x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb659ViV14D
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWjmCLwzgL
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hujX5ese6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ya1TitR9
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamjkrF2jwa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemfJrfjrrJ
Str 7574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w43qaJb64
Dex 4574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7lRnjdIKO
Con 8574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xd3qOfA71
Int 16574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldjZUIOir9
Wis 16574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5EQ3v2gJb
Cha 4574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJQsWCQF0f
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjB7MkLXYA
Skills574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdu0OcPBuU
Lunge 5574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Or66xByw
Parry 5574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UOdaWEMjs
Wield Shortbow 3574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR1PG8Tyz3
Wield Rapier 5574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDrXl3PWTI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP51nytKnr4
You have 1 attribute point to assign.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xvKR83NMb
You have 5 skill points to assign.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7DtPnrd7X
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV2YIlenrp
XP 110/200
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ErijWv8Nb
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAopfoEGaNc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tfoQTf1e3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYq5EBPaJs
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipGnyZTRC7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2KIqSkAc
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcptMPbAjnH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmly8Nw57qQ
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7RXIN7kft
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgryaimxqfj
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDuZjLq1om
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmn3WwSh2k
'I understand.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rjHjew9qz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNQeHweFkS
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXmtFXegNS
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaG2ou6AW3
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oMYkCgiKD
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxT0I6MYJi
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtxeV5Yqnq
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAdLg7Food
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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrK7Nc3s21
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTos7XRLT6
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovAICUqT7b
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0qj5sl34q
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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKOnkuOF6H
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgmXsIjXHd
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8mXT8CncA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sov4vq9eU
'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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW4AZm5UEx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwvGl79fuB
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b2esAxbL5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMQgRMA5SV
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66wE9BiV2S
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe0oEnLr6n
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMz6lPRfpn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gQM208cBo
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiXiRX7NJh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSaWegpxy3
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sc9fztSaJ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFgU1h7YQ7
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YVsg7478P
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcGrsS62oX
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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOgZz1sW5E
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP7VNyjhP0
'Yes, sire.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKORmdp2lLw
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiY8k0MpTN
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).574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61dnYssiUy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve2l5yX6fJ
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGwk7GhktM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWPLpCeZTv
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GfwfU6By3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lCPFcprzG
'Well?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz9CkGd0fT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8wp2FybNA
'They are moving an army towards us.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooL4b1xPbS
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwDJuUOX88
'How many troops?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcsUayZdwC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi61aaIoF5S
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3skjZVf1h0
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzLnThpqIC
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqpvg5oDqT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytLgSQBbhH
'How long have we got?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfENz3AMHI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7SXCJsRxU
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3xII2cDW1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrihNdplWRy
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFYttutKKF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYZsx1j2nX
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZJwvCN6nI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5pdVGvIfS
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ZcAX3Vzp
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUktsrxU8X
'No, this is about half.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci1cJOgN8u
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMzFLWPmkq
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?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnzwYf2FhG
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1yO0hbzIX
'No.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cyRvmaYDm
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpycODMHEMl
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46989JFbVz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDy5a99bLt
'True enough sire.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuIlmPuTqR
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mffB03Xis
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk8l811tVa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iHJK59e0n
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmIsYZpNvY
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5VksYaJEt
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnv6ED8HnW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg9H22n08g
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:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRllSgBK8xn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhLXofsGgJ
Greyland Archer574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs22bynL9dH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd8tU2gHZ8
Fighter level 0574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyzVLHfN3a
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIdejuW3oD
Ranged attack: 15574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAa3GayK0z
Melee attack: 8574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztNg2fcHxO
Armour Class: 2574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacbaT9mDPX
Hit Points: 5574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeSvAlYzZe
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jwmO69NX3
Skills:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33iC09rTlJ
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkdKmGJ07z
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG7FFjNEha
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30VGwNziYe
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukU4Fc2soT
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BEJjsDC1E
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi7qDBjtAX
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2X6l2ZDAz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2naLASUiaq
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNsM2yPcbi
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfsWMpBbJB
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRcEhghIpg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFa1A5jUhI
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWyj9Jtgbq
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDh6H5MD4m
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTmJMarVsy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWTfwlwCeL
'Show me to Lord Arval.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cVzvNwCdl
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuM2ZMPCYt
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1JWANJYXi
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcgp1F26T9
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIU3EWY0mV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsocfzt65RY
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkFf3bNBec
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2zWpoTHrc
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFrDj0dZTL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOqlSyNfdg
I nodded.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0vO51Vpuv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXhL1J6f8N
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkd9jU7svx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoHbkeCLoX
'What's the maximum range for it?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i5u2wA6m5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd41aSGWfs
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp05cr9BVQd
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pp1V2afrY
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM17yW6XbF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfagq73rK4
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOt0yCUfVw
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxcO8cizBH
'Yes?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz2TjZ1CGv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonjG97w6OS
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPR84AuUSF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAIsQ9oaHF
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqztXtNDpAh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzQi1GjbqV
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Zav6vQiL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUKM9K3nDb
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcwsWy41CE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXrBHClWpL
'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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hCLqjMoDX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cHL48CXQm
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi65M9QDq5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfECtYSqUjZ
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWcoFRRkIu
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyQgc5C9Sh
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OOrKYkbPl
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gz6znab90
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji6MwYA7Ut
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLErMzDk0pU
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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ntOL3vS2v
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3axpTB5z
'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?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOiJ6b3jHY
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tXYUVcoBw
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSpZDGUw7V
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkVaq0tbEp
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TOTCGd5no
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpWMVVmbHC
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJZHcEPwSt
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CHkInHLse
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLstle7KKa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBd8gOXfmd
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgbylpa0bt
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBCvSyrg9l
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWFi6Y1lZc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTcscgxuBT
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOxFJLxnvN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA6Feuj8qj
'Go ahead.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCfYA0RHzF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrPj5zQGnH
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbYU86CQGg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5y8p9roLO
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTqg2c6MSk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KRVIWsOyh
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEyqDWG38O
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpUdOF2QKZ
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi5XmPJtWs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Wl10Y4eO
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbm72XHdR8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlhmKoRWxL
'And?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq8YvNsb13
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNwMNKMiCi
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlsDQY46i2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3cLWEQWhx
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZeCqjmWjD
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaAAaRDd5x
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW80sGn3O54
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTsOYDzojf
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN19DMIDfWT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfpuGAsbGW
'Ready sire?'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwp7KgAMxO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05fOdG4FM9
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5bXHEhqnB
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4UqkT2BFx
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp45wh9iZz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4IE4ypP4z
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmDbY5wjqE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiJnRi9eos
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKUZcdfDU8
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfCEDayyQ3
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZPhHjK8Dn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT4GB1dU1G
'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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ikW8a78VN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaSG3HPU10
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2VnUbmR5n
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpcBsWgKOW
'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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0i5kY0QFs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMizIbM8upG
'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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdZP8dsUpg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKEVcYQaQG
'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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkJGQ4fusL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUawoxZ2ML
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUTFi2aZcH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcIrsztV1D
'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!'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksowTIwM80
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7mYd2R5aF
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7jEoyqh5i
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlDTrNoGiI
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2iRa5bx1S
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjW127ZAEJ
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRbKlNZ95
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPkiRdXXiF
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWLLnukrxM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuEJTiXHpc
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.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhLsT9l9R4
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0xvecUrSD
'Good luck.'574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfrQBWHI76
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHy4d7AfM1
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuypTerra2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vsSbvsJuJ
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.
