UnHeralded Strength, Book II, Chapter 3
Alexander, Hephaistion and Bagoas have just arrived at Alexander's tent, and an unveiling ensues.
Hephaistion entered Alexander's tent and stumbled as his foot got caught on a thick, silken carpet. He swore softly as he looked down at the colorful abstract of a Persian paradise beneath his feet. The edge had been lifted just a bit, enough to trip someone up.
"The culprit!" Hephaistion muttered with an affectionate smile as Peritas, Alexander's dog, with tail wagging, red tongue lolling from his grinning mouth jumped up from where he lay on the carpet, and licked Hephaistion's face for him.
"Uggh, Peritas! Dog breath..." Hephaistion grimaced as he wiped his face with one hand while petting an enthusiastic Peritas, and moved along behind Alexander who was still leading Bagoas by the hand.
"I hope he realizes that is Bagoas and not a girl." Hephaistion chuckled softly to himself as he watched Alexander settle Bagoas on his couch. Alexander was smiling like a fool, his eyes shining as Bagoas looked up into Alexander's face lovingly as he removed the himation from around his head and upper body. He was incredibly graceful and lovely to watch; and very much resembled a beautiful maiden. The scent of his perfume, an inviting floral scent wafted across the couches. For a moment, Hephaistion found himself at odds with a reaction he hadn't expected or wanted, began to take place in his body. He bit the inside of his cheek brutally to stop it immediately.
Alexander leaned across the couch towards Bagoas, his voice a half-whisper. "Is it really you, Bagoas?" His gaze was searching, bright and somewhat naive, Hephaistion thought as he considered his boyhood companion who was gazing at the Persian as though he were Aphrodite herself. Hephaistion stopped himself from making a face in his irritation, Alexander was clearly blinded by erotic admiration. He had that stupid smile on his face, a smile he had been very familiar with and thought of as his. It wasn't so much that he was smiling at Bagoas…non, it was… It was that Bagoas stilled resembled a beautiful young woman. Bagoas he could deal with, a woman…well, that might be different, possibly. They both would have to marry one day, perhaps... Non," He agreed with himself, he would leave that concern for the gods and the future.
"So much for your famous self-control," Hephaistion smirked wordlessly in Alexander's direction as he leaned forward whispering as well, for the sake of keeping their secret private – Ptolemy, who made no bones about his admiration of pretty women, was loitering about the outskirts of the tent; he could hear his husky voice.
"Bagoas, you should, ah, cleanse your face." Grunting in satisfaction, Hephaistion threw himself on a couch with Peritas still trailing by his side. The dog hopped up beside him – licking his face, again.
"Great, Alexander gets Bagoas and I get the dog. Forgive my thoughts, Aphrodite, but why?" Hephaistion huffed softly in irritation as he pushed down his supper "companion".
Fragrant, fruity white wine was poured into a cup on the table beside him. He drank it slowly, letting the flavor linger in his mouth as he studied Alexander who now seemed a bit amused by the entire situation.
"He is beautiful is he not?" He sighed, then turned to Hephaistion with a grin, his eyes full of sparkling mischievousness. "So, what is going on Phai? Why is Bagoas dressed as such and why were you walking out with him as though he were your woman?" He was drumming his right foot on the side of the couch, a clear sign he was enjoying himself, immensely. "He looks very convincing." He shook his blond curls as if to confirm this. "If only there was a woman with the look of Bagoas, she, I would marry. If I must marry at all." He said this last to himself in a muffled voice. "I do not wish to marry." He looked up at Hephaistion expectantly.
"I know, we have spoken of this many times. Why, were you planning to marry Bagoas?" Alexander burst out laughing heartily, almost rolling off his couch as the possibility was wildly amusing.
"Hmm…now that is an idea!" He sat up, suddenly full of energy, his face bright with animation. "Ah, here he is!" He jumped up grabbing the Persian's hand and laughed delightedly as he kissed him. "Ptolemy will be so jealous! He thinks we are in here with that beauteous creature. I could see his eyes – full of interested, very interested curiosity."
Bagoas resumed his place at Alexander's side. The exquisite maiden had been replaced by the exquisite youth. The rosy color on his lips and cheeks was gone, the only makeup remaining on his eyes. These he had colored a rich peacock blue, which made them seem larger and wider than usual; if such a thing were possible. The effect was quite stunning and again, Hephaistion found himself feeling more than just interested. His gaze went from Bagoas to and Alexander, who in his laughing pleasure glowed like a bright jewel in a dark room. Feeling somewhat confused Hephaistion finished his wine, gestured for more and began to show Peritas a great deal of attention. Peritas rolled onto his back, his white belly open to Hephaistion's caresses.
