief of the Royal Bandit, Kurroglou came in.
"My, my, precious, it's you again."
Hephaistion swallowed to moisten his throat before speaking.
"What are you doing here?"
"It is my line. My man told me that the Persian soldiers were trying to steal our treasure hid at the end of this cave, but I see, they were trying to hide their own treasure here."
"Kurroglou, please free me and let me go. I will pay you later. I promise, but now, I need to stop Bessus."
"Bessus? Is he the one who captured you and brought you here?"
"Yes."
"So he stole the king's treasure. He is betraying his own king, then. I knew that I did not like something about that sleazy man. Bring the hatchet and cut these chains."
Kurroglou ordered one of his men, and soon, Hephaistion was free.
"Thank you. I am in your debt. I will repay you somehow."
"Don't worry about it. You have already paid me when I first took you to Darius. Just tell your king, whomever it is, to leave us alone, and let us do our job. Now hurry, your horse is outside. Just go straight to the west. They have already lined up at Gaugamela, the open field close to the town of Arbela."
When Hephaistion was just about to leave, the bandit chief stopped him by tugging the rein of Hephaistion's horse.
"Wait! Bring this with you, you cannot go to the battle without a sword."
They grabbed on each other's elbows and hugged while riding on horseback.
"Thank you for everything, chief."
"Don't you ever die at the battle, precious."
Hephaistion left the cave, and ran his horse down to the west. The sun was just about peeking out of the ridge. He did not know what he would do, but he would not let Bessus harm neither Alexander nor Darius. Feeling the warm sun on his back, Hephaistion's eyes were fixed on the battlefield far in front that had just come in motion. He prayed to the gods that he would not be too late.
TBC
A/N: Thank you again for your support! I hope this chapter was enjoyable as well ^_^