Chapter 3 – Of Duels and Delinquents

I turned my horse sharply, angling him away from the camp that had just been built, looking over the wide plain that awaited us. We had been traveling for almost seven days, and now we were finally out of the mountains. My mind was clouded with several emotions: annoyance, joy, boredom, confusion, and an emotion I could quite place. The boredom was stationary: I have never been one to simply enjoy marching (and I cannot think of anybody who would), and although it was tiring, the worst part if it was the utter boredom that spawned from it. The joy was that of being out of the mountains and getting ever so closer to my home.

The annoyance was created by our guests, a certain soldier named Cinna in particular. Although all of them were 'good' riders, none of them except their leader, Julius, reached the standard I held for every soldier in my army. They weren't slow, they just weren't fast enough. And Cinna... Gods, I just want to bash his head in. I've heard him complaining, and, unfortunately for him, so have my men. He can't believe a WOMAN is in command. I know that if I don't do something very soon, we will be carrying his lifeless body back to Arretium. I may have my soldiers' utter loyalty and respect, but I cannot stop them from 'protecting my honour'. And who says being a woman in the army isn't an advantage? Most women have one man protecting their honour; I have hundreds.

And that other emotion, the one I can't place. That emotion confuses me as I don't know exactly what it is. It feels like those times when my stomach is empty, turning. It's caused by something… weird. Damn it, I know what, no, WHO it is caused by. Why do I even lie to myself? It's caused by that commander, Julius. Damn man. I have trouble looking him in eye when we're alone. Damn crushes. I've sworn off men, ever since I left my first 'home'. I won't let some pretty boy grab my attention.

I hear Brutus' stallion come up behind me, and Agro's ears flick back and forth as they come beside us. For a moment he stays beside me, silent, and watches my eyes. I scan the horizon line: the sun is in its decent to the ground. I ignore him for a moment, pretending to be deep in thought, knowing why he is here and forgetting all about my mental conversation. Damn Cinna is causing trouble again. I finally turn to him and scratch the back of my neck.

"What is it, Brutus?" I ask, but I already know.

He gives a little snort, shaking his head. "It's that bastard Cinna. If you don't do something, the boys are gonna rip his head off." Agro's ears flatten against his head. He hates him too. I give a grin and pat my horse on the neck. "He's to the point now where he's 'commenting' on how a woman cannot fight, and therefore should not lead an army." His lip twitches. "If you don't do something soon, Cassia, I will."

I nod. "Women can't fight, hmmm? How about I educate him?"

Brutus nods in agreement. There is a silence. "You better do it soon," he tells me. "Right now, actually."

I roll my eyes. "Fine." Turning Agro around, I nudge him into a canter. Brutus rides beside me. "Go get Pretty Boy," I tell him, referring to Julius. I sure as hell hope he doesn't know our nickname for him. "I'll deal with Cinna."

"Yes ma'am!" Brutus veers off to the side with a grin.

I enter the camp and slow down Agro to a trot. I can already hear angry words not far away.

"That bitch, she can't…"

"Don't speak of our commander that way!"

"We'll rip your balls off!"

Well, that seems more slightly painful then what Brutus believed they would do.

I can easily decipher my men's word from Cinna's. I come around the side of a tent, and see the Juili cornered by a gang of my second line cavalry. Lucius, the captain of that section, is ready to grab his throat.

"Gentlemen!" I yell in my most orderly voice. I see them, all of them, including Cinna, jump. My men part to allow Agro closer to the centre. "What is going on here?" I look down at Lucius with a death glare. They don't answer. "Well?"

He steps away and bows his head. "Ma'am," he begins. "He was insulting you, Commander." By now a larger group has surrounded us. "He states you are not fit to lead. And we…"

"It is not your duty to punish those not under your command, captain." I cut him off, nudging Agro between him and Cinna.

He looks up at me, his eyes solid. But I know he is hurt. He feels he was just protecting me. "But, ma'am…"

"Captain…" I warn him, and he is silent, lowering his head. I look around, seeing the group of men around us.

There is a dead silence; it seems although no one is breathing. Scanning the faces of my soldiers, I see Brutus and Julius standing near by. I breathe in, shaking my head, and turn, looking down at Cinna.

"And you," I narrow my eyes. "How dare you act in such a manner. We saved your sorry ass, and this is how you repay us? By insulting me and starting fights within my ranks."

