"What better way to render all men his equals?" Bagoas smiles. "Alexander had a dog named Peritas. I'm afraid I spoiled him by letting him into my bed in the cold nights the King had no time for me. Of course he began giving the same courtesy to his master."

Drawing a deep breath, he looks to the water. "He was guileless, Peritas. Guileless and fiercely protective of all that he loved, all at once. He was truly a lion in his own house."