‘We will, I am certain,’ Aristides said as a door closed behind them. ‘You understand pride, I think. Of course you do. Sparta saw eight ships sunk at Salamis. We lost the crews of many more than that. Everyone in that room has known grief. So we don’t want your silver. We want what was promised, given by your father’s word. We want you to summon the entire army of Sparta in spring, to stand with us.’

‘I have said we will come out,’ Pausanias said. ‘When the moment is right, we will be there.’

Aristides fixed him with a gaze.

‘That sounds like another evasion, Regent Pausanias. When the moment is right ? We face an enemy none of us can defeat on our own. Just as we did at Salamis. You don’t need me to point out your debts, or the oaths made on your behalf. The only question that matters is the simple one. Will you stand?’

‘I have said it,’ Pausanias replied. He was clearly furious to be questioned in such a way.

After a moment, Aristides looked suddenly old and weary, exhausted.

‘Well, I hope that is enough,’ he replied. ‘Come, you must be tired. I will show you to your rooms.’

The comforts of a military camp were few and far between, especially in winter. King Alexander and his three companions had ridden hard and far, spending nights by the trail with swords ready to hand. Yet there was no true friendship between them, not when one was Mardonius’ own translator, there to eavesdrop on whatever was said to them – or whatever they murmured amongst themselves. Nor had it escaped Alexander’s notice that the man had bowed and vanished on entering the Persian camp, heading off to make his report while the Macedonians were reunited with the one they had left behind as hostage. Alexander told himself it did not mean he was distrusted. Mardonius had assured him such things were considered utterly normal, like making obeisance to the king, or eating pistachio nuts. Still, Mardonius had made him wait to be called. The king of Macedon had passed the camp’s outer gate in late morning. The sun was low on the hills by the time he was summoned to attend Mardonius. That alone was a mark of disapproval, or so he believed.

Alexander was surprised to find Mardonius talking to three others in his command tent. The general introduced both his second in command, Artabazus, and the commander of the Immortals, Hydarnes. The last was not one Alexander had known before, introduced as Masistius, master of horse.