[h3]Francisco de la Cal Delgado[/h3]

The abrupt change from wandering about the city to the rigid training regime that came crashing down on his head was almost bewildering for Francisco. He familiar with being stressed, trying to round up animals that had stampeded in a thunder storm, hunting Wolves, running from his lovers fathers, but none of that had prepared him for army life any more than learning how to bath cats might have.

He had been very careful with his uniform when it was issued. Being of peasant stock he knew how to keep things clean and organized. While he could not read the Latin papers given to him, a helpful soldier he had befriended during his initial four days, had showed him how to properly wear the uniform so that when the inspection came the Lieutenant had only growled at him to fix his twisted chin strap on the helmet. It was a good feeling for Francisco to pass that little test. 

He dutifully yelled "Yes sir!" with everyone else, though perhaps a bit late as he wasn't aware that Officers were called "Sir" instead of their rank. His lapse had been surely noted by a Lance Corporal who was eye balling him near by, or maybe it was a Sergeant, he didn't know the rank structure at all! He felt glad that the Lieutenant was in charge, he seemed serious but at least he was trying to explain things to everyone. Francisco had been warned by the friends he had made that the first four weeks would be the hardest of training as he got used to everything, but it didn't seem so bad.

Then the men were assigned and the units broken up and he understood what those warnings had been about as the soldier who had been glowering at him took over. He resisted the urge to try and smile at the man. He knew he was likeable but did not think that this was the time or the place. The military was a serious business after all. 

With a little indignant puff the veteran paused and swiveled to face the new men without much apparent movement in his legs. "Oh no you bunch aren't going to be able to learn that here. Most of your filthy hides will be shot or chopped up. But we'll do our best so you at least won't wet yourself... much. We're going to split you up for various parts of the training. You think you just might just be smart enough to manage that? Good."

Francisco was surprised at the speech. It seemed strange to tell everyone they were going to die. Didn't you want people to stay in the unit, scaring them was hardly going to do that. He risked a glance down the ranks and saw that the others didn't look afraid. He stiffened his spin and stared ahead. If they could be brave, so could he. His arm was on fire from where the carbine sight was digging into his bicep and the helmet was heavy on his head, he'd never worn anything heavier than a hat before. 

Eventually they were detailed off to begin training. Francisco was pleased to be assigned to a lad his own age by the name of Konyk. The man looked as much like a boy as he did, though he wore expensive spectacles which Francisco had only seen on Priests back home. The two had barely introduced themselves when the angry soldier appeared again and screamed in Francisco's ear. 

"A hundred push-ups in a minute, then perform the eighteen-count manual of arms in perfect form and order. You fail, you do it again. You do it right then you can have a drink." 

Francisco clumsy put his carbine down and dropped into a push up position. He knew that much at least and physical exercise was something he was used to. He was strongly built, fitter than most, but as he began to hammer out the push-ups he began to feel a burn in his arms. There was no way he would be able to complete one hundred push-ups in a minute!

Then, the Varangian squatted down beside him and hissed "You a Catholic, Iberian?" with venom to make a snake envious. 

Fransisco almost stopped his push-ups to answer but caught himself at the last second. Sweat was already pouring down his face as he reach forty, his reply coming out between each push-up.

"I. Think. So. Sir." The rhythm of the push-ups was slowing as he went now but he had noticed that the man did not carry a time piece. Around eighty push-ups he began to fade and then, arms shaking, he crashed onto the stone of the parade square.