It's 345 BC. Macedonia is great...but could be greater.
The House of Argead rules Macedonia, and have ruled for over three centuries. That's not likely to change anytime soon. Alas, progressives often fear for the country's self-esteem. They long to expand...
Throughout the Aegean Sea, there are islands. They're mountainous, and grape-infested.
The cities are white. They're guarded and protected by warriors clad in helmets, carrying shields, and wielding spears.
The sun sets over Pella. The evening tide rises, over the shore.
This is the imperial palace. Upstairs, a legend is in gestation...
Prince Alexander, a pubescent child, sleeps, exhausted after a hard day's...work. He's blond, and hardly ever keeps any meat on his bones. He looks like he could be a big hit with the ladies. Too bad most girls his age haven't started their pubescence yet...
Through the palace, an Indian python slithers. It senses Alexander's fear. It crawls towards his chambers. It finds them, and slithers right on in.
Alexander sleeps. Tonight, he's investing in his deepest sex fantasies, for the first time...
Above his head, the snake is atop Alexander's headboard. He's got Alexander in a tight spot...and he doesn't even know it.
Alexander opens his eyes. He can't see anything...but he senses something. He strikes a match, and lights a candle.
And he sees the snake. He screams, and runs outside, onto a balcony.
The snake only sits there, on his headboard, and flicks his tongue. On Alexander's bedside table, the candle still burns...