"Shira, formerly of the School of Mages."

The recruitment officer looked up suddenly at where Shira stood before her desk.

"Former novice-in-training?"

"Yes."

"Knowledge of medicine?"

"I have some."

"For how long?"

"For nearly two years."

"You're offered a position among the medics. You'll want that, I suppose."

"Yes."

"Well then, well then." The woman made a few marks on her papers. Her glance flew at Shira again. "But those clothes won't do at all. Even medics need to move around. Long skirts are so impractical. Don't you hae anything at all more suitable?"

"No."

The recruitment officer exhaled sharply. "We'll just take it out of your first wages, then. Go through that door in the back room and look in the far cupboard, change into a tunic and some leggings. Leave your clothes folded on the chair." Her glance rested on Shira's boots, which were lightly frayed at her toes and heels. "Those boots will have to do. Now, go change, and then report to Barrack Five. It's in the back of the yard."

Shira turned to go.

"Oh yes, and ties that hair back!"

Lounging in the doorway of the back room was the black-haired boy from the common room, this time wearing a red armband and holding a rifle. He slunk out of the way as soon as Shira approached. As she stepped into the dark room, he turned and scowled ferociously at her retreating back.

"Devon!" the recruitment officer called. A large man with fiery hair stopped outside the window.

"Yes, Miss?"

"I've got another medic for you."

The man smiled. "Oh, good! My men and women are being knocked off as fast as I can find more."

"She's from the school of mages, though."

The man's smile fell. "Ah, those are almost as much trouble as they're worth. As soon as they catch a little cold, or get a tiny wound, they fall into some trance and they're as much use to us as a dead man. Ah, well, I'm desperate."

Shira emerged from the back, wearing ill-fitting grey clothing.

"This is the one?" Devon asked the recruitment officer.

"Yes."

"So what's your name?"

"Shira, formerly of the School of Mages."

"You'll be just Shira here. Now, come help me. Let's see if you're strong enough to hold down a full grown man."

Shira went to meet Devon in the yard.

"I thought you were long gone!" the woman behind the desk yelled.

The black haired youth looked startled. He glanced around- he was the only one in the room."

"I told you to get your armband and go to Barrack Four!"

"Yes, yes ma'am. I'm going, I'm going."

"Kyle- that's your name, right?"

"Yes Ma'am!"

"Kyle, hurry and scat! There's a war to be fought."

"Yes Ma'am!" Kyle took a few steps and looked to see that the woman was absorbed in her work. He stuck his toungue out at her, tiptoed into the back room, grabbed the guitar he had stowed under the unused tunics, and huried toward Barrack Four.