Book 1: The Battle Cry

Kieran

There’s little time to prepare for the journey. Father wants us to leave the castle as soon as possible so we don’t delay in hunting down King Cole. He makes me bring Anwen along because, in his words, “Anwen needs some toughening up.” 

More like, Anwen is getting under foot, and Father wants him out of the castle. He’ll be under my feet now, though. I mind-link with Taner, Whyte, and Lucian to signal my displeasure at this turn of events. It’s one thing to get the troops to turn against Father. Half of them seem to have one foot out the door anyway. My friends are hanging back with them now, sowing as much discord as possible. 

Anwen will be another story, though. He’s completely loyal to Father and to Dun’s Crossing. He might be another complication. 

“You’re being quiet,” he tells me now, as we enter the forest, the beginning of the long journey toward Escuro. We’re preparing to shift. 

“I’m not,” I lie. “I