472  Chapter 472

    The dust swirled around the makeshift training grounds, a chaotic blend of ochre and brown kicked up by hundreds of feet. The sun beat down relentlessly on the assembled warriors of the Rock Bear and Black Tree tribes, their faces grim under the exertion. This wasn''t a clash of enemies, but a crucible forging a more disciplined and powerful fighting force.

    The buddy system was introduced to the trainees. Two warriors were paired. Their lives, at least during training, were intertwined. They were responsible for each other''s safety, their training mirroring the mutual reliance expected on the battlefield. This foundational step aimed to break down the ingrained orcish trait of going solo,fostering trust and understanding through shared hardship and accomplishment.

    From these pairs, five were grouped to form a rabble, the smallest tactical unit. Leadership, in the form of a rabble leader, emerged organically, usually through a display of skill, initiative, or a natural ability to command respect. This process, while seemingly chaotic, provided valuable experience in bottom-up leadership. The inherent competition for leadership positions further solidified the bonds between pairs, as they strived to demonstrate their worthiness.

    Five rabbles, in turn, formed a mob – a larger, more complex unit. Mob bosses, however, were not self-appointed. These positions were assigned, often to warriors who had endured Drae''ghanna''s more rigorous training. This element of external authority helped impose structure and discipline upon the organically formed rabbles, providing a crucial layer of control within the newly formed units.

    Ten mobs then constituted a warband, the largest training unit, under the command of a warband master, selected through the same process as the mob bosses. These individuals were warriors, chosen for their initiative, willingness to suffer more to be better, and ability to inspire loyalty and obedience. This hierarchical structure, mirroring a traditional military model, was implemented for clear lines of command and efficient coordination during training exercises.

    The training was intense, a relentless cycle of drills, sparring matches, and simulated combat scenarios. The ultimate goal was to meld the traditional individualistic fighting style of the orcs into one that was collective. The relentless physical demands were coupled with equally rigorous mental challenges, designed to push the warriors to their limits.

    The daily struggle was visible in the sweat-streaked faces, the strained muscles, and the determination etched into their expressions. But beyond physical training, there was a palpable tension, born of competition. The warbands were ranked daily, their progress meticulously tracked and assessed.

    This system, while designed to spur improvement, instilled a fierce competitive spirit. The best-performing warband earned privileges – better rations, less demanding drills, and the satisfaction of recognition. The worst-performing warband faced harsh punishments – extra training, menial tasks, and the sting of public reprimand. This reward and punishment scheme served as both a motivating factor and a disciplinary measure.

    One particular warband, composed of warriors from both tribes, demonstrated consistent excellence. Led by a warband master named Grosh, a seasoned Rock Bear warrior, this unit excelled in both physical prowess and tactical coordination.

    Grosh''s leadership was characterized by his ability to not only demand respect but also earn it through fair treatment and a deep understanding of his warriors'' strengths and weaknesses. His unit''s success wasn''t solely due to his leadership, but to the harmonious blend of all the warriors under his lead. They embraced their differences, using them to complement each other''s skillsets.

    One such scout, a young Threian named Lysander, limped back to the main camp, his armor torn, his spirit broken. He carried no information, only the palpable fear of a close encounter with a group of orcs that seemed to come out of nowhere.

    He remembered the fleeting glimpse, a dark form moving with impossible speed, a glint of steel, the chilling whisper of death brushing past his ear. The experience had shattered his confidence, leaving him with a profound respect for the enemy''s skill and an unnerving certainty of the orcish warriors almost supernatural perception. His report, delivered in hushed tones, only served to deepen the Threian high command''s apprehension.

    The commander of the Threian Vanguard renowned for his strategic prowess, paced restlessly within his tent. The stalemate was unacceptable. His orders were to secure the Narrow Pass, to proceed with the excavation as planned and deny the orcs the chance to disturb their operations in the Tekarr Mountains.

    But Khao''khen''s unexpected deployment had created an impasse, a significant obstacle that threatened to derail the entire campaign. He reviewed the reports, each one highlighting the insurmountable obstacle presented by the group of orcs who seemed to be able to blend to the surroundings.

    The sheer effectiveness of their reconnaissance and counter-infiltration tactics was a testament to Khao''khen''s training methods and the Verakhs'' unparalleled skill. He knew, rationally, that a direct assault would be disastrous. The orcs'' defensive position was too strong, and a frontal attack would result in unacceptable losses.

    The days continued, each one marked by the quiet tension of the standoff. The Threian engineers, tasked with finding a way to circumvent the Verakhs'' vigilance, laboured ceaselessly on a series of intricate contraptions – aerial scouts, heavily armored siege weapons, and elaborate diversionary tactics.

    But each attempt was met with a seemingly preemptive response from the orcs, a silent testament to their intuitive understanding of the Threian strategy. The pressure mounted not only on the Threian army but also on the Threian commander himself.

    He knew that delay was his enemy, every passing day eroding the element of surprise and potentially leading to a weakening of morale within his own ranks. He needed a solution, a breakthrough, something to dislodge the orcs from their strategically sound position.

    But the longer the stalemate persisted, the more elusive that solution seemed. The shadowed figures of the Verakhs, the silent threat of the unseen, loomed large, casting a long shadow over the future of the Threian campaign.

    Khao''khen watched the Threian camp in the distance in an area by the Lag''ranna mountains which was overlooking the enemy camp. He didn''t bring with him the entire strength of the Yohan First Horde, there were only four warbands who were with him. The first, second, fourth and the fifth, the other warbands were left behind to aid with the training of the Rock Bear and the Black Tree tribe''s warriors.