Chapter 21Aeneas cursed. He had led his people to their doom. Why had he assumed that he would be safe in Epirote waters? Skamandrios must have failed. Pyrrhos still controlled a sizeable fleet. The captain of the three-decked ship ahead was signalling, running up flags. Aeneas couldn’t comprehend the message, though. He assumed the Epirote captain was demanding their surrender.
Palinuros squinted. ‘My lord, those are Trojan signals.’
‘What?’
‘Their captain wants to come aboard, sir. What shall we do?’
‘Let him. I want to know what’s going on.’
‘Right,’ said Palinuros. ‘Reef sail, drop anchor, extend a boarding plank.’
Armed men rushed out, weapons at the ready. They looked to Aeneas for orders.
‘Keep your swords drawn,’ said Aeneas. ‘This could be a trap.’
Gyas was at his side onc
