Eyes that see into Infinity

Part 2

Chapter Nineteen

/

Cassander finished the question dryly. "I will ask again. Where is our king?"

More silence sprung as much as refusal to speak.

"I wasn't the only one to recall that you were one of the last to see him."

The men gathered in the room didn't plan on interrogating her, but all who were present around Alexander needed to be questioned and anyone who refused to be questioned knew the dangers of not speaking up or at all. They figured it was better to find everyone a suspect than no one at all.

"Answer!" The general yelled patience running thin.

"You seek answers in which you know I hold no knowledge. You would accuse me responsible with false tongue of the disappearance of King Alexander? He is my husband." The dark queen hissed as her reply towards the one who seemed to think she had something to do with why Alexander wasn't where he should be, along aside his men.

"You've had this spurn for him ever since he took two other mistresses. You've also grown weary of his disappearances; because he no longer sleeps with you at night and sneaks off to Hephaistion's warmer thighs. If jealousy didn't have a part in this than I must not know what the word even means." He threatened her with his approach, even considering her status as queen. "What did you do. Poison him and hire help to ditch his body? Tell me, witch."

Both Cassander and Roxanne were incredibly vulgar, not just to each other but everyone they held no liking for. In some ways they were the same. Like looking in the mirror but there desires were different. Roxanne only wanted her king's love and recently had felt betrayed. Cassander only wanted the throne but he even knew killing Alexander for it wasn't going to give him the title.

"What's been passed through my ear, were of thieves stealing his body? I am not familiar with these lands nor do I have the resources. Why would I waste my precious time worrying about a disabled king?" She retorted bravely.

"Because you couldn't do it if he was awake. Who is behind it?" Cassander yelled at her, but she did not flinch regardless of his close contact. The men stood by due to Cassanders outrage. He was getting extremely impatient.

She wasn't threatened, especially by a man. Men in her opinion were weak. It was a favored idea especially to women about all of them. Roxanne smirked wickedly. "Ask your own. Do not most of you want anything more than recognition from your king that he so easily dismisses? You want to go home but he holds you all hostages like your slaves of his presence. You have as much reason, or more than I to want to get rid of him. You've known him since child, therefore the resources and plotting comes far before hand, easily in your grasp. You call yourselves his friends because you are all afraid of what he would do if he found out just the opposite of the illusion you give him. If this satisfies your question, since you demand such an answer as much as the truth, I don't know where he was taken, but wherever the king is, I pray that whoever does have him, they take his life for his betrayal to his queen."

Ptolemy glared at her while she dismissed herself from the tent. "She's a snake." He expressed giving the rest a sign of caution. "None of us would betray the king. That much I know. He does things we may not agree with but never would I attempt anything against him." The curlied hair general said honestly.

"What of Philotas and Parmenion. They betrayed him did they not?" Leonnatus asked unsure himself.

"Perhaps they did, perhaps not. The fact remains they were still loyal to Alexander, just maybe not the king."

"What if she is right? It could be anyone. It could have been foreigners who stalked us during our journey." Perdicas joined.

Cassander shook his head. "Yes but they would have had help. We're talking about barbarians here."

"I agree. Alexander is always careful. Sure he's been careless but never without reward. And we all know we would have to get rid of Hephaistion first if we wanted something like this attempted. Alexander would have suspected, or known if we were being spied upon. We have guides, and Alexander always being hunted would have been on the alert for any reason. He's the king of the world and he has enemies, even close ones. The reason why I accuse the queen is because she's the second to the last person Alexander would suspect to hurt him." Ptolemy reasoned. "I see the look in her eyes when she's envious. That's when Alexander becomes most careless, around those he cares for, thinking he's built a trust. Someone like her would take that into consideration. Women are dangerous. We all know what his mother is capable of."

"I agree. We've fought these Indian tribes; they are as careless with schemes as some claim of our king, and rely only in strength so to assume they've suddenly grown clever is unreasonable. This is a set up and someone here knows this." Cassander responded.

Silence swept in the tent as they looked to each other some seeming ashamed. Thunder exploded in the skies, and far off lighting lit it up and the tent casting outdoor shadows.

Nearchus finally spoke up worried for the men on the search. "Craterus should be back soon." He sighed nervously.

"Hopefully with the king." Ptolemy murmured.

