The Sun and Stars

The loud, boisterous voices of men were muffled in Alexander's ears, which sounded far away on the other side of the door. All of them, companions of his father, Phillip the Second. And, like his father, they were all men who loved to drink and let fantasy take over them. There were also instances when they found themselves in another woman's arms, and they couldn't have cared less. When they drank, the magical ale would put a spell over them, and gave them the strength to dance long after the darkness of night.

Alexander, being a boy of three years of age, knew nothing of this matter. The only face that he saw day and night was his mother's. She was his best friend, his comforter. They were separated from the world outside to a safe place.

Olympias sang to her son, her soothing voice ringing. Alexander lay on his bed, smiling sweetly.

"My little Achilles," she said, for she knew that his true father was Zeus, and Achilles' blood ran in her little boy's veins. Olympias held a snake to show Alexander its beauty. "Hold her, Alexander." She insisted. "Go on."

Alexander was reluctant. He wanted to listen to her, but he was a bit afraid of snakes, although it looked like a gentle creature from afar.

"Never hesitate. If you hesitate, it will strike." Olympias said firmly. Her tongue rolled as she spoke, filled with sweet poison.

Alexander felt assured. He took the snake into his small hands. Olympias nodded in approval. Her boy would surely grow up to be a god.

"Snakes are like people. You can feed it, raise it, nurture it, but they can still turn on you."

The door slammed open. Phillip stood in the doorway, laughing his mischievous laugh. He barged in and kissed his queen, and she howled.

"You think people respect you!" she screamed. Alexander sat scared, but quiet. He was used to them fighting. He only wished they wouldn't fight so often.

A snake peeked out of the jar. Phillip yelled: "Snakes! I told you not to keep them, you nasty witch of a woman…"

Phillip was on top of her.

Alexander ran to save his mother. "No!" he cried. He began to wail in despair. The mistresses finally came and broke up the fight. Olympias continued to howl as her foul perfume smell reached Alexander's nostrils.

"He will never be yours, never!"

Phillip, for once, looked taken aback. His son had already forgotten the incident, pondering what his mother had told him. "Snakes are like people. You can feed it, raise it, nurture it, but they can still turn on you."