Chapter 15: Prewar-mobilization

Meanwhile in contrast to cozy warmth where Lireesa stayed, the whole gathering of guards outside the manor brought a sense of urgency. As soon as, Sena received her lady's order, she immediately planned out combat patrol. It might seem like a whole out war from the number of guards Lireesa ordered to mobilize. In fact, when she heard the word 'skirmish', only small clashes were allowed.

Her plan was to separate into three segments attacking in different direction. This three-way offensive wasn't supposed to control land area. The mission objective was to kill as many trolls as the windrunner could, without escalating into all-out war between Quel'Thalas and Zul'Aman trolls' tribes. Zul'Aman tribes was one of many tribes inside the Amani Empire thousands of years ago. During the 'Great Troll War', with the help of human alliance, Amani Empire was annihilated in the dust of history and tribes collapsed. Because the founding place of Quel'Thalas was the sacred area for many trolls, they waged war on the high elves as a sign of revenge and retaliation. No one should desecrate their sacred place.

Now although war still occurred at some timely manner, they weren't able to completely change the situation. The general trend was already irresistible; Quel'Thalas would remain still strong and safe as a sanctuary for the high elves. Many thought so including Sena until she heard Lireesa explicitly described future Windrunners' Catastrophe. It appeared with the help of outsider, these trolls could flip the ongoing situation upside down. She understood Lireesa thoughts, no uncertainties were allowed to deal with the crisis and trolls must be destroyed particularly Zul'Aman forest tribes.

Back from her thoughts, Sena staying on the high ground saw numerous Windrunner guards standing still chest high, which showed their strict discipline and demeanor. They were proud to be selected as Windrunner guards, because the entry requirement was to be an elite high-level ranger. She glanced among the many square formations and found Alleria who was slightly nervous but trying her best to maintain her manner.

Alleria was only mid-level and seemed too low compared with other guards. However, no Windrunner guard showed dissatisfaction on their face for their commander act of parachuting over their head by placing Alleria as ranger lieutenant. One reason was because of the prestige of the name Windrunner and another reason was because of Alleria' talent as mid-level advanced. Mid-level ranger ranked as elite in an enlisted legion outside and be already promoted ranger-lieutenant.

Besides every guard knew the age of Alleria Windrunner around 200 years old, which was still regarded as underage. Being around this age and still being able to achieve the rank, where many had to endeavor for a long time was already outstanding.

Sena nodded her head in satisfaction for Alleria. Despite being an officer, Alleria was still a recruit and needed to be guided and polished meticulously. She wasn't going to send her straightaway into battle. Noticing every guard in front paying attention to her in a solemn atmosphere, she spoke still in a gentle but firm tone. As a quasi-legend powerhouse, she no longer needed to cry out like a shrew for war speeches. Using the ancestry spell of Windrunner known as the 'Whisper of the Wind', Sena's voice echoed inside every ear, as if someone was speaking next to a person very closely, and it still spread far away. This miraculous ability could reach 100 meters away as long as the caster proficiency was enough.

The whole speech consisted of the justifications why Windrunner must fight and raising morals so as to maintain the face of the family, giving the guards a little pressure by mentioning how others from various circles were watching how Windrunner reacted. Sure enough, every guard became serious and was then quickly dismissed for the preparation. Sena asked all officers to attend the war meeting four hours later.

Sena sat down on a wooden chair in her own headquarter room and heard a knock later. In her room, all necessary utensils were ordinary, except for wooden table carved with many decorations in front of her and a cupboard filled with books related to warfare stuck to the walls.

"Come in," she said.

It was Alleria who entered the room with tension. Realizing her uncomfortable mood, Sena pretended not to see and asked in a business tone. "Lieutenant, what makes you bring here?"

"I…I've read all information about the trolls, but I.. I figure, I could hear some of your thoughts Captain." Alleria stammered while saluting.

