The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxIrHQdJTa
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ2Wc9iiAj
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo20RZAYD8O
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNlXlW7FW1
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC3NTJAMoW
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7phxaAq7B1
Str 7575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFa1WQo3Kw
Dex 4575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObkSRdU6o
Con 8575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2nAbzSUbY
Int 16575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP7UO4eXVR
Wis 16575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gFENF19uc
Cha 4575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4ziDZHQMR
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TW0gXBnl1
Skills575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ54U2xluG
Lunge 5575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7awr1S89dk
Parry 5575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLZKF0PZcC
Wield Shortbow 3575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HF82YriMo
Wield Rapier 5575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9xfzNFsNJ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w8TvUuEZd
You have 1 attribute point to assign.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9u3ZbyDKp
You have 5 skill points to assign.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEw5wW7YIs
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SGiQ0XjN8
XP 110/200
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujrAkpApeA
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNneBdfMHJr
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMPHjCiptD
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pwFLmNuus
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswIxjHMkjw
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lgoQwSzGO
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ZCS6oujN
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpi77sermC
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckn04qBVBt
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE4advwmJZ
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJTVgpsyDD
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT0q3T0dPe
'I understand.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF44pPySi6E
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VqN7gaQew
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLKMAKhF1B
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbwqe1fP4F
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTde3f831A
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF2CPfAVM0
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8n5yCklnQ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWrqsmj2LP
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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSf7JIe2cA
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuy2k9cHgI
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7bxMmO8Oz
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS9SmLLX4N
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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx1nStlqAW
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgHg7Kd9dl
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4olxo5UQg
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBSeNJav12
'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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWqZVv0aya
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5YTPbbpc4
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpVHNq7PHA
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oFxYOPjB3
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLK23BwdVg
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ymoZk5HK
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u7eI8OrXq
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GwCEcfS4f
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEirqdIqpKj
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnixQjWh1e
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVCtzbc4Oq
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iaZ3LvA3F
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTSLsaVWMe
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQOAe6sM44
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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaETHTd4yz5
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2tI8lRETx
'Yes, sire.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrtac6nRHL
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ryNaYkDpx
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).575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K80xjPDBr
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwghSyUefE
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBVAikYLXd
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUohA0CigNG
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmj7cdB5WK
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7pqalIFTf
'Well?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOzbk4gu6E
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFUdQyHezh
'They are moving an army towards us.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU2bj1Zr43
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ75kTkm60U
'How many troops?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlcMrLkorx
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzXG8lCOMA
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcFybVVG0s
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkPmYipSbg
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQSaodRSDU
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ZLtt0Tng
'How long have we got?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8X5OllxZq
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bDwAghzcH
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIYW4D7Fsd
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HaHMcJojR
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz6nEgkciY
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsQjLuxL6n
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uikksYg0k
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV54vWcnCF4
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw8jo8k2Ic
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMTppmWjVu
'No, this is about half.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0XOiHopnk
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QYigstBVr
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?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH1AlXJ7iQ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTsZDCdq9f
'No.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYXFzo8HQj
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OjpSWhHkX
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrmWBAW1xp
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS8E3ZcoJM
'True enough sire.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944fide2X7
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIvJ6qztJC
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInBIQ3mdfZ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEaqPHbU2Z
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeCaNHZJSf
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsSId2u8iV
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8nFQt30Pv
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABQGu27fez
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:575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHGU0HuQHv
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyyDIUFsGF
Greyland Archer575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmaBV2jyQw
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAzKI1DEOa
Fighter level 0575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9201P1oPj
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6uxN37iyG
Ranged attack: 15575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILVONaQ6J1
Melee attack: 8575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIqNMqVhe9
Armour Class: 2575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjDYTM5HAX
Hit Points: 5575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEoeE3A7DA
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lFoAD20Hk
Skills:575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY4wk89ej2
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA4il7Nqya
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuchQSGbVg
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCbuPzPg9t
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpefkejatO
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6mniYl1yx
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHHrVM2UIF
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgptyJD8ton
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiippjQEuge
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5fiZP5Xvi
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFtMnnI4f2
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdYdoTl0Xe
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSWKTbvG3q
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1s4b1PF63
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomFxzghXcD
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJZ2iPakfW
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0SCtiTEUI
'Show me to Lord Arval.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Q9iSkxky
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYwK1fD1Uc
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkta18ZIEo
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0ZNBzovmQ
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5D8YPiKRZ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Nmtc5tPB
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3nh34jNTu
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8L7IbkIs0
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9JdmWJl42
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5yPvwzowC
I nodded.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtjX8OHwAL
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpITrK7ITSp
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXXiRjrPJN
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgHNHICCaI
'What's the maximum range for it?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkghO588sCx
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpPbT6Zg0d
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHUMLWl5Ko
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCChflcFslN
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkMCt66wOL
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Ql65tiBW
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0sOzmxFSH
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPvIW0BrfI
'Yes?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShUucOrDpg
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP661BsMTtR
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QhsYqlPdL
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yli2P5BxG
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnW4VlThGZ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF3wkY6Pd0
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6tONaPar8
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVcplffKf4
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Xl3Q145k
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthauHl8p86
'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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCaBjOuMI4
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz63urWnTEk
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbySlUespM
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXfDWDOMFI
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30JU2ohQgv
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4V6aHpqj
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSg6vyVrWu
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieuWWVF51c
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmew03Ph3Zt
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrF00aDgaF
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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFzM05p1jy
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uXcsKvxNB
'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?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFAbBFJoIY
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYamiuUtCnB
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BEXel90SM
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0swGahzhNS
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd97pD4FZ8
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdahrynHXd
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfjV92782f
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN21FPgeno
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9oLcsIGpc
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YR5XCE48C
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlbbQqvqNj
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhETxWcH1vg
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50f00mmVgN
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu04P9qVGsW
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0oCcOKDzg
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iakhzweO9
'Go ahead.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9bnOpy1IX
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7C8RJbGCN
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWm1wbkcV8
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjc7yxlOJe
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTI7HC0tPJ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJIqR6rJrx
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOBqJZOReD
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsRNt15pv6
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhTXT1Dzy6
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMeNrcWslA
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY7kAN3yHB
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahgalDhOSu
'And?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uGSwn9Icd
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DZ8DhpCTo
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlHHhDZbRU
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yIwm4nVd5
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWvCpyP9gr
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZjlwDC4XW
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzPziTzziV
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk8TmlO5PV
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO2ZTv7fyC
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlnrphiRiq
'Ready sire?'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScWVDCZRtJ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVOC6hdmF3
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao8c59hirx
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KlaIvJMWL
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfHbzpSejQ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPvtZuGyEO
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgrcfo9gyI
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxDIUilaKm
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuQaan7ClI
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQBRiwnsow
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuPhFnOlQF
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdUHgl1cS6
'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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1xyL0flzr
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN7YAl9Q21
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgDFeAaQgN
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvZJGrGmxN
'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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKNEypGVVP
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qEg2HNNes
'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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9sEJvuCEb
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcvzZI2qwR
'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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVNsKJIAD8
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5YhsmHKe
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPz2XNrzO2
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Idgjei3g
'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!'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXeZPBSvTX
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxcSlzVMRN
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdSPwEl5hk
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJDlWbSUMK
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzZZyeJ1ku
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlfGk6tVSy
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvenZxy4UJ
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNvhLxNEiZ
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7pGfo8JrP
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd2gv96c8g
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.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6grqnGxNe
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBCBDeRRTq
'Good luck.'575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3mwkCslEq
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRBkm6lIlt
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZYERGrC3
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtCdx85beP
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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