All the members of Bitt’s contubernium linedup in formation. Instead of
their usual, real weapons they were issued thewooden swords used for training.
All the legionnaires in the century were soequipped. Eachcontubernium found
themselves facing another one at one corner of the field. The contuberniumwas
standing in two rows and Bitt found himself standing in the front rank. Tossius
wason his left and Eteiwion the right. Behind him wasDecebalus. Facing
them, some twenty pedes away wasanother contubernium. Also in two ranks. Bitt
noticed all these Legionnaireswere prey species. His own was only predator
species. Standing exactly between them was the LegioLegatus. In one hand the
buck had a thin pole with a large red cloth tied toone end. “This is to test
the skills of individual legionnaires and theirContubernium,” the Legio Legatus
explained. “All the big battles get the gloryand tales told about them. But
such fights are rare. Mostly it’s you and yourContuberium facing an equal
number of some enemy. Usually on some back road orin some small, nameless
village. All you can depend on is yourself and yourcomrades in your
contubernium.” He waved the pole about. “The object of thisis this cloth. He
pointed to the prey contubernium. “Your task is to get thiscloth off this post
and take it back to where you are standing now.” Thecommander walked over to
Bitt’s unit and planted the post in the ground rightin front of the fox. “Your
task is to keep them from doing that.” He walked back to the center. “The
winnersget a week’s leave.” With that he turned and walked off to the side.
“Contubernium,” Vinius ordered. “Two stepsforward. March.” In unison the
unit stepped forward and Bitthad to carefully step around the pole. This put
the pole in the middle of thegroup, surrounded by legionnaires. “Lock
shields!” Came the shout from the preyunit. In a moment the legionnaires came
together and what had been legionnairesstanding in loose formation became a
solid wall of wood and iron. The fight turned into a free for all ofpushing,
shoving, jabbing. Bitt found himself facing a rabbit who was agood amount
taller and heavier. “Tú a mhuc ag ól!!!” He shouted. “Bitt,” someone
shouted. “Stop shouting inGaelach.” “Die you stinking, Roman pig!” The
foxshouted. Bitt threw his weight behind his shield andshoved hard against
the rabbit’s shield. The lapine was physically heavier andthe fox was pushed
back into Decebalus. The wolf was standing close behind Bittwith his shield
raised. The wolf shoved forward with his whole body,physically shoving Bitt
and the rabbit backward. He found himself beingsqueezed from two sides as both
rabbit and wolf pushed. His shield was pressedhard against his chest. “You’re
crushing me!” “Shove you idiot!” Decebalus snarled andpushed even harder.
“Fight smarter. Not harder,” His father’swords came to him. “Bitt you are too
small to just bully and shove your way ina fight. God gave you a sharp mind use
it.” He let go of his shield and sliddown to the ground. Rabbit and wolf
slammed into each other asthe block between them vanished. Beneath them Bitt
was in a world of legs andpaws shuffling around. He used both arms to knock the
legs out from under therabbit and the lapine dropped to the ground with a
shout. He turned and seeinganother pair of legs pointing in the right
direction; knocked them over too. Bitt found himself surrounded on two
sidesby really seriously angry rabbits. He managed to punch one before they
bothpiled onto him. In the struggle that followed they succeeded in knocking
overtwo more of the prey legionnaires. It was several minutes before the
LegioLegatus called a halt. It took longer to untangle the people. “Whichone of
you flea-bitten Long Ears bit me,” Bitt snarled as he rubbed his rightarm.
“Maybe he wanted to see if you tasted good,”Tossius joked. “Who has the
clothe?” The stag asked as helooked around. There seemed to be no trace of it.
“I do,” Eteiwi said. He pulled the redclothe off of his belt where he had
tucked it for safe keeping. “That was terrible,” The commander said.“Both
were lacking in subtlety and tactics.” The stag walked up to Bitt. “And
you,legionnaire. What were you doing, dropping to the ground like that? If that
hadbeen a real battle you would be dead.” “Sir,” the fox answered calmly.
“It wasn’t areal fight. No one was supposed to get killed.” “You should
treat every fight like one whereyou could be killed,” he countered. “Yes
sir,” The fox answered and paused for amoment. “So. Did we win?”
****************** All forts in the Roman empire are laid outthe same. Even
if it’s a temporary camp full of tents. Bitt should have foundhis destination
easily. But once he was actually wandering around; he got lost.All the tents
looked alike in the half light of the setting sun. He refused tostop and ask
directions but eventually he located the right tent. A group of eight
legionnaires was sittingaround a small fire. He recognized one as the rabbit
who he’d knocked to theground. The rabbit looked up from the fire
andscowled. “Are you here to gloat?” Hesnapped. “No. I’m here to make a
little peaceoffering,” Bitt answered and held up a jug. “A good vintage peace
offering.” The group all clustered close. “Well, I’mglad to accept your
offer.” *****************
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