The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ80QRWxzW
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqnisTrdfy
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gz7zQDJK1
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNRCikHo3A
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN88aPj8rc
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMuWFZasB0
Str 7546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh510dnRwUR
Dex 4546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQbE5Z1b2r
Con 8546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hbFlTmUIp
Int 16546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXhFgQOwuV
Wis 16546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZZryeZjgH
Cha 4546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cINiHdMyy
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV76umSQ4S
Skills546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMv7eC0CJD
Lunge 5546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VVVJb9uWX
Parry 5546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTynWMuWKnQ
Wield Shortbow 3546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoKkzlTdzN
Wield Rapier 5546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoN2GuENET
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfwLxm4eKU
You have 1 attribute point to assign.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BjOoKBizx
You have 5 skill points to assign.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf506dpeNPg
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmg4XrJJK9
XP 110/200
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyMgkOgD5o
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzkiZPz6W7
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48R0iPKz2i
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhHTkGnqOv
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4AklXE90c
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya0rjZU3RE
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBk8BWX3iC
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY1DhQSMeM
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYFS76umae
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGNIAHFGlL
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O0l22atIp
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrQSSi1oEH
'I understand.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72c9DqEcaf
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3iyMLdgs
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrnFSQSY3t
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzXkKHPcRe
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2zP0QuBWY
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaAJIaxTid
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHe3WUckIP
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28CHqZoWl8
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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgRScDGStB
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjkdrLs9Vd
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHcQ8opN8a
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhiwVZsMyD
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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFSbxeYvAo
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSVL1XheDa
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL45oxsARj
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j53tLGhcg
'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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjHlibKowT
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkWpGsoMe
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqGVYFf1hu
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEMILii28M
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaicuzNQofx
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSyB1Rv6Bv
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0RTDy1gE
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh102l9LHVv
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W8bRtdWMX
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgP2J4ywSy
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yoCTYKVgX
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKF4WgWuRM
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgcHwxRovn
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPoDHX5UaG
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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDj1jFHqcQ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZ9tcUh8s
'Yes, sire.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb9aUj3PnH
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRP9PH54xx
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).546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFPiBAjBiR
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuYb2KcD6J
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dnPFcKdZ6
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsF20sPmGL
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv4hUbui1I
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2rbk6qoHL
'Well?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHjlkJmI3W
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeMIZzHxlk
'They are moving an army towards us.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOwuRPoOmD
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLAo20TCZ9
'How many troops?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdvcrUWr27
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSB2b8489p
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNtPd0E9ls
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEn361zJUj
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bAzCiW5N7
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4GLCzMnNp
'How long have we got?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sF2sH2vNn
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zs9NOOERz
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWZ7EL8Ohm
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7198noyxIi
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1FT9nUtAi
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkEXk4nXor
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9CZ4ywYBU
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgcwDMHfGS
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREu2qxm7DZ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluhpHKMvBR
'No, this is about half.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtpeThmGxJ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9PhuebKPQ
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?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qBcoO2sgV
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVV5AAlBmP
'No.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFpcyTKuPu
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIPPEi7FXa
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZsoKN78Z4
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7apx2vruQ
'True enough sire.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xen2yERio
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bdhqY7SKe
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49K501L6LS
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5KFV5z5yp
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafIgw99YIV
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnRbTD48zz
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYWbNsVxt5
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt3u731Gec
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:546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZzAIRu4B5
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7umJ9PZf8u
Greyland Archer546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEjw4ZoRJh
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEmzxi4gdN
Fighter level 0546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFLH1hxQh
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT3VVdAjiz
Ranged attack: 15546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM53EkUQxIF
Melee attack: 8546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCKlyTcsaC
Armour Class: 2546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH0Zp7JEBD
Hit Points: 5546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpSMJVMSk1
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFKxr0jLk1
Skills:546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSdWkgRaIF
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zDrVNStlA
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP16APWUa8
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N998VjPnN
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhnLRuM9Xo
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKUqdzMof1
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNpTwuKd0M
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGRKqlvD1C
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoVItEMvLi
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLofs2oAuj
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIrgT2ZBq8
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bDrF04dfE
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MhGtz6GW4
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC68InIzBI
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYvR9wSO0U
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz41kHPTg0j
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2xmzPsFOq
'Show me to Lord Arval.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYFEbZWs5U
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kcuAdIZsz
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXN39ezWw4
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWUMsHkAk
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4qupejd82
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm09mP682f
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgAzUqf5gS
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGNZucLJFG
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSCnPRaIkO
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCTLRzC5gh
I nodded.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmejkXnaHT
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtofiQET5n
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzuKYI9fKi
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79PnWcsWwQ
'What's the maximum range for it?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IyU4nOBC9
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo7q6Pdn3x
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjlifUeUQg
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc51UCjP3V
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dAESZTdaJ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM69NJiw5d
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFc3pq8sns
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95XNiu84Dz
'Yes?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr8frHL4UY
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSpD6UYPYg
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfkd6hdOWs
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahTNq634it
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoO2Fn9Ivj
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ4azio53y
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCzxSbhh2t
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDmFOTKF1Q
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnvsXAHY0Q
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnaQTL0aWR
'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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD4rFckPvS
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JbbSSvNyd
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq0So3OLXQ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42a9SX47WE
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrunS5qV1ws
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KZSoL9Ruz
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqtRf0HQbe
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDOPEGVCQc
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPwPV4RIa6
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvNWn36VUU
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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8v3sJjInv
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNU3GKlLrh
'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?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gp3g4JnZO
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4ilP06e5O
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLganUWb4q
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29gfGw4mD8
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHzj0Xrn4L
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhpScQC8E9
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqrZ5ini6v
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcUYpwv1q0
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRnueawa7B
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8pel0WfQO
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8kHkKV17h
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrMx3b9vHa
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4lE97HwLC
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWYTUpk8ci
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMVZtAQOMO
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gb0StnMlN
'Go ahead.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI5iBbXmMm
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8o624bLru
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP9xJm6deH
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiKp4yGoqe
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDwlfziBEJ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9IbsjlwDJ
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkjLjTwX7
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ImejhkKV
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TotkNfTZU
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYev6aSUfB
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkNAoV2d9M
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITWlalxxUJ
'And?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRWMArKEee
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzygd2D6YsZ
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlM658sTCK
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQuZLOYCWn
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSScmZa4voR
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLu1fe3mc8
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBStUzSvrO
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGey0WWvVY3
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlZjprrGfQ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroILW8Z0Ub
'Ready sire?'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVIk2hBqsT
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iLDkpQbjA
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPuWW8Z3Ym
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV4wEbDiyK
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rzR95tHor
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveXenpvq7e
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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mXXQY5NRG
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoJQQKabSX
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjevTDXiwf
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXReXTfQKdm
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtkdSwcWQP
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkskkj0wIA
'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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tIX7E2JNW
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZZk2tvAxo
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPPJYTNAKJ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2j4tDkXw9
'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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHBbovbXVR
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQfyKph0ed
'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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvsIzSnwXZ
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6SLU6Wfy8
'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.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhxiwiY2bq
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7FKhqQaF8
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcHxA7uR2i
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpwYZXnLLk
'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!'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDIaeFcS02
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufIGCL5x7h
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxZotwyXZk
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrjGuf4bMM
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799OrySt4c
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3rHDvAEFe
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAUEZvV4QD
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdvacRcKhK
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bexX7SHVu
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30CpoxQ2rn
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.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedvlucxAzu
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtWCjxay3G
'Good luck.'546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsig9tvDyb
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt7ND6XvZd
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgjmgCcy7C
546Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uV0zNg2YO
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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