Book 1, Chapter Four: The Olympic Games, Pages 81 and 82

“Khaire, gentlemen!”
says the garden ornament, with a flip of his hair.

“Khaire…”
Alexander replies, unimpressed,
“to whoever you may be.”

The garden ornament double-takes.
“Hoh! Now just who do you think you’re addressing?!”
He puffs his chest.
“I am Nikolaos,
king of the Acarnanians!
And you…”
He scowls, leaning over his litter.
“I already know who you are.
You’re the Macedonian prince.
Philip’s boy.
I heard you’re entering the races too.”

Alexander is suddenly overcome
with a particular disgust at this new rival.
Eyes narrowed, he retorts,
“Tell me something
I don’t already know.”

Nikolaos laughs,
“Hahaha, sure!
Come closer!”
He gestures for little Alexander,
as his servants crouch down nervously
to meet Alexander’s height.

In Alexander’s ear, Nikolaos sneers,
“I am not
letting some pipsqueak barbarian like you
get in the way of my winning this race.”