A/N: *Shamefully updates after an unannounced hiatus*

Hope you enjoy! :D

Chapter IIX: With a Will of Iron

Another few weeks of marching brought Lugdunum within view, cresting the top of a steep and distant hill. Alas, they were not within the city just yet. Tomorrow would bring the Legio Pharus through its gates, but for tonight, Ruby was once again in Weiss' tent, learning her letters.

"You've been doing very well, Ruby. I'd like you to try this one." Withdrawing a book from within a chest, she set it before Ruby. Bound in leather, the cover bore but a single word. She ran her hand down the cover, savoring the touch.

"You have… a book?" Weiss grinned, her hands on her hips.

"Of course! They're expensive, but worth every denarii. My father has gifted me several." Ruby examined the cover.

"The… Aeneid?"

"Very good. There are three books in existence that contain this poem, and this is one of them." Ruby's jaw fell open, much to Weiss' amusement. "Now, let's see how you do with the first page." Opening the book, Ruby gasped.

"Is this… parchment?"

"Only the finest you'll find outside of Rome." Weiss said. Nobility. Ruby thought with a sigh. What would it be like not living meal-to-meal? Ordering books, having slaves, and eating fine food? Her head shook, dismissing the thought. Weiss is being very kind teaching me all these things. She reminded herself. The tribune stared at her with her ice-blue eyes, eager to have her pupil begin. And, unless I'm mistaken, I think she's enjoying it.

Her eyes scanned the ink (INK!) that marked the first page. Letters had come to her without excessive difficulty, as Weiss had been merciless in drilling her.

"The first two lines please." Her finger scanning under the words, she began.

"A-arma… virumque cano, Tro…Troiae que-"

"Qui." Weiss offered. Ruby nodded.

"Qui primus ab oris I-Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit." She finished strong, the words flowing past her lips in a hurried rush. She gave Weiss a glowing smile, and she returned it.

"Very good. Continue."

"Litora, multum-" Shouting outside drew Ruby's attention away from her reading. It was Pyrrha and Jaune, at their training once more. Almost every night, they'd been outside their tent, hefting weights or sparring. Weiss glowered. Rarely had they made such a racket.

"Ignore them. Continue." Ruby nodded.

"Ille et t-t-terris." It was no use. With the shouting, the words became too difficult to decipher. "I-I'm sorry Weiss. I'm not good enough at reading to block them out." Weiss sighed.

"I know. Just give it one more effort." Resuming from her place, Ruby's finger hovered underneath a particularly difficult construction.

"I-I… iac… iactus?"

"Iactatus." Weiss corrected, now frowning.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am." The white-haired tribune waved her apology away.

"It is not your fault." She stood, smoothing out her tunic. "I must have words with Jaune. Your studies are no less important than his. Come." Setting the book down with reverential awe, Ruby followed the officer.

Weiss stormed down the small hill towards the center of the Tribune's camp. They had constructed a crude practice ring there, surrounded by torches that fought against the encroaching night. Jaune and Pyrrha danced within it, training weapons in hand. The auxiliary commanders were watching, sharing wine and cheese while they watched their superiors.

"Jaune Arc!"

Jaune jumped at Weiss' words, earning himself a slap on the shoulder from Pyrrha's training sword.

"Ouch! Oh, uh, salve Weiss!" He said, rubbing the back of his head. "What can I help you with?"

"You and Pyrrha are shouting and grunting while I'm trying to teach my pupil Centurion Rose here," she said, placing a hand on Ruby's shoulders, "her letters!"

At once, the eyes of many powerful people were paring her apart. Swallowing nervously, Ruby saluted all of them, unsure of what else to do. The orange-haired gallic officer giggled, crying out to her with a vigorous wave.

"Salve!" She cried.

"Uh… salvete." She said, head bowing. Weiss shot the auxiliaries a nasty look before rounding once more on her fellow tribune.

"If you could desist in your training for one night, I would greatly appreciate it!" Jaune sighed, sticking his practice sword in the ground.

"I'm sorry Weiss, I'll-" Pyrrha cut him off, placing her hand on his arm. "Pyrrha?" The greek woman turned to face her, a wide smile on her face. Sweat beaded her forehead, and a metal headdress bound her matted red hair tight. She gave Weiss a polite bow.

