Chapter 20Dawn had not yet peeked over the horizon and the light was colourless. Aeneas leaned over the prow of the Chimera and peered out. The sea winds smelled fresh and icy droplets were gathering in his hair. He rubbed them away and hugged himself to ward off the chill. Probably he should have been wrapped in blankets right now, but this was no moment to waste sleeping. Italia would be in sight any time now and he had to be there to see.
He glanced over his shoulder at the wooden statue of Ares that Gyas had fixed upon the prow. The last vessel to bear the name Chimera had Hera for a figurehead, but Gyas favoured War. The god’s image was carved to look like some country bumpkin, a citizen soldier. The statue stood straight-backed, shield and spear in hand. The sculptor’s vision of Are
