Hello all,

Here comes the fourth entry to my Destiny tale. Dire Omens are gathering. Amanda knows that bad things will happen now when they are in the seven walled city of Ecbatana. She needs to avert the horrors that are to come, but how?

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/ NorthernLight

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Escape From Destiny, Part Four

Ecbatana, 324 BC

Rainbow City.

It was true as the rumours said. Amanda rode Megaira towards Ecbatana's famous seven thick walls sparkling like a rainbow in the setting sun. The first was white like newly fallen snow, the second black as ebony, the third scarlet as roses in blossom, the fourth azure blue as a summer sky, the fifth orange as a blazing sunset, the sixth silvery as the full Moon and the seventh bright and golden like the Sun in zenith. This city was most beautiful and fortunately it had not been damaged at all during the wars. The Persian Great King's Summer residence was now welcoming Alexander and his returning army,

Sadly Amanda could not rejoice in the beautiful city. She had seen it so many times in her dreams. Now when she saw it in reality once more she knew what was soon to happen. Destiny had spared them six years ago during their first stay in the Rainbow City.

It would not be so lenient this time.

Amanda knew that Hephaestion would die during their second stay in Ecbatana.

Megaira felt the unrest of her Dear Mistress. The big mare started to shiver and whinny, then she reared up. Gorgon came to her, trying to calm her down. Cleitus called out to the horses.

"Whoa, whoa, Gorgon and Megaira. Good horses, good horses! We will soon come to rest in fine quarters and stables!", he told them. "You must not upset Amanda now."

Amanda was upset enough by the sight of the rainbow city. Then she looked back towards her dear children riding on their ponies behind their parents. Little Cleitus was eight years old now, a sturdy and big black maned boy taking good care and great responsibility for his younger siblings. The Twins Alexios Hephaestion and Stefanos Alexander were seven and they were beautiful little boys, auburn and black maned, usually called Heph and Alex. Then there was little Artemis, a lovely girl of three. She was already a little beauty with golden hair and deep blue eyes. Appearances did betray, though. She was a little vixen and always up to mischief! Now Little Cleitus had her in front of him on his stubborn gray pony, but on shorter journeys she could already ride her own bay pony. This horse was now trudging along her friends and children. They were all very tired and hung their heads. The small children were almost falling asleep in the saddles and Little Cleitus gently cradled his sleeping sister.

The little family entered the Rainbow city together with Alexander's Companions and Army. When the horses were safe and well in the fine stables they settled in their quarters and ate a tasty supper consisting of warm broth and newly baked bread before going to bed. They all slept together in a finely adorned wooden house. Evenings were chilly during the beginning of autumn so they had thick sea green blankets and furs to help them keep warm. Amanda and Cleitus slept in a big bed and all the children in smaller beds at its side. In the other room the faithful Guards Stefanos and Alexios slept - but they were always vigilant, keeping watch over all even in their sleep.

Autumn Nightmare

/ The chamber was there once more. It was so finely adorned and filled with beautifully carved and crafted furniture in dark oaken wood. The fabrics were sea green and deep blue and the furs white and dark brown, from bears and wolves. It should have been beautiful, but it was not.

It was a chamber filled with grief and sorrow.

One man lay still and unmoving on his back. His glossy auburn hair had lost its shine and vitality as it lay spread over the linen cushions. His beautiful face was white as chalk. His blue eyes were closed forever.

It was evident that he was no longer amongst the Living.

Another man was fondly embracing and cradling him. His golden hair mane was a tangled mess and his Royal red chiton and cloak were wrinkled and untidy. He cried in desperation and sorrow. Those cries was the saddest sound she had ever heard.

It was Alexander and Hephaestion in that forlorn chamber of sorrows.

The King no longer had his Friend, General and Chiliarch.

King Alexander could not go on without him. /

Amanda awoke with a scream. She was cold and shivering and cold sweat ran in streams from her brow, breasts and back. Cleitus embraced her and tried to calm her down.

"Amanda, do not worry so. It's just a dream, just a bad dream."

"No, it is The Dream, once more - and now we are here, in this dreadful Rainbow City!"

The King's Healer, usually so calm and composed was beside herself from worries. Her deep green eyes were rolling and her golden hair dishevelled. Now her children woke up, too. They spoke in unison.

"Mother, we had the Bad Dream, too!"

Little Artemis crept into the bed and rested between her parents. She watched them with her determined blue eyes.

"All will be well with King Alexander and Phai. We will do our very best to Heal and protect them!", she stubbornly stated.

Amanda fondly embraced her little girl and stroke her golden hair and peach soft chin.

"I hope so, little Artemis, I certainly hope so, "she reassuringly told the little girl and them all.

She knew that it would not be easy to avert these Bad Dreams and Omens.

TBC

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