The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4rhwrc8lu
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OGp7HS4Zc
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFPwanYbaM
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOwe4qPcJF
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpQXdWVFRI
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKu23niYFN
Str 7892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGa4v3xLKZ
Dex 4892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM0PlxtmGk
Con 8892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfcwtLL10O
Int 16892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0IO6B4O8e
Wis 16892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH6XNcgNhm
Cha 4892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BSIVFvW5X
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNVit4CqyH
Skills892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqAFqjeU0Z
Lunge 5892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEaS4Essa1
Parry 5892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCub9QM5cSW
Wield Shortbow 3892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE89kDnNUJ9
Wield Rapier 5892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1R3qnn5KI
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4phX3Rvhgt
You have 1 attribute point to assign.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEKznfLpx9
You have 5 skill points to assign.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mK851VqAM
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63N9ctAvOH
XP 110/200
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmgPDYZ19M
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjyj2ZU5FM
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvp0QmEGK5
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0qtsC4ggL
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOnwYoBeWU
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCFtDS0lUs
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y4Vt8J55x
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLtNZvU4uR
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjWsvCN1T3
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOvZp6TDJf
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbccbbyUVH
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe8cl2DiHK
'I understand.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dX6de8RtR
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11AyGL5REh
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLywGisFaw
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOrWMWCg2d
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ068gdFnVEP
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXCl8E0Rxi
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENNJm6d13c
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB08lqItbOQ
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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxLYlociSl
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlnEBtya0H
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82kKMyHQXV
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiBFnH6Kqy
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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t9bIgTyHE
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk97llxiHED
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7dR8FMfku
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3btjRxf10m
'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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TpWRoSjEZ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfinEkQ9wVB
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EgOIFBRFa
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmhk7d6XEs
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1LPFCeVHT
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5AsH72IPk
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOoblJlgBw
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJBRLsvJbn
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxlCwKxfHd
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfjW96WsdC
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02kUgcdNi6
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uaz8uZ24P
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVw6vG5fQ6
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tq17tkksZ
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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2hyut1hRq
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMZT30Znle
'Yes, sire.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw9vtCOy3m
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnLRcbrGmo
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).892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP5is7ss4o
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyGz006gJ9
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm8Zk6mnWJ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoGKwfuF21
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1LWI9jmsT
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlYTmNnTVj
'Well?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSVpNRC4yD
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAixD3A2U1
'They are moving an army towards us.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lN6hHf5U7
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31mFg12qK0
'How many troops?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHZSvuCHBS
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8D2TTMdXc
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzj1GdFODS
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeRvums334
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLT0V5bYZt
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM1QEyoJWd
'How long have we got?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnALZV0VLPk
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGmaruVdrd
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR00y2tdBL
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYXPrHu9xk
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfcz63opN9
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iyzzEzM06
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKcmTxpLqx
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmAZVPq4z5
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa9eZRED4L
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIhnR7eCEd
'No, this is about half.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor3J7aXEDB
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilwVvFTJMN
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?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1WDiUFdfo
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz5YF8IrrX
'No.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YK4IkiVlT
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyD8L61dQI
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchZa0vkgI2
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9dhQIAT98
'True enough sire.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaYCq8oCEa
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j8JLOe1QH
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH5CWIX7dL
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU97VggyMa
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24ccfHpUnM
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcvkjFiQmV
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmbRNh1nwH
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXFeXNvarY
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:892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx7WYATcJk
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZTD1jAjd0
Greyland Archer892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHveLOu0kf
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Ig4r6CGa
Fighter level 0892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8RpfrEcIe
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc5r62RmeI
Ranged attack: 15892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVNdqhoVXk
Melee attack: 8892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGBsXMc9Bg
Armour Class: 2892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDDn3KtAOl
Hit Points: 5892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jP0e6YI1v
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHfCu6uGT2
Skills:892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad7VlvMEQE
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSKTnLsXno
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQISrTRJAp4
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWiCpqChWG
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y9RvRhQSl
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINbtywah9M
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghl8pNxBd5
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40cyDi0Dxd
