Hephaistion did not see his gift until the following morning as it was dark when he finally awoke. He had been carried out to eat supper with his friends, then Philip insisted on another massage and raising him up again, though the result was no different than before.

Feeling frustrated at his immobility, rested by the drugs, he lay awake in Alexander's arms, with dark thoughts about his future, about the burden he would be. He tried to think how he could be a part of Alexander's life if he was to remain at Pella, if the things they had taken for granted, the life they had was gone. No more love making. He should have died and let Alexander find another, he felt it would be too difficult to watch another take his place.

He closed his eyes, angry with himself for losing hope, he told himself he had to fight and tried once nore to he rested again and when he next woke Alexander had gone and the smell of breakfast cooking filled the air.

He struggled to sit up, propping himself with his right arm, his back aching a little, trying to move his useless legs, his right foot moved, his knee bent a little, better than before but not enough to stand, let along step forward. He lay back, his arm aching, thinking he might recover a little but hoping for so much more.

Alexander stepped in to the tent, a plate of meat and bread in one hand, a cup of goats milk in the other. He was full of smiles and encouragement and seemed in a hurry for him to eat, looking back and smiling as Nikias and Sostrate appeared at the entrance.

"We're going to the beach to make libations to Poseidon," Alexander explained.

"And you are here to carry me?" Hephaistion said, as Alexander took his empty plate and Nikias stepped forward to help to lift him up. "I shall have to start eating less," he muttered.

They held him between them, scooping Hephaistion's legs up and carrying him outside, Sostrate stepping back with a grin to reveal Epaphras holding the red roan mare, well groomed, her coat now shining in the sun.

"Her name is Nike, and she will be your legs until you walk again," said Alexander, signalling for Epaphras to come over.

Hephaistion looked to the mare. Nothing like he would ever have chosen but he knew why Alexander had bought her for him, she had a kind eye and placid demeanour. He looked left and saw Philip walking forward to watch, wiping his hands on a towel, a bemused look upon his face.

He was lifted up by Nikias and Sostrate while Alexander pushed his right leg over the mare's back, then took the reins from Epaphras, throwing them over the mare's head before stepping back and looking happy with the scene.

With Nikias and Sostrate standing on either side to help if needed, Hephaistion took the reins with his right hand and tried to squeeze Nike's side to signal for her to go on, there was no movement from his legs but when he used his voice the mare went forward. He held her mane, thinking he might fall but she was slow and steady and he found that he could balance, seated well on her broad back.

Alexander grinned broadly at him, Sostrate clapped his hands and Epaphras came over to embrace Nikias before running for the wine which they had almost forgotten.

"Not too much," the surgeon said in a gentle warning, as they headed for the beach, "don't let him fall".

Aeschylus came running over, then Menos and Euripedes followed too until a small parade had started, especially when the people from Thermia hurried after them as well.

Hephaistion clutched Nike's mane as the ground became uneven and sloped towards the beach, he noticed Nikias and Sostrate step closer, perhaps expecting him to slip. His back did ache a little, even over the short distance it was complaining, he bit his lip and resolved to ignore the discomfort as it felt so good to be mobile once more, to be on horseback. From having no sensation in his legs they now felt numb, he could feel the weight of them each side of the mare but not the warmth of her body, not her movement.

He looked for the cliff he was thrown from and saw it on his right, feeling sick to see the height of it, to see the rocks jutting out of it, the sea seemed close to it, he had no memory of waves close to him but the memories of what happpened at the top came back to haunt him. The visions were powerful, he heard Pelagia's laughter, laughing at his fate as he felt the ground give way beneath his feet.

Hephaistion swallowed hard, forcing himself to think of happier times, he looked for Alexander, needing the reassurance he alone could give.

Determined to give thanks to the gods who had saved him, Alexander was leading the way along the beach towards the cliff, where comments were made once more at the miracle of survival in any form. After that they turned towards the sea, which glistened in the sun as though the god, in all his glory, rested just beneath the surface

After pouring a libation and thanking Poseidon, Alexander passed the wine to Hephaistion who then poured a libation of his own from Nike's back. The thought passed through his mind that the benevolent god might have saved him at the top of the cliff, given him a warning where he could have defended himself against his attackers. Alexander poured another libation thanking Poseidon for sending the storm that killed Pelagia and her lover then threw the krater out to sea. He took Nike's reins and the mare willingly walked deeper in to the sea where the rest of the wine was poured.

