Before Gawa had set foot within the boundaries of the Silvermane Tribe, the na Covenas had been just that, a na, shrouded in the mystery of distant tales. It was only upon his induction into the tribe's army that the veil was lifted, revealing Covenas not just as a figure of legend, but as the chieftain of the Silvermane Tribe.
His introduction to this truth ca from none other than Commander Kro, his grizzled superior whose respect for the chieftain was palpable.
Gawa owed everything to Covenas. The chief had extended a hand when Gawa and his brothers were re vagrants on the unforgiving slopes of Tara Hill, where survival ant pilfering from passing caravans under the threat of the sword. It was Covenas who had steered him from the brink of death, where the spectral claws of the great Beast God hovered ever-near and into a life of security.
Now, as a mber of the Silvermane Tribe, Gawa no longer knew the gnaw of hunger. Rumors buzzed through the ranks like wildfire: their numbers had swelled from a re 10,000 souls to over 20,000. Commander Kro told of a future where their ranks might burgeon to a staggering 100,000 Beastns. Gawa marveled at the thought. To be part of such a vast collective was beyond his wildest dreams.
Hence, when speaking of Covenas or Chief Covenas, as he had reverently co to call him; Gawa and his brothers spoke with a fierce loyalty, ready to lay down their lives for the man who had been their savior.
During a rare mont of reprieve, Covenas approached Gawa with a hearty laugh, his gaze appraising. "It seems Commander Kro holds you in high regard, Gawa!" His voice bood across the training field.
Flushing with pride, Gawa responded, "Yes, Chief, Commander Kro has guided us well."
Covenas chuckled, waving away the formality. "Ease your spirit, young boar! How have you settled in with us?"
Gratitude ward Gawa's words. "We are thriving under your leadership, Chief. Every day, we train rigorously, hoping to prove our ttle in battle for the tribe."
"I have no doubt you'll excel, especially you wild boar folk!" Covenas clapped him on the shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie and promise. As he did, two figures approached, Commanders Kro and Bagen.
Gawa, sensing the mont was significant, made to excuse himself, but Covenas's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Stay, Gawa. What we discuss next concerns you and your brothers directly."
Rooted to the spot, Gawa watched as the commanders arrived, their faces registering surprise upon seeing their chieftain unexpectedly. They snapped to attention.
"Chieftain!" they saluted, a mix of respect and sudden urgency coloring their voices.
They had been unaware of Covenas's presence on the parade ground until that mont, a testant to the chieftain's discreet yet impactful entrance. Gawa stood by, his heart pounding with anticipation, as the future of his people was about to unfold before him.
I was left scratching my head over the identity of the two guards at the military camp's gate today. When they saw the chief stride through, they didn't even send up a report.
"Apologies for the interruption," Covenas said, addressing the two commanders, Kro and Bagen, with a light-hearted tone that belied the gravity of their oversight.
Kro and Bagen, seasoned veterans and trusted advisors from his father's era, might not have been the most formidable in personal combat, but their strategic acun in leading troops was unmatched.
"Disturbance? Nonsense, my Lord Chief," Kro replied with a booming laugh, visibly relaxed that Covenas showed no sign of displeasure. "It's always an honor to have you inspect our ranks."
As they walked towards the bustling parade ground, where soldiers drilled with precision, Covenas mused aloud, "It truly amazes how our fBeastnes have burgeoned. Would you mind walking through our current strength?"
The surprise was evident on Kro and Bagen's faces; it had indeed been so ti since Covenas had last visited during a major military expansion.
"Absolutely, Master Chief," Kro began as they stopped at a vantage point overlooking the field. "Currently, the camp holds 2,876 Beastns under your banner. This includes 2,216 Beastn infantryn, 536 Wolf Cavalry riders, and 27 Thunderbird Air Cavalry."
Covenas surveyed the ranks with a mixture of pride and astonishnt. "To think, the Silvermane Tribe has grown this formidable without my realizing."
The commanders shared a look, both stunned yet proud. The tribe had transford from a modest band of less than 800 warriors to a formidable fBeastne, a testant to Covenas's visionary leadership.
"And beyond our Wolf Beastn brethren, how diverse has our recruitnt been?" Covenas inquired, his gaze drifting across the varied units in training.
Kro followed his chief's gaze, tallying the figures in his head before responding. "We have brought in 923 warriors from various tribes: 371 from the wild boar people, 286 minotaurs, 89 bear folk, 117 antelope folk, and 60 kobolds."
"Kobold n?" Covenas echoed with a raised brow.
"Yes, my chief," Kro explained. "Though not renowned for their combat skills, the Kobold n are invaluable as scouts. Their keen senses allow them to detect scents and sounds from miles away, enhancing our reconnaissance capabilities significantly."
"That's excellent foresight," Covenas remarked, his tone rich with approval as he scanned the diverse array of troops before them, each unit a cog in the vast machinery of the Silvermane Tribe's military might.
Kobolds, with their keen natural prospecting abilities, possess an extraordinarily robust sense of sll. This trait, although advantageous, illustrates a broader point: many Beastns, though unsuitable for roles as conventional warriors, excel in specialized positions under unique circumstances.
Covenas, pondering the armant of his diverse troops, voiced a concern. "I've been thinking it might not be best to arm our Minotaur, Boarn, and Bearn with standard spears," he said. "Unlike the werewolves, they lack the sa sleekness and agility. A rigid spear doesn't play to their strengths, making it hard for them to leverage their natural power."
Kro and Bagen exchanged surprised glances, digesting the chief's insight. After a mont, Bagen responded, "Chief, we've recognized this issue as well. We plan to consult with Master Bastos, the blacksmith, to create weapons better suited to the unique build of our Tauren and Boarn."
This revelation was not entirely unexpected. The commanders had observed during drills that the Tauren and Quillboar struggled with the spears, but Covenas's imdiate notice of the mismatch upon his arrival at the barracks was still impressively astute.
"And what alternatives are you considering for them?" Covenas inquired, his interest piqued.
Bagen, reassured that his observations aligned with the chief's, replied, "For the Tauren, given their formidable strength, we're thinking of equipping them with heavy swords or long axes. As for the Boarn and Bearn, hamrs or axes might suit their combat style better. However, we're still awaiting Master Bastos's input before making a final decision."
Covenas nodded approvingly. "It's clear you've given this considerable thought."
Turning to Gawa, the boar man who wielded a massive double-sided axe with surprising ease, Covenas asked, "Gawa, how do you find your axe?"
Gawa, caught slightly off guard, responded respectfully, "Master Chief, the axe suits well, but I hesitate to assu it will be as manageable for other Boarn."
Kro and Bagen looked on, their respect for Gawa evident; his leadership of the wild boar brigade was no small responsibility. Covenas's high regard for him only affird his pivotal role.
"Then let's have your warriors trial the axes as well," Covenas decided.
"Yes, Chief!" Gawa replied, his initial surprise morphing into resolute obedience as he prepared to implent the chief's directive.
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