The weather changed for the worse over the next six days. It did not seem to stop snowing.
Alexander and Hephaistion, spent their time helping with the daily chores, then talking, through the evening, of strategy, cavalry and infantry.
The men of the Therici, would listen intently as Hephaistion spoke, translating Alexander's words and adding some ideas of his own. They watched as cups, knives and apples were used to draw a scene upon the table, learning how a few well-trained men could beat an ill-trained mob like the Glaucini.
Once again, Alexander taught sword play, only this time Hephaistion was by his side, using the open space, created when the tables were pulled back, to teach the men, who came up one at a time. They were keen to learn, and respectful, not rushing in like the Glaucini, but making sure they had it right, moving slowly until they grew in confidence.
Hephaistion would often nod in Brandor's direction, saying that it was Brandor's idea, that Brandor was a natural leader. When the Therici would ask if Alexander would be their chief, he would say, that if they wanted to stay in Illyria they were picking the wrong man. They were puzzled by this reply, but took the answer to be no, and began to look at Brandor as their man.
Galadrian, would sit silent, chewing the inside of his lip. His eyes showed that he would have loved to find fault, to be able to argue that they should not attempt to fight, that they should ration their resources and hope for an early spring. But even he knew that, with the attempted attack by the Glaucini, they had to do something.
He would study the table before him, appearing quietly envious that he could not plan a battle that way, that he did not have the ability to say where the men should be placed for best effect.
Brandor began to grow in confidence, through the belief in him, given by Alexander and Hephaistion. He would ask questions, and speak for the tribe, voicing any concerns, then listen and nod as Hephaistion translated Alexander's words, inspiring him, showing him there was nothing to fear if the plan was right.
OOXXOO
"How could you tell that Brandor would make a good chief," Alexander asked as they undressed.
Hephaistion was pulling off his tunic top, so there was a delay before he answered. "He was leading those men, after the chief was killed, he gave you his sword and then had them follow him while he rode after you." He smiled, bit his lip, then stepped up to Alexander, embracing him, then briefly kissing his lips. "Talis has since told me that Brandor is the son of the former chief. He died shortly after Brandor's mother, so Fladon had no widow or daughter to choose from. Brandor was practically raised by Talis, he sees him as a son."
Alexander returned the kiss. "I thought Talis had adopted you," he said.
Hephaistion shook his head. "I think he sees me as your mouthpiece. They see you as being vital to their success. He couldn't let me die because of it."
Alexander was about to claim another kiss, but he suddenly hesitated. "If Fladon did not have to marry the widow, or the daughter, then perhaps I would not have to marry someone I did not choose."
"We agreed to help Brandor."
"They think that I am vital to their success. You just said it, Hephaistion."
"Let them think it, Alexander. We will always have friends amongst the Therici, you do not have to be the chief to have power over them."
Alexander considered this, then grinned at him. "You just don't want me to bed Shanna, do you?"
"You can be with who you choose, Alexander. I'll not stop you."
Alexander ran his hand down Hephaistion's back, pulling him closer." You would give me up so easily?" teased Alexander.
Hephaistion attacked, by claiming a kiss, a lingering passion-filled kiss. "And could you give me up so easily?"
Alexander pushed Hephaistion back, onto the bed, seeking another kiss like it, which he was gladly given. "I choose you, Hephaistion. I choose you every time," he murmured.
OOXXOO
When the snow came to a stop, having more than enough horses to choose from, Alexander and Hephaistion spent their time deciding which would be best for the cavalry.
They rode at speed, turning quickly, seeing how each horse responded, how they would react when asked to go forward, to push against another horse, to the clash of weapons around their heads.
The Therici took this to be a new entertainment, but they had especially enjoyed the moment when Bucephalus and Briseis were ridden, to show them what they had to achieve. The two experienced riders, and their horses, showed how far they would have to go to achieve any semblance of their abilities. But they were inspired and began to talk of defeating the Glaucini.
When the horses were selected, the men of the Therici got their chance to prove themselves. They could all ride well enough, but some had difficulty in turning at speed, and others were in danger of killing the horse beneath them as they swung a sword.
