Naturally, the warriors are the rank that Volterra takes the most interest in. Leading them comes easily to him - it's the other ranks, the ones he isn't used to, that he knows he's going to struggle to relate to. It's a problem he intends to overcome, of course, but he can't help but find himself relaxing into his position as he meets Ampere to gather the warriors. This will be the easiest of all the rank meetings, and the Indomitable looks the image of a true former Gladiator as he moves to meet with his Sultana. His body, whilst still young, is hardened by months and years of arduous sparring, his skin a canvas of different-sized scars and some fresher ones from his more recent exploits. His muscles are thick, hard and well-trained, and his bulk appears even greater when contrasted with Ampere's small stature. He knows better than to underestimate her, though - she's spent her fair share of time on the battlefield too. Together, they cut a fine pair of leaders, ones that any sane soldier would want to work for.

A smile twitches at the edge of his lips as she summons spark dragons to hunt down the herd's warriors. Not wanting to be outdone by static imposters, Vérzés and Vadir throw themselves in pursuit, hunting for their intended targets to bring them towards their king and queen. In the lull before the first warriors begin to arrive, the brute looks to Ampere. "It is imperative that we get our warriors hardened up and prepared for battle," he says, perhaps stating the obvious but unwilling to overlook something so important. "I suggest kitting them out with armour and weapons as a matter of urgency, with the most active of them getting priority. Perhaps once a soldier completes a couple of spars, they be rewarded with a knife forged by our crafters, then items of armour the more they fight." It would be a worthy incentive - whilst a warrior cannot rely on trinkets to protect him, it is vital that he also know how to use his possessions to his advantage.

"Whenever we send a patrol out to search for clues to Kaos, I also feel it would be prudent to have a warrior accompany it. We do not know when the beast may strike again." He frowns, his royal features folding and hardening with discontent. He has taken his inability to find clues on Kaos as a personal affront - how dare the demon hide his weaknesses so well?

Everything happens at once. First Reichenbach arrives, receiving a nod and a smile from the titanic Sultan, and then his dragons scream. From their position overhead they can see what the three gathered warriors cannot - the herd's tiniest warrior readying his slingshot, and firing a gleaming key directly at Volterra's sizeable backside.

If it wasn't for the warning of his companions, the key may well have inserted itself into the behemoth's rump, or worse headed up where no item should ever venture. As it is, Volterra has enough time to summon his magic and snatch at the ground behind him, erecting a great wall of earth that acts like a shield. The key rattles harmlessly into it, tumbling to the ground with a loud clatter. Volterra whips around, his mane flailing, his temper rising. "PIPPIGRIN!" he roars, his ears flipping ominously backwards. Ampere has reacted as well, and the air around her sizzles with electricity; she directs her ire towards Reichenbach, given that he's the only visible perpetrator, but Volterra knows better. "It was not Reichenbach, Ampere," he tells her, his eyes narrowed as he glares into the distance towards where the dragons tell him Pippigrin is lurking.

The wall of earth crumbles to dust at the Indomitable's bidding and he marches forwards, his muscles flexing dangerously. His temper is thoroughly piqued, although his dragons do not help with their loud, obnoxious laughter in his ears. "A few inches lower and he call you Mrs Volterra," cackles Vadir. After a few furious seconds, the titan slows his movements and forces himself to see the funny side. He's sure the tiny warrior hadn't meant any true harm with his attack, and the dwarf does sometimes seem to forget social etiquette in his eagerness. Ordinarily Volterra would squash such an assailant into bloody pulp for his attempt, but on this occasion he forces himself to make an exception.

Blood is still ringing in his ears as he glares towards the miniature pegasus, though. "Whilst it is excellent that you have acquired yourself a weapon, Pippigrin, you are ill-advised to use it on your leaders." For all he knows, Pip had been aiming for Ampere and had missed, which is just as bad. His voice is thunderous and firm but not entirely unkind, more like a father scolding his naughty son than a truly angry beast exploding on an opponent. Indeed, the pegasus is almost like a son to Volterra - sometimes misguided, often irritating, but always brave and full of heart. That's what saves him from a far worse punishment. "Do not do that again," he adds, his ears finally untangling themselves from his mane and lifting into an erect position upon his head. "Come here so we can begin the meeting."

Whilst he waits for Pippigrin to approach - assuming the little man will do so, if he wants to clamber into Volterra's good books again - the beast looks to Reichenbach. "How are you, Reichenbach? Have you partaken in many more spars?"

