“In short,” Tall Arturo says, “we’re a little bit concerned for our prince.”

Silence greets this pronouncement. Distant wagon wheels roll across cobblestone. The sun sinks behind the outer wall and the sea cliffs, leaving the arena in shadow.

Softly, Iván says, “I think we should tell them. He would want us to use our own judgment, right?”

The Arturos exchange a startled glance.

“What? Tell them what?” Pedrón demands. “Who wants you to use judgment?”

I ignore them all, staring at Iván. His face is a tad apologetic as he leans down and whispers in my ear, “We don’t have to tell them everything. But they deserve to know about the captain. We don’t have orders for secrecy, right?”

I’m so relieved he feels this way. “I agree,” I tell him.

“Red? Iván? What are you whispering about?” Aldo says.

“You must swear to tell no one what we’re about to tell you,” I say.

“On my honor as a Royal Guard,” Pedrón says.

“On my honor as a Royal Guard!” everyone echoes.

I say, “The Arturos are right to be suspicious. I’m afraid Iván and I must inform you all that Captain Bolivar is dead.”

“What?” says Tall Arturo.

“No!” says Itzal.

“How?” says Aldo.

I’m not sure how many details to reveal. Before I can decide, Iván says, “We’re not sure. But there’s a good chance he was assassinated.”

Pedrón tosses a handful of sand at me. “Why didn’t you say anything? Why would you keep that a secret?”

“It’s not her fault!” Iván says. “We thought it was the sergeant’s place to tell everyone. Or Guardsman Bruno’s. We just followed their lead by keeping quiet.”

“Oh,” Pedrón says, somewhat sheepish. “That makes sense.”

It does make sense. I never would have thought up such a perfect response.

Aldo says, “Where did you find the captain? How do you know what happened to him?”

Iván gives me a questioning look, and I shake my head slightly.

“We weren’t given those details,” Iván says smoothly. “I mean, we’re just recruits.”

“But you are friends with the prince, right?” Aldo presses. “Is he the one who told you?”

“Yes. The other night at the soiree.”

Aldo looks down at his hands, frowning. I know how he feels. Right now, it feels like all of us have failed.

“This is serious,” Itzal says. “Getting Bolivar out of the way made it possible for Sergeant DeLuca to take over training.”

“Right,” says Tall Arturo. “And Master Santiago wouldn’t have been brought in at all if the captain were still here.”

“It’s all connected,” says Itzal.

“That’s why we’re worried for our prince,” says Short Arturo. “Especially now that we know Bolivar is dead. It sure seems like sabotage.”

“So what do we do?” Pedrón asks.

“We’re just recruits,” Aldo says. “First years.”

“We should tell someone,” says Pedrón.

“We don’t know who to trust!” says Itzal.

“There has to be something we can do, right?” says Short Arturo.

Everyone starts talking over each other. Their voices get louder and louder, edged with panic. Soon the whole palace will hear us arguing.