‘Now, Dion, I know you said the city is well, but how did Xanthos truly fare in the tremor?’

‘Many were frightened and still are, but we were fortunate. A few fallen stones . . . little more.’

Aglea came to pour the wine. Chloe drank to disguise her discomfort, for Dion’s eyes kept turning to her before flicking back to her father. She sipped too much, and the tart liquid burned the back of her throat.

She started to cough uncontrollably. Both her father and Dion looked alarmed.

‘Daughter?’ Aristocles started to rise.

‘No—’ Chloe held up a hand. ‘I’m fine. Aglea? Water, please.’

Some gulps of water soothed her chest, and as her color returned Dion once more grinned at her maddeningly.

Aristocles asked Dion about his family while Aglea served a cold meal of cheese, fruits, and olives, along with bread baked earlier in the day. Dion ate heartily but drank sparingly, praising Aristocles for the meal.

‘I must also express my admiration for how quickly the damage to the city is being repaired.’

Aristocles nodded sagely. ‘Soon enough it will be as if the tremor never happened.’

‘The repairs to your own home are stout and strong.’

Aristocles frowned and then he chuckled. ‘You have a keen eye. Yes, there was damage to my home. The stoutest walls are no protection from the gods.’ He turned grave. ‘My youngest, Sophia, was almost killed.’

Dion’s eyes widened. ‘First Consul . . . I had no idea.’

‘You could not have known,’ Aristocles said. ‘Now—’

‘One of the eldren saved her,’ Chloe interjected. ‘Yet some of the consuls speak as if they are our enemies.’

Aristocles sighed. ‘Daughter . . .’

‘Some are of that opinion in my father’s court,’ Dion said as he regarded her. ‘My mother always said otherwise.’

‘Enough of politics,’ Aristocles said shortly. ‘Now, Dion, tell me again what brings you here.’

‘The narrows are blocked. I thought perhaps you might be able to enlist the help of one of the eldren. In serpent form, I believe one of them could move the obstruction.’

Aristocles rubbed his chin. Dion hesitated, then continued.

‘But there is something else I wish to speak with you about, First Consul.’

‘Go on.’

‘The warship.’

Silence filled the room. From Aristocles’ expression it was clear that the mere mention of it had struck a nerve.

‘What of it?’ Aristocles asked.

‘A dozen more like it, arranged in a single force—’

‘I am well aware of the danger.’

‘First Consul, I don’t presume to question you in your city. I simply want your advice. What should I tell my father?’

‘Tell him that Phalesia survived the quake. And tell him that with the Ileans possessing ships as powerful as the one in our harbor, we may all need to look to our defenses.’

‘You met the captain?’

Aristocles hesitated. ‘He made no secret of his contempt. He also expressed a great deal of interest in the sacred ark.’