Of Gods and Kings

Chapter 4: Treason

"My fair Hephaestion!" spoke Cleitus as he settled a stout arm around his companion's shoulders. "How this friendly wine flows so freely this eve!"

"I envision thou dost hold it in enough esteem for everyone," Hephaestion replied, trying to discreetly shrug the drunken man's arm from his shoulders. The black general let out a loud bellow and struck a hard blow to his comrade's back.

"The drinking! The dancing!" quoth Cleitus. "These women with their delicate wonders." Without having to ask, his wine glass was once again filled by a passing attendant. Hephaestion courteously waved her off before his consort could receive more.

Amidst the applauding crowd, Alexander arrived in the high hall with his new bride. The reigning royals were a sight to behold, ravishing and resplendent, adorned in the native attire. The only remnant left of the Macedonian monarch was the gilded, golden-leafed laurel laid as a crown across his head. Now, he was the great Alexander - the Empirical Emperor, Ruler of all Realms, conquering King of everything in creation.

Roxana strolled beside her sovereign, as solemn as he was spright. But how she rightfully radiated her queenly regality. How breathtakingly beautiful she was under her brilliant diadem of diamond baguettes! Hiding her hair was a sheer silver veil, weighted with mirrored charms. Covering her body was a pleated robe of ruby red silk, brighter than the radiant sun. Surely all would know her as royalty this night.

Sadira closely followed her lord and lady, drawing observers who happened to overlook the queen. Upon her hair she wore a peacock plume headdress of fanned feathers so high and heavy that it stood above all in the room. Around her neck was a gem-encrusted collar covered in glowing emeralds, glittering and gleaming in the firelight. Her garment was as spun gold, shimmering as she sauntered beside the boy Bagoas, almost as sublime and stately as she. They stopped behind the royals, inviting people to stare at their sculpted splendor.

Quoth Hephaestion, "Forsooth, my eyes have been opened since we embarked on this expedition."

"They aid thine eyes, Hephaestion?" spoke Cleitus as he turned to the soldier. He almost seemed sober as he stared, his serious expression startling the other man. "Their aesthetics they give us and in exchange, we entrust them with an army."

With a furrowed brow, Hephaestion brought himself closer to his companion. His face was fiercely flushed, but whether out of fury or shame, Cleitus did not know. "Alexander does dedicate himself to the army."

Cleitus raised his half-full glass to the general, grinning as he did. "And I therefore dedicate myself to the drink," spoke he as he placed the goblet to his lips and finished it in a single swallow. He then looked over the the beckoning Cassander and went to the man without another word.

Alexander and Roxana lounged upon a chaise at the front of the chamber, the king chatting with his Persian guard. Atop the dais that held the dynasts, the woman whispered to her handmaiden, bidding Sadira to take leave of her. Hephaestion watched as she descended the small stairwell, acquiring a decanter of wine from an attendant, and walked to couch where Cleitus and Cassander sat, glad and laughing gaily. He observed her offering them more drink, which they could not easily deny. She spoke something and they smiled, then held out a hand to the older officer.

The wine was abandoned to Cassander as he sat covetous and companionless, looking after the departing couple. Roxana watched the traveling twosome as well, but they disappeared into the crowd so completely that all parties lost track of them.

"Cleitus," spoke Sadira after her and the man arrived in a small, silent room, "art thou composed?" Said soldier nodded his head in affirmation as she continued. "My lady wishes me give thee this tribute. The truest token of love says she."

Upon a chain was a copper coin, carved into it an eye of Persian cut. An ancient antique it looked, eroded but enduring, the engraving so embedded that it seemed newly etched. Sadira clutched it by the chain so the pendant was presented in front of the man. Quoth the woman, "Her explanation is more eloquent than mine, but the expression is all the same."

"I can not accept it," Cleitus replied, so Sadira obtained his hand and placed the ornament in his palm.

"Be not noble this night," said she. "Heed my words: be but humble. Humor her with thy humility."

The general gripped the necklace in his grasp, then granted the woman her request. He slipped the chain over his head and let the coin fall on his chest. "A token of my treason," spoke Cleitus. "Anon I shall be a traitor tried for his crimes."

She picked up the pendant, pondering it for a moment, then placed it back down. "We all must do work we do not wish," spoke Sadira sadly, sympathizing with the general. Her arms found their way around the man's neck and pulled him into a hug. "Wear it well," she whispered, "and reap thine rewards thou so deserve."