"I can catch them."
Amyntas turned to see a middle-aged Greek walking over to him. "You are not afraid?"
The man smiled, squinting his eyes against the sun. "Why? Are you?" He gave a small laugh and spat at the stones beneath his feet. "What is it worth?" he asked.
"Enough," replied Amyntas, knowing Philip would pay well to apprehend the murderers of General Attalus, seeing himself return to camp empty handed and then with three prisoners.
The man looked Amyntas up and down, judging him. When he was sure he could pay him for the risk he took, he nodded with his head in the direction of a large ship, already putting up it's sails, it's oarsmen taking their position. Walking away, intending for the soldiers to follow, he was surprised when the officer reached for him and pulled him round.
"What makes you so sure? They are a good distance away already."
The man laughed again, and lifted his weathered face to the sky, then looked out to where the small boat was quickly disappearing from view. "There is no wind once you are out of the bay, they rely on sail, my ship does not." Shrugging himself free from the soldier's grasp, seeing that the deal was done, he walked away, nodding to one of his men to untie the ropes.
Amyntas gave hurried instructions. Half the men were to follow the line of the shore, to cut them off if they attempted to land. Half would go with him. He called out names, those men instantly abandoning their horses to run to the ship. He ran after them, it seemed the ship was already pulling away as he leapt onboard. One of the sailors grabbed his arm to steady him.
He pushed his way to the front of the ship, hand on his sword, the small boat seemed too far away. He turned and looked at the sails, catching the wind, heard orders to the sailors to work the oars. Perhaps there was a chance.
~*~*~
Seleucus could not help but hold tight to the boat as it seemed to skim over the sea. The sky was blue, not grey like before, but the storm had given him a fear of Poseidon's power. He said a silent prayer to the God, promising that this time he would truly make a sacrifice. Before he had been grieving for Hephaistion.
He looked across, to see Hephaistion curled up at the end of the boat. The best place to be, out of Nearchus' way. Perdiccas was already getting grumbled at, his long legs tripping Nearchus every time he moved to make some adjustment or to tack about. Hephaistion looked pale. Not out of illness. Seleucus had known him long enough to know he was worried for them; worried about the risks he felt he had made his friend's take. They had promised Alexander that they would keep Hephaistion safe. Nearchus had told them he was sent by Alexander. He knew that Hephaistion was still alive, when all had believed he was dead.
They were leaving the bay. Seleucus held tighter to the boat as open water stretched out before them. He would no longer be able to swim for shore if something went wrong.
"There is a ship coming after us," said Perdiccas, pointing back towards the harbour.
All of them turned to see the full sails, the splash of white as oars hit the water.
"They cannot catch us. Can they?" Seleucus asked Nearchus.
Nearchus looked up at the sail, which had been taut, full of wind, but now billowed in a gentle breeze. Without answering he leaned across Perdiccas, pulling on ropes, moving the sail. He looked across at the land, judging the boat's position. Then he looked behind, the ship was closing on them. "Amyntas has found someone to bring him in pursuit. There is no wind past the bay. Yes, they can catch us."
"Then we should head back to land." The suggestion came from Hephaistion.
"We would lose the boat. If we have to abandon it, and take our chances on land, then we would lose our one means of getting home."
"Better than losing our lives," said Perdiccas.
"I'll take the chance on land," agreed Seleucus, relieved at the thought of getting off the water sooner than he had anticipated.
Nearchus turned the rudder, calling Perdiccas to come and steer while he adjusted the sail once more. "It will be a close thing," he grumbled. The sea had always seemed more like a friend to him than the land.
Seleucus looked back to the ship. He could see more detail on it now. He leaned over the boat, putting his hand in the water, using it like an oar, in the hope of gaining more speed. They seemed not to be going anywhere.
With a crack, the sail caught the wind, the boat sped forward carrying them back into the bay. Nearchus moved quickly, calling orders to Perdiccas, pointing to a pebble beach. It would be a good place to land. There were cliffs to the left but then hills to the right, following the shore.
Hephaistion sat up on the front of the boat, as they came into shallow water. He was first out, pulling the boat to the shore.
