The message came at the second hour of evening.
A boy from the coastal watch — twelve years old, breathing in the way of someone who had run without stopping because the protocol required it and he had followed it exactly. He arrived in the outer courtyard and delivered his message to the first palace official he found, which happened to be Lysander crossing toward the records room.
*Ships at the southern headland. Not traders. Moving toward the village.*
Lysander looked at the boy for one second.
He sent him to Hector.
Then he went for his gear.
---
Hector had the patrol assembled in twelve minutes.
Twenty men. Lighter armor — the short sword and shield rather than the full panoply, two with bows. The composition for coastal interdiction: faster, more adaptable, built for situations where you did not know the exact shape of what you were moving toward.
Miros was there. Near the front, where Lysander had learned he placed himself habitually.
