Cross Education

The Field of Mars was an interesting location. For all of the war gods present, Mars was the one whom was admired the most, and by extension, was the one whom got the field named after him. There were several oaths and tributes to him on the way to the field, and as much as Christian would have loved to have tinkered with one of them, he knew better than to get into trouble as a Centurion.

As a Centurion, it was partially his job to keep his cohort ready for War Games. It was no secret that Cohort One was the Cohort you wanted to be in. Most of the Davenports had been in Cohort One, and it was no secret that if you meant something in New Rome, you put pressure on the legion to put your kids in Cohort One. Not-so-coincidentally, the ranking went chronologically after, leaving Cohort Five to be the least desired. Christian was somewhat lucky, most children of Mercury were thrown in his Cohort, and he had a good connection with his half-siblings.

Today, sadly, wasn't about bonding. Years back, during the war, Cohort Five had seen a rise. A big part of keeping Cohort Five in the running was keeping them able to strategize and fight. Christian was good at figuring out alternative means to the traditional Roman combat stance. Getting everyone else on board before the next War Games period was an entirely different lesson. Between combat training, reviews, and meetings, Christian wasn't entirely overjoyed with how busy he was. Not to mention, he needed a moment alone to pop a pill without a thousand questions being thrown his way.

This morning's lineup had consisted of mostly children of agricultural and minor gods. As a result, their skills were not up to date. He'd hooked them up with pilums, insisting that it was easy. Five minutes into throwing, and they weren't grasping it whatsoever. "This is essentially in your blood. Somewhere deep down there, you've basically done this before. The same way Latin gets all mixed up in your head." Christian assured. His eyes drifted, his professional demeanor began to slip again.

His head turned ever so slightly to less occupied parts of the field. He didn't recognize many other people, generally he kept tabs on only his own Cohort, and people of note from other Cohorts. He spotted one whose name came up to mind. Cohort Four loved to brag about their marksmen, and Christian sure wished they'd share some of that wealth. An idea popped into his head. "Is anyone here Canadian?"

There was a confused silence, followed by a somewhat firm callback of negative answers. Cohort One would have been much more strict and full of poise, but Christian didn't mind. "Just do better at drill check." Christian insisted, light heartedly. He yanked a Canadian flag out of his bag, he'd planned to use it for something else, but now was as good of a time as any. "I notice a lot of flak in the United States about the maple leaf." He said, beginning to string in between two targets. "They say if you're looking at something you want to hit, you're more likely to hit it. Get enough holes in it, and we'll see what we can do about hanging it somewhere in New Rome. Better be a dozen pilums in this thing when I get back."

Christian approached a different part of the field, though his eyes were already set on one person in particular. People were generally against helping train Cohorts they weren't a part of, but Christian wouldn't be Christian without trying. "Evelyn Walker?" Christian questioned, as he got closer to the girl. He held three pilums in his hand. Sometimes he broke the ice well, other times he didn't. "Your centurions speak highly of you. Have you ever thrown one of these?" Christian buttered her up slightly, he saw value in areas other may neglect. Swords and shields weren't the only tools in a fight.

Evie Walker wasn't so much a fighter as she was a healer, which she now considered a good thing. She had seen what wars did to people and families, and she enjoyed her almost pacifist mind-set. She wasn't against defending herself, or fighting if she had too, she was a Roman after all. She would just rather not have too.

As of right now though, she was sitting down on the ground, using a rock as a backrest. She had originally started on a walk, but had come across a large group of people training which of course gained her curiosity, and that led to why she was now sitting down to watch the fifth cohorts training session... A almost crappy one by the looks of it... And here she had thought her own cohorts training had gone badly. She was actually relieved to find that her cohort wasn’t as bad as she had first thought, before this she had really only seen the other higher up cohorts training.

