Alexander grew restless, confined to the estate, Hephaistion could see it and so encouraged him to go hunting, arguing that Bucephalus could do with the exercise, encouraging Ptolemy to talk of the game to be found, smiling to see the longing in Alexander's eyes. It took a few days of persuasion but eventually it was agreed on, that they would ride to the east of the estate and stay overnight at an old hunting lodge before returning by early afternoon of the next day.

Nikias and the rest went with them and, helped now by a servant, Hephaistion was able to be there to see them off, hiding his frustration at not being able to go with them, smiling as Alexander laughed, happy to be on his way.

He rode over to Hephaistion, looking to the servant for a moment as though he was not sure that leaving was such a good thing. "I'll be back tomorrow," he said, though there was no need to state the fact.

"I know," laughed Hephaistion. "But to come back you have to leave, so go, Alexander, have pleasure in your hunting and don't worry about me."

Alexander looked to the servant again. Hephaistion turned to the man holding him and asked that he be released a moment, then he took a step forward, raising his head so he could meet Alexander's lips as his lover leaned forward to say farewell. Alexander laughed softly, almost hesitating in sitting upright because they hardly gave public demonstrations of their affection for each other and he knew all eyes would be on them. He grinned at Hephaistion then wheeled Bucephalus around leading the way out of the courtyard.

The servant stepped forward, smiling at him, then helped him back inside the house, helping him to sit upon a couch then fetching Ptolemy's copy of 'The Illiad' so he could read it.

He had not been reading for long when Sappho appeared and came to sit beside him. She picked up some sewing she had discarded, feigning an interest in each stitch but glancing over to Hephaistion, humming a soft tune in the hope he might engage in conversation with her.

Hephaistion put the play aside. "You are concerned for me, there is no need," he said.

A poor actress, Sappho tried to act surprised. "I was just sewing and thought you might enjoy having someone close to talk to now that all your friends have left you alone."

"They'll be back tomorrow," he assured her.

Sappho shrugged her shoulders. "At least here the waiting is a pleasant thing but perhaps you should rest. You can just as well read that story from your bed as from the couch."

"I could but..."

Sappho put down her sewing and called for a servant, the man who had helped to hold him outside appeared as if on cue. "Help Hephaistion to his room for he is tired," she said, getting to her feet and stepping aside.

"I am happy here," Hephaistion argued.

"It can't be good for you, sitting up like that, you need to rest." She nudged the servant who was hesitating. "Pick him up. Do you expect him to stand up the poor man is a cripple."

"I'm not a cripple."

Trying to argue the point, trying not to fight the servant or upset his hostess, Hephaistion found himself in the man's arms, carried back towards his room while Sappho picked up 'The Illiad' and hurried after them clucking like a hen. As he was laid down on the bed, Sappho fetched a blanket and put it over him, then put the play on the table within reach.

"Please, Sappho," he said, "I am not a child to be told what I should do."

Sappho held her hands up, seemingly offended by his words, she shook her head then took Hephaistion's hand. "I have always had a soft spot in my heart for you," she confessed, "I always thought you a well-mannered boy, but Alexander, that boy would want to rule the world, his head is full of dreams and he lures you in, I see it, he makes you believe impossible things."

Hephaistion went to speak but could not say a word before Sappho spoke again.

"I see that you can stand, I see you take a couple of steps but where does that get you, Hephaistion? You think that you can be the same as before? I think not, and I am an old wise woman. So listen to me, don't allow them, allow Alexander, to push you like he does, there can be no happy outcome from it. And I am glad he has gone hunting so we can have this time to talk with each other, things needed to be said."

She stood up and nodded to the servant who left the room. "I'll let you rest now, you look tired and worn, not at all the healthy youth that I first met...poor boy." She left the room, closing the door behind her.

