doing what he always did: bringing up the rear, making sure everyone got out.
“Please hurry, Geratan.”
But he didn’t come.
“They were fighting behind,” gasped one soldier as he staggered out of the hollow. “The Brigantines attacked again as we were leaving.”
Anlax swore. Tash turned away and stared at the trees as tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t bear it.
But then she heard a shout and turned to see a bloodied crimson head come out of the ground. Geratan, gasping and panting. His eyes met hers, and she ran to him and hugged him. There were no words. Tash cried and shook with shock and fear and relief. When she eventually loosened her grip, she saw the other men were watching them quietly, tears in their eyes too.
Tash looked at the ground beneath her feet. The hollow was the palest of pale reds, and then the glow faded, and in moments had gone completely.
EDYON
CALIA, CALIDOR
THE PRISONERS were sitting on the stone floor, their backs against the wall. Edyon was next to March, which was the one good thing about all this. Rashford and Broderick were in chains too, along with the six other Bulls who had been part of the assassination plot. It was cold and damp, and Edyon was hungry and thirsty.
Fitz said, “I’m not sure if we’ll starve to death before we’re executed.”
Edyon nodded. “A thought I’ve had often recently.”
Rashford let his head roll to the side to look at Edyon. “Harold wants a spectacle—I don’t think starvation is on his mind.”
Kellen said, “That doesn’t mean we won’t starve, though. This group can’t organize shit.”
“Actually, it’s a long way down here, and there’s not much food left,” Broderick said. The others looked at him, and Fitz cursed him. Broderick replied, “Well, it’s true!”
“Poor Broderick had to find food for me, didn’t you?” Edyon said. “How you suffered.”
“It’s your fault I’m here,” he said sullenly.
“Broderick, I know you don’t have much longer to do this, but for fuck’s sake, grow up,” Rashford said.
“We shouldn’t have long to wait. Harold’s execution machines are ready,” March said. “I saw them yesterday.”
“I wonder how he’ll do it,” Kellen said. “One at a time, but with the others watching? Or all together? Not sure if I want to go first or last.”
“Can you shut up about it?” Broderick complained, his voice breaking and a tear running down his cheek.
Edyon said, “Perhaps it’ll be you and me together, Brod. Together until the last. Our bodies on display next to each other. Perhaps just our heads. Me looking at you.”
“Shut up.”
“You should be pleased. Despite the kickings you gave me, despite your theft and your treachery, I’ve decided I won’t be haunting you.” He squeezed March’s hand and said quietly, “If there is an afterlife of any kind, I like to think I’ll be with those I love.”
March smiled and squeezed his hand back. “Me too.”
Kellen looked to the door. “Someone’s coming. It might be food.”
It was Sam and some of the Lion Brigade, but they weren’t bringing dinner. “Get up, you lot—you’re going out,” Sam said.
“What—we’re being released?” Broderick asked, getting to his feet.
Sam laughed. “Harold isn’t going to release anyone.”
“So this is it?” Broderick said.
Rashford stood up. “This is fucking it. Let’s get it over with.”
But no one else moved. Edyon gripped March’s hand, somehow hoping to hold on to the moment.
Then the Lions were moving into the cell. They lifted Kellen to his feet, and Kellen kicked and hit in return, but Sam darted forward and punched his stomach. And, of course, Sam and the Lions had smoke, while the prisoners had nothing.
There was no point in fighting. The end had come, and Edyon would face it as well as he could. He stood with March close to him, still holding his hand. Leaning close to Edyon’s ear, March whispered, “I’m sorry. I can’t say it enough, but I’m glad to have known you. Even now, even in this dire place, I give thanks to have known you.”
Edyon squeezed March’s hand again and said, “Death is all around me, but you always brought me happiness. You more than anyone believed in me, trusted me. Thank you, March.”
Then Edyon was pushed out and led up the stone steps to a courtyard. A clear blue sky was above, and Edyon tried to take it in. Tried to enjoy it even—they were his precious last few moments on earth. He wanted to see the beauty. He turned to March and said, “It is beautiful. All of