The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKveTl5M2BK
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ38t0CIQM
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebXJiL1o2k
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1xwSWEYhy
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oyw8kHYjc
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHKu8K7imO
Str 7522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QXAFE6WzP
Dex 4522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PgEC5TBgZ
Con 8522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFqjLYoVci
Int 16522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j1HOXSWfq
Wis 16522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ZcHbBsM9
Cha 4522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIbNmYnh86
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGWWDsfLXh
Skills522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TLKqYRL0g
Lunge 5522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEid5ydCBB0
Parry 5522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI9nK1EZ84
Wield Shortbow 3522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQdhuDqJRQ
Wield Rapier 5522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iL2Xa1WwT
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV9djasLRP
You have 1 attribute point to assign.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpBiZrlly8
You have 5 skill points to assign.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKuYYWL0S4
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGMKIfZh1Y
XP 110/200
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I was heartened that the system awarded a new attribute point on levelling: one that further justified my risky decision to be a Fighter. The immediate question was not what attribute to increase but whether to spend it at all. If it proved relatively easy to get attributes to move up from very low scores, but very hard to say, train Strength from 17 to 18, then I should save all my level points until I'd achieved as much as I could from exercise.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z0Hz2VwX9
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZPr0f7ubD
Then there was the question of skill points. From the speed at which skills increased, I might have made a mistake in my Min-Max approach. I tapped Carlena on the back and asked that she wait with me while I took a breather. The cleric, however, I gestured to continue towards the town walls, which were less than a mile away.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN1X0beIQf
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGwnyVdnL
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfRYWFbfaj
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh5ZkM0PJe
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD16VF8KDt
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyws5J1mBM
'I understand.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLMx0KAiki
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8GrfiT7MY
'I believe that every time where you are in a situation where you have a chance to use a skill in earnest, there's the possibility you will increase your expertise in it. But you have to use a skill many times before you will be successful.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU54XCtBeOc
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYRtoIwzCZ
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXLYMMbHCv
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1AckResRE
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnlJAHvaZ6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxGZ56tnsb
It took a moment to find the right menu, then I reported them to her: 'Strength five; Dexterity eleven; Constitution nine; Intelligence seventeen; Wisdom seven; Charisma eight.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzvsc8OHpZ
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdRKiiPOOV
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RTgDfVgY1
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLtEH1p7oX
Although I felt reluctant to share this information for some reason, I reminded myself she was on my side after all. 'Strength seven; Dexterity four; Constitution eight; Intelligence sixteen; Wisdom sixteen; Charisma four.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cGw3QpGRh
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmvvwOp8NX
'By Miya's breath! Sixteen Intelligence and Wisdom? I never would have believed it!' Then she laughed. 'No offence, Sean, but I see the body of King Carlos and I see a very slow-witted man. It affects my perception of you.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ369eDdtCIr
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfFVnVpPSQ
'None taken,' I smiled. It was the first time I'd seen the sorceress laugh and it all of a sudden, my doubts about her retreated.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHWlRXp46Z
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiidSowjPEz
'That's the explanation: you will learn fast with those two attributes so high. They are extraordinary, I doubt there are more than a handful of people in the world with both Intelligence and Wisdom over fifteen.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFoZMzXQSV
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUHpgPKy2B
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4r6pz6PLr
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqkLEZOOuN
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGtp6OB0G9
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHvOnNgXIO
I resumed my slow walk back to the safety of the town walls. It was hard to force my thick legs into motion, but my morale was high and the aches didn't trouble me. If I could get my core fighting attributes to increase, to at least to around eleven or twelve, then I could bump them up with my level gains. Meanwhile, I had a very advantageous situation in regard to skills. Obviously, I should spread my points widely, trusting to my Intelligence and Wisdom to bring them up fast. In time, I would be a very versatile warrior, capable of using a wide variety of weapons and actions at a high level, instead of a specialist in just one or two.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG5bvydOi0
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mFB4Plr2j
