[Tasad R'rowl]

Tasad was woken by Sgt. Verde at 0230 in the morning, a full half-candlemark before the men were to be awake. Growling deep in his chest Tasad arose from his cot and set about his morning absolutions. Definately not a morning person, despite eras of the military life, Tasad used this wake up time to losse his grouchyness before dealing with his men. Or anybody else for come to think of it.

After his absolutions were taken care of Tasad set about donning his armor, weapons and pack. He had found a rather large pile of racks that would fit nicely in the packs yesterday and had had them piled in the company area in preperation of the morning run. After ensuring that everything was in order on his person, after all he was supposed to set an example for the men to follow, Tasad stepped out of the tent.

Gods it was cold!!! Tasad's breath was misting in the cold winter air, and he pulled his cloak closer about him to ward of the chill. arriving at the Company area early Tasad filled his own ruck with rocks and with littel effort replaced it on hi shoulders, testing the weight. Good, his physical conditioning with Drill Instructor Icewind had not lost their results. Tasad was willing to be that he was stronger, meaner, and more of a bastard than any being else in his command and he was going to prove that today, first thing.

Setting his pack on the ground and emptying it again, after all the men had to see that he filled his pack with the same rocks they were using, Tasad set about waiting, standing at parade rest. Not long afterwards the men arrived at the Company area and lounged about, not seeing the Captain standing in the shadows. After giving them a few moments Tasad strode from the shadows that concealed him and bellowed out in his throaty growl,WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE aETERNIANS DO YOU THINK YOU MEN ARE DOING!!!!! FALL IN!!!!"

Smiling inwardly while keeping a scowl on his face, Tasad watched his men fall into formation quickly an efficently. Verde had done an admirerable job with them and it showed. Now he had to hone their edge till they were razor sharp, starting now.

Pitching his voice to carry to every ear without shouting himself hoarse Tasad growled," Every morning you will fall in without being told to do so. You are no longer recruits, you are Battlecrows and will conduct yourselves accordingly. Is that understood? And the correct response when answering in the affirmative is to reply 'Battlecrows."

Two hundred and fifty voices bellowed back the correct response then silence reigned. Tasad continued," This morning we are starting earlier than you are used to. Deal with it. We are heavy infantry and we are the most hardcore, stone cold bastards in this regiment. We train harder, fight harder, and play harder than any other unit in the regiment. If you can't deal with that then you are now allowed to leave and go to your mother. Any takers?"

After allowing a moment for the soldeirs to make their decisions Tasad growled," Now, before you is a very large pile of rocks and I am sure that you are wondering why they are littering up our Company area. Well, your curiosity is about to be cured. Each of us will load their ruck full with these rocks and then we will set out, at the run, for our five mile stroll. By the numbers load your rucks."

Tasad watched as the men filled their packs quickly. After each man was staggering under their load Tasad walked up with his oversized pack and loaded it with the remaining rocks, about half again as the men had, and with no apparent effort replaced it on his back. Turning to the Battlecrows he said," By the time I am done you men will be ready to face the enemy, determined and hard and utterly in the best shape of your lives.[b]Company!!! Double Time March!!!!"

Wih the last order Tasad set off at the head of the Battlecrows, running lightly despite the heavy pack. Tasad made it seem effortless but in his mind he was thinking he was getting too old for this crap! But still he had to prove to his men that he was the better Katta, and had earned the right to lead them and this was the way to do it, by showing them that he was harder, codler, and meaner than they would ever be. First earn their respect, then earn their hearts.

The five mile run, in full armor, with tower shields, and heavy laden packs was not fun and was made more difficult by the route Tasad had choosen. Up into the foothils of the Khardan Mountains and then back down, across a shallow ford, and then into rocky hill country, eventually ending back at the Battlecrow's company area. Anytime a soldier fell out Tasad circled back around until the soldeir got back into formation and then continued on, not stopping running at all.

Upon reaching the Roost, which was the new name for the Company area, Tasad stopped running, panting lightly, even though is muscles were burning and he wanted to lie down and die. Taking a moment to allow the men to pant heavily Tasad fell them into formation and growled," Well done men, well done!! When you are dismissed place the rocks back where you got them from and then your allowed half a candlemark for chow. Eat quickly but eat well and drink plenty of water. Even though its cold you will still get dehydrated easily. Battlecrows!!! Dismissed!!!"

Responding with the Company motto the men fell out, some of them literaly, and replaced the rocks in their original spot. Many of the men cast glances at Tasad, most with a healthy respect for this katta made of iron. Once the Roost was clear of the men Tasad sat down and stretched out his aching muscles, and tempted to just stay there till he absoltely had to get up.

Shaking his head at the stray thought he finsiehd stretching and headed to his tent to get breakfast. He needed to remember to submit a requisitions form for a valet to take care of the things he wouldn't have time to do himself. Marching quickly back to his tent Tasad focused his thoughts upon what was needed for the day.