Sugriva laughed through tears. "We're all like that. Do you remember when you were a kid?"
"Ah, bits and pieces, but not enough. It's probably karma coming back to get me for what I did to my parents." He shuffled his feet and looked to the dirt. "My dad was a wall guard. He didn't hold any big position. I was taught I would be a wall guard, and that was good enough. Now and then he would go on scouting parties, as scouting is part of a hawk's dharma. I told him I could be more—I would be more." He spread out his hands. "Now I have this. A far cry from where I was supposed to be right now."
"My uncle expected a merchant. I should be wandering around the jungle selling wares. He's probably dead, though. With the demons out there, I heard most the merchants who didn't take up permanent residency somewhere are dead."
"You could look for him," Divyan said.
"No. I'd be better off without finding him. He hit me until I said I understood what he was telling me. I never understood. It's why I followed my parents' path."
The canopy shifted to vibrant green, the morning sun illuminating through the leaves. It was a beautiful view, especially with all the hawks flying around.
Divyan said, "You should go. There's a lot of work to be done."
They clasped hands, holding on at the elbow, and put their foreheads against each other briefly. Sugriva said, "Thanks for taking a chance on me. I'll work hard to atone for my sins and return to my dharma."
"You have surpassed whatever those sins are in coming back to save a kingdom that despises you. Never forget that. It's too easy for men to think they have to make up for old slights."
THE TRAINING GROUND was silent, though the stands overlooking were filled with people. From time to time Sugriva could hear a baby cry, but parents were quick to silence them. Over a dozen men marched out, with General Humbari leading them. He was the only one in attendance standing proud. Even Prince Anka, with dark circles under his eyes, seemed to be wasting away.
Divyan elbowed Sugriva. "Sit up straight. Humbari is looking for any reason to kill you."
A derisive snort left his lips. "Then he'll have to trample everyone here."
"For cowardice," General Humbari roared, "these men will be executed. They plotted to flee the city when they were conscripted, or they assisted a deserter. Every man and woman will be needed. The demons are at our doorstep, and cowardice will see us all trampled."
A man was summoned from the side.
"Begin," General Humbari said, getting out of the way.
The man shifted into an elephant and trumpeted. He charged forward and stomped down on people, crushing them under his feet.
The audience remained still through the display of brutality. It became a daily tradition. People no longer went to work first thing in the morning, they went to the training ground, and if they were fortunate, they were told there would be no executions that day.
"What are you doing after this?" Sugriva asked.
"Checking the perimeter. The demons have to be close. We're getting fewer refugees, and those we get are from nearby villages."
The display ended, and Humbari came out to make some speech about dharma. The people had no future. Why did they care what path they walked?
Divyan asked, "And you?"
"I don't know." His thumb ran over the seat in front of him, feeling the wood against his skin. He wanted a sliver, something to break him from the malaise settling over the city. "Drink and eat?"
"Sugriva," Divyan scolded, "You have to stay sharp and—"
A scout flew down in front of Divyan and cawed, then flew away.
The general paled, and said, "Shift into a monkey and follow me."
THE GUARDS ON THE WALL were on edge, peering over like something unexpected would explode from the jungle. One day it would.
Sugriva's hair stood on end, and he shifted into a man as Divyan dropped him. "This feels unsettlingly familiar."
"Silence," Divyan whispered.
Sugriva strained his ears, but Divyan was right. The chirps and roars decreased steadily over the past few days, but now there was nothing.
"They're watching us."
"Seems we're trapped."
"Let's go," Divyan said.
Sugriva and Divyan strode into Prince Anka's temple. Divyan said, "My prince, I think we should investigate what the demons are doing. We are under siege, and we need to know what is coming."
Humbari spoke before the prince could. "That's foolish suicide. Are you so afraid to defend the city, you want to die before the grand defense of Jaya?"
Prince Anka pursed his lips and glared at the bear-man at his side. "Thank you for your input, General, but I believe my dharma is to rule, and it is my word they will follow."
Humbari growled and took a step back, rubbing his arm like a wounded animal.
The prince hummed in thought and stroked his chin. It was the most alive
