Page 36 of Savage Devotion
Lessons written in blood. Principles are worth preserving.
Worth teaching to someone who might actually listen.
We resume the drill, but this time she maintains position and timing, her movements synchronized with mine in the coordination that makes shield-walls effective. Her breathing settles into a rhythm of controlled advance, muscles remembering the patterns that could save her life in actual combat.
Natural talent. Proper instruction.
She might actually survive her first real battle.
Unlike Jorak.
"Human tactics," she says during a brief rest, lowering her shield to catch her breath. "We favor mobility over formation discipline. Hit-and-run rather than sustained engagement."
Accurate assessment. Strategic thinking.
Impressive.
"Explain." I keep my voice neutral, but her insight suggests an understanding with basic technique.
"Cavalry charges. Archer volleys. Quick strikes designed to disrupt enemy formations rather than meet them head-on." She traces patterns in the dirt with her boot toe, sketching basic tactical diagrams. "Break their unity, then exploit the chaos."
Sound strategy. Effective against traditional orc tactics.
No wonder the Bloodfang raids have been so successful.
"And against shield-walls?"
"Flank attacks. Force the formation to turn, create gaps in the line." Her diagrams show the weak points that mobile forces could exploit. "Or missile fire from elevated positions. Make them advance uphill into arrow storms."
Detailed knowledge. Professional competence.
She's fought against orc formations before.
Successfully.
I nod, grudging respect replacing my initial skepticism about human military capabilities. "Valid tactics. Properly executed, they'd work."
Admission of vulnerability. Strategic reality.
Also recognition of her competence.
"Would have worked," she corrects. "Past tense. Your people adapt quickly."
True. Survival requires adaptation.
Static tactics lead to extinction.
"Mixed formations now," I explain. "Shield-walls supported by mobile units. Wolf riders for pursuit, spear-throwers for ranged combat. Combined arms rather than single-tactic dependency."
Evolution. Progress.
Learning from defeat to achieve victory.
Her expression sharpens with the professional interest that military minds share regardless of species or allegiance. "Integrated command structure?"
"Clan champions coordinate overall strategy. Unit leaders handle tactical implementation."
Standard organization. Effective hierarchy.
