Alexander could not help but grin, when they rode back in to the village in something like a triumphant procession. The sight of the game brought people out to watch the return of the successful hunt, but when the men relayed the information of the attack on the Glaucini there were smiles and laughter.

Heading over to the stables, Alexander was aware that he was being pointed at. He looked over at Dalgon, and saw that although he smiled, he was quieter than the rest. He was obviously honest enough not to try to claim the victory, and if he ever hoped to be chief, then his reluctance to attack would have been noted by the entire hunting party and would, no doubt, spread throughout the village by nightfall.

He saw to Bucephalus, fetching hay and water. The other men had followed him, and patted him on the back, or grinned at him, as they saw to their horses. Going to Briseis, he found her distracted by the return of the other horses. It was a better day. He patted her neck, silently conveying the message that Hephaistion would soon take her hunting.

"Ey!"

It was Talis. He had already begun to skin the deer. Brandor was with him, holding his horse while he watched Talis work.

Alexander went over to them, and Talis grinned at him, then kept up a conversation that he could not understand a word of. Brandor nudged Alexander and spoke to Talis, no doubt telling him to be quiet for a moment as Talis fell silent.

Brandor pointed at Talis, then swept his hand around to indicate the village before rubbing his belly and smiling.

Alexander got the message. Nobody would go hungry.

Brandor nudged him again and raised his hand to waist height, then rubbed his belly.

"The children," Alexander said. "The children will not go hungry."

Brandor gave him a puzzled look, not understanding Alexander's words.

Shanna and a couple of women friends came over, carrying empty baskets, which they put down by Talis. Alexander noticed the other women nudge each other as Shanna spoke to Brandor, then looking to Brandor he saw him looking a little uncomfortable. The way Seleucus had looked when he had fallen for one of the women at court and then found himself sitting by her at a banquet, not quite knowing what to do with himself.

He wanted to be with Hephaistion, he stepped back and pointed to the hall. Shanna reached out and touched his arm, then signalled that Hephaistion was sleeping. He smiled and nodded his understanding before leaving them to go to his love.

There was an air of celebration in the main hall. Alexander was greeted warmly as he entered, men called him over to drink with them, while women built up the fires preparing for the feast to come. Children were running around playing.

Alexander noticed a blonde haired boy, being chased by a brown-haired one, and smiled. It had always been the other way as far as he was concerned. He had recognised something in Hephaistion from the first day they met, he had done the chasing as far as he recalled.

He had hoped to find Hephaistion awake, but he was still sleeping, oblivious to the noise outside. Alexander wanted to tell him about the attack on the Glaucini, to share the experience, and to ask again if a stranger could be chief.

He discarded the fur he had been wearing and made his way to the bed, sitting by Hephaistion's side, smiling at him, he looked so peaceful in sleep. He reached up to caress Hephaistion's face, it felt hot to the touch. He was no surgeon but it felt too hot.

"Hephaistion," he said, hoping to get some response, but Hephaistion slept on.

Alexander pulled back the furs and ran his hands under Hephaistion's shoulders, just enough to lift him to him. He cradled his head and called his name again, only louder, but still no reaction.

Letting him back down on the bed, he held his own breath while checking that Hephaistion still lived. All that he could hear was the beating of his heart, but he saw a slight movement.

It was all he needed. He bolted from the room, hurrying through the main hall to the doorway, where he shouted for Talis, waiting to see the man react, before running back to be with Hephaistion, feeling as if each moment were precious, as if he were in the middle of a nightmare.

He ran to Hephaistion's side, then held his breath again while he watched for the slow rise and fall of Hephaistion's chest. Still there. It was still there.

Talis hurried into the room, followed by Brandor and Shanna. He spoke to Alexander, but Alexander could not do anything but gaze on Hephaistion. Talis pushed him out of the way, then felt Hephaistion's face, shaking his head, then thinking for a moment before he started stripping the tunic from him.

He gave orders to Shanna, who quickly left, then spoke to Brandor. Brandor went to Alexander, crouching down and making him look at him. His face told it all. Hephaistion was dying.

Brandor spoke quietly to Talis, and Alexander glanced over to see the disbelief on the large mans face. He held his hands out, shrugged his shoulders, then ran his large right hand across his face as if he needed to think.

Shanna returned with a bowl of water and a cloth. Talis took it from her and began to wipe Hephaistion's body and face. Alexander stopped him, then took the cloth, he wanted to do what he could to help his friend.

"Hephaistion, stay with me," he pleaded, trying to stop the distress he was feeling from sounding in his voice. He wanted to scream to the Gods to save him, but he bit his tongue and carried on with his task. He knew Hephaistion's body so well, each stroke with the cloth reminded him of what he would be losing.

