It was as if her voice was a hook, pulling one fish out of a shoal. Relief swept over her as Manias came to her side. She saw he wore an odd expression of discomfort, but the reason for it was lost in her joy at finding him.

‘I’m so pleased to see you alive!’ she said.

Manias looked weary, though he took a moment to clap Pericles on the shoulder.

‘We lost … many,’ he said. His mouth was pale as he added a term from one of low estate to a superior: ‘… kuria.’

In that strained word, Agariste understood. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering her shock.

‘Oh! You are free, Manias! By my husband’s word.’

‘If that word is honoured,’ he said, looking past her to the throng still coming off the galleys.

There was little chaos there, nor celebration. The strategoi had declared the city safe and free of enemy soldiers, at least that day. Every family back from Salamis just wanted to get into Athens and see what could be salvaged – ideally before their neighbours had a chance to sift through the rubble first.

Manias had rowed for Athens, but also for a promise of freedom. In that moment, Agariste could not be certain her husband’s authority truly stretched so far. It would be a matter for the Assembly to discuss and make a formal judgement … Her thoughts trailed away. Was there still an Assembly of Athens? A council? Her uncle Cleisthenes had never imagined a foreign army actually invading and burning the city. Yet Xanthippus said the people were the Assembly – all around her, heading away from the port in determined groups. Families were reuniting on the quayside, while thousands more drifted back to all they knew, away from memories of fear and desperation.

‘Manias, you know my husband’s word. You are free. Yet I would feel safer if you remained with me, at least until we have returned to the estate, or my husband’s house …’

She halted again, suddenly aware that those places would be ashes and charred beams. She felt out of place, lost, with tears stinging her eyes. Manias saw and yet he did not speak immediately. He bit his lip after a time. He had been free for a day, but it had been hard-won and he would not give it up.

‘A free man works for pay, kuria …’ he said, blushing.

Agariste nodded and brought out a pouch, fishing two silver coins from the depths.

‘A day’s wage for a free man, Manias. Is it enough?’

He chuckled then, his own eyes gleaming with strong emotion.

‘It is, kuria. Thank you.’ He accepted the coins almost with reverence, the very first he had earned in his new estate.