Pillars of Age

Rivar's First

RIVAR

Rivar followed Cirro's order to sit beneath a cliff, its rocky face looming slightly taller than him. He carefully removed two leather pouches filled with potions and ingredients from Green Leaf, placing them at the base of the cliff behind Cirro's position.

"It's been a while since my war hammer smashed a War-Orc," Cirro chattered with excitement to Rivar, who only nodded while drawing his sword from its plain wooden scabbard.

Rivar's long sword appeared unassuming, its scabbard and handle devoid of adornment or carving. However, the blade, shaped like Auveda's sword, gleamed with a pristine luster. Rivar meticulously cleaned and sharpened it, especially after each training session with Auveda.

Despite being forged from high-quality iron, the blade was still no match for Auveda's elf-silver sword. Any scratches and nicks needed immediate attention to prevent breakage, particularly in future training sessions with Auveda.

"A sword like that will only scratch a War-Orc. Unlike these hammers of mine, one swing will crush their armor and bones," Cirro continued, a broad smile breaking through his thick beard and mustache. Rivar also noticed his bald head gleaming more brightly.

Sara sat next to Rivar, her voice firm as she reminded the two soldiers nearby, "Control your excitement. We're here to ambush; we must remain unseen until Harlan's command. After that, you can fight and shout to your heart's content."

"I know. I'm the one that had been fighting alongside Harlan first!" protested Cirro, annoyance flashing across his face, quickly replacing his earlier jovial expression.

"Rivar, how do you fight?" Sara asked while avoiding another tiring conversation with Cirro.

"Fight?" Rivar repeated, still confused.

"Harlan mentioned you use a powerful and unique sword skill called Gravhia, but I've never seen you train or fight with this Gravhia skill."

"I fight..." Rivar struggled to articulate, then continued, "...when I'm attacked."

Sara's confusion was evident, her brow furrowing as she turned to Cirro for clarification.

"Indeed, when Harlan asked me to test that Gravhia skill, I was the only one attacking while he only defended. But it was quite effective; none of my attacks hit him," Cirro explained.

"So he doesn't attack first?" Sara asked Cirro.

"Rivar doesn't need to attack because Cirro was already knocked down when his attack was parried," Harlan interjected, arriving at the scene.

"Hey, I wasn't prepared for that strange skill back then!" Cirro protested.

"Fine, Cirro. What I need now is for you to get ready at the end of that cliff. When I attack, you charge them with all your might and voice," Harlan ordered, pointing towards the designated spot.

Cirro walked away, commenting, "Of course, it's no fun fighting quietly."

Sara approached Harlan, her voice tinged with hesitation, "Harlan, do you..."

"I assumed Var-Valikh Mivhnar would be with the ambush troops," Harlan commented before Sara could finish her words. His attention already on several approaching Forest Elves.

"It's not surprising if Harlan's soldiers already know that in the Forest Army unit, a Var-Valikh must have different skills from their Valikh," Mivhnar replied.

"Have you found enemy soldiers that are patrolling outside their base?" Harlan asked.

"We've checked the tracks around their base, there should be no enemies except those gathered there, A strange luck indeed," Mivhnar answered.