The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61rGFUNHu3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78xnIGWf1q
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizGHcrb5ED
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Mp6XJAub
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iMdVeS5P1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Qo0xBs2X
Str 7582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XmL6go49F
Dex 4582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAxx4k6hEA
Con 8582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uczjevUjN
Int 16582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwWsRF6vvM
Wis 16582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2FF0rCj6n
Cha 4582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblCeZz3h2O
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TO3L24pve
Skills582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwdYVIdbBb
Lunge 5582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BxPgDpxMW
Parry 5582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcwR0tu7o9
Wield Shortbow 3582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISgYQgjUwh
Wield Rapier 5582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkCuWUE35h
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl9wy5JrLp
You have 1 attribute point to assign.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWLd71mvwR
You have 5 skill points to assign.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf69M1VWiIj
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T2WkvsrZz
XP 110/200
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ox8i8ZUI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvvSO5tWK5
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUVzXBVXPH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOgz4LHwin
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXG4LiJNuV
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI0Mcq1OXg
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGAARXjMbt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr9e3lbyqT
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC4OEjPt8N
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFTjzXqzoq
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzuXkb0so6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnT6RCyDQs
'I understand.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzqOCTliwR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcRBALE10N
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFyo6u5rsk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnfwEEcyLg
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAixSRadWzC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiNu1QyAfD
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX5HY2JYor
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwARKeBHjTp
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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGUyK7DSKF
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rVFLxvNI9
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcfCir1cnA
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObaNP4H9iW
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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg4qbNApZO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTE5f8N1Ka
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyMI8brFJa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd1Deox47b
'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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYjq7P7LzB
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ070Tw96hHi
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Gi1iCMfr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpuXefBWD9
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvUHKn4Dk5
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiRytyRYVY
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiV0XXuaiL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53VB3VChz1
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOoPl2K8US
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOjkOA84M3
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5ycG9NcxE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBbxCxFw4X
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQz8QsAHLG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCRYGSbkgz
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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGxDSBwMSe
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFnzieA6W9
'Yes, sire.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Ty0DjExc
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrni2Ou601
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).582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVDjojfuph
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdBBH37r5Z
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ5n5ywT7h
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaUM0TIOQ7
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzH85HDtf4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeRaafwnRr
'Well?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JKFI2PNzZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXkbsf2x6m
'They are moving an army towards us.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtOTiTrTc0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTKEQ2b9u4
'How many troops?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Fh08fCj2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8BjtKdxZd
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVg2mRYkfO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHz5My5jQ0
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjWV2zKTH1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvJFhd987X
'How long have we got?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S0SdLYsQT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIBTukX05l
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZOXX8BVAf
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKOm3izhN9
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjMQD9YH8U
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjpfflVndt
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlUh8GxrSW
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6v8L5TY3X
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfwTeU2gLx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc7VItzeP0
'No, this is about half.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeoSbuWmDt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU53NaE9ZlY
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?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzXWEyme4W
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UNcdK6Tbg
'No.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TokWgEgJs
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxJOgE2xJw
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC2RDo1zku
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5AirBaW8C
'True enough sire.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxPj1CZ42G
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SadEySU6S
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDwtzTkRiq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TkYghShcj
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7cuODGOm9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEfQmc6YGb
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBVGlJAD7W
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUTRs7gdGn
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:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycx2Gkp35U
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2NFn4GOPq
Greyland Archer582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lJQ12HmZs
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4zGWrqWBk
Fighter level 0582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DFIBaPTLD
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Ranged attack: 15582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjHWZpaz8L
Melee attack: 8582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q5DI1ItdZ
Armour Class: 2582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu92Wa95wjX
Hit Points: 5582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4MnCEERVT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVabmJcaan
Skills:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUaoz9fdJD
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtdpDmBI8x
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwcwDGAt4w
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXMQQjhaos
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19GYL8keen
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Kg5BO3kc
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug3ydal4ra
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6hpUnHaqt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq76XURHuMo
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MIEgyVehH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS97VWYeEh
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXv4N9irSA
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAyyZSzsPB
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gtWdES4SQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsRlLGGcOn
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcI4mg0rur
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T3gwQN2zw
'Show me to Lord Arval.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSWItoeDAq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7xfCbEncI
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1WHbN3EEF
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtEg1Qdugz
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa8vIx7J18
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXF1TQPCzs
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW20iYLJ2R
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q82AESclj
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkW5ZmsPtB
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5FPtq0xNp
I nodded.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVSsOPlFgq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOFzroSgdt
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMGM4KD3H7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQND34bxtcZ
'What's the maximum range for it?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhFE4e71uO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlGTQP7Vfr
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfJmGKoe1J
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dIgvPmMWZ
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7apnxDQOYn
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwKmUgNWpm
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaSYcsXXix
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1frOIYJpJ
'Yes?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyHeJOxq4g
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBZfCfURpf
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz36iAlbDmd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpbgoSxbJX
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7mNtIHeTL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTF4u6AKcu
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF8i0Ai5pU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ38Fu2x4HQ
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKDYUIta1t
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuVTACIL9l
'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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9csh1Mof8
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhU3b4k1xn
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PRxuUjZH7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOlkcOuRaD
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoP5LKbwcB
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK2ReAqItH
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnxchTnYuu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIWbVGVhHm
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOggWs7xU8l
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMD86nBvOD
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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XlsbQXUH1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJrAEIg9EE
'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?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiXR45Tqdy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIdMBHY22N
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFIht8587P
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3WIVnDPJP
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQAKXwsD9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquDVcHZw2
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrPxcAHe5O
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds2McN3cKL
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfBrRoAq9v
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyDUOIzB9D
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbNdyUHkeP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHiG2SD7FZ
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoueIYEVXb6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oAEYRw0L5
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7RgQOkbde
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJt13OXcOR
'Go ahead.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCRz43wHk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXkIvLMcM
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rkLrxFvJL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWujtpRQL9R
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJcP9vHFmh
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl5nNMQzqB
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2luxaFT5e
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBJcCum563
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgeV9AbH38
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqawfH4HbPq
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6YIlKzzD6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm145cHcEG
'And?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkF2jd5Lc0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmV29GIaMj
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMuxK3vXxS
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeRWD5As38
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEAUJjBOWH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bkWermA4i
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaSKuCH7hp
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfdLhtVmbr
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4eLp0YFJx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqdv5QdJFY
'Ready sire?'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfuShQeDH6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiFn1epZ3W
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsuOrIjV28
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU2Z8KVx63
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPSZRXLD4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I9eo3ECwS
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhWAuM51k1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwk9hnlrw7
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinr64MTCcH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R1E7L2QJp
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9TwNjE9Us
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkixojwMnI
'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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOECbFxSOLj
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoFrRSIbod
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvh8PY95mN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeXRIXMRDM
'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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlkZwmYBgo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitwWwxTbKm
'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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR34BdSBzu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kkf3RoZx4
'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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11RCyeDANT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1R75alId2
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQflRgr0Unh
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WRCNPkpCS
'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!'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wrQ180bcs
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HdTUmRL5T
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX3yzpoRLB
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25xMcbqxLe
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTfmoxphot
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLexli7TWk
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHCvUJ9nC7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjAOCCHpot
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsLlhvMe0m
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd2jFU0v1t
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.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARZ5pNYM1M
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZBByXyV5
'Good luck.'582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIX7ZMmBQq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbJUdMffXn
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevBM92aWPl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfZem4rl4z
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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