12-27-2020, 12:54 AM
Ah, Selin. To look into a pond's surface and see your own reflection, distorted but still recognizable.
But your dream of reunification...is even more remote than my own dreams.
Still, there is something there.
Arthak gestured towards the group whose suggestion had earned his approval.
"Then the choice is made. You all may set aside the weapons I have gifted you for your normal arms for this next exercise. If you choose."
Continuing on as the warriors collected their weapons, Arthak then gestured to Fenissa.
"Now for the next skirmish, we will adjust the parameters. Vhayluren, you will join the larger force, and...you," he pointed to a random member of the newly rearmed group of soldiers. "You will join the smaller force. In addition, a new condition of loss will be introduced. Tonguelash, Vhayluren. By your commander's reckoning, you two are the most skilled warriors among those assembled here. That is a status to be proud of. But, I wish to see how your comrades perform when they cannot rely on your abilities to carry the day, and how you both perform when mission objectives require you to act contrary to your instincts."
And I want to see if you can restrain yourselves when placed on opposite sides. Will you still seek each other out as opponents, though it puts both of your sides at risk? Or you will maintain a clear perception of what victory requires.
"Should either Tonguelash or Vhayluren fall, their side loses. Were this a real battle, they would be the equivalent of a general, or a comrade pursuing a vital objective. If they fall, the battle is lost, even if you were to rout the enemy. So, as both groups go to war, keep this added objective in mind. You have 45 seconds to plan."
But your dream of reunification...is even more remote than my own dreams.
Still, there is something there.
Arthak gestured towards the group whose suggestion had earned his approval.
"Then the choice is made. You all may set aside the weapons I have gifted you for your normal arms for this next exercise. If you choose."
Continuing on as the warriors collected their weapons, Arthak then gestured to Fenissa.
"Now for the next skirmish, we will adjust the parameters. Vhayluren, you will join the larger force, and...you," he pointed to a random member of the newly rearmed group of soldiers. "You will join the smaller force. In addition, a new condition of loss will be introduced. Tonguelash, Vhayluren. By your commander's reckoning, you two are the most skilled warriors among those assembled here. That is a status to be proud of. But, I wish to see how your comrades perform when they cannot rely on your abilities to carry the day, and how you both perform when mission objectives require you to act contrary to your instincts."
And I want to see if you can restrain yourselves when placed on opposite sides. Will you still seek each other out as opponents, though it puts both of your sides at risk? Or you will maintain a clear perception of what victory requires.
"Should either Tonguelash or Vhayluren fall, their side loses. Were this a real battle, they would be the equivalent of a general, or a comrade pursuing a vital objective. If they fall, the battle is lost, even if you were to rout the enemy. So, as both groups go to war, keep this added objective in mind. You have 45 seconds to plan."