Spring, 337 BC

Hephaistion just wanted to be killed or at least be beaten into unconscious state so that he wouldn't need to suffer mentally and emotionally. He wasn't subjected to any physical abuse and whatever tortures or even death that King Philip would impose on him didn't frightened Hephaistion but Alexander's rejection did. The prince refused to have any contact with him and Hephaistion was dismayed. He never had a chance to explain himself to Alexander and now he was afraid he never would.

They stayed a few more days as Langaros' guests before leaving for Pella. Hephaistion was kept in a small dark room with a tiny slit of a window somewhere near the ceiling. They tied his feet and hands and the only comfort he had was a thin blanket on the floor to lay upon and cover himself a bit, if he could manage to successfully roll in it with his hands tied behind him even during the sleep. He was given a meagre meal once a day and two buckets – one with water to drink from and another empty to answer the nature's calls.

When they left Langaros' stronghold, he was hurled on the horse. He was allowed to ride it alone and his hands were free but his feet were tied under the horse's belly. It allowed him some maneuverability but not much. Also two ropes were secured around his waist and two other riders controlled the other ends of the ropes, so it was impossible to escape, even if he wanted it.

Alexander and Kleitos usually rode in front of their column, Hephaistion was kept in the middle and Kleitos' second-in-command closed the rearguard. At nightfall they usually broke the camp and each member of their small troupe performed their assigned duties. Hephaistion, after he was taken from the horse, was tied again at his feet and hands and then tied to some tree closest to the centre of their camp so that he could be watched all the time. The only contact Hephaistion had with his fellow travellers was when he was taken off and on the horse, given some food or allowed to go and relieve himself.

Sometimes he caught curious glances that were thrown in his direction but otherwise he was given a silent treatment. Alexander was never close enough to start a conversation and Kleitos, on few occasions when he was nearby, ignored all the attempts of communication.

After a few nights it was Demades who brought him his evening meal and a skein of water.

"Wait," Hephaistion tried to grab the corner of Demades' himation. "Would it kill you to talk?"

"About what?" asked Demades, successfully freeing himself from Hephaistion's catch but standing over him, not leaving yet.

"How well did you know my father? Were you friends?"

Demades scoffed. "Friends? No."

"How did you know him?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"Please. I know almost nothing about him," pleaded Hephaistion.

"All you need to know is that he was a traitor."

"I've heard that but I don't know why. When he died I was just a child and I don't remember much. What he was to you? Were you together in the army?"

"I never was in Macedonian army. I am an Athenian."

"You are? Then what are you doing here? Why did you come for Alexander? You said that King Philip sent you. Why you?"

Demades remained silent for some time, pensively staring down at Hephaistion.

"Well," he said at last and moved nearby log closer to where Hephaistion was tied but not close enough for Hephaistion to reach him. Then he sat on the wobbly piece of wood and explained, "I first met your father at Athens. At the time I was a supporter of Demosthenes but…. well… all I can say that your father helped me to see him in a different way. Not that I think I could bear his arrogance any longer. Your father and I met several times, mostly in Athens. By that time I began to see that alliance with King Philip would be more beneficial for Athens than Demosthenes' war-mongering policies. The last time I saw your father was right before Philip besieged Olynthus. It was towards the end of that siege that your father suddenly quarreled with the King and run from Macedon to the court of King Artaxerxes. All I know that he didn't make it far, he was killed just a few months after his betrayal. Nemesis' judgement was speedy, that doesn't happen often. Were you with him?"

"Yes, but I don't remember much. I was around eight."

"Surely, you have to have some memories."

"Very vague," sighed Hephaistion.

"What happened to you after your father's death?"

"Nothing good," Hephaistion preferred to be laconic and in any case, it is his present, not his past that the young man wanted to discuss.

"Do you know Alexander well?" Hephaistion asked after a short moment of silence.

"I've met him first after the Chaeronea."

"Really?"

"Yes. Why does it surprise you?"

"No, it doesn't, it's just that I was at Chaeronea too, fighting against the Macedonians."

