‘Lord Philippos is known for his modesty and renowned for his work with the poor,’ Glaukos said. He and Philippos had already exchanged greetings; the two men obviously knew each other.

‘And you, lady?’ Dion asked. ‘Do you also work with those in need?’

‘I support my father in all his endeavors,’ Isobel said with a coy smile.

‘Well said.’ Glaukos chuckled. He glanced up at the sky. ‘We will host you with a banquet tonight, but I notice the hour is still early. Lady Isobel, are you tired from your journey?’

‘Not at all. I’ve been sitting in a boat since dawn and I’m anxious to stretch my legs. King Dion, I noticed the impressive shipyards. Perhaps you could give me a tour?’

Dion glanced at his uncle, who looked like he was struggling not to mouth the word ‘Yes’.

‘Of course,’ Dion said. ‘Please, come with me.’

‘Do you know much about ships?’ Dion asked as they followed the shore.

‘Not really.’ Isobel gave a soft smile and a shrug. ‘But I’m anxious to learn.’

She asked him about the size of his fleet and the new harbor he was building at Fort Liberty as they walked side by side, the gentle crash of small waves providing a murmuring backdrop to their conversation. Her queries revealed her lack of knowledge, but the questions themselves were surprisingly astute. He found himself elaborating on his plans in more detail than he’d expected.

They set a path along the soft sand higher on the beach to pass above the rows of biremes, drawn up high enough that the rising tide wouldn’t drag them away. Finally Dion led Isobel to the bow of the Liberty, the first in a group of larger warships, where two painted eyes under the bowsprit glared at them, the artist having drawn them so that they appeared to be embedded in the polished pine.

‘It’s huge,’ she said.

‘It’s called a trireme. I doubt there’s another like it anywhere on the Maltherean.’

‘Trireme?’ Her gaze traveled along the vessel’s side, taking in the open lower decks and the oars, currently drawn in. ‘Because there are three banks of oars?’

‘Someone told you that.’ Dion smiled.

‘Untrue!’ Her eyes widened with innocence. ‘If a bireme has two decks, it stands to reason.’ She patted his arm playfully. ‘I don’t need to be a mathematician to work it out.’

He grinned, a little unused to her familiar manner, but enjoying it nonetheless. ‘We’ve built nearly six of them now. But this is my flagship, the Liberty. It’s the biggest, and also the first trireme Roxana built.’

‘Roxana?’ Isobel frowned. ‘Isn’t that a woman’s name?’

‘She built everything you see here, and she runs it too. I’d be lost without her.’

‘Is she attractive?’