I put a skill point into each of Bash, Block, Deflect, Defensive Stance and Dodge, which would get me started in those. And I saved my attribute point for now.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr04ZzV1eAT
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsqdjRlPfk
By the time we reached the eastern gate of the town (a large metal portcullis that was already mostly down, I had to duck to go through), nearly four hours had passed. I hadn't forgotten the fact that the smithy was turning out pickaxes and as soon as the iron was all used up and I had twenty-four new pickaxes, I assigned them to the miners.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tGnkMxw9L
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipnq0UeB1k
The Cleric was just beyond the gate, waiting for us. My instinct was to thank her, but conscious of the looks of the guards and the townspeople, I simply said, 'be ready to do the same tomorrow.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrNkDqrZv2
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xjSUdzBWi
'Yes, sire.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAfh04O6QR
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N35A3zI3L
With a promise she would join me for dinner, Carlena bid me farewell soon after and set off towards her tower, the one I had arrived at just two days ago (though it felt like I'd been here a week at least).522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2EwLOJhoS
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdRfJMDZDR
As I entered the keep, my thoughts were entirely on a bath and even a nap before dinner, when they were jolted into focus by the presence of Chancellor Parrin. My scout had been waiting in one of several chairs that were set outside of the solar for that purpose. My heart leapt. So much depended on his report. What did his face convey? Bad news, I thought, there was unease in the way his eyes caught mine.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUNZ3D4PX0
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXWbgwrc2I
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1BE9mbCDF
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1AIZfUT1L
'Well?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz0FXZ5mwK
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTpnvMNE4G
'They are moving an army towards us.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxBuFXhlGJ
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTffopFRDLY
'How many troops?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdXfw3zWrw
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtmszbHBvG
'Sixty spearmen, twenty axemen, forty archers, thirty light cavalry, ten heavy cavalry…' he paused, 'with them are two commanders, one from each faction, and a Shaman with a sabre-tooth tiger pet, I couldn't determine their levels.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiLqeiFZwm
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYO4d5QKqh
They had about twice the number of troops we did. And strangely that gave me some hope. Given Greyland's tiny army, it could have been a lot worse.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzKZQjC4bZ
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TYoB1Ld7g
'How long have we got?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7u6WVrBXd
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosqMCCO3WS
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxp29guApN
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0SMB6UXbQ
This was happening too fast. If I could have even had just a couple more personal levels, I could make a real difference to what happened in the melee. It was unfortunate too that the tower machicolations wouldn't be in place for this battle, one day and eighteen hours remained on that timer.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAF3LAcpiN
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkfe2lJtfX
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF0iXE4RGi
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCDdnuv3z0
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99BPC3AYnP
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZNLTbDS0d
'No, this is about half.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR45TDFvOE
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj2TEBJMas
That really did feel like a mistake. If they had risked everything on overwhelming us, that would have been far more dangerous. Perhaps they were worried about losing control of our farmland in the event of being thrown back. Or perhaps the two rulers were not entirely of the same mind. Whatever the reason, the encouragement I offered the chancellor was not at all bluster. 'A lot will depend on how you, Lord Arval and Carlena perform, but this will be a battle we can win. We have a ballista, they don't have anything with the same range?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0cK0dgsnf
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV8K3o34WV
'No.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahPGt2Xrs5
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QmX9QaUui
'Because of that, they won't be able to mass their archers to eliminate ours and then drive us from the walls. They will have to come on fast and try to storm the fort while we are on top of them. And that's a big advantage to us.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3krTNN4Wnu
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD9oJfN6PX
'True enough sire.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRnsbmMlUV
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa30VWfpabx
'Send a messenger on a fast horse with those figures to Lord Arval and tell him I'm coming; order a horse and cart big enough to carry me; let Carlena know to meet us at the fort tomorrow, early, and the cleric too, and any of the archers in the hospital able to fire a bow.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4XTHso3MH
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIVPxPzmjb
We shared a look – for my part I tried to convey confidence and determination – and then he was striding out of the hall, his rapid footsteps echoing in the empty room. One day I would lead my armies from the front. If we survived this attack. But even if I couldn't fight in a battle effectively, I could be there to encourage the soldiers and give orders.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpeVe6vIky