"Interesting. Were you a prisoner too? We might have met each other earlier."

"You were a prisoner after Chaeronea? How did you gain your freedom?"

"I was brought before King Philip and it seemed he knew my name. I assume your father mentioned me years before as a member, a rather prominent one, of the pro-Macedonian faction in Athens. In any case, King Philip said I impressed him with my speech when I argued that Athens should be spared any reprisal. I was released together with my fellow-captives, and helped to bring about a treaty of peace between Macedonia and my city. Afterwards, well, we stayed in contact. I happened to be in Pella when King Philip decided that Alexander should return home. He asked me to go with Black Kleitos, he said my improvisation skills were almost as good as…. well, it doesn't hurt to have a gratitude of someone as powerful as the current Macedonian king so I agreed."

"So, you are on good terms with Alexander?" Hephaistion asked with hope.

"It depends but, if you want me to talk to the prince on your behalf, I don't think I am your best choice."

"Why not?"

"Isn't it obvious? If your father didn't befriend me all those years ago in Athens, I doubt I would be here now, and Alexander knows it."

"I don't think that Alexander is angry with me because of what my father did."

"Angry? That's very mildly put."

"Fine, mad. Enraged. Infuriated."

"That's more like it."

"I just want to talk to him. To explain."

"I think you should have done it earlier."

Hephaistion sighed. "I was afraid. We were so happy. I didn't want it to end. I think I hoped for a miracle. I love him. He loved me too, I know it, and now he hates me."

"I don't think I can help," said Demades not without a sympathy.

"You can try. Please. I don't care for my life but I don't want Alexander to blame himself or to lose his faith in …well, good things, because of me. Do it for Alexander."

"Very well, I will try," Demades promised and stood up to leave.

"Thank you," Hephaistion murmured watching Demades to disappear into the darkness.

x

For a few days Demades didn't approach Hephaistion again and none of the other travel companions wanted to engage in any sort of conversation with Hephaistion. Then, one evening, the Greek orator brought his evening meal and drink to Hephaistion.

"Did you talk to Alexander?" Hephaistion asked Demades eagerly, not paying any attention to his ration.

"I tried," Demades answered, "but as I suspected, Alexander wasn't willing to listen. I insisted, believe me. I don't think he would talk to you."

Crestfallen, Hephaistion silently stared at his bound hands. The rope was loosened just enough for him to awkwardly pickup bread and some mashed beans that he was given. Demades waited a bit longer and then turned around to leave.

"Wait," Hephaistion raised his head, "but how is he? Does he talk to anybody? What is he saying?"

"He doesn't talk to me beyond simple courtesy. Even with Kleitos, they don't talk much. Kleitos tries to distract him but not very successfully."

"What are the conditions on which King Philip allowed Alexander to return?"

"I don't think it is any of your business now, after all that happened."

"I just worry for Alexander."

"You should have done it earlier, young man," Demades said more sharply than before.

"Don't you understand?" Hephaistion shouted in frustration, "how could I have burdened Alexander with my own problems when I knew his precarious position in Pella? I couldn't let Alexander to contemplate a choice between his return to Pella and not doing so in fear of incurring his father's anger because of who I am, who my father was!"

"It seems you think too highly of yourself. Alexander would never forsake his inheritance for some maybe noble but nevertheless stupid notion of love. I agreed to talk to him not because you asked me; your father helped me and I am in his debt; I would advise you to graciously accept the defeat and whatever punishment King Philip will dole out to you, not to look for excuses and the prince's weakness for you in the past."

"You don't know Alexander!"

"And you think you do?" Demades inquired in rather unpleasant tone.

"What's going on here?" Kleitos suddenly materialized from the shadows.

"This young man is trying to excuse his behavior. It seems he still thinks that he did nothing wrong when he gained the prince's trust under the wrong pretentions."

"This is not what I said!" protested Hephaistion.

"Shut up!" barked Kleitos. "Keep quiet or I will gag you. Do you understand?"

Hephaistion didn't answer, he just turned his head away from the two men and stared in the distance. A few moments later he heard the receding steps of his captors.

