The last six months since Galik's death have been eventful.  It took a while for you to reorganize the camp, fixing all of Galik's mistakes.  While it was stressful at first, you managed to delegate some responsibility to Grolik, Gro'tesk, Hidius, and Rolomag.


Everything is now organized, but it seems that the Empire is done playing around.  In the last two months alone, you have repelled several small-scale assaults.  You are sure they are finally going to act and make some big moves.


But so are you.  Soon, these years of stalemates and quiet maneuvering will be at an end.  Soon, it will be time to test the Mannate Empire's true mettle.


The past five years have been filled with hardships and struggles, but you have managed to overcome all of them.  For the first time, you are looking at this conflict pretty positively.  Young orcs trickle in everyday willing to contribute to the cause.  What worries you though is their age.  While there are plenty of experienced veterans in your army, the number of young, inexperienced, and foolhardy orcs concerns you.


Traditionally, orcs have always set out as adults at the age of fifteen.  What this usually means for them is going out and finding adventure and fighting things.  Because of your warlike nature, many orcs do not actually live too long.  Some would even consider an orc such as yourself, at the ripe age of thirty-five to have been a long enough and accomplished life.


Gigalak did not intend your kind to grow old and miserable, but, instead, to put life into your years, no matter how short or long they may be.


You sense someone pulling up to the side of you.


"Still thinking about Galik?" Grolik asks.


"Among other things," you sigh.


"I know you were close to him, but he just went too far."


"I know, it's just hard seeing someone you care about turn into something else."


Grolik exhales slowly, nodding as he does so.


"Sometimes, you'll do everything you can to save someone," he says, "but sometimes you have to do what you have to do."


"What would you know about this?" you snort.


Grolik gulps and looks into the distance before turning his head to you.


"I….I butchered my entire family and tribe."


"What?" you ask.


"It's… a long story."


Before you can say anything further, Grolik spurs his horse forward to attend to something else.


A whole throng of orcs march ahead and behind you, as you all make your way down the mountains and to the hills where the rest of your army waits.  Along the way, you have groups of fighters intersperse throughout the hills and rocks just before the plains.  It seems the Empire plans to take you on in open combat.


The scouts alerted you of the huge shift in troops heading this way.  Once your reserves and last line are firmly placed, you call to all of your commanders. 


Kneeling by a rock, you spread a map across it.  Taking a piece of charcoal to mark it up.


Rolomag peers closely at it, rubbing his chin.  Grolik looks out to the hills and then to the plains and forest ahead.  Gro'tesk sharpens his weapons and checks the string on his bow.  Hidius closes his eyes and takes in the crisp air.


You start by marking all of the locations the Imperials should be attacking from.  Mostly, directly ahead of you.


Gro'tesk points to the area in the Southeast.


"I think they'll try sending a few brigades through here," he says.  "While there's no chance they would be able to make it through the mountains in time, it wouldn't take much longer for them to divert through these woods."


You have some light patrols stationed in the mountains, so they would alert your left flank if they saw Imperials moving through there.


"Hmm, we can probably divert more troops to watching that area then," you say.


"Or, we could go through that way ourselves and try to catch them off guard," Gro'tesk says, "whether or not they're coming through that way."


"No way," Rolomag says. "We need all the warriors here that we can get.  Their only real option is to try to push through the plains, and we should try to match them."


"No, wrong way!" Gro'tesk yells.


Grolik speaks without looking to the group.


"I think Gro'tesk is actually right about this one," he says, "we need to keep an eye over that way.  Or maybe even exploit it."


"Yes, if they get cavalry through those woods," Gro'tesk says, "even with our reserves and archers, we won't be able to stop them from wiping through our flank."


You analyze the area, the humans could utilize it, in which case it would be helpful to prepare to counteract them.  They also just might use brute force, in which case you would need to have all of your fighters here at the ready. 


"There is another thing," Hidius says.  "While we can't expect them to come through and around the mountains, see this stretch of open space between the mountains and the trees?"


Rolomag squints at the map.


"Yes, but what does that-"


"If they move some soldiers through here," Hidius says, "they could easily hit this side with a concentrated force.  I suspect they would use cavalry to cover the gap as well."


"Let me position more warriors there," he continues.  "I will keep the mountain patrol there.  But if we see any soldiers or cavalry, we can easily ride in and trap them in between the main force and this one."

You listen to both Hidius and Gro'tesk

You nod and look to both Hidius and Gro'tesk.


"I think you are both right," you say.  "We need the right amount of surprise and caution.  If the battles with the Empire so far has taught us anything, these humans are tenacious, and we need to prepare for anything."


Gro'tesk grunts in agreement, and Hidius slowly nods his head.


"So, Gro'tesk, I want you to take your warriors up and around the forest.  Divert and cut off any troops they are sending through, then begin your assault on their flank."


"I will crush them for you, chief."


"And Hidius, station your cavalry by the base of the mountain," you say.  "If they come through the plain to attack our flank, sweep them in and crush them.  Rolomag and I will prepare that flank to fend off their horsemen while you charge them."


You gaze out through the plains and to where the mountain turns into rocky hills.


"You will need to go quickly lest they finish their foul deeds."


"I will go with Gigalak's breath at my heels," Hidius says.


"Good," you say.  "With one hand may he guide us, and with the other sweep our enemies from our home."


You and your comrades disband to prepare for the battle that is yet to come.