Cirrus@Austlit

'Two very different boys, both dreaming of glory. One year in their lives will be more dangerous than they ever imagined ... Where the Great Wall meets the Yellow River, Hu's family struggles on the edge of starvation. The arrival of an imperial battalion in Beicheng brings new money to the town, but also new risks. The battalion's Commander has brought with him his unhappy son, Ren. The two boys meet under strange circumstances and combine forces to train secretly for an archery tournament: for Hu the competition offers an escape from poverty, for Ren an escape from his strict Confucian tutor and recognition from his father. Just as they seem to have a chance of winning, the tournament is suspended. A barbarian spy has been found, hit by a stray arrow from the contest! Fearing imminent barbarian attack, the Commander requests reinforcements and authority to attack from the Emperor. And things for Ren and Hu go horribly wrong. Ren is sent away and Hu is arrested under suspicion of stealing supplies. But then Ren discovers his tutor has been undermining the Commander and escapes back to Beicheng. But before he can warn his father, Ren tries to rescue Hu and they stumble across the barbarian army - waiting just outside the wall, ready to attack. Together, Ren and Hu race through the night to recover the Commander's orders ... But can they escape the barbarian soldiers? And get back in time? Or will the Commander lose the Battle for Beicheng?' (Source: Publisher)