"Already?" Frost questioned after yawning and stretching, it only felt like a few minutes since he drifted off.
"Yes Major, you've been asleep for almost 90 minutes." The soldier replied with a slight urgency, time was of the essence after all.
"Tsk oh well lead the way." Irritated from being rudely awakened Frost clicked his tongue and casually gathered his things, thankfully he hadn't removed his clothes or under armour before resting so he was ready almost immediately.
"This way sir." The soldier thus lead Frost out of the barracks and to the western edge of Icethorne. Here half of the cavalry corps was present alongside their mounts.
"Garow!" Shortly after arriving Kiba noticed his master's scent and charged over to complain about his rough treatment. These barbarians hoofed him from his comfy abode and started measuring him for armaments, they didn't even listen to him when he said they were too tight.
Of course his whimpering only caused Frost's irritation to grow, the young tiger thus received a fierce bonk on his head before being looked down on.
"Really you're complaining about having to do a little bit of work this late in the day...what happened to the tiger that wanted to strive to be the top, to dominate the other monsters and claim dominion over the beasts back home." He had finally begun to take his training seriously after a few of the coeurl cubs evolved and began challenging him. But after a little bit of pampering he was once again showing off his spoiled nature.
"Grrrr!" [this and that are two different things!]
Bonk!
Kiba was hit again and this time he didn't argue but simply grumbled as he followed behind Frost.
The solider who guided Frost here left after introducing him to the blacksmith who dealt with Kiba's equipment.
"We've outfitted your battle mount with some temporary battlements, they should help stave off some serious blows and help with his charging ability, but I'd advise against taking too much risk, the quality isn't as good as the proper stuff after all." The blacksmith in charge of the Cavalry corps armaments explained a few things to Frost and Kiba, the former being all ears while the latter was glaring. This was the man responsible for dressing him up in such ill fitting and paltry armour.
His hide was thick and his fur dense what need did he have for hastily produced armour.
The so called temporary battlements however were actually around middle perhaps upper grade 3 star quality, far better than your run of the mill equipment. Kiba just didn't like how it felt against his skin, so he caused a bit of a fuss.
As the blacksmith spoke the gears in Frost's mind started to turn. He had neglected to properly arm Kiba as well as the many beastlike monsters back in the Dungeon. While his dwarves, trolls, ronsos and even goblins benefitted from their production of in house weaponry his wolves, coeurls and polar bears received nothing despite also being an avid part of the Dungeon's defence force. This was a mistake, one in which he promised to remedy upon his return.
He thus listened attentively to the blacksmith and took note of the workshops currently repairing and forging monster formatted armours.
Casper was a man who had lived and breathed the battlefield for decades, a man who's strength was stuck half a step into the A-rank for the last twenty years, a man worthy of respect.
Casper proceeded to briefly introduce some of the other officers but none of them were Colonels, all Majors and Captains.
Being respectful Frost stood up from his seat and placed his arm across his chest "Major Frost, it's a pleasure to be joining you today in your assault against the enemy." He gave his own introduction before sitting back down, an act that made the other officers smile from ear to ear. It was rare for non-military personnel to be so polite and respectful especially when they were so young and full of vigour and talent.
"Major Frost do have you any experience with cavalry formations?" Again the first thing the corps leader asked was his experience and once against Frost had to embarrassingly say none. At least this time he wasn't called useless.
"I see then it'll be best if you ride close to me when we move out." Casper didn't mock or insult him in anyway instead he silently and instantly amended his initial plans. Since Frost couldn't be given a command position he'd simply use his individual strength instead. This wasn't the first time he'd been handed an inexperienced yet individually strong gem after all.
"By your order Colonel." Frost had no issues with such arrangements in fact he felt liberated by it. Command was taxing and he was more in the mood to simply bulldoze his way into the enemy lines without having to worry about those beneath him.
Colonel Casper then explained the overall strategy of both the left and right wings of the cavalry corps.
"Along with the right wing we'll be moving out in full force." Atop the war table was a map of Icethorne and the territory beyond the wall. Two groups of mounted figurines representing the two wings of the cavalry corps were at the west and east of the city.
"General Jessica and her magic corps have dealt a serious blow to the enemy but still they refuse to retreat. Their will is still strong....so we'll be the ones to break it!"
"Urah!"
"Urah!" The cavalry corps grunted and repeatedly beat their fists against the war table, eager to see blood.
"We'll hit them hard, and we'll hit them fast, in and out in under fifteen minutes, are we clear!"
"Sir yes sir!"
"Frost follow behind me and learn as much as you can, we'll be using simple arrow and diamond formations but what matters most is the flow of battle."
Shock cavalry plain and simple.
"Yes Colonel."
'Follow and learn, piece of cake.' At least he wasn't a complete noob when it came to riding Kiba, it'd be a disaster if he fell from his back mid charge.