OOXXOO

Hephaistion felt as though he had been in the middle of a storm, he wondered if Sappho had drawn breath once, if Ptolemy's father had suffered it for years. Pelagia had been quiet, he almost felt blessed that she had been his wife, then reminded himself that because of her he was trapped in this room.

Lying back, he listened to life going on in the distance, another taste of what life would be if his recovery went no further. If it had gone no further, he reminded himself, he was so much better than he was but perhaps he would have been better at Euripedes' for there would have been no Sappho waiting to take his new found confidence away.

He considered reading, then looked left and studied the sturdy post at the corner of the bed, then to the right to the post there. He bit his lip as he thought out the logistics needed, for he planned to try to stand alone, he pushed away his own fears thinking he could not make things worse.

Reaching up his right hand he pulled himself up, using the post, so that his back was against the wall. Throwing the pillow aside he then turned himself letting his legs fall from the side of the bed, then pulled himself closer to the post. Bringing up his left hand he clutched the post and hauled himself up, laughing as he came upright, savouring the joy of independence, though anyone seeing him would think he was in trouble.

Feeling his legs, numb beneath him, he waited a moment, just concentrating on getting them in the right position, then slowly he eased his grip, letting his legs take his weight, just like when Alexander was close to catch him. Still slightly numb, he felt as though his legs were his once more, a part of him. They did not betray him and he released the post.

It took a moment for him to balance himself, he felt like a young child, walking for the first time and like a child he looked around for where he should go. It was then a plan came to mind and he smiled to think it might be possible, he wanted to escape the room and Sappho ruled the house.

To stay by the wall seemed the wisest choice, to head for the door the most impractical. To walk along the wall would take him too far, whereas if he had not been injured he could have taken five paces to the door. It would be more than he had ever done during his recovery. He took a breath and managed to turn himself a little, at least he would fall on to the bed if his plan failed in the first two steps.

His right leg went out a little way, his left almost dragging itself beside it, always slow at first, but it was a step but he had taken two steps before, when he made it to three Hephaistion could have laughed for joy though then on the fourth he felt that he had won a race.

With the right again he stepped out, almost losing his balance but correcting himself before his efforts came to nothing. He imagined the look on Alexander's face, if his plan came to fruition, if he could go to where they hunted, riding Nike, then dismount and walk to him.

This sudden idea filled him, drove him on, he focussed on the door and though it took time he made it and leant against it savouring his victory, though he held on tightly, feeling exhausted by his effort.

He shuffled over to the wall, leaning on it as he opened the door and stepped out in to the hallway, almost giving up as it seemed to stretch for stadia before him, but Alexander's face drew him on, the thought of the surprise, the thought of a recovery good enough to get him to Persia.

Reaching the main room of the house his legs failed him, buckling under him, he slid down the wall to sit upon the floor, which is where Dania found him and she quickly called for Sappho who in turn called for the servant to carry him back to his bed.

Hephaistion held up his hand. "Just have the servant lift me up," he said, "and ask another to fetch my horse. I plan to go hunting."

"Madness!" Sappho cried and told the servant to carry him back to his room.

"Don't," Hephaistion breathed as the servant went to lift him up, "just help me to my feet."

"He is walking, Mother," Dania said, smiling to Hephaistion so he would know he had an ally. "He got here by himself. Do as he wishes, let him go."

"Watch him fall then, Dania as he tries to ride to the hunt. It is a foolish idea."

"Not so foolish as giving in," Hephaistion said to her, "of allowing yourself to be confined."

Sappho flushed, then nodded to the servant who then did nothing more lift him up and hold him until he regained his balance. Hephaistion's legs ached now but he tried not to show the discomfort he was in.

"A cruel girl to put you through so much," Sappho said, referring to Pelagia, as Hephaistion headed for the courtyard, each step like a battle won.

The wall ran out before he got there and now he had an audience. He thought it best not to hesitate and stepped out, hardly an elegant stride but good enough and he felt the sun on his face and fresh air filled his lungs.

