At the time of King Philip II, Macedonia was threatened on all sides, by frontier tribes as well as the Persian army. King Philip II drilled his men night and day, until his army became the best fighting machine in the known world.
Jack looked at the soldiers again. They marched to the right and then the left. The front row of soldiers pointed their spears forward. The other rows pointed their spears up in the air. All the men moved in perfect unison, their helmets, shields, and spears flashing in the sunlight.
“They do look like a fighting machine,” said Annie.
Jack thought they looked more like a monstrous insect with thousands of legs and spikes sticking out of its body. He shivered. “Let’s get away from this place,” he said.
Jack and Annie headed farther up the dusty road. Finally, beyond a grove of olive trees, they came to a walled town. Above the town a white mansion sat on a hilltop.
“Maybe that’s where King Philip the Second of Macedonia and Alexander the Great live,” said Annie, pointing at the mansion.
Jack and Annie walked through the town gate and headed toward a market square. On the street leading to the square, a group of boys were sword-fighting with sticks. “Hello—” Annie called.
“Don’t,” said Jack.
It was too late. The boys stopped fighting and stared at them.
“Does King Philip of Macedonia live on that hill?” Annie asked, pointing to the columned house.
The boys scowled at Annie.
Jack grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her along. “Keep walking,” he said under his breath. “Turn right.”
“Thanks anyway!” Annie called. She and Jack kept going and turned right at the next corner. “They weren’t very friendly,” said Annie.
“No kidding,” said Jack. “Listen, do not draw attention to yourself. These are fierce and warlike people with a ferocious king.”
“They were just kids,” Annie protested.
“Doesn’t matter. Keep your head down. Act cool,” said Jack.
“I am cool!” said Annie. “You act cool.”
Jack and Annie walked toward the bright market square, which was filled with carts and tents. Bordering the square was a covered walkway.
“Want to walk over there so we can be in the shade?” said Jack, pointing. The hot sunlight was starting to get to him.
“Sure,” said Annie.
They headed over to the covered walkway. It was lined with shops, where men made and sold pottery, jewelry, and weapons.
Jack stopped to watch some blacksmiths. “I wonder what they’re making,” he said. One of the blacksmiths used tongs to lift a piece of red-hot metal from a fire. Another hammered the metal into a curved shape.
“Whoa, it’s a sword,” said Jack. He pulled out his notebook and pencil. He opened the notebook and wrote:
sword makers heat iron, hammer with
Before Jack could finish his thought, Annie poked him. “Watch it, you’re drawing attention to yourself!” she whispered.
“What?” Jack looked up.
The blacksmiths were glaring at him.
“Maybe they think you’re stealing military secrets,” said Annie.
“Uh-oh,” said Jack. “Let’s go.” Clutching his notebook, he hurried down the covered walkway. Annie followed him.
Jack looked over her shoulder. “They’re following!”
“That way!” said Annie. She grabbed Jack’s arm and pulled him back into the crowded sunlit square. The two of them walked faster and faster, weaving around food stalls that sold stuffed grape leaves, eggs, fish, cheese, and bread.
Annie glanced back. “They’re still searching for us!”
The blacksmiths were standing in the crowd, looking around. “We’ve got to hide!” Jack said.
“Where?” said Annie.
“I don’t know! Duck down!” said Jack.
Ducking their heads, they passed a group of teenage boys gathered under a canopy. The boys were listening quietly to a man with a curly beard.
“Here! Here!” said Jack. He pulled Annie under the canopy, and they stood with the group.
The boys were all taking notes on wooden tablets covered with wax. They used pieces of bone to carve words into the wax.
“Act like you’re a student,” Jack whispered to Annie.
As the teacher lectured to the group, Jack pretended to take notes in his notebook.
“As you all know, the earth is the center of the universe,” the man said in an easy, calm voice.
“He’s wrong,” Annie whispered to Jack.