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRlu0wPgTO
After a wash and change and a meal (fish again) I went outside the keep to where a man sat on a long cart, which was drawn by two horses. I was going to have to travel through an uncomfortable night on those bare planks and over a bumpy road.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XE9TzyBtC
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc21WNY1Lp
It really was a painful journey, several times I was jolted so badly even my bulky body rose off the planks. As best I could, I distracted myself by reading up on the game menus, giving particular attention to the stats on the soldiers. It was possible to get details on each soldier type, so our 33 archers, for example, read as follows:522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZbpARCzDH
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIklWZhhuWc
Greyland Archer522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvrBVtoY5h
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Fighter level 0522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vdYVAyFer
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Ranged attack: 15522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aRnFHhEY2
Melee attack: 8522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0v9BVhxLY
Armour Class: 2522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbbO39ubbm
Hit Points: 5522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ0vCreSu7
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbNrIP3l13
Skills:522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V1Oi0yjz7
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqNZ6a2Eqn
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsj6oyp8GK
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUiRU0MZwa
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
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I had also been keeping an eye on the town menu and just after dawn, 4 iron ingots appeared in the resources area. That was excellent, it showed that applying steel pickaxes to mining really was an effective way to increase production. I allocated the ingots to the smithy, meaning I would have 48 new pickaxes in due course. Assuming we survived the day ahead.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNZm0JmdQE
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr9HkMpe92
Lively birdsong accompanied the spread of grey light across the sky. Because we were making our way down a valley, I didn't see the rising sun, only a pink glow that became a bright yellow sun by the time it rose high enough to cross the shadows of the horizon. It was a beautiful day and I was struck by the realisation that it might be my last. Unlike a game, this could be the end for me. I was placing myself in proximity to 160 or so enemy soldiers who wouldn't hesitate to kill me if they could. And there was no possibility of escape if it all went wrong, not with this body.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiMTxF6j5H
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yv38B64vY
Did every soldier feel the same, the morning before battle? A heightening of all the senses? An appreciation of the sky, the breeze, the birdsong? Even of the breaths I was taking. Yes, I felt a certain amount of fear, but it was very much in the background. I had to do what I had to do.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQENfVWdow6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB0EIOzVuV
Three Ways was the area at meeting of two valleys at the confluence of two small mountain rivers with a bridge over the emerging river. The fort was a wooden tower on a rocky outcrop to my right, the river I was following was on my left. Extending from the tower and all the way to the riverbank where there was another, much smaller, tower was a wooden palisade. There was a gate where the road passed through the wall.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqttD1SbMu1
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnY9O8Houa
My first impression was positive. We had control of the main route up towards Carrick. In theory, you could march along the other side of the river, in the narrow strip of rocky ground before the hill began to rise steeply. That would let you bypass the fort, but it would be slow going and we could harass the enemy from our side of the river. The walls of the hillside were even steeper near the main fort tower, including slaps of sheer rock in places. There was no way an army could skirt around us.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSzPnXh8As
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1le9lkypE
A picket of a dozen light infantry called on the cart to stop and as soon as they saw me, they stiffened to attention. With some difficulty I got myself out of the cart and over to the soldiers who looked at me with solemn expressions.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJYrwDKcNs
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwnLBa6rE7
'Show me to Lord Arval.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweE2eFZ1LR
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRzNsGLgwp
A guard saluted and led the way towards the main fort tower; before we were half way there, a cluster of soldiers came out of it, Lord Arval at their head, body armour shining silver in the morning light.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhhnhDA0Ra
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVP6G8odeC
'Well met, sir, well met!' Lord Arval offered his hand and shook mine earnestly. 'I have made my dispositions, but I'm glad you are here to check them and lead us in the battle.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWNEsS2lau
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYE1uWZb1F
'Thank you, Lord Arval. I don't suppose this world has invented coffee? No. Some hot water then if you can, while you explain your set up.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ1OMVTBFM
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TJl9fdS6b
'Certainly sire.' He gestured an aide to obtain my drink, then began his account. 'Our light cavalry, twenty-four of them, are scouting further down the road. They will bring us word of the enemy advance.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr3R8gWMCH
