Chapter 2
It was dawn's first rays of sun shining through the window that woke her. She had slept through the remainder of the night, without too much hazzle. Yet during her sleep her subconsicious had somehow analyzed more of her last vision. By now she knew for certain that the vision contained two individuals, individuals that probably escaped an Orc attack. How she knew? The reflection revealed a second, different pair of legs than the ones running at the beginning of the vision. Then there was the familiar Orc warcry, and finally their obvious failed attempt to outrun their Orcish persuers in a forest.
"They did the worst they could do" Calia thought to herself. "Everyone that has gotten a little bit of militiary training knows that a forest is the worst place to hide. The footprints, the broken leaves and branches, you just made it easier for them to track you. So flanking them was an obvious strategy. They have it too easy" she thought. "There's no honor, let alone challenge in fighting civilians. Their strategies are typical for near braindead creatures, they can't master anything but the simple stuff they teach 1st year footman recruits. They depend on large numbers of troops to succeed in battle. Luckily they're still gathering their armies for the time being. But if the High Council doesn't take action soon, the Horde will reach full strength in a matter of maybe months. They may be dumb, but not stupid, with every passing day Dreadmoore gains more allies to enlist in his army".
Calia let out a sigh. As much as she wanted to take action, she couldn't do it alone and she knew it. Besides with her visions appearing at random, they were of little use and could only get her killed if she got one at the wrong time. "Time!" she shouted. "I'm late for my duty shift!" she cursed to herself. "The Lieutenant will have my head fed to the Gryphons!". She quickly grapped her equipment and hurried to the central square of the barracks, where she found her comrades waiting to be debriefed.
"I'm glad to see you were able to clear up your shedule for us Miss Fregar" a voice spoke from among the group of soldiers. A couple of them stepped aside to reveal a rather imposing figure. A single look into the man's eyes by even a complete stranger, would reveal that Lieutenant Granis was a veteran of combat. His renowned sense of strategy had earned the Human Alliance many successes in the 3rd Troll War. Although they probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of the war, several thousands of young men owed him their lives. So it didn't came a surprise when they offered him a post where he could peacefully await his retirement, before returning home to what remained of his shattered family.
"I apalogize sir, I must have overslept" Calia replied. She respected her commander greatly, one of a select few actually, and it showed.
"I see..." Lieutenant Granis replied, letting the words hang for a moment, before continuing. A silence known to suck the confidence right out of you, sending shivers down one's spine. Having stunned his target completely, making reply impossible, he could easily mold any given situation into a for him positive one. "As I recall it hasn't been the first time this month..." he added. After swallowing deep, Calia's eased her nerves enough to risk commenting the remark, but barely missed her chance.
"Well don't worry about it too much. I can tell you had another vision" her commander read her mind. "And judging by the way you look, I doubt you had much sleep to begin with". Something clicked in Calia's head, and she soon found out she had her cloak on backwards. "Now that that's settled..." the commander let his voice trail off once more to get everyone's attention. "Let's move on to more urgent matters. It turns out the origin of the raids these past few weeks is an Orcish outpost about half a day away. We've been ordered to organise an counter-strike to prevent any more losses... And to avenge those of us that didn't survive the attacks, but rather gave their lives so that we may live". He looked around the group of warriors, who obviously were very eager to avenge their fallen brothers in arms, perhaps too eager Calia thought to herself.
"Excuse me sir. Can I have a word with you in private?". The Lieutenant locked eyes with the sorceress for a moment then agreed to her request.
"Permission to speak freely sir?" Calia asked when they were alone.
"Please do, I don't think I have to remind you to choose your words carefully, do I?".
"Uhm no sir. What's troubling me is the tactical error in rushing into battle with the specific goal of revenge only" she carefully said. And with good reason, as she could feel his commander staring at her with disbelief. Why wouldn't she want to get revenge for the Orcs' cruel and ruthless acts against humanity? He was obviously a bit shocked that someone dared to question his command, yet felt obligated to respect her for standing up to an unlogical decision that would probably just get them all killed.
