Xanthippus stood alone at the prow as Pericles and Ariphron were introduced to the free rowers of Athens. Ninety men to a side, they were all family men, giving their labour for the city and the households they loved. Xanthippus had warned Pericles the night before to treat them with respect, but he had no fears on that score. His sons admired strength and endurance, as he had taught them.

‘I wonder, Xan, if you will burst with pride,’ Epikleos murmured at his side.

Xanthippus deflated, breathing out. He had not known how he looked. Epikleos chuckled.

‘Oh, don’t worry. The men love you for it. Or would you have them see only the cold commander of the fleet? I believe you would!’

Xanthippus grimaced at that.

‘No longer. The Spartan Leotychides is navarch.’

‘Of course he is …’ Epikleos said with a grin. ‘Right up to the moment you and he disagree. This is an Athenian fleet, Xan. You have said so many times.’

Xanthippus chose not to answer and only shook his head, ending the subject. He did not think there could be spies in that place. His crew had fought at his side at Salamis and they would never whisper his secrets. They were quite likely to repeat something he said as a boast, however. That sort of thing could wing its way around the fleet in just a day or two, even reaching Spartan ears.

Pericles and Ariphron came up from the hold, making fairly hard going of it, while the keleustes swung up like a Barbary ape. They would learn, Xanthippus thought, a thousand things. Ariphron was a little stiff in his manner, while Pericles looked around him with a sort of delighted expression that made Xanthippus want to check the wine in the hold was secured. At almost seventeen, the boy could have been left with his mother and sister, but he had played his father like a harp. Xanthippus had refused his initial request to accompany Ariphron, then watched as Pericles took the news with perfect dignity and restraint, his grief and loss barely visible. His father had held out for two days, then allowed Agariste to persuade him. The result had irritated Ariphron, who thought it unnecessary, but it meant Xanthippus could share his pleasure with both of them – in the sea, the ship and the crew. He felt drunk almost, on salt air and the glitter of the waves.