x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPXtBgWvqe
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x7gf6szOi
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0PQMLtPkO
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXwwp0mIL4
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpqAiqH4us
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpAd9zd9Lz
Str 7578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoaUnxRUzJ
Dex 4578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLj3lxFBoI
Con 8578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqDpadHjbF
Int 16578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCm5W27xjy
Wis 16578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIXmEGaklV
Cha 4578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtTFNeCg1w
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4tNqu4Y8P
Skills578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqg76pEHnZ
Lunge 5578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfotkJX2Fj2
Parry 5578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSyeSUa0EO
Wield Shortbow 3578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKirIRyLWb5
Wield Rapier 5578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSviVS7X9m
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNFP10zTRX
You have 1 attribute point to assign.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEj3sV8O8t
You have 5 skill points to assign.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsVwTiEHlr
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34GkYgVWAu
XP 110/200
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrZTBNoooE
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LcuBmyTiF
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetjjh2oY9h
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaiAp9L3H2
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0l1gmi6QM
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukRIKKRjiH
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzLUDtSgiO
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgokq1kgP1Q
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7jA0adhEB
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4T2ze2UnG
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7DWAg52hK
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJ1HQjxi0
'I understand.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNjoSGpGr2
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB1DmdUYHs
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWozz6MQoi
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALxYxwlik4
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOrbXfchs0
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd7rhUXbjH
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdjjJ4Lrsr
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OsSFRmJCW
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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i360SzZCQ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp1AK0MBzZ
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UiiTE5OGS
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6CxvRs3S
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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3COIA2pDpy
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCrjYIqndo
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdPNIzHme8
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGOy4JKpmh
'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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9EBqw5wy5
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvCtDSyIj7
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYdUdccVZc
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ82yWnK3LL
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Iob1YlXI
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQX0G7r5mY
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c5skK8BIa
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ZuXPaGOr
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xgXlHbEiv
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCJ9QQOc0G
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEHurcewz9
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRo436LjQE
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpZRXwXulU
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvswyl0dZPd
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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDbnZsKTn5
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6CF7IQ1AW
'Yes, sire.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3EgAeLVSp
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBechJ5rJmy
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).578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bQRNuLpex
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoLipzyuiN
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jdI19OvJF
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsgiA0kCce
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjRgzx7Dk6
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeYVXCp4ry
'Well?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zrm1BWsDQ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoLAOerfZX
'They are moving an army towards us.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms6iLO1iCg
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblKnkPfENo
'How many troops?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEtJ4XIkNe
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUh1Sfpbnn
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiiaEeBVpY
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5vQGCljwT
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG67wO5zvzZ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3cWK6EyNJ
'How long have we got?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhSQODh11C
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmylbNgv2NZ
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeKyUkxiWu
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhzSySjtKk
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SS2TGhioO
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5b8KIMizC
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXNW36JL6P
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssfNBZWAeX
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGL7DKROQG
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbGBfBF1bt
'No, this is about half.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLylwUMJscX
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tp8OKOraf
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?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfdOnXXp57
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpENvB51OUJ
'No.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpYqJ1fhkW
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdlv4XSVMv
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATf0nCklEB
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAet3Fxf3E
'True enough sire.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMY2FidRaH
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBOWdhVrKw
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlPI9dcwSs
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXaq6f6jQx
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EMPXZCeqE
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXXNEy1i6M
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6K7lzagxZ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73yxpUs0mC
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:578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCXhBak5yT
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmADoPXKAs
Greyland Archer578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXIqcQ5JDQ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vBDeOpqNp
Fighter level 0578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds9PvejLyF
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQinTp6Qi2u
Ranged attack: 15578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ix9aE2BK
Melee attack: 8578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YeojVP6io
Armour Class: 2578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Im9iXwdy
Hit Points: 5578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnh6FigQGk
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlqejmja3w
Skills:578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXbB0LX9KX
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXPwhg7Uue
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSqgNyO4g4
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg6Kg7rPlx
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkncuuvtD4
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wRgkNDQEt
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGQxcHhSYl
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMmAcU2F2W
