Suniaton sniggered. ‘Like someone else not too far away.’ He saw Hanno’s warning look and fell silent.

Sapho’s jaw clenched. ‘You pair of impudent-’ he began.

Bostar’s lips twitched, and he lifted a hand to Sapho’s shoulder. ‘Peace,’ he said. ‘Hanno has a point. The elders are rather fond of the sound of their own voices.’

Hanno and Suniaton tried to hide their smiles.

Sapho missed Bostar’s amusement, but he lapsed into a glowering silence. He was acutely aware, and resentful, that he was not the senior officer present. Although Sapho was a year older, Bostar had been promoted before him.

‘It’s not as if this meeting will be a matter of life and death,’ Bostar continued reasonably. His wink — unseen by Sapho — told Hanno that all hope was not lost. He slyly returned the gesture. Like Hanno, Bostar resembled their mother, Arishat, with a thin face and piercing green eyes. Where Sapho’s nose was broad, his was long and narrow. Rangy and athletic, his long black hair was tied in a ponytail, which emerged from under his helmet. Hanno had far more in common with the gentle Bostar than he did with Sapho. Currently, his feelings for his eldest brother often verged on dislike. ‘Does our father know where you are?’

‘No,’ admitted Hanno.

Bostar turned to Suniaton. ‘I would assume, therefore, that Bodesmun is also in the dark?’

‘Of course he is,’ Sapho butted in, eager to regain control. ‘As usual where these two are concerned.’

Bostar ignored his brother’s outburst. ‘Well?’

‘Father thinks I’m at home, studying,’ Suniaton revealed.

Sapho’s expression grew a shade more self-righteous. ‘Let’s see what Bodesmun and Father have to say when they discover what you were both really up to. We have enough time to do that before the Council meets.’ He jerked a thumb at the spearmen. ‘Get in amongst them.’