The next morning they were left undisturbed.
Alexander awoke, wondering how late in the morning it was. He listened for any sounds from the hall, hearing some men talking, a child laughing, a woman singing.
"I thought you would never wake up."
Lifting his head, Alexander gazed in to Hephaistion's eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better," he replied. "Were you determined to stay awake all night to watch me sleeping?"
"You know me too well," Alexander replied. "But I thought you were dying last night; I had the right to be cautious."
Hephaistion ran his hand through Alexander's shorn hair. "Next time I turn a dagger I'll be more careful."
Alexander propped himself up on his elbows, then threw back the furs. The fire had died down in the night and the room felt cold. He reached for his leggings and pulled them on, then pulled the tunic over his head. Hephaistion was smiling at him.
He fetched some wood and stoked the fire, then pulled on his boots, telling Hephaistion he would go and find something to eat.
It was not so late. Although some people were awake, and nodded a greeting to him as he appeared, some were still asleep, looking as if they had lain down wherever they could find a quiet corner last night. Like after one of his father's banquets. His father. For a moment Alexander wondered what his father would be doing right now. If he thought of him, or not.
A woman stepped forward, and tugged at the sleeve of his tunic, pulling him towards a large pot over a fire. It contained some oats and milk. She ladled some into two bowls, then handed two carved wooden spoons over and two apples. She went to give Alexander a small jug of milk and some wooden cups, but then laughed as she saw Alexander could carry no more. She pushed him back towards the chief's room, following him with the rest. Seeing Hephaistion lying naked in the bed, she gave a knowing glance to Alexander and left the room.
OOXXOO
They had just finished eating, and Alexander had Hephaistion cradled in his arms, when Talis appeared.
Alexander stood up while Talis examined Hephaistion, then spoke to him.
"He says he is glad I survived, as they do not have enough wood to spare for a pyre," Hephaistion translated.
Not knowing if Talis had actually said it, or if Hephaistion was simply teasing him, Alexander studied the large man before him. When Talis grinned, he knew the words had been his, but his face also showed relief and gratitude to whatever god he prayed to.
Talis spoke again, this time using his name.
"He doubts you will go hunting so quickly," said Hephaistion, who frowned a little as Talis turned to pick up the leggings he had been wearing, discarding them as they were still damp. He spoke as he routed through one of the chests, bringing out some more brown leggings, holding them up, judging they would fit.
Hephaistion spoke to Talis, who shushed him quiet, then pulled back the furs and began to dress him. Hephaistion was still weak and could not struggle, he simply had to submit to Talis, who, finishing with the leggings, pulled the light blue tunic back on. Once that task was done, Talis pulled Hephaistion to his feet, but stayed by his side, supporting him.
"How well did you do at the hunt?" Hephaistion asked, a slight annoyance in his tone. Alexander could tell that he wanted to remain in bed if he could.
"We killed some Glaucini, took what they had caught," he reported.
Hephaistion nodded, as if was expecting that to be the answer. Talis began to walk him from the room. "He says I just have to get my strength back now, and I won't do that by lying in bed. They want you out with them, Alexander."
"I think Talis knows what will make you well," he replied. "I think you need to be up and about. Yesterday, when you were left alone…I almost lost you."
Talis led the way to a table by the fire, sitting Hephaistion down and affectionately ruffling his hair.
A man came over, perhaps ten years older than they were, with long dark hair, tied back and a short beard, almost hiding a scar on his lip. He was well-dressed, with an arrogant air about him. When he spoke, two teeth were missing.
When Talis replied, he spoke quietly, mentioning the Glaucini. The man turned to stare at Alexander, looking him up and down as if assessing him. He pointed to Hephaistion, scowling at him, then waved his finger between the two. Talis' voice had a tone of ill-disguised anger, but the man cut him off and turned to Alexander, speaking to him directly.
"This is Galadian, one of the men who would be chief," Hephaistion explained. Yesterday, you stopped Dalgon having any chance to rule. Fendor, the other candidate has said he does not want it, nobody wants Grayroc. He's asking if you will challenge."
Alexander grinned. He saw concern, if not fear, in Galadian's eyes. He looked to Hephaistion. "I want it," he said.
Galadian was speaking again.
"He says just because you killed and took from the Glaucini, just because Shanna favours you…"
Having looked back at Galadian, Alexander shot a glance at Hephaistion. "Shanna?"
Hephaistion spoke to Talis, who explained something to him. Hephaistion, who was already pale, went paler still. "The new chief will take one or both of Fendor's daughters as his wife."
"Only if he wants to," Alexander said, looking to Hephaistion trying to get the answer before he spoke.
He shook his head. "It is their way, Alexander. If he has a widow, then he marries her, if he has daughters, he has the choice of one or all."
Alexander nodded. Understanding. "My father takes a wife after each battle…or it seems that way." He stared into Hephaistion's eyes. "We have nothing, with this we could have something."
Hephaistion bit his lip and looked away, over to where some children played. He looked up at Galadian, who was holding his ground, and then to Alexander. "I know what you are thinking, in a way I agree," he replied. "Is Grayroc weak?" he asked.
Alexander nodded. He wanted Hephaistion's support, he was not so sure of getting it
Hephaistion spoke to Galadian, who spat on the ground, then backed away before leaving the hall.
"What did you say?"
"That he would have your answer in time." Hephaistion shivered a little, and Talis got up and went back to the chief's room. "Would you take Shanna as a wife, knowing that Brandor loved her?" he asked.
"I wouldn't have to take Shanna, there is Tayanor," Alexander retorted, realising at that moment that he had yet to see the girl; that he had no idea how old she was." As he said it, as he looked at Hephaistion, seeing what he had almost lost, he knew the price was too high. He faltered, his argument gone. He reached for Hephaistion's hand and smiled. "Or perhaps some other kingdom will do," he smiled.
Hephaistion smiled back at him, then noticing Talis coming back with a fur, he spoke quickly. "Brandor should be chief. Let's help him take it."
Talis put the fur around Hephaistion's shoulders, then fetched more milk for him, none for Alexander. He spoke and at the same time signalled for Alexander to go.
"He says you are wanted outside. There is work to be done."