Golden Age (The Shifting Tides, #1)(20)

‘It’s good to see you, Captain.’

‘I’m not with my men. You can call me Amos. What brings you here?’

‘The tremor. A piece of cliff broke off and now blocks the narrows. Our two nations are cut off from trade.’

Amos’s eyebrows registered surprise. ‘I was not aware. A dark night, that was. How fares Xanthos?’

‘It appears the quake struck Phalesia harder.’

Amos nodded. ‘We lost over a hundred souls.’ His brow furrowed. ‘And what do your magi say? Was it a punishment for deeds done, or an omen of darker days to come?’

‘You know Xanthos. The priests of Balal are consulted above all. The signs point to war.’ Dion gave a ghost of a smile. ‘My mother says that Mount Oden erupted and caused the tremor, with the gods having nothing to do with it at all.’

‘I won’t criticize the queen, but no Phalesian doubts the gods are telling us something.’ Amos frowned. ‘Some here say it was a punishment for the growing acceptance of eldren, others that it heralds a great threat to our nation.’

‘Whatever it was, my father and brother both train the men constantly.’ Dion hesitated. ‘The warship. Who are they?’

‘Ileans from across the sea. Their ship was damaged in the tremor. I met their commander, a man named Kargan. He’s paid the city for the use of the harbor and declares his intention to leave as soon as his repairs are finished.’

Dion sensed there was more. ‘But . . . ?’

‘It’s nothing.’ Amos was pensive for a moment. ‘Only that Kargan barely hides his contempt for our ways.’

‘I suppose he’s no emissary. To command a warship he must necessarily be a hard man.’

‘The oarsmen are all slaves.’ Amos shook his head. ‘Not a back without the scar of the whip.’

Dion didn’t mention the fact of the warship’s obvious superiority to the ships of Phalesia’s navy. He was a visitor here, and Amos was a military man.

‘How is Nikolas?’ Amos asked. ‘I hear your brother has a son?’

‘He’s well, a proud father. The boy is now seven. He has yet to be given a man’s name but he’s a strong lad.’

‘And your father?’

‘The king is well.’ Dion saw that before long it would be dark. ‘Amos . . . Do you know where I can find the first consul? This isn’t an official visit, but I need to speak with him.’

‘He’s praying at the Temple of Aldus; the first consul’s been spending a lot of time with the magi lately. Come, Dion of Xanthos. I’ll take you there.’





9


Amos led Dion back through the agora to the embankment. The wall dropped to the left as they followed the edge until they came to the cliff, and tilting his head back, Dion saw the flat plateau, a third the size of the agora, but his view was obstructed by the rock face and he could only make out some of the temple’s columns. As they waited at the base of the steps that wound up to the summit – it would be impolite to disturb the first consul at prayer – the two men looked out at the warship.

‘They call it a bireme,’ Amos said. ‘Named for the two banks of oarsmen.’

On the shore near their vessel several groups of Ileans sat around fires, plumes of smoke snaking into the sky. Their work was done for the day and the ship was no longer listing to one side.

‘Have any of them taken lodgings in the city?’

‘Not one. Kargan keeps a close eye on his men.’

‘Did you get much of a look at their soldiers?’

Amos nodded. ‘A dozen or so marines. They carry triangular wooden shields, spears, bronze and steel swords. Another six archers, although I’d say our bows are better.’

There was movement on the steps, and both Dion and Amos turned as they saw First Consul Aristocles descending alone. He was both thinner and balder than when Dion had last seen him, with white hair at the sides of his head where his scalp wasn’t bare. His brow was furrowed, and he appeared lost in thought.

‘The night of the tremor, the eternal flame at the temple went out,’ Amos murmured. ‘Yet the wind wasn’t strong.’

Aristocles was panting by the time he reached them. In unison, Dion and Amos both bowed.

‘First Consul,’ Amos said. ‘Dion, son of King Markos of Xanthos, is here.’

‘First Consul,’ Dion said as he bowed. ‘I’m pleased to see Phalesia has weathered the night the ground shook and appears little harmed.’

‘We are harmed, Dion of Xanthos,’ Aristocles said wearily. ‘Be sure of that. How fares Xanthos?’

‘The city is well, as is my father the king. He doesn’t know I’m here, but if he did I’m certain he would send his regards.’

‘He’s unaware that you are here?’ Aristocles’ eyebrows arched. ‘Then why are you here?’

‘I apologize, but my visit was hasty. The narrows have been blocked by a piece of cliff, fallen into the water. Until the passage is cleared there can be no trade between Xanthos and Phalesia.’

The first consul nodded abruptly. ‘I have many things on my mind right now.’

‘I thought perhaps the eldren—’ Dion began.

‘Enough about the eldren,’ Aristocles interjected, scowling.