wall. Harold was ahead, swinging his sword into a Cali-dorian soldier who towered over him, but was no match for Harold’s speed or strength. Harold moved along the wall, cutting down each soldier he met with ease. The boys followed, and it was clear that the opposition was quickly crumbling; some Calidorians were already fleeing.
Was it really that easy? The wall had taken years to build, and hundreds if not thousands of men to construct, and so much money—March remembered how the Calidorian lords had complained—and now a few boys had breached it in moments.
Harold was shouting, “Kill them all! String their bodies up for all to see.” There was a scream as a Calidorian soldier was dragged forward. A young boy ran him through with a spear, then hoisted his body into the air, the boys around him laughing and cheering.
Harold shouted, “Bears, hold the wall. Give assistance to Thornlees if he needs it. We are off for Calia.” And, without waiting for a response, the prince was lowering himself down a rope and leaping onto Calidorian soil. Sam followed. March looked back. In the distance he could see the pennants of the Brigantine army—Lord Thornlees was coming.
Rashford joined March. “Well, that was easy.”
“I was thinking just the same,” March replied. “But we’ll see what happens in Calia. Getting past the castle fortifications will be harder than climbing this wall. And they’ll have been warned we’re on our way. The beacon is lit as well as this ditch.” March nodded toward a flame burning high on one of the Calidorian forts. “They’ll be ready for us.”
March looked toward Calia. Edyon would be there. Perhaps he’d be safe. If Edyon stayed inside the castle, perhaps they’d hold out. And if not, March would do all he could to protect him. He knew that might mean killing Harold. And if it came to that, then he also knew he’d not escape with his life.
EDYON
CALIA, CALIDOR
EDYON WAS half-asleep, wrapped in a sweaty tangle of sheets. It had been a long and leisurely afternoon of lovemaking, and now it was evening. Byron was gentle, tender, and possibly the most handsome human Edyon had ever lain with. It was lovely, but it wasn’t love. Byron was beautiful, but he wasn’t March.
But I can never have March, and so I need to stop thinking about him.
Especially when I’m lying with another man!
Byron was asleep, breathing softly, and Edyon stroked his finger down his chest. Could he love Byron? Could his heart move on from March? Certainly Byron was a worthy partner. But was Edyon worthy of Byron? Edyon was supposed to marry—a woman—and sire children—future heirs. The future of Calidor rested on him. He looked down at his naked body. The future of Calidor rested on this body.
Edyon got out of bed and went to the window. The view took in the sea and coast to the south. This was his land. As Madame Eruth had foretold, he’d made a difficult journey to a far land and riches. She’d not spoken of happiness, though. He’d assumed the riches would make him happy, but now tears filled his eyes, because it was March, only March, who had made him happy.
Below him, in the streets, some revelers began shouting, disturbing his thoughts.
At least someone’s happy.
Then Edyon noticed the light on the distant hillside. And he heard more shouting, closer, inside the castle.
“Master! Master!” Talin burst into his chamber, and, seeing Edyon naked, turned to the bed, and, seeing Byron naked, turned to the door. He spoke, his voice breathy and desperate, his arms flapping strangely as he hopped up and down. “Prince Thelonius has called for you, Your Highness. You’re required to be with him immediately. The beacons are lit. We’re being invaded.”
And Edyon knew that for all the wealth and riches he had, death was still all around him.
Byron was out of bed and pulling his clothes on. He came to the terrace to look. “It’s true. The city beacon is lit.”
Edyon dressed as quickly as he could, and they ran to his father’s meeting room. Edyon had expected the chamber to be full of panic and clamor, but it was surprisingly quiet. Several lords were there, but most had returned to their own estates after the tour. Edyon went to stand with his father.
Thelonius spoke in a clear, serious tone to the whole room. “The beacons are lit. Brigantines are attacking the wall. Once again our northern neighbors want to take what isn’t theirs. However,