1107: The Hamr and the Chain – Part 1 1107: The Hamr and the Chain – Part 1 “Then don’t you have the beginnings of problems to be solved?” Oliver said.
“You at least know what you are working to fix now.
If you can find a way past their heavy shield walls, or find a way of dealing with their chariots, or with their shield walls and their montum attacks, you can find yourself in a place of useful – and you’ll put yourself closer to that Second Boundary.” Unlike with Kaya, Oliver didn’t think he had the answer straight away for Karesh.
Karesh was the sa sort of strength driven soldier that many of his n were, though, of course, his strength and his training exceeded many of them.
Given that he was not a piece as strange as Kaya, his way forward was more nuanced.
It didn’t seem like a place that Oliver could guide him to.
Not yet.
“I see…” Karesh said thoughtfully.
He was not normally such a thoughtful person, but now his hand went to his chin, where the first few hairs of a black beard were beginning to punch through.
“Solve those problems…” “The battlefield is a series of small battles, after all,” Oliver said.
“You must see that already, when you fight man to man.
If you’re able to overco your own battles with greater ease, then you’ll be a stronger soldier for it, and more useful to and the rest of the n.” “There’s sothing in that, Captain… I can feel it.
I’ll give good thought, I will.
And I won’t let Kaya surpass – not yet!
Thank you, Ser,” he said, saluting.
“Make no ntion of it,” Oliver replied.
“Your strength shall be my strength.
It is only natural that I would assist its developnt in whatever ways that I can… And there, finally, it seems we have discovered the man that we ca here for.
Good morning, Commander Jorah.” “Good morning, Captain,” Jorah said, putting down a large bundle of supplies, and the crisply saluting.
“You were looking for ?” “Indeed,” Oliver said.
“The n are to begin their training today.
I have similar words for you as I have already delivered to Karesh here.” “Oh?” Jorah said, affording Karesh a quizzical glance.
“Unlike Karesh, as a Commander, your battle is larger scale,” Oliver said.
“You too must have seen the problems that you face with these new Verna tactics and strategies, and you might already have seen a way past many of them.
The purpose of this training – at least where it concerns the officers – shall be to make lighter work of the problems that the enemy has presented us with.
They have not shown all that they can do yet – if we are to develop any leeway for when their true heavy hitters co out, it ought to be now.” Jorah nodded his understanding.
“Group training then, Captain.
Will the Blackthorn n be joining us?
I assu that Commander Yorick will be taking part as well?” “He will be,” Oliver said.
“And the Blackthorn n shall be as well.
For now, we will start with individual training, but when the ti cos, I would have you and Verdant overseeing the group endeavours.
The likes of their heavy shield wall, in particular, should not cause us the problems that it once did.
I would have you run all the simulations that you can manage.” “Very well, Captain,” Jorah said.
It wasn’t at all a thing that the n were unused to, especially not the n that had been with him a while.
After all, it was a plan that had managed to save them when they’d encountered Talon.
If not for the improvents of their n that they’d fought for in those gruelling training sessions in the forest, it would be no exaggeration to say that they would have lost that battle.
If they were to be trapped on this Lonely Mountain, with nothing else to do aside from the mundane duties delivered to them by Karstly, then there seed to be no better use of their ti than training.
Once again, Oliver saw that his army was far from unified.
It was nothing like the dense accumulation of n that he’d forged throughout three years of fighting.
It was still a ragtag group that needed whipping into shape.
Chapter 5 – The Hamr and the Chain Oliver sat inside a tent that was not his own, a frown on his face, as he was subjected to a procedure that he would have rather avoided.
There gathered was Blackthorn bearing witness, and Verdant trying to keep the look of amusent off his face, as well as Blackthorn’s two ever loyal attendants.
“The training has begun, Lady Blackthorn,” Oliver said.
“You ought to be directing your n.” “I ought to be,” Lasha said.
“Thus, Captain, I would ask that you agree with my request without further delay.
We are losing precious ti.” “…I think we could save that precious ti if you took my word for it,” Oliver said.
“Your word is an impossibility, Captain, with all due respect,” Lasha said.
“I saw with my own eyes what happened to your hand.
That it could be healed to the point that you can use it in a matter of days… That is impossible.” “It is impossible,” Alia seconded, nodding like a seasoned nurse.
“I studied Field dicine at the Academy, I’ll have you know.” “As did I,” Oliver said, imdiately bursting her bubble.
“W-what?
Well!
Then you should know how ridiculous it is to say what you’re saying,” Alia said.
“My Lady is wise to call you out on your foolishness, Captain Patrick.
You could lose the use of your hand permanently if you don’t pay it better attention.” “Do you believe that I would allow my Lord to wander into such a reckless future?” Verdant said, chipping in for the first ti in a while, a dangerous look on his face.
“N-not at all…” Alia said, trailing off, as unable to stand up to Verdant as ever.
Reviews
All reviews (0)