The others followed, beaching the boat quickly, then struggling to run on the pebbles, they headed for the hills.
It was foolhardy. Desperate at best. Hephaistion grabbed at Nearchus' tunic and pulled him along, Nearchus had never been the most athletic, he was struggling now, to keep up.
Perdiccas made it off the beach first, he paused for a moment, looking around, not sure which way to head. Seleucus ran past him, calling him to follow. They had to make what distance they could from the soldiers on the ship….from the soldiers on horseback.
As Nearchus and Hephaistion clambered up from the beach, they saw Perdiccas and Seleucus surrounded, javelins and swords held towards them.
Hephaistion put his hand on Nearchus' shoulder. "It was a good try, Nearchus," he said, before walking forward to go to Seleucus and Perdiccas."
The soldier in charge, Calanus, sent a man to signal to the ship that they had the fugitives. "Hephaistion," he said, realising he had been the third man, but he had also been listed on the dead. He would leave it to others to ponder that one. His duty was almost done. He ordered the prisoners hands to be tied behind them, then led the way back to the harbour where he found Amyntas handing over money for the use of the ship.
Amyntas came to Calanus, then pushed by to see who had been captured.
"Hephaistion," Amyntas whispered, as if he thought he were seeing a ghost. "And Nearchus. What are you doing here? Who sent you?"
"It was just chance," replied Nearchus.
"Did you know about Attalus?" Amyntas asked.
"How could I? Not until I got here."
Amyntas pointed at Seleucus, Hephaistion and Perdiccas. "They killed him. You were helping them escape. Who sent you?"
Nearchus kept quiet. A soldier brought Amyntas' horse.
Amyntas went red with anger. "Keep silent….. for the moment. When we return to camp I will find a way to make you talk," he looked around, "I will have all of you questioned, until you tell me what I want to know. Perhaps on the journey back to camp you will think it a wiser thing to loosen your tongues."
Amyntas leapt onto his horse, the rode to the front of his men and led them away.
"This isn't good," whispered Perdiccas.
"You've done enough," Hephaistion replied. "More than enough. I won't see you suffer for something I have done."
"And we won't abandon you to the fates," Seleucus declared.
"We'll think of something," said Nearchus. Though at that moment his mind was blank.
~*~*~
It did not take long for them to arrive back at the camp. Amyntas had to order his cavalry to surround and protect the prisoners as Attalus' men gathered to see who had been arrested. Some jeered them; some spat, but most were silent.
Amyntas had them lead to his tent, then called for three of Attalus' most loyal men, Phyleus, Iphitus and Thamyris, known for their strength and brutality. Attalus had prided himself in keeping them loyal to him. He then asked for Tydeus, one of his own men, who he trusted and respected for his intelligence and cunning.
Having made the four prisoners wait, while he took a drink of wine and removed his breastplate, helmet and greaves, he turned to them.
"What do you have to say?" he asked.
Hephaistion went to speak, but Perdiccas pushed forward. "I am the one to blame. I killed Attalus, and I forced Hephaistion and Seleucus to come with me as they owe me their loyalty through family connections and the time we have known each other."
"Perdiccas, don't," Hephaistion appealed to him. He turned to Amyntas. "I am guilty of murdering Attalus."
Amyntas smiled. "And you Seleucus? Are you to claim that you killed Attalus now?" Seleucus went to speak, but Amyntas held his hand up, silencing him. "And you Nearchus, did you sail over here to commit a murder?"
Tydeus arrived, and quickly stepped aside to make room for Attalus' three men, who grinned with broken-toothed smiles at the prisoners, and cracked their knuckles with expectation of punishment to come.
Hephaistion pushed forward to Amyntas. "Ask them what was in the far right hand corner of Attalus' tent. Ask them what colour was the cloth on the bed. Ask them what Attalus was wearing when his body was found. They will not know, because they were not there. But ask me those questions and I will give you answers. The correct answers."
Amyntas walked past Hephaistion. "Well?" he said, looking at the remaining three. "Would anybody like to try to answer?"
He was met with silence.
