x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcMLK6y736
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn6UiUMbVC
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqEC1UmQSL
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzstPtuaVG
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODMuumAsYV
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinO64moHQs
Str 7648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRci7rZu7Yf
Dex 4648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bvYbwpB7t
Con 8648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFNBxK8Jt0
Int 16648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZFsBJHh6H
Wis 16648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylDYhxwVqT
Cha 4648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQfeMqsVuM
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakuLVcexdz
Skills648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRzSCALxkz
Lunge 5648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGfsHIqKfV
Parry 5648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciXwVXPcj2
Wield Shortbow 3648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qUcMlxNSA
Wield Rapier 5648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGFuikHVR7
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UAspf1tgZ
You have 1 attribute point to assign.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmoM80wERh
You have 5 skill points to assign.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRvPYXU4BQ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SkXbZVAzx
XP 110/200
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU7z4EC3g7
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSIYagrTGs
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa3MjQO5kP
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk16LuKVza
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio69OoVOe8
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF5Fg1Gh6F
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJRhBXPgyb
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgeLZpo7Hs
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqBm9asnKg
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhKRA3z8lz
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMBRQGGC46
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafUdFTDrzj
'I understand.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBKbACZWRO
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS96HosUxy
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId3l1XNvjK
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmAwrrXzB9
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KbNKcoVDm
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3KEwj50F
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraEucGMqTQ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AFIsy4gtK
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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgvCDMmku0
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ooh9tfKzB
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdPBm8hoRv
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3P3QxrdYc
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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbczKqMF1g
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsyzj9JiTK
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJBoqr7MbT
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6BBqMaeob
'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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzfp8ULBDb
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUMJrC59Ab
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1THNGb0BSU
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnKaUcWakJ
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RLPAimqXD
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPvcI05LKV
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMwoXD13Mu
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAqSz4AIcM
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYTJkQ8m5i
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNTA5TsbEP
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeEu3CcsG8
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksj8N72aAy
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUARr06MdgS
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pdjhfvzae
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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMLyipR8pj
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i0NB9NQeg
'Yes, sire.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9nv87Z3dh
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydLZscBbfu
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).648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN2xCTwKL1
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWKt6VW1mm
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2eciB5EVb
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GUlKXdfji
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJRaRQZaMH
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRK9CzwnZp
'Well?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Q02Rr5ZA
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBwgfBw2os
'They are moving an army towards us.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKRyss22fI
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjwlyQTwql
'How many troops?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjNjX2caxZ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0VR4jwxTU
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOkzODt2J2
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENN2pBTBj1
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnUuHhUOgc
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidOvQie9JL
'How long have we got?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4PWb2jkTP
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNTb2vyHE3
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXrTPvMpsj
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsAoMnfd5W
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5CWLBo1cp
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6g5UvIaBE
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4ntMWRWwF
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kIDPYrUVK
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMBmb1zrnq
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXt8VCCi9P
'No, this is about half.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lev2SXvsD
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYz5jwaKQv
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?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxoLlcfm2W
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdundp2XLhR
'No.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVzrEVfu7R
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2BJwDNLR5
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3O1yyJqoc
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHbIt9XuSn
'True enough sire.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd66fP3Ci1
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaLtRzipPw
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDqO0UVsT9
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vedKQcafk
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUkNk8RBlg
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nZcNrIRs6
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uoBstEDmq
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbM3sS4lqi
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:648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Rw6lFH01
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKl1J1z5re
Greyland Archer648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqne64uTPc2
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtnpX7Bd9k
Fighter level 0648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ezmwcWyoa
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1tRVCMMn7
Ranged attack: 15648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8mpl17PJI
Melee attack: 8648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgblUD3Gl5
Armour Class: 2648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I5nYOYu93
Hit Points: 5648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITQ2xVUdfD
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7stVxkBI
Skills:648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRWFBeLYZp
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ZXPmw67N
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPP7tnTeZm
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NEjGUYlfQ
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB9zTyYfmO
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvOBpUrgPH
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhoZVD9rnD
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpAWwoyNXw
