“Shits, I thought we were in trouble then,” Rashford said. “But you recovered it well, March. I think he likes you. Just make sure he keeps on liking you, that’s all.” Rashford looked around as the other boys were being presented to Harold. “Right, listen up, you two. The test will start soon. The best recruits are selected, the rest rejected. You’d better not let the Bulls down.”
They didn’t have to wait long to find out what the challenge was. As soon as all the boys had been presented to Harold, one of the prince’s aides called out, “And now for the test of the new recruits. Your commander, Prince Harold, has taken the opportunity to improve the challenge and has personally designed this test to make it more realistic.”
And a man was dragged from behind a marquee. He was covered in cuts and bruises, wearing no shirt or boots, just tattered trousers. The man looked half-dead already and could hardly stand. He had dried blood on his chin and neck.
“He’s had his tongue cut out,” someone behind March muttered.
So this is the prince’s idea of realism, March thought.
“This man is a thief and a traitor,” the prince’s aide continued. “He is to be executed. He has no value except as part of your test. The challenge for you recruits is simple. You must race to retrieve the prince’s sword, which will be by this traitor. First to reach the sword and return it to the prince wins. All recruits will be assessed for speed, agility, and fighting spirit. There are weapons to be found along the route that you can use if you wish.” And with that, the man was dragged away.
Rashford stared after the prisoner and swore under his breath, before turning to Sam and March. “Right. Forget about the prisoner—think about each other. Whatever happens, work as a team, look out for each other, and keep your wits about you. Don’t be distracted by getting the weapons. Let the others waste time on that. Use your stones well, March. Remember you heal with the smoke and so will the others. So don’t hold back, ’cause no one else will.”
All the recruits were now given their smoke rations, swapping their empty bottles for full ones. March watched the other boys inhale their smoke, some taking huge amounts.
“Don’t take so much,” Rashford advised. “You need to have some sense still. Inhale once. Remember to keep focused. I’ll follow, but I can’t interfere.”
The recruits were separated from the leaders. Sam stretched and limbered up. March was nervous but the smoke was filling him with strength, and confidence too. Some of the boys began joking and shoving each other. They were keen to get going—all had too much energy to be waiting around.
The prince and his aides rode past on horseback and the prince shouted, “Good luck, boys. Show me what you can do.”
Another aide on horseback now took over. “Right, boys. The prince’s sword has been stolen. You have to get it back. Follow the trail out of the woods and up the hill to the thief. Recover the sword. Show us what you’re made of. Are you all ready?”
The boys shouted their replies.
“I said, Are you ready?”
The boys were shouting even louder now.
“I said: ARE. YOU. READY?”
The reply was long and loud, with swearing and whoops thrown in. March found himself joining in, bellowing as loud as he could.
“Then you must GO.” And the man kicked his horse and set off.
With hoots and shouts, the boys started running, quickly passing the man on the galloping horse. March and Sam were in the middle of the pack of thirty boys. The great thing about the smoke was that running was easy, and with the boys around it felt good; it felt like a bit of fun. But March had to remind himself, This isn’t fun. A man’s had his tongue cut out. This is real.
Some of the boys peeled off. One boy leaped up to retrieve a spear that was lodged high in the branches of a tree. Another boy had already picked up a shield. But March couldn’t see the point of the weapons. He wasn’t going to use a spear on another boy; he’d punch and kick and use his stones if he needed to. And he did need to. The boys were getting more aggressive, tripping one another, pushing and shoving. A brawl had started to one side. The smoke was making them more