Less than three weeks after the defensive battle, Gra’sha had hardened somewhat in her latest incarnation. Under the cover of night, discreetly, she tested her new capabilities. It was hard to say if her speed had increased or if her sharpened senses simply allowed her to react with terrifying efficiency.

  Her strength, however, increased without a doubt. Though her muscles were only slightly more defined, their power had detached completely from their size.

  Normally, a massive oak log intended for the palisade couldn't be moved without engaging four burly orcs. One night, Gra’sha approached such a log, wrapped her arms around the rough bark, and braced her legs. With a low grunt, she lifted it clear off the ground, resting its weight against her shoulder. It was heavy, undeniably, but as she lowered it back down, she didn't feel at all like that was her limit; perhaps she was close to it, but she still had reserves. As for her regenerative abilities, she didn't have the heart to test them, as her aversion to self-harm was greater than her curiosity.

  Before another week had passed, one afternoon, to her surprise, she was invited to a meeting with the chieftain. Two veterans interrupted her fencing training, then escorted her deep into Urg’hur’s residence, eventually ushering her into the great hall and leaving with polite nods.

  The chieftain received her together with one of his trusted warriors in the great hall. A flame danced in a long hearth that visually divided the room into two parts. On the walls hung woven tapestries of various sizes, depicting events important to the clan. On one of them, she recognized the chieftain himself taming two dire wolves. However, Urg’hur interrupted her study after a few moments and with a gesture indicated a seat at a lavishly set table opposite him. She sat down and looked uncertainly at the dishes, most of which she had never had the opportunity to try.

  "Let us eat first; I hope you have an appetite, Gra’sha," said the chieftain, and personally poured aromatic mead into her cup.

  Unsure of protocol, she nodded respectfully. Seeing his cup empty, she reciprocated, pouring for the head of the clan. He offered a fleeting smile and raised his cup.

  "To my warrior, who despite her youth, yielded not an inch of ground to the invaders. The clan is grateful."

  "I am always at your call, Chieftain!" Gra’sha replied, hastily raising her own cup.

  "A brave soldier." They drank. The mead was rich with forest and earthy notes, and her delight must have shown, for Urg’hur laughed heartily. "Lur’tar, give her a jug of this before she leaves."

  She wasn't sure what to choose, but the chieftain himself pushed two plates of dishes closer to her, which he also served himself, so encouraged by this, she did not hold back. After two cups of mead and before another helping, the chieftain's advisor spoke to her in a somewhat formal tone.

  "Our esteemed chieftain, in recognition of your merits and with faith in your abilities, desires that you assume command of a new unit that will secure the safety of trade routes between our clan and allies, starting with Riverbend."

  Gra’sha blinked in surprise, looking to Urg’hur. He nodded.

  "To begin with," continued the advisor, "it will consist of two ranks of warriors and the necessary assistance of animal and goblin inventory. I will announce the recruitment this very day."

  The chieftain leaned toward her across the table, unhurriedly placed his hand on her shoulder, and squeezed it lightly, in an almost fatherly gesture. "Can I count on you, Gra’sha?"

  Refusal didn't even cross her mind. On the contrary, despite the filling meal, a hunger had been growing in her for many days that she could only satisfy during a fight, and this new duty seemed to offer many opportunities for it. Although when she said with enthusiasm, "I answer your call, Chieftain!" she rationalized it as service to the clan and the duties of the warrior caste, the tingling that went down her spine was caused by the prospect of spiritual energy she might soon taste, not the joy of loyal service.

  A few pleasantries later, she was standing with a jug of mead in front of the chieftain's residence. Furthermore, she was paid her overdue wages—which, in the confusion of recent events, she had not claimed even once—and was promised double that amount in connection with her new duties. Silver coins jingled pleasantly in the pocket of her tunic as she headed back to her place.

  The advisor did not delay, and recruitment was organized that same day. More volunteers applied than they could accept, and although she was the commander, the final composition was decided by Lur’tar. However, he was polite enough to consult with her in the evening after taking her for a walk to outline the next steps. Both Mal’gor and Sha’dru had applied, and she convinced him to accept them, promising that this was the first and last expectation she would have regarding the roster. With the matter put like that, both were accepted.

  She couldn't know that the key was to send with her all the warriors who were favorable to her, and above all, those publicly praising her achievements. Suspecting nothing, she was happy when the advisor presented the final lineup, which included many of her companions from the former Seventh Unit. Finally, she received her orders. She was to clear and secure the trail to Riverbend. Starting tomorrow morning. The goblins were to prepare all the equipment and food for the road. It was also explained to her that messengers would inform the members of her new unit about this assignment, so tomorrow morning she would join them beyond the palisade and begin her new service for the glory of the clan. She was to report directly to him.

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  All this was very sudden, almost hasty, but she suspected the situation required it, so she didn't protest. Instead, she bid farewell to the advisor, returned to her quarters, and after preparing her gear for tomorrow's expedition, went to sleep with a head full of expectations.

  When she reached the area beyond the palisade the next day, the unit was already waiting for her in front of the moat. Without unnecessary ceremony, she gave the order to march. At the rear, Sha’dru caught her and exchanged a few words.

