““You really don’t like that boy, do you?” Elka said, strolling over to stand beside me as Kronos helped Cai stand. Elka had her practice spear slung over one shoulder and a satisfied grin on her face as she watched the Decurion stagger painfully to his feet. “Wonder how it feels for the legion to be on the receiving end for once?” I didn’t answer her. Once, not so long ago, I would have laughed right along with my Varini friend—two girls from two tribes that had both felt the hobnailed tread of the legion’s sandaled foot. But in that moment, all I could feel was the shock of my blade slamming into Cai’s ribs. If we’d been using real swords, he’d be dead. And I would have killed him.””
