To Xanthippus’ surprise, the men actually cheered. He saw Themistocles glance in his direction, as if to see how a performance had been judged. Yet the man had provided something of value. They’d all felt a cold clutch in their innards at the sight of such a vast fleet darting across the waters like insects. Yet Themistocles had raised their spirits and put the spring back into their step. It was not a small thing, Xanthippus realised. He dipped his head in acknowledgement and saw Themistocles blink in surprise and something like pleasure at the response. Then the big man was off, clapping younger hoplites on the helmet with the flat of his hand, making them nod and laugh as he passed further down the line.

Xanthippus watched in silence as Themistocles spotted one of the other strategoi and did the same thing again, completely unabashed that those behind could still hear. It might have been embarrassing, but Xanthippus saw men close by were smiling and craning their necks to listen. He shook his head in wry amusement. Themistocles was a vital part of their forces, but he could not like him, not when he was so easy to like. A man like that could never be trusted. Xanthippus wished briefly that Aristides would also come down the line, to show the men proper dignity. Of course, he would never do such a thing, so all the men would remember it had been Themistocles who walked at their side and spoke to them.

4

The wide bay was perfect for their purposes, General Datis thought. Gulls called overhead and the air was sharp with salt and the smell of the sea. Some of the other Persian officers detested deep waters. Datis could understand their fear. After all, it did not matter if you had learned to swim as a child or not. If a man in armour fell overboard, the weight of his kit carried him to the bottom, regardless of his efforts or his strength. No one who fell into the sea was seen again, until their bodies washed up somewhere further down the coast, borne by unseen currents. Yet General Datis had grown to manhood without ever seeing the great blue vastness, a thousand shades of movement and a sky as wide as the empire itself. Not that he would have dared say such a thing aloud. The empire could not be encompassed, so the priests of Ahura Mazda said. Its borders could not be walked in a lifetime, its scope beyond the imagination of mere men.

Datis breathed deeply, enjoying the smell of salt and seaweed. The king was said to be pleased with the campaign so far. The fleet had been purchased and built over two years. With a free hand from the royal treasury, anything was possible. The empire had made a mere province of Lydia after all, a kingdom that was itself a byword for impossible wealth. Gold, silver and gemstones were mined wherever the Great King was loved. It was as nothing to him to employ tens of thousands at a time, to build and craft and beat on the forge.