Although there were many smiles among our soldiers, there were others too who looked shocked: pale, slumped and tearful.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZM1j0N4t1
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'Except those guarding prisoners, fall in to your units!' My order brought their training back and even the most wretched looking stiffened and hurried to find a place in the ranks.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzxiDp3QWv
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'You fought well. Very well! And today will be the day I promised you. You will eat out on the story of the battle of Three Ways for the rest of your lives. But our work isn't yet done. Those of you on horseback…' I made my way to the light cavalry, half of whom were missing, chasing the retreating enemy, 'ride down the road, killing any enemy stragglers you find. Then, when our own soldiers return, scout beyond them until evening and report back here by dark… On you go!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0NUD5xLus
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As the riders rode off, I turned to our archers. 'Sergeants, have your squads take the abandoned bows and quivers of the enemy; gather any unbroken arrows you can.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpuh9eEiIP
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'You heard the king!' shouted a sergeant, 'on me!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhLCNSW3uH
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'Sergeant of the swordsmen,' this to the squad leader of our twelve heavy infantry, 'take the prisoners and find a way to lock them in the small tower. They can be given food and water but make sure none of them is armed.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmt4pJORrJ
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'Yes sire!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLSx8YDpjx
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'You,' I pointed to the sergeant of a unit of twelve light infantry, 'are on the same task.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAcsjkUclf
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'And you,' looking at the sergeant of my other infantry squad, 'get a cart and fill it with the abandoned weapons and any armour that is still useful. Also, tell the ballista crew to report to me at the bridge.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfTbtYx07O
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There was a bustle of activity now and the eagerness with which the soldiers set about their tasks was heartening.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs6hKFDKK5
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'Sire?' It was the Cleric. 'May I heal you?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXSVQyHknn
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I checked my hit points, 33 from 40. 'No.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb40WAj3OP
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Coming down the hillside was a weak-looking Parrin, being helped by Carlena. I gestured towards them. 'Go heal the chancellor.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYLOeMNHvz
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By the time they reached me, the Scout was looking a lot more cheerful. 'Sire, permission to shake your hand.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzeTlDxN5s
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb5CjcbXqV
'Granted.' I smiled at our Parrin as he took my heavy right hand in both of his and pumped it up and down.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg0kubyWO3
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyFJz0SIuX
'That… that was magnificent. Your charge. I'll never forget it, ever. I don't have the words.' And indeed, I could see tears were welling up in the elderly man's dark eyes.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwFhQhw0D8
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'Good man yourself, Chancellor, your backstab was an excellent initiative.' I gave him a slap with my free arm. 'The Shaman might not have been able to save the battle for them, but we were about to lose a lot of men. It was brave too, with the sabre-toothed tiger at his side.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXztfeHyw7R
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKMz1xYSmO
I turned to Carlena. 'You too. To face the Shaman's spells and his pet without hesitation was impressive. I'm proud to be working with such courageous comrades.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT50Yz2eJ8
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4lEPIguK2
Carlena gave me the warmest smile I'd yet seen from her, a sincere one, from the heart. 'A rhino was a good choice for the potion.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHibWZBKkNa
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViOKP9UJ2m
'When you said to pick something the size of my body… well, it came to mind.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopm63UVNQc
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'Well done sire.' She dropped her voice to a whisper. 'Thank you Sean de Courcy. You really are the warrior we need. King Carlos would have stayed in Carrick. Yet that was a battle we might easily have lost and with it, the realm.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNF5w1P8oa
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLfSftsWiH
Our mutual fan club was broken up by the arrival of the ballista crew, who had come at the double, as if to make up for the fact they had missed out on the fighting. Their sergeant saluted.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZaabEjMj2
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'Hard luck, sergeant. You were to be the hero of the battle by the original plan.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXapsCcYMN
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Checking first that I wasn't looking too serious, the powerful-looking young man allowed himself a reply. 'We're very disappointed sire; next time I hope you'll leave some for us.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrSvGQ4T3l
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrtaK88rtr
'Good man. Well, I've a task that will make you popular with the rest of the army. Are you honest?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykjPHIR495
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'As honest as a mirror sire.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgddT9hHqw
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsEnlo9J87
'That's what I hoped. I want you to search all the enemy bodies for coin. Then roll the corpses into the river along with any dead horses. We'll demoralise their army downstream as their dead comrades float past. Our own dead we'll bring home in carts for their families. When you've all the coin, report to me and I'll share it equally with every soldier here. Even you lot.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMHStbEg2S
