Adventure Story

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Sir?

Sir, this is Perdiccas. Can you hear me?

This is Perdiccas, sir.

Make a sign if you understand.

Will you name your successor?

Well?

Try again.

Sir, the time has come

for you to name your successor.

Who is it to be?

Alexander, you are dying.

Dying? Alexander dying?

-In a bed.

-PERDICCAS:
Sir?

Alexander dying of a chill at 33?

Sir?

Yes, Ptolemy?

Name your successor.

Who shall I condemn to death?

PERDICCAS:
He's feverish.

Pythia, mouthpiece of Apollo.

Get the physician.

Right at the beginning,

why didn't you tell me

it would end like this?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Pythia, where did I go wrong?

Pythia of Delphi. Delphi... Delphi...

Madam.

You have no right in this place, sir.

This is forbidden ground.

-I'm here under orders.

-No one gives orders in Delphi,

save the God Apollo

through his chosen mouthpiece, myself.

My, master has come to Delphi

to consult the Oracle

and he demands an audience at once.

The mystery of the Oracle is a holy boon

to be craved of the God,

not demanded as a favour

from a hired fortune teller.

-But, Madam, I...

-What's the delay?

I thought I told you to stay outside.

So this is the holiest spot in Greece,

is it?

Ah! It's rather impressive,

I must admit.

-Are you this man's master?

-If you mean am I King Alexander?

I am not.

My name is Philotas and he, if he hasn't

told you already, is Hephaestion.

We're both of us, as you've no doubt

already recognised from our armour,

officers of his majesty's personal

bodyguard, the companion cavalry.

Your armour, sir, is unknown to me

but your manners

are unmistakably Macedonian.

This Alexander

is the new King of Macedon?

He is.

And elected Captain General

of all Greece.

-May I escort you to him, madam?

-No, sir.

But I thank you for the offer.

Have the outer doors opened,

these gentlemen's are leaving.

(SCOFFING) You know, it surprises me

that so obviously sensible a lady

should be prepared

to run so drastic a risk.

The only risk I run, sir,

is of condoning a blasphemy.

And the longer you two gentlemen

remain in this holy place

the greater is my peril.

I must apologise for my friend.

You may tell your king

I mean him no discourtesy.

I shall be pleased to pay my respects

to him at a more appropriate time

in a more appropriate place.

He won't like it.

This is the first time

I've let him down.

-You are afraid of him?

-Afraid of Alexander?

He's my best friend.

I see. You are proud to have

a king as a best friend.

No, I'm very proud to have Alexander

for my best friend.

Bolt and bar the doors.

You are the Pythia?

Oh, please don't ring that,

there's no need.

-You are Pythia?

-Yes, I am.

I'm Alexander of Macedon.

King Alexander, you have

desecrated this temple.

I must ask you to leave at once.

Oh, yes, all right. I'll go in a moment

when I've got what I came for.

I was told to submit

my question in writing,

so I have scribbled it out for you here.

There.

Is this seriously the question you wish

to put to the God Apollo?

Yes.

Very well,

I shall put it before the council.

-But why can't you answer it now?

-Because it is impossible.

I see.

Well, if you're not going

to answer my question,

I'd like it back please.

I don't want this

falling into the wrong hands.

Do you think I keep the King of Persia's

agents in this temple?

-Darius's spies are everywhere.

-Poor Darius.

How he would tremble

if he could read that threat of war.

Now you're making fun of me.

But you'll see.

-How many men will you have?

-With luck about 35,000.

-And Darius?

-Quarter of a million.

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