The next few days passed uneventfully. The group rode for most of the day trying to cover as much distance as was feasible. Such regimen wasn't good for the horses since they were allowed very little rest and there were no spares but Kleitos was under the strict order to bring Alexander back to Pella in as little time as possible. Those were strong horses and Kleitos knew how far he can push them.

Hephaistion didn't know how long it would take them to get to Pella and he knew it was useless to ask. Sometimes they stayed in the villages but Hephaistion was always heavily guarded and he had no chance to interact with anyone. After a week of travel he got a notion that they were closer to the final destination but he still had no idea how close they were.

One day, after riding a few hours they stopped. Hephaistion turned his head right and left trying to figure out what was going on. He could see no reason for their sudden halt. Then he saw Kleitos and another cavalry man slowly riding in his direction. When Kleitos reached his position, he turned his horse around so that both their horses were abreast. Another rider moved his horse even closer to Hephaistion from the other side. The son of Amyntor was trapped.

"What's going on?" he asked trying to remain calm.

"Stay still and don't fight," ordered Kleitos. "Put your hands before you."

"I won't be able to guide the horse," Hephaistion tried to dispute the order.

"Not your problem. Do as you're told or I will knock you down."

Realizing that whatever was to come it was better to remain conscious, Hephaistion silently complied.

"Good boy," grumbled Kleitos and coiled the rope around Hephaistion's wrists. Then he made his horse to take a few steps back and jumped from his own horse onto Hephaistion's behind him. The next moment son of Amyntor felt some material being wrapped around his mouth. He shook his head violently trying to free himself but it was on no use. Other riders came up and took hold of Hephaistion forestalling any possible movement.

"I told you to keep still," in a stone cold voice reminded Kleitos from behind and painfully grabbing Hephaistion's hair jerked his head backward. It was painful and son of Amyntor couldn't respond in any words, he just growled helplessly through the material that covered his mouth.

The ordeal wasn't over yet. The next moment Kleitos threw a sack or some sort of hood over Hephaistion's head and everything went dark. He didn't have problem to breath but he couldn't see anything.

"Don't resist, don't struggle and don't move," ordered Kleitos. Judging how his horse momentarily slumped down, Hephaistion realized that Kleitos jumped back onto his own horse. "Just sit and relax, your horse will be guided. Try not to do any sudden movements."

"We must be close to Pella," thought Hephaistion darkly. He didn't expect this treatment but it was not in his power to prevent it. "My father must have been known well in Pella and probably still remembered, so they don't want anybody to recognize me but what difference does it make?" Hephaistion exhaled and closed his eyes; he couldn't see anything regardless.

Riding all tied up and blinded was uncomfortable and distressing. It was difficult to maintain balance though he knew that somebody was riding alongside him from both sides so he could hardly fall. His feet were also tied below the horse belly from the very morning and he felt his body becoming rigid and his muscles frozen. He could move his body a little but when he tried to turn his head from side to side, he got rammed by one of his guards in the shoulder by the pommel of the makhaira; the man probably thought that he tried to escape. Unfortunately, because he was gagged, he couldn't explain his intentions so after he winced in pain, he tried not to make any sudden movements, in order not to attract more blows.

Without being able to see anything and getting tired of riding in a frozen position, Hephaistion lost all touch with reality and couldn't even measure the time they were riding. But everything comes to an end. Suddenly he realized he could hear the some new noises in the distance, the hooves of the horses started clicking on the hard surfaces that resembled the cobbled streets of the city and he could feel the decreased speed of the horses.

"We are in Pella," guessed Hephaistion. "I wish I could see the city before King Philip kills me," he thought with detachment.

Soon they stopped. Somebody cut the rope that was holding his feet bound and Hephaistion was dragged from the horse and once again ordered to stay still. He felt someone fumbling around his feet and he knew another rope was tied around his feet again. Another person, or maybe the same one, picked up the rope that was hanging around his waist and pushed him forward. Hephaistion made a wide stride and stumbled, the rope around his ankles allowed him to move in small steps only. He was forced to advance in a mincing paces like a dainty woman and he felt humiliated.