At some point in the half hour she sat there watching she had zoned out, and was taken by surprise at the sound of her name. She gasped, and shook her head to shake away her day dreams. "Uh yes?" She asked... giving him an odd look as he continued to talk. Was... Was he trying to flirt? Badly? She stood up choosing to ignore what she might consider flirting, "Actually, sir. No I haven't learned to use those yet." Evie told him, she could tell he was a centurion, and her own had stressed the need to be respectful to her on the first day. Which she wasn't too unfamiliar with, seeing as she had been a military nurse for a couple of years. Using the terminology came way to easily to her now

"Sir." Now, that had a good ring to it, Christian thought. He smirked, thinking to himself how strange it would be if he was that strict with his own Cohort. He supposed that was the downside to being around so long before his leadership change. They preformed well when it was necessary, but he still got flak from Octio and soldier alike that they disagreed with his methods. Christian was convinced, if demigods in America had it like this, what would Russian demigods be like?

His mental digression came to an end, however. "It's called a 'pilum." Christian clarified, taking a mock accent to the ancient Latin term. "The most sophisticated ranged weapon of its time." Christian said, selling it somewhat well. He was right, but, his love for the pilum was more out of convenience, and his eventual talent was probably one of the reasons the Legion had promoted him. Many of the soldiers chose to fight with unorthodox means, and it didn't bode well for formations.

Christian gestured one of the wooden shafts towards her. "Would you like to learn today?"

"Uhhh sure... I'm not in this cohort though... Are you even allowed to teach me?" Evie, asked awkwardly, as she played with a piece of her hair. She wasn't really sure how everything worked here, and she didn't want to get in trouble. But she also really wanted to leave how to use, whatever this was... a pilum? She eyed the thing, even though he just explained how sophisticated it was, she still didn't get the point of it...

"I'm a Centurion. If your leaders get mad, send them my way." Christian deciphered with a feint shrug. He let the tip of the pilum hit the ground near her, leaving it there for her to pick up. "We're one legion at the end of the day; don't let the segregation fool you. I might not be in love with Cohort One, but it doesn't mean I don't keep my eye on them." Christian concluded.

"The pilum was designed with some real progressive ideas in mind. Progressive, for them, not modern western progressiveness." Christian clarified, despite the obvious nature. "The shank is small, unlike a spear, as it makes it much easier to throw with better accuracy. Sometimes the tip of the shank-" Christian grazed the tip of the one in his hand to make a point "is softened to make it bend after a hit. Not only does this stop an enemy from returning it, but it can render armor and shields useless."

"Are you with me so far?" Christian was beginning to analyze the girl.

Evie listened with her whole being, as he explained the pilums significance to her. "Yes. Not like a spear, easier to throw, better accuracy, can't be thrown back, armor and shields useless." She paraphrased back, as she picked the pilum up to examine it for herself. "How's it used? Thrown a specific way?" She asked, smiling curious now that she knew that she couldn't get in trouble for training with someone from another cohort.

Christian raised his eyebrows, she was good. Straight and to the point. If only everyone who joined the legion had this attitude. "Your Cohort isn't using you right." Christian state with a chuckle. "Hold it underhand, and keep your arm at a right angle. The heavier the pilum, the more accurate end effective it will be. With that being said, I'd recommend learning to throw them at all lengths and weights."

The legacy turned to a target and took his position, Christian delivered a firm throw, nailing a target near the center. Close enough, he figured. "I'll cut you a deal. If I can show you how to do that, you go and do that in front of my people. Does that sound fair to you?"

"Oh I doubt they're using me wrong." She said, just cause she was a good listener didn't mean she was good at executing what she was told. She continued to listen to him talk, when he had finished she thought for a moment, "...Sure you got yourself a deal." She decided, then following what he had told her to do, she aimed her pilum at the target and threw it. It just missed, landing on the ground next to the target. "But I'm not making any promises." She told him, laughing at herself a bit.

Christian tilted his head, it really wasn't a bad throw, especially for a first attempt. "When I was a kid, really little kid, mind you, we had the idea to try to take the flag down at school using javelins. Don't ask me where the hell they got the javelins, I couldn't even begin to guess." After all, not only were they not even ten years old at the time, but they were also Canadian citizens.

