"Yes," Kratos answered. "We were late arriving, but were able to convince one of the Hellanodikai to allow us in. Our trainer was killed on the road here."
"They believed you?” Xenophon said. "I've heard they are especially rigid in the Scrutiny this year."
"The judge was about to turn us away, even though the gymnasiarchos of Olympia spoke in our favour," Kratos said.
"Then a Spartan enomotarch walked up to the judge, spoke true on behalf of our story, turned, and left. We were just trying to get his attention when you walked up."
"If he didn't stop, he had other business," Xenophon said, waving a hand. "As long as you are entered in the lists."
Stefanos thought of the woman he had seen in the field at that moment. In truth, he had been unable to forget her, the forceful demeanour, h