Days passed in training, and each night Alexander and Hephaistion would sit, too tired to think, listening to the Therici enthuse about the improvements they were making.
OOXXOO
As Alexander was riding in a line of eight men, signalling for them to close ranks, to match the pace of their horses, Hephaistion was taking a rest.
His own eight men had not been able to do this right, though they were shouting advice now to their comrades, as if they had. Alexander had a plan which would need the forty-eight men they had, surrounding the Glaucini village in six groups of eight. When approaching from the forest, they needed to spread out and encircle the village. Each group of eight had to be working as one unit.
Alexander had learnt some basic commands, and with the men listening to him, he achieved some semblance of a cavalry formation. After they had done it once, he made them repeat the manoeuvre.
Hephaistion looked along the line of watching men, and saw Shanna making her way to the training ground, wrapped in a fur cloak, looking every inch a queen. He reined Briseis back and went over to her, following the direction of her gaze, and seeing it rested on Alexander.
Shanna smiled, and blushed slightly, as Hephaistion approached, and then dismounted. She nodded and made a comment about Alexander being handsome, then she looked down at her booted feet, before staring into Hephaistion's eyes and asking if he truly loved him.
Hephaistion laughed at the question. It seemed to have an obvious answer. He looked over at Alexander, before replying that he did, and always would, then he looked back to Shanna - she had not had the answer she wished for.
Briseis nuzzled against the fur hat on Hephaistion's head. She was always intrigued when he wore it; always examined it as if she might eat it or pull it from his head.
Shanna laughed to see it, then suddenly grew serious and said that she was glad her father's death would be avenged.
Hephaistion replied that it was Brandor's idea to use cavalry; that it was a good idea and the only way to defeat the Glaucini.
Shanna looked over at Brandor, who was talking to the men, his hands drawing pictures in the air, intent on getting his ideas across. She smiled to see it, then looked at Alexander, catching him grinning over at the man beside her.
Hephaistion saw her acknowledge that she was wishing for something she could not have. Even if he stepped aside, encouraged Alexander that it would be the right thing to do, to marry Shanna, then Alexander would eventually break her heart, without even meaning to.
Alexander was Alexander. Destined for greatness, he would always be driven, to go on, to the next battle, the next country, until there was nothing left to conquer. Even in exile, when they should have been quietly biding their time, Alexander had found a battle, a cause to fight for. The Gods meant for Alexander to fight, but Hephaistion would always be grateful that they had also chosen to place him by his side - he would not choose to be anywhere else.
Shanna smiled at Hephaistion, and then walked on over to Brandor, placing her hand on his knee and talking to him. Brandor stuttered to a halt, the men with him laughed, but Shanna reached for his tunic and pulled him forward, claiming a brief kiss. She turned then and walked back to the village.
OOXXOO
A few days later, after much practice, Alexander had the men go off, in their groups of eight, to surround their own village.
He had wanted Talis to head one of the groups, but even with Hephaistion urging him to do it, Talis refused, saying he would stay with Brandor. Alexander did think that Talis would rather Hephaistion was with him too, but he did not press the matter, but let Galadrian take charge of eight.
Galadrian's eight men were now holding up proceedings, realising too late that they were too close to Brandor's group, then taking their time getting into place.
If they had been attacking the Glaucini village, the alarm would have gone up well before now, losing them the advantage of surprise.
Itching to give the first war cry, he nodded to Brandor, granting him the honour. Each night Hephaistion had spent time promoting the idea that Brandor should be chief. If they defeated the Glaucini then their objective would have been achieved. They also needed the victory to survive the rest of the winter, to have an Illyrian chief they might rely on in the future.
Brandor's shout echoed through the valley and each group moved forward, but though Alexander's, Hephaistion's and Brandor's men spread out like they were supposed to, two others stayed in a group, and Galadrian encouraged the rest to dismount halfway there and then run to the village with their swords drawn.
Alexander gave a loud sigh and shook his head, then turned to gaze at Hephaistion, who rode over to him, before going with him to translate as he told them what to do, once more.