It seemed to take an eternity for them to reach the village. When Alexander arrived he saw that it was half the size of that of the Glaucini, and judging by the people who watched them ride in, it was not doing half so well either. Cries went up, distress at so few returning, people stepping forward calling out.
Alexander's attention turned back to Hephaistion. He had kept the fur pulled tightly around him, aware of Hephaistion's gaze upon him as they rode. His face was flushed, he was too quiet, not even a word to assure him that things would be well.
Now, Talis came to fetch him, Shanna was there watching as Talis lifted Hephaistion down and held him securely in his arms before following the girl in to the hall. Alexander jumped down from Bucephalus, hurrying after them hearing Talis call out as they walked along, the hall was filled with tables and benches, like that of Stegran's, that of the Glaucini.
Shanna led the way through a doorway straight ahead, which entered in to a large room, two older women and three young girls were already there, as well as four men from the village, one of them looking like the male version of Shanna. Alexander guessed this was Grayroc, he spoke to Shanna, his voice sounding resentful, Shanna cut him off and pulled back furs on a large bed in the middle of the room, so that Talis could lay Hephaistion down. She pushed a pillow under his head and ran a hand along his face, smiling at him.
Alexander looked around the room, which was dimly lit by sconces on the wall, there was a fire burning in a stone hearth and its warmth made the room pleasant. There were weapons upon the wooden wall, two shields propped against a wooden chest and Alexander guessed that this was the dead chief Fladon's room and that was why Grayroc was objecting. They were giving them their best when they had so little themselves.
He went to Hephaistion, sitting by him, taking his right hand. He did not want to show any weakness in front of these men, and yet the thought of losing Hephaistion was too much for him to consider. He reached out, pulling off the fur hat that he had won, seeing Hephaistion in days at Pella with his long hair tousled from their love-making, laughter in his lapis eyes and on his lips, then the vision cleared to show him Hephaistion so sick before him.
Talis came round to the other side of the bed, taking Hephaistion's left hand, he uncurled the fingers to show Alexander the wound was red and inflamed. A scab had formed but there was infection underneath. Alexander did not need to know the language to understand that it needed treating. Talis turned and took a bowl of warm water from one of the older women. He placed Hephaistion's hand in to the water and held it there, talking to Alexander before he remembered that he could not understand and turned his attention back to Hephaistion's care.
Hephaistion had been gazing on Alexander, but had turned away to look at the wound, then to watch Talis. Now, he turned back to Alexander. "Don't worry," he murmured.
"Don't leave me alone." Alexander pleaded, his voice barely a whisper.
Hephaistion smiled but did not reply, he shivered a little and looked towards the fire burning brightly in the stone hearth.
"It's just as you wanted, Hephaistion," Alexander said, smoothing back Hephaistion's short hair, trying to hold back the tears that formed in his eyes. Hephaistion's face was hot, some tendrils were stuck to his cheek. "You have the fire….and the furs. Just what you wanted."
Hephaistion turned back to Alexander. "If the god takes me, and not you, then I will be glad, Alexander," he said, tears coming to his eyes.
"Don't talk like that," Alexander chided him softly, forcing a smile and wiping away a tear that fell.
Hephaistion's face had gone pale, he did not reply, but struggled up and began to heave. Talis did not give a chance for Alexander to act, he quickly moved the bowl of water, emptying its contents on the dirt floor, before bringing it back to Hephaistion and holding him up while he was sick once more.
"Ey," Talis grunted at Alexander, then signalled for him not to talk.
Alexander understood. Talking was making Hephaistion sick.
A woman came in to the room carrying a cloth pad, with a green paste steaming on it. She spoke to Talis, who pulled out his dagger, then cut in to Hephaistion's wound. Hephaistion flinched but kept quiet. Blood and pus erupted from the cut and the woman brought over the pad, which Talis took from her and placed across Hephaistion's palm. Another woman passed a bandage and the hand was bound tightly enough to hold the poultice in place. Talis fetched a cup and held it to Hephaistion's lips, gently encouraging him to drink down the entire contents.
Shanna came and sat down by Alexander. She held a damp cloth, and gently wiped Hephaistion's face and neck, speaking softly, almost songlike. Hephaistion's eyes closed as he drifted in to sleep.
Alexander wanted to stay, but the men pulled him up, putting their arms around his shoulders, they insisted he went with them in to the hall. Alexander looked over his shoulder to see that Shanna was overseeing Hephaistion's care, and he understood that here it was seen as a woman's duty to nurse the sick. He went with them, determined not to stay away too long.