"Our apologies, Tribune Schnee. I've been very ardent in teaching Jaune the ways of a warrior. Not everyone is blessed with talent like ourselves. He has a long road ahead of him, but he's coming along magnificently." Jaune flushed, kicking at the dirt. "Perhaps Centurion Rose could learn her letters elsewhere? We are in the middle of some very productive work."

Weiss' mouth opened and closed, unable to make sense of the words that reached her ears. Uh-oh. Ruby thought, now terrified. What on Earth is Pyrrha doing?! Jaune stepped forward between the two women.

"No matter, we can find somewhere else to practice, right?" Pyrrha shook her head sadly.

"There's very little room elsewhere in the camp. I'm afraid here is the only place we can be. But as to learning letters…" She shrugged. "That is not a space-demanding activity." Ruby's eyes shot over to Weiss. She was fuming, anger filling her cheeks with a red fury.

"Jaune… keep your greek pet in line."

Silence.

Oh gods, please, get me out of here. Ruby prayed, eyes closed to the horror about to unfold before her.

"Pet?" Pyrrha hissed. Jaune kept playing peacekeeper, hands now spread wide to keep the women apart.

"I'm sure she didn't mean-"

"Oh, I meant it!" Weiss cried, storming forward. "Nipping at his heels like a hunting hound! I expected more from the legendary Pyrrha Nikos! Training, ha! Is that what you do when you aren't fucking like rabbits?" A hunk of cheese that the gallic officer was eating slipped from her fingers, clattering to the plate and echoing across the training yard. Pyrrha scoffed.

"I see the noble house of Schnee has fallen low enough so that its sharpest fangs are the words of its soft and spoiled heirs."

"I am a Daughter of Mara!" She spat. "If you truly think so little of me, I suggest we spar. I'm sure I will put you in your proper place, barbarian!"

"Very well." Pyrrha answered. "The winner shall be able to teach their pupil however… and wherever they choose." She stuck her arm forward, emerald eyes burning beneath a furrowed brow.

"An acceptable wager." Weiss said, taking the offered arm with as little grace as possible.

"CAT FIIIIIIIIIGHT!" The gaul bellowed, leaping up from her seat, fists braced with glee. Her companion pulled her back into her seat, face hidden behind his hand.

Turning on her heel, Weiss marched back into her tent.

"Marble! Where are you, you worthless man? Bring me my armor!" Ruby followed tentatively, jumping when a heavy hand fell across her shoulder.

"For a cold-hearted bitch, our Lady does have a fiery temper, does she not?" Looking up, she saw the wrinkled, grinning face of Albus.

"You frightened me, Albus."

"I'm a frightening man." He said amicably. "Lady Schnee has gone and done it again, hasn't she?"

"Again?" Ruby asked in a small voice. He sighed, watching Weiss yell at Marble as he tried to strap her armor on.

"From a very young age, my Lady has sought conflict and challenges at every turn. It's molded her into the person you know today. And despite all the bitter rage she holds within her, it stems from a noble place." He yawned. "Personally, I hope Lady Nikos beats her into a paste. Everyone could use a good humbling now and then, none more so then our Lady."

"I heard that, you old goat!" Weiss snapped. "Any more traitorous outbursts like that, and I'll have you flogged!"

"No you won't." Albus said. "This old goat's going to sleep. Try not to break anything." Ruby swallowed nervously as Marble made the final preparations. She'd heard stories about Pyrrha whenever she'd gone into the city, exploits of the warrior ran like wildfire throughout the greek slaves in Rome. Weiss is either very brave, or very foolish.

"Pyrrha, what have you done?" Jaune asked. "Challenging Weiss like that… have you gone mad?" Do you know what she could have done?!" Pyrrha ignored him, buckling on her greaves. "She could have you flogged, or… or worse! She's a tribune, you know!" Her red hair disappeared underneath her Corinthian helm.

"As are you."

"So-"

"So she would not risk insulting you by issuing me a punishment. In addition, due to my reputation, having me whipped would cast aspersions on herself. As an accomplished warrior in her own right, I provoked her into a fight."

