David Gemmell - Dark Prince

Yes, you could kill a bull and gain a particle of power. But a man? His fear just before death would swell the particle, filling it with dark energy, releasing Enchantment into the air.

Aida's dark eyes looked to the east, across the wide waters.

Thousands upon thousands of men had died there a year ago, at Arbela, slain by the ever-victorious Macedonian army. Darius the King was dead, murdered by his own disenchanted men as they retreated. Alexander was crowned King in Babylon.

Alexander, King of Kings. Alexander the god. .

No, she realized, not yet the god. Still the mortal fought to hold back the power living within him.

But not for much longer. . She closed her eyes, her spirit soaring across the blue sea to the city of Susa, where Alexander sat upon a throne of gold studded with rare gems. He was dressed now in flowing silks, a cloak of golden thread upon his shoulders.

Aida hovered unseen in the air before him. 'Master!' she whispered.

There was no response, but she could feel the pulsing force of the god within him. Alexander was like a man clinging to a rock-face far above the ground, his arms tired, his fingers cramping. She could sense his fear. His soul had proved stronger than Aida would have believed possible, holding the god from his destiny — and such a destiny! Once he was in full control his powers would grow, radiating far beyond the frail human shell he inhabited. The might of Chaos would then surge across the earth, drawn into every living being, every tree and rock, every lake and stream.

And then those who had served him faithfully would gain their reward: a life of eternal youth, an infinity of pleasure, an intensity of experience and sensation never before attained by those of human birth.

Soon would come the blessed day.

Each victory, each death by Alexander's hand, added strength to the darkness within him.

Not long now, thought Aida.

Returning to her body she leaned back on the couch, reaching for a goblet of wine. The sun was dipping now towards the west and she felt its rays hot upon her legs. Standing, she pushed the couch further back into the shadows before stretching out again.

Soon the messenger would be here, hot and tired from walking the steep cliff-path. She had written to Alexander, begging leave to come to his court where she could offer the benefit of her sage counsel. Once there she could speed the process, adding the necessary narcotics to his wine, lessening his will to resist.

Such joys awaited. .

Her thoughts turned to the woman Derae and she found her good mood evaporating. Old fool! She had been so dismissive, seemingly so content trapped within that frail, arthritic shell.

'How content are you now,' whispered Aida, 'now that the worms feast on your flesh? You understood nothing. All your healing and your good works! You merely fed upon the Enchantment of the world, giving nothing back. If we were all as you, then the Enchantment would die. What would the world be then? A sprawling mass of humanity with not a shred of magic upon it.'

She shivered at the thought. A young red-haired acolyte moved before her, bowing deeply. 'There is a man to see you, mistress,' she said.'An officer of Alexander.'

'Bring him to me,' ordered Aida, 'and fetch wine.'

The girl backed away. Aida smoothed her gown of black silk and waited. A young man, tall and dark-bearded, stepped into view. His breastplate was black, edged with gold, and he held a white-plumed helm in his left hand. His face was handsome, burnished bronze by the Asian sun, and showed not a trace of sweat from the long climb to the castle.

He bowed. 'I am Hephaistion, lady. I am sent by Alexander to bring you to his court.'

She looked into his dark eyes and disliked him immediately. Though she despised men, Aida had come to rely on their adoration. But Hephaistion was unaffected by her beauty. It irked her, but she did not show it. Instead she offered the young man a dazzling smile.

'I am honoured,' she said, 'that the Great King should invite me to Susa.'

Hephaistion nodded. 'Your home here is beautiful,' he said. 'May we walk the walls?'

Aida disliked strong sunlight, but Hephaistion was known as Alexander's closest friend and she had no wish to offend him. 'Of course,' she told him. Taking up a wide black-brimmed hat, she stood and led him to the northern wall. From here they could see the wider of the two bays of Lindos and watch the gulls swooping and diving above the small fishing boats returning from the sea.

'The King is troubled,' said Hephaistion. 'He believes you can be of great help to him.'

'Troubled? In what manner?'

Hephaistion sat back on the parapet. 'There are two Alexanders,' he said softly. 'One I love, the other I fear. The first is a kindly friend, understanding and caring. The second is a ruthless and terrifying killer.'

'You are speaking very frankly, Hephaistion. Is that wise?'

'Oh, I think so, my lady. You see, he told me about your stay in Pella and the… aid you gave him.'

'Aid?' she asked, nonplussed.

'How you helped him to take the throne.'

'I see.'

'I think you do,' said Hephaistion softly, his dark eyes holding to her gaze. 'When the King received your letter, he asked me to come to you… to thank you for all you have done for him. He gave me two instructions. Both were different, but I am becoming used to that.'

'What were these instructions?'

'Firstly, as I have said, he asked me to bring you to him.'

'And the second?'

'Well, that brings me to a problem. Perhaps you could help me with it?'

'If I can,' she told him.

'As I told you there are two Alexanders, and each of them gave me separate instructions. Whose should I follow? The friend. .or the one I fear?'

'It is always wise,' said Aida carefully, 'to respond with caution to orders from men one fears. The friend can be forgiving. The other will not.'

Hephaistion nodded. 'You are very wise, lady.' Leaning forward, he took her arms and lifted her to sit on the parapet wall. 'Wise, and beautiful. I shall take your advice.'

'Then our relationship has begun well,' she said, forcing a smile.

'Indeed it has,' he agreed, 'and ended well.'

'Ended?' Aida's mouth was dry and she felt the beginnings of fear.

'Yes, lady,' he whispered. 'For, you see, my friend asked me to bring you to him. The other Alexander told me to kill you.'

'That cannot be. I am his loyal servant, I always have been. He would not order my death. You are mistaken, Hephaistion. Now let me down. I have had enough of this nonsense.'

'Perhaps you are right,' he told her. 'It is so hard sometimes to tell them apart. But in Pella you helped him to kill a child; you even convinced him he should eat its heart. I don't believe my King has need of your counsel.'

'Listen to me. .' she began. But Hephaistion's hand took hold of her legs, tipping her back into space.

Aida felt herself slide clear of the wall.

Far below her the jagged rocks waited, and her screams echoed over the village.

Hephaistion leaned over the parapet to watch Aida fall — her body spiralling down, her shrieks carried away on the wind. It seemed to the Macedonian that she looked like a huge crow, her black robes fluttering like broken wings. He watched her strike the rocks, heard her screams cut off, then saw a flock of gulls descend upon her, their white forms slowly masking the black robes.

Stepping back he took a deep breath. He had never killed a woman before, but he felt no regrets. Her evil had been almost palpable and he was sullied by touching her.

He had told her the truth, in part at least. Alexander had admitted to fearing her and wishing her dead — yet later, his voice cold, he had ordered her brought to court. During the two years since the bloody slaughter at the Issus Alexander had spoken often of his fears, of the dark force eating away at the centre of his soul. Hephaistion knew more of the King's secrets than any man — even Parmenion, who now commanded a second Macedonian army and rarely saw Alexander.