Ares left the soldiers with various Captains, letting them form the new armies. They did want him to delegate after all, so they couldn’t complain.

Ares went to bathe with Lana joining him soon after. She washed his hair and then his back. When she was done, he returned the favour. He could see various families had started to bathe in the morning too. He noticed they were all equipped with some soap too.

“Do we have enough soap for everyone?” Ares asked. It was such a weird thing to worry about after having tried to figure out how to deal with his new army recruits, though it was pretty simple.

“Yes. We are still making some for a number of families for the other villages, but we are almost done. Did you wish for us to hand some to the humans?”

“Yes please. Could you hand over some as soon as possible?”

“I have five saved for you, would you like me to hand those.”

“Oh yeah? Thanks. I would like for you to hand them over, as long as we still have one.”

Lana grunted affirmatively as they washed one another before he dried off and then changed into his clothes. He would need to start wearing his armour again in order to really emphasise the army to everyone. ‘Ah right, I should probably go and check on that…’

Ares left to meet with Shima, who was the expert on metal armour. When he arrived she bowed her head.

“Ah! Ares-kin, I have your armour.”

“My armour?” He asked. “Oh, right…” He said looking at the thought to the side. It was very much righted from the torn mess he had given her. “Whoa… good work, Shima.” He said with a smile as he walked over to check out the armour. He picked it up and then tapped the metal with his knuckles before trying to slip into the armour, taking some time. Whilst he did, he spoke with Shima about something he had in mind.

“So King Abdan, you met him last night I’m pretty sure, has brought a few of his warriors over. Some of his people know how to make a specific type of armour that would help arm us much better in the upcoming conflicts. I’d like for you to work with them in order to create the armour for the Marching Blades and those units. I know I said I wanted chain mail for them, but the scale mail might work better. The children can probably help with the scale mail easier, though I’m not entirely sure about it. Can you do that for me?”

Shima thought for a moment, her lip curling downward slightly. “I am uncertain if I am able to convince them to part with their secrets.”

“Ah, right. Sorry, they already agreed before so that should be fine.”

“Oh, I see. Then I will do as you wish, Ares-kin.”

“Thanks for that. Also, if you could…” Ares paused. “Could you create a second set for me? Something made with the drake leather, or even… actually, could you make Rori a set of the scale mail? He can have the first.”

“As you wish.” Shima bowed her head.

“Then I’ll have the second.” Ares said as he nodded and then left her be to work. He whistled as he took another walk, just roaming around the area. He watched as Ark rode on by with his large wolf and Ares called to him.

“Major, taking a walk?”

Ark bowed his head and was about to drop off of his wolf when Ares raised a hand.

“Don’t worry about that kind of thing.” Ares said as he chuckled.

“Thank you, Ares-kin. I am taking a walk, Vol enjoys such slow walks under the sun.”

“Oh yeah? I need to learn to ride a wolf too…” Ares said. “I should probably send word to Heria about lending me a wolf…”

“It would be best to see the wolves and pick whichever you find yourself connecting to.” Ark said.

“Oh yeah? Alright, I’ll do that then.”

“We have a few wolves here if you wish to find one now.”

“Why not? I don’t really have anything pressing today, so let’s go and check it out.” Ares said as he let Ark lead him to the small village that the wolffolk had settled in.

Many of them saluted Ares as he marched through before returning to lazing around. The wolffolk would workout hard whenever they were assigned to do so. Each Squad had their own time and the rest lazed around so they were ready to leap into action if the bell was rung.

Ares was led to a large area that had been cleared away for the various wolves to lay around. Each wolf was larger than a man, even larger than an oxfolk. They were beautiful, their furs a variety of colours from white and grey to brown and even slightly red in some cases.

There was a single black wolf that seemed to remain by itself and instantly Ares made his way towards it. If there was one black wolf, it was obviously the wolf that was to be assigned to him.

“Good aft-” Ares said as the black wolf leapt at him, only for a Team of wolffolk to tackle it to the ground in their feral form.

Ark waited beside Ares, not at all affected by the beast attacking them.

“This wolf is not one to take to a person. There are very few allowed to even approach it.” Ark then removed his helmet and turned his head, pointing to a large scar across his cheek and then down his jaw. “These were it’s gifts to me.”

“Oh? Shall I return the favour for you?” Ares asked as he turned his hand into flame, causing Ark to pull back in surprise.

“No, there is no need for such a thing…” He replied back as he gained back his self control.

“Alright, then I’ll leave it be.”

Ark bowed his head and then the black wolf began to growl. Ares looked down into it’s eyes as he shifted his hand back to flesh from the flame.

“Good afternoon. It’s rather rude of you to interrupt another as they greet you.” He said as he waved a hand to have the wolffolk leave them be, setting the black wolf free as it leapt away and then turned to face Ares as though it was about to pounce.

Ares then raised a hand, beckoning it closer with his fingers. It pounced once more and Ares waited until it grew closer before then grabbing onto it’s neck and then spun to toss it back where it came from. It landed on it’s feet, shook it’s maw and then turned to face him again, pouncing once again as it’s powerful muscles rippled. It roared at him and then Ares stepped forward to grab it’s open jaw and forced it shut.

“Ssssh…” Ares whispered as he looked into it’s eyes. “I’ll meet you again tomorrow, next time I’ll bring some meat, alright? I just came to say hello anyway.” Ares said as he slowly allowed it to leave his grasp, only for it to turn and then try and kick him.

Ares grabbed onto it’s paws and then spun again to toss it aside before walking away.

“He’s such an adorable little…” Ares paused. “She is such an adorable little thing.” Ares smiled towards Ark.