After eating the named dwarfs found Ubel to receive their orders. Like a whirlwind people came and went around the village. Things kicked into high gear, and it took four hours before everything was settled. Fifteen groups eventually moved out of the village, heading off in different directions.

Ubel watched them go with tired eyes, wishing he had something strong to drink to keep him up.

Everything will be decided tomorrow. If I had more resources it wouldn’t be such a half baked plan. If a few of them fuck up its game over, but the main weight will be put on this… girl.

Eyes half-open, Ubel turned to Reaver, who was standing nearby pouting.

“Do I really need to stay here?”

“The plan hinges on you being here, Tamer. If I had more wind mages I’d let you go to the battlefield, but alas we lack the resources so you're the next best thing. I’ll have to ask Urist to get us more tamers when this is all over, it would be a far more economical way to spend points.”

“You really have a shit attitude.”

Ubel waved her off with a yawn, “So I’ve been told. Now come into the command room, we need to make sure everyone is set up before night hits.”

As the two-headed inside to see the remaining wind mages and information members sitting around an enlarged map of the area.

Cracking his neck, Ubel stared at the map and picked a stone out of a box.

“Let’s get these pieces in position so I can catch some sleep.”

“Yes!”

Note to self... I’ll need to tell Urist to get me some officers. After all, I can't carry all of the burden of command myself.

...

In a forested area, a small campsite was being set up. The air that was supposed to be filled with fighting spirit was currently filled with dread. Normally the morale wouldn’t be bad, if it wasn’t for Agate who was staring coldly at the people below him, causing them to shiver in fear.

A calm smile was plastered on his face, but his eyes were murderous.

“God I hate being told what to do. If I wasn’t being paid so well I would just go send you all to die. Honestly, why did I even agree to this?” Agate said without remorse, berating those below him as no more than trash.

The rat-kin and fox-kin made not a peep, continuing their work. The rat-kin didn’t completely understand his trash talk, and the fox-kin seemed to be blocking out the noise as they dutifully helped set up the tents, but it was the dwarfs that felt their skin crawl at verbal abuse.

Particularly enraged was Elana, the earth mage twin sister of Thair. However, like with what she thought about Ubel, Elana didn’t make her thoughts known. Gritting her teeth, she helped reinforce an area that had lacking defenses while Agate continued his rain of abuse.

Until Agate crossed the line, deciding to focus his abuse on Tänzer, who was struggling to put his tent together, that is.

Still smiling, Agate’s words flew out like lashes, “That bastard can’t even get any good quality meats for me. How is this pansy considered a warrior if they can’t put up a proper tent? If this was Blood Mountain he’d be kicked into the ravine for being incompetent.

“A complete waste of air, food, and booze. I don’t know why they let a pretty boy like you live. If it were up to me I’d sell ya off to those fat nobles and get some gold out of it. At least the gold would’ve been more useful than you.”

Eyes laughing at Tänzer’s trembling, he continued, “Man what a noble would do to you. Dress you up maybe, like a girl, and have this-”

“Shut up.” Dusting the dirt off her clothes, Elana gave off a murderous air as she stood between Tänzer and Agate.

Finding it somewhat amusing, Agate leaned on his hand and made a gesture to continue. “Oh? So the little earth mage slut thinks she’s all that. Tell me, what gives you the confidence to stand up for this… honey trap? Is he what gets your knackers in a heat? Feel like if you stand up for him, you’ll get into his pants? But you and I both know that he swings for the other team. So why don’t you fu-”

Elana snorted, “Fuck off? Listen here shit bag, I don’t care if you're stronger than me. I’ve dealt with a lot of stronger condescending assholes and I don’t need to stand for it. If you're going to bitch then run off like the coward I know you are.

“You think you’re hot shit to be given command? You don’t have what it takes to be a leader, unlike that other prick Ubel. Even if he treats everyone like pawns he won’t talk shit to those ready to fight. So why do I have to respect you when you’ve never given us any? Go fuck off from whence you came, we have no need for someone speaking shit to comrades.”

The camp was silent as the group stared in awe at Elana’s outburst. They had never heard the usually quiet Elana lash out to anyone, making them unable to believe their own ears.

As the air filled with utter silence, Elana’s eyes carried a coldness while Agate’s carried their usual smile— although they contained a darkness hidden deep within.

The silence stretched on for what felt like an unbearable amount of time until Agate abruptly started to laugh

“Ha. Haha. HAHAHAHA.”

It took a bit for his laughing fit to end before he wiped away a tear and gazed at the confused Elana once more.

With a sigh, he leaned back lazily, “Finally someone with a pair of balls. Although a slut, at least you got some spine I can work with. Hey, everyone listen up. That earth mage, whatever her name is, is your second in command. If you need help with something go to her. I’m going to sleep.”

Elana watched with increasing confusion as Agate pulled out a pillow, laid down, and started snoring.

The only thing she could utter was just a weak, “Wha?”