Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Shadow Prince, Diego, removes his silver mask after ensuring the room is secure.
• He offers tea to his hooded companion, who reveals himself as Hannibal, Archbishop of the Wendigo.
• Diego invites Hannibal to share his opinion on a secret matter, but Hannibal is evasive.
• Diego expresses his surprise at Hannibal's submission to their mutual enemy and his intention to use an Execution squad against him.
• Diego reveals his plan to strike back against their enemy and asks for Hannibal's help.

Character Developments

• Diego shows vulnerability and emotion, revealing his determination to defeat their enemy and save countless lives.
• Hannibal displays calm composure and enigmatic behavior, hinting at hidden motivations and knowledge.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Diego and Hannibal discuss their enemy's power and the possibility of defeating him.
• Loyalty and Submission: They explore the complexities of loyalty, with Hannibal having submitted to their enemy while still acting independently.
• Fate and Free Will: The conversation touches on prophecies and the possibility of defying fate.

Character Interactions

• Diego and Hannibal engage in a tense, indirect conversation, each trying to read the other's intentions.
• Diego attempts to sway Hannibal to his side, offering him a chance to help defeat their enemy.
• Hannibal remains enigmatic and evasive, refusing to commit to Diego's plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Black Legion guards of Brokka, Gramatia's defensive force, face a ferocious Ork assault.
• The Black Legion holds their ground, defending Pero, but are ultimately overwhelmed and destroyed.
• The Orks, led by Scrap Iron Blocks, ravage Brokka with brutal efficiency, using tanks, war trucks, and other war machines.
• The narrator witnesses the arrival of a mysterious, black-armored army that clashes with the Orks.

Character Developments

• The Black Legion soldiers are portrayed as disciplined, courageous, and devoted to their duty, but ultimately outmatched.
• The Orks display unusual ferocity and lack of mercy during the conquest of Brokka.
• The narrator, though not a main character, shows resilience and determination in recording the events.

Significant Themes

• Devotion and fanaticism leading to destruction.
• The brutal nature of war and its impact on society.
• The emergence of a mysterious, powerful force.

Character Interactions

• The Black Legion soldiers face off against the Orks, with neither side yielding.
• The narrator observes the clash between the Orks and the mysterious black-armored army.
• The narrator reflects on the events and the guilt of the Black Legion soldiers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The mysterious black army, wielding powerful sorcery, decimates the Ork guards, causing massive casualties and destruction.
• Ork mad Wizards arrive and turn the tide, attacking the enemy with physical weapons despite their poor fighting skills.
• The battle returns to a physical realm, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
• The Orks advance, pushing the enemy back towards the city's plazas and buildings.
• The city is severely devastated, with buildings reduced to rubble, streets indistinguishable, and corpses scattered everywhere.
• The protagonist follows a squad of guards, climbing through the ruined city, witnessing the ongoing destruction.
• The Orks' united howl, a chilling and primal roar, echoes through the city, striking fear into the hearts of all who hear it.

Character Developments

• The protagonist feels righteous fury at the enemy's use of forbidden power, but also experiences fear and helplessness.
• The Ork mad Wizards, despite their poor fighting skills, display deranged fervor and inflict significant casualties on the enemy.

Significant Themes

• The destructive power of forbidden sorcery and the consequences of unrestrained use.
• The resilience and unity of the Orks, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The horrors of war and its devastating impact on cities and their inhabitants.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with the Ork guards and mad Wizards, witnessing their bravery and determination in the face of the enemy's powerful sorcery.
• The enemy forces, though powerful, are caught off guard by the arrival of the Ork mad Wizards and struggle to maintain their advantage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The cathedral of the Kaimon Church is severely damaged and defiled by Orks.
• Nutans, a Nightblade leader, has been defending the church for three days with no rest.
• The Nightblades decide not to clear away the corpses to intimidate the next Ork wave.
• The Rekmorton Squad arrives with supplies and news: the Black Legion has halted the Ork advance, but Guk's personal guard is closing in. Nutans' unit must delay them.
• Orks attack the cathedral again, and the Nightblades defend their position.

