But Silvius could not risk losing another minute. There had to be a way through. The quiver struck his back as he faced the problem, and it gave him an idea.

‘No! Wait! Elissa!’

Elissa came bounding to his side.

‘There’s a blockage here. We’ll have to go back unless we can find a way through it.’

She immediately understood what he meant. Carefully she unslung the Bow. ‘I think I can aim the Arrow through it.’

‘We’ve not tried before. It might be a good way to see how far it can go.’

Elissa nodded. ‘And show the men, too.’

‘What are you doing?’ called Helenus.

‘Watch!’ Elissa notched, and shot the Arrow. It burst through the tangle in a burning furrow, like a meteor, clearing a way for them, and Elissa ran after it, Silvius following, until the Arrow came to a rest in a clearing. Elated, Silvius placed it back in the quiver.

The astonished army caught up with them, cheering and exclaiming, ‘Apollo is with us! Apollo is with us!’

But it didn’t get any easier after that. There was a steep hill to climb, and the rest of the army was snaking its way up to join them. When they reached the summit, Silvius felt that he was so exhausted he might collapse on the spot. Below he could see across a wide grassland where they would camp for the night. Firmly Helenus called down to the men, and the word was passed along: ‘Rest soon. Rest soon.’

The beat of the soldier’s feet became part of Silvius’s mind, and he turned to Tisamenos. ‘Is this what it’s like to have the stones in your head?’

Tisamenos answered, ‘Yes. Like a never-ending thump.’

‘I’m sorry I made you promise to speak to them in Troy. I can’t imagine how much it might hurt.’

For a moment, Silvius thought he saw anger flicker across Tisamenos’s flinty eyes. But then the Achaean smiled, and Silvius returned it.

Something tapped him on the shoulder, and then he saw Elissa sprinting ahead. He skidded down the hill after her, Tisamenos too, and suddenly Silvius was enjoying the simple pleasure of being with friends, and running in the wind, until they all tumbled down onto the grassy plain, and the army spilled out around them, setting up camp. Tents were put up with surprising speed.

Silvius found Helenus and Orestes supervising the provisions. Drusus was with them already, swallowing down huge chunks of bread as if he hadn’t eaten for days.

‘We’re now only a day’s march from the Enemy domains,’ he said, face serious.

‘Then we will set double watches,’ commanded Orestes.

Silvius relayed this back to Elissa and Tisamenos, and they decided to share the watch themselves, keeping guard over the weapons.