Talis grunted and pulled on Alexander's arm, wanting him out of the way. Alexander moved. Talis touched Hephaistion's face and shook his head, then some decision made him act. He picked the sick man up, lifting one of the furs with him, and without looking back left the room.

Alexander followed. A sudden irrational fear took him. That a dying person might be taken outside, removed from the village. Talis was headed outside, quickly striding through the hall. Brandor was tugging on his sleeve, trying to stop him, but it was like a child trying to stop an ox.

It was getting dark, a few flakes of snow were falling. The cold and the promise of a feast had brought everyone in to the hall, the village was deserted except for a few men who stood guard, wrapped in furs, with meat cooking over their own fires; fires which illuminated the way as Talis strode out of the village.

Alexander caught up with Brandor. "What's he doing? He can't abandon Hephaistion." He did not care that Brandor could not understand him. If this was some custom of the tribe, to cast out the sick and dying, then so be it, but Hephaistion was no member of this tribe and he would not see him abandoned.

He ran to Talis, just in time to see him lower Hephaistion down in to the snow, pulling the fur away, so that his skin lay against it. He spoke soothingly, kindly, like a proud father to an honoured son, as he scooped snow around Hephaistion's body.

"The snow will cool his body," Alexander whispered, suddenly understanding that Talis was still trying to help. He fell to his knees, cupping his hands to help scrape the snow over Hephaistion's body. Brandor stood by, holding the fur, speaking to Talis, who did not reply, he was too busy concentrating on the task at hand.

It took time, they were all shivering from the cold before Hephaistion's body cooled enough for Talis to be satisfied. He took the fur from Brandor, and then placed Hephaistion on it, before carrying him back to the hall. Concerned questions were asked as Talis took him back to the chief's room. Talis shook his head then gave orders to a couple of the women.

Shanna was waiting in the room, she stepped forward as they entered, as if not sure whether Hephaistion would still be alive, and needing the reassurance of seeing for herself.

Talis lay Hephaistion down on the bed, pushing aside the furs. He felt his face and then grinned up at Alexander.

Alexander did not feel so sure. Hephaistion had not yet woken and lay too still. Even after the time in the snow, he was not even shivering. He went to the other side of the bed and took his left hand. The bandage was wet, but it did not matter, he entwined his fingers between cold, lifeless ones and sent another prayer to the Gods. A prayer that he if he should one day conquer, then he would offer a large tribute to them, if only Hephaistion were by his side; if only they would let him live.

Grayroc came into the room and spoke to Brandor. His face showed that he believed Hephaistion would die. Brandor did not approve of what Grayroc was saying, he went to step forward, but Talis held his arm and pulled him back, shaking his head. Brandor heeded the advice even though Grayroc seemed to be goading him.

Shanna spoke, her tone was angry. She walked over to Grayroc, her head held high, like a queen, and whatever she said had the desired effect as Grayroc left the room.

The two women Talis had spoken to came in with bowls of snow. Talis picked up the cloth and lifted some snow into it, folding it over before handing it to Alexander, with the obvious instruction to soothe Hephaistion's body with it.

"Hephaistion," Alexander said, hoping to see a reaction, but none came. In the morning he had seemed to be recovering. He should never have left him had he known. "Hephaistion," he said again, a little louder.

"Hep'astion?" Talis asked, pointing.

Alexander nodded, realising that Talis had not known Hephaistion's name. Perhaps he had not bothered to learn it on the day they met, and now that he was sick there was no way of clearly asking.

Talis brushed the hair from Hephaistion's face, it was wet from the snow. He spoke to him, calling his name, but there was no response.

Alexander watched Talis, wanting to tell him how much Hephaistion meant to him, wanting to share more than just a name. Talis would not know how he could tease, and laugh; how he could always find the right thing to say, or give the best advice. He had not seen Hephaistion in battle, seen how strong he was, and yet, at night how loving he could be. He had known Hephaistion drunk, elated, happy, sad, determined, fearless, fearful, proud, defiant, thoughtful, forthcoming, quiet, playful and more. He was loyal, and he loved him. They loved each other.

"They cut his hair," Alexander said. "The Glaucini. They cut his hair. It should be longer. They meant to sacrifice us, but he saved me…and even now, he would die, happy knowing that I lived." Tears came to his eyes. "I don't want to go on without him."

They could not understand him, but they heard the pain in his voice. Talis put his hand on his arm, and Shanna came to him and held him to her in comfort, like his mother used to when he was a child, before he knew Hephaistion.

Talis got up and left the room. Shanna stepped away, but brushed her hand against Alexander's face, speaking kindly to him. Alexander noticed Brandor looking uncomfortable. It had been Brandor who had saved Shanna first, pulling her back from the attack. It had been Brandor who came after him when he saved her for Hephaistion. And Brandor had blushed when she was near. He loved Shanna.

