Notes on the Chapter

Harylas - Macedon's capital city
Ecclesia - the part of Macedon's democracy that handles noble and military concerns.
Monokeros - Eden's version of a unicorn—it is carnivorous, and the army wants one because its blood is able to cure wounds.
‘hilts - slang for "sword-hilts," Macedon’s currency; has a raised sword-hilt shape on it.
Kada - POV character; a seven or eight year-old girl living in Harylas. She is a helper in the hospitals, as there is a plague in the city, caused by the infected body of one of Keihyn’s friends who died when he was bitten by a monokeros.

Daryos snatched the rope out of Keihyn's hands and knelt by the animal. His quick hands tied three strong loops around its jaws, then paused and stroked its muzzle for a moment. The spot where Canos' knife had ripped the skin was closed and already nearly done healing. He stood up.

"The Amyn army will pay you and your surviving companions the agreed price in exchange for the monokeros and any other information you have about it."

"I can't speak for Kiar," said Keihyn, "but I don't want money. I want a position in the army. I want to be an epilektos."

Daryos made a noise of disgust. "I am an epilektos. I have been trained from birth. Do you know how many men I command?"

"I know that you are head of the whole second division, and that you don't answer to anyone except the aristos."

Seeing Keihyn’s stubbornness, Daryos hedged. "I can make you a heparkos."

"I don't want to be a heparkos."

Daryos pressed his fingertips on his eyelids. "I will not let just anyone into the ranks of the epilektoi. I'm a warrior, and you are a stunt boy, and the difference between us is—frankly, it's embarrassing. Epilektos ranks are not handed out to any beggar who brings us a trinket. Divisions would revolt if we took away soldiers from another epilektos and gave them to you. And the money—it would be cheaper to give you what we promised in the first place, rather than waste it on your training. You understand, then," (he tried to think of Keihyn's name) "…What was your name again?"

Keihyn had been quiet while Daryos talked. His hand had gotten so tight around my hand that I could feel his pulse speed up when Daryos asked him the question. His face was full of shame, but he had to have known they would ask.

He put on a brave face. "Keihyn." Daryos tried to be kind about it, but he couldn't help sneering a little. "That name will sound strange next to Didos, Stefanos, Erides, Arsenis, and Daryos, don’t you think?"

"If I had a noble's name, I wouldn't be asking permission for a high rank," said Keihyn. "I won't trade the monokeros for anything else."

Kiar immediately started to protest, but Keihyn didn't let him talk. He was squeezing my hand so hard that the blood wasn't flowing anymore, but I didn't say anything. I was fascinated.

Kiar glanced at me behind Keihyn's back. Daryos sat sedately, thinking without saying anything. He eyeballed the monokeros. Its throat had stopped bleeding and it had started to suck hungrily at the smears of blood on the floor.

"And this beast can heal men as well?" he asked.

"Yes. You could stop the plague with it."

Daryos thought further. He walked back up the steps to the dais where the Ecclesia were sitting, and chatted with them for a few moments. Then he talked with his men for a while.

I sat by the monokeros, stroking its velvety nose and singing a lullaby to it. It didn't go to sleep, but it laid its head in my lap and looked at me in the same inviting way it had looked at the dog. I didn’t let that scare me. The ropes around its mouth were strong enough.

Keihyn and Daryos were talking. "Very well. You and your friend will be granted ranks in my division as epilektoi, once you have undergone training." Daryos stared at me. I stuck out my tongue at him. "And who's she?" he asked them, not sure of who I was or what part I had played to get here.

"I’m Kada. But don’t let my name fool you. I'm poor too," I told him. Daryos smiled. "I don’t want money either. I can steal my own," I said. "Instead, I want to be a scout and a messenger for you."

Daryos nodded with a smile. He thought I was joking, or stupid. "All right, Kada. You can spy for us here in Harylas. If anyone tries to attack us, you come here and ask to see me. All right?" "You're a bastard," I said brightly, "but I'll do it. You'll thank me later." I stalked out of the Ecclesia's meeting room without a final glance at the monokeros, or Keihyn and Kiar, or Daryos.

Chapter 5, Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5