His fortunes had taken a turn for the worse since his return to Sparta. It seemed news had spread of his authority as navarch being scorned by the Athenians – and Themistocles. His Spartan captains had reported all they had witnessed, but of course they had not troubled to explain the difficulties of his position. Eurybiades had gone from being a respected officer to having his good name in tatters. If there was coin worth having in Sparta, it was reputation – and so Eurybiades knew poverty for the first time in his life.

When he asked for Themistocles, it surprised him to have people offering to buy his drinks. As soon as they saw the red cloak, they were clapping him on the shoulder and calling for wine. For all their lack of honour, they seemed to think of Spartans as allies that year. Eurybiades had lost count of the times he’d been asked if he’d been at Plataea. He had not, of course. That fool Pausanias had left a few senior men behind, to run the city. Eurybiades had been one of those he’d honoured with that responsibility.

He frowned as he walked across the city, following directions to a gymnasium he’d been told Themistocles owned. Eurybiades wondered again if the man might be avoiding him. Twice that morning he had reached a place where crowds still were, only to hear that Themistocles had just left. He had almost encountered him on the Pnyx, but as noon approached, he thought he would surely find him where he ate. A tavern-owner had accepted a silver coin for providing directions.

It was a good thing he was not staying another few days, Eurybiades thought ruefully. His collection of Athenian coins was almost gone. Still, it would be worth it. There was a debt owed, one he would be delighted to settle. It might even remove the sting of being left in disgrace at home while his people won a great victory. He tightened his jaw as he reached the city boundary and strode past the wall, still under construction in places. He felt his mouth twist into a sneer. Spartans needed no walls. What enemy would ever dare challenge the warriors who had defeated Persia? Oh, the Athenians had been present, yes, but if there could ever be a set of scales large enough, Sparta would outweigh all the rest. There was no doubt about that .