Another servant hurried over with a dark bay horse, not Nike, one much livelier. Hephaistion realised the man had bridled the horse in a hurry, he wondered where Nike was and would have sent the man back to fetch her but pains were shooting through his legs and his back was aching.

The man stepped forward to help him, giving him a leg up on to the horse then running for a javelin having remembered where Hephaistion was intending to go, and passing it to him. Hephaistion could have laughed that the man thought he was capable of hunting anything when his main concern was staying on the horse beneath him.

He had grown comfortable with Nike, trusting the mare, this horse was younger, suited to the cavalry, perhaps Ptolemy's spare, it was willing to go forward. He thought he might fall and clutched the horse's mane willing himself to relax then realising he did not know where to head.

He looked back. "Which way?"

The servant ran forward, pointing east, then waved farewell.

Concentrating on settling the horse, trying to get an even pace, Hephaistion soon left the house behind, and he realised that for the first time in a long time he was truly alone, nobody was there to run to him if he got in to trouble, he just needed to remain seated on the back of the fine horse he rode. He had walked unsupported, small, shaky steps but better than he had ever hoped for. He flexed his left arm, it protested a little but he could raise it high, as before, then he looked down to his legs, looking as they always had, gripping the sides of the horse, maybe not with the same strength but he could feel the warmth of the horse, feel its movement now.

He looked up, not able to stop the laughter, the sheer joy of life coming back to him, allowing him to hope that he would still be by Alexander's side wherever he chose to go.

Heading east at a walk he began to think he had been a little foolhardy, he needed to ride faster to find the lodge by nightfall but he knew that Alexander and the rest would have covered some distance, if only to stretch their horses legs. The idea of returning to the house defeated did not appeal at all so he decided to try to take the straightest route east and hope to make up time that way.

Relishing his freedom he guided the horse across a small brook and climbed a hill, looking back to see the house in the distance, to see a rider approaching at a gallop, the sun behind him. Hephaistion sighed, thinking that Sappho had sent the servant after him but this man rode too well, leaping the brook effortlessly, at one with his horse. He could see the rider now and laughed again as he recognised Seleucus and called out in greeting.

"What are you doing here alone? Where is Alexander?" Seleucus asked as he reined his horse in close and reached over to Hephaistion, embracing him, almost unseating him.

"Alexander is hunting with Ptolemy, I was on my way to them." Hephaistion saw Seleucus look at his horse, a puzzled look appearing on his face. "My horse went lame," it was no lie but his horse was back at Pella, resting.

"That's a quality one, I should ask Ptolemy if he wants to sell it," Seleucus said, "I was on my way to Ptolemy's when I saw you. They'll have a spare javelin there won't they?" he continued, turning his horse to go in Hephaistion's direction, obviously deciding to go hunting, though he had no javelin, just a sword and dagger at his side and a bag full of his clothing across his horse's withers.

"Where is Perdiccas?"

"Still with his family...I outstayed my welcome, though it was not my fault, Perdiccas' young cousin found her own way in to my bed, I did nothing to encourage her."

Hephaistion laughed.

"Perdiccas wasn't best pleased either, he got in trouble for the fact I am his friend and stayed to pour oil on troubled waters while I quickly took my leave and thought Ptolemy might be glad of company." He grinned. "And how are you? How is married life?"

"I am well enough and married life is not what it appears to be."

Seleucus nodded, pulling a face. "Can't say I would ever want to get married. How far are they away? We'll get there by dark at this rate. Come on, I'll race you."

Hephaistion felt his heart come up in to his throat at Seleucus' suggestion, he thought it might be tempting the fates to push his luck any further. Any choice was taken from him as Seleucus assumed that he would choose the quicker pace and he clutched on to his horse's mane as he went straight in to a canter and then a gallop. He felt his legs grip the sides of the horse, enough to give him the balance he needed, the fates were being kind this day, perhaps Poseidon, a god he had never particularly favoured, was watching over him after all, perhaps Pelagia's shade had called out in remorse and some other god had heard her.

