From 'The Persian Boy' by Mary Renault, the story of Alexander the Great from the point of view of Bagoas: The sand was heavy and deep; it stank from the ordure of men and horses, buzzing with flies. which flew from it to drink my sweat... This is my tomb, I thought. I have failed him. I have earned this death. All was silent... I heard a horse's laboured breathing and thought, Madness comes first. A voice said 'Bagoas.' I turned over. Hephaistion stood looking down. His face was dry with dust, haggard with weariness. He looked like the dead. I said, 'Why have you come for my soul? I did not kill you.' But my throat was too dry to sound. He knelt and gave me water. 'Not too much yet. More later.' ... He heaved me to my feet and on to his horse. 'I'll walk him. Her can't carry two, he'll die.' I could feel the beast's bones through the saddle-cloth; and it had had the day's march already. So had he. He dragged it along; hitting it when it stopped... Once more I strove for speech. At Susa, I had learned how to express thanks gracefully. But all I could bring out was, 'Now I understand.' 'Keep up with the column then,' he said. 'And look after him. I can't, I've my work to do.' ... [Alexander] was concerned for me, feeling my head to see if I had sunstroke. I said of my rescuer what was required by honour. He only answered, "That is Hephaistion; it always has been'; and it was if he closed again the curtain guarding a shrine. It was my punishment. He had meant none; but I knew it's fitness. Credits RDNA Terradome, 2 x M4 custom morphed. Jepe's Rodan.