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIPlj32onr
I nodded.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqugNthoL39
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31iFMf8cW5
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXvxwwRSrk
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc4sx0odIk
'What's the maximum range for it?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtcDiU905O
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'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j7CNQFmtb
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovT3cAYorQ
It took some effort, and I nearly had to ask for a push from behind, but I got up a narrow wooden staircase and stood with the Paladin above the gate. Ahead of me, the road turned left to cross the bridge and then follow the river downstream on its left bank. That valley was where our opponents would arrive from. From here I could see the other stream and the mouth of the other valley, which was around the corner to the right of our main tower, with the stream running across the ground ahead of us to the main river about four hundred yards from where I was standing.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJbr0KdZuu
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3IXtWTz6
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2qW5SHJCH
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'Yes?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOk2igVp6E
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'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKQjyT8m41
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWReEL9lbG
While it was good that we could be shooting at the enemy as they crossed the bridge, I wasn't sure about placing the ballista crew in a position where they could be fired upon once the enemy was over the crossing. Not at all.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk8IhfLojP
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRZsqY2fyn
'All along the palisade will be our light infantry. They have been hauling rocks up ever since we heard the news. Also about half the archers. Only fifteen can fit alongside the ballista crew on the top of the tower.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc70uqR0wZB
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07bOjQ1dCJ
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXbDcEApqD
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpVyYQUgi4
'I was thinking that the twelve heavy infantry and four heavy cavalry should be there on that rise, as our reserve.' He pointed back the way I had come from.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOI8VJqflb
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqM8BiY54A
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmV0bqSof7
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcZbSQwr1q
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGiiTGbawP
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHgMfx5kwf
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhetzNZstx2
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpTspA1bOt
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O2jjCr53w
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQdBUVfqpG
Lord Arval looked thoughtful and rubbed his bald head slowly as he considered the ground ahead of us. 'I'd probably rush my archers to the main tower and try to silence the ballista, maybe having prepared screens first, so as to protect from incoming arrows from the walls. If I succeeded, I'd clear the palisade next, as much as I could.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKXDxjHLt8
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb64oqQ6hEH
'I think the same. So would you consider putting our ballista with the reserve? Too far for their arrows to reach but within range of them?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMy7YOzmPL
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp43ACtqE4
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uDxIP8HRt
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiMF9Bnd5T
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTOP6FAib6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ocdLoT3pt
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS3cQBtcSA
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjR7ZEMZhl
'We could put Carlena here, she has a fire dart spell that would do a great deal of damage or drive them off if they come close.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgpsOQjUux
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVajiz13qMK
'Aye.' He had a distant look, probably I did too. We were trying to imagine what the battle might look like. Though as any writer on warfare would tell you, no plan survives contact with the enemy. 'Aye,' he said again, more decisively, 'I think you are right.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOxa8jtifg
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSEYTYHFff
'And the advantage of my idea is that we keep everyone under cover for the duel between ballista and their archers. Your way, we might win, but are likely to lose a lot of troops.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD9thUYn3H
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2azPZE00s
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UzWdW58j
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxza2464AlW
'Go ahead.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW9OypKVbZ
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoXe8Jqpt2
It took over an hour before the ballista was set up on the rise behind the palisade, even with a pulley to lower the equipment down the side of the tower. Not long afterwards Carlena arrived with Chancellor Parrin, the Cleric and two more archers, who had recovered enough in the hospital to participate.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMik4AYu2t6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQaftHRti6
The Cleric was put in the reserve and then the four of us: Arval, Parrin, Carlena and myself went to the small tower while we talked over the plan. In short, it was to win the artillery duel and therefore be able to have the infantry throw rocks and spears from the palisade without fearing incoming arrows.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBydHi43bz9
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQQH4uOm3h