It was a hot morning, Aesychlus took the opportunity to swim and called out to his father to join him, though the potter refused and with the libations done made his way back to his home with Meno, past the people from Thermia who sat back and watched the prince and his friends.

"Perhaps, Poseidon favours you, Hephaistion," Alexander said.

Hephaistion looked to Aesychlus, who was swimming on his back then turning and submerging under the water. "I don't know why," he replied.

Alexander followed Hephaistion's gaze. "You always swam like a dolphin." He stood silent in thought a moment then turned back to his lover and smiled. "Come", he said, stepping forward to reach for him.

Hephaistion protested but could not stop Alexander from pulling him off Nike's back and down in to the water. Sostrate led the mare away while ever reliable Nikias came forward to help Alexander support him. Hephaistion clutched Alexander's wet chiton, obeyed his demands that he should relax and felt his body float up in the water, laughing with disbelief as he felt weightless in the water.

Alexander and Nikias looked to each other and laughed.

"You moved your right leg," Nikias exclaimed.

"Move the left," Alexander demanded.

Thinking it was just the sea causing the movement, Hephaistion concentrated on his allotted task, to be met with more cheers, Aesychlus standing by Alexander now, grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't feel it move," Hephaistion said, "I have to think so hard." His back began to ache then he felt pains along the length of each leg as the cramp began again. He cried out and arched his back, his head almost going in to the water but Alexander had him and was pulling him to the shore.

As they had seen the surgeon act, Nikias and Alexander each massaged a leg until the pain stopped, calling Aesychlus back before he could run for Philip. Hephaistion saw that Alexander knew he had pushed too far and he reached out with his hand to touch him, smiling at him. Alexander was Alexander, he would always expect more.

After a brief rest Nike was brought over and he was lifted up once more and taken back to their camp where Philip came over to inspect his patient and ordered that he be allowed to rest for the remainder of the day, going so far as to make Hephaistion drink the medicine which would make him sleep.

00XX00

The next few days brought only a slight improvement in Hephaistion's condition, no miracle occurred where he could even stand, let alone take a step forward.

Alexander spent sleepless nights wondering what more could be done but realised that he was battling time. He would hold Hephaistion close and watch him, remembering how he lost him, reminding himself not to try to rule while his father was still king, the cost was too high for him.

The days brought more people from Thermia, which helped Euripedes as he sold more pots but also brought problems as they threatened to overrun the camp to pay compliments to Alexander.

Even Philip began to say it was best they set off for Ptolemy's home, that Hephaistion could sit Nike for at least a morning and if they did not travel far at least they were leaving the crowds behind.

Hephaistion insisted on seeing Euripedes, Meno and Aeschylus before they left, which was understandable as he owed them such a debt. Apparently, Hephaistion had been working out how to pay back the favour.

"You struggle here?" he asked, propping himself up on the litter, glancing to see where the camp was being dismantled around him.

Euripedes shrugged. "We get by."

"But you are isolated. Meno goes to the market in Thermia once a week but there is hardly passing trade", he looked at Alexander and smiled, "unless you have a prince as your guest."

The potter nodded. "It would be best if we had a place in Thermia but we never have enough to afford one, so we make do."

"I have a gift for you all. A house in Pella and all that is inside of it...you will have to go to the barracks and..."

"Cleitus...go to the palace and find Cleitus," Alexander interrupted, " he knows the place and can have the lock on the gate broken."

"Cleitus then," agreed Hephaistion.

Aesychlus grinned and embraced Meno but Euripedes reached out to place his hand on Hephaistion's arm. "I can not accept," he said. "It is too much, we did nothing but what was right."

"It is a house which does not hold happy memories for me...take it and make it a happy place, Euripedes. It has a good courtyard where you can display your pots for sale, it is large enough so that you will each have your own rooms."

"And you can have a room there...if you need it," the potter replied, warming to the idea.

"I thank you for all that you have done. Go when you are ready, when I return to Pella I will come to see you."

"It is too much," Euripedes said, "but I accept with gratitude." He turned to look at his son and his friend, disbelief and happiness on his face.

Alexander and Nikias carried Hephaistion over to the roan mare and lifted him up on to her back.

"You might have sold it, Hephaistion, retrieved the money that was stolen from you."

Hephaistion shook his head. "Euripedes will do well with it and why do I need money when I have you?"

So, they bid farewell to Euripedes, Meno and Aesychlus and slowly set off, the people of Thermia walking along a little way until they judged that they were too far from their homes.

"Did you send a messenger to tell Ptolemy to expect us?" Hephaistion asked.

