A/N: Stade race is equivalent to 200-meter dash, and 24 stades race is close to 5,000 meter run.

340 B.C.

Chapter 1

Looking in the direction of the harbor from the ship, Hephaistion's mind was repeating this one scene played by King Philip and Alexander over and over again. It had all started with an innocent competition between father and son.

"King Philip. The trainers are getting anxious to choose the athletes for this year's Olympic games, "Cleitus remarked.

"Yes, the boat has to sail within three days as we have to train for a month there before the games," Parmenion added.

"How do our athletes look this year, Cleitus?" the King asked.

"Well, we have few good ones who have the potential to win, but I heard the Athenians are very strong this year."

As a three time Olympic champion himself, King Philip was very enthusiastic about the game and especially about athletes. However, Macedonia had not produced any champions since King Philip, and he hoped to pass the tradition to his own son, Alexander.

"Alexander, I hear that you are a pretty good runner. Why don't you give it a try this year?"

"I would be glad to compete if I could run against a legitimate king."

Hephaistion looked at the King in alarm, hoping he did not take this as a challenge from Alexander. The next words from the King proved that Hephaistion's worry was correct.

"You know very well that no king is competing this year. A good leader often has to lead by example. I wonder if you are not cut out to be a great leader or if you are just afraid to lose, Alexander?"

Alexander was trapped. He now had to compete or he would be admitting that he was either not a great leader or a coward in front of the king's trusted generals.

"I am not a coward, and I can prove to you that I am also a great leader if you only give me a chance."

"Very well, then, you can select your own team of five young men under twenty years old. If you can lead and win three events out of five against the Athenians for the games of the youth division, I will be glad to admit that you are indeed a great leader and fit to be the future king of Macedonia."

"Father, since no king is competing against me, I will compete among men along with Hephaistion."

It was king Philip's turn to swallow this time. Alexander was throwing away an opportunity as an exchange for his stubborn pride. It was hard enough to win among youths, and was almost impossible against fully grown up adults. King Philip wished that he never brought up the subject, but it was too late to take it back now.

"Excuse me father, now I have to get busy."

Alexander swiftly exited the King's room leaving stunned Parmenion and Cleitus behind. Hephaistion quickly bowed to the King, and followed Alexander. Catching up to Alexander, Hephaistion stated,

"That was not a smart thing to say, Alexander."

"I know, but I could not just accept an easy challenge."

"An easy challenge!!" Hephaistion exclaimed. "I have no idea what you have in your mind for me to compete at, but whatever it is, I don't think I can win even in the youth division!"

"Don't worry Hephaistion, we will figure it out. Now, we have to decide who else we are going to take along as a team."

Hephaistion sighed heavily. They soon arrived at Alexander's room.

"Who do you have in mind?" Hephaistion asked when Alexander opened the heavy door to his room.

Alexander walked to his bedroom, and sat on a bed with his legs crossed. Hephaistion sat at the foot of the bed.

"Well, Cassander is good at wrestling next to you and me."

"So, you don't want me to compete in the wrestling? It is my best."

"No, remember? We will be competing against real men. You have no chance against a fully developed warrior, even though you are the best among all of us."

Alexander was right. Hephaistion could see himself easily defeated by a man who weighed more than twice what he did. Hephaistion tried to take his mind off of his own, and concentrated on other events.

"Ptolemy could be good at discus. He has such a strong upper body."

"That's true, and Perdiccas may not be a bad choice for Javelin. He is quite a hunter. He can throw a spear pretty far. Let's go and talk to them."

Alexander jumped off the bed, and start heading to the dining hall where all their friends should have gathered for dinner by now. Hephaistion followed him still deep in thought.

Alexander walked straight to the table where Cassander, Ptolemy and Perdiccas sat, while Hephaistion went to the kitchen to fetch his own supper. As soon as Alexander sat by Ptolemy in front of Cassander, a servant came over and set a bowl filled with generous amount of lamb stew and a whole loaf of bread in front of him.

"Special treatment and a service for the future king," Ptolemy teased.

"Soon, we may not have the future king by our side," Hephaistion stated, taking a seat by Alexander.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, being Alexander, he promised an impossible task to King Philip."

Hephaistion started to explain what had just happened at the palace.

"I cannot accept an easy challenge, you know that," Alexander protested.

"Yes, but this time, you put your throne at risk. You promised your father that your selected team will win three out of five events against the Athenians at the Olympic games, as a proof of your leadership skills."

"It's not that difficult. We have two promised wins. I am sure nobody can match Alexander for running, or beat Hephaistion at wrestling in the youth division. We just have to find one more strong person to win another event."

Cassander looked at the others for confirmation. Ptolemy and Perdiccas nodded in agreement.

"But Alexander and I are not competing in the youth division. He thinks it is too easy."

"What? Did you lose your mind, Alexander?" Ptolemy exclaimed.

"No. My father challenged me to prove myself to be a great leader. If I took an easy way, winning would not mean anything. I don't want to take it for granted. Inheriting the crown just because I am the son of the king is not my intention. I would like to earn it because I excel, because I am truly a great leader. To me, a great leader is the one who makes the impossible possible."

Everybody looked at Alexander in disbelief, but at the same time, they all knew well that this was their Alexander.

"So, what is your plan?" Perdiccas asked curiously.

"This is what we will do. Cassander, you compete in wrestling since you are the best next to Hephaistion and me. Perduccas, you are in javelin. I have seen you throw a spear quite far at hunting. And Ptolemy, you are in discus. I know you can throw more than words."

Cassander sneered at Ptolemy, and continued.

"And you, Alexander? Are you running against grown men?"

"Yes, since no king is running, it is the least I can do to match the challenge."

"Did it ever come to your mind that your father never challenged you, but was just encouraging you?" Hephaistion murmured weakly and looked at Alexander, but Alexander just grinned at him, and did not answer.

"So, what is the plan for me?" Hephaistion asked in submission.

"I am thinking of the twenty four stades race for you."

"Twenty four stades!! It's almost three miles!"

"Hephaistion, you have an endurance. Remember when we went to gather herbs for Aristotle's class? We got carried away, and wandered off a little too far. And when I fell into a deep hole in the field, you ran all the way back to school to get help. I am sure that you ran at least five miles for that."

Hephaistion did not protest any more. He could not think of himself in any other events, which he might even have a slight chance of winning.

Alexander continued passionately. "We all have a foundation. We just have to build onto it during the next month. I know we can do this."

Alexander looked into their eyes one by one, and they all felt the confidence poured into them from Alexander's eyes filled with passion and ambition.

Alexander's touch brought Hephaistion back from daydreaming. He felt Alexander gently squeeze his shoulder.

"Do not worry, Hephaistion. I will manage."

"Alexander, I am not worried about you. But…."

"But?"

"But, I am afraid that I might fail you."

Hephaistion looked down, and sighed, yet, his sigh quickly disappeared into Alexander's tender kiss. Alexander looked Hephaistion in the eyes, and assured him.

"Remember this, Hephaistion. You can never fail me. Nothing you do ever disappoints me."

Hephaistion smiled back at Alexander, but the worry still lingered deep down in his consciousness. The gentle breeze from the harbor carried the voices of people who were there to send them off, and the boat was ready for the journey to Olympia.

TBC