"You are making a terrible mistake!" Philotas screamed, tears running down his face as he pleaded with Cleitus and Cassander.
"But someone must instigate this, to protect our home. Do you want to see our great nation divided because of Alexander's silly conquest to dominate the whole world?"
Philotas shook his head,
"Why your father would be so very proud of you too" Cassander sneered, as he put his hand under Philotas' chin,
"I don't want to die!" Philtoas begged, "Why can't you do it, you want him dead!"
"Because!" Cassander snapped, "I have responsibilities of my own. Now, you're not going to get caught… I promise"
Philotas looked at him warily, suspicion rousing in his young mind;
"That is a binding promise" Philotas said, shaking Cassander's hand, Cassander grinned.
"Now… go and tell the page boy, the one who brings Alexander his morning meal and drink to report to me at once. Then you, shall prepare the riders who will escort you safely away from the encampment, as I and Cleitus will take care of Roxane, Hephaistion and anyone else that dares to question what we do for Babylon"
Cassander watched Philotas ride away to the page boys, as Cleitus came over to him and draped an arm around his shoulder.
'You honestly think that Alexander won't smell traitors a mile away?' Cleitus furrowed his brow, "The boy is good as dead?"
'And so be Alexander's ties to India…." Cassander smiled, "Once Alexander kills Philotas for conspiring against him, we shall move in on removing Parmenion, who's holding forces and the East's supply route. Cutting that off will be devastating for Alexander…. And bring us ever closer to his demise"
Cleitus nodded his head in silent awe and amusement,
"You enjoy torturing Alexander don't you?" he asked, and Cassander just smiled at him.
"It's for good reasons, I assure you" Cassander said, "The whole council wouldn't oppose… he is as good as gone, especially now he has married a barbarian"
'He still insists on marrying Hephaistion one day" Cleitus said softly, "He will not end his affairs with him"
"No, you're right" Cassander said solemnly, "He will fight for Alexander, so we shall have to find a way around that…" Cassander paused, "Make sure the drink is spiked, but clearly noticeable. That way Alexander will know foul play is afoot, and immediately execute those involved. We can save our surprises for Hephaistion, later. His suspicious mind would all ready bulges at the idea that we would try and kill the King"
Cleitus grunted, "He is overbearing, I say we get rid of him now"
"Too many risks" Cassander muttered, "We wait for that, this plan shall work"
Cleitus sighed and just nodded. How could he disagree with that? He could only hope it there would be truth to it.
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