Hello all,

Here comes the ninth entry to my Destiny tale. Amanda observes that there is something very seriously wrong with her King and Chiliarch. She does her very best to cure them - but will it be enough?

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading, Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2014!

/ NorthernLight

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Escape From Destiny, Part Nine

Ecbatana, 324 BC

Miracle Remedies Of The Healer

Amanda did not get much sleep that night. She tossed and turned, thinking about the precarious state of her King and Chiliarch. Their health - or the dangerous lack of it filled her with deep anguish and concern.

At long last her husband Cleitus was awakened by her unrest. He was a very sound sleeper. The fact that he woke up at all told all about the severity of the situation.

"My dear, why are you not asleep as we all should ?, "he worriedly asked her. "You need your sleep, what with all that important work that you have. And, I know that you went to Stefanos and Alexios to give them a midnight meal, too."

"Yes, they needed it. They are both fine, but we are so worried over King Alexander and Chiliarch Hephaestion. They have not been well since we came through the Gedrosian Hell, "she told her husband in a whisper, not wanting to disturb her dear children. "The King cannot breathe properly and Hephaestion is completely over worked. He has far too much to do with all his administration duties!"

"I know, I know, "Cleitus told her. "I am so glad to be here and to be able to help them. It is thanks to your intervention that I survived that dreadful quarrel at Maracanda. "

They both shuddered when they remembered the enraged Alexander ready to throw a murderous spear on his faithful General. Too much drink and too many vicissitudes had brought on the bitter quarrel and dissent. Fortunately Amanda and the children had come between the angry King and his General. In the nick of time they were able to stop the assault and calm them down. When they sobered up in the morning they were most thankful for her bold intervention.

"Well, now you have managed to wake me up, too, "he continued. "We had better to rise. The bed no longer feels comfortable! There must be something to do, there always is."

"Yes, there always is, "Amanda answered him. " I must go outdoors and collect some Healing herbs. They are more potent this early in the morning. Mother Demeter will show me a proper remedy for our Dear Ones."

"I will go out there with you, Cleitus told her. " I know nothing about Healing herbs - but you need company and protection, my dear."

The faithful couple could not remain in bed. They got up from bed and dressed. Then they told their servant Marisa to see to the children when they woke up. It was very early in the morning when they went outdoors together, mounted on their equally stubborn stallion and mare Gorgon and Megaira. It was a clear and bright autumn morning. The sun had just risen over the horizon and the air was cool and brisk. The cobbled streets of Ecbatana were empty and deserted this early. The faithful couple felt as if they were all alone in the world. They rode through all city until they came to a portal in the rainbow walls. It was hidden and framed by thick curtains of mural ivy, dark and narrow with walls dripping from stale water and overgrown with mould and mosses. It looked so uncanny that their horses flinched and refused to enter. They had to gently pat them and talek to them to calm them down.

"Whoa, whoa, "Cleitus told them. "Good horses, good horses. There is nothing dangerous with that portal. You who have come with us through all Asia and all the dangers of King Alexanders hard campaigns, you cannot be frightened by a simple path through these friendly walls!"

The horses nodded in shame and now they willingly went through the portal.

Soon they were out in the forests and meadows surrounding the city of Ecbatana. A windling path took them to an autumnal meadow. It was covered with flaming golden and fiery orange maple and ironwood leaves. The trees themselves stood like a protecting wall around the meadow. There were still some leaves left on them so they had not turned into their uncanny winter bare skeletal appearance.

At the farthest end of the meadow they saw something very strange, indeed. There was a strange silvery and green light in front of two cornel bushes with flaming red leaves. The horses eagerly ran to this place. They wanted to eat something very delicious but suddenly they sneezed in disgust and withdrew their hungry muzzles. Amanda and Cleitus got off their strong backs and took a closer look.

Two plants grew high and mighty in the strange silvery light. They were surrounded and protected by a wall of fresh nettles. Those had sprouted bright green leaves almost as in springtime. One of the plants was a cooling mint plant with its strong smelling serrated turquoise leaves, the other looked more like thick green grass straws with yellow flowers. It was not common grass, though. Amanda could easily recognize the warming ginger plant. She knew that beneath the thick green straws were knobbly roots that were extremely warming and helpful against chilling conditions.

"How strange, "she exclaimed. "Nettles do not sprout fresh leaves in autumn, and mint and ginger NEVER grow together. I did not know that ginger even grew this far up in the north. It must mean something. I will collect them immediately."

Cleitus put on his stout and protective military gloves, made of thick leather and studded with iron. He picked all the nettles and then the Healer picked the cooling mint and dug up the warming ginger roots.

"It was good of you to accompany me, my husband, "Amanda thankfully told him. "I was certainly not prepared to pick nettles in autumn!"

The horses munched on leaves and grass on the meadow. They were stubborn and reluctant when Cleitus and Amanda tried to mount them to return to the city. They liked their freedom and they wanted to roam the meadow and the forest all day long!

"Whoa, Good horses, good horses. Now you MUST take us back to the city, "Cleitus told them. "We have some vital remedies to make for our King and Chiliarch!"

Gorgon and Megaira sullenly agreed to be monted and leave the wondrous forest and meadow. On the windling path back they found a clear spring and drunk some of the sparkling water. Cleitus thanked them for the ride and promised them fragrant hay and barley gruel when they were back at the Royal Stables. Amanda gently patted them and unloaded all the Healing herbs. She returned to their wooden city house and immediately started to prepare the Miracle Remedies for her King and Chiliarch. She put the mint, the nettles and the ginger roots in three different cauldrons, and watched them boil.

"Mother! Will you not take some breakfast with us? "Little Cleitus adamantly asked her. "Marisa has baked bread in the morning and it tastes ever so good!"

"Yes, my dear boy, "Amanda said. "I will join you as soon as these roots and herbs have been properly boiled so that I can make them into remedies for our King and Chiliarch."

When the roots and herbs were boiled she put them aside and joined her husband and children for a hearty breakfast. She fondly watched them. Her dear husband sat at the side of his eldest son, their black manes mingling together as they shared the same loaf of bread, stuffed with ham and goat cheese. The Twins sat on a big chair eating and munching on another loaf. Alex had a black hair mane and Heph was auburn haired. They had grown much of late and they now were almost as tall, sturdy and muscular as their big brother.

In her lap little Artemisia sat. She was eager to eat herself and held her sandwich in one tiny hand and her cup of herbal tea in the other. Amanda looked at her little girl with fondness. She was as bright and clever as she was beautiful - but Amanda was surprised since she had grown very much of late and promised to become as big and strong as her older brothers. She reminded Amanda of her dear friend Hippolyta way back in Illyria. Even more she reminded her of KIng Alexander with her beautiful wavy and golden hair. Her deep blue eyes were the most uncanny of all. They had the same colour as Hephaestion's wonderful blue eyes.

Amanda loved all her children very much, but little Artemisia was very special, born after the very hard Jaxartes Campaign. She kissed the crown of her hair and then finished her meal.

"Be good now, children. Cleitus, Heph and Alex, you must look after your little sister while I prepare the remedy for our King and Chiliarch, "she adamantly told them.

"Yes, Mother, "Little Cleitus answered. "We will go riding in the forest. Menestas will accompany us."

Amanda nodded, knowing that Cleitus' faithful servant would take good care of her children. She proceeded to make ready the herbal remedies for her Dear Ones, mixing the ginger and mint cordials in the fresh nettle juice. She put them in two different bottles and walked to the Palace.

/ Small children, small troubles, big children, bigger troubles, she mused to herself. "/

TBC

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