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwTtFkIxXJ
'You heard the king!' The sergeant gave me a salute and the crew immediately set to their somewhat morbid task as though it was a pleasure. Which perhaps it was. Loot was loot after all. Which gave me a thought.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AqFM02SWT
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2MQezPuzI
'Do you have a Detect Magic spell?' I asked Carlena, who nodded.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbHwchcMv2
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'Can you use it and see if there are any magic items on the dead, perhaps on the Shaman or their officers?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPJvnqnYGD
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'Oh, I should have thought of that.' Carlena hurried back up the hill.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV2XtN3tnq
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'Any orders for me sire?' asked Chancellor Parrin.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHUakFHbtb
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'Soon I'll want you to go scouting again, in case the rest of their army moves up towards us. I've a feeling that they won't. For now though, if you could find some decent wine and tolerable bread, I could really use it. Being a rhino for eight minutes is a hell of a calorie burn… I mean it gives you an appetite.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpeg6501Nl
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQAqAvP5CB
Slowly, I made my way back over the bridge and up to the gatehouse, bringing the Cleric with me. On my way, busy soldiers glanced at me in an entirely different way than they had before the battle. There was respect and admiration in their eyes. Affection too even. I was becoming the king they wanted. And whenever my gaze rested on soldiers performing their duties, they hurried that bit faster, as though wanting to demonstrate their backing for me. This was a complete contrast to the sullen looks and slow responses when I had first gone to the barracks in Carrick.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNjghF7YXJ
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Of course, I'd been wanting to study the effects of the battle on my character sheet ever since the fighting had ended, but only now, after a deliberate pause to consider if I had overlooked any important orders, did I feel the time had come when I could open that menu.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ewAWpsKQj
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Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wi7Mxeo78
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Fighter, Level 5 HP 40 AC 0399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WsCO2tPj4
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Str 7399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfUrGe6UI1
Dex 4399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDalPzIoUEk
Con 8399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBUoxqlfGA
Int 16399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3HfGONYwj
Wis 16399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLUiouwe2Z
Cha 4399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeKmyd5hId
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT2X2H2hdI
Top Skills399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVAwKOKwpp
Bash 25399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE4KP9PWC9
Impale 25399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI6L9qsTVU
Lunge 5399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvgvsZhjda
Parry 5399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6yEJxmhOA
Wield Rapier 5399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS9r59wWDA
Wield Shortbow 3399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5sq5I9SBy
Block 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0oPtCTT3o
Defensive Stance 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3z65NILdr
Deflect 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd40IX2MmfY
Dodge 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0EbtF7f7d
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You have 4 attribute points to assign.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrWtpgyM0H
You have 15 skill points to assign.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtABYwK6Kv
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XP 2,860 (3,200)
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My attribute points I decided to save, again, tempting though it was tempting to put a point in Dexterity. Assuming I could train up the low stats, I'd want those points for later.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7o8R149QT
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There was also a new notification attached to my character sheet, which I opened.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2Z0vaaju
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Congratulations Sean de Courcy on reaching Level 5 in Fighter. You have unlocked the following specialisations within the Fighter class. Please choose one:399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9ZQAr4vnj
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Berserker399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag1bvSsDe9
Champion399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbnxJzdJKI
Paladin399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63LIZx86c
Shadow Knight399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuNZoLx9ei
Warlord
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Each had a description, which corresponded to fighter sub-types I was familiar with from Storm Wars: the Berserker specialised in speed, high DPS and was a master of improvisation, downside, medium armour only; the Champion was a duellist, a weapons specialist perfect for one-on-one fights, downside, all the benefits were individual only; the Paladin had holy spells as well as combat skills, downside incompatible with evil troops and creatures; the Shadow Knight was the opposite to the Paladin, with unholy spells and an incompatibility with good; the Warlord was the opposite to the Champion, a tactical specialist, all the benefits were group ones.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvtXW7k6Jc
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Obviously, with Lord Arval being a Paladin, the Shadow Knight was out. And it wasn't smart to replicate his spells and skill bonuses when I could gain new ones for our realm. Even if I got this body into reasonable shape, I was never going to be a Berserker. So that left Champion and Warlord.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3YiKAT39N
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmmR03hjOr
Rereading the description of both, the Champion appealed to my pride. Following that path would ultimately lead to a character who could defeat anyone else in the world in a face-to-face encounter. I could visualise myself using Lightning Draw to bring a sword into my hands faster than my opponent anticipated and cutting them down with Critical Strike before they'd even drawn breath.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Z8VWHq89
