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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00sobdlMK
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HoIbCa4kh
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGCdx7N5By
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAXMPlPRNY
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpnOGUhnVL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXZzW4r6n0
Str 7576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioksZN2mxV
Dex 4576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXBGHEcZwz
Con 8576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf5C2DrtVK
Int 16576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO7mWKmt9z
Wis 16576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs2oG8eNl3
Cha 4576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcgSnghWRy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv78x0d87OJ
Skills576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ydjW5uJVw
Lunge 5576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmPrUNo3s1
Parry 5576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwHBOn5bjA
Wield Shortbow 3576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpo5iUTG5I
Wield Rapier 5576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsH1Mz3jMh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgbmEGRjt5
You have 1 attribute point to assign.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8R42d4o89
You have 5 skill points to assign.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88CACpZcMc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24zspVMHjb
XP 110/200
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9BIracFlj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF3CANjfYf
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9NSDxdd8e
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOuFxZSTLS
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eEmCCCQCU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItTqdmUMcS
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDEd0apAyU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgxpgjClXw
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T25INmvKF
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xb9Myv7K8
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8hmaPVUXL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Yob47MCj
'I understand.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9lN6Wahb
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZeT7RTKpZ
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI68HWrBaN
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTgWaXB9yP
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTLPRZAnil
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZhxnanhj0
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj3LKOv2Wj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZfOxo4Jgv
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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NexHClliR
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuDiYigrCt
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rqYSuhoJW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SWucqa1m4
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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1LIf5ZkfD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO66FSmJwyY
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlYKkXR4QC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbOvyDtqOQ
'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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4gXPUJD8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS04fU4lYS
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9JzT4k3T2
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJshhX2eDNG
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4TqNYtIQD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ564A0KgOvy
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qtihR5upo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP2qHjoTSW
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z7tweC5LI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiC0FvKWAR
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeNKJVSisy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNgQZ6Ldul
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xxwkYiRfQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj8KSFAUMD
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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2cTEVE1nS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4oNf3TEBQ
'Yes, sire.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMRp41HOPn
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I7XLbOA4I
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).576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkT6PihGL9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aZ20Sh4h5
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxurojmSrWH
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8dLZSQ5Mm
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFMEX9QlrO
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsKM9KCYtV
'Well?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiZuTecLKE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sey0xkHzA
'They are moving an army towards us.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7RL5RAE64
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBNKz2lAI5
'How many troops?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zQpNjpqhj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIEgnMP5km
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKuKAyVsWV
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaffEWFGFRl
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AsoIoxZM8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSHlgsAMIz
'How long have we got?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpeBv9ZRq4
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHXsxQKPt8
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnheRxzekqV
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kZgAqosE0
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPArCwF6TP
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5MEkwwwpt
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCHQjtlheL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7m1JJ2xmf
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uth5o4XZe
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFcfNlrjOu
'No, this is about half.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZcUVYbok0
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsff9q6oFp
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?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1BSHpEYgh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOLZiyEAAn
'No.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DcRNd4cJI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB68sPxxMi
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNHcWRdYXq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8eyJLPSEk
'True enough sire.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrLOki504W
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIWAF3C7l5
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytlTIVd1VD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhKE22tDLB
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSbJl47uKZ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCrtDKd6aO
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUJd8E8I4b
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVlO4fjhMj
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:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSWywzROMB
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqlBnDK8If
Greyland Archer576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZUsAAud4J
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9HSTkCegN
Fighter level 0576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw2x5ap7fJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0M2zBVAeI
Ranged attack: 15576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoy4svDcib
Melee attack: 8576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72onOS0r6A
Armour Class: 2576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1IiFCANWc
Hit Points: 5576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MGoGtqApS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenaE8AnWyk
Skills:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UPsWk9k8p
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE7VnUgvXI
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtjG0fu3js
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62RXTUuUI0
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBL3mgWOHf
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOH7wToPLp
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS76Em0APVy
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd07xe7e20U
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN3AF8ZvZe
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfuisPM8CG
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaAd16C8NF
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbek68pbJ61
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv0uO2T5jn
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP4xQFX9Xn
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAuD7DLHJk
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RDSs006Bj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9LazgZm9j
'Show me to Lord Arval.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNuAdXPan0
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8gYJsBJ7L
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs77hO5GVR
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIVjObdrD4
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvNJzI92jB
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6DePn0E4W
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQxA16svCZ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Is2MLdDc1
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYO7Skl7e4
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopHeiY8fsP
I nodded.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6MamWTpsW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKYvoRyR0V
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xGb6Qw9cE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oA8eKfzF0
'What's the maximum range for it?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kILGjpiCF
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73mYitoqyY
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7BzDpKF0S
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemz4R1dWR
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8g9LiNm9w
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jtBr3rQ9
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeweLetWpS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLzeQG76r4
'Yes?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4uf7FrOGN
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1aru8Xmz0
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9sK1e51F9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgx6rN3x3x
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3VhxwlnPq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV0h9tCZN1
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZbfcIwRdi
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoXbH3PaJZ
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaavKLihMUq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEJVWNo1Vb
'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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBDuKppon1
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje1DrQDbQ3
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gDhuLFewA
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLIQyv7Vt4
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a7jYRT1q1
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZFytBs8bN
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKb9NQDZV2
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo7YfETc57
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAC2PlTpE2
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejtY48QF69
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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oH5NycyoS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLrjHCqHFv
'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?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdpag9qfcb
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06NwuADbs4
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUGQH2pKDX
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TmCtQvvwu
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyoEHPZ6Nq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrERxUEuGI
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugYFTNrmfn
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifstPS58wW
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsK2kIsoxh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQUKjuRRwg
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk130Jj4QZ4
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7FzNAZy7r
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ390Z02stPE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizADZryQDm
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9nOTw7rGv
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MdInwKmEu
'Go ahead.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfteLfejD9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6AmJ2yvat
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHFwdsrgKo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfXAI2vejS
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn5a3sPGHa
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zCZgRMXLh
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrca7vQYtEW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5t1kOVx5Y
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbHVLgeIH6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJTGZrPF8b
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bbcn6vAYZ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJArKHnLKsL
'And?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lNklKpv24
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGXDUzzilC
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPKCI9UNrQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Zh3CFF5f
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXb3N6zYem
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm31Jc3vqgs
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Po0JUqxaq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jOhIfk5hS
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiyafQi8pa
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wkd5pIdzc
'Ready sire?'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw07hjVfSOk
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SS4FLqxUS
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrzE3jHCNd
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWpVVDDiLL
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WwJ6ync02
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlzMOWhBAI
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSh1FwmlNP
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10OjFgyVxS
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFYzizFGkL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlxMjC3Txk
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc8cZM8zg6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDbXA1DKGE
'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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBaEiXCiIe
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N2Cvpog64
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWkjQxu3jm
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEKNthvyhb
'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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4sSRXFYAU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XZ9kRNPGb
'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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOp3WY7Oa6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNYykwAhul
'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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyRBT435pQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnmCFEKMJA
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCaMB1hdIy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbDnW8Z5av
'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!'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr35giE2CyN
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJzCl4fXhD
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq96ADMi9eI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71bBORUN2O
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxPDOPCkna
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jm5RpTH3o
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ScuwJBMVi
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmfIQT9440
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPyqsnCBLG
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHeC13dDFg
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.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OpSh73GMU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaILbOOLWil
'Good luck.'576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uBRQnQCmt
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNDFSslbxb
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr90pLsquF5
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA6DUjRzt3
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.