He had no idea where they were and where they were going but he could hear footsteps ahead and behind him. A few times he could catch surprised exclamation and greetings addressed to Alexander and Kleitos but he couldn't hear any responses so they were either given in a quiet voice or not given at all. At last they stopped and Kleitos exchanged some greetings with whomever they encountered. Then, a first loud enough for Hephaistion to hear but still unfamiliar voice declared, "King Philip will see you now."

Hephaistion was pushed forward again. He heard the sound of the opening doors and another shove in the back suggested he should continue to walk. Hephaistion didn't resist. What was the point?

Another door opened and then closed behind them with a loud bang.

"Greeting, my King," Kleitos' voice boomed with joy. "You sent me away to bring you one present but I managed to procure two for you!"

Strong hands pushed Hephaistion forward and down and his knees painfully collided with a hard stone.

"Who is this?" a new and raucous voice, slightly tinged with surprise inquired from somewhere in front of the now kneeled Hephaistion.

"Behold, my king," exclaimed Kleitos a bit too dramatically. Off went the sack that was covering Hephaistion's head till this moment. "I am sure you don't need an introduction."

Hephaistion shook his head and muffled some curses through the sash that was still tied around his mouth as Kleitos grabbed his hairs and painfully snapped his head up.

Hephaistion stared at the big dark eye that glowed at him under the bushy eyebrow.

The piercing eye continued to gawk at him in bewilderment now joined by the mouth that dropped open. The silent scene continued long enough for Hephaistion to quickly appraise the man before him. The king was not a very tall man but undeniably strong with most of the visible parts of his body covered in numerous scars; the most compelling feature on his face was an ugly scar rendering one of his eyes useless. His hair, dark brown and interlaces with grey, were cut short but still unruly. The beard was of the same colour, well-trimmed and short, same as mustaches that set off finely shaped lips.

"Ares' balls, Kleitos, how did you…..?" Philip switched his attention from Hephaistion to the hipparch.

"Courtesy of Perdiccas, though of course he had no idea who his friend Theseus was. Or at least for his own sake I hope he didn't."

"This is Theseus?" asked Philip. "The one that …. Is it right, Alexander?"

"Yes," confirmed the prince with disgust. "Father, I demand that you allow me to punish this traitor….."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Hold your horses, young man. Demand? What makes you think you have such right?" The King's voice wasn't very friendly.

During the exchange, Hephaistion had a moment to turn his head in all the directions and as far as he could see, there were just the four of them, no other guards or servants. The King was receiving them in rather small room that boasted two low couches for sitting, a small table with a few kylixes and plates with fruits, a high chest with a several drawers and a few lamps perched on the stands of different height. One of the couches was placed alongside the wall with a window which was almost covered with a collapsing wooden shutters.

"He betrayed me!" Alexander's indignant voice brought Hephaistion back from his exploration of the surroundings. "The treachery runs in the family."

Hephaistion's heart sunk. To hear such words from Alexander was worse than he could ever imagine.

"Hmmmm," the King responded rather calmly. "Where is Demades?" he turned to Kleitos.

"I advised him to wait for your summons in the room you assigned him earlier. I sent two people with him. You know, just in case."

"How many people know he is here?" Philip nodded in Hephaistion's direction.

"Only those with whom we travelled. I told Demades and my boys to keep their mouths shut."

"Good, good," the King nodded. "And wise too. By the way, there is a party this evening, not a big one but still. Alexander, I hope this time you know to behave. I didn't expect your return today. Kleitos, send a few of your men to find both Chares and Eumenos. There are things I need to discuss with them."

"Sire, do you wish to bring them both here?" asked Kleitos.

"Yes but not yet. I wish your men to inform them to be ready to answer my summons immediately when they are sent for. I don't know when but it's going to happen but before the party, so they should be ready. Obviously, no word about the prisoner, or his identity if they pick up the rumors about a prisoner somewhere else. You and the rest of you men will wait outside until I give you other orders. I trust you are not exhausted to such a degree that you need an immediate rest?"