Alexander considered the question for a moment. "He will be happy to see us."

Hephaistion pursed his lips then smiled. "So, no messenger then."

Alexander grinned. "No messenger. but it is the best place to go where you can recover."

"What if this is it, Alexander? What if this is the best that I can be?"

"Then we live with it," Alexander replied, "you are here with me, Hephaistion, that is all that matters." He leaned over from Bucephalus and supported Hephaistion as they climbed a hill, to ensure he would not fall.

00XX00

A journey which should have taken just two days ended up taking six as Hephaistion would become tired by mid-morning and begin to lose his balance.

Philip would massage his legs while the others made camp, found wood and hunted for food.

Over the six days there was no further improvement and Hephaistion would sleep during the afternoon, waking to eat supper and join in the conversation, he would laugh and joke but when he thought he was unobserved his face showed concern and desperation, as the talk would turn to Persia and the culmination of all they had been training for.

00XX00

Ptolemy's family estate stood on open, level ground by the side of a river, at it's shallowest point. Sheep, goats and horses were scattered around, there was a small orchard close to the house and the buildings surrounding a large courtyard were aged, built at different times the first being constructed by Ptolemy's great-grandfather who tended goats and hardly thought of battle.

Now, Ptolemy's older brother ran the estate. Kineas doted on his younger brother and worked hard to give him a comfortable life in Pella as well as providing for their mother, his wife and their children.

Riding in to the courtyard they found Ptolemy with his arms wrapped round a serving girl, who did not appear to be rejecting his advances. He grinned broadly when he saw who had arrived and went to Alexander, his left arm still around the girl his right extended in greeting.

"Don't tell me you are exiled again," he laughed.

"No but we would prevail upon your hospitality for a time," replied Alexander.

"Of course," grinned Ptolemy looking to the girl and kissing her brow. "My friend, Alexander," he said to her, laughing as the girl pulled at her gown and attempted to tidy her hair. He looked around and greeted everyone then saw Hephaistion and smiled.

"How is married life, Hephaistion? Where is your horse? Can you no longer afford a decent animal?" Happy to be reunited with his friends, Ptolemy laughed at his own joke.

Alexander jumped down from Bucephalus' back and the others followed his lead, except for Hephaistion. Ptolemy noticed the surgeon for the first time and began to realise something was wrong.

"What happened to your arm?" he asked.

"I have been crippled, Ptolemy," Hephaistion replied, softly.

"What?" Ptolemy snapped, in disbelief. He let go of the girl and signalled for her to be gone.

"My bride had no intention of being a wife, so she had me thrown from a cliff on the way to Thermia."

Ptolemy stood dumbstruck, then seeing Alexander reach for Hephaistion he stepped quickly forward to help his friend to the ground, Nikias appearing by his side to guide him as to the best way to help. He saw Hephaistion's right leg move forward and thought he was witnessing a miracle.

"My legs move a little, I can feel touch now, if that touch is firm, but I cannot stand and cannot will my legs to walk," Hephaistion explained, seeing the hope in Ptolemy's eyes.

"Come, we will go in to the house, Kineas is away on business but my mother is here, my sister-in-law too. I'll get some servants to bring wine and we can talk." Ptolemy lifted Hephaistion up with Alexander and that way he was carried in to the house. "You always were my mother's favourite, prepare to be nursed," he warned, smiling as he spoke.

The interior of the house was basic but comfortable, they let Hephaistion rest upon a couch, then Alexander sat beside him, Ptolemy pulled up a wooden stool and sat close while the others took the offered wine and then went to see to the horses, Philip going with them saying he needed to stretch his legs.

"You should have come with us," Ptolemy said.

"I would have been fetched back," replied Hephaistion, "or had to have gone so far I was out of the King's reach." He looked to Alexander, the reason he had stayed. For a moment he was lost in his thoughts. "She was beautiful, Ptolemy....Pelagia, my wife, I did try to be a good husband to her."

"She was?" Ptolemy looked to Alexander.

"They took a ship to Rhodes," Alexander explained, "it was caught in a storm and all aboard it drowned." He took a sip of his wine.

"You are lucky to be alive," Ptolemy breathed. "A cliff?" He shook his head in disbelief, then looked at Alexander again. "And you? How are things with your father?"

"Better," replied Alexander, "he came to see what he could do, sent his own surgeon as you see. He wanted to teach me a lesson but even he could not see what the result would be. Now, we just need time to get Hephaistion on his feet, we have until my sister's wedding."