Character Developments

• Nutans shows remarkable endurance, resilience, and sharpness despite his physical discomfort and lack of sleep.
• Andriel, another Nightblade, is injured but still combat-ready.
• Nutans' disdain for bodily modifications is reinforced by his thoughts on sorcery and his former friend Silas.

Significant Themes

• Endurance and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The divide between those who accept bodily modifications and those who reject them.
• The futility of war and the struggle for hope.

Character Interactions

• Nutans and Andriel discuss the likelihood of the Orks abandoning their attack on the cathedral.
• Nutans and his Nightblades fight side by side against the Ork horde, demonstrating camaraderie and mutual support.
• Nutans' internal monologue reveals his thoughts on bodily modifications, sorcery, and his former friend Silas, hinting at past conflicts or disagreements.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nutans, the Nightblade leader, is ambushed by Orks in the cathedral. He struggles to defend himself, losing his saber and sustaining injuries.
• Andriel, a squad member, arrives and helps Nutans, but is later killed by a sniper.
• Nutans, separated from his squad, hides behind a statue and uses it to crush a group of Ork Wizards.
• The remaining Orks are eliminated by the Nightblades, and the cathedral is secured.

Character Developments

• Nutans demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds.
• Andriel shows loyalty and bravery, but his death highlights the squad's vulnerability.
• The Nightblades, though fewer in number, display determination and unity in their mission.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice for the greater good: Nutans and his squad are willing to risk their lives to protect the cathedral and humanity.
• Redemption and rebuilding: Nutans reflects on the need to sometimes destroy something to protect it, so it can be rebuilt.
• The power of faith: The cathedral, a symbol of religious faith, remains a beacon of hope amidst the destruction.

Character Interactions

• Nutans and Andriel: Their brief alliance showcases their camaraderie and trust in each other.
• Nutans and the Orks: The conflict between them highlights the stark contrast between their ideologies and methods.
• Nutans and his squad: Their shared mission and determination to complete it, despite heavy losses, underscores their bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Avel, a Harpy recorder, arrives in the Ork Kingdom, assigned to document their culture and history.
• She meets Kundraka, the captain of the Court Guard, who warns her about the Orks' lack of patience for her "pointless" questions.
• Avel learns that the Orks have occupied Brokka city and are scavenging its ruins. She is taken to meet another leader, implying a power structure within the Ork society.

Character Developments

• Avel: Initially prejudiced against the Orks, she begins to find them "remarkable" and shows curiosity about their culture and history.
• Kundraka: Displaying a mix of seriousness and humor, he warns Avel about the Orks' potential violence but also shows respect for her position under the Overlord's protection.

Significant Themes

• Prejudice and first impressions: Avel's initial views of the Orks as uncultured and destructive change as she interacts with them.
• Power dynamics: The Orks' hierarchical structure is hinted at, with different leaders and the Court Guard's role in protecting Avel.
• Cultural exchange: Avel's presence in the Ork Kingdom suggests a potential exchange of knowledge and understanding between their two societies.

Character Interactions

• Avel and Kundraka: Their conversation reveals a mix of tension and mutual respect, with Avel showing curiosity and Kundraka displaying a mix of seriousness and humor.
• Avel and the Court Guard: The unnamed Court Guard shows concern for Avel's well-being, suggesting a level of care or respect for her position.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Avel receives a Squig hide as a gift from an Ork, which she uses to ward off the cold.
• They reach a mansion, where Avel encounters Mogtrakka, a Weirdboy who speaks both human and Orkish languages fluently.
• Mogtrakka believes something has tampered with Avel's mind, causing her to forget her past and learn Orkish.
• Avel and Mogtrakka have a conversation, with Mogtrakka inviting her to sit and talk.

Character Developments

• Avel: Struggles with her memory and understanding of her past, begins to accept that something may have altered her mind.
• Mogtrakka: Revealed to be a powerful Weirdboy with a majestic presence, displays knowledge of Avel's condition and invites her to discuss it.

Significant Themes

• Memory and identity: Avel's struggle to understand her past and her current abilities raises questions about memory, identity, and the nature of reality.
• Power and madness: Mogtrakka's status as a Weirdboy explores the theme of power and its connection to madness among Orks.

