After that, Xerxes t the soldiers under Stratos command. Of the nine mbers other than Stratos, eight were n. The sole woman, whose na was Vadarca, had broader shoulders than most of the n, and looked like she ca from a culture similar to that of Bel and Fal back on Mannemid. However, instead of fair skin and light hair, her complexion was that of oak, and her nose was wide.
Fall in and introduce yourself to the Lieutenant, Stratos barked.
The soldiers lined up.
Mazlauwa of Sin-Amuhhu, said the first soldier, a tall man with curly hair.
Hes-Ra from Ku-Aya, the next one said.
Xerxes imdiately forgot all the nas, but promised himself he would morize them as soon as possible.
After the basic introductions, they practiced so maneuvers. Stratos was a veteran, and the soldiers he commanded were well-disciplined. They knew moved with fluidity, and Xerxes could tell that he wouldnt have any trouble fighting alongside them.
Units One, Two, Three, and Four were the Asgagu mage units: Xerxes with Unit One, Kashtiliash with Unit Two, short-haired Kuri with Unit Three, and Teucer with Unit Four.
The other two heavy infantry unitsFive and Sixhad Balatu healers, those being Katayoun and the skinny Ningal.
Gandash gave a speech about the basics of mage-integrated formations. Much of it was familiar thanks to Mystic Rabyas. Then he went into further detail, specifying so of the main formations he wanted the Asgagu and Balatu units to use.
The Asgagu mages were the powerhouses of the entire company. However, Gandash made it clear that he wanted them used with precision and planning. They wouldnt lead the troops, but would wait until key monts to attack, whereupon the heavy infantry with their armor and shield would act like escorts and protectors.
Under no circumstances do I want any of you Asgagu mages to run off by yourself, Gandash said. No heroics. Stay with the line. Thats how well all keep alive. As for the Balatu mages, theyre our lifeblood. As long as theyre safe, we can afford to take more risks and absorb more damage. And thats why Units Five and Six have only one primary mission: keep Lieutenants Katayoun and Ningal safe and alive, while at the sa ti facilitating their efforts to heal the wounded.
We shouldt have to deal with any Abhorrent other than potential stragglers. But there could be bandits, rebels, or even trained soldiers opposing us. As such, Ive prepared three combat scenarios to practice the formations. Well start with the one I like to call Open Curtain.
The soldiers were skilled and experienced. The mages had gotten to know each other well in the past months. All-in-all the training went well.
The days flew by.
Deploynt day was Sixthday. There was to be a parade through the city to the Gateway complex.
The graduating students were given two uniforms, a set of armor, and a ceremonial dagger. They were also assigned horses. Xerxes recognized his, a spirited fellow nad Red that hed always enjoyed riding in training.
There was a lot of pomp and ceremony. After all, though their company had sixteen mages and over a hundred and fifty soldiers, there was a lot more to their traveling group than that. The mages all had horses, plus there were five units of cavalry. That was a total of seventy-five horses, plus pack animals. There were also carts, servants, attendants, and Gandashs personal guard. And that was just Black Jackal company.
There were twelve other companies.
The streets had been cleared from the school all the way to the Gateway complex, with the avenues and streets lined with armored city guards.
Truth be told, the process was boring to Xerxes. Everything moved at a crawl. For much of the ti he found his thoughts wandering. Juggling his various friendships and relationships was becoming more and more difficult, to the point where he felt overwheld. Almost every plan he ca up with for how to balance everything seed to reveal a new problem. And now that he was a High Seer, he needed to think about striving to the level of Mystic. Would it be possible to make any progress while deployed?
After what seed like hours of sweating on top of Red, they reached the complex.
Yet that was only the beginning of another long stretch of doing nothing.
The sun was setting by the ti Black Jackal Company entered the Gateway to Ku-Aya.
On Ku-Aya, the Gateway complexes were far apart, and Gandash kept pushing them. There were no parades slowing things down, and the ti difference between the two locations made it possible to reach the next Gateway before evening.
Once on Ira, things beca easier. They marched across the complex to the Humusi Gateway, and then over to the one leading to Jehannemid.
By that point, everyone was exhausted.
Lining up in front of the Jehannemid Gateway complex, Gandash gave his final orders.
Were to be t by the Head Mage as soon as we arrive, he said. Barring unforeseen circumstances, well strike camp and have a formal dinner. The get so rest. After that, well start the march across the continent. As usual, be prepared for anything and everything. No Abhorrent have been sighted there for months, but there have been occasional teor showers. We cant afford to be complacent.
Heavy infantry will go in first, starting with Unit One. Make sure the platform is clear, then fan out.
Lets go.
Gandash led the way inside. However, the shimring Gateway didnt open as expected. Gandash looked at the operators. Sothing wrong?
Sorry sir, the shift commander said. Hold on a mont. The soldiers fiddled with the various controls for about two or three minutes. Then the shift commander said, It seems the other end isnt set for a receiving connection. We can override their settings, of course, but it will take another few minutes.
Fine. Hurry up. As the operators worked with the controls, Gandash said, Let repeat, be prepared for the unexpected. It could an many things that the Gateway isnt ready, and I can think of few that are good.
The few minutes the shift commander had ntioned stretched into nearly an hour. But eventually, the Gateway opened.
Keep your eyes and ears open, Gandash said. Proceed!
Stratos turned to Unit One. You eard the Captain. March!
They entered the Gateway.
And when they ca out the other side, it was obvious things werent going to go as planned.
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