Leonnatus groaned after unfolding his arms. "We'll start questioning." He pushed himself to get ready for a long night. He nodded towards Perdicas and the young general followed Leonnatus through the tent.

"Make sure the queen is guarded at all times." Cassander added, apparently unusually dismayed.

The two generals gave the nod and left. Ptolemy looking worn himself, surely worried about Alexander, shrugged at Cassander and then followed the others.

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/

The two walk side by side, there time going by slowly but always according to the young's princes plan.

Phai, when I grow older, as big as my dad, I am going to take my friends on a very long walk. Okay?

Young Hephaistion watches his best friend stop to pick up a snake slithering by their feet. He was thinking about it.

A long walk? How long?

The young blue-eyed boy watches how the young prince and the snake become friends.. The animal doesn't strike and the blonde boy has no fear.

Probably 33 years.

Alexander answers with a small shrug, seeming to be more fascinated with the creature running through his fingers than the response given.

That's precise. And what makes you think they are up for it?

The brown haired boy gives his friend a small laugh thinking it absurd.

The prince lets the snake escape.

Well I will be king, so they would have no choice right?

He answered with young innocence.

So you're going to force them to follow?

The brunette raises his eyebrows.

Why not. If I want to go someplace, I'm not leaving any one behind. I want them to stay with me at my side always. I have everything planned and ready to go once dad lets me. If he thinks I'm ready Craterus will be my strength. Cleitus my shield. Ptolemy my brain. Parmenion, my guide. And you my heart and my soul. You could be the better me incase I fail as a king. I might ask you this a year from now or maybe longer, but when I do succeed, if I get lost, would you come find me?

Of course. You know I would! What kind of question is that?

Hephaistion frowns and answers defensively.

The prince smiles. Would you stop? Or give up if you felt there was no hope?

Hephaistion turned his gaze towards him.

Stop being stupid. I would never.

Alexander stopped, letting his friend walk ahead until Hephaistion stopped too.

What is it Alex?

The blonde smiled joyously.

Nothing, your answer was just precise. What makes you so sure I can trust you?

Well if I'm your heart and soul, love, I would have no choice right?

Right.

The brunette walks away.

\

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After the club which they never entered into again after what had happened, Phai had fallen asleep in the car on the way back. He wouldn't wake up so Alex brought him inside and let Phai stay the night. His friend was quite the light one, or he was just strong. Alex laid Phai gently on the living room couch and let him sleep there, covering him with a light weight blanket.

His father's new girl had spent the night, her car was parked out side the house when he had pulled up and dare he even think it, they were probably up still having sex . His father was like that. Thats how he dealt with things.

Alex poured himself a glass of water from the faucet and made himself comfortable returning to the living room, sitting on the floor against the couch not wanting to crowd Phai's space. All he wanted to do now was sleep. But he couldn't. So he turned on the tv and ran through the channels almost all night. The teen leaned up and covered his eyes. He started to cry again. Trying hard to hold it in. Maybe thats what he needed, to just release everything on his mind. He knew something was wrong still. Maybe he would never sleep ever again. Maybe death still awaits. His dads situation wasn't helping either. He wanted to put anything in his hands just to crush it.

Phai opened his eyes slowly, finally catching Alex like this. He watched him for almost an hour just losing it then finally shut his eyes.

When morning came Alex was on the couch still flipping through channels on the TV, stroking Phai's hair whose head was practically in his lap.

Then his cell had rung and vibrated against the coffee table in the middle of the room. The blue eyed teen woke up immediately wiping drool from his mouth and looking up at Alex then glaring cutely over at the phone for disturbing his rest. "What is that?" he deliriously said while wiping the sleep from his eyes.

The blonde apologized to Phai before standing and taking the call into the kitchen. Phai leaned up and sat back on the cushiony couch staring awkwardly at the TV not remembering how he got there.

"Hey mom."

"How are things hun?" she sounded a bit worn not like her usual calculating self.

"You sound tired, are you seriously calling to ask how things are?" Alex opened the fridge just to open it. Another nervous way of handling things.

"Why can't I. I'm your mother I have the right to ask."

"Sorry mom." he closed the fridge.

Alex then looked towards the upstairs and sighed, knowing things weren't good at all, whether she was talking to him specifically or in general. He then moved towards the kitchen window and noticed the girls car still there.

"Things are fine." He lied.

"Last time I talked to you, your father was doing better? How is he?"

