Ares finally returned to see that quite a bit of work was done with the people as they now formed, fairly, orderly rows of ten. There were about thirty sets of such rows, and Ares couldn’t help but admire such clusters of people. It looked pleasant to his eye, something about keeping things uniform brought peace to his soul.

As they went about such business, the wolffolk eventually returned to him. “Ah, right. Do you wish to rest among my people, or would you prefer to leave?” He asked.

“We’ll head on back now.” Inta said. “It would be best for us to bring this news to Heria swiftly.”

“What news are you bringing?” Ares asked warily.

“You should trust us to give her the right information.”

“Depends on what you mean by right.” Ares raised a brow.

Inta smiled. “It was a pleasure to fight alongside you.”

“You as well. I’ll send you along with ten of ours, that way there won’t be any issues heading back.” Ares called for ten warriors that would offer themselves to escorting the wolffolk back, even though the wolffolk protested, he would not hear of it. This was a welcomed custom, at the least, and it was a good show of will.

He had equipped them with some weapons and also handed over some food that they could eat for the next day. Once the wolffolk were sent away, Ares walked over to the middle of his people. Then he waited until they were all in formation, though it seemed as though there was some issue near a group some ways away.

Ares made his way to the group and one of the oxfolk turned to face him. “Ch- King, it’s just a small issue.” They said as they frowned slightly, looking as though they had been caught stealing cookies from the jay.

“What is the issue?” Ares asked, watching as a small group of elderly oxfolk refused to move from their position.

“We’re happy right here, there’s no need for us to move.” One had said, an old man that held onto a staff with both hands, ready to smack anyone that came too close, two oxfolk warriors ahead of him. One oxfolk had dragged another older man aside, trying to pull them into the group over.

“Let him go.” Ares placed a hand on the warrior’s shoulder, who let go of the older man who remained still, frightened. “I didn’t ask you to drag old men around, I asked you to get them into line, ten by ten.”

“They are making it rather difficult, my King. They do not wish to split from another, even temporarily.” The oxfolk replied.

“I see. What is the issue?” He then spoke to the old man with the stick, who seemed to look rather guilty.

“I don’t want us to split is all.” They said earnestly.

“Alright.” Ares said, waiting for the old man to continue, be they seemed a little hesitant and uncomfortable.

Ares then walked over to those that were in line nearby and then asked them to leave and join the group beside so that the old oxfolk could remain together. He thanked them for cooperating and then turned to face the oxfolk warriors. “The solution for this was simple. Please try and keep in mind that there’s no need to cause unwanted distress. If this was another issue, if I had asked you to apprehend them for a crime, perhaps this behaviour would have been warranted, but if it’s something as small as this, please try to find the path to least distress, even if it requires an extra moment.” Ares then bowed his head to the elderly oxfolk. “I would ask for your cooperation in this matter.” Then he turned and left, checking to see if there were any more issues.

He finally returned to the centre and then waited for everyone to fall in line, with the children and injured in their own section where they could sit and lay in peace, with many shamans and milk mothers around to tend to them.

Finally Rori returned over to Ares, though he had already counted just how many were standing in formation. “Twenty nine blocks. Then about a hundred milk mothers and children, and then another hundred injured. Fifty warriors, at least those that are currently active keeping everyone in check.”

Rori looked up at Ares. “You counted quickly.”

“I was never good at math, but I can do this much at least.” Ares smiled. “So all in all, three thousand and two hundred.” He rubbed his chin. Then he inhaled deeply, not quite shouting with his next words, but trying to get his voice to carry.

“All those of you whom know how to fight, whether or not you wish to fight, please step forward! I will not force you to fight, I just wish to know how many able bodied warriors we could potentially have in the future.” He raised a hand and then motioned them to move forward. “Again, I would like you to stand ten by ten, those fifty that originally helped, I would like you to continue and then stand ten by … five.” Ares cleared his throat.

It did require a little time, but eventually Ares could count that there were just under two thousand, one thousand eight hundred and fifty to be exact. “I wish to create a professional army, those of you who wish to actively becomes soldiers, please step forward.”

Just over a thousand stepped forward. Ares bowed his head and then he rubbed his chin in thought. “Very well. All able bodied men and women and children shall go through daily training, and those that wish to become soldiers shall train harder, and those that will be soldiers, will train even harder. I will have many positions open, some similar to Torak who protects my children, and others that shall be the Consul and mine personal guard, as well as the personal guards to my future Queen, along with many other guard positions that may bring a darker glory.” Ares sighed out.

“So, I ask of you. Which of you wish to step into hell, to potentially become broken, not for gold, but for glory. These shall be the warriors with the highest of regard, with the harshest of training, and will fill such positions that require absolute devotion of mind body and soul. In fact, the training may kill you, that is what I seek from you.”

There was a long silence and Ares waited. He continued to wait, though he expected none to step forward. Yet there was one, no, two that stepped forward. A young man and woman, a pair that he was somewhat familiar with. Ares was surprised, though he did not show it on his face.

Others stepped forward as well, but he raised a hand. “Come to me.” He said as he stared at the boy and girl. They walked forward to meet him, though stepped a little ways away.

“Have you come to kill me in my sleep again?” Ares asked, though with a smile.

The pair glanced down in some shame, but Ares raised his hands and then placed one on their shoulders. “Alright. You say you want to go to hell? I shall allow you such glory.” He said as he then bowed his head. “I will train you to become the first two of the Kingsblut.” Then he motioned with a hand, watching as eight more stepped forward. “Very well. The first ten, that’s good.” He smiled.

“The rest of you shall be trained into fine soldiers, but these ten, they shall go through hell in order to find heaven.” Ares smiled. “Let’s see if death can stop us.”