Golden Age (The Shifting Tides, #1)(125)

‘They don’t need thanks,’ Chloe murmured. ‘They just want peace between our races.’

Speaking these last words, her thoughts turned to Dion. She tried instead to focus on her father and her home.

‘Nikolas—’ Aristocles began.

‘King Nikolas,’ Amos admonished.

‘Of course,’ said Aristocles, bowing smoothly. ‘King Nikolas of Xanthos. We thank you.’

Nikolas nodded, but his eyes were turned to the sea, where the enemy warships were scattered across the waters of the harbor as they drew away. Chloe saw several captured vessels on the shore.

Noting his gaze, Aristocles spoke. ‘Kargan still lives. We should consider sending out a boat under a white flag to conduct talks . . . give them a chance to retrieve their dead.’

‘No,’ Nikolas countermanded. He glared at Aristocles. ‘My men will burn their dead. We’ll burn the sun king with them.’

Aristocles hesitated, but the army of Xanthos was in his city, greatly outnumbering the Phalesian soldiers, and he nodded.

There was silence for a time as they all watched the departing ships.

‘Do you think they’ll be back?’ Chloe’s father asked.

‘They’ll be back,’ Nikolas said. ‘The war for the Maltherean Sea has only just begun.’

Chloe shivered.

‘Sire! This prisoner wants to speak with the king of Xanthos.’

Turning, she saw two crimson-cloaked hoplites escorting a stocky woman with short sun-bleached hair. The woman wasn’t in armor, instead wearing a loose tunic that was almost manly on her muscular frame. Her skin was weathered to a dark tan.

Nikolas turned and impatiently waited for the prisoner to approach.

‘Well?’ he asked. ‘If you want to say something, speak quickly.’

‘I . . .’ she hesitated and then spoke again, more firmly this time, meeting his stare with a steady expression of her own. ‘My name is Roxana. I am . . . was . . . captain of the bireme Anoraxis. I am also a shipbuilder. I have no wish to die or be taken as a slave. In fact, he said you would give me a villa if I built ships for you.’

‘Who said?’ Nikolas frowned.

‘Dion.’ Chloe realized who she was. ‘Roxana. He spoke of you. He said you’re a good person.’

‘Right,’ Roxana said wryly. ‘Dion of No-land, the man from a small village on a tiny island with no name.’ Perplexed expressions met her words.

‘Xanthos,’ Chloe said softly, looking away. ‘Dion of Xanthos.’

‘So are you the father who thinks archery is for commoners?’ Roxana addressed Aristocles. ‘Will you give me my villa?’

‘A villa?’ Aristocles’ eyebrows rose. ‘Well, I’m not sure if the Assembly—’

‘Wait.’ Nikolas held up a hand. ‘My brother always said naval power would determine the fate of the world, something I think we’ve all learned first hand.’ He smiled grimly at Roxana. ‘Roxana, if you build me more of these ships, I will give you a villa.’

‘What of my men?’ Roxana persisted. ‘There are many with skills who were captured. Most were enslaved by the sun king. If you name them free they will serve you well.’

‘Any who wish to serve under you may live, but they’ll still be slaves. The rest?’ He shrugged. ‘We’re not usually in the business of taking slaves.’

‘I’m sure most will serve.’ Roxana grinned. ‘Dion—’ She looked around. ‘He burned two thirds of the fleet. If he hadn’t we might be facing each other on different terms today. Is he here?’

When silence met her words Chloe left the group. She walked to the edge of the embankment, following the summit of the wall, heading left until she was in a place free from death, provided she didn’t look down at the shore.

She kept her gaze firmly on the blue horizon. Kargan’s biremes were now distant specks. The nation of Ilea, proud center of an empire encompassing most of Salesia, had been humiliated. The sun king was dead but his position would be fought over by his heirs and commanders. The golden pyramid in Lamara would inspire the same greed that had led Solon to the Ark of Revelation.

Nikolas was correct. The war for the Maltherean Sea had only just begun.

As if on cue, Chloe heard heavy footsteps as Dion’s older brother came to join her. She examined his features as he approached. Nikolas and Dion were completely unlike each other. Nikolas was a full head taller than his younger brother and had black bushy hair with a thick matching beard. Dion spoke softly, while his older brother spoke with the rough voice of a soldier.

They shared the same father, but they were half-brothers, with different mothers. Dion had always spoken about Nikolas with love and respect; his older brother had guided and helped him for as long as he could remember.

But when she looked at Nikolas, Chloe saw a dark shadow in his eyes. Recent events had changed all of them.

‘Chloe. About my brother . . . I saw.’

‘You know?’

‘I wasn’t the only one. I know now what he is.’ Nikolas hesitated. ‘Where is he now? Is he dead?’

It was some time before Chloe spoke. ‘He threw himself off the cliff. But I don’t think he is dead.’ She turned to him. ‘Will he return?’