"Why?" Jaune handed her a wooden training spear, which she accepted readily.

"I could not stand idly by while she orders you about." Accepting her bronze-rimmed shield, her eyes ran over the symbol etched upon it: a spear with a leaf-blade head, red against a black field. "She is not your superior. I know you harbor… something for her, but she will not respect you for being obeisant." Jaune sighed. She was right (of course) but it was too late to stand up for himself now.

"Pyrrha, you don't have to do this."

"You're right. I want to do this."

Weiss left her tent, garbed in her armor. Sparring didn't involve more than training weapons, but the two women took every precaution to avoid injury. Centurion Rose trailed behind her, pushing her fingers together. The tribune bore a scutum on her left forearm, a training sword in her right.

"Well, for what it's worth, thanks." Jaune said, resting his hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. The skin below his fingers warmed considerably, but Pyrrha only nodded.

"I am your friend and servant. I would do no less."

Ruby's silver eyes darted between the combatants. She couldn't help but feel responsible, even though the issue was only tangentially related to her. The orange-haired officer waved her over while Pyrrha and Weiss discussed rules.

She gave a steep bow to the two auxiliaries.

"Look at her Ren!" The woman said, beaming. "She's terrified. Come now, that's enough of that! I'm Nora, and this is my husband, Ren." The man with the pink stripe in his hair nodded in welcome. "Come, sit, have some wine and enjoy the show!"

She obeyed. This woman is a louder version of Yang, she realized, staring at her feet while she babbled at Ruby. Filling a goblet with dark red wine, she handed it to Ruby, who stared at the liquid. She'd had wine only twice in her life.

"Go on!" Nora said. She sipped at it, the taste rich and filling.

"I… thank you… Nora. Is it acceptable that I call you Nora, Ma'am?"

"But of course!" She cried, winking at the Centurion. Ren chuckled. "I'm not one for formality, but fancy over here is." She said, punching Ren's shoulder. "He likes to stay all quiet and reserved." The officer grinned as her antics, rubbing his shoulder.

"Thank you for the wine and hospitality." Ruby managed.

"It's the least we could do for arranging this spectacle!" She replied, pointing at Pyrrha and Weiss. "Even we savage few in Gaul have heard of Pyrrha Nikos! Having her spar against a Daughter of Mara…" Her eyes glowed with excitement. "It'll be interesting to see!"

The combatants saluted each other, and stalked to the edge of the ring.

"It is agreed: the match will end only after defeat is conceded." Jaune said, now resigned to the battle. "No points, no touches are considered valid, as per the request of Tribune Schnee." His eyes searched the two women. He swallowed, pulling at the neck of his tunic. "Begin!"

They did not meet immediately. Pyrrha braced her shield, locking her spear in place. Weiss stepped forward, ice-blue eyes peering over the rim of her shield. Nora was on the edge of her seat, fists clenched and eager, beaming.

Like lightning, Pyrrha launched forward, her spear lunging for Weiss. Her spear glanced off her shield. It happened so fast, Ruby's mouth fell open. The shields met, and the women struggled against each other. Weiss gave a cry, her wooden gladius hammering off Pyrrha's round shield. Spinning, she disengaged, bringing the sword around to strike her neck. The Greek woman flattened, and the attack only rustled her horsehair plume. Lashing out with a kick, she recovered, forcing Weiss on the defensive. Her spearhead rang against the scutum, prying for weaknesses. Weiss battered aside her next strike, pushing within range of the spear.

They circled each other, eyes locked.

Weiss made the next strike, pushing forward. Their shields met, again and again. The brass center of her scutum rang against Pyrrha's circular hoplon. Hammering at the stalwart defense, Weiss knocked her opponents shield away, bringing her sword down on Pyrrha's collarbone. Weiss grinned.

Pyrrha grunted, her armor deflecting away the worst of the pain. Her spear swung around when Weiss pressed her advantage, clashing against the side of her helmet.

"Gah!" She spat, stumbling back. Pyrrha dashed forward, a wordless cry echoing across the yard. Rolling aside, Weiss avoided the attack. She sprung to her feet, just in time to deflect the darting spear.