  "Maybe it's better that they sent you away before they fully realized what you are? Now you have time to figure out the what and how of everything," stated Sha’dru quietly and bumped her shoulder lightly against hers. "Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say."

  "And in good company," Gra’sha replied. "I'll check the head of the column."

  Sha’dru only agreed with a small nod.

  Gra’sha took a deep breath and looked up. The sky was clear, a gusty west wind at their backs. Gra’sha quickened her pace, passing the pack ovibos. She did a double-take at the goblin leading it.

  "I didn't think they'd assign you," she said to the little shepherdess she’d met weeks ago. "Haven't you worked with sheep?"

  "I volunteered. After the clearing, the other shepherds think I'm bad luck," the girl said, spitting to show her disdain for superstition.

  "Weren't you afraid? Traveling with us, you might get entangled in some fight again," Gra’sha stated with a note of concern.

  "Just like anywhere else," replied the undaunted, petite goblin, shrugging her shoulders. She drove the ovibos on, tapping it lightly on the flank to make it walk closer to the edge of the road, making way for the warrior.

  "I'm Gra’sha!" she called back as she passed. A grey, shaggy sheepdog darted past her and fell into step with its owner, who, although she had changed her occupation, had apparently kept at least her faithful companion.

  "I know, they call me Willow," replied the girl with a slight smile and waved the long willow switch she held in her left hand. Most likely used when pats weren't motivating enough for the draft animal.

  The unit marched in a loose formation. They were in no hurry to get to Riverbend; on the contrary, they were to look out for and remove threats lying in wait for travelers. Therefore, mindfulness was more important than pace. A few steps further, she joined Par’gul and a few warriors walking near him.

  "So you didn't change your minds, huh?" She slapped the nearest two on the back and squeezed in between them. They quickly made room for her, nodding briefly with respect.

  "We were one unit before the siege, during it, so afterwards we agreed unanimously that we should stick together," stated Par’gul with conviction, and the rest seconded him.

  "That means a lot to me. With your help, after a few rounds back and forth, one will be able to sleep on this trail as safely as in their own bed," she stated, to which several amused murmurs answered her.

  She spoke with them a moment longer, then praised their vigilance, quickened her pace, and reached the head of the procession, where Mal’gor and the rest of the unit were watching the road ahead.

  "It's quiet ahead of us, Commander," her friend reported with a shadow of sarcasm, which, however, she didn't let pass unnoticed, sending him a look suggesting he give it a rest. She didn't want the rest to pick up on similar formalism.

  "Good. Remember not to set too fast a pace; we don't want the rear to get lost, especially our only ovibos," she jerked her head toward the back. Several orcs turned to glance at the animal, which was dragging along slowly, heavily laden with two tents and equipment intended to facilitate their journey.

  "You know it," replied one of the warriors, and another added, "Yes, sir! It would be a shame to haul all that ourselves."

  At this remark, several snorts went around.

  "Eyes wide open, and in case of doubt, you hold the advance for reconnaissance, eh?" she asked them again, to which they nodded energetically, while Mal’gor rolled his eyes, apparently tired of the enthusiasm his younger friend inspired.

  She didn't want to lull their vigilance; she needed them to be occupied, though the truth was that her senses should allow her to perceive a threat long before any of them had a chance. However, she decided that was no reason for them not to practice scouting. Especially since someday she might not be there with them. She wanted everyone in her unit to grow as road wardens. She believed this function had a future, especially in the prospect of closer cooperation with Riverbend.

  She jogged a bit to the front, turned around, and took in the whole procession with her gaze. Fifteen orcs, the majority being her former companions, plus one goblin girl, an ovibos, a sheepdog, and herself. They were to ensure safe passage between two clans. If this had happened a few weeks ago, she was sure her stomach would be tied in knots, but at this moment she felt proud of the task entrusted to her and certain that she would meet expectations.

  She allowed the wind to blow her hair about a bit and caught it with a band before turning her back to the procession again. She focused, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. While holding her breath, she listened to the sounds of the surroundings: the rustle of vegetation, small animals, the stream. Then she released the air and took a slow breath through her nose, allowing the scents to spill over her nostrils. She was still learning to recognize them correctly. Orcs have a relatively good sense of smell, but hers was now surprisingly sensitive. Although none of the scents aroused her anxiety, she kept the wind direction in mind. She opened her eyes after a dozen steps and scanned the area in front of her with a diligent gaze. Only when she made sure that indeed nothing aroused suspicion did she return to the rear of the column to her older friend.

  They slowed their pace slightly to create distance between themselves and the rest of the pack, and when both decided it was safe to talk, they resumed their conversation in hushed voices. They exchanged information efficiently. Gra’sha recounted the meeting with the chieftain and his advisor. Sha’dru presented the news of the recruitment and the messenger’s orders. Both stories boiled down to the same thing. The suddenly announced and executed need to field a unit was not surprising in such times of war, but Sha’dru was not satisfied with such an obvious explanation.

  "Like I said, maybe it's even better that you got out of their sight before they saw the truth about your potential, but this new assignment... why right now and why in such a hurry?"

  "How should I know? We'll probably find out in time," Gra’sha shrugged. "Honestly, I'm glad we're visiting Riverbend together again; I liked it there."

  Sha’dru sighed with exaggerated disapproval and nudged her forward. Together, they marched into the morning.