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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwUre9zf5Z
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzYiql8UIh
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44L52Si8e2
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Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ5pgORZKG
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Str 7554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkg8z3N5qf
Dex 4554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuyOpbuYIG
Con 8554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtB6826jJb
Int 16554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSXuDXUZ0s
Wis 16554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80JVY3zRf9
Cha 4554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn4C9gDwRc
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv76V7slok
Skills554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3bqUFNMf3
Lunge 5554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFBxSi238x
Parry 5554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaIKtaRlTr
Wield Shortbow 3554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE1maA6yXv
Wield Rapier 5554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFMS8ACaHz
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You have 1 attribute point to assign.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D3VGXUZNt
You have 5 skill points to assign.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLTmUj1wGg
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XP 110/200
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6Ap0ZkU6h
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru3SbfYXy0
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoIJ0n9vm0
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'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CFbzBuGlA
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXFpprPQUY
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW7KP7xmhF
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'I understand.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBv4hhMAyA
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeKQQHTk9S
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'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA5ruksxuC
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Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UrbVcJcF1
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0LKIo7soP
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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvaRGhSA9e
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuwiNCuTHV
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSBxO5EHoA
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklmfYxAiuU
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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbuD5rLWpA
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IQPlOyNkJ
'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1FHnMqcM6
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VtigK6EIR
'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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWTGTsBfzh
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfYQOwHCD6
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Gn3J5g8J
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxoeOIrWvp
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'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI48qpy9L9
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ653worupdF
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty7heGDTBP
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFqxNHClDR
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBzCeQYCs4
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BkvBT4LTW
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbYdOonyiX
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'Yes, sire.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV0oim5X0x
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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).554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7zENFwWsY
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeH9gfQ9hd
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpmrckkQ0y
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After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeEV98AKwt
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'Well?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnViaXlUMPA
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'They are moving an army towards us.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DVrHv8iXb
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'How many troops?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE3b8rvQHC
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQD0mtxV3C
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq2pddyJJg
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'How long have we got?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNwZkcpkPd
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'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbTWG7VlgY
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfDm0whSEB
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Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B4NqT74K9
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I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagC44uMFoc
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'No, this is about half.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ahTusKXf
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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?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML2IXFMcQk
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'No.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAPUQkyCGs
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FiFQfkQH0
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'True enough sire.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXh3qFIbqb
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKvWxvHxxd
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvayQF26oX
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3v1QuVQZ7
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje96IH3rt7
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmHM1Uzrw5
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:554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqGuUf6ZKQ
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Greyland Archer554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq7CIe4OiQ
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Fighter level 0554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7rQ2zZSaz
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Ranged attack: 15554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASWI9itLvK
Melee attack: 8554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShFcR9nOvT
Armour Class: 2554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkdoFOC1i0
Hit Points: 5554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hI7waTxo
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Skills:554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbAroEPtA1
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT9Eva9J4s
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr5vY2o9vi
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Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bo3RaUqV8
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArEHhBqVc1
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGUBcHtImC
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjkBXixigd
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpTvNsfUqk
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53MEHV4Upb
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'Show me to Lord Arval.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTDU7tIESb
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzx4ZyQMKj
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuCPfqDp48
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0fztpjTWK
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9g5EE6DDG
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I nodded.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuICAGWLFm
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'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp5KeaXzDt
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'What's the maximum range for it?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDxdXSk6C
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'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9BrWIyHEM
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5fDDipQ3A
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'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLqKwYTrP3
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'Yes?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCPwnFOC7F
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'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vlFebIse9
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5rWZirRmx
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'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddqsoTuUBX
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Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jmByYUXus
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'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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDWV8kYq8y
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'And what about you and the Sorceress?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc5J7c3pQ5
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'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dwp6rxHzZ
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For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjYougpLM0
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'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX9UPIg1Ku
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaKhuQZEEz
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'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?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTXnu9vh0G
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'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMWlUIx9TC
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'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPuBosxpMI
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'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWJeWakb1A
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lfmXISPPW
554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT4bhRNYO5
'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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDozDJLwdyA
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHArT7hsKD
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'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk0N5IA1F7
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'Go ahead.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrqfCFKqg5
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVQpY3Gmka
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzrmGKeKLE
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iUewfj51R
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEASrrc6hH
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjpvuXADQO
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'And?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhGc02nIcS
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUSY931PsV
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'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8ytgjLBQY
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjjSvWOnmO
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh3WpY3vum
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'Ready sire?'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wlON0DAaw
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'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo6vn6ghsj
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aqHb0tdxF
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iDJm9iNGJ
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'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUwIUixjnM
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'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF9gWo9QQa
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC4ljLWDL5
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Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNZEc2oktv
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tDf1385Ly
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBILmCSJAY
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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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhu78SYkbG
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'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmgt8fIxVp
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'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!'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv7pm4kFf5
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Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw63ArYjoK
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2XujmDqZG
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmVknu3ERM
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'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve8ZEES2bu
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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.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yHbHX5Vpn
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'Good luck.'554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FI7JhLmgD
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'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wy2GbtBDk
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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.
