"Stop!" he suddenly said. They immediately froze.
"You have the basics alright" he said "But you're all a bit... repetitive in your actions" he said "An experienced warrior will notice a pattern" he said "Variation is the key" he said "Like this..." he moved slowly tapping gently with the tip of his blade "High, low, mid, mid, low, high, low, low, mid" he said. "Don't always focus on the mid body" he said "The clean kill is usually found there yes... but it's also the part one focusses while defending" he said. "Try to get the opponent off guard..." he said. He struck and she blocked with her shield. "Good... now watch" he attacked again but immediately moved lower, she tried to block it but than suddenly he struck high again. "Fast and variation" he said "Try going for leg and sword arm at times" he said "A wounded sword arm or wounded leg... no matter how light the wound is a distraction and even a handycap" he said "Tiring your foe is important too" he said. He tapped her forehead gently with the wooden sword. "You're all 'very' tough for girls of your size but you'll always lack bodymass and not just muscles but simply sheer weight... . If you face big brutes and trust me... Northern mercs and the likes are 'huge'" he said "Don't rely on static movements... keep them moving... cut and wound them. Let them exhaust themselves"
He looked at them all "Preferably work as a group. The Legions almost always win as we use common tactics, manoeuvers and group attacks." he said "Discipline is the key to victory as individual soldiers tend to be smaller, weaker than some tribal warriors who are capable of short fierce bursts of berserk rage in single combat" he than tapped her shield "Form lines when you can... block roads, make sure flanks are covered. And go for thrusts to the abdomen if you face foes lacking in armour or shielding" he said.
"The Empire's foes tend to be more numerous... but with good formations, good discipline and the choice of 'where' you fight you can actually cancel that advantage or even better... turn their mass into a tactical advantage for yourself".
He looked at Carmella. "From now on you're my... 'Decurion' or whatever term you are accustomed too" he said. "Now for mup in four lines" he said. "I want you all too grow used to quickly forming up in a formation" he said "If your tower ever gets besieged you'll need to use formations to your advantage and block the entrances efficiently in such a way" he said. He walked past them looking at them all. They started to form up but rather chaotically.
He grunted. "Not... very good" he said "we'll need to move you all in small squads" he said. "And you'll have to memorize a position within that group" he than looked a moment at Carmella.
Than back at them.
"How are you all organized anyway? What hierarchy and structure do you use?".
He was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. They were all staring wide-eyed at him as if they barely had seen a man so far.
He wondered if this was how those noblewomen felt when parading past a Fortress of the Legion... . Gawked at by men isolated in their existence from an important part of what was supposed to belong to their integral social interactions.
He was clad in his armor. Some handmaiden had apparently polished it fervently and the torches reflected on the beautiful centurion's breastplate.
The same went for his shin and armprotectors. Here and there golden lines and symbols ran over it. Beautiful weaponry had been one of the few excesses he had allowed himself after his promotion. After all he had to inspire leadership, leave an impression on his men. And... well he was proud of his status as an officer more than off a nobleman. One could buy ones way to become a tribune but one became a Centurion through skill and in his case also opportunities and some luck. Namely his predecessor dying and him as Decurion filling in before being allowed promotion.
He held his redplumed helmet under arm. Off course he didn't have a winerank as he had not brought that symbol. He had been equipped as a bodyguard to Rachel... not a drill officer at that time. His sword and dagger hung from his sides but his clothing was pretty and new after all his old attire had been shred and soaked in blood.
"Women!" she squeeled. "Beautiful ones!" she said "Plehehaase" she said "Pull him bahack" she said as the rough wet tongue eagerly licked away at his meal.
"Skilled warriors, performers, servants, scholars and even lovers in several combinations... . Our mistress is powerful! And beautiful beyond comparison... . Our captain has a reputation of excellence and gained a name cracking down upon the thugs that at times get in the way of myhihihi" she started to giggle for quite a while as he kind of nibbled on her big toe.
"Our mistress also has a vast network of spies and agents... she'd be very useful to Thane or his employer" she looked at her "She's a businesswoman without equal..." she laughed, gasping "Highly educated in many arts and rituals." as Meira's hands found a spot on her body, the Ranger suddenly trembled as she was hit by a small orgasm, a blush appeared on her cheeks and for am moment she forgot the foottorture plagueing her thoughts, moaning out loud. "She's an unequalled lover AND tickler too" she looked at Meira "And the ideal target too. She's more sensitive than anyone... flawless in 'every' way" she started at Meira "You'll be replaced... easily once she lays her eyes on Thane... she'll turn him to her side, have you take my place and watch..." she went pale realizing she had in many ways made things worse for herself... .
"I can help you... please..." she tried.
Magnus tried to get his lance out of the body on the ground but found himself unable. He gave up and kept it vertically in the body, drawing his gladius. The loud clanging of metal, cries of men and the noises of horses surrounded him. His black and silver shield blocked a blow from an agressor and he precizely send his gladius deep into the rookie's unbared neck. He looked around... so far all had gone well. A countercharge, turned around and a final charge in the back and now rounding things up in a skirmish. A good training for his own recruits... . Besides... he could always use spare equipment anyway. He headed forth, noticing the leader of the group.
This was no typical militiaman but clearly a veteran. Gruff, old, scarred but by no means feeble, the brute had obviously the barbaric blood in him seeing his size. He even wielded a long sword instead of a gladius which was a weapon used by many Non Imperial monarchies and tribes... .
He headed for the leader, his gaze meeting his.
The shortbearded giant smiled lightly, the two riders slowly rode towards each other...