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It was dawn's first rays of sun shining through the window that woke her. She had slept through the remainder of the night, without too much hazzle. Yet during her sleep her subconsicious had somehow analyzed more of her last vision. By now she knew for certain that the vision contained two individuals, individuals that probably escaped an Orc attack. How she knew? The reflection revealed a second, different pair of legs than the ones running at the beginning of the vision. Then there was the familiar Orc warcry, and finally their obvious failed attempt to outrun their Orcish persuers in a forest.
"They did the worst they could do" Calia thought to herself. "Everyone that has gotten a little bit of militiary training knows that a forest is the worst place to hide. The footprints, the broken leaves and branches, you just made it easier for them to track you. So flanking them was an obvious strategy. They have it too easy" she thought. "There's no honor, let alone challenge in fighting civilians. Their strategies are typical for near braindead creatures, they can't master anything but the simple stuff they teach 1st year footman recruits. They depend on large numbers of troops to succeed in battle. Luckily they're still gathering their armies for the time being. But if the High Council doesn't take action soon, the Horde will reach full strength in a matter of maybe months. They may be dumb, but not stupid, with every passing day Dreadmoore gains more allies to enlist in his army".
Calia let out a sigh. As much as she wanted to take action, she couldn't do it alone and she knew it. Besides with her visions appearing at random, they were of little use and could only get her killed if she got one at the wrong time. "Time!" she shouted. "I'm late for my duty shift!" she cursed to herself. "The Lieutenant will have my head fed to the Gryphons!". She quickly grapped her equipment and hurried to the central square of the barracks, where she found her comrades waiting to be debriefed.
"I'm glad to see you were able to clear up your shedule for us Miss Fregar" a voice spoke from among the group of soldiers. A couple of them stepped aside to reveal a rather imposing figure. A single look into the man's eyes by even a complete stranger, would reveal that Lieutenant Granis was a veteran of combat. His renowned sense of strategy had earned the Human Alliance many successes in the 3rd Troll War. Although they probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of the war, several thousands of young men owed him their lives. So it didn't came a surprise when they offered him a post where he could peacefully await his retirement, before returning home to what remained of his shattered family.
"I apalogize sir, I must have overslept" Calia replied. She respected her commander greatly, one of a select few actually, and it showed.
"I see..." Lieutenant Granis replied, letting the words hang for a moment, before continuing. A silence known to suck the confidence right out of you, sending shivers down one's spine. Having stunned his target completely, making reply impossible, he could easily mold any given situation into a for him positive one. "As I recall it hasn't been the first time this month..." he added. After swallowing deep, Calia's eased her nerves enough to risk commenting the remark, but barely missed her chance.
"Well don't worry about it too much. I can tell you had another vision" her commander read her mind. "And judging by the way you look, I doubt you had much sleep to begin with". Something clicked in Calia's head, and she soon found out she had her cloak on backwards. "Now that that's settled..." the commander let his voice trail off once more to get everyone's attention. "Let's move on to more urgent matters. It turns out the origin of the raids these past few weeks is an Orcish outpost about half a day away. We've been ordered to organise an counter-strike to prevent any more losses... And to avenge those of us that didn't survive the attacks, but rather gave their lives so that we may live". He looked around the group of warriors, who obviously were very eager to avenge their fallen brothers in arms, perhaps too eager Calia thought to herself.
"Excuse me sir. Can I have a word with you in private?". The Lieutenant locked eyes with the sorceress for a moment then agreed to her request.
"Permission to speak freely sir?" Calia asked when they were alone.
"Please do, I don't think I have to remind you to choose your words carefully, do I?".
"Uhm no sir. What's troubling me is the tactical error in rushing into battle with the specific goal of revenge only" she carefully said. And with good reason, as she could feel his commander staring at her with disbelief. Why wouldn't she want to get revenge for the Orcs' cruel and ruthless acts against humanity? He was obviously a bit shocked that someone dared to question his command, yet felt obligated to respect her for standing up to an unlogical decision that would probably just get them all killed.
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