The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DEerEGoUy
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B0KjCSCaA
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOLe1qxIhE
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4v8tabqTw
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCjx3Scnv2
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJIGuR9mot
Str 7655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyTZZ3CxRx
Dex 4655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM33GgasF6
Con 8655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ngrTkeiLn
Int 16655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJlmPXt1Pg
Wis 16655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQsZSvUjW
Cha 4655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHjx5AyLRx
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXIHZM6bqS
Skills655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYKThyWFzl
Lunge 5655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVenvZnIodt
Parry 5655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8xxD9oWe5
Wield Shortbow 3655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzMcBDfy3P
Wield Rapier 5655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheZ5bxEvTl
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Zvj2WDqA
You have 1 attribute point to assign.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F6qjDD24J
You have 5 skill points to assign.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPDQl9vqMK
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq104X9mIIS
XP 110/200
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655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoaoUjishA
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG3VAQtFtu
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclSfmP8Pc6
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94SY60GZXL
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A1BFosM4f
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Fesn7d2d
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYm6cibqrc
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2OveWyWbR
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBChZ0ptZI
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWxjvbFKCj
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eBIUNY1JH
'I understand.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMoNGYlORI
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhyu0CcoxC
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ7VZvXCyD
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w8GgpjePu
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vCxPDd5TR
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvXTOBeOts
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPZ7K3NrhG
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTDLINrskJ
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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyMwMfhP4F
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAxhVThyeQ
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tSJR7PHvo
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIQMfbwVNQ
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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO1S3mnhg0
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nJzhRaug9
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kMFONkGcT
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ENTIeP0aL
'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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGLGBejneP
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUThmtDZ9Ch
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GMF9Jywbf
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPDtv1HpXZ
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWztgP62nW9
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rw2E10Yrd
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgyZRJdsJm
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXEfFbqx9q
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Md11yFt2
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW7OVBang3
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXobW30gG2
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwpILvt9se
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zY5rGHfzs
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMtJvAWvYp
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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV8L6cdZph
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP0gOsFCAI
'Yes, sire.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyAtsnQGrw
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixY3GeAZnG
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).655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyN77BC7m7
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppAQthXsQX
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mQswGSZpO
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEa3mbxLQy
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMAHziiDwU
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGf1rrSDC0
'Well?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWps0ScpSt
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiR9xPEpRL
'They are moving an army towards us.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rOFhS0Tqu
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb4oLxQWM4
'How many troops?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDbG9fzkh5
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WlENSKQJR
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AAKjflAYR
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mknIfdZN6
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU6dLNz9by
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsN7HkM9tY
'How long have we got?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vEx2nJ2uF
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jihR91s7b
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVQPKlEuAY
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfifs8DtGbn
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VDO3jFwrT
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNCY8GphI
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzchM2fUQi7
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDTVIEPmHF
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSM1n00br4
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9KwBQDZeR
'No, this is about half.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR0D5FTlng
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIR2hXCEuL
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?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93vh4jsdcX
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMceBh50RL
'No.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrcQMzyFRr
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cBcysQDjm
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwgzlfSErL
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKoOzy5c7r
'True enough sire.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QmpVwH8Mi
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaUFJkv3sk
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5FRdk6X4g
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC035x8UK7
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh5wt55KE4
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl7EqJWkhq
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr6Wlxq3HA
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoa17psmx0
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:655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7SFubFR0R
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G4wCAbnUn
Greyland Archer655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MZNOoBxbe
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Fighter level 0655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7vfXxEGwx
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArM7DA0TpQ
Ranged attack: 15655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dhAflwdUZ
Melee attack: 8655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzrTqR0Ulb
Armour Class: 2655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ4KeqLpnG
Hit Points: 5655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID2D4QgbQZ
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdhVmnxxpu
Skills:655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfynLnA8Ufu
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZkmvNljZL
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH53S2FqCiq
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrJnd1ARK9
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmvyDDCXqx
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1d9xENiBz
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWXPAJKqdZ
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiHXN6tNa2
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReGTBOOILm
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubF7Jx89fb
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCBAvpnItd
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhBRCWWMdI
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmnuYDL11p
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ396roj7aMT
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKrEVjF5o4
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA7frhVpkP
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAU9ZWa5vc
'Show me to Lord Arval.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnW3i3e1IB
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbIhOahPVF
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueuiVQpZmu
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmjPUOK52L
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyqAYpUZAT
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgug9FaWzRi
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDzZ2QvLUO
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMXqsEc1ft
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlOXjE5X9C
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojIJ0R2IFs
I nodded.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg91pB5cEK
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4om2mCyAj
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIBZv7UkmF
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dhi4IXnKL
'What's the maximum range for it?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6X7VaBqEG
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16v67pp4dC
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgQmxPiQ3X
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj4VkJ8DQu
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO4C4vxzxg
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr3VMIIlqp
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1BEV5C0RE
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'Yes?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU5F1hI0wH
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrpkjtMNku
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE2Amkk3XZ
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Ezp7S4Yf
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmsimeGGbM
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTM7A0ZVPH
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF02YvaksE
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Ey3M4lTR
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX589pxV9qm
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JWwT6bgxX
'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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nQSu0830Q
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9GFJxSwn6
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqaw8jKV2E
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtMm4zZvIU
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTcwcwMJFr
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDJE9z8uxW
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmMhSoHCWK
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrf5cjyI8E
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTfXyqt3AH
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m8g1Re3q1
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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrxsGc8P64
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsj3wrhHZW
'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?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40o5VIOSYB
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu4CpCPxPC
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMekcjQnaR
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuPxUgE9ES
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsSvQrlXDG
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMy2tscijg
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviStNcwZmS
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnGA60hMV6
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZNVwOylOK
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIWSKhLhvQ
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wjth4zNxq
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw4FWwJEBq
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ryDWRrt3
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez6W5GzL9s
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45oY4ciPn
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcx2lYdGI7
'Go ahead.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkV6HJ2N9x
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVJXKlL0Sx
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6GZ8sB2b
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgtg4RofPR
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX9LxVMF2P
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix9Sscu4FS
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeX377fZUg
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJHbgAcMU6
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8aMkLtiDY
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzskueZHQzm
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy68lTi1U3G
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiD9e42wDe
'And?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNiwPAKckG
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuISyS5caK4
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nE0uCQLqs
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuvvTdkzSj
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmURwNNnA
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTBxG8CKmR
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyBesJwdfy
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu2TWNtSPr
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YYO1j5FEe
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iJGsd8PnI
'Ready sire?'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8jwgpSuOb
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cHQTcaFwS
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIbFkkm2dP
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZVNgzkPAQ
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrLrGKeUsS
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQnSnpV3eA
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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5Gt1BIyrK
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS2Zml6uC2
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNQZA8t6UA
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeTWAUklHW
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpkkmzThDS
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf5YiVzkG8
'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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5NQeUu4NI
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lf1uz9tjg
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHkznuX2xQ
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLag7WtfU0
'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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrqvskKRPz
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHtyI2qJoj
'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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKsuZipg62
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Re2bgKhQD
'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.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYpK1d7tta
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKxTCYCz5
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxGTMXSGKf
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8lQdQTLz7
'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!'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VSeIiHsQb
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZXeyy4CFT
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UBIGZD69q
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe42XlAj1O
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ZhXH0dBV
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXjed9T136
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYlBZT8c1U
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K18JLESdb
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GR1g3XzOe
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhygZI4CP6
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.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXCsvG3W5c
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3juYTB1N1P
'Good luck.'655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC61JsCOuUS
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1FcC11NKI
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHdzfOQL5a
655Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJHM1Vdp1q
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.