Seleucus looked at Hephaistion with tears in his eyes. "Oh, Hephaistion."
Amyntas looked back at Hephaistion, then to Attalus' men. "Take him. I want to know if he acted alone, or if he acted for someone else."
Phyleus and Thamyris stepped forward and grabbed Hephaistion's arms. Iphitus held the tent flap as they led him outside.
"Tydeus. Go with them. Question him. Find out what I want to know."
"You suspect Alexander?" The question was from Nearchus.
Amyntas glared at Nearchus. "I suspect you were sent on his orders. Hephaistion is his closest friend, who else better to assassinate the general who has insulted you, and seen you sent into exile."
"Hephaistion was listed as dead," argued Perdiccas. "Why would Attalus have done that? He was attempting to force himself onto Hephaistion, he'd been holding him prisoner. Hephaistion only did what any man would do."
"Hephaistion would do anything Alexander wanted."
"And if Alexander is accused of plotting Attalus' murder, if Philip turns against him for good, then you stand to inherit the throne," said Seleucus.
Amyntas picked up the wine cup he had put down on a table, and hurled it across the tent. He rounded on Seleucus. "I could see you three dead too. I could have you all executed for the parts you have taken in this. You will be punished; demoted. And for your information, Seleucus, I do not covet the throne so much that I would see Alexander in disgrace. I consider myself enough of a soldier to fight him for it, if I ever have to, if there ever is a time."
Perdiccas kicked Seleucus, to get him to keep quiet. Amyntas called the guards and had them led away.
~*~*~
Ptolemy rode into the camp that evening with Atrides, another member of Parmenion's cavalry.
Parmenion's army had been forced, by bad omens of another storm, to land further down the coast. When Parmenion was sending scouts to locate Attalus' camp, Ptolemy had quickly volunteered, anxious to be reunited with his friends.
He searched for them as he arrived, sensing that something was wrong. Calling to a man he recognised he was quickly informed of all that had happened. He pulled his horse around, riding in the direction the man had pointed, finding Seleucus, Perdiccas and Nearchus held in a small stockade. He dismounted and went to them.
"What do they intend to do with you?" he asked, almost immediately, fearing the worst.
"Amyntas says we are to be punished, then demoted, but what the punishment is we do not know as yet. It's Hephaistion we are worried for. Amyntas ordered him questioned, they took him from the tent and we have not seen him since. He confessed to the murder," replied Seleucus.
"Where is Parmenion?" asked Perdiccas, gladly taking a skin of wine that Ptolemy passed to him.
Ptolemy looked over his shoulder, as if he could see how far away Parmenion was, seeing only Atrides waiting for him.. "I do not know, I should think he is making good time. He would have camped for the night by now." For the first time he noticed Nearchus and was surprised to see him. "They said nothing about you, Nearchus."
"The less the better," Nearchus replied. "I think my coming here gave Amyntas the idea that Alexander was involved in the murder. Alexander sensed that Hephaistion was still alive, then proved it to us. He would have come in person, but I said I would go, that he could trust me to return with Hephaistion."
Ptolemy smiled a little and tried to make a joke to cheer his friends. "I can't leave you alone for a moment," he said.
Perdiccas reached through the wooden posts that held him prisoner, clutching at Ptolemy's wrist. "Find, Hephaistion. Help him if you can."
Ptolemy nodded, then leapt back onto his horse and rode away with Atrides following. He searched the camp, asking where Hephaistion had been taken, until he found someone who could lead him to a tent where two guards stood outside.
He went to dismount but Atrides reached over and grabbed his arm. "If Hephaistion has killed Attalus, then he must be executed. He must pay for his crime."
Ptolemy pulled free of Atrides grasp. "If Hephaistion killed Attalus, he did it with reason to think his life was in danger. Not out of malice, vengeance or gain. That is not Hephaistion's way. If you knew him, you would not talk of execution."
The guards, having taken Ptolemy's weapons, stepped aside to allow him entry, they recognised him and knew he was superior to them. One suggested he took a lighted firebrand, pointing to one, saying there was no light in the tent.
