Out of tiredness Natalie put her hand up to her mouth to suppress a yawn.
“I’m sorry. I’m boring you.”
“Oh no. Sorry, no I’m just tired. No it’s very interesting. Please continue,” she said genuinely liking him.
“I knew nothing about it myself. I only began researching it after my Grandfather died.”
“What was he like?”
“He was the kindest man I ever knew. I’m not just saying that. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone.”
Dennis raised his backside off the seat enough to pull his wallet from his Jeans back pocket.
“I have a picture. A photograph. Here,” he said opening the wallet and taking out a very old black and white still. Natalie held it in her hand. There were two women seated in front of a young man in a British army uniform.
“That was taken in 1939 when he was called up. The young woman is his wife, my Gran, Ronnie.”
“Ronnie?”
“Veronica.”
“Oh I see. Is the older woman his Mother?”
“No my Gran’s Mother.”
“Pardon me for saying but she looks like a very stern woman.”
Dennis smiled. He agreed.
“I never knew her. She died before I was born.”
“Oh I’m sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
She looked at him. His smile was friendly.
“Why do people who’ve never met someone or know the circumstances always say they’re sorry to hear that that person has died.”
He was right. She knew it.
“Human nature I suppose.”
He was staring out of the window at the miles and miles of sand.
“He’s a very good looking man.”
His attention back he stared down at the photograph in the girl’s hand. Natalie handed the picture back to him.
“Yes he was very good looking.”
“Almost movie star looks. I can see where you get it from,” she hadn’t meant to say it quite so. It had been a slip of the tongue and now she felt awkward, almost like she was a schoolgirl again revealing her first crush.
‘Why does he make me feel like this?’ she asked herself.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. I just think your Grandfather was a very good looking man and you’ve inherited his looks,” she was able to recover.
There was an awkward silence. Broken by Hutchinson.
“So what does everyone know about Alexander the Great?”
“I know the basics,” Natalie replied.
“I learned him at school,” George said “Every Greek learns him at school.”
“Peter perhaps you’d like to tell the story.”
“Of course Jim. Thank you,” Dennis cleared his throat “Imagine the scene,” he said looking at the faces in the car, “It’s a hot summer night. The date is the 20 of July. The year 356bc. The place Pella, Macedonia. Pella is a city, the capital. Macedonia is a country ruled by King Philip II. Philip is a good King. Good to his people and good for Greece….”
Natalie glanced at George who confirmed it with a nod.
“….Back then Greece was a country of warring tribes, not yet unified. Not even after the great invasions by Persia, led by the Kings Darius and Xerxes. No. Philip changed all this. He united the tribes at the battle of Chaeronea with the eighteen year old Alexander by his side. Father and son fighting together. Alexander actually saves his fathers life in this battle.”
“Where did it go wrong between them?” Natalie asked.
Dennis took a swig of water.
“That same year Philip, estranged from his wife, Alexander’s mother, Olympias, marries Euridyce, Atalus’ niece. Philip orders Alexander to pay homage to Atalus and an argument, no more than a slanging match starts. Accusations fly and a brawl starts right there at the wedding reception. Philip, drunk by now, turns on Alexander who makes a comment back. Suddenly Philip rushes Alexander but trips over a rug and falls. Alexander then gloats asking the guests ’Is this the man who would lead you into Asia when he can’t even make it from one couch to the next’
Philip, still on the floor, banishes Alexander from the realm.
“But he does return though doesn’t he.”
“Yes he lives with his mother during his wilderness years. She announces to him that once Euridyce becomes pregnant Alexander’s rise to the throne will be gone.”
Dennis glanced across at Roussos.
“Have I missed anything George?”
“No your knowledge is very good Mr Dennis.”
“Please call me Peter.”
George nodded. He would continue to call the Englishman ‘Mr Dennis’
“Are you an expert on Sikander Mr Dennis?”
“What? Oh you mean Alexander. No I’m not. And it’s Peter….”
“As you wish Mr Dennis. Peter. You seem to know so much about my wife’s country’s greatest ruler.
“I’m not an expert sadly. As soon as my Grandfather told me his story I rushed out and bought books and used the internet on the subject. It’s a truly fascinating story.”
“It is.”
“It’s a story of revenge,” added Hutchinson “Please continue.”
“Philip was murdered wasn’t he?” Natalie asked.
“Yes I was just coming to that.”
“Oh sorry.”
Again there was that look between them.
“Philip was assassinated. The year now 336bc. There were lavish games to celebrate the marriage of Alexander of Epirus to Philip’s daughter Cleopatra, Alexander the Great’s sister. Alexander and his mother were both present. For a moment all their differences with the King put aside. Finally Philip himself arrived at the theatre at Pella. He walked in alone to great applause, the sun in his eyes. Suddenly he was confronted by a guard, Pausanias. Before Philip could speak Pausanias kissed him briefly on the lips before plunging a dagger into his heart, killing him instantly.”
They could all imagine in their minds the chaotic scene.
“Why did he kill him?” from Natalie.
“Well some said that Pausanias was raped by some of Philip’s guests at the wedding reception and that Philip did nothing. Even after Pausanias complained to him personally. Others said that Alexander and his mother were involved. I suspect the latter to be nearer the truth.”
“So Alexander became King of Macedonia?”
“Yes he was instantly sworn in.”
“And the assassin?”
“Pausanias? He attempted to escape of course, was chased, tripped and fell and was run through. Killed before he could answer any questions.”
“They didn’t attempt to capture him?”
“No just ran him through with their javelins.”
“It does sound like a set up.”
“Yes. Maybe they were just angry at Philip’s death but I suspect Pausanias was got rid of before he could speak. They could have caught him easily.”
“And Philip’s new wife and baby?”
“Put to death almost instantly by Olympias.”
“So Alexander’s accession becomes complete.”
“He now becomes ruler of all of Greece.”
“And then he invades Persia?” from Hutchinson.
“No. Incredibly the Thebans rise against his rule so he has to quickly go North to quell them. He has to go as far as the Danube. Once they are subdued he begins his campaign. The first thing he does is travel to Delphi to consult the Oracle. He arrives at a time of the year when the Oracle is not functioning. He grabs the priestess and attempts to drag her out by her hair.