‘Another word , Themistocles,’ Xanthippus said, ‘and I will bring a case against you, in front of the Assembly.’

He felt Cimon’s gaze grow cold at that, but there was no help for it. It had been Xanthippus who had brought down Cimon’s father, in exactly that way. It was not an idle threat and Themistocles turned on him in shock. Yet through some wild incaution, from weariness or hunger, Themistocles was endangering them all. They needed to go their separate ways, to rest, eat, drink and rest again. Whether any of them would get the chance, Xanthippus did not know.

When Themistocles remained silent, the Spartan nodded to Xanthippus. Eurybiades wished to support a man who could silence Themistocles.

‘I can wait another day, Xanthippus. I’ll lend my ships for the work. But where will you land your people?’

Xanthippus looked at the island of Salamis. Eleusis lay on the coast beyond it, where Aristides had encamped the hoplites of Athens. Yet with the army of Persia out and roaming, that sea town was as vulnerable as anywhere else in Attica. He felt tiredness sap his thoughts. After a moment, it was the Corinthian strategos who cleared his throat.

‘I think … gentlemen, that nowhere is truly safe, not while Persians remain. They could march on any city and destroy it, as thoroughly as Athens. Until they have been broken, or made to run, there is no refuge.’

It was true, but so bleak it made them all pause.

Reluctantly, Eurybiades spoke.

‘Your people could come to the Peloponnese. The wall across the isthmus keeps Corinth and Sparta safe. They can rest and grow strong there, as refugees.’

The word made both Themistocles and Xanthippus wince. The thought of hiding behind a wall was bad enough. Being indebted to Sparta was worse.

‘Thank you, navarch,’ Xanthippus said formally, without any of the sting Themistocles had managed to bring to the rank. ‘However, before we make that decision, I will send men back to Athens, to be certain the Persians have not left soldiers there.’

‘Unless they can breathe flame, they have not,’ Themistocles muttered.

He was dull-eyed again, the last of his energy draining away. For that, Xanthippus was thankful. The Spartan had come very close to drawing a weapon on the man needling him. Had he done so, the Athenian crew would not have stood for seeing a Spartan attack Themistocles. It would have gone bad very quickly indeed.

‘According to my men, the Persians pulled down the walls of Athens,’ Eurybiades said.

Xanthippus smiled, though there was a great deal of bitterness in it.

‘You have no walls in Sparta,’ he reminded.

Eurybiades blinked.

‘Well, no. We are the walls …’ He trailed off, understanding the point Xanthippus was making.