Gates of Fire

By nightfall, the Immortals are in retreat. Xeones describes Elephantinos, a merchant from Miletus, who fell in with the Spartan troops shortly before their arrival at Thermopylae and has endeared himself to them. After the slaughter of the first day, the merchant gives spiritual and emotional care to the soldiers. He feels such a kinship for the Greek defenders that he arms himself for the second day of fighting.

Leonidas dispatches runners to call for more help, and many men send last letters home. News comes that the Greek fleet has skirmished with the Persians but that no decisive victory has been won by either side. Polynikes sees that Alexandros’s jaw has been broken and helps him dress the broken bone better. Polynikes takes the opportunity to apologize to Alexandros for breaking his nose and for doubting his bravery. 

The next morning, Dienekes tells Xeones of the pity he has for Persephone, goddess of the underworld, to whom the spring at Thermopylae is dedicated. Dienekes tells Xeones that he was surprised when Xeones did not desert at Athens, as he had intended.