He did not breathe aloud the possibility that they might lose. The gods listened to boasting, all men knew that. It was not wise to speak the worst fears, or even grand dreams that might be twisted into some darker shape. For all they knew, the Fates and Apollo had worked through Pausanias to bring about this exact moment of indecision. Tisamenus could not decide for him. They stood in the crucible of the mountains, with the iron growing red.

‘If I refuse the Athenians, will Sparta survive? Will they truly give their ships over to Persia?’

‘I cannot say,’ Tisamenus murmured.

Pausanias made a sharp gesture, cutting the air with his hand held like a blade.

‘They swore they would not, but then the Persians returned and burned Athens a second time! Can you imagine? I think I understand their fury well enough! Yet if it drives the Athenians to make peace, we will see their ships landing Persians on our coast in spring. We cannot stand against them both, so what … must we be driven to war, like cattle? There are so many Persians, Tisamenus!’ The regent looked around him to be certain they were still alone. ‘What if we go out … and still, all I can do is not enough?’

Tisamenus blinked. His friend was asking for advice, perhaps for the first time. He replied without hesitation, his voice strengthening with every word.

‘Sparta has no walls, my friend. You told me that. Your father … believed there was a reason to build one, across the isthmus. Perhaps he was right, but in the spring … you have said it. You cannot survive an alliance of Athens and Persia. I think …’

‘I must risk it all,’ Pausanias finished before Tisamenus could say it. ‘I must take every Spartiate warrior, every perioikos who lives around, and march them to war. To avoid a desolation in our absence, I must take every helot in Sparta with us. For the first time in our history, I must march every able man to war against a host so great I do not see how we can possibly win.’ His voice fell to a whisper. ‘Do you see? I must leave the ephors and the women and children and know there is every chance we will not come back. And I still have to do it. I swear, Tisamenus. It is too much.’

‘You will not stand alone,’ Tisamenus said. ‘You will have the hoplites of Athens and Plataea and all the other states. You will see me at your shoulder – and you will give me the victory you denied me at the pentathlon! The triumph I was promised at Delphi! Think of that, Spartan! I am owed.’

Pausanias clapped him on the shoulder, chuckling.

‘I will not let you down,’ he said, growing serious once more. ‘By the gods, I pray I will not let anyone down.’

‘Is it settled, then? You have decided?’ Tisamenus said.