Character Interactions

• Avel and the Orks: Avel interacts with various Orks, including those who gift her the Squig hide and those who accompany her to the mansion.
• Avel and Mogtrakka: Avel meets Mogtrakka, who invites her to discuss her condition, displaying a level of understanding and acceptance that contrasts with her initial fears about Weirdboyz.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Avel and Mogtrakka discuss the mysterious forces and daemons lurking in the shadows.
• Mogtrakka reveals his past encounters with these daemons and his intention to suppress their influence.
• Mogtrakka suspects Avel is being controlled by an unknown force and tasks her with uncovering the truth.
• Avel witnesses the synchronized movement of the armored warriors, instilling fear in her.
• Mogtrakka and Guk discuss the daemons' origins and the possibility of investigating Hanan.

Character Developments

• Avel: Realizes the complexity of the Orks and their strategies, feels fear and unease, accepts Mogtrakka's task.
• Mogtrakka: Shows strategic thinking, reveals his past experiences with daemons, displays his power and intimidation.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and hidden forces at play.
• The daemons' evolution and increasing cunning.
• The Orks' strategic capabilities and their use of fear as a weapon.
• Trust and manipulation in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Avel and Mogtrakka: A tense exchange where Mogtrakka reveals his suspicions about Avel and tasks her with a dangerous mission.
• Mogtrakka and Guk: A private conversation where they discuss the daemons' origins and the possibility of investigating Hanan.
• Avel and the armored warriors: A brief interaction where Avel feels fear and unease due to the warriors' synchronized movement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guk, the Ork Warboss, and Mogtrakka, his second-in-command, discuss the state of their ship and the human defenses.
• Guk decides to give the humans time to gather their forces for a decisive battle, choosing Tyre as the bait.
• Liya, a Harpy working with Guk, reports that she has dealt with human merchants seeking to trade slaves for weapons.
• Guk orders the Ork army to move out towards Tyre, aiming to engage the humans in a major battle.

Character Developments

• Guk demonstrates strategic thinking, understanding the importance of choosing the right battlefield and weakening the human forces before engaging them.
• Liya shows her loyalty and efficiency in handling negotiations with human merchants.

Significant Themes

• Strategy and tactics in warfare: Guk's decision to give the humans time to gather and choose the battlefield demonstrates his understanding of strategic warfare.
• The value of slaves and trade: The human merchants' desire to trade slaves for weapons highlights the importance of these commodities in the Ork and human societies.

Character Interactions

• Guk and Mogtrakka: The two discuss the state of their ship and the human defenses, showing a level of trust and camaraderie.
• Guk and Liya: Guk trusts Liya to handle negotiations with the human merchants, showing his faith in her abilities.
• Guk and the Ork army: Guk's order to move out is followed by the entire Ork army, demonstrating their loyalty and obedience to him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Liberty, a rotorcraft gifted by the Civic Temple to the Eastern Benedict Empire, is carrying a renowned figure, Yushikin Clark, to Biloxer Province to fight Orks.
• Yushikin, despite his fatigue, is determined to lead the fight against the Orks.
• The rotorcraft descends over a valley with a cluster of buildings and mining areas, which is considered suitable for defense due to its natural choke point.

Character Developments

• Yushikin Clark: Despite his physical weariness, he remains determined and strategic in his thinking, showing his growth as a leader and his deep understanding of the enemy.
• Jackson: He is stubborn and set in his defensive strategies, showing a lack of adaptability to the unpredictable nature of the Orks.
• Koning: He is a military observer from the Civic Temple, showing admiration for Yushikin's strategic thinking.

Significant Themes

• Hope and Fear: Yushikin's role as a symbol of hope for the Imperium, despite his personal fears and insecurities.
• Adaptability vs. Stubbornness: The contrast between Yushikin's adaptable strategies and Jackson's rigid defensive plans.
• The Nature of War: The unpredictable and brutal nature of the Orks, and the need for strategic flexibility in response.