"You have made a friend for all eternity." Alexander chuckled as he watched his dog lavish kisses on his companion's face.
"Nai, I have been immensely lucky, I am besieged by strange women who claim to be in love with me and a dog." Hephaistion let his lips form a sneer as he drained his wine cup and gestured to the page nearby for more.
"'Tis not just a dog, 'tis Peritas." Alexander frowned and pretended to sound hurt as he gestured for Peritas to come to him. "Come here, aye, you are a good companion, one of the best even if you are a great buffoon." He ruffled the fur about Peritas' face as the dog grinned and accepted the lavish attention. "Better than any woman, I would say…well, just now." He grinned self-consciously and his gaze fixed on Bagoas, his curiosity strong. "So why the elaborate subterfuge?"
"We did not mean to surprise you, Iskander. Although I had…well, I…had been…" Bagoas began as Alexander moved toward him and let his hand smooth down the long, ebony tresses falling down his slender back. "But, Meli, she…" his voice drifted off as he suddenly decided to let Hephaistion explain.
"Meli?" Alexander's fair brow wrinkled as he sought to put the name to a face. His gaze was fixed on Hephaistion. "Ah, Meli, the woman who sought your protection some weeks past. I thought she had gone with…"
"It wasn't intended for you Alexander, turning Bagoas into a maiden. In fact, I hoped you would not know of this." Hephaistion interrupted quickly as spread his hands wide as though to encompass a large area. "This situation was mine entirely, Bagoas was only drawn in as a matter of chance. The woman Meli has been following me about and will not quit. She seeks my aid then when I go to protect her nothing is wrong, but that she is attempting to gain my attention in a manner that does not suit me. I have come to be wary of her."
Bagoas grinned at Hephaistion and turned toward Alexander, his grin changing to a soft, evocative smile as he leaned toward Alexander. "He needed assistance. The woman Meli has lost herself in her desires for him, when he has made clear he has none. "Twas my idea to dress as a young maiden and accompany him, hoping she would leave him alone once she saw his affections were engaged elsewhere."
"Poor girl," Alexander shook his head slowly as he studied Hephaistion with a soft, loving eye. "To be in love with one she cannot ever hope to have. 'Twould be enough to sadden one immeasurably." Hephaistion just kept himself from rolling his eyes.
"'Tis all very well for you, Alexander to be so sympathetic; I too was sympathetic, until I became tired of rescuing her from a fate that did not exist. I made clear to her at first that my affections lay elsewhere, nor would I become her patron. I've no interest in such, my affections lie elsewhere." He looked Alexander boldly in the eye. Alexander answered the challenge by getting up and going to him.
"Aye, they are." Alexander agreed as he took his hand in his and brushed his thumb against his long fingers. "However, is she in need of a protector?"
"As a lioness needs a protector so does Meli." Hephaistion answered as he settled himself more comfortably on his couch next to Alexander who still had hold of his hand. "Non, I learned she has many. This I discovered quickly after I offered her my aid the first time. I thought her an innocent, set upon by men not suited to her. I quickly learned it was an act, and she collects "protectors" the way some men seek the wine bowl every morn though their head tells them not to."
Alexander heard all this and got up looking thoughtful his sandals made a soft patter on the thick carpet as he began to pace a bit before returning to his own couch. "Perhaps I should speak with her."
"It will gain nothing, and most likely excite her beyond all reason. Recall what Aristotle taught us about women, and let us turn our attention to something more edifying." Hephaistion answered. The rich odor of roast meat tickled his senses as supper was brought in and he sighed with satisfaction. Hungrily, he broke the leg from a roast chicken supper that was set before him. He gestured for the page to leave the wine jug between his couch and Alexander's and sat back with a great sigh as Bagoas, who had risen to supervise the serving of their meal, set small bowls of cheese, olives and figs on a small table next to his couch. Hopping over Peritas who was sprawled at Alexander's feet, Bagoas grabbed a fig off Alexander's plate and ate it slowly.
"Here, eat…" Alexander offered the youth half the chicken and pulled him down beside him. "Women…" He stopped and looked haunted for a moment then looked up at his companions and grinned. "They are a plague of loveliness to our eyes and good judgment."
"Yet without them and their loving ways we would lost. For who would raise us and teach us we are kings of the world?" Hephaistion grimaced and bit his tongue at the sound of Ptolemy's deep voice. Hades, what was he doing here? He must have got in with the food.
