Page 51 - Unlikely Stories 1

The Sage and the Conqueror

your doctrine and stamped it out forever. I will subdue the world and
be worshipped as its only true god. That is my destiny—I am certain
of it—but I have yet to find a sage who will confirm it without resort
to blatant flummery and preposterous explanation. I have been
cursed with an excellent education: the master of all Greek
philosophers drummed logic into my head until it twisted my
emotions. If your damned lies make more sense than my truth, then I
shall banish them from the face of the earth, never to taunt me again.
Now, tell me: who is your leader in this heresy?”
The sage maintained his composure. “Gautama died more
than a century ago; you will not find him. His disciples, however, are
spreading to the four corners of the earth faster than your armies can
march.”
Alexander screamed with rage and hacked the abbot to death.
Running from the cell, he mounted his horse and directed his men to
destroy the monastery and kill its inhabitants. It wasn’t a great
conquest; but, riding at an easy pace back to the vanguard of his
forces, he felt considerably better.

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