Alexander couldn't help himself as he tried to talk through the gag. Hephaistion crouched down on one knee beside him and put a finger to his lips to silence him. He cut at Alexander's bounds with a homemade knife before removing the gag which Alexander shrugged away. He opened his mouth to speak but Hephaistion cut him off.
"There is no time, we have to go." He whispered
Alexander nodded once in agreement and then tried to stand up on his own. His good leg numb with the way they had left him was unable to support him. He collapsed in a heap.
"I can't move." He said "My legs."
Hephaistion took his right arm putting it over his shoulder and looped Alexander's waist so that he was holding all of his weight. Slowly he stood up and began to walk half carrying half dragging Alexander along.
Knowing that he was in safe and trusted hands Alexander simply allowed himself to drift, everything passing in a motionless blur. Hephaistion moved with ease and undetected through the camp. He was almost certain that the trees were moving to help cover their tracks. He shook his head to clear his vision and when the animals started to join in with their escape he put it all down to a fevered mind.
Alexander woke finding himself staring at the gnarly rock ceiling of a cave. He was laid on a bed of furs and leaves beside a small fire burning in a pit. He slung back the fur covering and found him naked, looking down at his thigh. He ran his fingertips over the healing pink scar in amazement, a wound like that should have taken months to heal. He moved gingerly putting both feet down on the ground and slowly began to stand up. When no stabbing pains shot through his leg Alexander stood up fully putting one foot in front of the other. He was walking normal until a wolf entered the cave at full run and pounced on top of him knocking him backwards.
Alexander couldn't help but scream as he threw up his hands to protect himself. Through his screaming he heard a mischievous giggle followed by a whistle. The wolf got off him and went over to the caller. Alexander laid there panting in shock; a hand was thrust in his direction which he took. Hephaistion pulled him up and back on the bed where Alexander covered up his modesty with the fur.
"Do you feel better?" Hephaistion asked
Alexander stretched. He had felt like he had been running on empty of the last few months but now he felt rejuvenated. He smiled before replying "Yes."
Hephaistion went over to the fire and for the first time "Are you hungry?" he asked Alexander noticed that something had been cooking over the fire. But he had so many questions that he wanted answering now.
"Eat first." Hephaistion instructed handing him a carved bowel "Talk later."
It was some kind of meat and vegetables stew. Alexander ate with relish, he was that hungry that Hephaistion offered him second helpings but took nothing for himself. The wolf had been sat with its head between its large front paws suddenly got up and came very close watching him licking its chops at the sight of free meat.
"NO!" Hephaistion said polite but firmly "You hunt for your food."
The wolf let out a disgruntled growl and then left them alone.
"He remembers you." Hephaistion said watching the wolf go before turning back to Alexander "That is why he is comfortable in your presence."
Alexander followed Hephaistion's gaze "You mean that is..."
"The cub you rescued, yes he is."
"What happened to the others?"
Hephaistion looked away and closed his eyes before shaking his head.
Alexander stopped eating and slowly swallowed the food in his throat. By Hephaistion's reaction he didn't need to push for any more information.
"I'm sorry."
Hephaistion suddenly shook off his melancholy. When he saw that Alexander was not touching his food he smiled.
"Eat." He encouraged "Please."