"Damn right!" I hear Brutus, and I grin. Looking back up at my men, I ask.

"What do you think, gents? How should we punish him?" I see Cinna's eyes widen, and hear a snicker. They all know what I'll do.

"How about a duel?" It's Brutus again.

I look around, and I know that is the proper answer. "I believe so," I turn to Lucius. "Get him his horse, and two staffs."

The captain nods with an evil grin, no longer hurt. "Yes ma'am!" he turns and jogs off. The group that had surrounded us disperses, heading to the edge of the camp, knowing the duel will take place there. All that is left is myself, Brutus, Julius, and Cinna. My opponent doesn't look very impressed.

"A duel?" he asks looking up at me. "There is no point!"

I give an internal moan. I hope I don't 'accidentally' kill him. Turning away from him, I walk Agro up beside Brutus and Julius, looking down at the commander.

"I trust this is all right with you," I 'ask' him, although technically I already know the answer.

He nods, although he seems confused. "Yes, but what are the stakes?" He also seems amused by my challenge.

Brutus gives a little chuckle, and I give a little grin. "We'll see when we get there."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a matter of minutes, we're standing on the edge of the camp. A large group, most likely the entire army, is lined up on the edge of the meadow I've chosen. Cinna is mounted on his horse, a smug grin on his face. He believes that this will be easy. More of an advantage for me.

Julius' men, the ones whom haven't been causing much trouble, are confused by the whole prospect of a duel. They don't understand what good will come of this. But I know that Cinna's humiliation will get him to shut up within my ranks.

Lucius comes up to me handing me a staff.

"Best of luck Commander," he tells me with a nod. "And I am sorry that I have disappointed you."

I shake my head. "No, my good man, you haven't disappointed me. I wouldn't be entirely angry with what you would have done to him."

He nods in agreement, a triumphant grin on his face, then walks over to Cinna, handing him his staff. I know that this will be interesting.

I look around the meadow, finding the best tactical route for Agro and I to take. Cinna's still grinning, thinking that this battle is already over. Is he in for a surprise.

Before I turn my horse to address Cinna with the terms, Brutus is by Agro's head, a hand on his neck.

"Cassia," he speaks to me in a whisper. "Commander Julius has been asking about you."

I raise an eyebrow. "Really? About what?" My voice is calm, but my heart skips a beat. Damn man.

"He is concerned about your safety. He states that although Cinna is a complete idiot, he is a very able fighter."

I roll my eyes. "I've gathered that from the belief that all general's guard are able fighters, Brutus."

He nods. "I know, that's what I've told him, but he is still worried," my Captain gives an evil grin. "He seems to care about you, Cassia."

Agro stomps his foot impatiently, and I give a snort. "Don't start up with this again, Brutus." He has always tried to find me a 'man', ever since his lover, Portia, had become his wife. Both of them do it. They say it's good to have companionship; that it was the best thing they had ever done. Maybe for them, but for me, it's complete BULLSHIT. "You know me, I've sworn off men. ENTIRELY." I droll the last word out, trying to get my point across.

He shrugs his shoulders. "Fine, but don't say I've not tried."

"Good, I won't."

I turn Agro to come beside Cinna's mount, and I hear Brutus give a quiet laugh behind me. I try to clear my mind, and not to think about Pretty Boy. I don't even look at Cinna as I speak.

"I entrust you know the rules of a duel." I don't allow him to reply. "Killing each other is not an option, if one asks for mercy at any given time, you must give it. Staffs are the only weapon allowed." I finally turn to him. "If you lose, you have to shut your mouth and ride completely under my command. No questions asked. No complaints. Got it?"

He lifts his head and blows out his chest in a 'very manly way'. "Oh, I've got it," he retorts. "And what's in it for me WHEN I win?"

I do my best to ignore his over confidence. Until I can use it to my advantage. "IF you win," I let him know it a very big IF. "Brutus will command the army for the remainder of your 'stay'." I grind my teeth. Gods, I hate this man. "I'll shut up and ride at the very back, out of your sight and out of your way." It's a big risk, but I've taken it so many times, it seems quite reasonable.

He nods and murmurs: "I hope you like the back."

Agro snorts and gives a little kick, startling Cinna's horse. His horse shies and slightly rears, catching Cinna off-guard. He nearly slides off the beast's back.

