With that, she offered the proving master a final shrug of her shoulders. After having her say, she would let him make what he Liked of it. Then she turned and walked back to where she'd been training and worked on her own routines alone in silence.

Nullik peeked around Wrut's arm and whispered up to his larger friend.

"Do you think Gregory would mind me being a Little bit in love with his mate?"

“I hope not.“ Wrut grunted back, equally impressed with Algra's argument.

Ulag watched her go without making any issue of anything that she'd spoken of. The truth was that he himself had been growing unsure of the tactic for quite some time. The issue was that the great charge was more than a simple battlefield manoeuvre; it was a damned part of the orcish culture. Every cub out of the crib was filled with dreams of taking part in a charge to lay waste to their enemies and reap the honour and glory that followed. He'd once even tried to get some of his most prominent packs to change their thinking on the matter, but the suggestion had gone down about as well as a cup of cold sick. It had never occurred to him to start at the bottom ranks and work his way up.

Clearly, the approach had some merit or he'd currently be standing in an empty field.

It was just... Did it have to be a human who led the way? Even a part of him always liked to argue for the great charge when the issue arose despite its failings. To charge into battle, a roar in your throat and a sword in your hand. It was the orcish way. As such, he frowned and shook his head before turning back to face Gregory.

“Show me what you do here."

Gregory felt the corners of his mouth rising slightly and urged them back down again before Ulag punched him in the face for inappropriate smugness.

“Yes, proving master." With another salute, he turned back to the crowd.

“Alright! I want two pack-sparring sessions. Blood Snakes up against Mad Dogs! Diving Falcons, you're taking on the Venom Fangs! Everyone else, individual sparring on defensive manoeuvres. C'mon folks, let's stop standing around Like idiots and do what we come here to do!"

To Ulag's great surprise, not only did every orc nearby actually do what Gregory asked, but they also gave him a resounding "Huah!" as they offered their own salutes.

The human tried to ignore the proving master’s expression, since it seemed to be silently asking: What in the hell are you!? Instead, he stepped between the two dueling orc packs and waited for them to take their position before signalling that they could begin. Once they had started he signalled ULag to join him.

They stood side by side in the glade, and even Ulag's icy disposition toward Gregory thawed somewhat as they talked about what had been happening there. The old orc's love for battle far surpassed his hatred for humanity, and although the tone never quite became friendly, it was clear that he approved of Gregory's methods. They even discussed the types of weapons that Torren and Valise had been constructing, and how they might be made more lethal in an actual battle. The only real issue between them arose when the issue of archery came up.

For quite some time Gregory had been urging the packs in the glade to pick up a bow; even going so far as to offer the victor as much to drink as they liked from Bolut's stores for an entire night. He'd been met with a steadfast refusal. To the orcs, the bow was the weapon of a coward. Nothing he could think of seemed to be able to shift that idea from their heads, and when he brought it up with Ulag he seemed to lose a good chunk of the respect he'd built up with him.

Thankfully, by the end of the session there had been quite a bit of respect to share. Ulag didn't like Gregory, but he seemed to wholeheartedly approve of the human's venture in the glade. He even went so far as to request that he be allowed to return to continue their conversation.

Right about then someone could have knocked Gregory over with a feather.

After he thought about it a Little more, the request did seem somewhat understandable. Orcs were more animalistic than humans, and territory was considered to be a matter of importance. They also were a good deal more honourable. Ulag's request was more of a formal acknowledgement of Gregory's territory and accomplishment than any attempt at friendship.

With that in mind, he told Ulag that he could be present two nights of the week. Ulag agreed, but did not go so far as to salute the pup before departing.

“May I ask your advice about something, Talina?" said Valise as they walked through the jungle in the Light of day.

“Aren't you the all-knowing sage around here?" The dark-haired woman turned her head and smiled mischievously.

Valise returned the smile, though it was somewhat more subdued.

“What's the matter?" Talina asked, straightening out her expression and doing her best to be serious. It wasn't something she was very good at, but for Valise she'd buckle down and give it a decent try.

“I wanted to ask you about Janette. You two have become close, yes?" “Well I haven't had the pleasure of tasting her, which is a damn shame since Gregory seems to be under the impression she's the tastiest thing in the world judging from how much time he spends sampling the goods." She Licked her Lips and indulged in a few brief naughty thoughts on the subject before returning her attention to her friend.

“But I would say that Janette and I are friends. She is a talented dancer, and I Like her."