[ Eptian LXVI ]

Eptih, having returned recently, wasted no time organizing the army into five major divisions choosing five of his best men to command each of them. The commanders were Maelimh commanding Frist Division, Atpref commanding Second Division, Eonan commanding Third Division, Zimahnil commanding Fourth Division and Fayareg commanding Fifth Division. As for Eptih himself he would be the overall commander and therefore would dictate orders for the entire army. Each of these groups consisted of approximately five thousand men. Eptih tasked his commanders with choosing their own lieutenants and aides.  

After Eptih’s organization of the army the training continued. Although the Pan Mortal was ready to enter the field Eptih was somewhat hesitant, its success or failure rested on his shoulder alone. If he moved too quickly and directed the army into a slaughter all his efforts would be for nothing along with the hopes of ever lifting the Velidian yoke off the Mortals shoulders. 

Eptih was planning a major attack against the Velidians, an opening move that might render them incapable of mounting a defense and thus defeating them from the onset. Eptih knew this was not likely but at the very least he wanted to make the attempt and he knew he had surprise on his side. Eptih’s problem then became what to do first. If Eptih took the army into the field to see them fight smaller fights their exestince would become known and the element of surprise would be lost, however if Eptih went to battle with an untested force he could lead them into a trial by fire they might not survive. 

Eptih considered what to do, not consulting with his generals and as he remained stagnant with the army constantly training the Mortal leaders became worried, wondering if they had made the right decision. What Eptih most wanted was to take the army and exact retribution on the various traitor mortals, like the Siradyt. Eptih by now had come to the conclusion that this idea although personally appealing would remove surprise which was the one factor that seemed to be in their favor. So by now Eptih had decided to attack the Velidians, hopefully destroying their power center near the Great Chasm. It was bold but Eptih felt it was necessary.

At almost the same moment Eptih resolved himself to attack the Velidians in a massive attack it was discovered through their network of informers that the Velidians had recently discovered the existence of the pan Mortal Army. Somehow they had spy’s that had discovered the army. Eptih was glad in one sense that the Velidians had discover the army so late in its formation but also disappointed that he had lost the surprise factor.

Now Eptih had to completely alter his plans. One thing was certain however, he had to move the army as soon as possible. Their location was compromised and Eptih did not want his army to be under siege and to be slowly destroyed before it ever had a chance to face the enemy and fight. Therefore Eptih ordered the army to set fire their training grounds and move out. The army proceeded to do as ordered and as they marched away the umbilical cord was cut, they where no longer in training but in the field of battle, they would now either be victorious or perish, there was no other possible outcome.