Here is the next part. In it we see a darker part of the empire.
*************** For Bitt his training changed radically thismorning. This time when Bitt arrived on the training ground it was with hisentire contubernium. And greeting them there was notSardius. Instead of the leopard it was Feriolius. The wolf stood stone stilland watched as they formed two ranks of four each. Bitt found himself in hisusual spot; second row, third from the left. Feriolius walked over to the unit andstopped in front of the fox. “Bitt,” he said calmly. “I’ve decided it’s time toadvance to training you to fight in a unit.” Learning to fight as a unit meant standingin the tight formation and using the discipline that was the hallmark of theLegions. Learning to march in formation. Turning left, turning right, Deployingfrom a marching formation which was a long rectangle to a long line to theleft, a long line to the right. Wheeling to the left, wheeling to the right.Walking backwards slowly while keeping in formation. For the first day the centurion was there.But after that the wolf only stopped by at intervals. Vinius took charge givingorders like the leader he was. Bitt’s training progressed at a good pacebut it was mostly just repetition. Going through the same drills over and overtill it was second nature. *********** Some of Bitt’s training was more personal. “I have some bad news for you,” Tossius commented.“You’re short.” “I’ve noticed that before,” Bitt responded.More than a little confused. The two of them were in one of the smalltraining fields that were tucked into odd corners of the fortress. “Some people will never look any deeper thanthat,” the lion explained. “And that means trouble. You need to be able to fight when you have noweapons. Vinius has asked me to give you some training. Make sure you can fightthe right way.” “You sound like Sardius,” Bitt responded. “Sardius is a fool,” the lion responded. “Sotake off your pugio and those 2 seax you always carry.” Reluctantly the fox placed his dagger andboth seax onto a table that rested in the corner of the field. “First thing to remember,” the lion said. Hehad stripped down and was like Bitt wearing only a tunic and loin cloth. “Thisis not sport, for fun. There are no rules. The only rule is TO WIN!” “First. Get a good, balanced stance,” hesaid. “Place your paws about shoulders width apart.” Bitt fussed around for a moment beforegetting what he thought was a good stance. “Never oppose a person directly in a test ofstrength,” Tossius said calmly. “If they charge straight at you, sidestep themor trip them up. Get them off balance and keep them that way. Use their ownsize against them.” “And never forget the ultimate weakness allmales have,” the lion explained. “Kick him in the groin and he WILL go down.And watch that your opponent doesn’t do it to you.” “What if I’m fighting a female?” Bitt asked. The lion shrugged. “You are just out ofluck.” **************** One evening they decided to visit the localtavern and have a few drinks to relax and sooth away the pain from his ribs. Hedidn’t know the local town yet so he followed Tossius. The feline led them outthe east gate and through the local streets. After a few minutes they came to an inn onthe left-hand side of the street. There was no sign over the door to the tavern,just the image of a horse’s head painted in bright green. Bitt turned to enter but was stopped byTossius’ hand on his arm. “Not that one,” the lion said. “Ours is upthe street.” The lion started walking. The fox refused to move. “Why not this one?”He asked in a cold, calm tone that betrayed an anger. “That one is for the prey species,” the lionresponded. “It’s an inn,” Bitt snarls. “Who cares who’sin it. We’re all legionnaires.” “No!” Tossius snarled angrily, baring histeeth. “That one is for the Grass Eaters. Not us.” “They have their places and we have ours. Wedon’t mix. Why can’t you understand that?” Vinius snapped. The fox stood stone still and was silent fora long moment. His fur was on end and there was a dangerous glare that told ofraw, seething anger. Bitt slowly shook his head. “No,” he said in cold, crisptones. “I do understand. I don’t agree with it. Never will.” *************** The cheap wine was watered down and the goodwine was overpriced. The beer had an odd taste that Bitt didn’t like. But thefood was decent and there were plenty of friends to drink and gamble with.Usually Bitt would be drinking and playing some game at one of the tables.Tonight the fox was sitting in a corner alone slowly sipping some of the goodwine. Everyone was giving the vulpine a wide berth. Finally Tossius came over and sat down nextto Bitt. The fox was silent for a long moment. “It’swrong Tossius,” the fox said between sips of wine. “We have half two legions.Not one whole one. And that is dangerous.” “It is how thing have always been,” the lionsaid in sad tones. “That’s not an explanation,” the fox sippedhis wine. “It’s an excuse.” “Regardless. You cannot change it.” “And they call my people barbarians,” Bittmuttered darkly. ************************
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