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this latest Karden outrage! Crops burned, soldiers killed, hostages taken...it was all too much. Things needed to be set right immediately, or the wave of opposition rolling across the Kingdom would only grow stronger.
    Curtly motioned to begin the ceremony, Prince Garob began recognizing each recruit by name. Only half-listening, the King came to a sudden decision. Bold action was necessary. He would send all his forces, including these raw recruits right here, to invade the Outlands in force. They’d smash the Karden bandits, pushing them deeper into the heavily forested track.
    That, at least, might settle down the rebellious north for a time, leaving him free to deal with domestic matters closer to home.
     
    ***
     
    It was all Anson could do not to jump when Garob called out his own name, forcing himself to stare blankly ahead as his achievements in boot camp were lauded before the Court. As Anson was the last recruit in line, Garob then turned and bowed before his liege, assuming a place next to Tenen on one side of the raised Throne.
    Once more this new, inquisitive presence delicately pressed up against him. As the King slowly stood, briefly eyeing the assemblage before descending to the floor, Anson couldn’t help glancing past the other nineteen recruits at the two royal princesses to his far left.
    Sure enough, the brunette with long, slightly wavy hair was also casting a fugitive look at him. For a mere instant their eyes met. Anson immediately knew she was the one who’d sensed him, and was now the only person, outside of his mother, who shared his secret.
    And in turn, Anson could detect the girl’s own mental shock upon realizing she’d inadvertently revealed herself to him. Living in the royal castle, she was almost certainly unaccustomed to dealing with empowered minds as sensitive as her own. Possibly this was the first time she’d been caught.
    Except by the Demons, in all likelihood, of whom she might not even be aware.
    But how could a royal, who were essentially all spoiled children, come to have the power and sensitivity this girl obviously possessed? It didn’t seem possible.
    And what did it mean for Anson, now that she knew his deepest secret?
     
    ***
     
    Lydia idly curled lush, dark hair around a finger. Wow. Even being as careful as she could, this boy had felt her. When their eyes locked for a second, she could tell.
    But outside of feeling his power, she had no idea what his ability was! That was frustrating.
    A seed of doubt began creeping in. Perhaps this boy was an assassin of some sort? Should she warn somebody? Could she, herself, now be in some kind of danger?
    But no, Lydia detected no malice at all. There was only a desire to remain hidden, now tinged with a healthy dose of fear. Clearly her advances were unwelcome.
    Choking back an odd surge of disappointment, she forced herself to pay attention to the King.
     
    ***
     
    “Congratulations on your achievements so far!” the King called out, slowly pacing before the line of recruits. “We are proud of you, and know you will serve the Crown well into the future!”
    Before reaching the very end of the line, where Anson stood, the King peeled off and walked back to the center of the room, right before the Throne. Anson tried to not visibly exhale.
    “The very near future, in fact!” the King continued. “For I announce here today that an expedition will leave on the morrow to give the Kardens what they deserve! And with that army will go these twenty recruits before us now!”
    After a moment of stunned silence, everyone applauded vigorously, the recruits remaining rigidly at attention. In his peripheral vision, Anson saw several of the royal princes looking at one another in surprise.
    “Fifteen hundred men will go to the Outlands, led by Prince Garob!” Nodding firmly, the King motioned vaguely to the side. “Prince Tenen will assist him. As one of our strongest young cousins, Tenen is well suited to take a more active