He stepped inside, illuminating the small area. There, in front of him, was Hephaistion in chains, lying on the floor, bruised and battered. A black piece of fabric had been tied around his neck, his boots removed to accommodate the metal cuffs around his ankles and blood marked his chiton.
Despite this, Hephaistion attempted to sit up, struggling as his hands were chained behind him,, his eyes showing recognition, but he said nothing. Ptolemy pushed the firebrand into the dirt floor, and knelt down by Hephaistion helping him up.
He suddenly wished that he had not left his wineskin with the others. He made sure that Hephaistion would not fall back, then hurried outside, demanding Atrides hand over his wine. Then he hurried back to Hephaistion, returning to his side.
"Here drink this," he encouraged, holding the wineskin up until he judged Hephaistion had had enough. "Better?" he asked.
Hephaistion nodded, then looked to Ptolemy. His left eye was swollen, almost closed. His face bruised. "Better," he said, in a forced whisper.
Ignoring Hephaistion's attempt to stop him, by moving back and almost overbalancing, Ptolemy hooked his finger in the black fabric, pulling it away from Hephaistion's neck to see the bruising. The men who had done this had covered the bruising, for a reason. "They feel you had just cause," he said, and smiled. "Even the men loyal to Attalus, that Amyntas had torture you, even those men came to believe you. You are a treasure, Hephaistion." He let the fabric go. "So they punched you in the throat to make you mute, so tomorrow morning you cannot defend yourself and the army…Attalus' army…will take your silence as a sign of guilt and send you to your death."
"Not afraid," Hephaistion said, pushing the words out. "Just fear……for Alexander."
Ptolemy could not help but embrace Hephaistion. Regretting his actions when he heard Hephaistion gasp in pain. He released him quickly, apologising for not thinking. He did not know what to say to ease Hephaistion's pain; how to comfort him that Alexander would be alright, because Alexander would never recover if he lost Hephaistion.
"Tell him…."
"He will know," Ptolemy replied.
Hephaistion nodded gently, biting his lip to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. "My body…."
Ptolemy understood and nodded his understanding to Hephaistion. After the execution, Hephaistion's body would be left, tied to the post, as a warning to anyone who passed. Left on a path that Alexander would take, one day soon. "I will take care of it," Ptolemy promised, tears in his eyes.
Hephaistion smiled, gently. "Good."
Ptolemy ran his hand down the side of Hephaistion's face, softly enough not to cause pain but in a way to offer what comfort he could. For a moment he considered lifting Hephaistion up and attempting an escape. His horse was just outside, it could easily carry two. Then reason took over, and he realised he would never make it out of the camp, that all he would achieve would be that death would come sooner to his friend.
"I have to go," he said, not wishing to leave, offering Hephaistion some more of the wine, which he gladly drank down.
"Thank you, Ptolemy," Hephaistion whispered.
There was one more thing he could do. He untied the black cloth, removing it. The army should see that Hephaistion had been silenced. He kissed Hephaistion's forehead, then got up and went out without looking back. Taking back his weapons, he leapt onto his horse and pushed it forward. It felt as if a band were tightening round his chest. He rode to where the others were, pulling up his horse he looked at them.
"Well?" Seleucus asked.
"He lives," replied Ptolemy, he rode away, through the camp, then once out of it he urged his horse on, into a gallop, and headed out of the camp with Atrides.
~*~*~
At mid-morning they came for Hephaistion, pulling him to his feet. Iphitus bent down to pick up the black cloth and retied it around Hephaistion's neck, then they dragged him outside.
Hephaistion struggled in the shackles, squinting against the morning sunlight. The firebrand had long since gone out, leaving him in darkness. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he could see where the army had been formed up, he could see the wooden post where they would execute him.
Amyntas stepped forward, announcing that Hephaistion had confessed to his crime. That others may yet be proved to be involved.
Hephaistion shook his head, but Phyleus grabbed his hair and held him still. "I have the honour of throwing the javelin," he whispered in Hephaistion's ear.
