Rise of the Horde

After four days, the remnants of Warghen finally arrived with the chilly breeze of the morning. There were only a few of them left, only barely 300 in total, including the female orcs and the young ones who were still not old enough to take part in battles. But they have a very big swarm of wargs accompanying them, which was more than double their population.

Haguk came forward with all seriousness on his face and kneeled down on one knee towards Xiao Chen. "My chief, I present to you the Warghen Clan. We and our wargs pledged our allegiance to you and your cause."

Xiao Chen nodded, then smiled towards Haguk. He approached him and put an arm around the clan chief's shoulders. "Here in my tribe, we are all equal unless we are on the battlefield. Just the normal salute would do. We are a race of warriors and warriors don't kneel matter what except for some special occasions."

Haguk glanced at his new chieftain and smiled in understanding. He looked at what remains of the Warghen Clan and raised his head towards the sky with one loud howl, and his clansmen followed after him and also the wargs. The village was filled with the howls of the Warghen Clan and their wargs.

After the howling died down, the trembling of the ground came as massive hollowed dust rose through the air. Everything was shaking. Haguk had a knowing smile on his face, for he knows who was about to arrive.

Xiao Chen climbed the northern walls and caught sight of the massive herd of Rhakaddons in all their glory, running with their full might towards the gates. "Open the gates full!" He shouted as the massive frames of the Rhakaddons and their numbers would surely not fit with the half open gates.

Dug'mhar, in his old ways, somersaulted forward after he pulled the reins of his steed for it to stop. His Rhakaddon's hooves skidded for a few feet before coming to a full halt. In his usual dramatic entrance, Dug'mhar posed while flexing his muscles before bowing towards Xiao Chen. "We the Rumbling Clan are ready to rumble for the chief."

Xiao Chen just nodded in acknowledgment and glanced at the massive mounts of the Rumbling Clan. There were over three thousand orcs alongside the Rhakaddons which would surely make a fine addition to his army.

*****

Xiao Chen had the Rhakaddon riders equipped with leather armor and the shotgun crossbows and had them trained by the ever strict Sakh'arran. They were first trained to shoot while stationary, then while on the move atop their steeds.

The Warghen Clan didn't have any special training, unlike the Rumbling Clan, for their purpose was to flank their enemies when the battle was already ongoing and both armies fully committed to battle.

They tried wearing heavy metal armor, but it hampered their maneuverability and slowed them down, which doesn't suit their battle style. They then equipped the warriors of the Warghen Clan with the same type of leather armor as the Rumbling Clan.

For the past few days, they trained the Rumbling Clan and the Warghen Clan in drills, which heavily emphasized on obedience and disciplined as Xiao Chen requested. He doesn't need very strong warriors, but obedient and disciplined ones. What's the use of having an overpowering army if they won't obey the commands given to them and just act as they wanted? The tides of battle are ever-shifting and the smallest mistakes can snowball into bigger ones, which could cause them the battle.

*****

Not all the Rumbling Clan had a Rhakaddon to ride into battle, which is why most of them were trained at the same fashion as the Yohan First Battalion where they will be equipped with some metal armors, a helmet, large shield, stabbing sword and javelins.

Xiao Chen observed the trainings of the new recruits under the scrutinizing gaze of Sakh'arran and his somewhat assistant Galum'nor.

"In many ways than one, your way of training your warriors differs greatly from anything that I have ever seen." Adhalia commented while watching as the orcs grunted in annoyance and exhaustion while training under the scorching heat of the sun.

"You know, you are a very odd orc indeed. You are in possession of knowledge that your race shouldn't have. You have applied some strange ideas that aren't seen anywhere else." She continued while pointing at the tall concrete wall and the huge weapons that were on the walls.

"Is that a complement?" Xiao Chen glanced at her, unsure of how to take her comments. He wasn't sure if Adhalia was complementing or insulting him, but he didn't care. As long as the humans don't mess with him, he'll not mess with them, but if they aroused his anger, then they'll experience his wrath and learn that his army isn't someone to be trifled with.

"It's a complement, chief. I just hope that you haven't forgotten the deal you had with me. Lay waste to the Ereian Royal Family and you'll have my full allegiance, but until then, don't expect too much from me. And I know that I am being watched under your orders." she smiled while staring at orcs who were full of sweat from head to toe.

Xiao Chen was surprised that Adhalia knew she was being monitored. It seemed that he had underestimated her capabilities alot.

"Don't worry, I will keep my mouth shut of all the things I have witnessed here. I swear upon Faerush name and my family's bloodline. Until then, my chief." Adhalia walked away slowly as Xiao Chen stared at her back, he wasn't convinced by her words but the rising trust rating that the system was displaying somewhat persuaded him to keep her alive which was now in the high sixties.

After Adhalia disappeared from sight, a female orc hurriedly kneeled in front of Xiao Chen with her head on the ground. "I have failed the task that you have given me, chief. I'll accept the punishment for my failure."

"Stand up, it's not your fault. It was mine for underestimating her. Continue to keep an eye on her and report to me if you find something suspicious." Xiao Chen waved his hand and dismissed the female orc who he tasked to monitor Adhalia.

"I thank you for your mercy and kindness chieftain.." She bowed before disappearing, following after Adhalia to continue on monitoring her.