“Shh,” Jack whispered. “In ancient times, everyone thought that.” He glanced out at the square and saw the blacksmiths passing by. When they were out of sight, he whispered to Annie, “Let’s go, quick, before they come back.”
Annie didn’t budge. She was listening carefully to the teacher. “The sun and planets revolve around the earth,” the man said.
“That’s totally wrong,” Annie whispered to Jack.
“Who cares?” said Jack. “We have to go. We have to—”
“But we can’t let him teach something wrong,” said Annie.
“Forget it,” said Jack. “We—”
Before Jack could finish, Annie raised her hand. “Excuse me!” she called out. “The earth is not the center of the universe!”
“Ha-ha,” Jack laughed, as if Annie were crazy. “Don’t pay attention to her. We’re leaving now.”
“Who are you to defy our teacher?” a boy shouted.
“How dare a girl insult him!” another yelled. He shook his fist at Annie.
“She wasn’t insulting anyone,” said Jack. “But don’t worry, we’re going.” He took Annie’s arm and started to pull her along.
“Stay!” the teacher commanded.
Jack and Annie froze.
“Tell me more,” the man said. “It is rare that I am surprised—and you have surprised me. What do you mean, the earth is not the center of the universe?”
“Well,” said Annie, “the earth is a planet, and all the planets in our solar system travel around the sun.”
The teacher smiled. “Is that what you believe?” he said.
“It’s not just what I believe. It’s what I know,” said Annie. “A trip around the sun takes a year.”
The students laughed. “You are speaking nonsense,” one said. “And wasting our precious time with Aristotle!”
Aristotle? thought Jack. He knew that name. His mind raced, trying to remember who Aristotle was.
“I’m just telling you the facts,” said Annie. “While the earth is circling the sun, it rotates. Rotate means it spins around. One rotation of the earth is one day.”
The boys snickered, but Aristotle was quiet. “What a novel idea,” he said softly. Then he turned to the boys. “Our class is over for the day. I would like to speak to these two visitors alone.”
The boys grumbled, but they tucked their tablets under their arms and headed out into the bright square.
Aristotle stared at Jack and Annie. “Who are you? Where are you from?” he asked.
“I’m Annie. This is Jack, my brother. And, um, we’re from Frog Creek.”
“Frog Creek …?” said Aristotle.
“It’s west of Greece,” Jack said.
“And who are you?” asked Annie.
“My name is Aristotle. I have come from Athens, Greece, to teach philosophy and science in Macedonia.”
Jack gasped. Now he remembered! Aristotle was a great philosopher and scientist in ancient Greece! On a past mission, they had delivered his writings to the ruler of Baghdad.
“We’ve heard of you,” said Annie. “You’re a big thinker. We saved your writings once, but a camel ate them.” She laughed. “It wasn’t funny at the time. But—”
“Annie,” said Jack. He shook his head. It would be impossible to explain their trip to Baghdad. That trip had happened more than a thousand years after this time in history. “My sister has a big imagination,” he said.
/>
“So it would seem,” said Aristotle. “Her ideas about the universe are completely wrong, of course, but I am astonished that she has a theory.”
“Why?” asked Annie.
“I did not think that girls had the ability to think about such things,” said Aristotle.
Annie looked at Jack. “He’s kidding, right?” she said.
Jack laughed nervously. “Well, no,” he said. “That’s what people thought a long time ago.”
Scowling, Annie started to say something, but Aristotle smiled at her. “You must be a very special kind of girl. Come. Let us walk and talk, and you can show me what big thinkers you both are.”
Jack and Annie fell into step with the philosopher as he started across the square. “Besides contemplating the universe, what else do you think about?” Aristotle asked Annie.
“Um … I think a lot about animals,” she said.
“Wonderful. Animals always reveal to us something natural and beautiful,” said Aristotle. “So you study them?”
“I do study them,” Annie said. “But more than that, I fall in love with them. I think that’s the way I really learn.”
