Fight back? What does he mean? Fight back against who?

"I'm not sure I understand. . ."

"Oh, it'll be clear enough." Something else catches his attention. "Oi, Candice, take Elara to the School, won't you?"

A girl my age with sky-blue hair walks over. "Elara, eh?" she says. She sticks her hand out. "Candice. Candice Walker. Some people call me Candy, but I hate that name."

"Hi," I say shyly. "Elara Jones."

"Boy," Candice says, "that's pretty cool hair you have."

"This?" I hold up my bubblegum-pink ponytail. "Oh, I bet it's nothing."

"I haven't seen anybody with pink hair before," she say matter-of-factly.

Everybody's hair is a colour. Any colour from dove grey to neon green. But now that I think about it, I've never seen anyone else with pink hair either.

"Anyway, we best ought to be going. You don't want to miss combat training, I can tell you that." Candice turns to the man and salutes. "Candice Walker at your service, General Lyson."

I try to imitate her. "Elara Jones at your service, General Lyson."

General Lyson smiles. "Get going. Head Frost's not gonna be too happy if you're late, you know."