Proofread by Thomas F
Orok Uram
"Keep your breathing steady," I advised the recruits running behind me.
They are tired, with sweat pouring out of their bodies like a stream. Many are near collapsing, some are slowing down, while a few stubborn ones are following.
All of them are between fourteen and fifteen years of age and among the best of recruits in the army.
Now, they are trying for the elite.
When we started the run, there were over a hundred people, but now there are barely twenty who remain, and the run is far from finished.
We will not fail those who are slow or even faint. One test alone is not enough to measure a capability.
We test them for two weeks on different things before choosing them. In all the tests, we look for will and capability; these are the most important things, and everything else can be taught over time.
"This batch seemed to be better than that of the last month," said Lt. Colonel Bandstone as she ran beside me.
The higher-ups had asked for testing form both elite units to be together. Once we chose them, we could train our people in our own way.
There has been some conflict about the trainees that both of our units wanted.
There have been some murmurs from the higher-ups about separating recruitment from our daily duties. It will be handled by them; we could only watch and choose.
I don't like it. I like to be part of the process; it lets me get to know the recruits more comprehensively and make a better choice.
I don't think I will do that. If I just watch for the distance, the woman beside me thinks the same.
She trained under me when she first came to Greltheaven. It's quite regrettable that her fighting style was too different, too restrained for the wildhearts.
"Colonel?"
"Yes, it is better. There are a couple of people who seemed to have quite a potential," I replied, pushing away all the stray thoughts. I could sense the gears in my head spinning with that.
"I hope you won't fight with us over the recruits like last month. There are a few that I feel would be very suitable for the wildheart."
"Of course not, I will only choose the people that I feel could handle the mantle of my battalion," she replied, and I sighed internally.
I am now sure there is going to be a fight.
Her battalion is new, and she wants people, while mine is big and I need them just as much.
I have been recruiting since my promotion to colonel, as they ordered me to expand the battalion to a brigade. Taking the numbers from one thousand to four thousand, which is the minimum that an elite brigade needs.
I barely got the numbers, but it's not enough. Considering the expected number of battles we will be fighting.
Not to mention, we need an almost constant supply of new blood to keep the regiment fresh and fill our ranks, from losses. Even the elites are expected to be losing numbers.
Time passed, and finally, we stopped.
When I turned, there were only seven people behind us, and they looked half dead. The moment we stopped, they collapsed on the ground.
"Lieutenant, I will hand them over to you," I said to the instructor and walked away.
She walked beside me, and there was a smile on her face that sent a shudder through my soul.
"How was it?" she asked. I didn't have to ask her what she meant. After much insistence, I went on a date with her friend yesterday.
I think that was the reason she joined me today, when it is her free day.
"Good," I replied after a moment of silence. It was magnificent. Since I came back from the date last night, I could not get that enchanting woman's face out of my mind.
I usually don't go on dates. I am too busy with the brigade, but more than that, there is a fear of rejection.
I could hear that word behind my back. It is far less than before, but still, many people call me that, especially the forest orcs.
Many had learned to look past the old prejudice, but it still held strong in many. Some of those have important positions. If not for the patronage of General Stone, I don't think those people would have let me rise this high.
"Just good?" she asked, with an arched brow. I remained quiet.
It was beyond good, and I want to call her right away, but I do not feel I am worthy.
If it developed into something, she would suffer the same things I had, since I was born, because of the association with me, and I wouldn't wish that on my enemies.
She looked, but didn't press further.
Soon, we separated, and I went back to my office and finished the important paperwork before mounting the horse and riding toward the mine with my entourage.
"I had grown tired of mine; I didn't want to step inside even for a minute." Said Dina.
I am tired of it as well, but guarding it is our duty.
Though the requirement to be here had lessened a lot since before. Now, I have to be here personally twice a week, while stationing only two companies, which I rotate each week.
Since the breakout of mutated shardmaws, it's been quiet. We had to help a little when Penmaster came, but once he finished his setup, the security was handed over to the general unit.