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmIMAH6Zjb
It was clear though, that in this world of twenty-five kingdoms battling for mastery, the Warlord was going to be the right option. As a Warlord I'd get feats that could rally shaken troops, that could heighten the combat skills of those nearby and at high level could identify unfamiliar enemy troop types. I selected it and immediately got twenty or so new skill options and my first Warlord feat, Charge! All friendly units in the vicinity got a 20% increase to base movement and a temporary 5 hit point increase.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbtO7oodob
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As for the skills, since I knew I would learn fast from practice, I would simply put one point in each to unlock them. With 15 skill points to assign, I could get all but five. My exact choices, however, could wait.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPYWHW3F7
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws5T9fwNUC
Closing my character sheet, I had a look at the state of Greyland's army on the military menu:399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx33IVK7w4V
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Military399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4jj2auJHy
Light infantry: 26*399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeeN7Hxybz
Heavy infantry: 11*399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR94rShw9E
Archers: 34*399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLTM1nF1az
Light cavalry: 18*399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX06YokrhA
Heavy cavalry: 4*399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UDdpPE9MS
Ballista: 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvSC3iTDns
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(*veterans)399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcQvEBwyuh
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Hospital: 18399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46tnzqpzXX
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Military upkeep cost: 43 gold, 6 silver399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTYVOFvABC
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Currently training:399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGuT4cjjmI
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Buildings: keep level 2; curtain walls level 1; towers level 1; town walls level 1399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5OjcqF3yd
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Currently building: tower machicolations, 23 hours
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Not at all bad. In fact, considering my original plan, which would have been costly in terms of archers and probably infantry, it was a fantastic result. Greyland's army was small, but it was still intact, a viable force with which to face the other half of the army of our enemies, should they dare advance. If anything, we were actually stronger than when the day had begun, since a new veteran tag had appeared over most of the troops.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwYXF3kdbh
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXtzbdVg7A
There were rooms in the larger tower and although I struggled to get up the wooden stairs, which creaked loudly beneath me, I found a bench on the first level that could accommodate my bulk. The Cleric stood uncertainly by the door.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZduUQn6BJo
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'Take a seat.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovoDtEh8kO
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She obeyed me.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0kIybVn82
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'What's your name?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ke2ahqSff
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'Anthea Greyford, sire.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0XUteZAkq
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'Anthea, you know I have menus for the running of ths realm?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQMnksjYrh
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'Yes sire.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjJS0v2wuG
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'Well, you aren't…' I struggled for the words that she might understand. 'You are listed under the church menu but you aren't a special person. You can't level up, or can you?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZJQEI27dw
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpzyroT2X1
'Apologies, sire. I don't really know. If you were to upgrade the church perhaps?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKalTtFDTU9
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ErsNCqwma
'I was reading about the various levels of church earlier and while it's not a priority …' I held back from expressing my concern about the food supply, 'that upgrade will happen. But it wasn't clear if you would gain a level. I learned only that the town would gain a second Cleric and those attending the church would be able to obtain cures for moderate wounds and the delay of poisons and disease.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xMR7Z0Wyi
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9AX5rUPSg
'I think it likely I would become second level sire, since those prayers are available to those who have reached it.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0V6mcrta2
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScTWmKcJQn
'Let's hope so. And let's hope you can join me progressing. Because we are going to need a strong healer, both to level me up as fast as possible and for future battles.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUorygHO3t
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdgbyxUFy3
It was hard to see her response: in her full chainmail armour the coif put most of her face in shade. Her mouth looked determined enough though and she gave a nod.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ194xmkHFO
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwZmQuDvqb
Footsteps from below announced the arrival of the chancellor, bearing the very welcome load of two bottles of wine and four tin goblets. Behind him, a soldier had a basket with bread rolls and apples.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Sewl1yov
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'Well done Chancellor.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOn1lb6Dar
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'Thank you sire.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq6k7I4TXb
