He pulled his beautiful sister swords free of their sheaths and held them up to the moonlight as he spoke his promise. Cyrus Lythan was dead, but a new man would take his place, one to fight alongside the Lioness. One who could make such a bold promise, and believe it.

“And you will fear me, monsters of empire. You will fear the Vagrant Prince when he comes to reclaim his crown.”

He lowered his swords. A smile cracked his stern expression to match the one on his mask. He laughed to himself, his mood unable to remain so serious for so long.

“Hopefully.”

CHAPTER 17

CYRUS

Everyone’s in position,” the young boy said, his hands clutching the outside windowsill so he could peek into the house. “Paladin says to wait for the whistle.”

“Thank you,” Cyrus said, and he flicked the boy a copper crown. Cyrus hated that Thorda involved kids so young in Thanet’s rebellion, but there was no denying that children could sneak about the city of Vallessau unnoticed and undetected.

“Are you nervous about making your vaunted debut?” Stasia asked, the woman leaning against the far wall of the dilapidated home. The pair both wore matching gray shirts, trousers, and gloves, though she lacked his long cloak. Her short brown hair was tied into a stiff knot to keep it away from her eyes. Daylight reflected off her freshly sharpened axes belted to her hips.

“Shouldn’t I be nervous?” he asked. “So much can go wrong. I wish Thorda had chosen an easier task to reveal my presence to the city.”

“The point is to inspire,” Stasia said as she glared out the window. “No one’s going to be impressed with a few dead soldiers.”

“Well, thank the gods and goddesses you’re here. You can drag me to safety when I fall.”

The woman shot him a wink.

“You fall, you’re on your own, prince. I haven’t survived so many battles by taking pity on the incompetent.”

“I see why Thorda wants me to inspire the populace instead of you.”

The shrill whistle outside stirred them both from their banter.

“Secret names from here on out, Vagrant,” Stasia said as she tied her cloth mask over her face.

“Of course. Stay safe, Ax, and don’t get too crazy. You’re meant to funnel the guards, not defeat them single-handedly.”

“I’ll consider it.”