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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdrzovG9NT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3c85Qk5us
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBitwH9GwFD
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJcwsudq27
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs6X8cQuxK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeATEXG5The
Str 7620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdHLeFuDw7
Dex 4620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmGYNIPgsJ
Con 8620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQACsvmtoY
Int 16620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavkfb6K177
Wis 16620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLNt5wftqI
Cha 4620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjLka2PE0f
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AKWvZpe2l
Skills620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M9i4zJR62
Lunge 5620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1zazpiHGN
Parry 5620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q67f3jyTF
Wield Shortbow 3620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt7wYFXmrG
Wield Rapier 5620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5nbl7sXlN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hb8z2CYpM
You have 1 attribute point to assign.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvkWkhipeJ
You have 5 skill points to assign.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MzLhR9Tbp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28IIIbDTQT
XP 110/200
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620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpw1Lse0y0
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PZgPVlzuR
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2gBFWjN0P
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XM7wEXRJw
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXqT6a9rp7
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTfPgqP7Y8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17bbDuSIG5
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFR3PErzcE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHe8IeL8SJ
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREQm1QQOvX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q2UYSikmV
'I understand.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPI3ZDiOh8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBuoW4OjYA
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAf1bT6Z7K
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDA6lNp0b3
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYzRFdFEF0
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpKVmIs6bc
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEfB6ryBI2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpimFMBK621
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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMucph7JGB
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOjri6IAkl
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJHPMzvl4I
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsyC6AMkDm
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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSduw2PWxw
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd62DRAr1AQ
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8szvITRpSR
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeAvHmM5J8
'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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKtQkSrWs
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvQqUx3I3W
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7UO2rumJq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzBXVhMY9a
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Dukzxn8i
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYZSxgJ0p
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTwobGMNq0
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsxIdWn6SK
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE3lumamus
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY62dql5ij
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrS61zGXft
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAL5oNGyAy
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkScFnGosb
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5c2xZt4gJ
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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMYcfGKpCI
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHF3p12T9U
'Yes, sire.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRnCYR8Dt
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDTkw58nyL
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).620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTLGVqA1dE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszMDPjBndg
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMMbWMx1vp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJMw09023N
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz08ekoVzX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLssDeDWHIH
'Well?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI8UspqAqQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvdhk9EsLx
'They are moving an army towards us.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX7tzvPAWu
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ZCVmL2z5
'How many troops?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMRQeh6DAK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFOwJ81VTc
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RSy31HpHy
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySLauCyzBE
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WcBYMvjz2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ers4dHycj
'How long have we got?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXc1nwsFri
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvivtxQHlx
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24e2BFYA8u
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSeZG83oro
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqt6YVigjE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24nFXrygHb
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWh5EmXB2j
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5rF10duUj
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t7jjHxO9U
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ596nSe8GlW
'No, this is about half.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbibuTlMuZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtKLBS4VxN
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?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7bVDge6rE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpbI7sWHWt
'No.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ANgbvDAF
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkPTJuO4rC
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsBvOn5dD4
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ZeoT2bZ1
'True enough sire.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7rec7koXF
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9xMiO51P9
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIReSqn4T7s
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBkaapKmq6
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRuhYUAA1W
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPdbJkJN3p
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiKyU67YPo
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoCm8foacU
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:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsITHn7fqM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHX5CPWmFB
Greyland Archer620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbubajNS7w
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMYSURGyqR
Fighter level 0620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa3otwK7vP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IYWmv4GE2
Ranged attack: 15620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wl8hJxhuT
Melee attack: 8620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHavZvEj63W
Armour Class: 2620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazKsLoPSPR
Hit Points: 5620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20FttmWbmY
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVGvv3LDFZ
Skills:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GIzI16DNe
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJngRklSu6O
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHafb4BseZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvulL8JMARc
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5GB3VlN07
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQngXtBY6X6
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tHWQnjgW7
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6xpCkqTQN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwosXwpxNf
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdqFgtkbml
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvET5NlGV7
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSf4R3FfGz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsKFo2uavX
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJZ4hI4AHj
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltlfmqmY73
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR7PO0bv60
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlELJktJOB
'Show me to Lord Arval.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYD9OfUBda
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXRvnRV1cF
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviztEj9Idq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN7jVpGSLJ
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF3dIWj2fm
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqeCBBl5W5
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTsJYAgJmZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mzjMnbPx
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOedJP5i2uC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXSWKsraQ
I nodded.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSWMp1zS7b
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmxkGYvNDb
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRZqcrBdn
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRmlD9iuA1
'What's the maximum range for it?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgMuzxxRfQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJrXgpFtK6
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5iVd1EHa8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiy0oVsKtC
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof7LdwzTBz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zLcA03eHh
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuZYEIChIU
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSml0YovEX4
'Yes?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAEr4Jkwlp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfXgsU0cRf
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR2SnZ1nCP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvIB9xoM92
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwSyDlSCj5
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG6ten7XzB
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9bf1p4wRD
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUnMAGFFTg
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtfxaqYfvf
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E6lp6xWOw
'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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3q5d9bm48
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LKH55vun4
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIhVOnhgF2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE90lp1f42
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyEQR8hqyC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpccpYDkIFG
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQel4KctVN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsj8wUCFlW
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaH23AX2OH
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iftGiY27e
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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmPTi0QC60
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyL5PMlImQ
'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?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSFOkm03jP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyVspXzjjC
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiFB6la2yO
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20LO1pA2qJ
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatkDbZZgTy
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRQvJtHR14
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW7pzcfH1O
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuX5J8DGci
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2eMXgj6p9
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSx8URSEKm
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs6mrwEH1s
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvMLaaaLNQ
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKI2gaRm2t
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPHRiysmVH
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVfQlhAaFi
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FOLEK36J6
'Go ahead.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dwO5JQniZ
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB2epaIoM4
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnLRYgD1It
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZFdNO2odP
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSoW9mrWkN
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGe6wC5EnN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkasot9ptR
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07QV7kA2ZE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipgYycphAh
'And?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfvrOMv2JK
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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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82zKD5SDGT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LmD6P7K0p
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DMHAjiDsF
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMedTKzIPU
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIObRgT8huE
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eF2YdnMBg
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'Ready sire?'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNxCPUcYKg
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrXZuPNM3w
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXOUkp1r1W
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEHXb4iX4f
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfLSa2rxG4
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFnz9fxYNc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgnZrAMf93
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPdqoX8oV7
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'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEebE7oYYf
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMN6tFArh7
'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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCNeoxmtFN
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Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp01TCms5tx
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyn8V2gFRv
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Koij4JzK
'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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDMU1JT2pZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa0io4itxF
'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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Gahqd0jh
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj4qgyQmFy
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlp0IXdDOE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP1taTyIQz
'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!'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTDdju8pEU
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV9eFz8IGG
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuICnQTTuTS
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Evm8AaVt
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXrEpr6pu4
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEGZYEebXw
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6TM2ntwCl
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNLplyU9D2
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.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zLCxO19ns
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICX2S4bzfx
'Good luck.'620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz42qctmZpn
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'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU7pl7DvYu
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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.
