Asgar woke before his brother. His routine caused him to go to stretch, but he managed to stop himself before his body punished him for attempting to limber up. He wasn't healed yet, and moving too quickly pained him as the flesh of recent wounds pulled. It made waking less pleasant and left him feeling stiff.

He grumbled and slowly sat him up with a groan, mentally taking in his environment.

They were moving again tonight, heading south-west in the hopes of bumping back into Riverstead or a town beyond it.

He gingerly got up from his bedroll, cursing softly as he stood and his leg twitched.

More than anything, his leg hurt. The undead he'd fought hadn't tried to avoid damaging his already wounded leg, and if anything, they'd wanted to target it. He silently gave a prayer of thanks to Tavig for the Aura of Strength his Oath had developed. It was only thanks to the supernatural strength he now had and offered to any allies around him that he could even stand. And that was taking into account his admittedly ridiculous pain tolerance, one born of Drakon constitution, but also of the various...difficulties he and his brother had growing up.

Tink

Asgar sighed.

"I'm not monologuing."

Argus was awake and shooting a grin of delighted mischievousness that Asgar only ever seemed to see when Argus was attempting to irritate him.

"Yes, you are."

Asgar eyed the acorn that had been thrown at him, slowly picked it up, and with a twist of his wrist, flung it back with his brother.

A much louder tink echoed of his brother, who offered a soft 'ow' as it did.

Asgar glanced at his brother. "Did that actually hurt?"

Argus held up a pair of fingers, barely apart and spoke. "Little bit, yes."

Asgar eyed his hand, and he hadn't gotten to really test how strong his Oath made him, and it didn't seem to have a consistent effect on those in the range of its Aura.

He was relatively sure his brother was receiving the full benefits of it, or at least, almost as much.

Whereas it was quite clear the humans surrounding him were not, or perhaps they were, but it wasn't adding to strength, but multiplying it?

Asgar suspected it was both, while the humans indeed were stronger around him- a strength they were somehow immediately adjusted to, as they never accidentally broke anything or hurt themselves with their enhanced strength.

But, it never seemed to be as drastic a change as he'd felt fighting in the sacrificial chamber.

Truly he ached to test his new limits, the dragon part of him urging to express its newfound might.

He sighed almost wistfully, if only because he couldn't verify his new limits, due to the various wounds on him. And he frowned at them as if it would make them disappear if he expressed how unwanted they were.

Argus snorted and laughed at his brother's expense, reading his brother as quickly as Asgar could understand him.

Asgar threw another nearby acorn at his brother- slower this time, who caught it, made it sprout, then promptly planted it in the earth. Still chuckling all the while.

Asgar opened his book of herbalism, some empty pages still remained, and he'd begun filling them in with information of the group they were traveling with.

Now he knew the exact number of the group, having taken a census of sorts the previous night and occupations of most, along with any potentially useful skills.

Their number stood at twenty-four, excluding Sol, His brother, and himself.

Of those twenty-four, fourteen were the elven guards, all of which had various levels of experience as hunter-gatherers, but even the inexperienced of their number seemed to take to it like fish to water. And while none were real experts, they had enough skill to hunt with spears and javelins and avoid the more obvious dangers.

Asgar's only concern for them was in their unfamiliarity with the region and its local dangers. As such, he was working on a list of things they should keep an eye out for.

They had even been gathering herbs for Asgar to make into the various poultices, herbal mixes, and ointments that would aid anyone hurt or wounded, of which there was already a small number.

Three guards had been injured in the skirmish with the undead, and another two had mild injuries that kept them off their feet, a sprain, and one who had managed to stab his foot with his own spear. Much to the mocking glee of his compatriots and his own chagrin.

Asgar withheld his judgment of the man; his feet were naturally armored.

Asgar eyed the paper he was writing on using charcoal. There was plenty of it; between Argus and Sol, making fires could never be easier, and Asgar could dim the light so as not to expose them to anyone tracking them.

He trimmed the piece of charcoal he was using back into a point as he thought. Mentally noting; followed by doing so literally, the existence of the two carnivorous plants in the area.

Now, the guards were surprisingly good at this, the concern was the traders from Goldhome.

It wasn't that they were useless, it was more so that they were… less useful.

Some of them were. They had a novice carpenter, already working on more javelins for their hunters- spears while excellent at hunting aggressive large game, didn't deal well with the small or flighty game, like rabbits, birds or deer. And pallid bears were too dangerous to hunt.