“Ah, very good,” said Aristotle. “To truly educate your mind, you must also educate your heart. And where does your heart lead you, Jack? Do you prefer a life of sports? Military training?”
Jack shook his head. “I’m not super-great at sports,” he said, “or military training. But I’m good at doing research. I take notes on everything.” Jack found it surprisingly easy to talk with the philosopher. “I love learning about the rain forests and the deep sea and the moon. I love learning about everything, really.”
“Me too!” said Annie.
“Indeed?” said Aristotle. “You both are remarkable!”
Jack shrugged. “Not really. I guess we just kind of know ourselves.”
“So it would seem,” Aristotle said. “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
“The more Jack and I learn about the world, the more we learn about ourselves,” said Annie. “We’re always trying new stuff.”
“Yeah, even if we make fools of ourselves sometimes,” said Jack. “Especially me.”
Aristotle chuckled. “I think we should all dare to make fools of ourselves again and again,” he said. “Anyone who fears looking like a fool must say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.”
“So it would seem,” said Annie.
“May I ask: why have you come to Macedonia?” said Aristotle. “Does your visit have a purpose?”
“It does,” said Jack with a laugh. He was enjoying talking to Aristotle so much that he’d forgotten their mission. “Actually, we’re looking for Alexander the Great.”
“Do you know him?” asked Annie.
“I know a prince named Alexander, the son of King Philip,” said Aristotle.
“That’s him!” said Annie.
“But I must say, I would not call him great yet,” said Aristotle. “He is only twelve years old.”
“Twelve?” said Jack.
“Yes. Alexander is the reason I, too, have come to Macedonia,” said Aristotle. “When the prince turns thirteen in a few weeks, I will become his tutor. Why are you looking for him?”
“We’d love to spend some time with him,” said Annie. “We heard he was … you know, great.”
Aristotle sighed. “The prince would certainly wish you to think so,” he said. “Well. If you want to meet him, King Philip is having a gathering at the Royal House this afternoon. It is close by.” Aristotle pointed to the mansion on the hill above the square. “The prince will be in attendance. Would you like to go with me?”
“Yes!” Jack and Annie said together.
“Good. Then let us climb the hill,” said the philosopher, and he started up a pebble path that led to the Royal House.
Jack and Annie followed, grinning at each other. “This is fantastic!” Jack said softly. “Maybe our mission will be easier than I thought!”
When they reached the top of the hill, Jack was surprised by the plainness of the Royal House. It looked like a big white box with a tiled roof and simple columns. Two guards in crested helmets stood like statues by the entrance. Each held a giant shield decorated with a star.
“Please wait outside,” said Aristotle. “I must alert the king that I have brought guests to his gathering—and that one of them is a girl.”
“Why?” asked Annie. “No girls allowed?”
“I fear females are never allowed to attend such events,” said Aristotle. “But I imagine the king has never met a girl like you before.”
“Thanks,” said Annie. “I think.” After Aristotle left, she turned to Jack. “What is wrong with all the men in history? Nearly everywhere we go in the tree house, girls aren’t allowed to do any of the fun stuff.”
“I know, it’s crazy,” said Jack. “But stay calm. Remember, the king’s a ferocious fighter.”
“Yeah, well …” Annie held up her fists. “We have magic that could make me a great fighter, too,” she said.
“Don’t even think about it,” said Jack, glancing at the guards.
Annie lowered her fists. “Aren’t you surprised that Alexander’s only twelve?” she said. “At home he’d be just a sixth or seventh grader.”
“I know. How great can he be?” said Jack. He pulled out their book and looked up Alexander, childhood in the index. With his back to the guards, Jack read in a soft voice:
Young Alexander was raised in the manner of noble youths. From an early age, he received military training and became an excellent swordsman, spear thrower, and chariot driver. He was a champion athlete and excelled in all sports.
“Oh, man,” said Jack. “He sounds like Superman.”
“Aristotle’s back,” whispered Annie.
