The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuzxTQtMs1
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JfDYN3VnN
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOgBQFQSTB
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfSgrIgkiZ
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4StlkB1yq
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWduDDXHJv0
Str 7658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc2BQkGVOQ
Dex 4658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5gXP6Dw8M
Con 8658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYEkYRItMD
Int 16658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6GsitMwJj
Wis 16658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wHgg9lFzD
Cha 4658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNRdzMYIuu
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMmNIVgBEW
Skills658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhz4d3hkYF
Lunge 5658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYkyehOPOM
Parry 5658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa51BtnttDo
Wield Shortbow 3658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSNELRulWr
Wield Rapier 5658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxwMUBrXPZ
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRunW75NLXx
You have 1 attribute point to assign.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKv94jeQb7
You have 5 skill points to assign.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GG0wxy6qn
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVwK7I18pv
XP 110/200
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja3QX7xMQ1
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DHHT3qhko
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBIamW90xP
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlLpbeG7Sa
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13mbW9vZxi
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQxcdPxLKF
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmjfDIxg97
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yUORv2t4Y
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzfI0UKL8o
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSSkPAYF0v
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbXccjd80b
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjsxs1uPBi
'I understand.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgxTXhjjyl
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5BVTNQjRG
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkwoEGCMeN
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWrwAZ5VAF
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTbjxem6L3
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGacX3pLopb
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI34VbySXZ
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS20UskGUc
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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4DRdpOhr6
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRD5SpFCJu
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkkDcnfMSg
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQdSZ6Jhey
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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkjK43h42C
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kq5LRnOUg
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC9DqHK2kC
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtefrzbxs3
'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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7Aqlj7v5c
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05rSaxQ4wG
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdKUwI415B
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQBsxJDMzn
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODXujqsjbV
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3sxolX6QD
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg9408iQa9
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ofa0jC4i7
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLZ9Uiy6Wf
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJhA1LH30O
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSifpRg5fr
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOnWB4QYVC
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFyTP9bGsP
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFX15RuZ0G
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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByDLnQ7OkY
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm31KG8ObHw
'Yes, sire.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1GWDCKUL9
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGiGYiblCp
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).658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs22BUp649T
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqoFgE4yA5
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJb8sQvyY8
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS47lRh4ocI
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAgALdazG7
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE1EAzhG5i
'Well?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNxDZmpS6b
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihfeb2LkrL
'They are moving an army towards us.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9yUCNgUvK
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI7jhHR5bf
'How many troops?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuXuhvHFAd
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpIxTLpR4u
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w9Z93FHUV
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HwF2LtexD
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvURrGJGkZ
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSQ1Y4waYj
'How long have we got?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ3h9ZVbCw
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjWTfcF6uC
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkRk8kALZj
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJJlP2Twaf
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMcRAfrjTW
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPjq4GzTal
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts0noVNXxS
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiatJdVnWQ
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiJH3iShFu
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VtSE8GVnY
'No, this is about half.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuXpRB4yZ9
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZWyoVcIvk
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?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezPjfPQmA1
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTAvaexgX9
'No.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcEE7QN9gO
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcSueADn1J
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fzh2bDaxj
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCc1rmn1sw
'True enough sire.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXFXXrgZfW
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTXP6KmoE3
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdCmkwP0s
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHqu7b4IzC
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8DpzYRfKk
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF8ekGDNbo
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mxMhvyIz3
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCptGXiJ2aN
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:658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82QpWtmx2W
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyXudgK47Z
Greyland Archer658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqrVQMFlGN
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZglluaLhS
Fighter level 0658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNEDJb3a6v
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcxggHwNb9
Ranged attack: 15658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQfNBOqHrp
Melee attack: 8658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozzVWcyiGq
Armour Class: 2658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb91JOeN9gl
Hit Points: 5658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QJMzBI9Ax
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nVK1qcKUB
Skills:658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGTiKmGho
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqBpMpRSnu
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbm5HwxHB2
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4DJWnIhQ6
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGIUwBCx31
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhA8O4itiG
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoZieTXHwC
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0GiOSGUD
