Introductions and Constructions

You smile as you watch Artemis join you at the top of the hill you are stood on. She was wearing a long silvery tunic that reached just above her knees and you, with your modern sensibilities, couldn’t help but find it sexy. The only downsides were that her hair was braided and she had belted her sword on before she left but at least the belt help show off her hips.

“Are those your . . . soldiers?” Artemis asked as she reached you. At the foot of the hill you are standing on was a field that a group of recruits were using to train formations.

“Yep, I’m quite pleased with the way they are turning out” you say as you pick out that sixteen year old girl you noted and saw her maintaining her place even if she looked like she was about to keel over at any second.

“That girl looks like she should have collapsed ages ago” Artemis commented as she found the girl you are looking at. The formation that was being practised was a shield wall and this meant that the recruits were holding their shields up for long periods of time while Strabo and his veterans shouted encouragement or insults to various people. Seeing as you needed the veteran soldiers to do most of the training for the moment, you had decided that you’d keep the army’s equipment pretty similar to what the late roman empire had though you did make some changes.

Your soldiers were equipped with viking style round shields with iron rims but with a leather strapping system as well as the center grip. This allowed your troops to strap the shield to their arm for better control and allows them to perform testudo-like formations. The center grip was there just so you could quickly and easily grab the shield in a rush. The spears they were armed with had long, thin, blades on reasonably short shaft. You had designed them like that so they could be thrown before a charge or used as spears. Lastly, their swords are leaf bladed and longer than the original gladius but still reasonably short. The armor was also pretty simple, a red tunic, quilted vest and a maille, or chainmail, tunic that covered the shoulders down to the thighs. Leg and arm protection was covered by iron greaves and vambraces respectively. The helmet was a late roman ridge helmet but with the addition of articulated metal panels at the back and three feathers at the top of the helmet. The feathers were for easy identification and were a throwback to the helmets of the roman republic.

“They look almost like they are practising a hoplite formation” Artemis said, frowning.

“It works” you reply “It’s only one of the formations they will be learning and unfortunately, due to their shorter spears, it won’t be as effective but still” you add. You take a moment to look your new lover over in the daylight. Her hair, even braided, sparkled in the sunlight, showing off just how silvery it is. Her eyes were also quite silvery and sparkled just a touch.

“What?” Artemis asked, cocking an eye and flashing a smirk.

“Wish you’d left your hair down, it would sparkle just so beautifully” you reply and Artemis blushed before shaking her head.

“Oh hey! Who’s that?” Artemis asked in an obvious attempt to distract you.

“Strabo” you nod to the man that had just joined you.

“You got my reports?” the man asked, taking a moment to look over Artemis before focusing his attention on you.

“I did indeed, nice to see training is coming along quicker than expected” you reply, turning your attention to the soldiers who were now trotting along in formation, their spears resting against their shoulders as they moved.

“It’s almost like they have just that little bit more energy to give every time they reach the breaking point” Strabo commented idly.

“Yes, funny that” you say, you had been helping them out of course, training troops traditionally would take weeks, months for girls who didn’t have any experience.

“I’m sorry, we haven’t met” Strabo said to Artemis “I am Marcus Strabo, current leader of Augustus’ ‘Army’” he introduced. You snorted at him putting the word ‘army’ in quotations.

“Artemis” replied the goddess.

“Sounds Greek” Strabo commented with a frown.

“Her family’s pagan . . . the easterners aren’t too fond of their kind over there” you explain before Artemis could open her mouth. “She’s been running from the christians since” you add, leaving the fact that she’s alone now unspoken. Strabo for his part merely took in a deep breath before nodding.

“You’re safe here,” he told the goddess, who managed a smile for him “And comfortable from what I saw this morning” he added and you couldn’t help but notice the slight accusation in his voice.

“Very” Artemis purred flashing you another smirk.

“Any concerns?” you ask the aging man. Since his people mostly look to him for leadership and to act as liaison to you.

“They would like some proper amenities if this camp is going to be staying much longer” Strabo replied, stroking his beard from under his helmet

“I can easily make that happen, pick a field we aren’t using and I’ll make it a bathhouse . . . a tent bath house but still” you tell the man. Strabo’s response was to look at you for a long moment before sighing.

“That field just behind the cook tents” he said. You turn around, getting a good look at the camp and pick out the tents in question. With a direction of your will, beams of sunlight descended on the area and several large, circular tents materialised. You made sure that there would be sufficient privacy as, for now at least, mixed bathing would be a bit too much to ask. “That’s going to cause problems” Strabo grouched. Artemis giggled as, already, people were shouting with alarm and some of the braver women were moving to investigate, iron skillets in hand.

“Strabo!” came the ever sunny voice of Cattleya as she trotted happily towards you, her bare feet sinking into the grass. She had a basket held in one hand and was enthusiastically waving with the other.

“And what have you got there little cat?” you ask with a smile as the girl stopped in front of you.

“New creations!” she cheered, thrusting the basket forward to reveal what looked like a cross between a burrito and a kebab. You, Strabo and Artemis all took one of the wraps with curiosity. “Apparently the sassinids or whoever they are, like this kind of food,” she explained in her usual mile-a-minute style of speaking. “Madam Patria said they don’t have real bread so they make do with this!” she added “Oh! Hi!” Cattleya said, finally noticing Artemis “You’re new! I’m Cattleya” she introduced.

“Artemis, nice to meet you little cat” the goddess replied, a faint chuckle leaving her as Cattleya beamed.

“So?! Are they good?!” Cattleya asked/demanded, turning to look at you and Strabo. With prompting, you took a bite, relishing the well cooked meat and the vague taste of home.

“Very good Cattleya, did you make the bread?” Strabo asked to which the girl enthusiastically nodded.

“I could tell, it’s always nice when you make it, like it’s just full of sunshine and happiness” you comment and the girl giggled.

“Oh right! I gotta go! Bye bye!” Cattleya said all of a sudden, like she had forgotten something. She rushed forward, kissed Strabo on the cheek and then dashed away. Strabo chuckled as she left before letting the happiness fade from his features.

“I should get back to the troops, they won’t train themselves” Strabo commented.

“Come to my tent after dinner, we need to discuss the next course of action and I think that will be Tarentum” you say to the man as he turned to leave. The aging veteran gave you a nod before trotting off.

“So what’s next?” Artemis asked, folding her arms under her breasts in such a way that she was pushing them up.

“Well, I haven’t had the chance to try out that brand new spa of mine” you begin as you casually begin groping the silver goddess. “Care to join me?” you ask and the silver haired goddess gave you a lustful look.

“Only if you make me scream” she replied in a low and seductive voice.

“Deal” you reply in a low voice as you grab her. You teleported yourself and Artemis back to your tent. You might have left your clothes, and hers, back on the hill.