Kyphos turned and nodded at the pair of soldiers. Between them they held a lean young man with flaxen hair and brown eyes. Washed and clean-shaven, with his hair neatly combed, he wore a plain white tunic and sandals. Despite the iron collar around his neck, neither his hands nor feet were bound.

‘I present to you . . . the king of Xanthos.’

Palemon frowned as the soldiers and their captive approached. ‘Why is he here?’

Kyphos nodded at the soldiers, and they released their captive. Dion took a deep breath and walked slowly, laboriously, toward the tall, bearded king. He stopped in front of Palemon, chest heaving.

He then sank to his knees and bowed his head. ‘I kneel before you,’ he said hoarsely.

‘Why isn’t he with the others below the tower?’

‘He has a message for you,’ Kyphos said.

‘Let me serve you,’ Dion murmured, still kneeling and staring down at the ground.

Kyphos walked up to place a hand on the top of Dion’s head. ‘I’m sure you realize, sire, that he is still valuable to us. Not only as a hostage, but also for the knowledge he has.’ He met his king’s eyes. ‘We already have more dragons than copper chains to control them.’

Palemon tugged on the braids of his beard. ‘It seems you finally know your place,’ he said, walking forward and towering over Dion. ‘But how can you serve me?’

‘I know about the eldren and their king.’ Dion coughed, obviously struggling to talk. ‘I know about Ilea and the forces they can muster. If I help you get what it is you want, perhaps you will leave my people in peace.’

Palemon pondered for a time. ‘Tell me what you know about the eldren.’

‘They are at war with Xanthos and Tanus. Their king, Triton, is a cruel and powerful ruler. He has one eye and is easily the most powerful of his race.’

Palemon’s eyebrows went up. ‘And how many ships are there in your fleet – vessels large and sound enough to make an ocean crossing?’

‘Nine biremes,’ Dion said. ‘One trireme – the ship that you saw yourself. The other large fleets are controlled by Kargan of Ilea and Lord Lothar of Koulis. Sarsica and Phalesia are among the smaller naval powers.’

Palemon looked out to sea, as if seeing the ships he needed arrayed along the horizon. He nodded to himself. ‘You have done well, Kyphos, but we shall see how useful he continues to be. Also, I don’t know if I like him with so much freedom. Have him chained in this room.’

Kyphos nodded at the soldiers. Coming forward, they lifted Dion to his feet and shuffled him to a place against the wall, several feet from the throne, before sitting him back down again.

‘Guard him here,’ Kyphos instructed one of them. ‘You,’ he said to the other. ‘See to the king’s wishes.’