We are elites after all; our job is to deal with dangers that others couldn't, and I believe we did a damn good job.
"It's not that bad, I kind of liked it," replied the man to my left, making Dina snort.
"I believe you elves hate such things? You love your forest and peaceful places, not the sounds of heavy tools and broken rocks," asked Dina.
"I am only half-elf and align mostly toward my human half," he replied with a grin, making her glare.
I did not disturb their banter. It is distracting, and I need a distraction from the woman's face appearing in front of my eyes over and over.
"What? Did you say something?" I asked, feeling my name called out.
I turned back, and they looked at me strangely.
"I was asking, have you not been bored with the mine?" asked Dina. "It's a job, captain. It didn't matter whether it was inside the mine or in the forest. If I am ordered, I will follow the command," I replied.
They just shook their heads upon hearing that and went back to their discussions.
It's not that I don't have preferences, but I give priority to the job. That is the most important thing to me, along with my faith and friendships.
"Colonel!"
The man guarding the mine saluted before we rode into the mine.
"It's become a damn town in here," said Sasyr, and I couldn't help but nod. The mine is massive, with thousands of people working inside it under considerable security.
It's not efficient to always go back to the city. They made arrangements.
Aside from lodging, there are taverns, stores, and restaurants here. The city operated through all of them. It is the only place where private businesses are not allowed.
There are so many layers of security here that even a high-level rogue couldn't sneak inside.
A few tried.
We changed the beasts before moving ahead in the mine. It took us half an hour to reach our destination—the place where one of the companies is guarding.
More like on stand-by to deal with any danger that might come.
They are digging for Drelthar in four places, and I have placed my companies in all of those places, along with small units of Lt. Colonel Bandstone's men.
I prefer our fighting style, but it's undeniable that her shield warriors are useful.
If it were not for them, I would have lost a lot more men.
"Lt. Colonel, how is everything?" I asked Donil, my deputy. He is in charge of the wildhearts here. "Same as the last time, Colonel," he replied.
I could tell he is bored with the duty here, like many of my people, but he will have to remain.
I don't know what is here, but the General had hinted that my men would be stationed here until we find what they are digging for and deal with it.
I was talking to him when Dina appeared beside me, and I felt her activating privacy.
"The General wants to talk to you," she stated to my surprise; she rarely calls. If she wants to have a conversation, she usually summons me to my office.
'Colonel Uram, I am activating Ardos Protocol. You are hereby ordered to take command of Excavations Route Three. No one is allowed in there until I arrive, no one!' commanded the voice, before she cut the call.
I remained stumped for a moment before turning to my men, who all turned to me.
"Company move, we are taking command of the number three," I ordered with Swift Orders. It surprised them, but my men reacted immediately and began forming the lines.
"Captain, ask the other three companies to move toward number three," I said to Dina, and began moving with my men following behind me hesitantly.
They have questions, as do I. I don't know the answers, but I will soon.
The gate is a few minutes away, but I still activated Iron Discipline while my people activated their own skills. With it, we moved fast.
We were halfway when I saw the army squad, leading the group of miners out—the people who had been working on number three.
I didn't say anything and kept moving. I passed by a few more groups of men, and those who were guarding the entrances had all become alert.
I took the last turn and reached the place they were mining, and what I saw couldn't help but shock me.
Earlier, there was nothing but a blue stone. Now, dense runes cover the stones, forming a dense center.
"My god!" Dina gasped.
I looked at her, but didn't say anything, and walked toward the middle-aged man waiting with his men.
"General had activated the Ardos protocol," I informed him, and he nodded. "I hand you the Execution Route Three, Colonel," he stated and saluted before leaving with his men.
I could see unwillingness in his eyes, but orders are orders.
"Secure all the routes," I ordered my men, and they moved immediately, while I turned to the runes covering the wall. They were shifting; they seemed to be gathering in the center. As for what reason, I don't know.
The only thing I know is that I am responsible for this place until the General arrives. She is the only person I could let inside, and no one else.
Not even the Governor of Panar.