Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

A Dark Mission Renewed

Oddly enough a similar thought was going through Osteon's mind as he visually inspected the most recent cohort of enhanced Tjor'riin soldiers come from the breeding pits. The powerful shadow elves were already garbed in breastplates and chain mail, fashioned by weapon smiths in one of the many forges scattered throughout the breeding pit complex. Hands behind his back, the wiry sorcerer strode down the line, his eyes critical as he examined the new soldiers and their armour, crafted to specifications he had brought with him from council headquarters. Gauntleted hands behind their backs, heads thrown proudly back and their legs spread in parade stance, the new tjor'riin were imposing creatures.

With such soldiers manning the lines, the regular tjor'riin, Nahkiwin and trolls of Bren's loyalist forces wouldn't stand a chance, he silently mused. With efforts to undermine the former Crimson emperor's efforts here, in the Gyren, well underway, it wouldn't be long before the Kaal Eran, frustrated with their ally's inability to carry out his end of their alliance, began putting pressure on Bren to either do the job, or face being removed. By force, if necessary.

He reached the end of the line and looked at one of the original two he had brought with him that was standing there, the rank of commander on his collar. The big enhanced tjor'riin returned the look without expression.

<<Do they meet your approval, my lord Osteon?>> he asked in a grating rumble.

<<Marginally, commander,>> the wiry sorcerer replied, gazing back down along the line. <<How quickly are the pits working now?>>

<<At full capacity, my lord. We should have a full company by day's end.>>

Osteon nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. With the pit's breeders working full time on building the enhanced tjor'riin, they should have a sizable force in a few days. More than enough to begin the council's campaign in the southern Gyren against the Bren loyalists and their Kaal Eran advisers. But he couldn't be satisfied with that. There were still a number of pits in the vicinity he could appropriate and direct their breeders to create enhanced dark soldiers. The output of three or four pits working at full capacity would build not only a company, but an entire army as well by the end of a day. An army he could use to fulfill his purpose here, in the Gyren.

<<Select a squad to accompany me to the next breeding pit east, commander. I wish to spread the good word.>>

<<At once, my lord,>> the big tjor'riin rumbled then turned to stride himself down the line, rapping sharply with an armored knuckle on the breastplate of each he chose to join Osteon's escort. As each was selected, they quickly turned to jog to where a quartermaster was already assembling field kits with provisions, blankets and equipment, to pick up their assigned gear.

A quick march up the ramps later found Osteon and his erstwhile escort in the underground stables. Having sent ahead the order to prepare the animal for his immediate departure, he nodded in brief satisfaction in discovering the horse saddled and provisions stored. Taking hold of the saddle horn, he swung himself easily up into the saddle, his robes proving no trouble to the experienced rider. He then guided his mount up the final, torch-lit ramp that led outside, the enhanced Tjor'riin easily striding behind him, their enhanced speed and strength easily letting them keep up with the horse's trot with little or no effort.

Once clear of the rectangular entrance and past its screen of trees and brush, Osteon immediately turned his mount eastward. As dense and treacherous as the southern Gyren was, with its multitudinous streams, rivers, bogs and legs, hard riding would be required to reach the nearest pit by nightfall. Hard riding that needed to commence at once if he was to have a hope of succeeding in reaching that goal. So, as soon as his horse was pointed in the right direction, he was putting the toes of his boots in its side and stirring it to motion. Now on either side of him, the tjor'riin smoothly marched in unison, looking straight ahead. Even while they did so, their bottomless eyes darted expectantly from side to side, preparing the enhanced dark soldiers for any surprises that could leap from the trees without warning.