Xanthippus could hardly see as Epikleos came down and took him by the arm to steady him. There were no tears in his eyes, but he had stood in one spot since the morning and he could not make the world sharp. It seemed soft and blurred. He dipped his head to Epikleos.

‘You have until dawn ten days from tomorrow to leave,’ his friend said. ‘I’m so sorry, Xan.’

‘I know the law. Walk with me, would you?’ Xanthippus said. He felt as he sometimes had after a battle, with exhaustion looming, but not quite able to overcome the pounding of his heart.

They did not stop to exchange words with anyone. The crowd parted. Some of them called out or tried to take his hand in sorrow. As he moved through them, there was a funereal air and many stood with heads bowed. It was as if he had already died. There was a brief scuffle as Cimon tried to get through to him, but the young man was held back by the press of others, placing themselves in between so that Xanthippus would not suffer some other humiliation. Aristides was one of those who stood in the way.

Xanthippus breathed long and slow as he reached the Thriasian gate and walked alongside the cemetery. The tomb of Miltiades was visible across the paths, away from the main road. Xanthippus was tempted to pay his respects, to congratulate the man on his son.

‘Why did Themistocles throw in his lot with Cimon?’ Epikleos asked after a time.

‘Because he does not fear him,’ Xanthippus said. ‘Themistocles wants to rule; you said so yourself. I should have listened to you. I should have … Ah, what does it matter now? Ten years! I cannot return home for ten years? What about my children? My wife?’

‘Can they not visit? I don’t know what properties you have, but if you must leave this part of Greece, there are others.’

‘Nothing like the life I know here!’ Xanthippus snapped. ‘If I move to Delphi or Corinth, or Thebes, how often will I see Agariste and the children, with days or weeks on dangerous roads between us? What do you think?’ He increased his pace, striding along the road out of the city. ‘I am finished. Athens is my home and they have denied her to me.’

He reached the gate to the estate and raised his hand to thump on the iron, hesitating before the blow landed.

‘I have given my life to Athens,’ he said. ‘This is my home.’

For the first time, his eyes glittered with tears and Epikleos embraced him.

‘Would you like me to come in, to help explain?’

Xanthippus shook his head, his mind already on what he would say to the children. The day had begun with a moment of happiness. It already seemed another age, another life.

Cimon was still tight-faced, his jaw aching with the effort of trying not to gloat or show his victory. He and his closest friends had retired to a tavern to eat and drink. The noon meal was usually light, but they had all been thirsty after so long in the open air. With wine, a little food was only sensible. It meant that some forty of them were still celebrating as the sun set that evening.