He was quiet.

"Hun you there?"

"Yea. He's fine." He finally answered. "Still on leave of absence though. I'm kind of getting tired of seeing him around the house. Wish he would go back to work." Alex didn't mean that. He was just tired of seeing him with his new girlfriend around even though he hadn't known her for more than a couple of hours. Her staying the night was going too far. The more he thought about it the angrier he was getting. He was squeezing his cell almost crushing it before he felt the device heating in his grip. He loosened his fingers surprised at is own anger. He wanted to tell his mother not to worry about anything and that she was the most beautiful lady his father had ever met. That she was a great mom despite what others thought. That he loved her and doesn't want her replaced by another. He just wanting everything to be normal again.

"I was tired of seeing him for the year's we've been married. Join the club." She scoffed but from her voice she still felt something for Phillip.

"Hey mom have you moved on yet. You know like find someone else. Better than dad." Alex spoke softly in the device almost embarrassed to be asking.

"No honey, why do you ask. It's hard to move on from a relationship that lasted for so long. You will understand one day."

He heard movement from upstairs. This was his dad's normal time of waking up. "K mom, look I gotta go, I will talk with you later k?"

"Okay sweets, I love you."

"I love you too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Phillip came down the stairs right when Alex closed the phone. "Did you have a fun night?" he yawned asking his son while stepping into the kitchen in his dark blue pajamas. His hair fucked up.

"Yea." Alex replied half assed.

He heard the TV on in the other room and looked at Alex. "Why are you watching TV this early. Did you sleep at all. You're still in your clothes." he took a carton of orange juice from the fridge and drank from the lid.

"No. I couldn't. A lot is on my mind."

"Cleitus texted me shortly after you got home last night, he says you almost killed a couple of dickheads. Way to go son." Phillip was starting up the coffee maker.

"I'm not happy with that." His son openly replied. "It wasn't as big as he's making it."

"Well you should be happy. I am. I used to think you couldn't even kill a bug."

"It's nice to know I have to be a douche in order to make you proud dad. How about you, did you have a fun night?"

"Yep." Phillip answered directly lighting up a cigarette. He then gave a rude smile to his son. "I did. She's really good in bed." He knew he was going far, but he wanted to see how far his son would go. He already sensed his anger. That much didn't go unnoticed.

He smirked when his son tossed his cellphone at the wall. It breaking into pieces surprisingly damaging the wall.

"Of course you did! Of course you fucking did! You're a little fucker you know that!" Alex yelled slamming his fists onto the counter cracking the tile after knocking everything over the counter top. "Mom says hi by the way. Fucking call her back."

Phai heard this all from the other room. Needless to say he was shocked.

"Here we go again. My own son trying to tell me how to live my life. I feel young again. I really do." Phillip joked. "By the way this mess better be cleaned when I get back downstairs. Oh and make us breakfast. She likes her eggs scrambled. "

"I am being fucking serious! Maybe you should call mom and ask her how she is instead of fucking around with a girl who looks like a twelve year old stripper!"

Phillip grabbed Alex and slammed him against the refrigerator door, the handle stabbing into his back. "You watch your tone with me boy! Don't ever concern yourself with my affairs."

"This is my concern old man. You should have just died in that car. We would have been much happier. God must hate me to keep you alive just so that you can act like the same fuckhead you were before the accident. Go to fucking hell you miserable fuck."

Phillip slammed him again causing things to fall off the top. "Listen here boy, I don't care what you think, you are nothing to me but a little brat and your mother has you still suckling her breast. She's a controlling bitch and you know it."

Alex punched him in the face. Phillip held his side of the face that was now stinging after releasing his son. "Does the girl your banging know that the reason why yours and moms relationship ended was because of you?"

"Me? You little brat it ended because she was a lying cunt." he voiced firmly.

Alex grabbed his dad and shoved him against the sink and swung another hard fist again.

Phai stood up quick thinking maybe he shouldn't be witnessing this. The door was right there, maybe he should leave them in private. Call the police? Then he covered his mouth hearing things breaking and the two fighting, beating each other up in the kitchen. Was this supposed to be happening? He ran over to see what was happening and if he could attempt to stop them, from killing each other.

Every time Alex laid a punch, Phillip only hit his son back harder. Things were all over the floor. Phillip being the bigger man threw Alex to the ground "You will obey me boy!" and stepped over him, wrapping his fingers around Alex's throat and pointing a stern finger in his face. "Stay out of it."