"No, of course not. What are we, green recruits?"

"Well, just checking. Another thing, I don't want to be disturbed so please make sure my pages and other guards are not eavesdropping under the doors. Understood?"

"Yes, of course."

"Great. Now, please leave the three of us alone."

Kleitos slightly bowed and disappeared behind the door. Philip, without paying a slightest attention to Hephaistion who still was on his knees, turned to Alexander.

"I am glad to have you back, son," rather emotionlessly said Philip. "I take it you were told the terms of your return and accepted them?"

"Yes, father," equally emotionlessly replied Alexander.

"Well, I am listening."

"I thought you said it would be a private apology."

"We are in private, Alexander. You are not considering the presence of the soon to be dead man as a hindrance, do you?"

Hephaistion's heart skipped a beat but not just because of what Philip said in his regard but also because the King was humiliating his son in front of him. Despite everything that happened, Hephaistion loved Alexander even if he, so close to his death, couldn't fully understand how exactly it happened.

Alexander's eyebrows moved in annoyance but thankfully Hephaistion, who wisely decided it was prudent not to stare at Alexander, didn't see the gesture.

"I apologize for the words I uttered during your wedding," Alexander said tonelessly. "It wasn't my intention to offend you or to spoil your celebrations. It won't happen again, father."

Hephaistion heard the King scoffing. "Am I supposed to believe the words you just said?"

"Those are the words you wanted me to say."

"Yes, you stupid boy, I wanted you say them but in the believable tone," irritation and mockery were dripping from each of the King's words. Hephaistion's heart sunk at the agony he knew Alexander was experiencing. He didn't think the prince deserved such a humiliation.

"I meant them," Alexander said quietly.

"Louder!" ordered the King.

"I meant those words, father!" the prince repeated, this time indeed louder and with more conviction.

"Really?" Philip continued to shame his son. "You could have fooled me. I can't believe a single word of what I've just heard."

"Father!" Alexander shouted in anguish.

"If you can't say those words because you don't mean them, I would hope that at least you can lie convincingly enough to me to believe."

"True enough, I can't lie," confirmed Alexander. "Maybe I should have taken lessons from him during my stay in Illyria," spat Alexander nodding in Hephaistion's direction.

"You will find it in yourself to say those words in a believable manner," hissed Philip, "or I will send you back to Illyria to rot in that well from where he," it was King's turn to nod in Hephaistion's direction, "saved your sorry ass. How about that?"

Alexander gasped in surprise and Hephaistion mutely did the same involuntary sucking in the piece of material that still covered his mouth. It seems that the King knew about their sojourn in the northern lands more that they have expected.

"What? You thought I didn't know what you did and where you were?" Philip asked with sarcasm but to Hephaistion's relief he couldn't hear any anger in the King's tone. "Don't make me to wait too long, Alexander. We still have a party to attend later today and I have a few unexpected affairs to take care of first."

"I am sorry, father, I truly am. Attalos insulted me but you, you humiliated me! Do you want to have a son who allows himself to be humiliated?"

"You are not pleading your cause very convincingly!"

"I am telling you the truth. I can lie but I don't want to lie to you, father. Don't you understand?"

"Hmm," Philip looked at his son with interest.

"I AM sorry," Alexander said quietly.

"THAT was believable," Philip nodded. "You are forgiven. For now. Try not to cause any more troubles. Today's evening will be a test but you are lucky, I am in a good mood and besides, there will be something for everybody to talk about that neither involves you nor Attalos much. You can go now. I suggest, go to your rooms, no, not as a punishment," Philip chuckled, "just to collect your thoughts and make yourself presentable, talk to your friends, I bet they are dying to see you and listen to your adventures. I will tell Kleitos to dispatch some of his guards to spread the news."

"Thank you, father," Alexander responded politely if somewhat formally. "What about him?" He nodded again in Hephaistion's direction.

"Well, you will see him soon enough," smiled Philip, "as for his punishment…. Hmm, I will give you a chance to use your imagination…. Creatively."

