Stasicrates constructed a giant burial pyre for Hephaestion, shaped like a temple of cedar and sandalwood, using great quantities of frankincense and myrrh. The flame, which reminded Thais of the fire of Persepolis, swallowed the hero’s body. The wake was attended by several thousands of people. After seven days of drinking following the wake, Alexander went to the northern mountains to conquer Cassites. They wer, a mountain tribe who were not afraid of the king, whose name alone caused other armies to scatter.
He was accompanied by Ptolemy, the last of his close friends aside from Nearchus. Ptolemy was now the chief caretaker of the empire. Depressed after the death of his friend, his face swollen from the nightly feasts in which he had to participate, Ptolemy came to Thais before their departure and spoke to her at length. He told her the terrible secret he kept for ten years, since the time Alexander had visited the Ammon oracle in an oasis in the midst of Libyan desert. At the time, Ptolemy had bribed a junior attendant of the oracle with a talant of gold so he could eavesdrop on the oracle’s foretelling. That is how he knew Alexander was told he would die at a young age, not much older than thirty years.
“He is now thirty-two, and if …” Ptolemy didn’t dare pronounce the terrible word. “Then his great conquered kingdom shall fall apart and vanish from existence because Alexander alone can rule it without exhausting himself with the great multitude of tasks.” He frowned. “You are not listening to me.”
“Yes, I am. I have only just realized why Alexander was so desperate, in such a rush to get to the edges of the world, to the shores of the East Ocean. He knew about the prophecy and carried it inside, like a poisoned dagger over naked skin.”
“You are probably right. But it doesn’t matter anymore. If Ammon’s foretelling is correct, then I will be the first one to advocate the split of the empire. I will only ask for Egypt. It is off to the side and near the Inner Sea, which is what I need. Will you come with me and be the queen of Egypt?”
Thais blinked at him. “What if the prophecy is not true?”
“Then everything will go as it is now. Alexander will sail with Nearchus and I shall stay in Babylon as his envoy and chief strategist of Asia. But you didn’t answer my important question.”
“What about Sirita?”
“I swear by the hammer of Hephaestus, you know the answer for yourself. You are only asking me out of mischief. The Persian girl will stay in Persia, I shall marry her off to one of the envoys of the eastern borders. But be careful trying my patience. I can take you whenever I want, wherever I want, tied and under strong guard.”
Thais rose and approached Ptolemy, still not giving him a direct answer.
“You spent too much time making war in Scythia and India and have forgotten what your wife is like. My dear army man, women like me cannot be taken by force. We either die by killing ourselves, or kill those who allow themselves such use of force. You are not a Helenian, but a Macedonian, who has grown wild in war marches, grabbing helpless women like any other loot at your feet.”
Ptolemy flushed crimson and grabbed for her with predatory curved fingers, then remembered himself and jerked his hand away, as if burned by fire. He nodded.
“Let it be so. You are right. I really have gotten used to women’s unquestionable obedience.”
“It is well that you took away your hand, Ptolemy. Had you grabbed me, I am not sure, but I believe Alexander’s chief officer might have been carried out of here as a lifeless body.”
He scowled. “Your black demon, Eris. She and you would have been tortured and executed.”
“Ah, so Eris is a demon now, and not a generous protector? Learn to control yourself when your wishes are not fulfilled, otherwise you shall never become a real king, Ptolemy. I am not certain about the execution as long as Alexander is alive. Besides,” she said lightly, “there is always poison.”
Ptolemy became ashamed for the first time. He mumbled something about going through a long war filled with endless killing and rape, and being used to instant and unquestioning obedience, then repeated his question about Egypt.
Thais softened and held out her small, firm hand.
“If you will learn to understand me again, then I agree. Only there cannot be either a second or third queen during my rule. What would you want me for, disobedient and unfaithful?”
“I would be happy with your absolute honesty. To speak nothing about your beauty, intelligence, knowledge, ability to interact with people, and understanding of the arts. I could not find a better queen for the ancient country where people’s tastes are established and unmistakable, and where they can easily tell the real thing from a trifle.”
“And what if the wild Amazon or a careless Nereid comes back to life in me?”
“You shall take care of that yourself. So. Do you agree?”
Thais nodded after a brief pause.
“May we seal our agreement with a kiss?”
The Athenian agreed.
Despite it being winter time, Alexander’s cavalry went into the mountains. They stayed much longer than was necessary for the conquering of the Cassites, scattered through Parthia and Girkania. Was Alexander planning to visit the Sea of Birds again?
Thais was thinking of other things. The tired conqueror, devastated by the loss of his best friend, was exhausted by a mountain of hateful tasks related to governing the empire. In these matters his habit of lightning fast decisions did not help, but rather hurt him. He simply did not wish to go back to Babylon.
Bad news arrived from Hellas. The fugitive treasurer, Garpal, and Cassander declared Alexander mad and possessed by a manic egotism; however, the army leader’s fame was far too great to be slandered thus. The return of all statues from Asia, taken out by previous conquerors, was considered to be his greatest deed in Hellas. Alexander was worshiped like a contemporary Hercules. Garpal the traitor came to a bad end. He was executed.
Architect Stasicrates told something entirely different. He proposed to Alexander that he do something entirely unheard-of. He suggested he create a statue of him six hundred elbows tall, by carving it out of the mountain Athos in Khalkidhiki. Alexander only laughed and said that the giant pyramids of Egypt told nothing of the rulers who had built them. Great size did not equal great glory.
The people of Hellas were even more impressed by the arrival of the Macedonian veterans, led by Crateros. They were set free and given both honors and great rewards by Alexander. The phalanx and the Agrian cavalry ceased to exist. All Helenian mercenaries who had been left behind in the new fortresses and Alexandrias were also able to return home.
Hephaestion’s ashes were temporarily placed in a mausoleum of snow white limestone on a hill near Ecbatana. The place had a view of the eastern valley, overgrown by silvery grass. Thais grew fond of visiting the peaceful place with Eris.
She remembered the story Hephaestion had told her not long before his illness, about the incredible deed by the Indian wise man, gymnosophist Kalinas. Kalinas had come to Alexander and declared his decision to leave the boundaries of the land. The king did not understand at first and offered him a unit of strong guards. The old man explained that he was feeling poorly and did not wish to live any longer, but that he was far away from his homeland and could not reach it in time. On the Indian’s request, soldiers built a large bonfire. Alexander, thinking the man wanted to make a sacrificial offering, gave Kalinas a horse and five gold goblets. The wise man gave the presents to those who built the bonfire, climbed on top and ordered it to be set on fire from all sides. Then the old man lay down, remaining completely motionless amidst the smoke and flames.
Alexander, struck by such courage, ordered trumpets to play and had all the elephants give the gymnosophist a royal sendoff with their roar. The soldiers did not recover from Kalinas’ death for a long time. They felt they’d lost someone who had protected the army along the way. Hephaestion considered the Indian’s death to be a great heroic deed, worthy of example. He wanted to find the same kind of courage in himself and without a doubt had told Alexander about it. The giant pyre was the king’s response to his friend’s words. The deserted hill that had bustled with construction activity only a month prior was cleaned and set to order. Flowers and shrubs were planted around the mausoleum.