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy3iupyIc7
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOGQtYb87n
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO1wsC0cN2
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5k1b9RbE5
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7rTc5Foih
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oNbrKDStr
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosRJXjpRLa
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlZTR43FjV
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHWJMdcNNP
'Show me to Lord Arval.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwqubZYzMT
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc0NuEelTt
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRlYZHQ0aL
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDOKucm1hI
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFcYsVtdy
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEMzJ7yiZl
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd8apTPXLJ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxigMjNahY
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiVaG0gO0X
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7GLPX37hD
I nodded.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfzdPdDjjJ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUOkZVIogh
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X8KP6UBdb
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwcMT3Mb5u
'What's the maximum range for it?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuxGjXkOdj
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4p2go4qOs
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzwhrA66BO
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbymYontgW
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELNV1xdjS6
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzBKrWx2UR
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtFRBbga1g
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYgiSKrfy5
'Yes?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeF2Sm9wbv
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjFvsTM78s
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKYje73uG8
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY86gFaNSE
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFesoOOiSt
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8poVi9sQ1
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lHkkcFENS
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYPcJYVWTd
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iPfnVn0IY
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ1udVAqLG
'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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c4hZ9lxPe
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUipb7AsXXV
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLsbwWKL4D
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ABo68TFV
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEVYJIcY5q
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChuYtjekoj
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnY7KwCxJ5
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQFUM6dEYv
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4sRwtwgkl
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i0iNtV5PM
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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiMGxVtuy5
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP2B4tfHjL
'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?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDazQvKCbz
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmywSlf0AXL
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGTnL1zOXn
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95LykeP2iA
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HHjasLaqQ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEeFg0Uw4H
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9EiL0dUS
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbWSXKJhvp
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzxqpUti61
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsX2MRrVss
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmNolKcB11
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA4Nya12ur
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjqLBS8J9m
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxHz3UabBa
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbORabI7Gd
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMafDjTA924
'Go ahead.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ubfkKl1fa
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95EUhJAyuA
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7C9x6bPsp
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkptEP74B3
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH833tnBmw0
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjRpU8yjTC
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJFZ0NBJK
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEqnemFSXg
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFxePdSEGc
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQhTCKyExH
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJDhHmInRa
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhKm8v6ome
'And?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbRHJHp0KU
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Jd8UR0OT
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XoHNleo52
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jTCzpkuSM
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa0C8W4reI
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoddnXEeBJd
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9h4aNve3G
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwmYK6aqgy
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqH03HAtg2
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMGf6PmADF
'Ready sire?'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZW1N7f8Hv
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gfjBvfdob
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalWXpNhbiR
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgq1uM5FKM
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYsbfGdKja
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifajOC9kBT
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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JQErl5Dpu
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkkK4aXyMB
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG80anJ6TOU
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYtbbXTCvn
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wkPN9CaQH
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3r61chjK6
'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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLxoSK3gG3
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWgOehbdMI
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm3pLmlSmJ
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdI1EZF0r9
'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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaLulb8c2U
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRLH0Z6pup
'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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1GPcMRI5f
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KaLuSZc1W
'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.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnZFC8ERvB
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlloVRVIDo1
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH1EkqcAye
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqg1aFXZhB
'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!'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2d5jZAPYG
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenHQjvbBFo
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKJSTIhcQN
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS1E4Prm2W
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvRVHtk85a
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69WdltZ25x
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIID25mYxa9
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92adxTXhih
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEbJAlJOLh
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHLhziIp7c
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.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGjS6rRJMk
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr0Wm5O4cq
'Good luck.'892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu0NOA9Bos
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPcqREOiK7
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcKRUt4MnX
892Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnhdlj6QHs
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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