After Ka'z's stirring speech, the excitement that had swept through the group slowly settled into determination. There was no celebration afterward or rest. Drax immediately stepped forward and assumed command of the training session with the confidence of someone who had once lived on the battlefield.
His experience was obvious from the moment he began barking orders. The recruits were divided into simple formations before being sent running laps around the clearing with wooden shields strapped to their arms and crude spears clutched tightly in their hands.
Complaints surfaced almost immediately, especially from Bigi, whose enormous frame shook the ground with every stride, but Drax showed no sympathy. Every time someone slowed down, another lap was added to everyone's punishment, quickly teaching the squad that one person's mistake belonged to the entire team.