Ruby was in awe of the spectacle before her. They traded more blows, unyielding in their advances, staunch in their defenses. They were not warriors, nor even soldiers. Such terms seemed crude, pale representations of their battle.

They were artists. Each move was practiced and graceful, each thrust and parry necessary, perfect.

Then Weiss shifted the balance. Feinting to the right with her gladius Pyrrha moved to block the strike, but it never landed. Spinning on her heel, Weiss crashed into the unbalanced greek woman, throwing them to the mud. Pyrrha escaped from the entanglement, her arm slipping out from the leather straps of her hoplon. Weiss scrambled to her feet, beaming.

She had the advantage. Even Ruby knew that. Shields were the life and death of infantry. That was the purpose the pilum served, after all. Without a shield, a soldier is defenseless.

Pyrrha seemed undeterred, spinning the spear around like a baton, a deadly whirling blur. Weiss' smile twitched. She pressed forward, and met an unbound Pyrrha. Blows rained upon her scutum, a maelstrom of strikes that caused Weiss to start a step-wise retreat.

How someone moved like that was completely beyond Ruby. Each attack flowed into the next, a river of sweating muscle that harried her opponent. Jaune's jaw fell open.

Pyrrha gave a cry, thrusting her spear into a gap in Weiss' defenses. It slipped over her shield, narrowly missing her neck. Using the spear like a lever, she wrenched her shield away. With a resounding cry, her helm smashed against Weiss', stumbling the tribune. Her scutum clattered to the earth, forgotten.

Ruby swallowed. Weiss is finished, now that Pyrrha can monopolize on her better range...

But Weiss did not falter. Instead, she rushed forward, screaming a war cry. Pyrrha's spear sailed for her chest, but she spun out of its way, the weapons gliding off each other. The greek woman used her height to her advantage, crashing into Weiss with her heavier gear and corded muscles.

She shrugged the blow off, dodging the follow-up strike. Then, Weiss did the unthinkable. She spread her hands wide, leaving her chest exposed. Pyrrha's eyes narrowed behind her helm. It was obviously a trap, but she could not decipher its true nature.

A hesitant strike at Weiss' forehead sprung it. Weiss leaned into the attack, grabbing the spear as she fell forward, sinking its head into the dirt. Her hob-nailed sandals spun through the air, and shattered the weapon in Pyrrha's hands.

Before she could press the advantage, Pyrrha lunged forward, tackling the tribune into the mud. Her gladius spun away and her chinstrap came undone, her helmet sailing through the air.

"Weiss…" Ruby whispered.

Her knees pinning Weiss' arms to the mud, Pyrrha raised her hand to strike.

"Yield, Roman!"

"Never!" Weiss spat. Her leg shot upwards, slamming into the back of Pyrrha's helmet. She also lost her helm, and her long red hair spilled out, matted and sweat-stained. Weiss hopped to her feet, hunched low to the ground. A boxing stance.

Pyrrha responded in kind, stooping down to keep herself rooted on the earth. They circled once more, panting. At this point, it would be fair to call a draw. But Ruby realized that neither would back down. She wasn't even sure a draw crossed their minds. They had separated themselves from their surroundings, falling into a battle-trance.

Weiss struck first, her fists swinging towards her opponent. Pyrrha dodged the blow, wrapping her arms around the tribune and knocking her to the floor. She wrestled with her opponent, trying to subdue her. It was no use. Weiss wrenched an arm free and drove a fist into her unprotected side.

Ruby winced as Pyrrha cried out in pain, clutching at her flank. Weiss righted herself, but Pyrrha punched her in the face, a blow that sent her sprawling. She tried once more to trap Weiss, but earned a foot in her gut, driving past the armor and stealing her breath from her lungs.

Breathing hard, Weiss advanced, crawling forward. Her fist fell forward, but Pyrrha caught it, gasping and reeling from the last attack. Pyrrha head-butted Weiss, grimacing as the blow landed. While Weiss was stunned, Pyrrha folded her into a pin, an arm around her neck and her body holding her arms tight.

"Submit!" She cried. Weiss spat, her mouth full of dirt.

"Never!" Pyrrha smashed her head against the ground. Ruby was aghast.

