84 Inglorious Bastards (2/2)

I looked over to the spot Edo pointed at and saw nearly seventy centaurs lined together in three neat rows. Many of them carried spears and glaives but there were a few, who, like Xanthor, sported war hammers.

”Hope you guys are ready to make a mess, Xanthor,” I said cheerily.

Our very own cavalry. The Foolhardies were getting a temporary upgrade. And that brought a warm feeling to my chest.

”We're ready, Commander Dapper… but you might want to break up those knife-ears from making a mess right here,” Xanthor Made a whining sound I figured was his version of laughter. He nodded his head to the left. ”Elves… LOL.”

I turned my gaze to my right and saw an interesting scene taking place.

Thom Blackthorn was standing in front of a group of blue-robed soldiers. All of them had hoods over their heads except for their commander who was staring daggers at Thom. Not one to be outdone, Thom's murderous glare was equally foreboding.

It was immediately obvious why there was such enmity between them. Thom was a drow, a dark elf. The group staring him down were also elves but of a lighter breed. As I stared at the new arrivals, I quickly realized that I knew who they were.

”Theren Everleaf?” I asked doubtfully. The surprise spilled out of my voice despite of myself. I hadn't expected to see the elven sergeant who led the elves of our original unit away from the Foolhardies when we first formed. ”Is that really you?”

It looked like it took the dark-haired elf a lot of effort to avert his gaze away from Thom and move on to me. But he managed it.

”Hail and well met, Dean Dapper.” Theren dipped his head, pointed chin and all, toward me. ”It has been quite a spell since last we looked upon each other.”

Around this time, Aura showed up to stand beside me. Her arrival caused Theren's sea-green eyes to widen before he bowed even lower to her than he did to me. He must have known who she was now.

Aura returned his bow. ”Hail and well met, Sergeant. It is good to see you.”

”You honor me with your words, sorceress,” he said graciously, but in that pompous elven tone that always sounded like they were bragging even if there weren't.

”Not that we aren't happy to see you again, Theren, but what are you guys doing here?” My eyes searched the other hooded figures behind him. I could guess who they were. ”Didn't you say you weren't interested in joining up with us?”

”Yes, we did say that, didn't we,” he turned around to glance at his fellow elves.

Each of them pulled off their hoods and revealed a variety of elven faces ranging from apologetic to worried.

After his gaze had swept his group, Theren's eyes found me again. He said, ”We arrogantly assumed you wouldn't be able to lead us properly, and yet… here you are, contributing to the war effort in ways we couldn't even imagine.”

A spattering of ”well done” ensued among the gathered elves.

Theren waited for them to finish before he continued with, ”It was we who lacked foresight,” he lowered his eyes, ”but, if you will allow it, we have come to fight at your side once again and reclaim our tarnished honor.”

There was an audible hoot of laughter from Thom that might have gotten him mobbed by rival elves, but no one moved. Everyone was waiting for me to speak. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

”Dean—”

I held up a hand to stop Aura. There wasn't any need for her to take their side as I believed, like another famous philosopher named Bruce Lee did, that mistakes are always forgivable if they come from those who have courage enough to admit them.

”Sure, why not,” I said, a mischievous grin appearing on my face. ”I'll work you inglorious bastards to the bone to make up for snubbing us the first time.”

There was a noticeable collective sighing from the elves who were relieved that I hadn't turned them away. Next thing I know, the elves, centaurs, and surviving Foolhardies began to greet each other in shared camaraderie.

”Are you sure about this, Commander?” someone asked from behind me.

I didn't need to turn around to know who had asked. It was the way he said commander like it was a joke that gave him away.

”Not going to be a problem, is it, Thom?” I asked.

”You saved my cousin last night so it appears I owe you one, Dean,” Thom whispered.

”Don't worry... the inglorious bastards will do all the heavy lifting.” I turned around and clapped him on the shoulder. ”I'll be relying on you more now that Qwipps is milking his injury.”

”Smart move, if you ask me,” Thom replied. ”Your plan might get us all killed, after all.”

”Or, it's a super awesome plan that will win us even more rewards,” I insisted.

As if on cue, the horns of war began their loud thundering. It was the call to gather into formations.

I waited for the booming to finish before I raised my own voice to the gathered crowd. ”Alright, Foolhardies. Let's go to war!”