Character Interactions

• Yushikin and Jackson: Yushikin challenges Jackson's rigid defensive plans, showing a contrast in their strategic thinking.
• Yushikin and Koning: Koning shows admiration for Yushikin's strategic insights, highlighting his reputation as a skilled military leader.
• The crew and Yushikin: The crew members show reverence and respect for Yushikin, highlighting his status as a savior figure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yushikin tracks the main Ork force's advance using a reconnaissance aircraft's imaging device.
• The once-beautiful landscape is now scarred by the Orks' destructive path.
• Yushikin calculates they have a week to prepare defenses before the Orks reach a wide, undefended valley.
• Three days earlier, Yushikin successfully delayed the Ork invasion at the Vantreel Line.
• The Imperium's main forces retreat, making Tyre the new front line.
• Civilians evacuate to Tyre, but the Imperial upper ranks have not drawn up an evacuation plan.

Character Developments

• Yushikin reflects on his complex feelings towards the Shadow Prince, who raised him but is also the subject of many rumors.
• Yushikin hopes to hold out until the Shadow Prince changes his mind about abandoning Tyre.
• Yushikin is dismayed by the lack of urgency in evacuating refugees and the extravagance of the local garrison commander.

Significant Themes

• The destructive impact of the Ork invasion on the Imperium's landscape and people.
• The political undercurrents within the Imperium, including opposition to the Shadow Prince's rule.
• The stark contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of the elite and the hardships faced by ordinary people, such as miners.

Character Interactions

• Yushikin meets with local garrison commanders and a mining group director, who attempt to ingratiate themselves with him.
• Yushikin's staff officers accompany him and share his confusion about the still-operating mining area.
• Yushikin and Jackson discuss the Ork invasion's progress and the Imperium's response.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yushikin arrives at the mining district and questions Sherkov about the ongoing operations despite the impending Ork invasion.
• Yushikin discovers that Golden Bull Mining Group acquired the mining district at a significantly reduced price due to martial law, raising suspicions about the legality of the transaction.
• Yushikin takes command of the defense sector, placing it under the control of the Black Legion, and dismisses Maierbai and Defusok's objections.
• Yushikin plans to shut down the mining district, dismiss workers, and station troops in the workers' dormitories to prepare for the Ork invasion.
• Yushikin is called away to Tyre, leaving Jackson in charge of the preparations.

Character Developments

• Yushikin: Demonstrates his authority and seriousness in handling the situation, showing no tolerance for corruption or obstruction.
• Jackson: Shows her aggressive and assertive nature, supporting Yushikin's decisions and threatening those who oppose them.
• Sherkov, Maierbai, and Defusok: Reveal their self-interest and lack of concern for the impending Ork threat, prioritizing their business and personal interests.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and self-interest vs. duty and responsibility
• The consequences of inaction and delay in the face of an impending threat
• The power dynamics between military and civilian authorities

Character Interactions

• Yushikin and Sherkov: Yushikin questions Sherkov about the mining district's acquisition, revealing his suspicions about the legality of the transaction.
• Yushikin and Maierbai/Defusok: Yushikin dismisses their objections to his taking command, threatening them with severe punishment if they continue to obstruct the military's efforts.
• Jackson and Maierbai/Defusok: Jackson supports Yushikin's decisions, threatening Maierbai and Defusok with being shot if they continue to oppose them.
• Yushikin and Jackson: Yushikin leaves Jackson in charge of the preparations, showing his trust in her abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Green Fortress, a massive Ork war vehicle, approaches Nait City, crushing everything in its path.
• It releases Snotlings, and its secondary guns destroy a food wagon, showing its disregard for civilian life.
• The city is silent and tense, awaiting the arrival of their conqueror, Guk.
• The Ork army, consisting of heavily armed elites and powerful psychics, is ready to assault the city.

Character Developments

• Klein, a Nightblade, is among the crowd, observing the Orks and nobles, disdainful of the nobles' belief in their importance.
• Grak, an Ork, is present, having kept the city's inhabitants alive as trophies. He leads the Orks in a deafening roar to welcome their boss, Guk.

