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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvGueydA0p
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaIcjTaSvp
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6WXGit26j
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBHTZzyay4
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfyxyaBco0
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Str 7610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAvHmD9Ncq
Dex 4610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3FEzlSQz1
Con 8610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92EorOcvbZ
Int 16610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCVnSSzJO2
Wis 16610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnWG3P0j28
Cha 4610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuAbxWcSEf
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS5OQyfQIR
Skills610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Rk0KhPeM
Lunge 5610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkqaQGmPN3
Parry 5610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphSNC6TOB6
Wield Shortbow 3610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcGYukOkvM
Wield Rapier 5610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaF2OKfD6f
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4jmA3FHiK
You have 1 attribute point to assign.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK9Z89gAll
You have 5 skill points to assign.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcldZgmP7v
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XP 110/200
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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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTgwTCX7PB
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI2aUJ9JeL
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAHC7UTrXf
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHD3l18nZU
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeyfZRpqw9
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuWRgVBjDw
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhSEyliuOJ
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0UR2edTDx
'I understand.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj9G0YKEqQ
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFicIszEL6h
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9cUThQHHE
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNQ3NhNC3H
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJOnuEv03A
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡengjD0X5E6
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVOvcE1Wr4
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW8oi2kDnh
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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXI6nD6pVf
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDY5ntOham
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwcSGno4Bx
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr03wZ7sNNJ
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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhQHkgjk8w
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBRV4ayarw
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzTCPoY06d
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMqeDK4P1m
'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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MiAA0ImBC
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZB5shUlh4
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYRluMYITC
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N6VD2X742
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZkADqr9x0
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJi9xaW045
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda79TBsal0
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTBqPeUrWR
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgt6aDFOxy
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFGHbIYlUL
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4UgyioVGB
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9brjrzvK0
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC29QZ8Sd5
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc37ClweZb
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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyenzVFN0Go
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'Yes, sire.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9EQNvJICK
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhCWK7L6En
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).610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi68p93kqQL
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfztTaqTe0N
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAypSSAPriq
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkFYifninS
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXzrRe2S5i
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGsnu2fn76
'Well?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRbHzUaxY
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'They are moving an army towards us.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnnNTsSQ9V
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'How many troops?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4SEbnCY8x
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'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9CoHyc1yy
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OEJ4yo6d2
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwdhBPhy13
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52NZ5g8REx
'How long have we got?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft59HlrLVx
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'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EC7O2ue1H
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKmj9AoYmY
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78cby1vXiK
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1numHtTV98
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSYPQSlQ3W
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl0SgweWrp
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S8SiwwftR
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'No, this is about half.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i13bsVjIJ
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7BMmV9kta
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?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFPfhQjM6
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCna9LaRw
'No.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XhIEg9v0z
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzMyCvx5VT
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtya7sgDM49
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeThu6ZoEd
'True enough sire.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAbBWBSrcs
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'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2reSCr7hHg
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs2riIcMgc
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwdcscDmfB
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MEWqUAR3k
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWaCcqirud
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLCtcVnEfG
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:610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wz3O6cSAh
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Greyland Archer610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnUsLWWFZn
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Fighter level 0610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq7i3xAF8J
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Ranged attack: 15610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yfv0igRJL
Melee attack: 8610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF12pC9HyD
Armour Class: 2610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN9mZ4k3v1
Hit Points: 5610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk9lzekbDE
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Skills:610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQjSnGTYA9
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4AkwDJs3r
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxC16Nsgl7
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Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
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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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4KYG7H3tY
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK8eif44MT
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJLDVhJfEk
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkaSXB0eHf
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXMy2zaP8E
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTemDCcmoZ6
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtmTuZmtI6
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8MWLvOOe9
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFUXoEc2Q8
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9DJ5SShgi
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4URE2gqVr
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'Show me to Lord Arval.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHoN4wQswm
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnthxVDLAO
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yKiwD6P3X
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL1OmlRdIa
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwhFXErA3v
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8nrXJsYl
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPeDDPcaK2
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MqSAIqcPc
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqWzTgIaCY
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL3VUZ6NZV
I nodded.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg9WRmUT0y
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvOcdaIiPn
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLicWdHxV6
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtCpdP3eHi
'What's the maximum range for it?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLQBSJTMEc
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'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKATieIwwza
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvakfkiV9Z
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdKjZsTekQ
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7hglX9TGi
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQilvDwVg4U
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'Yes?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nwq9sVUNM
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'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRwhG3IE9R
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaLSGeDEOq
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw3RAyzFJU
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGOgKncYzM
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfsPZhTcgW
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI8flc0bXH
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VpYkpK3sO
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay9TRxT1eT
'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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCWSXX4JsF
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8vnz4KEkW
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYHZxPSbJN
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'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyO6S1zrNt
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8VOErcKCF
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzWnkeL8ab
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6EBRql2Qr
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv7zVKpeO3
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI5HfF8tcA
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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWU7vNV7eT
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKkmlbSxk7
'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?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAsScVhJMC
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhevckq3lzI
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwZbJwqzzh
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'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpHgEixm7J
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bUkRstSZS
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCeaqu7Kjh
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUPlCqM3G9
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6zAv4lrHa
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpvwDo0hEk
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTqJ3zIX7C
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXzNA8EpsW
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fqpwu49lO
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBplpquiqHw
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYgvi0nzRG
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3IoH6sKzv
'Go ahead.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYR3xGWc4y
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOPRsDg17z
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsWpesNwGb
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBXY5Z3JR7
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81VEFZSAgR
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3FAYj3moe
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bDItMOxAX
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g1L4AJujd
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMDSnx8bu8
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89zGKSSbzN
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sw43Ly22s
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykngJJEP1A
'And?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNFLPIUzZa
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt62UtP8Mw
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd3Rq6M50o
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSuEuqha0V
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYYeSgCfqm
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7JkUIbRC5
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40WPsP1tR8
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw1MKleHHf
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItFeCcUm8X
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl1XrkQoFH
'Ready sire?'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ExEQusiTM
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfusMU9u074
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVw2Nmfjtz
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOII4woynvB
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZhvvJf8rq
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhIbfyiCyl
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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR9dZtykBq
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg9iWO86Zc
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdHFHkjy91
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKlrOCrmrc
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyInCP9TM1
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU7esn748d
'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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qzQIoomGB
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2rEh6nK1I
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cEPrQ633Z
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuiT3D3gU1
'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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iU14qgcl5
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0haGHgY1eO
'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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKrDWjW4BU
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCYXjbbjcS
'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.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpaVcXjL5w
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ8Wj0r8Zm
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qrekKvGHg
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdthycqRvcZ
'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!'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiraHkFua7
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwFb8X0g8E
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCMTEVhdwb
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RCv0iTxe7
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrzWcA2YpK
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYobctlqlc
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVG0E9MX5N
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9eUi03AyE
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIjlF8TaxI
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnSbMzrf6U
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.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWHKkurc4o
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OFAj2biKE
'Good luck.'610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLolie0ac4
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzn928VZmL
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ld7SKjAU
610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JfhQLkpdz
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.
