“Empty woods, empty words,” Flint countered. “I do apologize for the way matters have turned out. However, if you surrender, I promise that my men will spare your friends here.”

“Otherwise you would dispense with all of us, including the children?”

“War is as hard as heartwood, my lord. You and I know that.”

Quercus looked for a second as if he was really considering this offer. “I cannot agree to your demand, whatever the cost. My dignity, and that of my people, will not allow it.”

“Yes. I thought that might be your answer, old man. Fare you all well, then.” Flint’s visor dropped with a clang as he pulled out his sword.

It was the signal. As Flint dived toward the King, his men ran forward, poised to strike.

Ark felt hopeless. Children slashed and gored? He’d never intended it. He pulled the lever hidden in the nearest wall. Would it work?

It did. Flint’s blade was plucked from his hand like a feather as the sword flew toward the wall, landing with a great clatter. A hundred pairs of eyes were momentarily distracted.

“Dell and darnation!” shouted Flint.

From the shadows, Ark almost let out a whoop of joy. Maybe Goodwoody was right and the battle could be won without a single drop of blood shed! The phial of dark liquid might never need to be called upon. The hidden magnet was a good start.

But Flint was a hardened battle veteran. Setbacks, however miraculous, would not hinder the Commander. Despite his confusion, he instantly pulled a bone knife from an ankle holster. The instinct was good. Magnetized iron had no hold over this weapon.

Ark watched hopelessly as Flint advanced toward the King. However, Flint had not reckoned with the courtiers. They might be old, but the sap still flowed in their veins. They loved the trees like their own kin.

“I taught you when you were no more than a whippersapling!” said one of them, a retired major, blocking the way while the King retreated, holding up his weapon with obvious effort.

The Commander smiled. “Yes, you did, old man! Much appreciated.” Flint swung his knife in a single savage arc, severing veins in the old man’s arms. Blood blossomed and the offending sword dropped. “No hard feelings, eh?” he said with a stabbing motion deep into the chest that broke the man’s defense, and his life. The body collapsed to the ground, the first casualty that night.

Ark realized how stupid he’d been. There were other magnets hidden around the courtyard, but they would remove weapons from both sides of the fight. So much for preparation. And where had Flo gone? He felt outnumbered and overwhelmed.