Alexander smiled. It would usually be Hephaistion who would notice such things, while he was oblivious to them.

Brandor left, without saying a word.

Alexander scooped some melting snow from a bowl, wrapping it in the cloth, and then began to wipe it over Hephaistion's body once more. He felt his face, it was still cool. He wiped the cloth from his neck to his stomach, then repeated the process to have Hephaistion groan, and his right hand lifted weakly as if to try to stop the cooling.

"Hephaistion?"

Blue eyes flickered open and then closed.

Alexander felt as if the sun had just come out from behind a cloud. "Hephaistion," he said. When he got no reaction, he wiped the cloth against his body, delighted when he moved against it, trying to get away from it.

Talis came back holding a small wooden bowl. Alexander turned to him and smiled, while Shanna spoke, no doubt informing him that Hephaistion was waking. Talis replied to her, sounding happy, speaking so loudly that the blue eyes flickered open again. Laughter went up from the hall outside, someone began to sing.

Talis came up to Hephaistion and passed the bowl, full of green water, smelling of herbs, to Alexander, while he lifted up his patient, holding him against his chest as he had before. Then he signalled for the bowl, bringing his free hand up to cup Hephaistion's chin. "Ey," he said loudly, getting the eyes to open, as he brought the bowl up to Hephaistion's lips, just letting a little pour into his mouth. He lifted his chin then, and Hephaistion swallowed, then sought more.

Talis grinned at Alexander, then spoke to him, before tilting the bowl to offer a little more. By the time the drink was gone, Hephaistion's eyes were open and gazing on Alexander. "I'm tired," he murmured.

"You've been in a battle," Alexander replied, taking his hand. "I think the victory is yours, though."

Hephaistion nodded his understanding, then turned his head to see who was holding him, looking back on Alexander before closing his eyes. "I'm hungry," he said.

Alexander looked at Talis and Shanna, not knowing how to ask for food. Talis was looking at him. Alexander took the bowl and acted as though he was eating from it, then pointed to Hephaistion. Talis nodded and spoke to Shanna, who headed for the hall. Alexander smiled, that had been easier than he thought.

He put his hand on Hephaistion's thigh, the leggings he wore were wet from the snow. Alexander untied them and pulled them off, leaving him naked. He reached for some furs and covered the lower half of his body, wanting his love comfortable. He stood up and placed the leggings over one of the wooden chests in the room.

Sitting back, beside Hephaistion, Talis began to speak to him. He pointed at him, then thought for a moment, before pointing in a direction, Alexander could not tell. He nodded towards Alexander's chiton and the word 'grecon' was in his sentence, but he had already known they were Greek, or assumed they were.

It would suit them for the Therici to assume they were Greek, the idea that they were a part of the Sacred Band had worked well for them with the Glaucini. But Alexander liked Talis, and appreciated all that he had done for Hephaistion, he could not lie to the man. He touched his hand to his chest and then to Hephaistion's. "Macedon," he said.

Talis struggled with the word, then spoke again, pointing in another direction, that stretched far beyond the walls of the room they were in. "Macedon," he repeated, and nodded. He touched his hand to his patient's shoulder. "Hephaistion," he said, then pointed at Alexander.

Talis wanted his name. Taking a breath he said, " Alexander". He waited for recognition, for Talis to connect Macedon with Philip's son, but none came. He could not help but smile.

Shanna came back in with a bowl of broth and a plate of meat and bread. Talis had her wait while he signalled for Alexander to come and take his place. When he had, he handed him the bowl, then smiled and left the room with Shanna.

Hephaistion drank the broth, turning his head to look at the plate that Shanna had left on the bed. "Have you eaten?" he asked.

Alexander laughed, from the joy of having Hephaistion in his arms, with Hephaistion, caring if he had eaten or not. "Not yet," he replied, "I want to see if you can keep the broth down first."

"I won't be sick," said Hephaistion. "I feel better."

"I came back from the hunt today. I thought you were dying," Alexander whispered, kissing Hephaistion's neck gently.

Hephaistion nodded. "I was just tired…"

"I could have lost you," Alexander replied, wrapping his arms gently around Hephaistion, knowing that he had been in the grip of something more than sleep.

"Eat."

Alexander reached for the plate and picked up some meat and bread. He had not realised he was so hungry, he shared a choice piece with his companion, who chewed it slowly, then swallowed, before closing his eyes.

He moved then, letting Hephaistion lie back against the pillow. He stood up and undressed, then climbed in beside him, listening to each breath, and sending a prayer of thanks to Zeus for each one.