The Raising of a Spartan Soldier

[The Rahzgriz]

((OOC: PM me if interested. Looking for one female at least.))

"Are you tiring, Spartan?!"

"No, sir! I can keep this up for days, sir!"

The young Spartan men were in the middle of their daily exercise and training routines. One group seemed to be sprinting endlessly, but without complaint or grunt. Another had formed a sparring circle, and it was quiet except for the grunts and thuds that emanated from within it. Yet another was getting their daily flogging, but not a sound nor twitch came form the young men as blood-stained canes cracked across their backs. The one Corydon was in was doing pushups, with their trainers and commanding officers standing upright on their backs, with one arm.

"A moment's rest for you, Spartan?!"

"No, sir! What soldier needs sleep? Sir!"

The Spartan soldiers switched arms.

"How are you feeling down there, Spartan?!"

"Great, sir! I am enjoying every second, sir!"

Corydon looked as fit and healthy as any other soldier he trained with in unit. Fortunate enough to not be thrown to the Place of Rejection when he was born, he had been raised and bred like all his Spartan brethern. But he had always been a bit of an outcast from the rest. It was both a curse, for it illicited punishment when he did not act with the unit occasionally. And also an advantageous trait, because he had been notably better than the other men too. Slightly taller than the rest, he was always assigned to the second or third row in Phalanx practice. His well-developed muscles from years of training were not quite as bulky as some others, but he had shown to be stronger and faster than them still. Dark ,closely-cut hair and equally dark and piercing eyes, his face was always a picture of resignation and calm.

"Speak up, Spartan!"

Also unlike other Spartan soldiers, who were naturally laconic and brief with words, Corydon stood out once more as an especially quiet individual. This disposition often angered his superiors, the one on his back being no exception as he stomped heavily on his back. The treatment was tough, but it also suitably trained a more gifted soldier. Corydon's arm bent slightly and his body pushed closer to the dirt. But after a moment, he pushed back up. So roughly that his superior nearly stumbled off.

The training continued throughout the day. Oftentimes in places where the civilians could stand and watch if they felt like it. The years-long and seemingly endless ritual that every Spartan generation faced was a normal part of their society, and everyone knew the importance of it. While it made some mothers hurt occasionally, both the old and young, they still recognized that it was needed. Quite often the young women could be seen observing the training men, obviously finding a man that stood out to them amongst the rest.

When the exercises finally ended, just before the sun set below the horizon, the men said their formalities and left to their lives outside the military. Corydon had no family of any sort to go home to. His father had died in the best of ways: In battle, and his mother died when he was very young. no other extended family existed for reasons unknown. So he simply went to the place he always went to after a day such as this, the public baths.

 

[The Rahzgriz]

((Bump! PM me if interested, of course.))

 

[TinyDuchess]

Sotiria looked on quietly at the show of strength before her with great awe. Like most young women her age, the courtyard where young Spartan warriors train, was one of her favorite of places to visit. To see such dedication in youth was not remarkable when it came to a Spartan warrior. But still, it filled Sotiria's heart with pride to see the traditions of her people upheld.

She was young but a woman nontheless at the age of 18. Being daughter of a council elder there was little she need do with her time. As such she could often be found roaming the shops of the city. Though reently if one were looking for her it was no secret as to where she was most likely to be. The majority of her day was now spent looking on at the courtyard, much to the annoyance of the bodygaurd her father insisted on having follow her every step.

Her mother had said it would be only a matter of time before a young man caught her eye, and she had been right. He was called Corydon, that much she had learned. He was a fine specimen of man and Sotiria could spend all day looking at him and never grow tired. Day in and day out she looked on at his impressive displays of strength and stamina. She grew increasingly curious about him with every passing second, he seemed the quiet sort. If her mother was right, and she often was, that was the sort that often proved most interesting.

She and the other young women of Sparta that had gathered took several steps back as training was dismissed for the day. There were giggles to be heard from a number of the girls as the young warriors made their way from the interior courtyard and out into the city. Sotiria's eyes scanned the quickly dispersing crowd for a glimpse of Corydon. She gasped as he strolled past her, seemingly blind to the sight of her and those around him. She watched knowing he was headed to the baths as he did everyday, and she wondered if today was the day she dared to follow him.

She knew the scandal such a move would cause, knew the shame it could possibly bring to her family. Afterall a young woman of means simply did not hang about the public baths unattended. But what would she not give to have but a few moments in the prescene of Corydon and his greatness. For there was greatness to him, Sotiria could see it in him.


(OOC sorry for the delay)

 

[The Rahzgriz]

It was her again. The same young woman he had seen hanging around the courtyard frequently as of the past couple days or weeks, Corydon could not totally remember, training took up most of his attention. But the few times and moments he could avert his focus away from the pain and practicing he had scanned the people who watched him and his unit. It was not until he had looked up and spotted the same girl each time did he realize that she was observing him in particular. Her appearance rang a bell in his head, though he could not place it exactly, and he often tried to place her face. So far he had had no luck.

Until this day. As the gifted Spartan passed the group of observers, on his usual route to the bath house, something clicked in his memory. He froze momentarily in his tracks, and turned slightly to set his eyes on the young woman again. Previously, Corydon had not focused his attention so hard on the girl, since he had training he had had to have gotten back to. But now, he finally got a good look at the young woman. She very beautiful, youthful, and elegant, but had a sense of maturity about her. It was fitting for a daughter of a Council member.

Without a word, he made eye contact with her with his sharp and piercing stare. He made a motion with his head, a tug in the direction of the bath house, as if to say "Come along". Then he continued his walk towards the bath house, assuming that the girl would follow him. Corydon had always been direct with what little he said, and he wanted to ask her straight up, though in private.