"Strategy and command are arts that require understanding the environment, the enemy, and your own forces. Each of you will lead a unit—Zheren, you will take the center; Harur, you will hold the left flank; Brakus and Meldor, you will execute a coordinated defense of the right flank; Alnor, you will be the flexible reserve commander," he continued.
Zheren clenched the massive bones of his hands, nodding only once. His mind, though less sharp, was as firm as a steel chestplate.
"Zheren," said Steward, "Your strength lies in massive assault. Imagine your line as a wide, unbroken gate. Do not move too far forward, and do not waste your unit on one-sided charges. You can hold five Stage 1 units at once if you distribute your weight evenly. We are learning the basics, so we start with small numbers."
Zheren looked at the seventeen skeletons gathered behind him, drew his jaw into a kind of skeletal grin, and slowly nodded.
Itai was in the back, observing as well; he wanted to learn a bit about command too—after all, he was the chief necromancer. He also provided as many undeath as were needed.
"Harur," Steward turned to Harur. Check latest chapters at novel_fіre.net
"Your elite unit must act like the edge of a dagger. Swift raids, precise strikes at the enemy’s command. You do not need more than seven subordinates for now, but each of them must know they are instruments of your will. Coordinate telepathically—but remember, never forget your backup. Always keep at least two undeath behind you to hold the defensive line if the mission goes wrong."
"Brakus and Meldor," Steward addressed the two zombies standing slightly aside, their faces swollen, arms hanging heavily.
"Zombies are clumsier, but more persistent and durable. Your defense must be unbroken. Build rotational patrols. When one of you guards the top of the ramparts, the other repairs them or covers the weak spots. Every fifteen minutes, switch roles. This will prevent you from burning out."
Brakus coughed a rotting, striking sound and shrugged; Meldor only pulled his falling coat closer and nodded.
"Alnor," Steward smiled, though a human could only notice it in the reflection of the sparks in his eyes,
"You are the springboard—you need flexibility. When the enemy senses a weakness in Zheren’s line, you attach your group there to cover it. When Harur’s raid fails, you step in to cover the retreating unit. You must know how to read the signs—the crack of earth, a change in the battle’s pace, the cry of the wounded."
Alnor lifted his skull as if placing an absent hand to his forehead and nodded with focus.
Steward stood and walked among his students. Authority radiated from every word, practice and the hard years in the empire’s army from every sentence.
"We begin with formation drills," Steward commanded. All the commanders stood straight in a line before Steward, like on a military training ground.
"Zheren, form the line into a Fire Circle—frontline skeletons must have double endurance, the others will serve as support. Harur, with your unit, change speed by 30%—you will simulate a lightning strike at the enemy’s heart. Brakus, Meldor, take positions on top of the ramparts and dig observation pits; during each watch shift, rotate ten skeletons. Alnor, track the path of all activities and be ready to move a mini-patrol wherever it will be needed," Steward issued his orders.
The hard work began. Zheren slowly but surely divided his 17 skeletons: 5 stood at the front like living bulldozers, 12 behind them, ready to reinforce any weakened section. Harur with his seven elites darted around, changing positions, crossing imaginary attack lines. Brakus and Meldor worked the soil, digging pits measured to the centimeter. Alnor paced back and forth, mapping movements, noting where gaps threatened to appear.
Then Steward signaled a break.
"Good work. But it’s only the bare skeleton. Without your minds and quick adaptability, the enemy would always find your weak spots."
Steward dipped his finger in blood and drew four figures on the ground: a chessboard pattern of larger and smaller squares symbolizing moves and countermoves.
"This is the war chessboard. Every move you must anticipate at least two steps ahead. Do you see how the enemy might exploit your weakness? Or when we can unleash Harur for a breakthrough?"
Zheren looked at the chessboard, lifted a shard of bone, and nodded thoughtfully.
"Training round," Steward ordered. "Brakus and Meldor, predict where Zheren’s line will move in three turns. Harur, wait for attackers in the center and prepare a surprise flanking maneuver. Alnor, record the time and the results. In two minutes, we move to the debriefing."
Two minutes filled with simulated clashes, retreats, and counterattacks. Every movement was precise, every commander teaching their subordinates to listen not only to orders—but to the strength of the earth, the whisper of telepathic impulses, the resonance of their ribcages.
When the time ended, Steward called out: "Stop!"
He stood beside the chessboard and pointed to the first square. "Brakus thought Zheren would shift the left flank—not bad at all. Meldor, however, expected a retreat, which would have exposed us to a trap. Correction: during rampart rotation, update patrols every 45 seconds, not 60. Harur, your flanking maneuver looked good, but you assigned yourself two inaccessible squares. Always choose areas that have at least one connecting line back to your base," he instructed.
Zheren, Harur, Brakus, Meldor, and Alnor all stood attentively. Beneath the surface of their unfeeling flesh, an understanding was slowly being born—that strategy was not built only on strength, but above all on precise thinking, planning, and the ability to adapt.
Steward again drew arrows and circles and explained the basic principle of combined formation: cavalry, infantry, and reserve. When the enemy splits you apart, you must have a fallback plan prepared. Can anyone assemble a three-stage model of retreat that at the same time traps the enemy in a pincer encirclement?
Silence remained. Each commander strained their decaying mind to devise a brilliant strategy. But it was easier said than done...