Eventually, Seleucus brought his horse back to a gentle canter, leading the way towards some woodland, judging that was the best place to look, he reined in as they approached the edge of it, smiling over to Hephaistion as they listened for the hunting party.

Smiling back, Hephaistion relished Seleucus' ignorance of his condition, knowing if he said anything now he would be like the rest, even like Alexander, watching him, ready to assist. This was good, he felt he was an equal once more, that he had his freedom back and the thought of dark days in a darkened room at Pella vanished and the promise of Persia seemed within his grasp.

"There. Did you hear?"

Having been lost in thought Hephaistion had not heard anything. He listened now and heard a shout, some way off and indistinct. "They have not gone far," he remarked.

Seleucus shook his head. "Ptolemy's land is full of game, he brought us here before, we spent the morning here before moving on." He looked up at the sun, judging the time. "The morning is almost done." He grinned at Hephaistion. "We'll go find them, I can drop off my belongings and get a javelin." He urged his horse on and led the way through the trees, being cautious to listen out so as not to place themselves in any danger by being mistaken for prey.

"So, Philip doesn't mind your being with Alexander now you're married?"

"He had a change of heart."

"Really?" Seleucus looked back but at the moment he did so a wounded boar came crashing out of the undergrowth, charging between the two horses who both spooked.

Seleucus' horse bucked and leapt sideways and as he was off balance, turned towards Hephaistion, he fell heavily to the ground. Hephaistion's horse also leapt to the side, its feet kicking out in defence Hephaistion stayed with it but then it reared and span around and it was too much, he lost his seat and slid from the horse on to the ground, falling on to his back. He lay still, assessing what damage had been done, opening his eyes and seeing the cliff stretch high above him for a moment before he saw the branches of the trees and heard the grunting of the boar. He propped himself up and looked to the clearing, the boar had not gone, the hunter's were approaching.

Winded by the fall, Seleucus lay in the boar's path, oblivious to the danger he was in, as he got himself up on to all fours then began to stand, the boar became agitated and looked to charge.

Hephaistion looked for the javelin, he had dropped it as he fell, it was close to him and he dragged himself across to it, his eyes not leaving the boar, not daring to shout a warning. He had to move quickly, his right hand closed around the javelin, his left steadied him as he brought his feet up under him, Seleucus had turned, had seen the boar and stood routed to the spot.

His legs protested, his back felt as though a dagger was striking him constantly but he had to move and move quickly the boar was about to charge and Seleucus might be killed if he did not act. He raised the javelin, took a breath and held it, then stepped forward and with all his strength hurled the javelin forward, falling forward as he released it, watching it arc high, fearing it might strike Seleucus but it turned towards the ground meeting the boar as it was about to strike, hitting it in the chest and bringing it down where it slid to Seleucus' feet.

Seleucus drew his sword and struck it deep in to the boar's neck though it was probably already dead. He looked to Hephaistion then fell back on to his backside, looking to his hands which shook.

Ptolemy and Nikias emerged from the woods, then Alexander, followed by a Epaphras and Sostrate. They reined their horses in, surveying the scene before them then quickly dismounted, Ptolemy going to help Seleucus up and Alexander hurrying to Hephaistion.

"How did you get here?" he asked, looking with amazement at the fact that his closest friend was actually standing before him, even with support. He put his arm around Hephaistion's waist and encouraged him to sit then crouched down staring intently at him, unable to hide the smile caused by this new arrival to the hunt. He looked over his shoulder to where Seleucus was talking with Ptolemy, kicking at the body of the boar as if the creature might rise from the dead.

"I met Seleucus on the way here," Hephaistion said, "I managed to get up from my bed and leave the room, then to get a horse."

"Where is Nike, I bought her for you because she was safe for you."

"I didn't fall...first," Hephaistion protested, "Seleucus fell."