"I don't have to obey you." Alex spit in his face. "Coward."

"Coward?"

"If I ever become like you I will kill myself."

"You don't know anything about me boy."

"And you know nothing about me." Alex yelled his emotions becoming sensitive.

"I guess we're even then."

Everything seemed to calm down. Phillip let Alex go. They both were breathing hard and Alex wiped the blood from his mouth, and Phillip wiped the blood from his nose. "You have a hard punch kid."

"Thanks. You, not so much."

"Whatever. Clean this mess up." Phillip made his coffee, looked at Phai not even telling him sorry that he had to witness that and went back up the stairs. Alex chilled on the ground for a couple of minutes.

Phai stepped over the messy kitchen floor. "Alex?"

The blonde finally stood up looking around at the mess and then Phai who he hoped didn't see any of it.

"Hey." He said to Phai who was just staring, almost frightened.

"Um hi. Are you okay?"

"Yea. I'm fine. It was just a little mix up."

Alex walked over, limping a bit, to where his phone was shattered and regretted letting his feelings get the best of him.

Phai stomped over to the freezer to grab some ice. "Jesus Christ Alex! This isn't normal." Anger was slowly rising in him like the moment just now struck him. "Why do you always insist on lying to me? Stop telling me that everything is all right, when it isn't. I don't believe you anymore, and just to let you know I never have. I'm not stupid Alex, I can see right through you." He packed some ice into a zip lock and handed it to Alex. "Here. Your head is bleeding."

Alex watched attentively at his friend trying to speak through his frustration. Then he felt his head and realized it was bleeding.

"I just want to know what the hell is wrong with you lately. I don't remember you being like this. Have you always been this angry and I just didn't know it?"

Alex smiled sadly. "I'm not angry Phai" he looked right at him. "I'm just sad. "Sorry. You're right I should tell you the truth. About everything. It's not very manly to admit that but there you have it. I hate showing you my feelings afraid of what you might think. and I don't think you need to do that to yourself just knowing them. I can tell you if you really want to know." Alex waited for a confirmed reaction and suddenly Phai looked like he didn't want to hear it but he was still listening.

"I was sick for a long time. When I was born I was restless. Some days I would cry other days I wouldn't make a sound. This happened until I hit the age eight. Then my life started to change more. Like how I felt about myself, how I felt about you. I started remembering my dreams and believing in them, and I became obsessed so I decided that I would follow you. You reminded me of the person in my dreams. Then we met and spoke and I was the happiest kid alive. Then we separated. On my sixteenth birthday I did die so what you heard was true. I can't explain how it felt, but my head got heavy and my eyes were forced shut. The only time I properly slept. I saw only black and I heard the last beat of my heart, then my chest stopped any activity, and the hands of the doctors felt like ghosts taking my life. I felt peace like I was awakening into a new life as a different man. I saw you as a man leaning over me with tears in your eyes and you were asking me to wake up and that I'm King Alexander and I shouldn't leave you or the people behind. It seemed as though fate was heading in the wrong direction, so with no explanation I woke up.

The doctors told me that my case is very rare and that I wouldn't live till fifteen but I knew it was coming. I suffer from sleep-deprivation but instead of getting little rest, I never sleep at all. I have visions that seem like memories and I don't know necessarily of what or why. I asked my doctor and he says it's probably just in my head. After all not sleeping for eighteen years would make one go nuts. But I'm sure I can't sleep because of you."

Phai sat down again his anger slowly getting compressed. His body was covered in Goosebumps. He rubbed his arm with his hand like he was nervous to say anything. He believed it and that's what was scary. He didn't know what all he actually comprehended.

"So yea, that's pretty much it, suffer from headaches, blurry vision, high blood pressure. I told you that you wouldn't want to know. I didn't want to know when I asked the doctors either."

Phai shook his head, still silent. He wasn't at a lost for words just couldn't speak them. What could he say that would make Alex feel any better? He wasn't expecting to hear something like that. He truly wasn't mentally prepared for it. "Is it over then?" he said through choked words. "Are you okay now?"

Alex smiled and nodded slightly. "Yea. I think so. I should have died there."

Alex didn't mention that he had just a recent vision attack. And he still couldn't sleep.

"Alex no, this isn't right. What did the doctor say, are you okay, are you sleeping now?"

