Drabble – Sharp
A sharp pain in his back brought Hephaestion to attention. He started to reach around and froze when he heard a voice whispering in his ear.
"Don't move or the King is dead. Don't turn around, just keep facing forward."
Hephaestion didn't recognize the voice but he could venture a guess as to who it might be. The recent battles had been hard-fought and with a lot of tension on both sides. The tribes still held hard feelings about the inevitable outcome. Alexander had never lost a battle and his record was still intact.
The man holding the knife at his back had to be one of the ones that couldn't accept the results and Hephaestion doubted he was alone in his quest tonight.
Hephaestion's brain was working a mile a minute and he tried to get Alexander's attention.
"Don't do anything stupid, I'm not alone here and one wrong move and your King is dead, with you following closely behind."
Alexander was looking around the room and settled on Hephaestion. He smiled at him and instead of smiling back; his General crossed his eyes at him. He would have laughed if he hadn't known how much Hephaestion hated it when people crossed their eyes. He took a closer look at Hephaestion and noticed a man standing right behind him, someone he didn't recognize.
A conversation at a meeting several years ago flooded Alexander's mind. At the meeting Hephaestion had suggested a signal could be given if the King was in danger, something everyone would recognize. It had to be something ordinary and wouldn't attract attention. Hephaestion had been laughed at when he suggested it and even Alexander was thinking it was funny, but went along with it so everyone wouldn't make fun of Hephaestion.
Alexander hoped everyone hadn't drunk too much and they could remember the plan they devised. He looked at Hephaestion and saw him blink slowly.
Alexander rose from his seat and in a booming voice asked for everyone's attention.
"May I have your attention, I would like make a toast. Too are fallen comrades, especially Gratten, we could have used his skills these past days."
At the name Gratten, all of the Generals sat up straight and looked at the King. He nodded at several to make sure they understood. They nodded back.
"Hephaestion, why don't come up here and make a toast to our missing soldiers?"
Every eye in the room went towards Hephaestion. The other Generals now knew what was happening and saw Hephaestion's hand move towards his sword.
The next few minutes were a frenzy of activity. Screams of agony, mixed with wails of pain filled the room.
Alexander's men suffered minor cuts and bruises. The enemy wasn't so lucky.
Alexander was putting suave on Hephaestion's back later.
"I remember when you brought up the idea years ago and how it was met. I think it is interesting that such a stupid idea was such a success. Who is the sharp one now?"