The Steel and Iron Legion

Every crew members of Death Cross were lined up according to their troupe inside the centre of the huge quarry like cavern of the mine except for the Green troupe, who had gone to the east to raid the Red band hideout.

Standing on a raised pavilion sitting on a throne made of wood was their fearsome Chief, Skinjer the Red Ogre overseeing the proceedings.

"Those who can use the bow, to the right," Shout Surfi,"The rest will stays in the centre."

The bandits group according to their ability. Seventy went to the right while the remaining hundred and sixty stood in the middle.

The ones who could use the bows were given a bow, two quivers of arrows and a short swords. Those who cannot were given a spear and a short sword or medium sized battleaxes according to their fighting style. The weapons were all looted from the dead and the armory of the Dark Bane.

"Now, those who can ride well are to go to the right," Said Surfi, emphasizing on the word "well".

Thirty of the infantry went to the right. They were each given a horse but these were the ones from the Dark Bane not the Red Bands, whose were legit Warhorses.

However, there were few armors. The good ones, which Kain had seized were given to the Captains and the newly raised Calvary. The others wore what they looted.

The archers were put under the command of Davos, who was the best shot among the crew and the troupe was rename as the Black Hawks.

The one who wielded axes were put under the command of Dorlock, whose weapon of choice was a big tomahawk and Gurla, whose weapon of choice was the same as Dorlock though his skill was greater. The two of them got forty people each. Davos troupe was renamed as Silver Axe and Dorlock as Crimson Axe.

The one who used swords were the lowest among the infantry. It was no surprise as most of the bandits were peasants. They knew their way with axes but most of them had never practice with swords. Kain decided they were better user of spear than swords. The spearmen were put under the charge of Hurva, who was the leader of the Blue troupe and a desert nomad like Edoras and renamed as the Storm troopers.

The newly raised Calvary were put under Surfi, who had been promoted to the rank of second lieutenant along with Edoras for their contribution in the last battle and their leadership skills. The Calvary was named as Riders of Death and became the personal troop of the Chief.

It took a lot of effort and time for Kain to make up the names. He had to give grand and high sounding names. Bandits were most of the time braggers.

"Silence,"shout Surfi,"The chief is going to speak."

As their fearsome Chief stood up, the crew began to chant his name. The chant died down as he snap his fingers.

"I am Skinjer the Red Ogre." The bandits cheered at his name."I promise to led my new brothers to glory hitherto undreamt of. In return, I ask you of your undying loyalty. Is that too much to ask of?"

"No,"came the unified answer.

"Good," Said Kain, grinning under his mask, "then heed my words, my newfound brothers. We are not mere bandits. We are the army of a noble. The army of Skinjer, scion of one of the fallen house of the Dyke Viscounty. My cousin, the Viscount, Lord Kainodra Javel Dyke is a weak ruler. It is I and only I, your chief, Skinjer the Red Ogre who is fit to rule the territory. So, comrades, will you fight for me? Support me in my claim to the throne of the Viscounty?"

The reveal was shocking. Their fearsome Chief was not a mere bandit but a noble and one who had claim to the lordship of the territory.

Murmurs and voices spreads among the bandits. There were benefits and losses in following such nobles. The benefits was that if they win, they will be rewarded handsomely but if they lost, they will be headed to the chopping board.

Many were indecisive. But most have the same thought that if it was their chief, he can do it yet their indecisiveness held them.

"What say you? Are you with me?"

The silence was broken by one voice. Nobody knew who it was.

"Aye, I will follow the Chief."

The dam burst.

"For the chief."

"Long live Lord Skinjer."

"Long live the new Viscount."

Kain snap his fingers again. The crowd grew silent. It was Surfi, who announced the next words in a loud voice.

"We are no bandits crew from now on. We are longer Death cross. We are the Steel and Iron Legion, the army of Lord Skinjer the Red Ogre. All hail the Lord."

"All hail the Lord."

"All hail the Lord."

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Kain had sent the Silver Axes to assist the green troupe in the north-east region. The Death Riders along with the Crimson Axe was sent to bring the villages in the north and and west under the control.

Kain had given strict order not to hurt or killed anyone nor pillage or burn down the villages. It was because he didn't want to cause any more suffering for his people. The captains understood why he commanded them in such a way with their own logic.

Surfi and Dorlock team did their work in a day while Sky Mask was taking quite a lot of time.

Meanwhile, many refugees had came to join their crew, thinking it was a bandit crew. Not only refugees but even people of the Dyke territory, the poor and the homeless joined the crew. In two days, their number swell up to more than a thousand.

It was however no problem for Kain. It brought in several benefits. Labour, lots of labour.

His next project in the moor started. Building of a hillfort.

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