Suddenly, the energy shifts, and Prince—no, Emperor Kiran steps onto a wooden platform at the front of the field.

“Hail, Emperor Kiran,” shouts a voice. “May his reign be long and prosperous.”

“Hail, Emperor Kiran,” we echo.

The new emperor lifts his hands to receive our praise. His voice rings out over the fields, echoed by heralds who repeat his words farther down.

“These are hard times in which I address you,” Kiran says. “My father was taken from the world too soon, and we mourn his passing. But you, my soldiers, the lifeblood of our empire, you give me confidence in the future. You have served my father well, and I trust you will do the same for me.

“In a few short days, I will be crowned, and I will start to make changes as befits a growing empire. I will be appointing two new generals: Commanders Vaumitha and Arxa.” Next to me, Walgash nods appreciatively. “I will start my reign by securing our empire. My father had long been too soft on the rebels to the north. Reports from these regions tell of increasing aggression that threatens the very fabric of Ampara. They go so far as to poison our soldiers with disease. My father had been slow to bring them to justice, but I will not allow a danger like this to stand. We will subdue the Shidadi and Monyar Peninsula once and for all.”

He pauses and peers over our heads. “Be proud to be part of Ampara. The empire is fortunate to have you.” He raises his fist. “To victory!”

His words are full of fire. I feel energy gathering around me, and my own spirits lift as well.

As one, we raise our fists, and our response rumbles like thunder. “To victory!”

Chapter Forty-one

When I restore Dineas’s memories this time, urgency overtakes him right away.

“How much have you heard?” he asks before the cloud of recollection has even cleared from his eyes. He scrambles to his feet and casts around for the writing implements I’ve laid out on the shelves, then nearly knocks over the ink bottle when he grabs for it.

“Be careful,” I say, though his panic sets my own pulse racing. “What happened?”

He grudgingly sits down. His fingers tap incessantly on the pen. “They’re mustering an attack on the Shidadi,” he says.

I blanch. “How soon?”

“It will take a few weeks to get everything together.”

“Any news of Dara?”

He gives up on sitting still and starts to pace the room. “Nothing specific, but it won’t be pleasant for your people either way. We need to get word to Gatha and Tal right away. Any reply from them yet?”

“No, nothing.”