Alexandros cooled down and grabbed Timon's forearm. Perhaps the comparison to Achilles, who was Megas Alexandros's own hero, struck the lad on a soft spot (a spot called vanity, which many a young men had).

"Brave Timon, I thank you for your kind words. The reason for my hasty departure was because things move slowly here and it would have taken time to assign a leader for that army, out of the usual five candidates, and it would have taken him time to march to the army and yet more time to march with the army to the threat. The rebels could have easily raided someone's estate if given such freedom. I thank you for your generosity but cannot in right accept the gold as you were in no way threatened by these rebels. I wish to split the cost of retraining in three between the wise Zorachos and my headstrong younger brother. From you I will only take the wisdom of a more reserved tone."