Chrysalis

Chapter 674

Titus watched the battle unfold from the rear ranks of the Legion column, his experienced eye catching numerous flaws in execution that any outside observer would fail to notice. He couldn't prevent the slight twitch of his eye at the sight. They can't help it, he reminded himself, his Legion was still green, not used to working together and lacking proper drill experience. The auxiliaries were even worse, though it was more common for the shock troops to show such a lack. Former prisoners slated for death, they hadn't come from the best stock, even so the Legion had turned them into viable soldiers, given them a family, a purpose and the dignity they had lacked most of their lives.

"Don't pull that face, commander, I can see it too. Don't you worry, I'll give them a proper tongue lashing when they get back."

Titus turned to his side where the commanding officer of the auxiliary detachment stood, doing much the same thing he himself was, looking over the field of battle, seeking flaws in both sides of the conflict.

"Your unit is relatively fresh into the field?" he enquired.

Waving a gnarled claw, the former human turned to one side and pulled a towel from beneath his robes, which he then used to wipe the slobber from his distended jaws.

"Pardon, commander. I figured you wouldn't want a shower as well as a conversation!"

A wheezing chuckle emerged from the auxiliary which threatened to do just that as a spray of sizzling drool launched from the back of his throat. Titus glanced down and saw that little was left of the towel, most of the fabric already being melted away.

"Cloud salamander?" the commander asked.

on! You know, most people think the acid came from a bile monster or some such. Terrible

passed for a laugh, followed by

hardly a 'how do you

he was saying was true, then the many tactical lapses he saw

at his own facial appendages, "communication isn't our strong point at the best

Wheeze. Cough. Spray.

blood will have cooled by then. Once the monster gets into you, the urge

sacrifice is

once-human shrugged his massive, misshapen

I was doing anything worthwhile before I enlisted. No need

Titus nodded.

appear to have listened closely to the briefing. I can see many moving to engage the abomination in direct combat. I believe they were instructed

Wheeze. Cough. Spray.

of us are a little hotter in the blood than others, shall we say. When they hear there's a big bad monster out there, they want to show that they're bigger and badder, you know? It's something that happens, I've seen it a lot over the years. That's why auxiliaries who can't overcome the urge don't last long. Oof.

had reared back and unleashed a brutal chomp, crunching the

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