For a moment, she pondered her course of action. In general, she had no intention of taking charge of the daily training of the warriors. Her assistants, she thought, were quite capable of that task. Nukurren’s principal responsibility lay elsewhere. It would be she who would shape and develop the structure and methods of the new army, particularly its tactics.
To be sure, the new battle leaders would be filled with grand schemes and ambitious projections. And, in truth, many of these would be worthwhile and potentially valuable. Nukurren was well aware of Ghodha’s capabilities, and all she had heard regarding Kopporu led her to believe that she would make an excellent commander for the army.
Still—officers were by nature a fanciful folk, much given to impracticalities and vaporous theory. Nukurren eyed Aktako and the other members of her cadre.
No, no. Here lies the heart of the new army. They will make excellent trainers, as well as troop leaders. After today, I will not have to concern myself much with that task. But today—is the first day. So—
She spoke to Aktako. “I believe it would be wise if I personally led the training today.”
Aktako made the gesture of assent. “I agree, Nukurren. It is essential that the warriors see us as a united group. Since you are the leader, the—we do not have a title yet—”
“Shutuppen.”
Aktako groped for a moment with the unfamiliar word.
“—the dzhu—shutuppen, then, I think it would be best if the warriors take your measure immediately.”
Nukurren eyed the other cadre. It was obvious by their stance that they were in agreement. And, she was pleased to note, it was equally obvious that Aktako was already accepted as Nukurren’s second-in-command.
Yes. They will be excellent. Better than any I have ever worked alongside.
“Do you have practice flails and forks?” she asked. Aktako made the gesture of affirmation.
“Good. I will need them. Bring several sets. At least four.”
A slight tinge of orange entered Rurroc’s mantle.
“You are going to start by teaching them weaponry?”
Kokokda whistled. Dzhenushkunutushen laughed.
“No, Rurroc,” said Kokokda. “She is going to start by teaching them the most important lesson of all. I remember that lesson well.”
“So do I,” said the demon. “And I’m glad, this time, to be on the other side of it.”
The Kiktu veteran and the young demon exchanged, each in their alien way, the gestures of amusement.
“Trust us, Rurroc,” said Dzhenushkunutushen. “It is a lesson much better behind you than before you.”
“Much better,” agreed Kokokda.
The lesson began very quickly. Immediately following Nukurren’s first command, which was that all the battle groups would accept several Utuku members.
The command stirred up great outrage. All praise of the much-chanted Nukurren the Valiant vanished. And, though it did not vanish, the knowledge of Nukurren’s prowess was drowned under a wave of indignation. These were warriors, after all, who loved their chants but did not, at bottom, take them too seriously.
Three Kiktu warriors were especially vociferous in their displeasure; exchanging loud quips on the subject of pitiful, decrepit, tired, over-large, old, ugly, beaten-down, one-eyed sexual deviates. At Nukurren’s command, Aktako gave them practice weapons. The warriors advanced boldly upon Nukurren, expressing great contempt at the use of toys.
Very soon thereafter, two of them limped painfully back to their battle groups. The other did not recover consciousness for some time. Whereupon she too rejoined her battle group, and took her place alongside a former Utuku. Maintaining silence throughout.
Soon, Nukurren was comfortably into the routine. It had been many eightyweeks since she had trained recruits, but it was something one did not forget.
YOU ARE GARBAGE BENEATH MY PEDS. YOU ARE LOWER THAN WORMS. YOU ARE SHIT. YOU SMELL LIKE SHIT. YOU LOOK LIKE SHIT.
As the ranks began to take ragged form, Nukurren considered the formations she would shape them into.
NO, THAT’S A LIE! YOU SMELL WORSE THAN MY SHIT. YOU LOOK WORSE THAN MY SHIT. AND MY SHIT IS THE SMELLIEST, UGLIEST SHIT IN THE WORLD. DO YOU KNOW WHY? DO YOU KNOW WHY?
She decided she would start with the basic structure of an Anshac legion, the division of the army into cohorts of triple-eight warriors.
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