Tisamenos called Silvius and Elissa together. They had both been bronzed by the sun, and seemed happier than he’d ever seen them. He tried to hide his own feelings as best as he could.

‘We need to plan,’ he said. The sea was bright all around them, white breakers appearing and disappearing.

‘We’ll find news when we reach land,’ Elissa said. ‘We need to get back to Aeneas.’

‘To my father,’ said Silvius. ‘If he is still alive …’

Early the next morning, the port of Histiaea on the island of Euboeae came into view. Tisamenos went below deck, and changed from his soft white robe back into his tunic, once fine, now stained. Then he examined his weapons.

The Last Gorgon’s head was sitting waiting. And now he picked it up again, and felt the same thrill of horror and power.

Tisamenos was glad to feel Achaean soil under his feet once more. Here the stones knew him, here he could talk to them and not go mad. He went down onto his haunches and touched the earth, and hearing the voices of the stones, he was both comforted and alarmed. They were quiet and gentle, but he could make out a word that kept returning. ‘Father … father … father …’

His father. Perhaps they were telling him that he was really dead. He stood up slowly, and let the rich loam fall from his hand.

The Phoenicians, after taking on provisions, would sail later that day. They said their goodbyes. Elissa hugged all of the sailors in turn, who pinched her cheek and made many promises to see her again. Batnoam grinned at Tisamenos when he shook his hand, but there was a look in his eyes that said, Be careful, my friends, and may the gods go with you.

‘Who’s going to get news?’ Tisamenos asked when the three of them were sitting alone by the harbour, backs against a low wall.

‘I’ll do it,’ said Silvius. ‘I’ll attract the least attention.’

‘He’s right,’ said Elissa. ‘A blond-haired stone-handed boy is going to get people talking. And I’m a girl, and how many girl Phoenician traders have you seen?’

Silvius darted off.

Tisamenos and Elissa waited for him by the harbour, whilst the business of the port went on around them. Some merchants were unloading timber, and one of the captains was having a long argument with the harbour master which ended with him walking away, throwing his hands up.

Tisamenos watched Elissa, her quick movements, her eyes that lit up when they caught his. He took her hand gently, and said, ‘I meant it. I will go with you, wherever you go after all this has finished.’

‘I want to see Carthage, and Phoenicia. I want to know more about my mother. I know you will come with me.’ She squeezed his hand, and they sat, not speaking, but leaning in to each other, until Silvius reappeared, and they sprang apart.