Alexander woke during the night, hearing thunder rumble across the hills that surrounded the palace at Aegae, then listening to the rain that began to fall, gentle at first and then heavy and persistent. It lulled him back to sleep so it was past dawn when he awoke, his servants preparing his bath, talking softly amongst themselves.
He stretched, reluctant to leave his bed as it held him in a warm embrace. These were his old rooms at Aegae, here he had resisted transferring to his father's quarters and he was glad for it, he could imagine things were back to how they were. He was glad to be king but more and more he understood his father's life and he grieved at not being able to talk to the man.
Not wanting to dwell on the past he swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cool air caressing his naked body. He pulled a sheet and wrapped it around himself then stood and looked out of the window. Still raining. He leaned against the wall and watched the rain fall, water running along narrow channels cut in the stone paths, a woman cried out and laughed, unseen, her soft, hurried footsteps heard splashing through the water.
He looked up to the sky and prayed the rain would stop. Thettalus was here and later on this day planned to perform 'The Myrmidons' in the theatre at his request. His actor friend wanted to stay longer but was expected in Corinth and would have to leave the following morning. Alexander sighed, he liked the man's company, he always had a tale to tell about his travels and it had been a pleasant surprise to find him at Aegae, stopping for a few nights to break his journey and although Thettalus had easily been persuaded to stay for a few days more he had to go.
Alexander turned away from the window and wondered if he should ask Thettalus to return for his own wedding. His mother had three girls in mind for him to choose from and he was beginning to wonder what harm it would do to marry and get some peace. If she was pleasant enough he might even send for her on campaign and if she got with child he could choose to keep her with him or send her back to Pella.
He thought back to Mieza and the love he thought he had for Craterus, how he had longed to explore his body, to lie with him in his arms. Nothing had ever come of it and in time he realised what a mistake it would have been and he took the courtesans sent to him to his bed.
He went to his bath, acknowledging the servants who bowed to him and greeted him, letting the sheet fall and stepping in to the water, washing himself then letting a servant dry him before he dressed and made his way to the dining hall.
Craterus, Ptolemy, Seleucus and Leonnatus were already at breakfast when he arrived, seated around a large table with what looked like a banquet before them. A fire was burning, lighting the room which was darker then usual due to the grey clouds outside.
"Joy to you, Alexander," Craterus said, seeing him first and then followed in the greeting by the rest.
"Joy to you all," he replied with a smile, taking a seat between Craterus and Seleucus and reaching for some bread and meat while Ptolemy poured some goats milk and then handed him the cup.
Leonnatus sighed deeply and rubbed his head with his hand.
"You were deep in your cups last night, my friend," Alexander said.
Leonnatus groaned in reply then looked to him. "I might go back to my bed, sleep the morning away like Thettalus does."
"Nothing to do today with the weather as it is," Ptolemy said.
"No point hunting," Craterus complained, "any animal with any sense would be seeking cover".
"What of the play?" asked Seleucus, before biting in to an apple.
"You think a little rain will stop Thettalus? Will make Alexander cancel it?" Ptolemy asked, reaching for some cheese and an apple.
Alexander grinned then took a drink of milk. He wanted to see the play but it would be the first time he had been in the theatre since his father had been killed there. If it rained then Thettalus could perform in the palace and perhaps that would not be so bad. He had said nothing but he wondered if his father's shade roamed Aegae longing for justice for the crime. After having first been suspicious of his mother, especially when she organised the death of Eurydice and her children, he had come to believe that Persia paid for his father's murder and if he were to have any retribution then it would come in the form of victory in the east.
Leonnatus stood up, poured himself a large cup of wine and went over to a couch, lying down on it. He drank some of the wine, then put the cup on a nearby table before resting his head upon a cushion and closing his eyes only to open them when the sound of people arriving echoed down the hallway.
"Looks like someone has sought cover here," laughed Seleucus, getting to his feet to welcome Perdiccas whose voice he recognised.
Alexander looked to the door and smiled at Perdiccas appeared, soaked to the skin, then he saw the Spartan, Hephaistion, following behind him and wondered why he had come.
Seleucus decided not to embrace his friend but instead helped him off with his sodden cloak and called for a servant to bring towels.
"I need a warm bath," Perdiccas said, wringing out the hem of his chiton and causing droplets of water to fall on the floor.
"Joy to you all," Hephaistion said, standing in the doorway and making no attempt to move towards the fire.
Hephaistion's greeting was returned, if not as warmly as that for Perdiccas, then all attention and talk went back to their friend who was now attempting to dry himself with a towel. The servant handed Hephaistion a towel but he only held it, watching the scene before him.
Alexander asked the servant to go and see if his bath was still full and if so to arrange to heat it and return and let him know. The servant bowed and hurried off about his task. He then stood and went over to Perdiccas, embracing him and as he did so he studied the Spartan.
He was handsome, more handsome than anyone he had ever seen and he had eyes the colour of lapis lazuli, a perfect face framed with long chestnut hair which even wet and tousled, as it was, only served to highlight the beauty of the man. Yet, those eyes held pain and his whole demeanor was as if he wished to be removed from the world. Spartans were known to be direct, to say little, but Hephaistion took this to a whole new level. He had never seen him smile.
Another servant appeared with their bags and stood waiting orders as to where they should go.
Perdiccas turned to the man, was about to speak and then looked back to Alexander.
"Go with the servant, sort yourself a room and a dry chiton then come to my room and take that bath to warm yourself."
Perdiccas looked at Hephaistion. "We can share a room if you like," he said.
"There are plenty of rooms, no need to share," Alexander replied quickly, suddenly feeling jealous of Perdiccas and not understanding why.
The two arrivals went with the servant and Alexander returned to his breakfast aware of his friends watching him.
"No need to share?" Ptolemy said. "Perhaps Perdiccas wanted to share."
"You were quick to keep them apart. Do you have an interest in the Spartan?" added Craterus.
Alexander took a long drink of milk, emptying the cup.
"Are you going to leave them to bathe alone?" Ptolemy teased. "Are you not curious as to what body is hidden by that red cloak?"
"It would pass a cold, grey morning to watch the Spartan bathe," said Leonnatus, "but I am heading back to my bed so you will have to tell me what you see".
"I'm curious why Perdiccas brought him here," Alexander said.
Ptolemy laughed, "Have you gone blind?"
Leonnatus patted Ptolemy on the shoulder and raised his hand in a farewell as he left the room.
"I'll be marrying soon," Alexander responded.
Now it was Seleucus' turn to laugh. "I thought you were free of your mother. And what does marrying have to do with love?."
Alexander looked to Seleucus. "Antipater wants it too, Parmenion writes to advise me to marry..."
"But what do you want?" Ptolemy asked. Alexander stayed silent for a moment.
"Persia," he replied at last.