The hundred or so windclaws sprinted down the hill, they’re bright red scales glinting in the sun. For some reason the second I claimed them all of my troop’s scales had started to change to a bright or dark red.

I still had no idea how the biology of this species worked so I’ve just decided not to question it. That’ll be something for Tetel to explain after the battle. I focused back onto the windclaws and winced at the half a dozen explosions from the goats.

Thankfully my troops had not underestimated the blast radius. It looked like no one had gotten hurt but that was only the first part. I smiled when I saw almost three hundred zorkids running towards the castle. The windlcaws harassed them the entire way, picking off anyone who got too far away from the main group. Battalions 2,3 and 4 were laying on their stomachs in the grass but the second the zorkids got close they sprang up and charged forward.

I sprinted in as well and began ripping and tearing through the zorkids. Blood and body parts flew through the air as my troops tore through the enemy. The Zorkids were encircled by battalions 1,2,3 and 4 by now. The combat ended pretty quickly after that. The Zorkids were only a problem if they outnumbered us. When the odds were this stacked against them many attempted to break free and run.

Unfortunately for the few that did make it out a group of around a dozen windlcaws were circling the fighting, killing anything trying to leave. A few bruisers got scared and tried to run but they were either reminded of their duties or simply ripped apart by their fellows. Cowardice is unacceptable. Once the fighting was over I checked my notifications

You have killed a level 1 Zorkid. x17

You have killed a level 2 Zorkid. x8

You have killed a level 6 Zorkid. x2

You have leveled up. You are now a level 36 Mud Skink War Queen

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The level up was welcomed although I wish I wasn’t so far away from my next evolution. It would cement my position as general of the army. It would also be nice if I were a bit stronger in a fight.

I shook the thoughts away and yelled. “Battalion 1, gather the dead. Put our dead comrades in a different pile than the zorkids. We’ll use the zorkids as food for now until we get some from the city.”

From what I had seen within the castle there were around two thousands zorkids packed in tight. I did not want to charge in, as that would almost guarantee a complete wipeout. Time for a good old siege battle.

“Battalions 2,3,4 join the encirclement! Leaders of the battalions I want to meet with you!” It took a few minutes but nine bruisers and one windclaw stood before me. Unsurprisingly the old bruiser who had been running drills had become a commander of battalion number 7.

I just shrugged and said. “Do you know what a trench is boys?” They shook their heads as I sighed and said. “I want you to dig a large ditch around the entire castle. Dig three of them. Make sure our boys can fit in the trench. We’re in it for the long haul. This is a threat to the city of Tiat, and we’re going to eliminate it.”

A gruff looking bruiser who was the leader of battalion number 2 said. “How are we gonna kill them without attacking them?” I smiled and asked. “How much food do you think they have stocked up in there? Probably not that much. We’ll have food coming in from the city soon enough. We’ll starve them out and wait until they’re weak and dying. After that we’ll swoop in and slaughter them. Now get to work!”

The commanders sprinted away as I walked over to a nearby hill overlooking the entire battlefield. I plopped down and yelled for a winclaw. They were fast and would be used to relay orders for me. When one ran over to me I said. “I want to always have five windclaws near me at all times. I need to be able to give out orders as quickly as possible.”

The windclaw nodded and ran off, returning with four more windclaws. I smiled and said. “Perfect, now the waiting game begins.” It took four hours for the first trench to be completed. It was the largest and would be used to store our wounded and provisions.

While we were building the zorkids had decided they were comfortable staying in theri fortress and hurling shit at us. I fell asleep before the next trench was finished but by the time I had woken up they were already almost done with the third and final trench. The third was the closest to the castle and would only have bruisers ready for combat within its dirt walls.

The second trench was where my troops would sleep. I stretched out and stood up, shaking off the grogginess from sleep. I turned towards a windclaw and said. “Take thirty bruisers, go get my kids.”

My command position was safe enough and I can’t risk leaving them alone in the city for too long. Plus I miss them, it's been way too long since I’ve hugged them. I’m never making the mistake of not hugging my kids ever again.

I sat back down and leaned onto my side, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my scales. It was easy to forget that I was now responsible for thousands of lives on top of being a father. Life is strange, it’s strange enough that I live in this world now. Although I quite like my life, it's nice being a father.