Aelfwine's arrival would ordinarily have been a moment of joy and greeting, but it is somewhat overshadowed by the palpable tension rippling between Ampere and Reichenbach. The latter displays a quick temper that resonates with Volterra's own, and he glances between them with his hard muscles firmly tensed in preparation to step in should things escalate further. He takes a step forward, staring sternly between the two of them and showing that he's quite ready to place his colossal bulk between them should either of them show signs of attacking.

Internally, he's furious. This is not what the Throat's mighty military should be doing. It shouldn't consist of a dwarf who launches keys at his king in an attempt at humour, or a fiesty man who swears at his queen in an act of insubordination. It should consist of hardened warriors, willing to fight and die for the cause. Attempts like Pippigrin's are not acceptable, and the Sultan is sure to keep his gaze hard as he looks upon the tiny soldier. Look what he's caused!

He forces a smile as Reichenbach speaks of having his ass handed to him by Isopia. "Ah, we have something in common." The words are amused, but with an undercurrent of tension that he simply cannot let go, not with the current situation around him. As Ampere begins her speech, the goliath finds himself looking at her with admiration, her words firm and mildly frightening even to him. She might be small, but she is like the storm, and she's not a mare to be crossed.

"To add to that, we currently live in some of the most dangerous times that I've ever known. Kaos' threat is very real, and our best asset here is our unity. We are strongest when we work as one, and we cannot allow ourselves to be divided by such small, insignificant things." By that he means the throwing of the key, not Pippigrin himself. He glances sternly between all three warriors as he speaks, although his gaze softens as it lands on Aelfwine - she's blameless in this, and has been nothing but loyal so far. "I am sure you meant no offense or harm, Pippigrin, but you must start to think before you act. Look what you've caused. We do not have time for acts like this, not now, not ever." Perhaps he should punish the little man further - strip his rank, or sentence him to hard labour for a month. He just cannot bring himself to, though, because he knows the dwarf has a good, brave heart and it was just a slip of judgement rather than a genuine attempt at malice.

Ampere continues, and the behemoth falls silent to listen. Her ability to conduct a meeting far outstrips his own, and he has to remind himself that she's an old hand at this, whereas he is still learning the ropes of a role he'd never thought he would obtain so soon. Leading the Throat is a baptism of fire in all senses of the world, yet Volterra cannot for a second allow anybody to see how much he's learning as he goes along. He must present a strong front, one of utter confidence, as though he knows exactly what he's doing. It's the closest thing to lying he's ever done. "In the depths of the Marshes, there is an altar that we helped build when we were doing Kisamoa's bidding. The altar has an odd script on it, which I've visited numerous times but have not managed to decipher. We intend to suggest that regular patrols are sent out to the Marshes to search for clues and try to work out what the altar is saying, and we will require one of you to join each patrol to keep it safe should anything happen. This is a responsibility that you must not take lightly, as the patrol could well consist of younglings and inexperienced fighters who will rely on you for protection should you be attacked." His words are strong but wary, to try and portray the seriousness of the situation.

"To that end, it is vitally important that you are all battle-ready. We are going to work closely with the crafters to outfit you with weapons and armour, but you must not rely on those tools. Your main assets must always be your body and your mind, so make sure you spar regularly to keep up your condition. Fight in all manner of weathers and landscapes, so you are prepared for any eventuality. If any of you need any assistance or wish to test yourselves against me, I am more than happy to oblige and I'm sure Ampere is as well." Not to sound arrogant, but attempting to conquer Volterra is a formidable task for any warrior.

"It is also important that we swell our warrior ranks. The three of you will be the first port of call for anybody in the herd wishing to become a soldier, so be sure to offer your help and advice to these budding warriors. It is also wise to educate none-military herdmates whenever possible, so that everybody in the Throat has at least a rudimentary knowledge of how to defend themselves. We will be keeping an eye out to decide who to promote to Gladiator, so be sure to work your hardest." He glances between the three of them. They are all strong in their own way, but there's not enough of them to truly call the herd protected.

"It will not be easy, but I have faith in all of you. We can do this. We can conquer Kaos, and we can elevate the Throat to greatness once again. Work hard, spar regularly, and know that myself and Ampere are always here to help you if you need it." He falls silent, glancing to the Sultana to see if she has anything to add before looking to the warriors. "Do any of you have any questions, or any suggestions?" It's important that they be given the chance to say how they feel and how they think the military should be ran.