From now on, she was on her own. As soon as he could, he would return home to Xanthos. The first consul’s daughter could remain a prisoner for all he cared.

He stood and looked around his small room. He wouldn’t miss Lamara. When he returned to Xanthos he would tell his father and brother about the things he had learned in his time away. He would find the best carpenters and shipwrights and start working on warships to rival anything in the sun king’s fleet. He would help Nikolas prepare strategies to prevent the sun king’s biremes making an easy landing.

As Dion prepared to depart he swayed slightly but decided he was able to make the journey. He dressed and put his quiver over his shoulder, then took up his composite bow. He was just about to leave when he heard light footsteps outside, and a moment later the round-faced boy who had saved his life drew the entrance curtain aside. Anoush grinned when he saw Dion up and about.

‘Master, you are well again. I have come straight from the harbor. Your captain gave me a message for you.’

Dion didn’t expect to see Roxana again, but he nodded for Anoush to continue.

‘She says that the sun king’s navy is being made ready, and asks if you are fit enough to join her on a great expedition. There will be glory and plunder. The ships will sail to a new land across the sea.’

Dion’s heart sank at the news. He thought quickly. ‘Did they name the land? Did you hear the name Phalesia?’

Anoush frowned. ‘No, that was not it. It was a different name.’

Dion’s eyes widened. ‘Xanthos?’

‘Yes.’ Anoush nodded vigorously. ‘Xanthos. That is it.’

He wondered how it was possible. Why would Solon’s fleet be sailing to Xanthos? The only route to the city’s harbor would take them past Phalesia. The Shards blocked the only other channel.

‘Are you certain it was Xanthos?’

‘Yes, master. They are sailing for Xanthos.’

Dion clenched his jaw. He wondered if there was something he could do to help his people. With his quest to rescue Chloe at an end, he now had to put his homeland first.

He was known at Lamara’s harbor. The guards would let him through. He had access to the sun king’s fleet.

He knew he had no choice.

Dion reached into the pouch at his belt, wincing as even the slight motion reminded him there were places that still hurt, and took out the last of his money: a silver coin and a handful of coppers.