The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvom4PablhG
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DByKrLfNR
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd40BSnsMn
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgO2kJqDI5
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto2UcLz45T
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGQMAVX4G7
Str 7657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4vn3MzT44
Dex 4657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLPlaPC8YI
Con 8657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVNNBepLD3
Int 16657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5PKd56NYW
Wis 16657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd3QugTh94
Cha 4657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz3zHzUfyX
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcCHHAi6Wn
Skills657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjjfvEMIrn
Lunge 5657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGQnSrClbw
Parry 5657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRZFNqOB6y
Wield Shortbow 3657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTWT1yxMTE
Wield Rapier 5657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosO2ViHiea
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIIGG5SeCP
You have 1 attribute point to assign.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WeEA7s0F6
You have 5 skill points to assign.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCQGQGls6H
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TB5XRR8UI
XP 110/200
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BUikWoMGM
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB4W8gGSHk
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R47oFSREG
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL39j5KAZzo
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83tewp4lB
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIILnGsnNKi
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yJJfcbN0n
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxS1bitPU9
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G9hcIlhBv
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir1ttqjryI
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYgeqIi41S
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKlLigYP5P
'I understand.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79UlpACdiE
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQeaKbo9L6
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4uhXKDtNt
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz71ewHaeV
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkIiMNNLuT
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb4iE3RfTo
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYos5PkN8U8
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWYie0LFeC
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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBlZTZrlQN
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb6leNRQOD
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV3KB8Encr
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckHVwsamW5
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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzx82oYht8
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpe3nbbS48
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXKdUX0vJc
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahm2Vm1Yua
'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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCQeXqMoFi
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcIOxKkyKV
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJbkPb5JVp
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9syUQTh9v
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwqvuTwwBe
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIcYHbkkVH
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbDBgFWHbw
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGtJk6wHbN
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvh4onnlNl
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrU0LDup4Q
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka0rxHZmpp
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBBK6ofZfm
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjw74eOMbQ
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZtQRECAbU
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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzldzFKTCh
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZOVbzQdO2
'Yes, sire.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpI4gPSYr9
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtqd4PQKO2
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).657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDftLn8PGf
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2txvTDetqK
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAADarQqys
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTykjbpkshP
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkmnRfB5Zw
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHztUKwn5g
'Well?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2HZEy9ieE
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcKwOQ8V4v
'They are moving an army towards us.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqItfR5Aq6
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FChPQJcHP
'How many troops?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtuBNLagdu
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMIYTLPwmD
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGdapsEnb1
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ447Rizmz1d
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkJFbqJfVc
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaxH8BHmbG
'How long have we got?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc8dib6XDd
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ddanDz7S
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwRRtIDwJz
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKINK8v2Kz
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN67XC0WSx
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt42H82bFpF
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjshkke5zg
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJzYi1uE3A
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdChdgCAVmK
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1hkFXNr6n
'No, this is about half.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceQcgYNXdB
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizXNKWGXzA
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?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HfxlFAn7u
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22UZOeHkZ6
'No.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmzZrfTr4w
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCMH7ywoLW
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWuSpHGsXg
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMBFD6m4dq
'True enough sire.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrT7Hmpjj4
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReKbAI9h94
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjRKkc6naE
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0IheEYiO5
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70NeTFw8Ze
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjjhhqomrm
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSKc6jvK1l
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v1HePy8Qg
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:657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPjuWnLFev
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qnYSNfOUO
Greyland Archer657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6m45akTpy
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJMuMXmNey
Fighter level 0657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbNWKo8cqa
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35EvXiBd74
Ranged attack: 15657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIrf45zS5w
Melee attack: 8657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY2SdHdLTd
Armour Class: 2657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsZDVuDcGO
Hit Points: 5657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnM9ErwyOL
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDvGrLyB0B
Skills:657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFMt4MbJ2X
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtBBgpg8qf
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHt2yAuiRI
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDGD1ig42Q
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK1z14niNc
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ655ecxYIuu
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWps8fQmeK
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFil8R0hTsm
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc7cWl7poF
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS9OFENisV
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi94LU58Khg
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42QKxuOtB2
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKOeyyY9nw
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY6aZq9QDu
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrOUygRlQD
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDVDqxMElN
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiqAcUcW2L
'Show me to Lord Arval.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxCRCKJJEm
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviN71Sk7BE
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8uPnA9VME
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TzCfSDtNn
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1RfkIDL8R
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0zfMYoVZY
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyw01tWDBu
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsXfzO08fS
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC53Y7E215V
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mFlcgRBre
I nodded.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JuvNWfaL0
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyp3jlJyJ
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV7BJF7kiH
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWfGQ9q3yY
'What's the maximum range for it?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqVbXyLvMb
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUjlxTxme4
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInwmdLpYgz
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7G3otTXMy
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5dXYz8ozn
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvpUDJ4iG9
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU5g7OM8Tg
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazPhcZNdie
'Yes?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75zwHCXK1m
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd8Y6jnBSn
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCj9BOLqxt
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPSvRrgbMP
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpvi6ViRm8
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVNsMYHj5X
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG61HIng6I
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW3xqhSxgX
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oDQMxEPnE
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3AlPxd5Ea
'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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyFWIWUVDC
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ltyYG18VH
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7JzFP5XcU
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhaqau6G5H
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERcTll31Eq
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8XRWEMc12
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZdEitEDVH
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF5EXeChqf
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio98BIYALK
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf4EAbW2tu
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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInhTHMfAXY
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvyuidxedM
'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?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MzdkbnGVo
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSgskUBdRi
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ34ZhGibp
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AeQW5AJxo
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdEIIaSrvy
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lnuyq1sbS
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAd2UTnxCz
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaRPmQBP1H
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80qYCQPvUa
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQmmP9Jkuw
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxinB54LGs6
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSXsctc1N4
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTYyErEFQD
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HcYZZihdS
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLsnjua35L
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdDJHYFMlj
'Go ahead.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kJf1ondl9
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7diYicyRRH
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaAeR3IDlo
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzge9e198ve
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWGtivXj8D
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfltxPdnzg
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXXtfm6mzn
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGsAAaFku6
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnLr8VIBOn
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0LWpm7SK9
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UAJpR4xUJ
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywQaRb2WOu
'And?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaXDZz5a8V
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcmJ3c5XvT
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iqr4fLlht
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOYOSEz8gB
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJQCYhjZb
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUMym4AM6C
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BzmdVDVlt
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtu2554MZ4
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlAWo7jPqL
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GDT8pcz6B
'Ready sire?'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ul0Y8NisW
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWygcLDd0Vt
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeIHvwdCh2
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB81mvLnwBf
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MqrXr2NQY
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPNXdGISzQ
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0FVAEuNxE
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03f6oMnRlL
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwmepWlvrv
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WwqXl8dFu
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPSvodtZkt
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsQtbNkJFU
'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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hnxq4zgRb
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDnkUt67em
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIuwZLqiEs
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHRERA3utH
'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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VHa3J1ZI1
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpD2Rmts0C
'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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj1FodmSus
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk1d2whY6s
'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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5gK34oETO
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZWrsvK7jz
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok1od29k6K
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZuz3xX2IC
'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!'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqclAy43ux
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqrmsqHdg3
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESqMERAOti
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfy5SuSkHq
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrJOur1cvf
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUzZoysF5z
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoojon4aBG
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSgSj9iLZ7
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmPyBVlED1
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQuV3KCd0I
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.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsTwdg41bs
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uck6dWsvH
'Good luck.'657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡingxHZd4Dy
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaiHywqexv
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJvbLdjObI
657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRSwFl4zJT
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.