Alexander frowned, he didn't quite understand what his father meant but decided not to ask. It was enough for him to hear that he would be given a chance to exact revenge though he wasn't sure yet what it would involve.

Hephaistion heard how Philip saw the Prince to the exit and exchanged some words with outside guards; he was kneeling in the same rigid position with his back to the door. Sure, he could probably stand and take a few steps but to what effect? He still couldn't wrap his mind around everything that happened, he was devastated by Alexander's reaction; he hoped that the Prince would give him at least a chance to explain but it seemed that won't going to happen.

He heard the door closed with a loud thud and then there was a sound of the sliding lock driven into the place in force. Then the heavy steps were heard somewhere to Hephaistion's right and he could hear the sound of the drawer pulled out and rustle of the material. Shortly after, the drawer was closed and Hephaistion could hear the approaching steps.

"Don't do any sudden movements," advised the King from behind, "I am going to cut the strap around your mouth."

Hephaistion felt a blade inserted between his hair and material, then a tug and the binds fell to the floor. Philip abandoned his position and moved to stand in front of his prisoner.

"I will cut your bonds next and then we'll talk," announced the King. "But first you have to promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"And you will believe a promise given by the son of the traitor?"

"I will believe a promise given by the son of Amyntor."

"As you wish," Hephaistion responded rather fatalistically, "I won't do anything stupid."

"Good," nodded the King and went around the bowed figure of his prisoner again. He then squatted behind him and cut the ropes that were holding Hephaistion's feet together. Then he walked to the young's man front and said, "Raise your hands up."

Hephaistion did as he was told and the King cut the ties around his wrists too. Philip took a few steps back and, looking Hephaistion up and down, said softly, "Well, you can stand up now and come, sit here with me. I see that your jailors didn't inflict any physical punishment on you, that's good."

"Kleitos said that the right of the first blow belongs to you," commented Hephaistion.

"So, you submitted willingly?"

"Alexander was about to skew me with his sword, at which point Kleitos pushed me aside. There was nowhere to run and I knew I would be easily overpowered. Still, the main reason was that I hoped to explain everything to Alexander. Well, I hoped," bleakly said Hephaistion and sat on the couch opposite the King following Philip's gesture.

"And as usual, my son refused to listen?"

"Please, don't blame him for anything."

"We'll see. Eat, have some drinks," the King indicated at the food and wine that were on the low tables.

"Why?" Hephaistion asked but there was no hostility in his voice.

Philip appeared not hearing the question. He stared at the dagger that was now resting in his lap. He slowly run his finger along the sharp blade and then continued to caress the steel with loving thoughtfulness. "It was your father's gift," the King said at last. "He gave it to me when we were together hostages in Thebes. It wasn't simply a gift, he gave it to me in secret for my protection. He had far more freedoms but I wasn't allowed to have any weapons. I kept it as memory."

"Even after he betrayed you?"

The King heavily sighed and said quietly, "He never did such a thing."

It took Hephaistion a few moments to process those words. "What do you mean?" he asked at last staring at the King in disbelieve.

Philip signed again and instead of answering, continued to caress the dagger. His fingers were trembling.

"Sire?" Hephaistion leaned forward.

The King suddenly snapped from his reverie and looked intently at Hephaistion. "Are you sure your father is dead? Did you see his body?"

"What?!" Hephaistion recoiled. "What do you mean?"

"I was told that he was killed on King Artaxerxes' orders but nobody actually saw his body. I always hoped…. He still might be alive."

"I don't understand," Hephaistion's mind was in turmoil. "What are you trying to say?"

"Your father was spying for me in Persia. Obviously, we had to make it believable, his betrayal, I mean. Everything went well in the beginning; I don't know what happened afterwards…." The King's voice and concentration drifted away again.

Hephaistion shook his head trying to dispel what he thought was a complete delusion. His father never betrayed King Philip? It was all a ploy? A ploy that cost his father his life and changed his own life forever? How it was possible?

"Do you hate me?" whispered the King and when Hephaistion looked at him he suddenly saw a very old man, riddled with scars, physical and emotional, with haunted look in his only remaining eye that was now twitching in distress.