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOzgawgghK
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbmqXx7SlO
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8fExT8dpQ
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCWCqilD38
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5agjtO1cP
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCbVaIMkB5
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjZ3Dg2iOV
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMRcXTGCco
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OXUad3HJ6
'Show me to Lord Arval.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLOtIiSlo4
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Oi6OEAXxI
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE81o9MkpJC
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h5IqD08rG
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZRGBK1kZ6
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPXyFAAh49
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uu2RY40Uq
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT7P5DAtMi
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fNfgK5ECR
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6v1MW6TCF
I nodded.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39356icbaz
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRvVlQudAw
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QRsNQst9W
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkCykRnLSO
'What's the maximum range for it?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi3Q26bvDg
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iIAAFLp0z
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUnbdiKCSj
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCs56L2To5
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm4Q9BAsbN
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4baUI3tmR
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4rdvXsIsF
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jktsXKJWE
'Yes?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XQb4jl8hW
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLj8egLGbX
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyVUFTAcOW
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8WPldAM1E
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtp8XL909L
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdbY7mDX87
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uo3EbDyji
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3vLfT1mMx
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABOvxRYfTP
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFch7vhHAz
'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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsveFHKSETL
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP1Ax0IuVP
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwhNbha3V9
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbvP00dX3j
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF53aEJLpJ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6obAmxbsa
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ1lvOTmuu
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFy47V34Ga
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKatZsrIGwn
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5UZhmNVEh
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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeHu4hfvYj
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxAUNvI3uZ
'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?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNRZaBiVSR
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdggKuPdcql
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRek0Bnhl0i
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqb65DDQ1M
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS4993jmEt
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7ZG1JwbXR
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35QxVKqWF2
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOVD04SNr9
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ltJMHe7z
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWtuTDBC5K
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkWFz2LNyK
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTJbrBOeKX
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXxEA02y2C
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQLzRhQpfV
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s8U8GB5CG
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOX2OJugtt
'Go ahead.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlefy1D58ao
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODGvFZWuW1
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvTz0nv956
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0g1KFh3EM
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3UdU17Qq2
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6fRF7eQdo
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqe0AloKHK
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZayjfph1W
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nZCnt4w2p
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofqQ50Cu25
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ofdpet6tg
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iITrMYwFe
'And?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UBoHcPwpa
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm3LykTjeb
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilEkXnSeb8
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vsSDkCA1k
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti4GGptEUE
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbW94MEWeF
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx5giMOJTZ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXClkvoZxh2
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJRcgXtiG
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rtcmCdX6M
'Ready sire?'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOno5DplKOm
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9m2Mx7YNT
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn1MHyM14I
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYQsRpLpyo
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOm96wl024
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADv5QN166o
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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt4dbgu5uG
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7qwYT16Kc
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSprEaRFnFz
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhOzCifEOn
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCApnfW6LH
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCVGJROyv
'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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQV0JNCfYI
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Ha7cKap6
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJBe9xCgjA
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SpGOfaECi
'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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2dHcuuln8
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHZaaqzqKp
'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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88e580BOE3
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU8E08PsiX
'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.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡremU8qV2ni
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNRPo2IBr3
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXZ5ila79a
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FMOGKb1ym
'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!'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuEDYh0ama
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6xo5rvTi0
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuuPjckaGF
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpoppmOvw1
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDk0YQ6LsT
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdB8UfUxNJ
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyJy3SMLg7
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhpMLlETUo
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBvK5ZbgOQ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEsrqafhRf
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.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEnEh1XWbm
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB3TekQDwQ
'Good luck.'578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhha2i99DgZ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0khUMVzCvn
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHHMKnnYGJ
578Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs5MxKzdPU
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.