Time moves slowly before battle. It was still early in the morning and I wondered if it was worth feeding our soldiers in the near future or not. I asked Lord Arval.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAqEWe2Jtf
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sxwDpCgb5
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9U3rlzi1M
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEG0B0wCUy
'No one knows sire. There is a story of an emperor who had the same question. So he took two groups of twelve soldiers and had them fight. One group did so after a hearty meal, the others with no food inside them.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQibQf1QBbx
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSkaT5K9tP
'And?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr85XDrUQCC
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtn3gGMJH2
'Inconclusive, sire, I believe the no-food side won, but only by a man. Personally, I find a small amount of food, especially fruit, optimum.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yydl3eyVd
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHUqkxlktW
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1r2FrZJOb
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPR2GsqDR5
Our opponents did not, however, arrive until after a long, long wait, the sun well past midday. Then time began to move rapidly, beginning with the return of our light cavalry: a distant dust rising into the clear blue sky, then the sounds of their hooves and finally the sight of them clattering across the bridge.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55lLlS1FvA
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9MjLlowGI
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh4XGvpI6l
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'Ready sire?'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09kIDkJ3Kc
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8oe8Zw6lc
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY3L5m67Qe
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8hoJGJhnO
Lord Arval nodded approvingly, while Chancellor Parrin's long, bearded face was inscrutable. He probably had years of practice at hiding his feelings from Carlos. Carlena, however, was clearly sceptical.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMuoFuRqT8
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhBajbBQpM
From a rock on the rise, with a good view of the cavalry to my left and the infantry below, whose faces were tipped up towards me, I tried to remember some of the rousing speeches I'd heard in films.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjICotenV4
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4LxL7C50F
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGpg57JyL
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1EtqYYz5d
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydQ0ZbZUT6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsu2wJG4Hr
'Soldiers of Greyland!' I began, my big body proving good for this purpose, with my voice strong and echoing from the rocks. The men looked at me with hopeful expressions. 'This day, the twenty-fourth of the month of Abya, is forever going to be remembered in the history of our realm. For it is on this day that we will turn the course of this war.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFrHzX5hC2
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V6eCWDT4l
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzO1bHK2WM
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL9cgivQE6
'And you are the lucky ones. There will come a time when vast armies under my command will conquer the twenty-five kingdoms. And they will all know that it began here, with just a few of us, a lucky few. A band of warring brothers.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ88kyf1mD
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4x0XEROL3
'You will be able to say, with pride, I was there that day. With King Carlos, with Lord Arval, Chancellor Parrin and Sorceress Carlena, when we smashed the army that tried to invade our mountains and sent them fleeing back down the valley.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBwclFpTiV
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Xj5zMGgq
'It will be a tough battle, they have more soldiers; but we have much the better position and the advantage of the ballista. Let no one think of retreat. Either we hold this fort or the enemy capture Carrick and enslave your families.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjn6O22h3c
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupZpK2XMQk
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBHFgxjjGX
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeGmiUPVli
'Those recruits in years to come who were not here will think themselves cursed. And listen in silence when any of you speak. You who fought at the battle of Three Ways!'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRvJCMwioP
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIiOOko07D
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YKGbsvDuh
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJoM5FxCiF
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdhre7rMFm
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOufPHSZZh
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RYGFqXA67
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXBON8896p
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclUYVN4frg
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07zCxTNj7t
Passing me a small bottle of turquoise liquid, she said, 'just drink and name the creature. Make it one around your size or it might fail. You will have eight minutes.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvlkaRczLs
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuoeTnOJPS
'Good luck.'522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaV9tTFHc6
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbUago7avO
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2CM34msMt
522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR3wJtobY6
Before Lord Arval had returned, a new sound came from the valley beyond the bridge, an ominous deep series of thuds. The enemy were coming, marching to drums of war.
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