He subconsciously chewed on his charcoal pen, caught himself, and spit it out.

They could hunt a pallid bear. It was a possibility with their numbers. And it would provide meat for at least a couple days. With the auras he and his brother gave off, it would be reasonably manageable.

He made a physical note of it, writing down beside his entry of pallid bear 'Worth hunting in a large group? More javelins would make it better.'

His mind cycled back to the traders' problem. There were also the two ‘nurses’, who had taken care of his brother and himself, and were effectively Asgar's hands in actually using the various herbal creations he made.

Beyond those three, however, the remaining seven were of little use.

They were caravaneers. They knew horses, carts, bargaining, and other such skills. None of which were useful for the situation they were in.

It wasn't that they needed them to be useful to survive, while the traders weren't used to going off the roads, they were managing. The issue was they were bored. And while Asgar had never commanded soldiers, he'd read manuals that warned that a bored soldier was trouble.

Granted, they weren't soldiers, but Asgar suspected that little tidbit of reality would make things worse, not better. Idle and bored hands would lead to people trying to find a way to entertain themselves.

Hopefully, they'd run into a town before it became any sort of problem.

It was as he was chewing these thoughts over- as well as his charcoal pencil. That his brother interrupted his thinking.

"Does it taste that good?"

Asgar looked at his brother, blinked, and that spat a wad of spittled charcoal out. "I don't know why I keep doing that."

"What is driving that monologuing brain of yours up a tree, brother?"

Asgar eyed the surrounding humans, before gesturing around and shrugging.'

Argus nodded, understanding his brother. and replied simply. "Drill them."

"What?"

"With the spears, we have too many anyway, and if we are attacked, it would be nice if they could defend themselves enough to retreat to safety. Drill them."

Asgar caught himself nodding. "Would this work? They are not soldiers."

Argus shrugged. "Better than waiting for them to figure out a way to distract themselves, besides. Valuable life skills."

Asgar nodded, then looked to the humans and grimaced.

It wasn't that he didn't want to teach them... it was just that he'd rather do something else.

Argus's chuckling took him from his thinking again. "I will do it, my idea anyway. It will give me something to do while you do that herbalism of yours."

Asgar murmured a 'thank tavig' in drake, before going back to his notes, beginning to work on a mixture to help heal the guard with the stabbed foot as he made notes with his other hand, banishing the trader problem from his mind.

Argus patted his brother on the back, standing, and only barely containing a pained snarl.

He stopped and eyed his brother. "Do you have anything for pain in that book of yours?"

"Yes, one that involves Pitcher's berries, I told the hunters to keep an eye out."

Argus nodded. "Thank you, brother." before starting off away from his sibling.

Argus looked over the group of humans, starting at the cluster of wounded guards, who had grouped up a small distance away from the rest of the humans.

He approached them, sitting in a circle, only recently risen.

One turned towards him, approaching and greeted him warmly. "Hey, big guy! You're... Asgas? Argar?"

Argus coughed to hide a laugh. "No, Argus."

"Right! Sorry, Drakon names are new to me. I'm Kaiden." He pointed to the group, naming each one in a clockwise fashion starting from him.

"That there's Reece, She's Annie, those two are Calvin and Cooper, they’re brothers."

Argus nodded to each of them. "It is good to meet you all, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"By all means, won't you take a seat?"

Argus shook his head. "I fear if I sit, I will not wish to stand again." he gestured to his bandaged body.

"Ha, I hear that."

"Yes, I said it aloud." Argus nodded sagely. The elf-kin paying attention to him smirked at his reply, their long ears twitching as they did.

"Why do you avoid the rest of your kin?" He gestured with his head to the rest of the humans.

Kaiden's grin grew slightly strained. "I suppose we probably look pretty much the same to you, big guy. But they're a different breed than us, in most meanings of the word."

Argus quirked a brow. "In what way?"

Kaiden rubbed the back of his head. "Well, don't get me wrong, they're plenty charming. Pretty as all hells too, I wouldn't mind-"

"Kaiden, calm down." The human named Reece interrupted his comrade.

"Right, sorry, got distracted. Anyway, the traders are great and all, it's just they're..."

"Soft." Annie interrupted this time.

Argus-eyed the humans, "Soft? This is a bad thing?"

"I for one prefer them soft-"

"Kaiden!" Reece cut him off again. "Please."

