The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO5WPUmKun
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3elirD7VO8
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShCueU3jAi
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwzKa36COq
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4L9FrF5Yq
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUX9TiVUZe
Str 7668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ3a0eNfaR
Dex 4668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMZEYbXu4N
Con 8668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi25F3IXpR
Int 16668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4NewfQ5t
Wis 16668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYxCmLF4zu
Cha 4668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWJWzwZtrh
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZKN1ygkiJ
Skills668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3MlfYU4hk
Lunge 5668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ01AerhfW
Parry 5668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGhrcriu7T
Wield Shortbow 3668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9JjrVnX5O
Wield Rapier 5668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5gNjFhdyb
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD4iLmsv5l
You have 1 attribute point to assign.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wqghpjCH2
You have 5 skill points to assign.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLerPrSksc
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliVJNoQ4XQ
XP 110/200
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtt5bghLZ5
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrDSDNrtbc
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNHqXORuCQ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkjMeUUIqf
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZzthKlb12
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6h41Wa9yL
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBJDGTFeeZ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq77HfIeuj
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebeQ0Zjq66
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLUTfbRmTK
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN7zQh5F0o
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe7XgeHCQd
'I understand.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pdTWq2XmK
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9cgYrFRTI
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr8OjqBmb6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZBrBbuYSi
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPGEaYzm9o
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC58iGrbyNU
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb25Ta7MfR
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByD7IbsjIN
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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhovFXmwUDY
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB5w446hhe
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhtC5GdcVo
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA3ODA3q3k
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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc2xraezfQ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfo5llVNkg
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcESOUwfZe
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx314HRfaZ
'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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzC4QMJi8Q
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdaWwXbfNw
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmHyKUUh0
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmBe8UHdFA
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o4ik1Yaeb
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgrICKADN7
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NybiPX56Z
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvXMUtMrgp
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc20iyjt0d
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjNrWLnRbD
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qg0D3Eb57
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLagZHb5r3
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ632LJ90K3d
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXCHbzkNs2
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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG7zarMEr7
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3irKADUpBp
'Yes, sire.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkttsQqUBy
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMwHq9mxa7
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).668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAma8D54lqI
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aFNPns7v4
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ600SQ2j17H
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwoI1pvC0b
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmUC6LDcAo
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gbliaxRQU
'Well?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkdexdRarh
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZX6ee2lOO
'They are moving an army towards us.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mZcUfNso3
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW8WIoT8OG
'How many troops?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQttSDiYWv
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt62vTfEFI
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV2OATaXBY
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMH05UPRYg
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVxHGhUw1C
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIamTdkL83
'How long have we got?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPsiXGsypd
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrOQ3rjk5E
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxsRgiBjbc
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvH68wHwFC
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cK3HhdjrZ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KBG6baeIu
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuDaC9zdcW
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS08ypOQHF
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcXPE8ccj6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFwSvodJ50
'No, this is about half.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwGOIqE4Z1
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWkXGKqLsR
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?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb8bE3RqoP
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QbHG70flJ
'No.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx6lJ7uAYM
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFtSTX1esk
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYXpInKbDs
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsIv2JDjQp
'True enough sire.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1qppeaKPT
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOfLppnDbY
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhm8NPR3ry
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZFuIwq7fs
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLFmfM6rT1
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIGNx3hA1R
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHTxWCLIf
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5CboLQdMO
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:668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUcChO7lky
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR1d1hM1R8
Greyland Archer668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYquckBeqQ3
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiMeRCuilP
Fighter level 0668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JwG1zoT4j
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFDdvyhyRk
Ranged attack: 15668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP3tJ2P7aa
Melee attack: 8668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXEiyszopd
Armour Class: 2668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE5McGvhja
Hit Points: 5668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrhijCLQc0
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAFPVHGT4z
Skills:668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0FVGrP4J5
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgWOlK4hyh
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfIHmGXKgt
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0LNHhTA01
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcONyAGhGz
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8KEeH5iXD
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ382Kyqepa
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoDl4iEDGr
