2. Of Mice and Men

Lucius Quinctius Cincinatus High School (Home of the Reds)

"Kimora, wait up."

Kim stopped on her way to the girls' lockers. Her friend Monique Ptolemy, an exchange student from Egypt, hurried over.

"Hi, Monique. Today's the big day. Ready for cadet class?"

The dark beauty smiled. "Some quality time with Rome's finest? You bet, girl friend! Maybe we'll learn something too. School hasn't been that intellectually stimulating so far, but this whole place could fit inside the Library at Alexandria."

"Be fair," Kim smiled, "you have a three thousand year head start."

Monique's brown eyes narrowed. "Something's eating at you like a Nile Crocodile. Come on, spill it."

"The dweebini were making with the Spinster jokes again. Usually it doesn't bother me, but sometimes I think that I'm going to end up as dry and useless as one of your mommies."

"Mummies." Monique corrected. "And why are you worried? You're cute, smart, a Senator's daughter. You've got a lot going! Now, anybody out there that you think is worth the whole package?"

Kim looked thoughtful. "Joshua seems nice." She scanned the crowd. "Here he comes."

Joshua Mankabee rounded the corner. He strolled along with his easy smile. He's probably composing another poem, maybe I… Then Kim saw Tara at his arm, looking up with adoring eyes.

"There he goes." Kim slumped.

"What's the matter, Kimora, lost another one?" Bonillia Rockwallerus came up from behind. Her blue eyes danced with delight at Kim's distress. Her brown hair was done up in the latest fashion. The belt of her chiton was drawn up under her bust, accentuating her voluptuous figure. Kim hated those curves. Her own build was that of a gymnast, slender and lithe. More than that, Kim envied Bonillia's easy confidence around boys. She got so tongue tied.

"So not the tragedy. There are plenty of other fish in the Mediterranean, Bonillia." Kim said with a confidence she definitely did not feel.

"Well, between you net skills and your 'bait' you might want to stop going after the swimmers and settle for something that scuttles."

"Hey, KP!" Ronicus called out as he came down the hall.

Bonillia's smirk grew. "There's one now. If you two will excuse me, I have to go check up on Brickus. You know what they say—carpe hottie."

"Grrrr one of these days…"

"Hey, girls! Ready for cadet day?"

"Ave." Ruffio called out to Monique.

"Ave, Ruffio." Monique nodded. "We were born ready, boy. Classroom and the track? Sounds like heaven."

"I'm glad there's field work today, we'll spend less time covering home work." Ron pulled out a scroll. "Two cubits on Macedonian tactical doctrine, with emphasis on heavy cavalry. Why would anyone want fat horses?"

"Sounds interesting. May I see it?"

"Now KP, I don't ask to read your homework."

"Who'd want to? A whole span on the proper folding of diapers."

"There's the first period trumpet. See you two at cadet class." Ronicus bounced off.

"Come on, Kim. Maybe class will cheer you up."

SPQR

Class isn't working.

Mrs. Hachetta was in fine droning form, going on about the intricacies of arranged marriages. "And the best part is that the girl is the last to know. All the head aches and heart aches are left to the parents and their attorneys."

"But what if you have your heart set on someone?" Bonillia asked.

"You can try to talk to your parents. That's a joke, class. You girls are so grim. There are ways, of course. They involve, among other things, making your preferences known. The boy, for instance."

Bonillia relaxed at this, she was on the game then.

"But those lacking those talents and abilities have one option. Pray to Juno."

Kim raised her hand. "Don't you mean Venus?"

Mrs. Hachetta sighed at having to explain the obvious. "Juno is the goddess of marriage. Venus is the goddess of love and romance. I fail to see what the two have in common."

Kim dropped her head to her desk. "I am SO doomed."

SPQR

"Teacher on deck! ATTENTION!"

The cadet class jumped out of their seats, spear staff straight. Kim, Monique, and Bonillia followed their lead.

A massive figure came through the door, ducking so that the reverse crest of his helmet could fit in. His mail coat was covered with decorations. The scowl deepened when his eyes fell on the three visitors. The knuckles on the hand holding his swagger stick whitened. Centurion Marc Barcus went over to his desk, and took off his helmet.

"I know you were expecting a guest lecturer today, but Quintus Fabius Maximus has postponed his talk on the 'Importance of Promptly Attacking' again. I swear that man can put off anything!"

"We will continue on standard tactics in a moment. But first I see, if my eyes don't mislead me, girls. Don't you have classes of your own to take?"

