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by the most citizens is elected.’
    ‘Hmm,’ Kargan muttered. ‘Strange system.’
    ‘It has served us for longer than living memory,’ Aristocles said. ‘Every man’s voice is heard.’
    ‘Even the slaves?’ Kargan asked incredulously.
    ‘No,’ Nilus harrumphed. ‘Of course not the slaves.’
    Aristocles interjected. ‘We see kings as tyrants, something to be abhorred. If a single man becomes too popular, too powerful, we send him away as an emissary to somewhere like Sarsica until his influence has waned.’
    ‘But in the name of Helios,’ Kargan spluttered. ‘Why?’
    ‘Long ago Phalesia was ruled by a strong tyrant, a good king, you may say,’ Aristocles said. ‘But he in turn was followed by a weak son, who was then succeeded by a ruthless despot. Men with ide als formed a secret cabal to overthrow the mad king before he led the city to ruin. During their struggle, they couldn’t agree on who should be king next, so they deferred the problem until the tyrant was gone, instead making decisions by vote. After they succeeded, the system stayed.’ There was obvious satisfaction in his voice.
    ‘But how can there be order?’ Kargan persisted. ‘If any man can lead, what is to prevent chaos? There are always more commoners than nobles, but nobles are the only men with the breeding and education to be trusted with power.’ His voice became firm. ‘Let me just say that if I see any sign of your system taking root in Ilea, I will personally lead a division of my best men to cull these ideas before they spread. I am glad we have the wide sea between us.’
    Aristocles bit off any retort. All Phalesians were proud of the Assembly of Consuls, and Chloe knew he would be itching to take up the argument, but he was also wise enough to put diplomacy first.
    ‘What of your king, Solon?’ Nilus asked. ‘Please, tell us about him.’
    ‘Solon is beloved of the sun god Helios and has taken Ilea into a new age.’ Glancing in from the kitchen doorway, Chloe saw Kargan puff up his broad chest. ‘Our armies are huge; our warriors are the strongest. The sun king takes tribute from Shadria, Sarina, Haria, and the isles of Ibris, Amphi, and Tarlana. In Lamara I can buy the finest goods. Our new biremes expand our influence every year.’
    ‘We may also be interested in trade,’ Nilus said, looking up to meet Kargan’s eyes.
    Kargan shrugged. ‘It remains to be seen if trade is possible. I don’t intend to remain long, only until I’ve made repairs to the Nexotardis .’
    ‘We will help in any way we can,’ Aristocles said. ‘And we wish you to feel welcome while you are in Phalesia.’
    ‘As I have said many times, I will pay. I do have one condition, however. Nobody is to set foot on the Nexotardis , nor wander too close. Understood?’
    ‘That is acceptable,’ Chloe’s father said.
    ‘Good.’ Kargan frowned at his cup. ‘Is there no better wine in this house?’
    ‘Chloe,’ Aristocles called. ‘Fetch the Sarsican red.’
    Chloe went out to the terrace and descended to the villa’s lower level, quickly finding her father’s best wine in the cellar but missing the conversation until she returned.
    ‘—offer I would like to make,’ Kargan said as he downed his cup and Chloe refilled it from the new amphora, before moving on to the two consuls. ‘There is a temple,’ he continued, ‘high on the peak above the waterfront. A flame burns on the plateau, shedding light on the columns. In the middle of the summit is a chest of gold.’
    ‘The Temple of Aldus, yes,’ Aristocles said.
    ‘I asked one of your people and he said the chest is solid gold. Is that true?’
    ‘The Ark of Revelation is a sacred relic,’ Nilus said.
    ‘Hmm,’ Kargan said, his eyes suddenly intent. ‘What is it?’
    When Aristocles and Nilus both hesitated, Kargan glanced up at Chloe, meeting her eyes for the first time. ‘Girl?’
    Chloe looked at her father, who nodded. ‘My daughter studied at the Temple of