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zzeNU2Xaf
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPSWb7f3xd
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ273UMcJbAj
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8MjvlMXyJ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MxvaDRQLW
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknkGgXJhoo
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yo2XzhWvS
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jy5r9SQaO
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEyBbog1lX
'Show me to Lord Arval.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BchgqR0Ms
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR18nAgl3jG
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY2UsyMsEC
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDUhFbFEGp
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgKGMKKpat
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53ezuD6l3b
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbxnG5uSMl
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0jW4V9kvc
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSpGvdoPyf
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsJ43MFIM2
I nodded.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO38hwqAyeO
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpBWxDrB2n
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oKHZMK1Op
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsYaU07m0N
'What's the maximum range for it?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbimcgRZik
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuAGz6uIYn
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwR7dpov18
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaYOTQ9N1m
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCMhUsQoBL
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh3XRwekhQ
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhx7kFkFuj
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGC5yAGM4k
'Yes?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1q4fe8BmJ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSitkrlXzrp
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ulXvbw2m
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupDiFhZckR
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ktLQesmNG
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OpdpfEIOT
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPQw5R1hYb
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnA8WoIVkX
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNmAhayFIe
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrnDXm7Val
'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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMyMrvL4kY
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSLW8GbsMV
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vlHEqR6Pt
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahB9mYa4bJ
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kFaiAmXq6
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEspr3u8v11
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlww62q6LYi
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X6ERewIfc
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONvJDZJE8y
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT4BkctkDx
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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQFdjM3HPi
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOJNE2gBT
'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?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyLDqA820R
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxVjB4B6Wl
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8CyCHmcqp
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUqxL6xnNV
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa2ETK8Q1u
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBOV1oS0qK
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DAIbQUJKy
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTsr4rM6Bz
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd56SCQgTR
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbG0FdfQUw
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTpRoeziS3
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2715RrgHT
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs8615UTua
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6EbvFQKc
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUROCmAt5jd
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGiCuFk52i
'Go ahead.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT6OnYTRPC
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRNf5tnzi5
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRactYsUsja
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkWAbnld2Q
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNRqzIU9Vp
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8DXSXjIjU
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5xGrAxVkt
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vQzxhoVM5
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wPYWorOau
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc7HXMxXLL
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOEw0jf0jL
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8iHdglpgc
'And?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xjlvDjNtg
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78mHwYRJMS
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuXZHUHbaN
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5y00r8xor
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR48q5u0c4H
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfsLIbipqD
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBvHzIyOF3
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRp3d6tJFs
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMAszbJGaN
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02WaxzfSla
'Ready sire?'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8yGSzswCK
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8esb4Iczon
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvjFxbgrJe
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjbMtXrW0o
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7fStBvtJY
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKsUg9Vdu
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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWihwJnL5Q
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhZr9dmte
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6RkLjpyQv
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8TCiDKvJG
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZoy6oP19f
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2abYrw5uM
'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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9xNh8Bjgs
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PTvMFqejT
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HCBDKxciB
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpndlmOslt
'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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO687NQ2tg
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZXBZ7aj9F
'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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5KZXAOxFA
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyNVtd7LEj
'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.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt3Gk6cPMH
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6TTghwWuF
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVixqc4bPc
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOZ3JpjW7o
'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!'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL3mCunl55
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4bzInbKx8
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8tgvX6OKr
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2uyDAAggg
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oGyXHLIkW
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG60mofW3Rx
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTPBZCOBxH
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnON2b1BoKe
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr50n2wwcnw
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwppFkR2blR
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.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxczVxyKCm
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXGytwm6Mh
'Good luck.'648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqipLhpGDsY
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSp93qJM3k
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8N6wHxtuC
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy49c4zFpU
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.