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5ErrwM3pX
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiG2yUUvI4
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlZjtYDQFG
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbHLYVXSC6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmLk4x8tt5
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx20cT3oHuk
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKQa7HhGtc
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbikSP8KR3
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl14Dgfmevd
'Show me to Lord Arval.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukENZFoN1D
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhGlZfzQBW
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxsndTxrtc
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUalDAUn5cR
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7s1yFqRma
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0cn3wAldT
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWlIWFcI2v
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWyfkvO00v
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAufkxSWy8
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddSfVt9Nw9
I nodded.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRyrK2iAB9
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T6HiadENp
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FLt8n6lmK
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw82TanToOa
'What's the maximum range for it?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQoxq2us4R
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVzYGoPrw1
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aFm5dyChy
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAohJGMaDOd
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFtZ17OBxq
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy4kVtx00Q
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet94jvx9u5
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeSRL3fLRJ
'Yes?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvJ0TDfRcL
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O3GdZpjSR
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCRiLr9nXM
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFZz80uK8P
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QVu3v8Lu8
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ4OqjN9Oq
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIYRASZW0i
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx3PZQXmXX
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3gnDh7t1p
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8mfNxZ9Ef
'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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7gLhjNtTk
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYrWSvptTW
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkv82oq1f6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXs42mygNh
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB9JP9pJV9
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvuzCbpOfC
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwwnTa03s5
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVVjQydVee
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡratdnz9mMI
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X5FYhlQHo
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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHgVWcRgbQ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHvWZRWK58
'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?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoylbmEqmO
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbDixdSg4h
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdhoeSoXUO
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uqHbFTliZ
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7HVjJJXY6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OyWUpFBEN
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwScOErrnzC
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLHnkTXmzE
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAcR3XjXbm
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LDVBqSamY
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWZxbdhQZE
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3VeOwyw77
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf4yFf9TdT
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0je8v6nga
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgOpaJVBhp
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG5NzYTw9B
'Go ahead.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXeuqeKqEE
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj6XBZG34y
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPblsYchhM7
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLxAxe7r8L
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJCjQmlaxy
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEVx8LNkfh
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK702FUsEf
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSFeqX2akq
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj35LuSPUdo
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKO9UhxdTt
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7QZmvwDpp
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj8yA381mp
'And?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqD2VXSAmI
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOzKEVwqFt
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCJTycGxGz
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd2LPgrUwQ
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWGrHxwCdt
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj059rBRaG
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38VYPF123y
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XsqXGYEu4
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV3jykWhap
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4NabJdtEh
'Ready sire?'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2TfJXcJnd
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8tf16F6UY
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GjBzidOmx
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYebwNFVIq
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4t4cpkHwb
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0clK2Blhv
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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K9HdbT9NA
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1hwJo7AkM
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6Xv7u7UIR
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHhA1LJVvv
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH6zRlpw7a
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBmSuBwsPg
'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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSGrUfvDtC
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNlrHaWkxT
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIphsJhzKVj
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3VUNdAtsT
'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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplCeeMbZCj
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lBFpPuAo5
'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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYAchybrix
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVSrmIBagi
'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.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdNDcq4uPt
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVrdjzhZgh
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5XU8w5h8T
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3JarNTxzN
'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!'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dnEg9kg3W
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR570s4NCJc
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTWyvY62P6
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m74hdISq0
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvh1xJwYFi
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdCaw8CjHs
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfcfSxrJNs
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7uY5E9vrG
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3VO0pswvV
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd3V3z1c9B
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.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQwQEQh0I2
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUE33lvvyU
'Good luck.'668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzR9C2EfGQ
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI7tAqZYk8
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVMhDbNHZN
668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqO2QOPoJU
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.
然後按「加至主畫面」