"SUBMIT!"

"You'll have to kill me before I say the words!" The arm around her neck tightened, choking the life from Weiss. She gurgled and rasped, feebly clawing at the arm.

"PYRRHA!" Jaune cried, bursting forward into the ring. Ruby followed him, eyes wide with fear. Jaune pulled Pyrrha off Weiss. She cried out in protest, arms swinging wildly. "Pyrrha! Pyrrha, it's me!" She stiffened, realizing who held her tight.

"Jaune?" She said in a weak, scared voice.

Ruby fell to her knees, skidding across the mud and coming to rest at Weiss' side.

"Weiss, Weiss are you ok?" Weiss spluttered, hands on her neck as she fought for breath.

"I'll… I'll live."

"Oh gods, I am so sorry." Pyrrha said, still holding Jaune. "I… don't know what came over me." Weiss just laughed. A bubbling, pure laugh, one made hoarse by her exertion. Ruby stared at her, worried she'd gone mad.

"Gods Pyrrha, don't apologize! That was brilliant!" Weiss said. Despite herself, Pyrrha gave a surprised chuckle at the tribune's sudden shift in mood. "That was the best fight I've had in years!"

"I… couldn't agree more." The greek woman mumbled. Weiss struggled to her feet, stumbling over to her opponent. She extended her arm for a handshake.

"I-I understand what happened. We got caught up." Weiss said. Pyrrha met the peace offering, shaking her hand firmly, her other arm around Jaune's neck.

"We should do that again. Maybe with stricter rules."

"I agree. I'm afraid I'm spent for tonight, however. Ruby, would you help me to my tent? I find myself a bit dazed." Ruby obeyed, taking Weiss' arm over her shoulders, and helping her along. Albus was sitting outside the tent, smoking something from a long wooden pipe.

He didn't say anything as they stumbled past. He just looked sad.

A/N: This is why we have rules for sparring, people. Anyway, fun chapter! :D Despite the 'happy' conclusion, I don't think Weiss and Pyrrha will be seeing eye-to-eye for a while.

So sorry again about the delay. I hope this chapter made up for it! Please, please, please let me know what you thought!

Glossary of Terms:

Hoplon: A heavy rounded shield wrought from wood. Occaisonally covered with a sheet of brass (that usually just covered the edge).

Anachronisms, issues to address, and other misc. addendum.

Use of the Phrase 'Cat Fight': I'm like 80% sure the phrase being used to describe two women fighting did not exist in the year 17 BC, but hell, I'm just gonna roll with it. It fit Nora's outburst too well! It's also (for me at least) not a stretch to imagine Romans using the term with the same meaning.

Pyrrha's Challenge: Reasons are stated in the story.

Sparring: A very common practice, especially among the legions as a method to reinforce training.

Books: This one I'm not 100% on. I'm fairly certain they existed at this point in history, but I can't say for sure. I know for damn sure a copy of the Aeneid would be rare as shit though, which I tried to portray here!

Ruby's surprise about ink: Most writing in Roman times was chiseled out of stone, on re-usable wax tablets, or painted. For Ruby (a farm-girl), she's probably only heard of ink.

REVIEW REPLIES:

George Oswald Dannyson: You're goddamn right, and I agree whole-heartedly.

LegionOfMisfits: Believe me, I'm just excited as you! I'm having a blast with this story!

OBSERVER01: Ooh, now that's a possibility!

Via: I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was my favorite entrance as well! And you were correct, it was implied to be Tuckson! ;)

OmegaCloud696: Hey, I'm glad to hear you're a fan! You rock!

Gafgar: Damn... good point. I should probably go back and switch it! (Add it to the revision list!) I'm really glad to have you here, I appreciate all the info you have, it's incredibly useful!

SovietSniper92: I'm super pumped you're still with me! I love reading your reviews! As for Emerald being Syrian, it wasn't uncommon for slavers to go roaming around and capturing people. IIRC, not all slaves came from wars!

KCNederland: Wow, thank you so much! I'm blushing! Thanks for the CC, I'll definitely take a look back at it!

Mintskittle: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoying yourself!

Next Chapter: Story time with Albus! Also... ARKOS! :D