Significant Themes

• The brutal and indifferent nature of the Ork invaders, shown in their destruction of the food wagon.
• The fear and tension of the city's inhabitants, awaiting their conqueror.
• The disdain of the Nightblade, Klein, for the nobles who have allied with the Orks.

Character Interactions

• The nobles, including Count Krando, stand on the hall steps, awaiting Guk's arrival, surrounded by household servants for protection.
• Klein and Grak are both present but do not interact directly. Klein observes Grak leading the Orks in their roar.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ork White-Helm Guards, led by Mangul, arrive via teleportation, striking awe and fear into the crowd.
• Guk, atop the Green Fortress, surveys his new conquest, with Grak by his side.
• Guk meets with Count Krando and the nobles, displaying his power and demanding they produce weapons for him.

Character Developments

• Guk: Demonstrates his power and assertiveness, showing no mercy or patience. He's fluent in human language but retains his heavy accent.
• Grak: Remains lazy and nonchalant, deferring to Guk's decisions. He's more interested in battle than governance.
• Count Krando: Shows fear and subservience before Guk, contrasting with his usual arrogance. He's quick to understand Guk's demands and responds accordingly.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Guk's arrival and display of force establish his dominance over the human nobles.
• Fear and awe: The humans react with fear and awe at the sight of the Orks, highlighting the power imbalance.
• Conquest and its aftermath: Guk's actions show the initial stages of Ork rule, focusing on exploitation of resources and labor.

Character Interactions

• Guk and Grak: Their dynamic is one of familiarity and mutual respect, with Grak deferring to Guk's decisions.
• Guk and Count Krando: Their interaction is one of power and submission, with Guk demanding weapons and Krando quickly acquiescing to avoid punishment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of armed civilians attempt to assassinate Guk, but their bullets are deflected by his armor's field generator.
• The crowd panics and surges forward, overwhelming the noble guards.
• Guk orders the execution of Count Krando and the other nobles, then commands his guards to kill every living thing in the square.
• The guards open fire on the fleeing civilians, using both guns and flamethrowers, causing widespread panic and chaos.
• Klein escapes the square and navigates through the city, avoiding guards and trying to find a safe route out of the urban district.

Character Developments

• Guk: Reveals his true nature as a brutal and merciless tyrant, ordering the massacre of innocent civilians.
• Count Krando: Attempts to plead with Guk but is ultimately executed.
• Klein (Nightblade): Demonstrates his resourcefulness and adaptability in escaping the massacre and navigating the city.

Significant Themes

• The brutal and oppressive nature of the Ork regime.
• The futility of resistance against overwhelming force.
• The desperation and terror of civilians caught in the crossfire of war.

Character Interactions

• Guk and Count Krando: Guk executes Krando without mercy, showing his disregard for the lives of his subjects.
• Klein and the fleeing civilians: Klein is swept up in the panicked crowd, trying to survive alongside them.
• Klein and the guards: Klein avoids the guards, witnessing their cold-blooded slaughter of civilians.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein, disguised as Nightblade, encounters a man blaming him for an Ork attack.
• An Ork Guard enters the shop, killing the man and attacking Klein.
• Kasko, another member of the Blades of Delirium, arrives and engages the Ork in a fierce, close-range gunfight.

Character Developments

• Klein/Nightblade: Maintains his disguise despite injury, prioritizes survival, and supports Kasko.
• Kasko: Demonstrates exceptional speed, agility, and combat skills, driven by a primal, aggressive nature.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptability in the face of danger.
• The brutal nature of the Ork invaders and their disregard for human life.
• The desperate resistance of the human population.

Character Interactions

• Klein and the Man: The man blames Klein for the Ork attack, leading to a tense confrontation.
• Klein and Kasko: Klein supports Kasko in the fight against the Ork, demonstrating teamwork and mutual trust.
• Kasko and the Ork Guard: Their intense, close-range combat highlights Kasko's exceptional skills and the Ork's formidable strength and reflexes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kasko, an assassin, engages in a brutal fight with an Ork guardsman, ultimately killing it.
• Klein and Kasko evade other Orks and civilians fleeing the city.
• They overhear civilians discussing the Ork invasion and the city's impending destruction.
• Kasko tends to his wounds, and they discuss their chances of survival.
• A bird with a metallic glint catches their attention, and Klein discovers it's a surveillance device.

