I had been drafted as a healer – I was furious. All Anemoi have some ability in healing, and I was more talented than most, but I was also proficient with a bow and the fastest in the air out of all my sisters. My mother’s answer to my request to join the fighting was a stern ‘No.’ This was followed by ‘Mistral, you will be healing the soldiers so that they can return to the fight – you are in the fight.’​​ Undeterred, I found the human soldier that seemed to be giving the most orders. He was an imposing figure in full armor and a full head taller than me. He was also the first man I had ever spoken to. 

His back was towards me. ‘I want to join the Legion!’ I demanded. I was shaking with a combination of anger at my mother’s injustice and not a little nervousness. 

The soldier turned and looked down at me. His face softened and he smiled. I did not smile back. 

‘Little Fury, how old are you?’ I liked the name he gave me. Not the ‘Little’ part – the ‘Fury’ part. 

‘Fifteen.’ I answered immediately. 

‘You have to be seventeen to join the Legion,’ was his reply. 

‘That is not fair! I am fastest of my sisters and as good with a bow as any.’ I delivered my protest in one breath. 

The soldier put his large hand on my shoulder. ‘Little Fury, not much in this world is ever fair.’ His hand on my shoulder gave me pause – I had never been touched by a human, let alone a male. ‘Meet me before sunrise on the southern gate of the inner wall. I have need of your young eyes.’ My mouth opened, but I had no reply. ‘I am Centurion Lepidus, second in command of this fort,’ and with that, he turned back to his business.