The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

READY

A week had passed since the Cahenean army had finally arrived at Enhisieh´s ruins. Everyone had been quite joyful at the beginning. Their mouths dropping in awe at the sight of the firearms contained in the five big crates that they had just extracted from the dark underground chamber.

-We now have the names of the ones you've chosen to bear one of these weapons – Ussi had spoken firmly, looking all around and nodding at the boxes – So, if you are called out, I hope you take a moment to appreciate the trust your peers have laid in you and accordingly rise to the challenge.

A loud commotion could be heard as the men cheered eagerly in enthusiastic consent, before the Yahurian raised his fist in the air and the abrupt silence returned.

-But even if you are not the appointed bearer of a gun, it does not mean you get to laze around because of that. You must all learn how to fire them… I don't care if you have been chosen or not. You are still required to have mastered this skill by the time we start marching south. If a shooter falls in battle, you all need to be perfectly capable of grabbing his weapon and taking his spot. Understood? Now go get some rest. I expect you back on this field by the first ray of light.

An agreeing cheer had erupted all around as the men walked tiredly to the encampment.

- Will this arsenal be enough, though? - Phomtek had asked, eyeing the receding crowd worriedly and pointing at the metallic boxes – After all, we can only afford to arm the fourth part of our men.

-It will have to – Ussi nodded confidently, staring at the horizon – We are going to be forced to crank up our strategy, but if everyone does their part, we might as well stand a chance.

The Yahurian had spent most of the night working on an improvised training field, with diverse stationary and dynamic targets settled all around the place.

It had taken him a fair share of time and wit to make the most out of the seemingly useless debris lying everywhere and turning everything into a properly staged battleground. But when he was done… After putting some rough machine building to practice, paired with an inventive use of pulleys and plenty of rope. He had ended with a decent maze full of obstacles, a vast array of moving and fixed marks ready to be aimed at.

By dawn, he had already dedicated a few hours explaining the basics of firearm handling to Phomtek and his five lieutenants. Thankfully, they had all been satisfactorily able to get the hang of it with impressive ease.

Golendhar, Polthan, Shardiel, Mondaveh and Juttan had all taken turns, alternating between running through the grounds, rapidly shooting through the displays, and manually operating the flying targets for the others to fire at, just as they had been instructed by him.

-Good job – Ussi nodded decidedly, while the rest of the army started gathering around them expectantly - You already know the ropes, then you will be in charge of training these men until they are prepared.

An excited murmur rose from the assembled troops and spread into the early morning air just for a brief moment, before fading into a sudden silence at the Yahurian´s expectant stare.

-Now, do not get so eager just yet, y´all! - He had turned his attention towards the large crowd of men and sharply looked into their eyes with solemnity – Before you even get a round with real ammunition you will be having a lot of dry fire practice first.

The few annoyed groans that ensued were soon hushed when the Yahurian´s gaze pierced through them fiercely.

-Listen to me very carefully! If you are to handle one of these weapons, there are a few rules you must never forget. Number one… Always treat your firearm as loaded… No ifs, no ands, no buts! Number two? – He turned to the warrior standing at his right - Golendhar?

-Sir! Always keep said firearm pointed in a safe direction, Sir! – The massive man recited out loudly.

-And what would the safest direction be? – Ussi asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

- Downrange, Sir – The long-haired soldier barked again - As long as there aren’t any people there!

-Exactly – The Yahurian tilted his head, satisfied, then directed his view to the tall, curly-haired man at his left – What comes next, Polthan?

-The young man squared his shoulders and spoke with his eyesight fixated forward - Always keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, Sir!

-Shardiel? – Ussiariah shifted his look to the short but bulky man standing next to him.

- Always keep your weapon unloaded until you are ready to use it! – He shouted out with confidence – Sir!

-Then?... – The Yahurian´s eyes landed on the hairy giant man that went by the name of Mondaveh.

- Be sure of your target, backstop, and beyond, Sir! – The hardened man had responded coarsely.

-And finally but most importantly… - He nodded at the last and youngest man standing in line- Juttan, would you do us the honor?

-Sir! Yes Sir! – The brawny youngster had chanted eagerly - Never point your weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy!

-Alright! You've heard them! Follow these rules at all times! No exceptions, no excuses! – Ussiariah commanded – Pay attention, stay in line, and work hard on your marksmanship! Then hopefully, we can get some crack shots by the end of this week.

Everyone had done their deed and worked their backsides off, to say the least… So much that Ussi had finally started to believe that they might even stand a chance after all.

Of course, there was always room for improvement, but for now, this would have to do. They could not afford to waste any more time and expose themselves to the possibility that their enemy had already started expanding their invasion up north. They were as ready as they could be in such a short period of time, and for their own sake, the Yahurian hoped that this would be enough.

Some Caheneans were finishing their laps after a long training day, while others had already started uploading their weapons and ammo onto a large wooden cart attached to the old bison that they would use to transport their cargo safely to Lowland.

Ussiariah had been supervising their work when his eyes settled on the huge pack animal, and a sudden thought had popped in his mind, filling it with dread. His eyes widening in realization as he paused to scold himself for having left out such an obvious and vital fact.

Even if they had already gone extinct in Enhisieh by the time he was born, he knew their history, and he knew perfectly well that wherever his people went… they followed.

With his mind running wildly, he sprinted towards the ruins of the former main hall and started frenziedly digging among the fallen rocks with his own hands. It took him some time, but when he finally found it, he grabbed it and raced at full speed towards the tent where Souna slept.

He barged inside and shook her body, startling her and waking her instantly up. His hands grabbing the girl by the shoulders and his eyes looking intently into hers.

-I need you to tell me now! Did you see any horses when your city fell? – He asked frenetically in a loud voice.

-I… I don't know– Souna said groggily, sitting up and running a hand down his shielded face - W-What is that?

When the warrior wordlessly waved the large piece of stone craft before her face, and her eyes landed on the depiction of a golden-haired man mounted on a large familiar beast, she just swallowed deeply, and slowly nodded at him.

-Well – Ussi breathed out, as she held shakily to his torso in fear – Then it seems we are not as ready as I thought we were… And yet, we need to leave.