only know where they stole the ale! The Falorians are all still in their beds. They obviously consider that they overperformed yesterday, and have earned the right to a lie in!” he said wryfully. “The Taskans, I am informed, are out hunting for food. They are refusing to move until they have eaten. And the remainder of this disgrace of an army are still asleep, having worked hard through the day and into the night yesterday disposing of the dead. At least they have a reasonable excuse!” he shouted angrily.
Vantrax began shouting and bawling so loud that he woke many of the sleeping soldiers on the plains below the ridge, all of whom now came out of their tents to see what all the commotion was. Eventually, Vantrax ordered Sawdon to fetch the hapless Strymos before him. The mighty warrior disappeared quickly down the ridge to find the sleeping Gerada. The King walked back into his tent to dress himself with his armour and sword while he was waiting for them to return.
Several minutes later, he heard the unmistakeable sound of the two warriors approaching his tent. His foul mood had still not improved and he stepped outside furiously to greet them, aware that almost all of the surrounding soldiers of the Northern Army were watching them from the plains below their elevated position.
“My King, I am reporting to you as ordered.” said Strymos nervously, as he knelt down on one knee and bowed his head. Vantrax looked down on him with anger and disdain.
“Strymos, answer me now, is my army ready to move?” the King asked bluntly, in a deliberately loud voice that all around could hear.
“Srrr... Yes, and no sire.” replied Strymos cagily. “The Thargws and some of the others can go now my liege, they will be ahead of the rest of the army who will be able to move by midday.” he answered honestly, anticipating an angry response from the evil wizard. He stood up to face the King’s wrath. Vantrax began walking up and down slowly in front of Strymos as he spoke. His words were now slow and deliberate.
“That is not what I wanted to hear, Strymos!” he stated angrily as he paced, nodding at Sawdon slightly as he passed him so that Strymos didn’t see. “Indeed, your whole performance so far on this campaign has not been good, has it Strymos? You have not served me well of late, have you? You have grown sloppy. You have a vast army at your disposal, and yet you have failed me!” Vantrax raged.
The evil wizard was about to continue his rant, but Strymos suddenly snapped and stupidly interrupted him.
“My King! That is not fair! I have failed you? What about...”
A great Thargw battlesword suddenly came swinging down out of the sunlit sky. It seemed to whistle in the wind it was moving so rapidly and it struck down viciously onto Strymos, almost cleaving him in two. Death was immediate and he fell in a heap on the floor at Vantrax’ feet.
Sawdon gave an evil smile and wiped his blade on the fur of his leg, then he calmly placed his sword back into its scabbard. The entire army below them on the plains stared with disbelief and shock at having just witnessed the execution of their popular commander. The soldiers couldn’t believe what they had seen and they all froze, lost for a response. King Vantrax turned to face them, with Sawdon at his side.
“Soldiers! Today is a new beginning! The old ways of Strymos are no longer acceptable. It is not how this army will behave. From now on, you will all be expected to behave like Thargws. You will be disciplined. You will be merciless. You will obey my every command to the letter. You will do all of this, or you will not be paid! Disobedience, laziness, incompetence and failure will no longer be tolerated. The penalty for failure is death! Sawdon leads you now, and anyone who displeases me, will answer to him!” he shouted loudly, at the top of his voice.
The warriors in the audience were all still too shocked to speak. When Vantrax had finished talking, a rather pleased looking Sawdon stepped forward to address them.
“Yaarrggh! Captains! Prepare your soldiers to move! Report to me as soon as you are ready. Zaknar! Where is Zaknar?” he shouted fiercely.
The Dzorag leader stepped forward and strode lazily up the ridge to face Sawdon, he approached him without speaking a word.