Page 37 of Savage Devotion
Nothing revolutionary, but proven through generations of warfare.
"Weaknesses?"
Direct question. Testing my willingness to share operational intelligence.
Trust or manipulation?
Does it matter if the information serves mutual survival?
"Communication delays between units. Coordination failures during rapid maneuvering." I meet her gaze directly. "Same weaknesses that affect all military organizations."
Truth. Partial truth.
Enough to show trust without compromising operational security.
"And strengths?"
"Unit cohesion. Individual warriors who'd die before disappointing their brothers." The words weigh with personal experience. "Loyalty that can't be bought or broken."
The strength that saved me when I should have died.
The bond that makes survival possible.
The reason I'm here instead of buried beside Jorak.
She nods slowly, absorbing the implications. "That kind of loyalty makes you dangerous."
"Yes."
Simple truth. No elaboration needed.
She understands the tactical implications.
"It also makes you vulnerable."
Accurate observation. Uncomfortable truth.
Emotional bonds create exploitable weaknesses.
"Explain."
"Threaten one warrior's family, his clan, his brothers. He becomes predictable. Desperate. Desperation leads to mistakes."
She's used this against orc forces before.
Successfully.
Professional admiration and personal concern.
"You speak from experience."
Statement, not a question.
Testing her willingness to share tactical intelligence.
"Human nobles understand leverage. Political marriages, economic dependencies, family hostages." Her expression hardens with distaste. "Manipulation disguised as diplomacy."
Personal knowledge. Direct experience.
