Chapter 87 - 87

"I don't have any preference. Big or small doesn't matter to me... Wait... We are here to discuss about some important matters and not my personal preferences." Xiao Chen said with all seriousness as he stared at the crowd who had all their gaze focus on him.

Xiao Chen stared at the crowd who were expecting for his answer and explanation with eyes blazing with all seriousness.

Adhalia and Draegh'ana lowered their heads when they saw the chieftain's very serious face. Those who distanced themselves to the back stood up and came closer to the chieftain. They all had an awkward and guilty look on their faces and even the sleeping Deagol woke up and joined the crowd and waited patiently for the chieftain.

"I called you all here to discuss some important matters." he glanced at them all in the eye from left to right and the crowd averted his gaze. Rakh'ash'ta even whistled softly and stared at the ceiling of the tent, making himself look as innocent as possible.

After ensuring that they are all paying attention to him. Xiao Chen was practically sighing in relief inside his head. He just bailed himself out of that perilous situation by presenting a serious and strong facade. Luckily, they didn't dare continue with the drama after he suddenly turned serious and pretended to be angry.

"Sakh'arran, Draegh'ana and Gur'kan, get a list of those who want to join the Yohan's standing army. And also let Trot'thar know about it." He ordered the three commanders, who saluted at him in response.

"Here, take this and go through it." Xiao Chen handed a scroll that he took from his chest of scrolls and handed it to Sakh'arran. The scroll contained important matters pertaining to the establishment of the new army.

Sakh'arran received the scroll with both hands and saluted Xiao Chen again, who nodded at him in response. The commanders left the tent after receiving their orders and went to fulfill the task that was given to them.

Draegh'ana glanced back at the chieftain's tent and sighed before going on her way. "Don't worry. When everything is settled, you can confront the chief. We will aid you in staging the confrontation." Gur'kan teased and winked at Draegh'ana before increasing his walking speed to distance himself quickly away from her.

Draegh'ana stopped in her tracks and a red hue emerged from her cheeks. She lowered her head and stared at the ground, but quickly snapped out of it and chased after the two who distanced themselves from him.

She finally caught up to them after a few moments. "Is it that obvious?" she asked the two with a shy tone and voice that was like that of a mosquito, almost can't be heard.

Sakh'arran and Gur'kan stopped in their tracks and stared at the embarrassed Draegh'ana, who had her head lowered and staring at the ground. They both smirked mischievously, staring at the female commander. Witnessing this side of her was a kind of fun and new to them since most of the time, she would be screaming at their enemies and tearing them apart. She would slaughter enemies without blinking, and a maniacal smile would be plastered on her lips as she bathed in the blood of those who are unlucky enough to fight against her. She is most of the time serious, steadfast and dauntless. Able to rival the male orc warriors in the battlefield with ease.

Draegh'ana raised her head up in curiousness as the silence of the two made her confuse. Upon seeing their mischievous smirks, she can't help it but get annoyed and black lines emerged in her forehead. Her seemingly tamed face scrunched up in annoyance and she balled her hands into a fist.

"I think everybody in the tribe knows about you liking the chieftain. And I think the chieftain knows about it too, but he just had a lot of things going on inside his head. He is prioritizing the tribe first before anything else. Just wait patiently after everything is settled." Sakh'arran said with all seriousness as he stared at her. Gur'kan nodded his head in agreement while a mischievous smile was on his lips.

"O-o-kay..." Draegh'ana muttered softly and smiled shyly. She was finally at ease, and she was anticipating the time when everything in the tribe is finally settled. She glanced back at the chieftain's tent and breathed out a deep sigh. Her nerves had finally calmed down after being on the edge after her petty squabble with Adhalia. "That big breasted human..." she cursed before snorting.

"Alright, since you have calmed down now. Let's get the task given to us by the chieftain done before he makes us go through some painful disciplining. Gur'kan and Draegh'ana groaned after remembering their experiences on how much of a devil the chieftain is when meting out punishments, specially for them who are commanders and have an immense responsibility on their shoulders.

Those painful memories that they went through are something that they don't want to experience again, if possible. The chieftain is all smiles and friendly, but when it comes to punishing them, he is more of a devil than a devil.

Sakh'arran, Gur'kan and Draegh'ana quickly made strides towards where Trot'thar was at the watchtower where he was residing at again. He had seemed to have taken a liking to staying in that high place.

*****

"Aro'shanna, you will teach the ogres your fighting style. How you fight is almost similar to theirs but more suitable on the messy battlefield. Teach them how to handle their heavy weapons like the way that you make use of your weapon's momentum. And Brazan, get your kin to follow her teachings with all seriousness." Xiao Chen stared at Brazan with threatening eyes. "Or else, you'll not be allowed to eat meat till you follow her instructions. Same goes to you too Aro'shanna. If you won't teach them well, no juicy meat for you too." He continued and threatened the two of them.

"Mohrios, get your tauren brethren to join the trainings of the new army. You'll need it to keep yourselves in shape and also to instill more discipline unto them since you and your kin will take charge of peace and order within the tribe and also to be able to conduct yourselves more properly, unlike now. You'll learn how to be more professional, including the way you stand and march. And get yourselves familiar with all the laws." He paused, staring at the lousy tauren leader who was leaning on his halberd.

Mohrios scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly before nodding in acknowledgment. He copied how Gur'kan and Sakh'arran stood before respectfully saluting the young chieftain. But deep in his mind, he was totally worried about getting himself and his kin familiar with all the laws. 'Headache... a lot of headache is coming,' he thought.

"Gliobs, you and your kin who took part in the previous battle operating the scorpions will join the new army as an auxiliary unit that will be in charge of operating the siege weapons. But!" he paused and stared at the troll, who had slouched shoulders listening to him. "You must also join in the training just like the taurens." He continued.

Gliobs' face was saying it all. He doesn't want to take part in the training, but after noticing the chieftain's blazing gaze, he surrendered and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Rakh'ash'ta, take these and get yourself familiar with them. You are free to get all hands that you can get to aid you with it." Xiao Chen said as he handed a bunch of scrolls to his Head Minister. The scrolls contained detailed plans of the city that he wants to be built. Detailed plans about agriculture and also the introduction about livestocks. He wants his kingdom to be able to support itself when it comes to food, specially his planned army since no army will survive without enough food to feed them.

"Deagol..." Xiao Chen crouched down low to be at the same eye level as the little kobold. "Take this map and bring it to your leader. You'll be going to dig a path to redirect the river flow of the Garthum River." he handed to the kobold representative a map of the land and the route that they are going to dig.

"And Grogus, here is my gift for you." Xiao Chen smiled towards the poor goblin who has always been suffering under the hands of Aro'shanna. He handed to Grogus different recipes of food that have available ingredients in the tribe and its surroundings. Grogus almost jumped up in excitement as he received the new food recipes and can't wait to make them.

"Haguk and Dug'mhar. You and your clans will train directly under me. I will teach you maneuvers and tactics that are useful when we are in battle. Your clans are an important for us to achieve easier victories in the future." 

"And last but not the least, Zul'jinn, start producing these things." Xiao Chen handed to him a drawing of 'D' shaped iron rings.

Zul'jinn stared at the drawing and can't help but ask, "What is this for, chief?" He was curious about the use of the odd-looking iron rings.

"They will be used to make stirrups which will greatly aid both the Rumbling and Warghen Clan." Xiao Chen replied. The stirrups are necessary for his cavalries to be more effective in battles.

Xiao Chen handed a few more scrolls to Zul'jinn containing the designs of the new equipments that are going to be wielded by his new army.