Character Developments

• Kasko's combat skills and brutal efficiency are demonstrated.
• Klein shows concern for their survival and remains focused on their escape.
• Kasko's drug dependency and mental instability are hinted at.

Significant Themes

• The brutal nature of the Ork invasion and its impact on civilians.
• The desperate struggle for survival in a war-torn city.
• The consequences of excessive organ modification and drug use in soldiers.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Kasko's dynamic is tense, with Klein showing disdain for Kasko's drug use and Kasko mocking Klein's lack of killing experience.
• They share a grim determination to survive and escape the city.
• Klein shows initiative in investigating the suspicious bird, while Kasko initially hesitates but follows suit.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Calculator sends an eagle to track Klein and Kasko, who are trying to escape the city.
• They board a freight train that's still operational, but it's a trap set by the Calculator and the Ork Guards.
• The train crashes through a barricade set up by the Ork Guards and derails, injuring Klein and Kasko.

Character Developments

• Klein and Kasko demonstrate their determination to escape the city, even when faced with danger.
• Klein shows concern for Kasko's safety when he says, "How would we know if we don't take a look?" regarding the potential trap.

Significant Themes

• Perilous Journey: The characters' journey is filled with danger and uncertainty, reflecting the harsh world they inhabit.
• Trust and Caution: Klein's willingness to take risks contrasts with Kasko's caution, highlighting the tension between trust and suspicion in their partnership.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Kasko work together to navigate the dangerous situation, showing a level of trust and understanding between them.
• Klein shows concern for Kasko's safety, while Kasko is protective of Klein, as seen in his warning, "It could be a trap."

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the mission, Klein and Kasko are pursued by White-Helm Guards.
• They are rescued by a Nightblade off-road vehicle driven by the Planner.
• The group escapes the city, leaving behind destruction and fleeing refugees.
• They head north toward a place called Tyre.
• Meanwhile, Nate's city is devastated by the Orks' wrath, with no survivors left.

Character Developments

• Klein shows hesitation and concern for his survival, questioning if he'll die in this remote city.
• Kasko is injured but uses painkillers to continue fighting. He becomes irritable and restless as the drugs wear off.
• The Planner remains calm and collected, revealing he had prepared tracking spells on the team members.
• Nate, though not present, is implied to have suffered a devastating loss with his city's destruction.

Significant Themes

• Survival and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The brutal nature of war and its impact on civilians.
• The importance of planning and preparation, as shown by the Planner's foresight.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Kasko work together to fight off the pursuing Guards.
• The Planner reveals he has been tracking the team members, causing tension with Kasko.
• Liya and Quillsana discuss the futility of resistance against the Orks, highlighting the grim reality of their situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guk and Liya discuss the Ork invasion's impact on Glamatia Province, with millions of people displaced, and countless lives lost, including in Nate and Brokka.
• Aid pours in from various nations, but it's insufficient against the vast Ork horde.
• Grak's Goff Legion encounters unexpected resistance at Taiyang City, with human defenders holding their ground despite being outmatched.

Character Developments

• Guk remains indifferent to the human suffering caused by the Orks, viewing it as a natural consequence of conflict.
• Liya shows empathy for the innocent victims, questioning the decisions that led to such losses.
• Grak struggles with the unexpected resistance at Taiyang City, grappling with the need to preserve the industrial district while facing setbacks.

Significant Themes

• Consequences of War: The invasion's devastating impact on civilian lives and infrastructure highlights the brutal nature of war.
• Resilience vs. Indifference: The human defenders' determination contrasts with Guk's callousness, emphasizing the value of resilience in the face of adversity.
• Strategic Dilemmas: Grak's challenge at Taiyang City illustrates the complexities of military strategy, where tactical decisions can have significant consequences.

Character Interactions

• Guk and Liya's conversation reveals their differing perspectives on the war and its victims.
• Grak's communication with his banners shows his frustration with the unexpected resistance and the need to adapt his strategies.