Teres

...I mean, at least he's taking accountability for what happened? Kind of? I've seen so many protagonists refusing to admit that they ever do anything wrong (or rather, the author trying to convince us that the protagonist did nothing wrong).

SCSF: Oh, he certainly is, and I am frankly surprised that he bothered to do so!

I would think that's bullshit. Given all of the dumb decisions characters make in this book, I can't see him winning every single battle he's ever been in, unless his enemies were all literal turnips.

Yes... I can certainly see him lose against the summer raiders, because he wanted to prove a point, for example. To be fair, he does say this is his first serious defeat, which I can frankly see, as he presumably did not fight against anyone near Gorgrael's caliber until now.

I could see this one of two ways. One, which is the funnier option, is that he means it in the sense that pregnant women can and will absolutely murder your face if you do anything to piss them off. Seriously, do not fuck with pregnant women. Two, which is the one I'm afraid is what's used here, is "Oh, pregnant women can't control themselves because of their hormones. Don't mind them, they're all crazy."

I concur with Chessy that it is probably the second one, unfortunately.

You are on a flat plain. You can see for dozens of miles in all directions. How are you JUST NOW noticing this? I'm also starting to think that Gorgonzola is a very uninventive villain. Are magic storms just his go-to whenever he wants to hurt someone? Have some creativity, man!

To be fair, they are right next to the Bracken Ranges and the storm comes from that direction (I presume), so they would have had less time than usual... Still, why is Axis the one to note this, and not the "double sentries" who he posted for this, and who would immediately have recognised this? No, apparently Axis needs to be so involved with everything that the sentries are ignored!

If this storm is only half a league away, they would have time to dig a few inches into the ground at most, and it would probably only be about the size of a basketball.

Let me calculate... Half a league is here 2,25 miles, or 3,62 kilometres. Based on the descriptions (Axis can see individual lines of Axe-Wielders disappear) let me say the cloud moves with 2 metres per second. Then they would have about half an hour from this point on. I think that might be enough to dig in a bit? Given that it is only said they made a "small pit" in the ground, I think that might actually be doable.

(Of course, if Axis has the time to give all these orders, have a conversation, and see everyone dig in, why did they not bother to ride away? I guess they feared the horses might spook and then they would be worse off... but there should still be a mention.)

This storm must be moving so slowly it's practically going backwards. So considerate of Gorgonzola to give everyone plenty of time to prepare.

Yes, that confirms my impression that it is hardly a very serious attack (also because playing some sounds would be considerably easier than making hundreds of ice spears) and that this would have worked better in the mountains (because they cannot see the cloud as well and cannot flee it well).

...dance party? Seriously, that's what it sounds like he's gearing up to do--some kind of raucous party to chase away the fear.

I think that might have worked even better than what they actually do.