I turn toward the city’s center. Bundles of blue and white flowers, some from the hillsides beneath the palace and more from Vyrinterra across the sea, hang from windows let open wide to greet the summer air. More are strung through the soaring archways between homes and down the alleys toward the marketplace.

A dark blot of black in one of the garlands catches my eye. I swoop low to get a better look, but the sinking feeling in my stomach already tells me what it is.

The bird’s glossy eye stares out blankly. Judging by the lack of smell, it can’t have been dead for more than a few hours. Even though they don’t possess the Knowledge that gives Leonodai our speech and magic, our people feel a kinship with birds. After all, we share the skies.

Ox told me that the warriors were reporting the dead birds’ numbers to the sentinels. A day or two later, the sentinels asked warriors-elect to be on the lookout, too. I make a mental note to remember where I found this one so I can report it later.

Finding an open courtyard, I land and take my human form. I’m adjusting the sash at my waist when someone calls my name.

“Rowan!” a familiar voice calls.

I turn. Vera waves at me, shouldering her way through the crowd. Her pale blue skirt matches her shirt, which she’s twisted up to keep her cool—and to show off her toned stomach, which some lucky artist has painted with a swirling sun. With her long, pale blond hair and shapely figure, my friend and former roommate of four years has had no short supply of people chasing after her since the day we met. And since her archery tournament isn’t until later this afternoon, she can dress up all she wants for now. I hurry up to her, opening my arms for a hug.

“You look smug, so I take it you won,” she says.

“I do not look smug,” I reply. “But yes, I did.”

“Called it.”

I roll my eyes. “Did the Four Gates race start already? Who’s in the lead?”

The High Summer festival brings hours of competitions between warriors—while I was competing in the arena, other warriors and warriors-elect were running footraces and weaving through obstacle courses while citizens made good-natured bets. It is not only a way for warriors to unwind but for the whole city to bask in the strength of its protectors. High Summer is when the sun hits its peak for the year, and the Leonodai do, too.