The Challenge
He sat in his high-back chair waiting for his arrival. His scouts had told him that the Kings' man had already entered the city and was on his way to his chambers. His body tensed with resolve and defiance. He would not give in easily, if Alexander wanted his lands, he would have to fight for them.
He had worked to hard, lost to many men and put in many years of backbreaking work to get to where he was today. There was no way he was just going to hand it over to this so-called King now. He had seen many come and go and this one would be no different. Though he had heard this one was not to be dismissed so easily, he didn't believe it. He would put up his guard, dig in his heels and refuse to give in to this young whelp, just as he had with all the others.
The announcement was made and Alexander's man passed through the doors. He had on a cape that covered most of his face and kept out the cold of winter. His body was lean and straight; his strides, as he made his way towards the center of the room, were sure and confident. He raised his hand and pushed back the hood.
The man seated almost grinned at how young the man looking up at him was. So innocent and unseasoned he appeared. His slight build and gracefulness gave him the appearance of vulnerability. His hair was long with strands of red and gold mixed among the predominately shade of brown. His legs were thin, though shapely with well-defined muscle tone. His face was tanned and unshaved, giving way to his youthful appearance even more. At a glance, he looked young and innocent, and hardly anyone who supposedly held such a high command in Alexander's army.
But then he looked into his eyes. They were a shade of blue that he had never seen before. Stunning in their own right but with a hint of more behind those blue pools. The eyes were older, sure and confident in their gaze. When they locked into his eyes, no hint of surrender or doubt passed through them.
He now knew he had his work cutout for him. This was no boy; this was a man to be reckoned with.
The talks began. No heated words were spoken. The deceivingly young man before his was firm but strong. He listened to everything he had to say and gave his own thoughts after careful consideration. His tact and diplomacy surprised the older leader and he looked with renewed appraisal at the young man called Hephaestion.
They both gave and took, evening out the plans till both were satisfied with the results. Hephaestion left the table with what Alexander had wanted. The man left with his lands safe, his pride intact and a new admiration for this man called Alexander.
But the man would challenge anyone to find an equal to the worth of Hephaestion.