"I….," Hephaistion didn't know what to say, "No. I don't know. But how, I don't understand," in his own confusion his words didn't make much sense either.

"We thought it would be a great idea," said Philip in a hollow voice. He suddenly grabbed the dagger with the palm of his right hand and rivulet of blood immediately trickled on his chlamys.

"Stop, what are you doing?" Hephaistion jumped from his seat and unclasping King's fingers from the blade, snatched the dagger from Philip's grasp. "That is definitely not why my father gave you the dagger. I'll call a physician."

"Over this? Where are you going, you silly boy?" Philip grasped Hephaistion's arm with his bloody palm. "You'll be botched the moment you open the door. Come back, it is nothing. I wasn't careful."

"We have to tend to your wound," insisted Hephaistion.

"Wound?" Philip scoffed. "I can't even call it a scratch. Pass me over that kilix with wine. No, not that one, it's already mixed with water, not as strong. Yes, this one. Come, pour it over the cut. That's it. Cut a ribbon from that tablecloth. Good. Now, wind it around my hand several times. Here, see. Nothing to worry about. Give me the dagger back, I like to have it close at all times. Now, where were we?"

"At the great idea that you and my father had."

"Right." The King started to play with the dagger again. 'It did sound as a great idea at the time. Your father made me believe it would be easy. I wanted to believe it too, not much persuasion was needed. Well, as you know he was the only one I could ever trust. All the rest, phew. If previous Great King could buy Themistocles, surely the current one could have bought any of my advisers or generals."

"But not my father?"

"Of course not. What a silly notion. Of course, everybody knew this, so the real challenge was to make the betrayal believable. At least at this we succeeded but I still don't know why he was killed. Do you?"

"No," Hephaistion said in a hollow voice.

"I had other spies," continued Philip, "but they weren't placed high enough and of course they didn't know about our arrangement. They just reported to me on what was going on in Artaxerxes' court but those things were a common knowledge. At the time of your father's death, Mentor of Rhodos was brought to King Artaxerxes as a prisoner after he was captured leading the rebellion of Nectanebo, the Pharaoh of Egypt against the Great King who at the time was besieging Sidon. Do you remember any of this? Your father and you were also present at this siege, in the camp of satrap Mazaeus."

"No, I don't remember much, I was around eight at the time," cautiously answered Hephaistion. The fact that his father wasn't a traitor of his King and his homeland was a great relief but he wasn't sure yet how far Philip's favor would extend. Mazaeus saved his life risking his own, who knew what Philip would do with this information. If everything goes well, he might find an appropriate moment to mentioned Mazaeus' help but for now it was better to leave some things unspoken.

Philip sighed and continued, "Mentor of Rhodos was a mercenary general. A good one, granted, but I assume he didn't feel like he owed any allegiance to the Pharaoh. No doubt Artaxerxes knew Mentor's worth so he offered him a bigger pay and sent back to Egypt to squash Nectanebo's revolt which he successfully did. Mentor's brother Memnon, his wife Barsine and his father-in-law satrap Artabazos at the time stayed as my guests at Pella. Later on, Mentor managed to receive pardon for his family from Artaxerxes and they left Macedon. I knew about Mentor's switch of alliances from Artabazos but he didn't know anything about your father's death. Or he knew and didn't want to tell me."

"You think Mentor had something to do with my father's death?"

"It's possible, quite possible; but I don't know for sure. Anyway, Mentor died a few years ago, his brother Memnon got his position at Artaxerxes' court and married his widow."

"Do you keep in touch?" asked Hephaistion," after all you gave him and his family asylum when he was out of favor with the Great King."

"It's not how it works, Hephaistion," Philip smiled. "But, I have some people who… well, keep me informed about Artabazos's family goings and I am sure Artabazos left a few of his spies here, I even know some and it very useful. Still, I wasn't able to find out why exactly your father was killed."

"You have asked in the beginning if I saw my father's body," said Hephaistion, "why?"

