That night the watch was doubled, for the Persians would undoubtedly be there soon. No man slept that night. The watchmen stood at all the ends of the pass like stones with moonlight gleaming on their armor and helmets.
Menegal was uneasy that night. Earlier in the afternoon after training, a man named Sifli had come up to him and asked him strange questions of the way through the mountains of Greece and of the army’s plans. Luvilia, when he had heard Sifli talking to Menegal, stepped in immediately and told him to be off and not to bother with matters too high for him. Luvilia had seemed very uneasy about Sifli and had not said another word to Menegal for the rest of the day.
Menegal sat up with these thoughts, unable to sleep. He saw Luvilia beside him also awake, lying on his back with his arms beneath his head, looking at the stars.
“Are you unable to sleep as well Luvilia?” said Menegal, in a whisper.
“Hush, there is to be no sound tonight,” said Luvilia, with a soft voice.
Menegal then laid back down to try and rest, if not sleep.
“Menegal!” said Luvilia, impatiently shaking him a few hours later in the grey dawn. “It is our turn as the watchmen for the day. Hurry and prepare yourself. You and I are assigned to the north bounds of the army.”
Menegal groaned and pushed himself up reluctantly, reached for his crutch, then took Luvilia’s hand and was raised to his feet.

As Luvilia and Menegal made their way through the still sleeping men, the cold morning air blew by them, causing their cloaks to flutter, pulling away from their cold bare shoulders. The sun had not risen yet, so the ground was still cold to the touch. Soon Menegal and Luvilia were at the border of the army.
The Captain in charge of the watchmen nodded to them and signed their posts. The night watchmen nodded to Menegal and Luvilia as they went back in to the main base of the camp. Menegal and Luvilia were to stand together along with four other men on the right and left of them.
The two on the right were Havam and Flohad. On the left were Wixtil and Dislin. The Captain of the day watchers was Vafi, and he introduced the watchers to one another. Havam was tall and broad shouldered with a grim face and bushy eyebrows. Flohad was a thin fellow with yellow hair and a friendly smile. Wixtil and Dislin were twin brothers and both were friendly and dark haired with green eyes. With a quick shake of hands, the six watchmen went to their places and looked on one another in wondering glances. Luvilia started to watch the road ahead with tense steady eyes. All that was seen moving for the next two hours was the sun that rose slowly and majestically, throwing its warm yellow rays on the faces of the watchmen. At the third hour from sunrise the camp was astir with the sound of sharpening weapons, pouring of water, and yawning of men. Soon though all was hidden from sight for a deep fog was laid over the army of Leonidas.