A woman's voice was heard, then another, Ptolemy and Alexander stood as Ptolemy's mother, Sappho, came in to the room, followed by her eldest son's wife, Dania. Sappho saw Alexander and Hephaistion and smiled broadly, holding out her hands in greeting as she came to them.

"My son never thinks to tell me when we have guests," she said.

"They have only just arrived," Ptolemy grumbled.

Two young boys came running in, holding wooden swords but halted when they saw the guests and went to Dania.

Alexander smiled. "Your nephews?"

Ptolemy looked to the boys. "They have grown since you last saw them," he signalled to them, "come here and meet the prince...my friend, Alexander".

The boys stepped forward and each gave a polite greeting, then stepped back to their mother looking on in awe.

Sappho looked to Hephaistion, frowning a little as she saw his left arm was strapped to his side and that of all of them he had not moved. She went over, taking Alexander's place to sit by his side, reaching up to brush away a strand of hair, like a mother would to a favoured son.

Ptolemy stepped forward and related what he knew, but Sappho did not take her eyes from Hephaistion as he spoke and only reacted by saying that he should be cared for at their house as long as he chose to stay.

Servants brought food and more wine, Nikias and the others all came back and took a plateful before finding themselves a seat, shortly after the surgeon returned and dined with them.

Sappho took a plate of food but cut it with a knife and insisted on hand feeding Hephaistion as though he was a child unable to fend for himself in the world any longer. While set on this task she called a servant to prepare a bed in a room on the ground floor close to her own. One of the boys stepped forward, embracing his grandmother who softly told him that Hephaistion would never walk again and that he needed all the love and care that they could give.

Alexander heard her words, though the others did not. He looked at the woman thinking she was a danger to Hephaistion's recovery, but the hostess at Ptolemy's home so he had to be sure not to offend her.

He could not argue when Hephaistion's eyes began to close and she asked Ptolemy to carry Hephaistion to his room, though once there Philip took over once more and shooed the woman from the room but did not object to Nikias and the rest being there.

"I want to remove the straps on your arm, Hephaistion. It might make you feel better to have that freedom once more, but get some rest for a couple of days before Alexander begins to train you for the next Olympics."

"Ah, but he could always run faster," Hephaistion replied, smiling at Alexander.

"Tell me about it," laughed Nikias.

Philip cut the straps and Hephaistion's arm fell free, Philip lifted it and examined it, bending it every way to see how flexible it was. He murmured in satisfaction. "Meno did a good job here, a perfect job, it will be as though it never was broken."

"It feels good to be free of the straps," Hephaistion noted, moving his arm carefully to rest across his stomach, as it was when the straps were in place.

"You are healing," Philip assured him. "It's a miracle that you survived and I see improvement in you every day."

"How far?" Hepahaistion asked. "How far will I recover?"

Philip looked to Alexander and back to Hephaistion. "Honestly? I do not know the answer. I have not had a patient before who has fallen from a cliff and survived. I have seen men wounded, crippled by battle, some who have fallen badly from their horses and who have never walked again. Now, a fall from a horse is not the same, less distance, but you hit the cliff as you fell, it might have broken your fall, not done the damage it should have done...but as to your question, I have no answer."

There was silence, then Philip spoke once more.

"You begin to see how life will be if you cannot walk, Hephaistion. It's hard to accept at first, I know...to see all you hoped for, all of your dreams fade."

"Don't talk that way," Alexander snapped, "it doesn't help."

Philip looked up at Alexander, his face stern. "You have to be prepared, Alexander. You can't keep promising him things will be alright. He is improving but you cannot assume he will be by your side in battle again. Don't build his hopes, otherwise you will watch him fall once more...a bigger fall than off that cliff."

Hephaistion went to say something, to calm the situation but before he could Alexander turned on his heels and hurried from the room. Hephaistion called for him but he did not look back.

"I cannot go after him," Hephaistion said, trying to lift himself from the bed.

"I'll go," Ptolemy assured him.

"No, let me," said Philip, "I am the one that caused this, though it needed to be said." He sighed. "If I had a way to make you well, Hephaistion...though only the gods and time will decide."

Hephaistion nodded. "Go to him," he urged, "his temper will cool quickly enough. Listen to him...listen to his point of view, to what he says, he has been hurt by this too."

Philip clasped Hephaistion's hand and then stood up and left the room. Ptolemy asked if he needed anything and Hephaistion said that he wanted to be alone, to rest.

As they left the room Nikias looked to Ptolemy. "He has to recover," he whispered.

"I worry for Alexander if he does not,"Ptolemy replied.