"And I hope you like the ground, Cinna." I turn my horse to face my men, trying not to find Julius' face in the crowd. "Gentlemen, the terms have been set." I raise my staff. "Let the duel begin!"

I hear a loud cheer, and the boys raise their weapons; spears, swords, bows, daggers, and shields in a salute. Turning Agro back, I trot him out several dozen feet. He prances, his neck arched and his nostrils flaring. I believe he will enjoy this as much as I.

Turning Agro, to face Cinna, my visage is emotionless. I've always been told that an emotionless soldier is not a good soldier at all, but a soldier that has emotions, yet does not show them in battle, is the greatest soldier imaginable.

Apparently Cinna does not hold that as a firm belief. He is smirking in the thought that he has already won. He yells a very bad, and in my opinion, pointless, battle cry, and kicks his mount quite aggressively in its sides. The horse rears, squealing, and bolts towards Agro and I at a mad hand-gallop. I nearly roll my eyes at his stupidity. Best get this over with.

When he reaches the half-way point in his charge, I squeeze Agro's sides in a nearly invisible command. My horse surges forward: not at an alarming speed, but with all the power of a battering ram.

When he comes close, Cinna takes a high swing at my head, and I simply duck. The blow completely misses me, and I, in that moment, bring my staff up to smack him in the back. It pleases me to see a bit of amazement on Cinna's face out of the corner of my eye. He and his mount surge past. I nudge Agro with my left leg, and my horse turns around, charging towards Cinna's mount, whom has been commanded to do the same.

He takes another, better calculated swing at me as we collide, yet this time I do not try to avoid it. Bringing my staff up I deflect the blow, and promptly smack Cinna in the back again. Not hard enough to knock him from his horse, but not softly either. I hear an 'Oomph,' from Cinna as the wind is knocked out of him, and the cheering of my men at the obviousness of me having the upper hand.

Then we begin to circle each other.

As we exchange blows, I can tell that he is finally realizing that I am no push-over. His attacks become better though out and swifter, and I finally see the true soldier in him. Julius was right: he is a very able fighter. But that does not change the fact that he is WAY too overconfident.

Blocking another blow and striking him in the chest with the end of my staff, I decide that enough is enough. As he takes the split second to retaliate, I command Agro to start galloping away.

"Where are you GOING?!" I hear Cinna yell after me. I do not reply; just continue to travel farther into the meadow in a straight line, knowing that he'll follow me. And he does.

I can hear Agro's hooves steadily pounding the earth, and his breathing, although, not labored; the sound of my men cheering, as they know what is about to happen; and the sound of Cinna coming ever closer to me.

When I know he is in the right position, I pull on Agro's reins, pushing my pelvis into the saddle. My mount brings his rear-end down, coming to a sliding stop. Before we are even completely stationary, he half-rears and turns a full one hundred and eighty degrees, lurching towards Cinna, whom we are now facing. I am quite pleased with the look of confusion, amazement, and terror of Cinna's face.

Bringing my staff level with his chest and using the power of my huge mount, I close-line Cinna. Hard. With a yell, he is thrown backwards off his mount, and lands very heavily into the dirt.

The sound and sight of my soldiers' excited cheering well makes up for the trouble Cinna has caused. The Juilii soldiers are completely stunned; their eyes and mouths opened wide.

Cinna's mount bucks happily as it canters back towards the camp, overjoyed that the man is no longer on its back.

I trot Agro back up to Cinna, who snorts duly in the man's face. I point my staff at the grounded man, who is looking up at me with not a look of disgust, but one of complete and utter shock. He says nothing.

"As I said: I hope you enjoy the ground. I've defeated you, and honour dictates that you must comply with the rules of engagement." I narrow my eyes at him. "Keep quiet for the remainder of your stay, and we will not have to re-do this fight." I lift my staff and try to suppress a grin, but know that I've failed miserably. "Good day, sir."

Then I trot my horse to the camp, and to my cheering men, leaving Cinna in the dust. Quite literally.

A/N – Yet another year has passed, and yet another chapter is complete. My update time sucks, but that's partially because I've started making videos instead (Draconis1719 at YouTube). Oh yes, and I now have Medieval 2: Total War and a computer to really use it on. XD But holy crap, this was so much fun to write, but I think I'm going to fall over. I typed it up on my new laptop (:P) and right now it is 2:35 am. My mind is doing weird things at this point and time. Zzzzzzzzzzz…….