Kim answered. "We're finished with them for now. There was 'Marriage: it's a Stola, not a Shroud' and 'Household Management: Spare the Rod and Spoil the Servant..."

"But neither of those are main courses." Barcus interrupted. "Have you finished 'The Bearing and Raising of Future Roman Warriors'?"

"Yes!" Bonillia replied. "WAY too much information."

"But wasn't there a supplemental course this semester, in keeping with the lamentable liberalization of our educational system?"

Kim nodded. "Yes, sir. 'The Bearing and Raising of the Future Bearers and Raisers of Future Roman Warriors.'"

"Again, WAY too much information."

"And so you choose to audit my class with your free time." Barcus was unhappy with their answer. "Why are there even girls at this school?"

Monique raised her hand. "All the girls' schools in Rome are now used to house refugees."

Barcus grimaced. "May Mars forgive the blasphemy; cursed war! But what brings you to MY class, Possibillis?"

"Sir, my Father has expressed concern with the new training methods being used. He sent me to make sure the old ways are still respected."

"If your father would come by, I would be happy to allay his fears. I'm as dyed in the wool as the next Roman."

"As for you, Monique, isn't it? What brings not just a girl, but an Egyptian to my class?"

"I am here in my capacity as a representative of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. We're always interested in ways to improve the training of our armed forces."

Barcus frowned. "I fail to see why the Republic should curry the favor of kings. Rockwallerus! Same question."

Bonillia looked over at Brickus, with his blond hair and strong build. "Duhus! All the cutest boys are here!"

Barcus almost smiled. "That was the dumbest answer, and the only honest one. Now, if our cadet captain will start us off with a recitation on tactical flexibility."

Brickus Flaggio stood up, shook his long locks away from his eyes. "One can either hit the center with everything he's got, or use everything he's got to hit the center."

"Brilliant!" Barcus's face lit up. "That's the military genius that has made Rome the dominant city in Italy! Let the others rely on fancy ideas, trick plays, Punic faith. The Republic depends on character."

He paced up and down in front of the class. "As the class knows from this semester's lectures, the legion attacks in two main lines after the skirmishers are done. First the hastai, then the princepes. The true genius of our system is that each Roman knows he can rely on his countrymen. No one is expected to carry the load alone. If these two lines fail, then they can retire behind the triari. Let others need kings or generals. Our men are our strength! Soon you will make Rome stronger."

"This is an army of infantry. We don't ask much of fancy units like cavalry." Kim saw that Barcus was staring at Ronicus, who was fighting the urge to shrink into his seat. "Just that they hold out long enough to let us win."

"With this system we have—Caludius! Nero! Antonius! Eyes front and center!"

Shaking slightly, Barcus turned to face Monique again.

"Monique! When you were selecting your, 'en sem', this morning, did you take into account the effect that wearing a gossamer gown would have on a room of young cadets?"

"Very carefully, sir." Monique smiled. "And it looks like I was right."

SPQR

There's much to admire about the Roman training system, though I doubt Father is interested to know about how much I like the way they pull the tunics up in the field.

The cadet class was even more enthusiastic than usual. Not only were they out of the class room, but this time there were three girls, dressed in far less than most had ever seen.

"Nero, I wish this was Sparta. You know that there even the girls practice na…"

"All right! Attention!" Barcus managed to get all eyes on himself. He dropped a large bundle to the ground. Bending over, he undid the binding and lifted a javelin.

"This is a common javelin. Most of you are familiar with the heavy javelin, the pila. This however is probably what most of you will begin your military careers with. If the state has to provide your equipment, this is what you'll get. Everybody grab one. Brickus! You throw first."

Brickus walked to the edge of the field. He stretched lazily, then took a couple of steps back. He ran forward a few steps, released his javelin with a yell. It seemed to disappear over the horizon.

"Excellent!" Barcus was truly impressed. "We have a natural here. Everyone else, line up!"

The others came up with varying degrees of success. None came close to Brickus's throw. Ronicus was last.

"Might be a little harder on the ground, rather than on a horse." Barcus observed. "Let's see what you can do."

Kim saw Ronicus's face redden. He stepped back, adjusted his tunic, then charged forward with a mighty yell.

Wait! Kim's pleaded in her mind. Check your…

The javelin went on an awkward flight. It looked more like a flag. A tiny white object clung to the flapping cloth.

"Facio! Facio!" Ruffio cried.

Barcus slumped to almost human proportions. "Ronicus. It would be one thing if you were a barbarian losing his trousers. HOW CAN YOU LOSE AN ENTIRE TUNIC!? Someone get him a couple of shields."