He might as well not lie to him. "I'm trying."

"Alex that isn't good enough. Oh my god this is insane. Do your parents know this? Alex, why couldn't you tell me this before. I have never heard of this before."

"I guess that's the reason. You never heard of it and I didn't think you would believe me."

"Why you?"

"I guess I'm the lucky one."

"Alex that doesn't make me feel any better. Have you tried pills?"

"They don't work. I've tried. The doctors fear if I do take them not understanding more about my condition that it would have major side affects and I may never wake up."

"Are you seeing a specialist who actually knows about insomnia?"

"Yes Phai. When I have my visions everything disappears around me and that's all I see. It's weird and my breathing comes distantly still. When I almost drowned that day it was because I had a vision and I can't control myself unless I shut my eyes from it, which I can't do. I stared at you all through out school because every time I looked at you I had a vision.

"What are these visions of?"

"Us. In a different world. It seems like a life I've experienced before. That's why I sought you out to see if you matched the one who I kept seeing in my dreams. And you do. Sometimes I think that's more a reality than here."

"So that's why when I look at you, you stare off into infinity. I don't know what to say Alex."

"You don't have to say anything. Everything is fine now. I've been feeling a lot better."

"No don't tell me that. Something bad always happens. It just does Alex;" Phai seemed frustrated. "It's the way of life. Sure you died and came back but maybe that was just luck. Let's hope for the worst okay. Because maybe something good will come. I don't like this idea of you dying Alex. It makes me upset."

Alex just watched as he ranted knowing that everything he was saying was right. "Phai you shouldn't have to be scared."

"I am. I have every right to be scared." Phai walked slowly up to Alex and wrapped his arms around his waist leaning his head into his chest. "If anything bad happens tell me okay, so that I can help."

"Okay."

That day phai went home and to his room. He sat at the end of his bed, Alex on his mind.

The next day of school seemed different. Phai knew he was going to hate it.

Everyone in the school probably heard someway or another about Alex. And Phai was already annoyed. Cleitus was so excited about it, he was bragging for Alex up and down the halls of school all day.

Phai was leaning against his locker watching Alex attracting more girls than necessary. He was becoming quickly popular after the news about the club incident. Phai did admit that he was jealous watching all the girls flirt with his Alex. He never thought he would say that. His Alex? Why was he claiming Alex like he was some pet.

Phai folded his arms just watching him with impatience yet interest. It wasn't just this that was bothering him but also what Alex had told him. That same day they sat down and talked about everything.

It was still bothering him and he didn't know why even though Alex seemed better for the most part.

Everyone was so annoying. He remembered back then when Alex was too much of a shy loser to be this swooned over. He has grown a lot, and changed. A lot. He wondered if any of these people would care if they knew Alex's situation.

Alex seemed to just be getting through it. Smiling when he had too and trying not to lead any attention to himself.

He shifted a bit when Alex passed by him in the hall. Alex spotted him and was sharing a nervous boyish smile again something he should have long grown out of since there relationship had gone further, but something still seemed right and nostalgic about it all. Like the first time they actually talked. Phai smiled back and that was it. They didn't stop and talk at all. They just went to there separate classes. Cassy saw the way the pair sought each other out with smiles and inviting glances and he didn't like it. Why he wanted to have something to do with Phai was a question to himself. He couldn't tell if he secretly liked him or if he was just envious of Alex and wanted to hurt him by taking Phai away from him.

Thinking a bit too much about and giving noticeably mean glares he turned back towards his locker once Phai had entered his class and watching Alex enter his own class further down the hall. His green eyes glared with a sulk until he heard the most annoying voice in the world which was Roxanne. Something told him she was there to bitch about something that involved Alex. He mentally prepared himself even though he didn't get much prep time.

"Hey where's Alex."

Cassy rolled his eyes, thinking of ways to give her the truth. "Alex is in class learning like he should be. What matters?"

"I know you and the rest of the guys went out last night to a club. I want to know if what I'm hearing is true."

"So." Cassy wasn't in any mood to react like he gave a shit. "What you're hearing is true."

"I'm not talking about the fight Cassy. I hear people talking about how he and Phai were dancing together. Is that true?" Clear disgust wrenched through her voice.

Cassy didn't answer at first, just steadied his stare at her like it should be obvious by now that the two clearly had feelings for each other.

