He broke off as Cimon made a sound of rage and began to reach for him with one hand while pulling his sword clear. Themistocles turned his back on Xanthippus, trusting in the man’s maturity and the years they had known one another. He grabbed Cimon by the wrist and matched his strength. The chance to hook his leg and heave him into the sea had vanished as Xanthippus brought his ship close enough to rub and creak. To his dismay, Themistocles felt the young man only seem to get stronger. He could not hold him and he spoke quickly.

‘I told Xerxes to split his fleet and take them round the island of Salamis, that if he did it, we would be forced to surrender.’

‘Traitor ,’ Cimon said. ‘With all our people looking on? I will put your head on my prow.’

‘Be silent, pup!’ Themistocles snarled at him. ‘If Xerxes does as I have asked, he will split his fleet, do you understand? Use the wits you inherited from your actual father, would you? We cannot win against so many, not as things stand. They have been grinding us like a stone on iron, until all the iron is gone! Xanthippus, tell him, before this boy kills me in his temper.’

Themistocles was forced to let go as Cimon’s sword came free of the scabbard. Yet the young man was the son of Miltiades, who had fought at Marathon alongside both Xanthippus and Themistocles. Cimon did not run mad in that moment. Instead, he looked to Xanthippus.

Themistocles stood back, surreptitiously rubbing his fingers where they had been wrenched.

‘Themistocles is many things, Cimon,’ Xanthippus said. ‘I do not believe he is a traitor, however.’ He took a moment to glance across the strait, to where at least half the Persian fleet still waited to engage. He glanced at Themistocles then. ‘Though I do wonder if he is a man who might secure his own future, even in the middle of a war. If Xerxes does as you have asked and wins, will he look favourably on you, Themistocles? I imagine he will.’

‘If he accepts my offer, he will split the fleet,’ Themistocles snapped. ‘That is what matters. You and I have tested new ships in the waters around Salamis, Xan. It took us almost a whole day to row and sail around it, as I recall. Eight or ten hours. That much time would give us a chance … and you will owe me then, Xanthippus.’

‘I will owe you?’ Xanthippus said softly. ‘The man who had me ostracised from Athens?’

‘The man who brought you back, though I had to bend the Assembly almost in half to do it!’ Themistocles said, his jaw jutting.

Cimon’s eyes were sharpest over distance. While the other two growled at one another, he stiffened suddenly. To the surprise of the older men, Cimon grabbed Themistocles by the shoulder, turning him, pointing with his free hand.