The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhF0DoITEx
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjm368wqA2
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl0f6N0CAN
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6RsKHWgBw
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhbNKMFk21
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv9enBNnLE
Str 7611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQSQ61Px5S
Dex 4611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hmgTboGAH
Con 8611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TajK57Igv
Int 16611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNqqmyzD8Q
Wis 16611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVCWHtidmD
Cha 4611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqArYgmOg4F
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRhystnxjn
Skills611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOpzLyOMy4
Lunge 5611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiyN2lhLCz
Parry 5611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgApUt6MOm
Wield Shortbow 3611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjbl9eHogT
Wield Rapier 5611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8t3vUJBQh
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY91aKivRT
You have 1 attribute point to assign.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe6vZW3S9l
You have 5 skill points to assign.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBbpXFtHFE
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95aE2B7WTv
XP 110/200
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611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RZWMzwG0L
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28EWg5TFcz
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8SSdRhV00
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi02wm1pbxS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg9Vrk53HW
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WLOHFgKSS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx6c1W43Rj
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDAiY5p4qp
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDEIdL6Zq4
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ThWytxHB
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Utt42S3Z
'I understand.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1oCrjzrEV
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM8Hutc1BY
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGWmGriwAy
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtrqoPn5Re
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KxENiXbqm
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUqFOf61n1
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EF84VdvKK
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoDqi5HInM
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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNWbnF7WaS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBQKOwVAXI
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBPgle4qcS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ZRNhoGAj
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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZavaP69znI
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwdZQshvuo
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3fUVHIdqj
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXVORPDd2o
'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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLbgmZtY1v
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSWHeVTU4w
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwVPVDSbBU
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a90Xn2xQE
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJwfNiv90
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPm70lIIwv
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lyOIcTvPD
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ASs1xC2v
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBf6ucB7ww
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsD0wks6wd
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNnUDkVEhR
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsqeLQ9KIB
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8Vn1R3C4m
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUGoe1i2oD
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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN1kuOuPVl
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZnkhc0PKE
'Yes, sire.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm8z8ar2En
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJt9hio2o7
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).611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFFLxW8RXz
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO0bX9yNJN
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIZWCRkmEr
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHMN6RI9eK
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRoql0TVFI
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Arpt2lF0w
'Well?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV31asqLcHB
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHeW5uALjj
'They are moving an army towards us.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7khH8CNrb
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmtWV4wtiZ
'How many troops?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtmm8EPNTw
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvt7oOlIB2
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHsUsxst2R
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemes5DWpsz
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y1l0vNqgq
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kqiwt6ZuC
'How long have we got?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4IOWy9pHj
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFRfp0Y9vz
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0bxDTQW12
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguORJW1Psl
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxqzWNL6Y4
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMMLWl1kZC
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r7D1HpSKT
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSgbL12KNn
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GoK75AiDT
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM68WDbqk1Y
'No, this is about half.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpTtvEgiey
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV51vavFmI
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?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua9r4PqeSS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxvB2dsc8q
'No.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm40TMbHdLa
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuhoOXfUhd
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbRxlzVpNh
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzAHTIOCVd
'True enough sire.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UTOsYyBWa
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO6ntwxHC6
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazOGX5E1dr
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiEc4i3Gob
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4aawxLlS4
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX8I7s7NwW
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqOqtGFB3M
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZQsmZyD1q
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:611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9OfipyvNw
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIUgMNZJLR
Greyland Archer611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpOXpNCreV
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Fighter level 0611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g9sqFgT3J
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Ranged attack: 15611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmjxxpq6k7
Melee attack: 8611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmnQZhZePl
Armour Class: 2611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ32PFSCIG
Hit Points: 5611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoSnarDQak
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYY43S10Mt
Skills:611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmx6xLLRNB
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQOV5bZcEY
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgYAWi2uqV
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6IvwK3QM6
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUhOY18WJt
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00VDr9b8qi
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl9TlpfXAp
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoTuvMy9nP
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgya1tFYz4Q
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY8GseUzB7
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgyU4kkI9j
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hExpPbisW
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCmOkcZ6oq
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ioMblMv0z
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T4XXIlMCw
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzZt6K373f
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRpvOVyw5z
'Show me to Lord Arval.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2hok7THv4
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Ixcfoj25
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51cKMNEPYs
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJataocYzm
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8g8RGAse0
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQCmBqOD7J
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd84tY2DlSg
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxPs3gwPik
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J14punNBB
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCemv4gnmq
I nodded.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPXpirYJ55
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ2P8LYbKo
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWqUmHbJvI
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV4bEOdMcB
'What's the maximum range for it?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRJjCNO6TK
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSZl8MTXrd
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur3c7C9J0E
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5JXSE5C9X
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYctdlX8j2A
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP01ZyJawT
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ5nCLykg7
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTemXuSciaF
'Yes?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZJ3L1kFmS
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCplp0Uha8W
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPMi7EVHjb
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ptcx07aR2
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfGb3gXNfy
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TeCFM4swy
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0WSoULTTF
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcDRF0adIj
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpbZijiHLs
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vD3fsBZAg
'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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q74BA1hNi
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgA7AiuntL
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXkZKvENGx
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWK9P9X2v1
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfitWd2Qq9E
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpb9seT946
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYL6Sujk2C
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMMyiTKngU
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73KGpkNRlW
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzYCsWeGDV
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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oMNZpItDH
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO03Gv1zzC
'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?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9GsoOTVca
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AwoWDwVY6
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoVlvChM4z
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnIKtsvIV8
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4aIm9sETc
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbki6oOzaDI
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWFgXTPDxl
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'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JtmYXcG7b
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGAZsJoekW
'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwXpTJIilz
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'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2BmWWjhQk
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2pqMfN4HW
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6PIMRidp8
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'Go ahead.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzIGU3hRey
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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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25ZAbjc1M7
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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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRv9v9JThD
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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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT7qMkGVlo
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKFHfWDsgf
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'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p0zC0qTYa
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'And?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP8dRPUNXY
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'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYKY3f4muL
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'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6kkDWZ79g
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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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmlQ7iez2N
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqcsuBrWJG
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'Ready sire?'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkrx84Ni2T
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOymFPgPbY
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE847YqPhM
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbMSWSPUAg
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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMw7wucLPh
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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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6R61ZnPde
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'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncstiZy531
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'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15CyExHQtl
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'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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAlZRh2BkP
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Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPPX63zmbC
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'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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIY5xhDjc1
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'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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt7UPShBJH
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'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.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCplDa1s2J
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYaChbPHkT
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksYfvQYSlV
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY8K3zx1vw
'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!'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiCqYNWK5m
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Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMRhWZEn7Y
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO3L6JJ1zz
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuBjBznkh9
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBfdPXcFO4
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZmw2nGgaD
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7WrpgFKW
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.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxREYZuILD
611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkTQ3P1QTx
'Good luck.'611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj3f6IERbp
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'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.611Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxzndVutY7
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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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