Forest Child Chapter Four
"How goes Hephaistion training? Olympias asked as she took tea with her son.
Of course she knew how Hephaistion was progressing. She had sent the most loyal of her pet snakes to spy and report back to her. They could remain out of sight and go about unnoticed if they were well concealed.
"He is improving in speech and writing. He beats me in wrestling and spots." Alexander replied.
"Good, Good." Olympias took a sip of wine. She began to plot inside her head.
Her time with Hephaistion was few and far between. What she taught him was their little secret. Their business was conducted mostly at night when everything was bathed in a bluelish gray haze. She would send for him tonight after sundown down. She could feel that Alexander had left Hephaistion to his own devices and the gentle slow heart beat showed that the boy was at rest. He stirred slightly as he felt her presence.
"Is everything alright mother?" Alexander's voice interrupting her thoughts.
She blinked and smiled at her son "Yes, everything is fine." She placed a hand on top of his and gave it a gentle pat "I was just thinking that I would very much like to see Hephaistion and see what he has learnt."
"And you shall."
"I would like that. I shall send for him tonight."
"Tonight?" Alexander asked puzzled pulling his hand away.
"Why not. You will be with your Father and I will be alone. Hephaistion will keep me company."
Alexander soften and took his mother hand.
"As you wish mother, as you wish."
Hephaistion was shown in by Olympias trusted body servant. Her pets welcomed him all at once, a game they like to play making him stagger backwards and his eyes dart around in fright.
"Hush my sweets." Olympias commanded "Hephaistion is our guest. We shall treat him with respect."
One by one the snakes fell silent but continued to watch them with their beady eyes.
"Come closer." She instructed "Let me look at you."
Hephaistion stepped forward, keeping his gaze down. He was wearing one of Alexander's hand me downs tunics and his hair was still long but neatly groomed away from his face.
"Are you well?" she asked
"Ye.." he replied using his new found inner voice before Olympias stopped him by holding up her hand.
"Use speech." She told him pointing to her mouth.
Hephaistion looked up and swallowed the lump in his throat. Slowly the words came out
"Yes, your m-m-majesty I'm very well."
His shoulders slumped as if uttering those few words had exhausted him.
"Very good," Olympias said clapping her hands. "My son has taught you well. Now to our work, do you remember what I taught you last time?"
"Yes your majesty."
"Then come with me."
They stepped out into Olympais's private courtyard. Despite the autumnal feel in air in one corner of the courtyard late summer flowers were in bloom. Hephaistion had called them from their slumber. Olympais placed her hands on his shoulder.
"You remember these?" she asked.
"Yes." He said but added quickly when Olympais arched her eyebrow wanting more. "I made them the last time I was here."
"Very good." She replied "And now we shall take them away."
A look of Confusion passed across Hephaistion's face as she walked towards the flowers. She cupped one of the lush Yellow one in her hand. The confused turned to horror as she closed her fingers around the flower and gave it a squeeze. Instead of bright yellow petals falling to the ground all that was left was a shriveled up brown husk.
She stepped away from the damage and went to stand in front of Hephaistion "In order to fully understand our gift we must explore everything it has to offer."
She saw that Hephaistion was mortified by what she had done and what she was about to make him do. But he let her take him by the hand and place it around another flower "Do not be afraid." She told him "I will guide you."