A Warm Hart Has A Cold Revival (sequel to A Cold God Found His Warm Hart)

Chapter 13: Soldiers.

"May I have the maps please, general Hart?" I asked, turning to my temporary second in command. Roy nodded and dug in his bag for the large rolls of paper. As I unfolded the large paper Roy wiped his hand along the wooden table, throwing all of its contents on to the ground.
"Okay" I began, placing the first map on the wooden table.
"Do you know how to read that?" Roy asked sarcastically. I glared at him from the corner of my eye
"What makes you think I don't? General Hart." I asked.
"Well. Midguardian maps are different from Asguardian maps. I just didn't know if you knew what you were looking at" he defended.
"Roy, I have lived many places, many years, and many lives. I'm sure I can figure this out" I said with glare. Roy smirked and cleared his throat to remove the tension.
"Okay. How are you going to move an entire army from midguard to jotenheim without heimdall's help?" Roy asked.
"The only thing that heimdall does is he is the gatekeeper. He decides who gets to entire Asguard and who gets to leave as well as where they go. I don't need his help to get back to my home" I explained.
Roy nodded but didn't reply.
"King Loki" someone called from the cover of the trees. It was Austin.
"I've brought soldiers" he claimed from one knee.
"Perfect. Reveal them to me" I demanded with a evil smirk.
Austin looked behind him and men and some women of all shapes, ages, and sizes creeped out from the cover of the trees. The more people that appeared the bigger my smirk got. This is going to be amazing.
"Okay, have them line up and I want you and your brother to perform a full body inspection of all of the soldiers. Including the women" I demanded.
"Treat the women fairly. Don't do to a girl what you wouldn't to a boy" I said robotically. I'm upset that I have to even say these words, men treat the women here so terribly. But I won't stand for it in my army. Austin nodded and turned his back to me while he faced the army. He then blew from a whistle around his neck a sequence of short and long sounds which resulted in the army run forward and immediatly stand at attention. Austin made eye contact with his men and they all nodded in understanding before stepping forward and performing the inspection.
"I don't want anybody younger then fourteen or older than sixty in my army. I don't want any pregnant women or any sick men or women. My goal is to train you to be perfect soldiers. I'm training you for things to come. As of right now I am not ready for my war and therefore I'm not ready for your services. Which only means training you will not be rushed, it will be done correctly"
I explained. I crossed my hands behind my back and began pacing in front of them. Occasionally making eye contact.
"If you speak multiple languages or think their is something significantly special about you step forward once your inspection has been completed" I commanded. Immediately as I said this a young girl stepped to the front. She has brown hair braided down her back with brown eyes and very tan skin. She looks about the same age as Roy. I made eye contact with her and stepped in front of her. I tower about two heads over her.
"Your name?"
"Isabella Hernandez" she said bravely.
"And what is so special about you?"
"I speak multiple languages sir"
"Okay. What are they?"
"I speak English, Spanish, latin, and Russian fluently"
"Alright, you will be head of communications. Step back in line" I commanded. While isabella and I were speaking a older man stepped forward.
"Your name?"
"James Taylor"
"Talent?"
"I can read people's minds"
I froze from my pacing.
"What?" I asked.
"I can read people's minds" he repeated.
"Are you human?" I demanded.
"Well. As far as I know "
"Meet with me when we're finished"
He nodded in understanding and stepped back in line. I wonder if he has the same powers as Aceleve. If they come from the same world or are the same race. Maybe he even knows Aceleve and can answer any questions I have about her. I waited patiently as the inspection was completed and all of the members who weren't qualify for the army be removed and put off to the side in a group of mainly pregnant women and teenagers. I walked over to that small group.
"Just because you won't be seeing combat doesn't mean you won't be important. I'm going to train the women and children in the ways of medicine and the young adults into weapon makers. You will also be taught the language of my people, the ice giants. The elders who have seen combat will advise the soldiers in what to expect and how to handle it. Everyone here has a purpose" I told them. They nodded in respect and I turned to address my soldiers.
"Soldiers. You will be the muscle behind my attack. You will be trained by the most experienced commanders and you will not go into this fight ill-prepared. You will also learn the language of my people the ice giants and once you have served my purpose. You will be set free. I will pay you for your services and if you wish to return to mortal life you can. If you so choose to stay in my army I will put you in positions such as police or recruiters. However, if I so need your services again you will be required to come back and work for me. Do you understand?" I asked as I finished my pacing, occasionally making eye contact. They all nodded and said in unison "yes sir!" I nodded in my approval.
"Everyone, come together and meet your commanding staff" I shouted, getting the attention of the two groups. They all shushed their conversations and focused on me.
"my name is king Loki. This is my second in command Roy Hart" I said as I gestured to him. The army saluted me and Roy.
"This is your commanding general Austin. He will lead you into battle. This is Jackson, Austins right hand man. You will treat these soldiers with the same respect as you treat your king. Now. Disperse. get some sleep. I will brief you on your next mission in the morning" I commanded, ending my introduction.
"James Taylor. Front and center!" I commanded. James maneuvered himself through the crowd and stood in front of me in a salute.
"relax" i said. He dropped his hand but kept them rigidly at his side.
"You mentioned you can read minds?" I recalled.
"Yes sir, I discovered my talent at a young age"
"Do you know a Aceleve Hart?" I asked.
"Aceleve Hart.. "he repeated in a whisper
"No sir, I can't say that I recognize the name. Is she significant in some way sir?"
"Yes, she is my queen" I whispered, looking off into the distance with longing in my heart.
"Dismissed, solider Taylor" I commanded. He nodded and rejoined his group that had started small bonfires for warmth around the camp. I drug a tired hand down my face and sat down with Roy to discuss training strategies.

Hey guys no update and I'm so sorry!! I've been accepted into college and I just finished my first semester and stressing over finals 😫 anyways allons-y and stay fantastic! :)