When Xeones learns that the corpse of Leonidas has been desecrated, he refuses to tell any more of his story until Demaratos, the deposed king of Sparta residing in the Persian court, changes his mind. Demaratos explains to Orontes that he reminded Xeones that it would be impious not to continue since it was the mission Apollo had given him.

Polynikes is awarded his second prize of valor and renowned as the finest warrior in Greece. On the return march, Xeones is forced to march at the rear of the train, with the helots. Dekton has been given a new nickname, Rooster, after nearly throttling the sacrificial roosters in his excitement during the battle.

There are rumors that Rooster is the illegitimate son of a helot mother and Idotychtides, a Spartan citizen. Despite his illustrious father, Rooster has no chance to rise to the status of citizen himself and is extremely resentful of the Spartans, often discussing his desire for the helots to rebel.

Rooster tells Xeones that he is a fool not to have not run away. Xeones asks him why he appeared so eager to fight in the battle, given his hatred of Sparta.