x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxxsGb4UVz
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfTdvydl9
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQnuT4oZTn
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntU0tyV1o
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuPI7LVNy0
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNWozIQfdF
Str 7558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3opmrIdKem
Dex 4558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n9CPyN27r
Con 8558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pdUKqpIBQ
Int 16558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKwGCp3lH3
Wis 16558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkF0KBUmw5
Cha 4558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1DDN0V8a6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjwoJCHaka
Skills558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROKoQZi2zK
Lunge 5558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8W8y10V9C
Parry 5558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fxATlrUHG
Wield Shortbow 3558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVizbDwrIAD
Wield Rapier 5558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEID4Zsph70
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV09Zj4xRt
You have 1 attribute point to assign.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYYDHCTi6f
You have 5 skill points to assign.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tBFd0lJfY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzo2wLAHws
XP 110/200
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwqYmB69Gn
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo3JJMtDDS
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK2H7i8Mb8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB5OrywAum
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5pY1ZIU8E
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCVxHivKip
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoEzgQbXO6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGlXc64Obp
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbeMkoQaLD
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMZBkOHAPs
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZMtQRjgFU
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2sql9U23L
'I understand.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYIQb7qCcc
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPZyrTlgqm
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMLWF2qB36
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrksBsUSpVa
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8WrsEppk2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLSPGt81pg
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9dgVwHbov
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNJhWEMpaL
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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffHcFejj2K
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3n4z7kiwY
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1pz0KAjmX
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM417tOT9YK
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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOUecZx06o
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eF7HSqUGv
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBhc3fmQm8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESj7gZN4jQ
'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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQmJ57Ab2V
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoU1HZrfwC
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMX6mdXXJf
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzChAt5upjT
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwka1YjWOW
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUchOWFE41P
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIAv62EjB1
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnbVj8KPEO
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpicUr76jdG
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISdlUuEBJ7
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95N4iRnm1Y
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7dx3aJ51l
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ZRwRAUEh
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQJ37bUnBx
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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFER3qlTlXL
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiz007Iha7
'Yes, sire.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZqmtse9DO
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9ayz80ihh
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).558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP7JWjPS5A
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Fe1UMfMg
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh28hxYygH9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabNhUGhQcc
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eN4FlqQQL
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MLZ1Q5eQd
'Well?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSLlu8TWzk
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8a7qHJ9Jd
'They are moving an army towards us.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM70uOTpin
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JwVHspAEN
'How many troops?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA4IeGa2mH
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU3e0aYbu8
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtuCUCpNtL
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL5QqdQPA2
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5u2EeqVQN
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSLbmSjcIp
'How long have we got?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd5ZEyvbra
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEaHXA5mSQ
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnBrRs0TMr
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYXOHbq83u
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJImvi75JK
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA7ZHCKh33
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NB7P0GSh9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtpHV7d4fJ
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV7YxtVZOM
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6E3Ma6TKT
'No, this is about half.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4PYr44i5f
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEkbWgdQ1i
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?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnYIfYXNDU
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJFOzvpUDR
'No.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq63w7RQfH
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXyckuo8VZ
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpJcrHZgKc
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbcBXsdBbY
'True enough sire.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjd8PHCdEu
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o3U2vLL0x
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSRN9WsSsS
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqdFiI9XDY
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpUViQdJlr
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5GKlMuDhc
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQKV01aQ9I
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe5MezuDsO
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:558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmyfIbwSzd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIqcmTlSdn
Greyland Archer558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQKTIANdzd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwUM0d4gJY
Fighter level 0558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76eAGhg23z
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmeOy98Bhh
Ranged attack: 15558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc4474XbRo
Melee attack: 8558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8zNERK0Gx
Armour Class: 2558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKmJwM6PSN
Hit Points: 5558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrKNGiPe3y
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHznnBMTPo
Skills:558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAuantM4iW
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IPlXna5Aq
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSTOHynTdw
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGFX0d1IqC
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkpuUw3O33
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSnKBVup7Z
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NTnazbtad
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjODODlW10M
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImND9U6d3h
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7MfeHv5uF
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWCG3gyDY
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YXm8aseQ6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxeVlhLOeb
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkKil3yhpn
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLyyAFxNpq
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xVLN18bey
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpNWC7YLPg
'Show me to Lord Arval.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoneGxfe9C
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5H7Jms6qf
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYWUWB0ImW
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ps4kklCxn
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60genUmKrZ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw8w3FKlov
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcvg7glRy2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2vRUjpm2m
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6xW4l3GHp
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM68EWjoqK
I nodded.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6T4VvhmfX
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlogBd9d4VA
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4tKXLz7IB
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RquaEhWfw
'What's the maximum range for it?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJpzHjtn3r
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gsbQn39U2
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pTub4sjlY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaPBej7bce
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3wTcKyHDV
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTmW9std96
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWugQKe804
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIDCBN0rKp
'Yes?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg7um3UVXu
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfxIKoBVWS
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD3jdntpum
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynVN7sIYas
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsOfVm3U2u
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh4sCYP4bn
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl22B15N3M
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBS3WhbK5G
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT4ODi8SY8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGQ8NN2NCH
'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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPULlE3W3Za
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26OZjwLHEc
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCZ7e3Fj35
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfLhoXPbN
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbiISCl2BA
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF5yOTNPqE
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMjePkWZ7O
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujUTkXINO7
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHt8ZKMi3B
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr6yctnspr
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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDZRwglg5O
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg3G44L33Y
'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?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY14bPP2cY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20H7gykEaj
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6eHwQ55AJ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNuV4SYmh9
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf2qCpb5bJ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYV3o3qu9a
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBdcqCY4ZY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuBMs9JPq8
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3QV4a7KbN
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy8azlRczW
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkWwOIMuWJ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZLdJRbrR7
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrriIg1LFq2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYZSjbv7L5
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3lkWjRQP6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoz2lI5vUZ
'Go ahead.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeN91JFiGN
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn9l3xDnJY
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4TbGDCpu1
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdfrL14zdJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeAXoDxK0o
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyeH5p7iNP
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSondGzpUP
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIyUUE6wCq
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgjCFP7dSK
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLKqE7Yel8
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQExieQqiw
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pv0CZP3mv
'And?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFerPKFqyX
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDy2d1FRTT
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMTjrlxB6g
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy1K5wr15K
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuu90Qojjg
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2PiunHe98
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjgGLWAZNI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTUsueeJoP
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLdFJ6n7si
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'Ready sire?'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFEcJK1cco
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAB0fq2Ni2
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPN5qPOUMJ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynTtXVDuFW
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyvOWoy6Uy
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrvNwOQdLW
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnIb3yopUy
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivUajNnGaz
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxnfSP06z3
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaESn3e7J9w
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBIr1GmaZ9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv24apK82E7
'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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDXLftKg38
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8CJfAGo1W
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj3f83jlC0
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IZWeCt5kz
'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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH2527Oi08
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXYlKgdOxo
'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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FiiOHZAwV
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzUtg8NGId
'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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYEJUV7jdi
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOwAPJJLvt
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGJ7yrzjY6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm396YAuIT
'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!'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFvsvP7ybW
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15sQDGbCjJ
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRigkqDkJe
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcDGjmdwxD
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxN79LkYWV
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOWJSFviBg
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKnXuqpCxv
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q58sLF1P8
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAo2Ko4y4E
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1yBXkTGTG
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.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkh7S3pA96
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaTbQr1og7
'Good luck.'558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNKCIh5m6M
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0dFSOYFlf
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQb8evJY06
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb1Ea6KAME
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.
