Nikolas nodded, but his eyes were turned to the sea, where the enemy warships were scattered across the waters of the harbor as they drew away. Chloe saw several captured vessels on the shore.

Noting his gaze, Aristocles spoke. ‘Kargan still lives. We should consider sending out a boat under a white flag to conduct talks . . . give them a chance to retrieve their dead.’

‘No,’ Nikolas countermanded. He glared at Aristocles. ‘My men will burn their dead. We’ll burn the sun king with them.’

Aristocles hesitated, but the army of Xanthos was in his city, greatly outnumbering the Phalesian soldiers, and he nodded.

There was silence for a time as they all watched the departing ships.

‘Do you think they’ll be back?’ Chloe’s father asked.

‘They’ll be back,’ Nikolas said. ‘The war for the Maltherean Sea has only just begun.’

Chloe shivered.

‘Sire! This prisoner wants to speak with the king of Xanthos.’

Turning, she saw two crimson-cloaked hoplites escorting a stocky woman with short sun-bleached hair. The woman wasn’t in armor, instead wearing a loose tunic that was almost manly on her muscular frame. Her skin was weathered to a dark tan.

Nikolas turned and impatiently waited for the prisoner to approach.

‘Well?’ he asked. ‘If you want to say something, speak quickly.’

‘I . . .’ she hesitated and then spoke again, more firmly this time, meeting his stare with a steady expression of her own. ‘My name is Roxana. I am . . . was . . . captain of the bireme Anoraxis. I am also a shipbuilder. I have no wish to die or be taken as a slave. In fact, he said you would give me a villa if I built ships for you.’

‘Who said?’ Nikolas frowned.

‘Dion.’ Chloe realized who she was. ‘Roxana. He spoke of you. He said you’re a good person.’

‘Right,’ Roxana said wryly. ‘Dion of No-land, the man from a small village on a tiny island with no name.’ Perplexed expressions met her words.

‘Xanthos,’ Chloe said softly, looking away. ‘Dion of Xanthos.’

‘So are you the father who thinks archery is for commoners?’ Roxana addressed Aristocles. ‘Will you give me my villa?’

‘A villa?’ Aristocles’ eyebrows rose. ‘Well, I’m not sure if the Assembly—’

‘Wait.’ Nikolas held up a hand. ‘My brother always said naval power would determine the fate of the world, something I think we’ve all learned first hand.’ He smiled grimly at Roxana. ‘Roxana, if you build me more of these ships, I will give you a villa.’

‘What of my men?’ Roxana persisted. ‘There are many with skills who were captured. Most were enslaved by the sun king. If you name them free they will serve you well.’

‘Any who wish to serve under you may live, but they’ll still be slaves. The rest?’ He shrugged. ‘We’re not usually in the business of taking slaves.’