Alexander laughed for joy and pulled Hephaistion in to an embrace. "It has to get better now. You see? You can fight the fates."

Hephaistion put his right hand over Alexander's mouth and signalled for him to be quiet, that he should not tempt the gods, then he took his hand away and leaned forward to claim a kiss. "How many boars have you killed today?" he teased.

Seleucus came over and looked down on Hephaistion shaking his head. "Ptolemy just told me...what has happened....the girl you married...the
cliff."

"I am better now," Hephaistion smiled holding his hand out to Seleucus. "Help me up."

Alexander and Seleucus pulled Hephaistion to his feet but that was as much as he would let them do, even with the ground being so uneven. Slowly he made his way over to his horse, reclaiming the javelin from Nikias on his way, as if he might go hunting once more, though he used the weapon to steady himself.

At first, Alexander followed, then realised that he was no longer required, not to carry or support as he had been doing. Only when Hephaistion got to his horse did he step forward to offer a hand to help him up, looking up in to his lover's lapis eyes, feeling the love and the relief flowing through him.

"The wedding first...then Persia," he said, smiling to see Hephaistion nod in agreement.

OOXXOO

The hunting was abandoned for a celebration at the lodge, of friends reunited and Hephaistion's recovery. They sat on benches around the fire while the boar was roasted and skins of wine passed around. Seleucus made everybody laugh with his stories of life with Perdiccas and his family. Nikias sang an old hunting song, which everyone joined in with, the Alexander recited from 'The Illiad' which made every man go quiet to listen in rapture.

"I hope your father calls me back to go with him," Ptolemy said, when he was done.

"Speak to him for us, Hephaistion," pleaded Seleucus, a smile upon his face, "you seem to have his favour..and the god's favour too."

"He'll not leave good men behind," Hephaistion replied.

"How soon will you have to leave...for the wedding?" asked Seleucus.

Alexander sighed and stretched his legs. "In the next couple of days. He turned and looked to Hephaistion. "I think everyone wil be surprised to see you walk in by my side."

"If you go slowly," Hephaistion said, "I'm much improved and I have your mother to thank for the speed of my recovery, Ptolemy."

Ptolemy looked surprised then laughed. "She's too eager to play the nurse. I can imagine, my father suffered it for years."

Alexander stood and walked over to the open doorway of the lodge, leaning against it to look out at the stars appearing in the night sky. He turned and smiled to see Hephaistion walking over to him, then stepped outside knowing he would follow, he could now.

"You look to the east, Alexander. Do you think of glory in Persia?"

"For what my father will allow," Alexander replied, turning to look upon his lover.

Hephaistion bit his lip, considering his reply. "There will be a time when you can look for glory."

Alexander shook his head. "I need you by my side, Hephaistion. It was always your dream too."

Hephaistion smiled. "Ah, but we can dream again, Alexander." He sighed softly. "Though I need to rest a little."

Alexander followed, laughing softly as Hephaistion did not go back to the lodge but headed out of sight, turning to see he followed. What was broken had been mended, stronger than before and no matter what the future held they could face it together. He ran a little way to catch up, his arm reaching around his lover before they lay upon the ground.

EPILOGUE

The girl made her way through the busy port, her cloak wrapped around her. She stood and looked out to sea looking to where her home of Athens might be, hearing alien voices and shivering a little at the thought of her plight, to be alone in Persia, living on the generosity of the merchant who had plucked her from the sea.

He spoke a little Greek, his wife and children spoke nothing, and he was not rich, he just managed to get by.

She noticed a man looking at her, a handsome Persian, riding a fine horse, his clothes those of a rich man. He might provide a better home than the hovel she was living in. She lifted up her head and brushed back her dark, curled hair and turning towards him she smiled sweetly, waiting while he rode towards her. He would do.

She lowered her eyes, then gazed upon him. "My name's Pelagia," she said.

THE END