Hello all,

Stefanos and Alexios do their very best to help Hephaestion to medical attention in time. The Persian resistance is almost overwhelming.

A shorter chapter this time, but hopefully more will follow next weekend.

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/ NorthernLight

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The Blood Red Moon Of Battle

Part Six

The Plains Of Gaugamela, 331

Sneak Attack and Brave Defense

The Persians seemed to appear out of thin air. Stefanos and Alexios supported Hephaestion, riding calmly towards Camp. Then they were surrounded by what seemed the whole Persian Cavalry. They were riding and flashing and brandishing their scimitars all over the place. The Thracian Foot tried to resist them but it was very hard.

Hephaestion was almost unconscious from pain and loss of blood and he hang limp and listless towards his faithful Guards. Now he woke up with a jerk. He saw the Persians all around them and his keen Military mind took in the desperate situation. Swift action was now needed and he managed to take command.

"To me! To me!, "he called out to the Thracian Foot. "Form a phalanx and drive them away from the stockade."

When the besieged Thracians saw the auburn haired General the formed around him, feeling new hope and courage. They formed a mighty wedge and managed to fight the Persians off. Hephaestion brandished his sword and helped them. Now he had forgotten all pains and aches, his mind was filled with a blood red rage over the Persians' devious sneak attack towards the innocents at the stockaded Camp.

He well remembered what had happened at the field hospital at Issos and he did not want a repeat of this horror.

The fighting was hard and bitter. The Persians were determined to take over the Camp - but they now were met with hard resistance form the Macedonians who realized the danger and rallied to drive them away. Hephaestion rode in front of his men. He slashed and parried, slashed and parried in an endless row of attacks. The Persians fell all around him, screaming from pain and horror.

Suddenly he felt a sharp and vicious sting in his left arm. It was a Persian's spear that struck him. Once more red hot pain assaulted him. He pulled himself together and continued the fight. Now he had powerful reinforcements. A Golden Whirlwind was at his side. Together they chased the Persians away and once more the Camp was safe.

Hephaestion saw Alexander at his side. He gave him a fond and thankful smile. Then his Golden One seemed to reel and wawer before him. He was surrounded by a Golden halo - but then it dimmed and darkened until all the world was dark as night.

Hephaestion slipped into an ice cold unconsciousness. Alexander caught him, seeing that he was white as snow and barely breathing. He was bleeding profusely from his already injured arm.

"A Healer! A Healer!, "He called out loud. "I need help with Hephaestion here."

Doctor Philip was outside the Field Hospital and he saw Alexander come running with his Dear One in his arms. He quickly followed them into the Royal tent.

Hephaestion was limp and listless. His cheeks were white from loss of blood. He was unconscious but despite this his eyes were still open and wide from pain and shock. The good doctor felt for the pulse at his throat.

He could barely feel it.

TBC

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