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One of the joys of a high Dexterity, it seemed, was the ability to draw a cork from a bottle with just a narrow blade from his Scout's tool kit and it was only a moment's work before the comforting gurgle of wine being poured was heard.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUaeMgPmDU
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'To Greyland!' I offered the toast and my two companions responded.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXdIHZbirz
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x5EdogExx
I asked Parrin about his sneak attack on the Shaman and was listening to his account – it reminded me that the Scout had an extremely important Ring of Silent Movement – when Carlena joined us, a look of quiet pleasure on her face that made me hopeful. That and the finely made rapier she carried.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqOwvSSukS
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsOlUowQ3y
'Four magic items sire.' She emptied a bag onto the bare wooden floor with a satisfying clatter from the three items that fell out. 'I've used the rest of my mana for the day casting Insight to discover their properties, but I thought you'd want to know.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQsNKSFria
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I nodded.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWJdI95k8T
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfynczcsTN
'Their Shaman had a scroll of Hold Animal and an amulet with the spell Hide from Animals stored in it; one of their officers had Bracers of Archery; and the other had this: a plus-two rapier.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsgNIS4CU5
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVxcTBPDT4
'Excellent, what do the bracers do?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo8jkl2bA8
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'Give you five skill points in your wield skill for all bows; a slightly faster rate of fire; and fifty-percent increase in all ranges.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ070992R2y7
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui1FuWnwhP
'Very nice. I'll keep them and the rapier. Can you use the scroll and the amulet?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSQVrHmdR9
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcpQsy8Fir
'The pity is that I can't add them to my spell book, with their being Shaman spells not those of a sorceress, but as a once off, I can cast those spells.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtUL9yZDdw
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OHGr1xNAQ
'Very good, they are yours. Sorry Chancellor, nothing for you it seems, though you deserved it.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbGSYfV95m
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnKtwrJRBs
Parrin smiled and spread his hands. 'What's good for us all is good for me.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycsEv7P6NF
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym3zArTDja
We were well into the second bottle of wine and nothing but crumbs and apple cores remained in the basket when Lord Arval bounded up the stairs and into the room. A glance, then he stepped over to me, knelt and clasped my hands in his.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdqjUqCayw
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbumHeavvYd
'By Miya! What a day. What a day. When I rose this morning, I could not dare hope for such an outcome.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11eNjbSGzj
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVwgkBgXt1
'Nor I Lord Arval, now take a seat and a drink.' I freed my hands from the warrior, picked up my goblet and passed it to him. 'I'm only sorry we ate all the bread.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy7RuDZkTy
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG85cSJhGkl
Our general was clearly exhausted, his face was wan and he sat with obvious relief. Yet his eyes were darting to check we all shared his happiness. And watching him, I had another thought. Perhaps the PCs had levelled too? I raised my arm. Carlena and Parrin were both still level 9. But Lord Arval had reached level 8.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ynC1kGEn
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsbq05Mglk
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1iRwReXe9
Lord Arval: Paladin Level 8399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4sLlPuKe
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWX9XvsF8v
HP 79399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejAwfwhaSl
AC 18399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y42paDmYd
XP 30,124 (64,200)399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIOXl1d0Qy
Str 17 (18), Dex 12, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 9.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdXxzvql2
Shield of Defence +1, Trueblade +2, Ring of Strength +1, Potion of Healing.
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWPnudfEkN
'Another toast!' I declared, though I no longer had a goblet and had to raise just my hand. 'To Lord Arval, our level eight Paladin!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfJ4xC2dFe
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06iHloXQqO
'Congratulations!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMkPz4e5G
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEkN1kHJ9c
'To Lord Arval!'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3FbP3KdHE
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBCKVIeCP3
Our general acknowledged the goodwill in the room with a cheerful wave. Then Carlena told him about the magic items we had gained and he told us about the rout of the enemy, whom he pursued for miles down the valley. After that we fell into a comfortable silence, the silence of those who had been through battle together and who were reflecting on the day's events.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfag3KkYwRs
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXJO5b1sqj
At least, that's what I thought they were doing. Lord Arval, however, looked over at the cleric and spoke: 'Can you leave us some privacy, please.'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XMNMmhWw7
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ5Tg4BRS1
'Of course,' she got up at once and descended the stairs.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y3A9bU11D
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnotfWdeTwN
I looked at Lord Arval and no doubt my expression was curious.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghRPBP8uaA
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMinAi9Ht0
He smiled. 'It's nothing urgent. But I wanted to know: how did this day compare to the battles you experienced in your world? You must have had other victories like this?'399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UzCCI5WI8
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAzpu1jG6O
How, I wondered, should I reply to that question? I could hardly say that the only battles I had fought in had been games.
