“On the other hand, you have done what no other Forest Guard could do by warning us of the Horde in the west. We would have faced wholesale slaughter if you had brought the catalina cacti back on time.”

None of them spoke.

“How about you, Darsal? What say you?”

“I say I would give my life for the Guard. But the choice is yours.”

“I see. And you, Silvie?”

“I say that Johnis should not only serve in the army, but command an army. The rest of us, I’m not so sure of.”

“Really? And why should Johnis command an army? He’s only sixteen.”

“Because he thinks with his heart.”

There was more to this story. Thomas would get to the bottom of it sooner or later. But none of that mattered at the moment. Johnis had the circle mark on his neck. That alone qualified him.

“And you, Billos?”

“We killed our first Horde, sir. And we escaped their clutches. I think that should qualify us for service, if nothing more.”

“Johnis!” someone cried behind Thomas. He turned and saw that his father, Ramos, stood in the same entrance Thomas had used, panting from a long run. His face beamed, wet with sweat. “You’re . . .” He stumbled forward, spreading his arms. “You’re alive!”

A slight smile crossed Johnis’s face.

Ramos turned in a circle, screaming out to those gathered now. “My son is found! My son! What did I tell you?”

He’d “told” the crowd nothing, of course. This comment was directed at Thomas.

He rushed up to Johnis, collided with him roughly, lifted him in a great bear hug, and spun him around. “My son is home!”

Then he kissed his son on one cheek, then the other, and ended on his nose—a great bearded rub that no one in any other circumstance could possibly appreciate.

Poor Johnis hung like a straw doll. But he was grinning when his father plopped him back down and ruffled his hair.

“I knew it!”

Thomas faced the crowd. He knew what they wanted. It was the same thing he wanted.

He lifted both arms. “I say this day that Johnis, Billos, Silvie, and Darsal have proven their worth!” he cried. “I say they have fulfilled the mission and can serve by my side as squad leaders. And I say that on this day, each shall be given the rank of sergeant.”

The stadium erupted in a roar of approval.

“Welcome home your Guard!” Thomas thundered. “Give them your blessing. Tonight the celebration is for them!”

The dancing began then, in the stands, as thousands shouted with fists raised in salute.

Johnis stared around, dumbstruck. Thomas took his jaw and turned his head. The mark was still there. “Blessing, lad. Don’t resist your calling. And let’s keep it to ourselves, shall we?”

The boy simply stared at him with wide eyes.

Someday Johnis will be a king, Thomas thought.