Both the brothers Cooper and Calvin seemed to be snickering at either Reece's or Kaiden's expense, Argus was pretty sure something was getting lost in translation.

The human Annie- Argus thought sure she was a woman by the sound of her voice, but it was more difficult to tell with these lanky folk; clarified.

"It means... city folk, I guess. They're not that, not really. But not much better, you understand?"

Argus took a minute to think. "They are inexperienced at traveling like we are now, and as such are a burden?"

She grimaced. "Yeah? I mean, they are good people, and before it wasn't so bad, they were paying us after all. And they are good company when they aren't miserable..."

"But they don't know what to do, so they are 'miserable'?" Argus tried to continue from here.

"That about sums it up."

"Then you will be happy to hear my plan. I intend to teach them how to fight, and should we be trapped in the forest long enough, how to survive in it. I want your help."

To his immense disappointment, he did not acquire support for his idea. Instead, he was greeted by five scowls.

Cooper spoke for the first time. "No offense, sir. But that sounds like a whole lot of work for minimal gain. They won't take to it, I'd bet silver on it."

Argus glared at the man, then turned to the rest. "Do you all agree with this?"

They nodded, Kaiden smiled awkwardly.

"Sorry big guy, you seem like an alright sort, and we owe a fair bit, but trying to turn traders into survivalists isn't worth the effort even if it works."

Calvin smirked at Kaiden. "You'd just teach them to stab themselves in the foot anyway."

Kaiden scowled back. "I got distracted! it happens!"

Calvin grinned all the more. "Yeah, to you."

Argus nodded slowly, eyeing Kaiden. "Yes, you do." He then turned to Cooper. "I take your bet."

"What?"

"You said you would bet silver they would not 'take to it' I will take your bet."

Cooper blinked. "You'll pay us to do it?"

Argus nodded. "If you are right, and they do not take to it, I'll give each of you five of my scales. I lost a few in the fighting, and more came loose from being damaged. I assume most are still in the sacrificial chamber, where my brother and I saved you all. But I still have some."

Cooper cringed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, you have a deal."

Argus turned and eyed the others. "The rest of you?"

Calvin elbowed his brother. "That's why you keep your mouth shut, I'm in sir."

A round of agreements of various levels of disgruntlement was echoed by the group.

Argus smiled and nodded. "Good time to let them know training will begin."

He promptly turned as the elf-kin began to stand, some struggling to due to their wounds. But they found the Drakon's Aura chased away their pain.

It didn't remove it, just made it less important and so the guards quickly caught up with him.

Argus marched up to the rest of the group. Who looked up at the approaching Drakon and guards with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Hello, everyone." Argus started, looking around to make sure he had everyone's attention. "We are in a somewhat dire situation, as you all know. Because of this, I believe it is wise that you all become trained in the use of spears, and should we, unfortunately, be lost for long enough, forest survival."

The younger half of the traders seemed more or less agreeable, but the older half hesitated, and eventually, a somewhat portly man spoke up.

"Isn't that your job?"

Argus turned, eyeing the man. "You intended to pay us all then? Fourteen guards, my brother and I, and Sol? "

The man blanched.

"No? Or did you intend to let over a dozen people fight for you, hunt for you, and keep you alive while contributing nothing?"

Argus was not sure at first, but he was certain now. This man was one of the few who had not come to his brother with skills that might be of help.

The man shook his head, somewhat numbly. Perhaps suddenly remembering that he was speaking to one of the people who saved his life, or more likely. That he was complaining to an armed and armored dragon in miniature.

"No, uh... sir, no, I didn't." The man stood.

Argus began handing out spears to the group. They were one short of everyone having one, which was acceptable. As it left, Argus's hands were free for him to go around and correct the humans' posture, occasionally borrowing a spear to show a proper form.

He grouped the traders up in rows. Having the guards go in and guide individuals, and requesting Kaiden stand at the front of the formation with him to be used as a model.

"We will be going through essential spear work, I do not intend to turn you into legendary warriors, I simply wish that if you are attacked by a beast or the undead pursuing us. That you can defend yourself."

He eyed the crowd, who gave him a series of nods, a few sporting relieved looks.

"These forms are basic, it will not matter which hand is your dominant one. I will be instructing with a leading right hand, but if you are left-handed, simply switch sides."

Two of the group were left-handed, and Argus gestured to a pair of the guards to focus on them to make sure they had no difficulties.