Jack slipped the book into his bag.
“The king has granted his permission,” Aristotle said, looking at Annie. “You may both come inside.”
“Hurray!” said Annie. Then she and Jack followed the philosopher into the Royal House.
The front hallway was dark and cool. The flickering flames of oil lamps cast shadows on wall murals. The murals showed figures from Greek myths.
“Zeus,” Annie whispered to Jack, pointing to a painting of the ruler of all the Greek gods.
“Centaurs,” whispered Jack, pointing to creatures that were half man and half horse.
“This way,” said Aristotle.
Jack and Annie followed the philosopher through the hall to an open courtyard. Women in long white dresses were grilling meat over a fire and pulling bread from a clay oven. They glanced at Annie with curiosity.
Aristotle led them past the cooks to a doorway off the courtyard. The sounds of loud conversation came from the room beyond.
“King Philip has gathered the men of his most elite cavalry,” said Aristotle. “They are known as the King’s Companions. Do not be startled when you look upon the king. Years ago, he lost an eye in battle.”
“Oww,” said Annie, wincing.
“Even so, he is still the greatest military leader in the known world,” said Aristotle.
Jack nodded. He took a deep breath.
“Prince Alexander will be arriving soon,” said the philosopher. “Come.” Then he led Jack and Annie into the spacious, lamp-lit room.
The King’s Companions lay on couches, propped up on their elbows, or on pillows. They were talking and eating. King Philip was on a couch draped in purple silk. He had a black patch over one eye. Two bodyguards with curved swords hanging from their belts stood nearby.
When the king and his men caught sight of Jack and Annie and Aristotle, they fell silent.
“King Philip the Second of Macedonia,” Aristotle said, bowing.
Jack and Annie bowed also.
“I have just met these two very learned young people today,” said Aristotle. “They are Jack and his sister, Annie, of Frog Creek, a land west of Greece.”
“Hi,” said Annie with a smil
e.
Jack smiled, too, as he looked around at the warriors.
No one smiled back, including King Philip II of Macedonia. “Sit,” the king ordered.
Jack and Annie sat together on an empty couch. Aristotle sat nearby. Three servants quickly appeared. The King’s Companions resumed eating and talking as a servant removed Jack’s sandals. She rinsed his dust-covered feet in a tub of warm water. Jack kept his eyes down, not sure what to do or say.
Next, servants delivered small dishes of food to them. Jack identified olives, cheese, purple grapes, nuts, figs … and then there was something that looked like dead bugs.
Annie caught Jack’s eye. “Grasshoppers?” she whispered, wrinkling her nose.
“Eat the grapes,” he whispered back.
Jack and Annie silently ate grapes as the King’s Companions feasted and talked with Aristotle and King Philip. The king was telling a story about a stallion that had been taken captive.
Not until the dishes were cleared away did King Philip turn his gaze on Jack and Annie. “Silence!” the king ordered his men. “It is time now to hear from our esteemed visitors. Whomever Aristotle admires, I admire also.”
Jack nearly choked on a grape.
“Aristotle tells us you have studied and learned much—both of you,” the king said, looking at Annie. “Is that true?”
Before Annie could answer, a boy burst into the room. He was fair-haired and muscular. He wore a purple cloak over his tunic. He strode to the center of the room, tossed back his cloak, and bowed.
“I greet you all!” the boy declared. “At last I have arrived!”
“Hail, Prince Alexander!” the men said in unison.
Alexander the Great! Jack thought.
Prince Alexander started to speak, but to Jack’s surprise, the king snapped at him, “Quiet, boy! Sit down!”
The smile left the prince’s face, but he obeyed and sat on a couch near his father.
Aristotle leaned forward and spoke kindly to Alexander. “My prince,” he said, “when you entered, we were about to hear from two learned young people from Frog Creek, a land west of Greece. They have come here expressly to meet you. This is Jack and his sister, Annie.”
Stallion by Starlight Page 2