"Answer me Cassy were they dancing together. That's all I want to know."

Cassy didn't know of anything about that or hear about it. But he did know that Alex took out a man bigger than him just for flirting with Phai. "I don't know. They probably were. What's the problem?" The mean eyed boy had a problem with it himself but wouldn't let Roxanne know that. In fact in his head she wasn't even supposed to be a part of the triangle that he Phai and Alex were a part of. She was just a girl who thought she was in love but little did she know…

"The problem is that I think Alex is cheating on me. Is Alex a freak or something. Does he like Phai?"

And even though he did have a problem with Alex, he still considered him a friend so to defend him was necessary as much as defending himself.

"No the problem is that you are a young little girl who thought Alex had feelings for her in the first place which he didn't at all. Let me correct myself, he does have feelings for you but they are not as strong as you think they are. Alex found something so much more. He isn't cheating on you. You in your arrogant bitchy brain thought you two had something going on. You didn't. You clung onto him but this is not his problem, he didn't have the patience enough to deal with how you would react if he told you, that you weren't worth his time. You put him in chains Roxanne not letting him think for himself, talk for himself or do anything for himself."

Roxanne couldn't speak watching how worked up Cassy was getting. Something was strongly on his mind that much was obvious and he was taking it out on her. "You need to give up on him Roxanne. He has a new bitch. Chasing somebody who doesn't give an ounce of shit about you, sucks. Unless you like the pain, feel free."

"Alex and I have known each other forever."

"I don't think so. You see if you watch him very carefully I get the feeling he's known Phai a lot longer than any of us. He doesn't love you Roxanne, never has and never will. You have no chance with him."

"I don't believe you." Her easy feelings were getting hurt and that's exactly what Cassy wanted.

His tone was menacing like a true villain. "Give it up. Do you want to find it out the hard way then? You should be thanking me for telling you something Alex doesn't have the guts to tell you himself. You've always been jealous of any relationship he's been in. Guess what, I've seen them kiss before and they enjoyed it alot. Phai had his tongue deep in his mouth and it makes me wonder what more they've done. Whens the last time Alex has ever kissed you. Or touched you. Have a nice rest of your day." He slammed his locker and took off down the hall.

Roxanne was shocked, her eyes getting watery. When the classes got over she saw Phai take off down the hall. She glared at him with more than hate.

He had searched in the wide lands of India, with rain falling heavy now. He searched for hours and then his ears fell upon the sound of horses and men retreating towards him. The mist vanished beneath at the ground once the sodleirs halted before him. He noticed the leading man as Craterus.

"Craterus." he was actually happy to see him, hoping he had some good news.

"Hephaistion." On the other hand the bigger general was shocked to see Hephaistion out like this in the weather. He looked disastrous.

"Where's Alexander. Did you find him?" He was looking around for his lover in the crowd of tired men and horses.

He immediately caught the mighty generals expression as well as the majority along with him and held back his excitement. "You didn't find him?"

The general shook his head and sighed to the other men telling them to head back and rest. Hephaistion looked confused his eyes blinking not knowing what to think. "Well we have to keep looking. How far did you look?"

"Hephaistion not in this weather not at this time."

The young general looked disappointed in all the soldiers heading in the direction he was leaving from, retrieving back to the quarters.

"Hephaistion believe us we've looked for hours without rest. In this weather it's far too dangerous to keep looking." Craterus tried reasoning. "He's my friend to but we may have to accept the fact that he's gone from us."

Craterus was grabbed from his horse and tossed on the muddy ground of the jungle, Hephaistion toppling over him and punching at his jaw. "Don't say that!" he yelled.

Craterus kept his calm, the general had every right to be angry. "Hephaistion listen to me, let us rest the night. It's smarter to send a party when the sun is on our side."

"Alexander doesn't have that long. He's out there now, we can find him if we search better."

"You don't think were trying our best. It will be impossible to find him like this."

"He would search for any of you in weather far worse than this, you bastards. In the ned when I bring him back, you all should rethink calling him friend and king again. The truth is he's done more for you than he's done for himself."

Hephaistion removed himself from ontop of the bigger general and took off further with his horse.

"Hephaistion!" Craterus called. "Don't be a fool."

The brunette general remembered Alexander's question to him when they were kids that if he ever got lost would he find him? The answer was yes. Would he stop? No, no he wouldn't.