The first consul sighed. He looked like a man in physical pain. ‘I must pray that her captors treat her well and keep her safe. I tell myself that they wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of capturing her if they intended her harm.’

‘Surely the consuls are advising some response?’

‘Many believe the day will soon come when the sun king’s men will return demanding tribute and acknowledgement of vassalage. It stands to reason that any agreement would be conditional on return of my daughter. To this end they believe that it is time to start gathering gold.’

Dion’s eyes widened with horror. ‘They’ve given up? All because of one warship seizing a citizen, the daughter of the first consul? And Phalesia would give up its independence?’

Aristocles spread his hands. ‘Nothing has been decided. A decision will take many days, if not weeks. It is not my choice alone.’

Dion met the first consul’s gaze with an intent stare. ‘What would you do?’

‘It’s not about what I would do. We are an Assembly.’

‘Pretend you are king for a day.’

Aristocles coughed and turned his head away. When he again met Dion’s gaze, Dion saw that the first consul’s eyes glistened. ‘I know my daughter. She would never allow herself to be any part of Phalesia’s loss of sovereignty. She would toss herself into the sea rather than be a bargaining chip. I also know of this sun king, Solon, by reputation. If Phalesia gives him gold he will only demand more. Negotiation is not our best move.’

Dion glanced at the golden chest. ‘Why not hide the ark? Put it somewhere safe?’

‘We could never do it,’ Aristocles said. ‘It would send a message that we cannot defend our most sacred relic. The people would never stand for it. We consuls only have the power they give us.’

‘Then you must launch a rescue mission,’ Dion said. ‘The longer you wait the smaller the chance of success.’

‘If a Phalesian oceangoing vessel left these waters the Assembly would learn of it. Though every moment that passes takes her further away, I cannot order a rescue, not alone, not without the Assembly’s approval. I am working on it, but it will take time. Until I can gather a vote, my hands are tied.’

Dion made sure Aristocles took note of his next words. ‘I am not Phalesian,’ he said, fixing the first consul with a firm stare.

Aristocles tilted his head. He stayed silent.

‘My father has given me permission to travel to Ilea, posing as a trader from Xanthos.’

‘To what end?’

‘To ascertain the sun king’s intentions and capabilities. To learn about these warships and their construction.’

Aristocles stood back and looked Dion up and down, his expression pensive.

‘The sun king knows nothing of my people,’ Dion continued. ‘They wouldn’t immediately connect me with Phalesia.’