Monique tapped Barcus on the shoulder. "How about us girls?"

"Sure. What else can go wrong?"

Monique hefted the javelin with ease. Her throw was straight and true.

Bonillia followed. She was not the most comfortable with the weapon, and Kim was sure she was deliberately short. Still, it was not a bad throw.

"Now, Possibillis." Barcus prompted. "Your Father was a record setter in his time. Has he taught his little girl anything?"

Kim's eyes narrowed at the challenge. She adjusted her hold to get the best balance. She ran forward and let fly.

The javelin sailed. The spin was just right, the arc perfect. Her throw passed almost half of those of the boys. Most still cheered.

"Well done, Possibillis." Barcus nodded. He then turned to Ronicus. "Practice real hard, and maybe some day I can say you throw like a girl."

The class rolled with laughter. Kim and Monique did not join in.

The bugle sounded for school to let out. Ronicus threw his tunic back on. He trudged towards the lockers with Kim and Monique.

"I'm going to Bene Kebob. Want to come, Kim?"

Kim opened her locker. There was a note.

The Temple of Minerva—something big is up. W.

"I can't, Ron. I have to meet Mother and Nana. Some ritual thing."

"I'll go with you. You shouldn't eat alone."

"Thanks, Monique. Later, KP."

The Temple of Minerva

Kim circled carefully, spear in her hands. Her opponent held one of her own. She came at Kim with an overhead blow. Kim stopped it, then tried to bring the butt of her spear into her opponent's stomach. The opponent backed up.

"Good response, Kimmie." Olivia nodded. "You get more supple each time. It really has to flow, though. Your javelin skills are first rate, and Dorcas Directoria says she's never seen a better archer with two eyes, but you can't ignore in fighting."

"Thanks, Mother." Kim looked around at the great secret room in the Temple of Minerva, where the priestesses practiced the arts of war. Weapons lined three walls, shields adorned the fourth.

Nana Possibillis stood up. Kim swallowed. Nana's lessons were the hardest. She had a long sword in her right hand, and a shield in her left.

"And there is no such thing as a perfect weapon." She barely blocked the first swing. "Or a perfect style." The sword never rested, seemed to reverse course as Kim tried to both fight and listen. "What will stop a spearman will not faze a swordsman."

Whomp! Kim went spinning to the ground. When she looked up, a sword point was in her face.

"And you have to know what the enemy is capable of. This Gallic shield is much smaller than the ones our men carry. Few Romans can swing their shield like a club. Almost any Gaul can."

Nana helped Kim up. "You are getting better. But this is no game."

"I know that." Kim was grim. "I'm reminded every time I hear Father's cane."

Olivia came over with a scroll. "This was left for you at the foot of the statue. How does he get them in here?"

"I don't know, Mother. Wadeamedes seems to know everything and be everywhere."

Kim: There's a column to the north of Rome. They won't get to the city before dawn, but they're way ahead of our men at Ostia. You've got to stop them. I've got a new javelin for you in your chariot. You'll want Ronicus for this. W.

Nana opened a chest. "I had them adjust the cuirass after the Tombs. It needed to be a bit snugger. Now let's check your armor."

Kim had changed her clothes in the Temple. She had a red tunic on now, much like the legionnaires wore. Her mother and Nana fitted her cuirass on. She put on a belt of leather staps, which protected her upper legs. They put greaves on her lower legs, and vambraces on her arms. The Corinthian style helmet covered everything but the bridge of her nose and her eyes. It was topped with a red horse hair crest.

Nana nodded. "The Masked Warrior of Mystery returns. Victory for Rome!"

SPQR

One lamp still burned at the Villa Stoppabulli. Ronicus sat in his room, before a shrine. Another miserable day. He looked at the small idols, and felt even smaller. A Roman should respect the gods, not beg to them. Still, there was nowhere else to turn. Father was in Sicily, and Mother could hardly help.

He looked at Venus. "I'll never get her, will I? Make her happy anyway."

Fortuna caught his eye. "The others seem to never listen. You're my only hope. Send me good fortune. Restore my family to honor."

There was a knock at the window. Ronicus opened the shutters. A chariot was there, and the Masked Warrior of Mystery held out his hand.

"I need you again, Ronicus."

SPQR

More notes

Cincinatus--savior of Rome, idol of the American Revolution.

cubit--about eighteen inches

span--six to nine inches

Quintis Fabius Maximus--a.k.a. 'the Delayer' developed the strategy of 'let's bore Hannibal to Death'

Facio! Facio!--a mouse is flying through the air, you have to ask?