Preparing the Army

Kozzala spends most of the day preparing for the night. Marcus wanted to help but she had insisted that him and his party shouldn't be involved. It'd only make things more difficult for them if the people saw this as a human coup rather than the orders of their queen.

Instead, Marcus and Aine meet with the soldiers that had been assigned to follow them to the surface. Kozzala has assigned an army of 6,000 dwarves. The dwarf military unit is larger than his old 5,200 man legion, and a significant number were lifelong veterans. Despite the decline of dwarven civilization, the military is one area they've only increased in strength. They have more than enough metals and blacksmiths to equip their troops well and, with the goblin threat, a lot of volunteers and veterans. Their short stout bodies and their strength means it is easy to protect their bodies with heavy plate armor.

"Legate, my lady." A middle aged dwarf man calls out to them, preferring Marcus' military title, as they approach.

He stands out among the other dwarves training in the yard of the fort. Unlike the others, he's not currently wearing a helmet. His armor is mithril and lined with dwarven runes, a form of enchantment known only to the non-magical dwarves. The glowing symbols grant various protections and enhance the wearer's abilities. He has a short red cloak draped over one shoulder. His long braided red beard hangs in front of his chest, it's pristine undamaged state proving either his capabilities in battle or his preference for leading from the back, Marcus couldn't quite decide.

"So, you're our new King-Consort, eh?" He asks, reaching out to shake Marcus' hand. "General Grom Firesmith." He introduces himself, he turns and shakes Aine's hand too.

"Good to meet you, general." Marcus replies. "So you're the one coming with us to the surface?"

"Aye, that's us. We'll be working together often. Once we're done with the surface we'll also go with your legion into the deeproads." He says.

"How're your men feeling about the situation?" Marcus asks.

"Honestly? They're shitting themselves." Grom replies with a sigh. "Some arse has been spreading rumors that you need to hold on with your feet or you'll float away up there."

Marcus and Aine can't help but smirk at that.

"Still, a lot of us are excited to see what it's like. It's not often an expedition like this is permitted. It'll be a first for all of us." He continues.

"Well, don't worry about the floating thing. I've never seen that happen without magic." Marcus says with a laugh. "Hopefully the surface doesn't disappoint you all. What about the orcs?"

"Hard to say but I'm confident. They're different to what we're used to. They're a lot taller and stronger but a lot less intelligent and poorly equipped compared to goblins. As for me, I'm looking forward to testing our mettle against something new and it sounds like we might need to fight humans eventually, it should give us a good idea of our weaknesses against bigger opponents."

Marcus couldn't help but respect the general. He seemed dedicated, had a good grasp of his troops morale and wanted to find ways to improve.

Marcus and Aine spend some time filling the general in about everything they know about orcs and the situation. He listens with deep interest to everything they say, asks smart questions and makes notes on how to adjust his plans.

Afterwards he takes them around to watch the soldiers training. They are well disciplined and seemed to prefer either the reach of a halberd or the security of an axe and shield. When they entered the ranged training area, Marcus flinches, fearing the worst at the loud banging noise. Grom notices and chuckles.

"Right, forgot to warn you." He says. "We've been practicing with this goblin invention. They call them 'boom-rods'." He says, picking up a metal pole-like device from a stand. "A horrible invention, it'll punch through most armor but good luck hitting anything with it."

He leads them around a corner and they're met with a wall of smoke. Twenty dwarves are standing at one end of an archery range holding these rods. Another loud cracking sound emerged from each, a cloud of smoke and a small flash. They seem terrifying even if Marcus can't see what they're doing further down the range.

A voice calls out from beyond the wall of smoke.

"Two hits. Four near misses."

Apparently that's a good result for the twenty men as they all give a small cheer.

"See, they're shit but you get enough of them together and they can rip through a unit." Grom explains. "Ahh, I miss the reliability of crossbows but I believe these things have potential. We've got bigger ones that'll bring down a wall no matter how thick with enough shots."

"Goblins invented these?" Marcus asked, he couldn't help but admire it. The difference between goblins and orcs was clearly significant.

"Oh aye. When they're stable, the goblins get smart. Their problem is they'll eventually fight each other or split into smaller factions so they don't stay stable for long. Good thing too, all their biggest pushes are when they're more unified against us."

"I've got to give it to them. It's a smart invention when you're against a heavily armored and magic resistent foe."

"A pain in the arse is what it is." Grom replies. "Hopefully your men and some mages on our side will turn the tide."

"If nothing else, it'll **** them to switch tactics" Aine says.

"And we'll use that to push them as much as possible while they're surprised." Marcus adds.

"I've got a good feeling about you." Grom says. "I know Kozzala makes a lot of enemies but most of us support her. Her radical plans are our best hope of not only surviving, but thriving."

That evening, at a glance Krazkhuraz is as calm as any other night, the deceptive silence hiding the shift in power occuring. All across the city agents of the queen break into the homes of nobles, bureaucrats, merchants and lawyers. Anyone with wealth or power who had publicly or, in some cases, privately to the wrong person, criticized Kozzala's plans to bring in humans and surfacers was being taken from their homes along with their families. They were all taken to the guest wing of the palace where they would live, officially to keep them safe during the uncertainty of war, in reality it was to make sure they couldn't cause any trouble. They protest, call it illegal, call it cruel but the soldiers are loyal to Kozzala, as are the people. No one would come to their aid and they knew it.

Kozzala took no pleasure in the dishonorable act but for the good of her people, her kingdom and her new husband, it was a necessity. Most of those arrested had used their influence to usurp monarch after monarch, stall laws, steal taxes or anything that weakened the kingdom and strengthened themselves. They represented a cancer that was **** dwarven society. Kozzala had decided to rip it out long before she took the throne. Now, with her new husband and grand plans in motion, they have no place.

That night, she had no doubts, would either be celebrated or cursed in the pages of history.