Alleria needed to be honed so that she became used to military's life. Solely watching her, Sena signed in admiration. Even if Alleria was in ranger's attire, her gentle aura never dissipated. Anyone near her was soothed as if returning to nature. Except now, Alleria panicked after seeing Sena's momentum, which she'd never known this aunt could really stomped her just by looking at her eyes. Sena and Lireesa avoided exuding this particular aura in order not to scare them, when thinking the girls were still underage. Helpless, but the situation called for it now and it was better for them to prepare than to never.

"Lieutenant, you have to know, in your platoons there are many veterans who can answer your question," Sena sternly replied. "You don't need to ask me, except for some related orders you don't understand." Seeing Alleria's eyes filled with mist and were about to water, Sena stopped pressuring and signed. The whole momentum changed from a wild beast to a peaceful tree, which Alleria felt the most. Alleria instantly noticed the change of atmosphere and relax unconsciously.

Sena continued: "Alleria, sit down first and calm yourself down." She took a porcelain kettle and poured some drinks into two cups. She gave one to Alleria and took a sip by herself. Alleria quickly held the cup and didn't drink yet. When she sensed the tedious atmosphere and didn't know how to continue, she heard Sena talked.

"Alleria, during military occasion, I know you'll be uncomfortable at first, but you must call me by rank. You must get used to the environment. This is a training and a test for you." Sena went on after seeing Alleria's nod in compliance. "About your questions, I know you are worried about your platoon and that is a good sign. A commander who doesn't care about her soldiers isn't a good one. You want to ensure everything worked as plan. But let me give you an advice. In war, plan never worked and always have to change. Things will go south expectantly."

"Then, we don't need plan at all?" Alleria asked puzzled. Her expression had the same lovability as Lireesa urging Sena's heart to itch and squeezed those cute cheeks.

"Of course not. In fact, plans are necessary to show preparedness and react with confidence when different scenarios pop up." Sena paused and took a sip. "Commander having a plan will never cause panic among your subordinates and their combat effectiveness will rise. A big factor affecting the current warfare, or any war is moral. You as a future will-to-be commander must pay attention to it. Likewise, breaking enemies' morals can ensure the following war will become easier."

"But it sounds easy, but when the realities start, I am oblivious, and I don't know how to carry on. I've read military books and my mother's note. I just don't know how to utilize what I learn." Alleria said in a tense mood rubbing her hand. "Not to mention apart from some story, I know nothing about trolls."

"Who said you will be unprepared? You look around your own subordinates. Don't you notice they had experienced war and they know a lot." Sena smiled and replied. "Although I can describe and explain everything vividly. It isn't good for you if you're always taken care by me."

Alleria stayed in silence and felt ashamed of her thoughts showing lack of confidence toward her comrades. She really didn't mean to behave in that way. Now that her aunt Sena had shown the path, Alleria's eyes had clarity shining with vigor and regaining her shape as the eldest daughter of the Windrunner family. After all, even if she was taught strictly by her aunt Ella related to relationships and behaviors, no one could definitely say for sure how she would perform in reality. It's never good for someone being ignored for the questions they could address and share perfectly to, because the inquirer lacked their confidence in you.

Sena nodded silently in her heart in relief. She understood Alleria's feeling because unknowns were the most feared and taboos especially in the military agenda. She gave her full supports related to the direction she should walk on and mentioned helps she could easily ask for. Recovering her posture, Alleria now could enjoy the drink presented by her aunt. She decided to forgive her aunt's lecherous mistreatment toward her mother and pretend nothing happen. Being young and underage didn't mean she knew nothing, and Aunt Sena required her and the rest of the sisters' acceptance. Otherwise, hmph, she snorted in her heart.

Would Sena's face become constipated if she heard Alleria's inner channel? She, who thought youngster was still innocent and suggested many advice, definitely would be pissed if her kind heartiness only received a small acceptance in her path of endeavor, while she was still dreaming Alleria would support her. The two, in the back of their mind, conspired unknowingly at the same time, waiting for the time to pass for the combat meeting to begin.