Tydeus was now talking, walking up and down the lines of soldiers, backing up Amyntas' words of Hephaistion's confession, then singing Attalus' praises. He did not speak for long, then came to stand in front of Hephaistion and asked loudly what he might say to defend himself.
Hephaistion fixed his eyes on Tydeus. "You know I can't," he forced out, the words only just heard.
Tydeus turned away. "He says nothing. He has no defence." He bowed to Amyntas.
Amyntas then asked who thought Hephaistion guilty.
It sounded like thunder; it was death to Hephaistion.
Amyntas announced the verdict, another roar of thunder followed it
Hephaistion was pulled over to the wooden post, his back pushed against it. Leather ties were used to hold him against it, round his chest and round his waist.
He searched the crowd, wondering if Seleucus, Perdiccas and Nearchus had been brought up watch. He could not see them. Phyleus was parading before him, holding a javelin, grinning at him, flexing his throwing arm.
Hephaistion looked up to the sun. Alexander's named formed on his lips. He wanted his last thoughts to be of Alexander, he prayed to the Gods to let him be with Alexander.
~*~*~
Alexander looked up at the morning sun.. He thought of Hephaistion, longed for him, and not for the first time wondered if Nearchus had found him, and was bringing him home.
It had been long enough, he had been counting the days. He needed him, so badly.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes to visualise Hephaistion before him, bringing forward all the memories he treasured. The first time he realised he wanted Hephaistion as more than a friend, the first kiss….their first time, the times since.Hephaistion's eyes. Hephaistion's smile…
His thoughts were disturbed by a heated argument in the courtyard below. He smiled wryly. Even in his own rooms, where he had come to find a moments comfort, he could find no peace. He had just needed a moment. He realised then that his only peace was in his time spent with Hephaistion.
Orders were shouted to soldiers. A woman was crying bitterly. Someone was knocking on the door. There was noise outside of it.
Alexander looked down, noticing for the first time, the blood on his chiton. He closed his eyes to block it out, this time seeing his father falling before him. Just a short while ago. It had happened just a short while ago.
He was king now.
Turning back to the window, he gazed up at the sun once more. Hephaistion's name was on his lips.
~*~*~
"STOP!"
The command came from Parmenion himself.
Phyleus had been about to let the javelin go, he could not stop it, but the shouted order had made him misjudge his aim, and the javelin landed in the ground at Hephaistion's feet.
Amyntas ran forward. Parmenion had arrived with only his personal guard and Ptolemy, who right now was dismounting and hurrying over to Hephaistion, his dagger ready to cut the leather ties.
"What is going on?" demanded Parmenion.
"Hephaistion is guilty of the murder of General Attalus." He pointed to the army. "He has been judged by them and sentenced to death."
Parmenion shook his head, then straightened his back and rode over to the ranks before him. Cheers went up, the men happy that a general of Parmenion's worth was before them. "Much as I understand how you wish to see justice done for General Attalus, I cannot allow this execution." Parmenion hesitated, one or two were unhappy with his words. "It is a matter for the king. Philip will judge him. Philip will decide the punishment. Hephaistion will be returned to Pella in chains. Now go about your business and leave the justice, this time, to the king."
He rode over to Hephaistion and Ptolemy. Hephaistion was sitting on the floor, his back still against the post, Ptolemy was talking to him. Parmenion had grown tired of Ptolemy talking to him, the only way to shut him up had been to agree that Philip would want to confront Attalus' murderer in person. It did make perfect sense.
He dismounted and crouched down by the two of them. Ptolemy had removed the cloth from Hephaistion's neck, Parmenion lifted Hephaistion's chin to see the bruising on his throat. It was true. He had been silenced.
"Well, Hephaistion, what has it come to?" he asked. "You must go to the king. Perhaps by the time you reach Pella you will have your voice to speak with, to defend yourself." He looked at Ptolemy. "Now perhaps you will leave me in peace."
Parmenion stood up, stretched his aching body, then made his way to Amyntas. He needed some food and wine. He sent his own guard to tend to Hephaistion and to hold him securely.
Ptolemy helped Hephaistion to his feet. It was not an ideal situation. But he had bought a little time. Time for them to think what they could do.