Cimon had already made his decision before the Spartan had finished speaking. He dipped his head and Themistocles pulled back his hand. Eurybiades went on, his words slow and precise, as if he crafted each one from stone.

‘We have seen the size of the Persian army marching south – towards Athens, towards the Peloponnese. King Leonidas stands in their way, though he has only his guard and a few thousand. He cannot hold that pass of Thermopylae, not for long. How many days then before Sparta too has them in sight? If we pull the fleet back tonight, before dawn, we can still protect the peninsula of Sparta – and of Corinth. King Leonidas will not have given his life in vain. I know that coast as well as my own home. We can block them there and prevent them landing.’

‘Prevent the fleet landing where they can assault Sparta and Corinth, yes, I see,’ Themistocles said coldly. ‘But what of Athens?’

‘We cannot save Athens,’ Eurybiades said. ‘You’ve seen their fleet, you’ve seen the vast stain of them on the land. I have never known as many on the field of war. Athens … is gone. You must realise that by now.’

Themistocles lost all the lightness of manner from before. He rested his own fists on the table and for a time it seemed they were the only two men in that small room.

‘We cannot save Athens because the Spartan army will not march during a festival,’ he said softly. ‘Your King Leonidas swore Sparta would join Athens and Corinth and all the rest of our allies on land – if we held the Persians at sea. That was our arrangement.’

‘Never doubt the oath of my king,’ Eurybiades growled. ‘He has given his life rather than break that vow, risking his own honour and worship of the gods! Speak not one word more of Leonidas! The world could fall and he would still be in that pass, waiting for the enemy!’

Eurybiades had half risen from his seat, but he mastered himself and sat down, smoothing his tunic and cloak. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice once more calm.

‘My sole concern is for this fleet – facing more ships than I knew existed in the whole world. When they have broken the last of us, where will Athens be then? What of Sparta then, without my ships to keep that coast? I lost a quarter of my fleet today. If tomorrow is the same …’

He seemed to realise the Athenian had drawn him into an argument and snapped his mouth shut.

‘As navarch of the allied fleet, I have given you your orders. I will withdraw the fleet at first light and refuse engagement. Send word to Athens overland if you wish. Tell them to run for the Peloponnese. We’ll make our stand behind the barricades there, on land and at sea.’

‘No,’ Themistocles said. His voice was utterly confident and he even smiled as both Cimon and the Spartan looked at him in amazement.