[Tasad R'rowl]

2nd of Kalendryas, Winter Era XV

Tasad left his meeting with Commander Veleraen and headed for the training grounds where his company was training. The meeting had gone fairly well and Tasad had been brought up to speed on the situation. Simply put, it stunk. The orcs were attacking everywhere and the 2nd Regiment was going to be called upon to set matters straight. And there were only a few little things, like the fact that the 2nd Regiment was filled with recruits so green that you could douse them in combustibles and they wouldn't catch fire, or that their weapons were not the best suited for the job, or the fact that they weren't exactly sure how long they had to train before being thrown into the meat grinder, that they had to overcome first.

Tasad had never been one to complain and he hadn't. His commander had enough problems on his plate right now and Tasad wasn't going to add more by complaining. He had served for over ten ears in the Defenders and had seen this several times before. Like the old saying went 'We do the hard stuff first and the impossible takes a little longer.'

Tasad had timed his meeting to the company grounds so that the men would be finsihing up for the day. He had the training schedule that Veleraen had given him, and while it was very good, it didn't really do much for heavy infantry and so Tasad was going to have to rectify that problem, but first things first. Time to meet the men.

Upon reaching the field Tasad found Sgt. Verde drilling the men and had to admit that he was impressed. the Sgt. was an elf who had a hard look about him and a number of scars to go with those looks. The way he carried himself and bellowed orders like a champion spoke of long familiarity and labeled him a veteran from the get go. Tasad watched his men as they were put through their paces and had to admit that Verde had done a good job with them. They appeared to be in good shape, and could march in step and follow marching orders with little difficulty. And they apparently already had it instilled in them that they were a team, which would make his job that much easier. Looking over the ranks as they manuvered Tasad saw humans, elfs, kattari and dorins. The later surprised him somewhat. He had long ago set aside his dislike of dorins in the name of military comraderie and discipline. He didn't necessarily go out of his way to talk with one, but he didn't think they were the evil murdering bastards that many katta did. Well, at least not very much. But to see dorins and katta in the same unit like this, a green one, surprised him. They worked alongside each other well and there didn't appear to tensions that would cause problems. Still, better to keep an eye out till he got to know his company better.

When Verde called a break Tasad approcahed him before he walked away. Seeing a Captain walking towards him Verde saluted, fist to heart, to which Tasad responded. Getting closer Tasad growled out," At ease Sgt. I'm Captain Tasad R'rowl and I'll be assuming command of this company. I watched you put the company through their paces, and I'm impressed with what you have accomplished. What do you think of them?"

Verde thought for a moment, a look of relief flahing across his face before he resumed his hard stare and said," Well sir, they are about as green as they come, but I've had these men since they came through recruit training and there good lads. Most of them are farmers, potters, or some other types of craftsman but all of them are dedicated to defending their lands and their people." Verde stopped to think, chewing his lip then said," They know basic marching manuvers and fighting techniques, but we didn't really learn until a few brighteneing ago that we were going to be HI and I didn't want to start training them up until I knew how their Captain wanted them trained. Now that your here we can get them started. Sir"

Verde fell silent and Tasad processed what the elf had said quickly. In response he said," Thats fine Sgt. I'm guessing that you already have everything set up within the Company itself and it will stay that way. I'm not coming in to muck up what you have done so rest easy about that. Could you get the men together, I want to address them before they leave retire for the night."

Verde simply saluted and set about bellowing for the company to fall in. Once everybody was on line Tasad stood in front of them, looking them over. Most of them seemed so young, but that was usually the case. In a growl that was pitched loud enough to carry to every ear Tasad said," At ease. My name is Tasad and I am your new Captain. I wanted to say a few words to you before you retired to let you see me and for me to see you. I watched as you performed your drills and I am impressed. Sgt. Verde has done well by you and you have done well by him. Starting tomarrow morning we will be starting a new training regimine that is designed specifically for heavy infantry. Believe me when I say that it will make what you have been through thus far seem like a pleasant dream. Heavy infantry is the first line to meet with the enemy and must be able to stand against whatever is thrown at them, this training will ensure that. In the days ahead I can only promise you two things. The first is that I will not ask any of you to do something that I myself will not do, I will be the first to step onto the battlefield, and I will be the last to leave. The second is that I will leave no man behind. Alive, wounded or dead we will all come home to our families."

Tasad paused for a few moments to let those words sink in and then continued saying," Your uniform and armor have no distiguishing colors or emblems upon them, because it is the perogative of the Captain to pick these. Our colors will be ebony and crimson and our emblem will be a bloodred crow in flight upon a field of black. And our name will be Battlecrows. Our motto is 'We hold true." True to ourselves, our comrades, our people and our country. I will meet each of you over the course of our training, and yes I say our training because I'll be right here with you under the tender loving care of Sgt. Verde, and will be getting to know your names. I have an open door poilicy, so you can bring anything to my attention, ideas, suggestions, problems, anything at all provided you follow the proper chain of command. When you are dismissed you will be allowed your free time to do with as you please, but I suggest that you hit the racks early as we will have many hard and long days before us learning the ways of the HI. Whenever you are dismissed the correct response is 'We Hold True'. Company!!! Dismissed!!

The company bellowed the correct response and headed on their way till the next morning. Tasad walked over to Sgt. Verde and said," Now Sgt. lets look over this training plan and prepare to burn the midnight oil shall we?"