Stefanos gathered his things again and ploughed through the crowds of newly-arrived Thebans, Athenians, and others until he was on the other side of the stoa and crossing the river back to his and Kratos' camp.
The Argive camp was bustling when he arrived, full of new spectators eager to secure a spot and meet with those from their allied cities, in order to conduct business and establish new relationships.
Once at the shelter beneath the tree, Stefanos set his things down and started a fire. The flames caught quickly, everything was so dry, and soon he was sitting against the bowl of the tree staring into the crackling heat, his mind caught in a web of wonder and doubt as to all that had happened that day.
Stefanos reached over to grasp the shaft of his doru and laid it across his lap,
