Audentis Fortuna Iuvat

Shouts came from outside the barracks as I finished gearing up and packing my bag. I ended up with what felt like Hannibal the elephant's weight in imperial gold strapped to my body in the form of my armour and weapons. To be fair the amount I had packed was definitely overkill but I couldn't help feeling a little irritated at my fitness levels when I was puffing after just a short walk across the room to check I had the straps tied correctly.

I was ready to leave when the door pushed open and the eyes of a very startled Cindy landed on me. Those same startled eyes lit up and she rushed across the room to crush me in a hug so tight I felt the impact from beneath my armour.

"You're back!" She grinned cheerfully, holding me at arms length to examine me as if I was a little sister who had come home from school with a black eye.

"I am!" I grinned back, trying to imitate the cheerful nature I clearly did not possess.

She looked me up and down and me eyes widened, her tiny mouth shaping a gasping 'O'. "Reyna said you weren't to come with us." She told me sternly.

I said some rather inappropriate words that portrayed the general meaning of 'I don't care what Reyna said' and Cindy gasped again.

She shook her head. "You really shouldn't swear, Kerri." She chided. "It's most unladylike!"

I rolled my eyes. "Since when have you ever known me to be ladylike?" More shouts came muffled through the door and I grinned. "That sounds like our cue to get going."

Cindy nodded and lead the way to the unmissable column of armoured teens that ran along the Via Principalis. She pointed me towards where Becca was already leading the Fifth Cohort and jogged further back in the straight rows before falling into step with the others.

Becca noticed me and looked at me sharply. "What are you doing here?" She asked, all peppy cheerleader spirit drained from her voice with what looked to be sheer exhaustion.

"I'm better now." I told her (almost) honestly. "I'm here to help."

Her eyes lit up in what anyone could have mistaken for relief. "Thanks." She said shortly as we continued to march towards the line of black SUV's that I guessed would have stopped us from interacting with mortals and risking an odd interpretation of the Mist.

When it was our turn to pile into a car, I collapsed into my seat with an intense, buzzing kind of relief. Was it possible to feel safe and normal for once when marching into a battle for your life? For the sake of my sanity I hope it was. I really do.

Notes