"The first technique is the short thrust, the primary attack of the spear is the thrust, not the slash. You can slash with a spear. But a thrust is usually more effective. The spear is a long weapon, and excellent for beginners like yourselves. Use the length to protect yourselves."

Argus checked to make sure all were still listening, then he gripped Kaiden's spear.

"See his grip? This is wrong. his left hand should be gripped near the end of the spear, but not quite the end. These spears are a little short, so grasp it at about two-hand widths from the handle's end. Good, Now that you have done this, take your left hand- or your right if your left is dominant and bring it down to your hip. like so."

Argus guided Kaiden's hand to his hip.

"Now your dominant hand, in this case, the right. Should be just above your belly. Make sure the tip of your spear is about level with your eyes. You want to be striking out at the head of your opponent if they are living, or an intelligent undead, this may make them flinch back. This will also protect your own eyes and face, as the spearhead will be in the way."

Argus turned, studying the group.

"Remember to keep your knees bent, not so much that you lose balance, but just enough that you cannot be unbalanced by your own attacks. Put the weight of your body on the front of your feet."

Argus left Kaiden's side, slowly going through and making sure all present were doing as he instructed, and making sure they were far enough away from each other so they would not strike one another by accident.

"Very good, now strike forward. Your subordinate hand should stop right above the belly, where your dominant one was. Now strike."

Argus grimaced, even with instruction, they were struggling, a few already seemed tired simply from holding the poses.

"You, you, and you." he pointed three out. "A little too high, keep the point level with your eye, not mine. Learn to fight someone your height before you try to fight someone at mine. Again."

he watched again, resisting the urge to click his tongue. As they struck, better this time, but their forms disappeared when they ended their strike.

"Keep your forms and keep the spearhead up. You want your opponent to be afraid of being struck if they can feel fear. If they cannot, you want them to be struck where you can bring them down. Do not leave your face exposed unless you wish it attacked. Now, again, do it ten times."

Argus strolled, eyeing the group, stepping in and correcting forms when the guards didn't beat him to it.

He nodded. "Excellent, much better, all of you. Do it again, another ten."

This continued on for some time, and while none of the traders were suddenly prodigies, they did not lag behind.

"Stop," Argus spoke after some twenty minutes of this, many of the traders were panting from the exertion.

"We will take a break, you may all rest."

The humans collapsed, it had not been that long, at least not to the Drakon. But the group was not used to this type of exertion.

"You are all doing well, Now, I wish to inform you of how to fight our enemy." Argus began to pace back and forth in front of the resting group sitting in the dirt.

"Zombies and Wights. The two undead have similar advantages, they will not tire, nor do they hesitate as you might. But they have different weaknesses."

He met the eyes of his new students.

"Zombies are mindless killers, but, for all their tirelessness, they are weak. And due to this mindlessness, are often poor killers."

He hesitated.

"But, unfortunately, despite their rotting muscles, they are still strong enough to plunge a spear into unarmored flesh or bludgeon their opponent down. Aim for their head, while you may not kill them by striking at it, you will likely damage their ability to command their bodies. Axes or Swords would be better for this, but we have spears, so we will make do. They will rush you unless commanded otherwise by a necromancer. Strike for the head. If your spear gets stuck into them, and you cannot get it out, do not panic. The zombie will likely be weaker than you, so use the spear as leverage, pull to the sides, and move with the spear. Try to knock the zombie down using the spear as a lever, and call out to an ally to help finish it off. Do not try to get the spear stuck in it to achieve this, retreat backward and continue striking at its head."

Argus smiled when he saw the humans were still paying attention, some of the younger members of the group actually seemed to be enjoying the lesson.

"Now, for Wights. These are very dangerous, the exact opposite of a zombie, they will be faster than you, stronger, and, perhaps, smarter in some ways."

Argus stopped his pacing, turning and eyeing the group to make sure of them listening.

"I will repeat it. Wights are very dangerous. Do not fight them alone, but do not run either. They are faster than you and will chase you down. As with the zombies, retreat slowly, strike at the head. Where a zombie will charge, a Wight may hesitate. They are smart enough to be cautious, take advantage of this. Call for help and encircle it, strike at the head from multiple angles. And if you are confident. Strike at the joints."

Argus smiled. "Now, stand. More drills!"

The humans groaned, and Argus felt only a little guilty for smiling harder.