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ntNYM4FP
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oLBcgOOCu
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwNsUHoNV
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFUielKM9F
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXFpU5JRpy
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3YM5VumwN
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUqglD6Qte
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtkWjCbEpU
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH0ACP62lu
'Show me to Lord Arval.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2DKdyO0h
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDXFaq7oDV
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZJrzU48x8
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslbZDbfJ7c
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ039osbdOPM
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISjDudu4PU
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27qcabvCSo
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZtR5wIMfs
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Px73MSAvg
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZJ6702acc
I nodded.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnThOhA7Heh
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gnm5Kut6Z
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmBiBM3tUK
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwYbpqC8kU
'What's the maximum range for it?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kxB3cs9Z
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjfTjXdqKa
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxuT9ZT9Z8
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf9p83Z12P
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjZPlUsCnM
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyraMiifBr
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdAZ1VP1RU
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHVfQPY90J
'Yes?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRbShFWW9v
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF95pSNbwG
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuB2HhxiCz
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDIR5bgKuM
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo1ISVEGMB
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt45z2E0tMf
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw16p3D9xd
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T7bC9etm3
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0FxXEN3Yy
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABonhahrxk
'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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4S1gdHMem
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKxM46K5kX
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYdcLS2Li1
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBben1lsvF
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOYTrPoHNg
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Lxu9F4NF
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8QGLfLz2v
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpdB5FBgeT
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeBwlyklOz
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo416zSxMHv
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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9YsP7vims
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq367p4erR
'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?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZDjD8x4TE
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQAGnz3Nmc
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zXYhyMYiX
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL4c23ODxc
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3TsL12ARM
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnpblmbxDD
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaASjuNMW6
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSA7gXCq78
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3M8wkXUoR
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMMfSd9IRZ
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPrd4248Cg
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SO8hZiyBu
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw8xYzFr7M
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeS7wTQOuu
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7afThZ47xY
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANBT8un0se
'Go ahead.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yjDIKsQfa
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrmZfitdME
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT89kOdaL1
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkGtWE2Xbm
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LL4vMVMOO
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vYCfKanxu
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1kI3UUD2i
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LoWDr0aLB
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nPjnkjjSy
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueTpeLfE5y
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kR1IlGQ4W
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAe0ztRB9U
'And?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlYoWheJ3a
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAtGapeS72
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrij7Z0NEd
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylzH65ASiv
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUinFXtf5v
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL2G3dVGuH
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQBOShuJFr
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzKyak3aNd
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5p7cMsMSx
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jXSqftR6T
'Ready sire?'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfzw7b0hoe
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq9MFo6JIR
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6ty88kezj
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsOf24MywB
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqutybqbMGL
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lX1GxGW8Y
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIGz5k26ES
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LeBuDzdVT
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35qcZX30Ki
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXEYTfURJu
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nSgON7tls
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqauyIaViL
'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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡottc39EJRZ
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUmDGgNSzH
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0iBMxxkBp
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyczD7wiLU
'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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnBEoHNVMi
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FNjgblmLK
'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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuRyV40Bid
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuirjgV8Qj
'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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rX0rKIrhG
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71TgZbtsDN
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0raP5rXIN
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ781DEKEMet
'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!'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGrp3wFuKl
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG6J3DqAoh
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyzZGOn0Xg
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRAHp4ifor
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3BxquluHx
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleGvxu36w3
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rT30TZwQd
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8sEXsFLLN
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oRvzaMn3r
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUF0XmpclW
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.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXQgy3XC1Q
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72oPjilBVC
'Good luck.'658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJZI3NH3r5
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97KrHomNgk
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQtTm6EvTb
658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx5X6zMDhW
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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