The long warship passed the southern lighthouse and then the statue of the sun god before following the river to the harbor. The thudding of the drum was slow and stately; the oars plunged into the water with a walking pace. Roxana was giving the slaves some respite after the frantic chase. Behind the vessel was a rope, and attached to the rope was a long reptilian body.

Two days had passed since the hunt. Dion was looking forward to a decent night’s rest when he returned to the House of Algar. Though the room was expensive, and there were simpler lodgings close to the harbor, he still had to find Chloe.

As the Anoraxis approached the shore, heading for a narrow stretch of beach between two other biremes, Roxana joined Dion at the rail.

‘So tell me, Dion of No-land, where did you learn to shoot a bow like that?’ She turned an inquiring gaze on him.

‘My father was a great warrior, and my brother follows in his footsteps,’ Dion said. ‘I tried, but I could never use a sword.’ He shrugged. ‘So I learned archery. I practiced for years. My brother helped me get instruction from the best archers and I became good.’

‘Did you make your father proud?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘My father thinks archery is for commoners.’

The words were out of his mouth before he could take them back, but Roxana only grinned. ‘Well at least I can make use of your skill.’

Dion sought to change the subject. ‘The wildran’s corpse,’ he said. ‘What do you do with it?’

‘We’ll be able to make leather and lamp oil, though the flesh is rancid.’

He nodded and scanned the deck. ‘I should lend a hand.’

Dion felt her eyes on him as he left, but then the vessel was beaching and everyone on board was busy as they gathered all the equipment and supplies on the upper deck before disembarking and hauling it onto the shore.

With their work done, Dion waited with the other marines as they formed up with firm sand under their feet.

Roxana came and looked them over. ‘Well done, men. You’ve earned your pay. Return to your billets and come back tomorrow morning for practice. Archers, I saw some of those shots go wild. I want you to work until you strike targets at fifty paces nine times out of ten. Soldiers, not all wildren we hunt are serpents. Hone your weapons. I want each of you to spar with every other marine in our group. Dismissed.’

The marines dispersed and Roxana issued instructions to the master of the oars and the other officers. Dion started to follow his companions up to the city, when a gruff voice called his name.

‘You still have an interest in shipbuilding?’ Roxana asked.

Dion felt a thrill rise as he nodded. ‘I do.’

‘Then follow me.’