"I got a hit after three tries, but, as physics dictated, it just poked a hole through the flag and came back down. We ended up scrambling, but I really liked the feeling of throwing the javelins." Christian concluded. It was always useful to be truthful, when possible, anyway. "Try again, dominiant arm at a right angle until release, as a training wheel, tilt you body, hold your other arm out to use as a sight, so to speak." Christian offered her the last pilum.

Evie let out a small chuckle at his story. "Ok, I'm trying again." She said, listening to his instructions as she took the last pilum from him. She held her right arm out to us as the sight, since she was left-handed. She aimed, and threw the pilum at the target.

This time her aim was better, well at least this time it hit the target instead of landing in the ground. She probably never would've guessed that she could be remotely good at something like throwing a weapon at a target. She had been a healer, since she got to camp and that's what most of her training had been based around since. She had even been a nurse before camp, and the casino because girls weren't actually allowed to join the military as soldiers.

She smiled, happy with herself even if it was just a small achievement. "I hit it!"

Christian let out a whistle to signify he was impressed. "I've seen people who couldn't get a dart in a board in ten tries, let alone a pilum in a target in two." He complimented. He took the walk over to the targets, picking up all three pilums. They were the training ones, of course, he didn't in particular like to use his personal ones. "These ones are for training, their shanks are hardened like all other weapons to keep them from bending. It's up to you if you want to use traditional or hardened styles. The original Romans found it useful to leave them untreated, so that they would bend and be less useful to enemies."

He walked back over, handing her the one that she'd just thrown. She seemed competent, but one last confirmation throw would be good. He glanced back to his own people in the distance, there was a dozen or so holes in his flag, he supposed it could be worse. "In these times, we usually only fight each other in practice. If you're ever up against monsters, it's probably more helpful to use a hardened tip. Give it one more throw, you're a natural at this."

"Ok!" She smiled. Evie supposed that maybe she was good at this because of the whole aiming thing. She was a daughter of Apollo after all, it would make sense for her to be good at weapons that required a person to have good aim. She took the pilums from him, and threw one at the target. Her aim was much better, and each throw seemed closer to the bulls-eye. Evie held the last one up, and carefully aimed. She threw it, and watched as it sore into the target just one line away from being a perfect throw.

Christian kept his arms crossed while watching her. She was a much better natural than he was at this. He'd mastered it, but it had taken him years. It looked like it would take her days, if she kept going at this rate. "I'm impressed. I told you, your Cohort wasn't using you right." Christian knew he was potentially creating a weapon for Cohort Four at this rate. Her history, couped with her attitude and skills, left her to be a valuable member. Sadly, there was no trading soldiers, but that was okay. She was about to help him make several weapons for his Cohort.

Christian again made the short hike to retrieve the pilums, and returned to his temporary student. He'd always been much better at training people one-on-one. "You've proven yourself. Are you ready to help me make a few dozen kids eager to repeat your performance?"

Evie was impressed with herself, so far she had been pretty bad with most of the weapons she had tried out. Which is why her cohort named her their full-time medic, she didn't mind actually but it was nice to know that she wasn't a complete dud when it came to weapons. "Uhh... Sure..." Evie told him, not really sure of how she felt about teaching others but she figured why not give it a try? It's not like she had anywhere to be anytime soon.

"Relax, and work with some confidence. Officers like confidence, even if it doesn't work out." Christian offered the advice to the girl. He'd acted confident for years under the pretense that he was keeping his own leaders happy. Surely enough, a few years and he was receiving promotions for encouraging his peers. Christian signaled for Evelyn to follow him.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Christian called forth, he used an authoritarian voice, for once, and his Cohort took it seriously. They lined up in formation without hesitation. It was a benefit he felt, being easier on them, was that they also had his back when he called for them. "This is Evelyn, she's a new friend of mine from the fourth Cohort. I asked her to come and show you how it's done. Today's her first day holding a pilum."