Philip sighed, "I hoped, maybe against all hope, that your father might be still alive."

"But how?"

"I don't know. If Artaxerxes discovered that your father was indeed my spy, why he didn't torture him for information, why he didn't execute him to set up an example? It seemed strange to me. What if he imprisoned him without almost anybody knowing?"

"For what purpose?"

"Maybe he didn't know for sure whether your father was spying for me so he wanted to see what happens if he disappears. Would anybody else be sent instead? Would I announce that your father never betrayed me to clear his name?"

"In that case, wouldn't he publicly announce that my father was executed to see your reaction? He might have even presented some people with somebody else' body, tortured or burned beyond recognition."

"I thought about it too. I wasn't sure much about anything, so, I am sorry to say it, I used your father's death to my advantage."

"How so?"

Philip dropped his head and said nothing. He was staring at his hands and at the dagger of which he still didn't release the hold. After some silence, he said, "When your father and I saw each other for the last time, I offered to him to take care of you but he said it might raise suspicions so he took you with him. I saw wisdom in his words and didn't argue. Please don't hold it against him."

"I won't," promised Hephaistion.

"When I got the news about your father's death, real or not, no one could tell me what happened to you. Some said you disappeared without a trace or were killed together with your father, while others said you're taken to Great King harem, made a eunuch. I sincerely hoped it wasn't the latter. Anyway, there were no news about you and I still had a hope that your father was alive, so I didn't tell anybody the true reason why your father left. He remained a traitor to everybody."

"How is my father being thought of as a traitor helped you?"

"Don't you see? If I trusted your father above everybody and he still betrayed me, how could I ever trust anybody else? So, since that time all my closest advisors and generals tried their best to never give me any reason to suspect them in any wrong doings. And, as human nature dictates, they brought any suspicions, true or false, against the others to my attention. I gained a lot of insights into other people's thoughts and intentions. It might seem ignoble to you but," Philip crookedly smiled, "I think your father would have approved."

Hephaistion remained silent processing this new information, and Philip continued, "I know you disapprove but please don't hold it against me. I am very happy you are alive," the King gave Hephaistion his most sincere smile and standing up, pushed Hephaistion up do the same." He then hugged the young man and kissed him in fatherly manner on both cheeks. "You will inherit everything your father once owned, which is a lot, and Amyntor's name will be cleared."

"So, you didn't believe my father might be still alive?"

"It was never more than a futile hope and so many years have passed. I promised your father to take care of you and I will honor that promise with great pleasure. Now, we still have a lot to tell to each other but let's postpone this conversation for later. I suspect you're dying to see Alexander and tell him the good news."

Hephaistion's face darkened. "I am not so sure your son wants to see me for any other reason than to torture and kill."

"Nonsense! When he learns that your name is cleared and that you are the son of a hero, not of a traitor, his intentions will change to something else, I think," Philip winked conspiratorially.

"I am not so sure," said Hephaistion grimly. "He is mad at me because he thinks I betrayed him not because my father betrayed you."

"How do you know what my son thinks? Besides, I can easily understand why you didn't want to tell him who you really were, I am sure Alexander would understand that as well."

"I am not so sure, he refused to talk to me during our return to Pella."

"Because he thought you were a son of a traitor! Now that he knows that you are not, he'll change his mind quickly. You'll see. However, I think it's best if he hears the news from you not from somebody else. The feast starts in a few hours. There I will clear your father's name and announce you as his worthy heir. So, you two have to talk before that. I will call Kleitos now and ask him to accompany you to Alexander's rooms. Ha! I am dying to see the surprise on his face when he hears the news, and my other generals, of course. It's going to be a great celebration today!"

"It should be about Alexander's return."

"Poppycock! Alexander would never return if not for you. Remember, you saved his life! Don't worry, if the rumor is true, he is heels over head in love with you, so he'll forgive you fast!"

"Who told you that?"

"Well, I have my sources," chuckled the King. "Let's not waste any more time. I'll invite Kleitos inside now and explain everything but you stay behind me first, as a precaution," and with those words King moved towards the door.