"Phaistion?" With a smile that set many a feminine heart aflutter, Ptolemy sat down on his couch and broke off a wing from the chicken on Hephaistion's plate. Hephaistion growled louder than Peritas, who, by the way his gaze was on Hephaistion's plate, had marked the chicken down as his prize. Peritas barked at the interloper, and Hephaistion pulled his plate away from the seeking fingers and the hungry dog who was nosing too close. "Get your own, I am hungry."
"Where is she?" Ptolemy's polite inquiry was answered by Alexander's smiling refusal to share Bagoas' secret.
"Who?" Alexander responded with the most innocent expression he could muster, as he ate his supper. "We are only we three here, ah, four. I forgot Peritas." He called his dog to him and rewarded him with a large piece of chicken.
"So that's the way of it, 'eh?" Ptolemy grinned knowingly at both Alexander and Hephaistion. "I can keep a secret. Is she in your bedchamber?" He nodded in the direction of the King's private chambers with a wide grin.
Alexander studied blue-eyed Ptolemy a moment as though considering something important. "She is with the rest of my harem."
"Your harem?" Ptolemy couldn't keep the disbelieving laughter from his voice. "The day you willing keep a harem I will take a boy to my bed." With a wink he set his gaze on Bagoas. Hephaistion burst out laughing in good humor.
Alexander merely smiled benignly as he continued eating his supper. "I could have a harem, 'tis not such an impossibility."
"Anything is possible." Hephaistion added for the sake of continuity and raised his brow at Bagoas whose large dark eyes grew wider and began to spark with unease as Ptolemy began to study him intently.
"You know Alexander, Bagoas has the look of the maiden. Is she related to you, Bagoas? You can tell me, I will keep it between us four. Not a word, I promise. Is she a sister…cousin?" He was so earnest that Alexander looked miserable for a moment as he looked about with pursed lips. Then he met Hephaistion's amused gaze and burst out.
"Oh, Hades! 'Twas Bagoas, and if you speak of it outside of this tent or the presence of us four I will sell you to into slavery in the gold mines. Not a word to anyone, Ptolemy, and I mean it."
"Hmmm, Bagoas…" With a triumphant smile in his eyes, Ptolemy turned toward the object of his speculation and studied him hard from the tip of his toes to the top of his shining head. "Aye, I can see it, aye, 'tis very likely. My dear, there is the slightest hint of color still on them, and your feet are adorned with the same jeweled sandals I saw grace the foot of the lovely maiden. Ah, you would fool any man." He then leaned over and placed a firm kiss on Bagoas' smooth lips. There was utter silence for a moment then he announced succinctly as his gaze went from Alexander to Hephaistion and on to Bagoas. "I wonder about you Alexander, indeed I love you, but I do wonder about you."
"You do not need to wonder, Ptolemy, I have hidden nothing from you." Alexander answered his searching gaze with an open smile.
"Aye, you have not…never have, that is true. What about you, Hephaistion?" Ptolemy asked. "Are you keeping secrets from me?" Hephaistion raised a burnished eyebrow at him and snorted.
"What I do is my business and mine alone, Ptolemy." He answered in a slow deliberate manner. "You need not worry about whom I take to my bed."
"I did not say I worry about whom you sleep with, did I?"
"You insinuate." Hephaistion's voice had a sharp tone as he lay back, sipped his wine and fought down the desire to punch Ptolemy in the face as he whispered sharply in Hephaistion's direction.
"I know."
"Indeed
"I know."
"Good, I am glad for you." Hephaistion answered dryly at the taunt. "Now go away."
Alexander began to laugh and Bagoas giggled softly.
"One kiss is enough." Alexander warned as Ptolemy leaned in close toward Bagoas' face with the clear intent on his face.
"Well, then you leave me no choice…" Ptolemy sighed longingly and before anyone could take more than a breath smacked a kiss on Hephaistion's lips and bounced up, laughing as he ran from the tent.
"Miscreant! Ass!" Hephaistion was mumbling oaths to himself as he roughly wiped his mouth. "May Pan shrivel your cock to the state of a dried up worm, Ptolemy!"
"He has done that before, Ptolemy has." Alexander reminded Hephaistion. "In our youth, when I was…"
"I know, I recall!" Hephaistion answered him bluntly color hotly flooding his face as he recalled the time Ptolemy had spied upon them in the woods about Meiza. "And, I will kill him… One day soon."
TBC