Christian stepped back, leaving Evelyn alone with the pilum and the targets. "The floor is yours, soldier."

"Thank you, sir." She smiled. "OK! Everyone! Pay attention to what I do!" She said, attempting a voice of confidence. She faced the targets again, and aimed the pilum. She glanced over at the group of fifth cohort trainees, to make sure they were paying attention. She was surprised that they listened to Christian even without all the extra formalities that her cohort used. She relaxed a bit, then looked back to the target.

Evie checked her aim once last time, before she threw the pilum. She watched as it sailed through the air, and landed almost directly in the bullseye. She picked up the next two pilums, and repeated the process with them. The last two also landed in the bullseye. She smiled, proud of herself for not screwing up in front of so many people. "That's how it's done. Who's still confused?" She asked, completely confident now.

To say that Christian was impressed would be an understatement. Evelyn was an utter natural. Christian would have to talk to Yoki when he saw her next. Evelyn didn't have nearly enough seniority within the legion to take authority, but Christian had a feeling that she had it in her to be a rising star in the ranks. Maybe a little naive, but all of the greatest leaders in the legion had some character flaws. Christian was no hypocrite in that sense.

A couple questions came forward from the crowd, but Christian intercepted them. "We can all learn something from Evelyn. Your will to succeed will often match, or overplay, your hours practiced." Not to mention, Christian was sure that she was probably watched somewhat close than he was. People were more prone to look when the teacher was an attractive lady. Christian rolled his eyes at the degeneracy. Still, results could be results.

"You can all pursue Evelyn for help on your own time, if she wishes to grant it." Christian used a more light-hearted tone once more, which slightly eased the demeanor of his Cohort. He gestured for Evelyn to step back. "Get in Tri-line Formation. Hit the targets."

The formation went smoothly, and surely enough, pilums began to knick the targets, and then hit them, some even pretty accurately. "You did good." Christian said, his arms crossed. His eyes weren't on her, though, he was very pleased with this section of the Cohort. "Often times, people who don't understand get left behind. Persistence is key. What do you think your future is in the Legion?"

Evie smiled, and chuckled a bit as she attempted to answer the questions that were suddenly being thrown at her. She looked over to Christian, letting him take over. She stepped back out of the way of the targets to watch what her short lesson had done. Sure enough, a few of the pilums made it to the target, and the ones that didn't were half a centimeter off. She smiled again to herself, happy that she had managed to pull this off.

She didn't move her eyes from the practicing fifth cohort soldiers. "Medic." She mumbled, she was fine with this title though. It was a title she was actually quite used too, and even loved, if only for the comfort of familiarity. "They're catching on." She said after a few moments, in the past few minutes. More of the trainees were hitting the targets, or at least catching pieces of it.

"If soldiers are the heart of the legion, then medics are certainly the veins." Christian said, he'd have shrugged at his own comment, but he was also focused on evaluating his own Cohort. They were doing much better. They weren't ready for the Olympics for sure, but Christian would accept them being ready for War Games at least. He spotted one kid hit a bullseye, and Christian couldn't help but break character for a moment and pump his fist in excitement. "Darlene, keep that up! Whoop those degenerates into shape!" Christian yelled to her. The term "degenerate" was something Christian used to Cohort Five ironically. His upbringing caused him to really resonate with the people of Cohort Five.

He turned back to Evelyn. "Well, this right here is happening because of you. If you ever seek out to move up in the legion, come to me. I'll gladly write a letter of recommendation to Yoki or Chadwick. You'd make one hell of an Optio." He offered his hand to shake Evelyn's, all the while, looking back to his Cohort. They were getting the hang of this.

Evie smiled, "Guess you're right, and thanks. I'll keep that in mind." She told him, shaking his hand. She looked back to the fifth cohort kids, feeling proud that she managed to teach them something useful. Once one kid seemed to figure out how to use the pilum, a second one would. Maybe her cohort and this one weren't too different from the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. Maybe they just needed things done differently, and there was nothing wrong with that.