Although there were many smiles among our soldiers, there were others too who looked shocked: pale, slumped and tearful.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRsUmpROWy
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxHTAwMY1X
'Except those guarding prisoners, fall in to your units!' My order brought their training back and even the most wretched looking stiffened and hurried to find a place in the ranks.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQeunMH1Q
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfHVxjDj9z
'You fought well. Very well! And today will be the day I promised you. You will eat out on the story of the battle of Three Ways for the rest of your lives. But our work isn't yet done. Those of you on horseback…' I made my way to the light cavalry, half of whom were missing, chasing the retreating enemy, 'ride down the road, killing any enemy stragglers you find. Then, when our own soldiers return, scout beyond them until evening and report back here by dark… On you go!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDyJRFNB1X
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWxMtLjVzw
As the riders rode off, I turned to our archers. 'Sergeants, have your squads take the abandoned bows and quivers of the enemy; gather any unbroken arrows you can.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kqDie1HvN
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1wHIHZD9Z
'You heard the king!' shouted a sergeant, 'on me!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOqitpgSd1
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0D6a6dS21
'Sergeant of the swordsmen,' this to the squad leader of our twelve heavy infantry, 'take the prisoners and find a way to lock them in the small tower. They can be given food and water but make sure none of them is armed.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFRzxds2Ew
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'Yes sire!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1dstqyDGO
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlucj8Jgr6k
'You,' I pointed to the sergeant of a unit of twelve light infantry, 'are on the same task.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNTQYnNcmV
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGFQo0xkTe
'And you,' looking at the sergeant of my other infantry squad, 'get a cart and fill it with the abandoned weapons and any armour that is still useful. Also, tell the ballista crew to report to me at the bridge.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj4pwEUJro
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR52SEvlHb
There was a bustle of activity now and the eagerness with which the soldiers set about their tasks was heartening.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslI6VFg92l
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZivLc8Giu
'Sire?' It was the Cleric. 'May I heal you?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqEJ3lTsc
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRpVJ6qxXe
I checked my hit points, 33 from 40. 'No.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqZixYH0hx
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG7EDfYjFe
Coming down the hillside was a weak-looking Parrin, being helped by Carlena. I gestured towards them. 'Go heal the chancellor.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwExlB5xN7
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkcEBKzoRd
By the time they reached me, the Scout was looking a lot more cheerful. 'Sire, permission to shake your hand.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLop3rcuI2
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN6frOk9oy
'Granted.' I smiled at our Parrin as he took my heavy right hand in both of his and pumped it up and down.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g2yduO2uH
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PeVQuoVqI
'That… that was magnificent. Your charge. I'll never forget it, ever. I don't have the words.' And indeed, I could see tears were welling up in the elderly man's dark eyes.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIgP1Ryzxh
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQoWW9o8z5
'Good man yourself, Chancellor, your backstab was an excellent initiative.' I gave him a slap with my free arm. 'The Shaman might not have been able to save the battle for them, but we were about to lose a lot of men. It was brave too, with the sabre-toothed tiger at his side.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjfAEcrDd0
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgSpgDaNTQ
I turned to Carlena. 'You too. To face the Shaman's spells and his pet without hesitation was impressive. I'm proud to be working with such courageous comrades.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrRp0l1JPH
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3dZoBnLRJ
Carlena gave me the warmest smile I'd yet seen from her, a sincere one, from the heart. 'A rhino was a good choice for the potion.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9FOA9Q0ON
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB826fYhgCA
'When you said to pick something the size of my body… well, it came to mind.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsK5QwZrFl
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fizLRCXCE
'Well done sire.' She dropped her voice to a whisper. 'Thank you Sean de Courcy. You really are the warrior we need. King Carlos would have stayed in Carrick. Yet that was a battle we might easily have lost and with it, the realm.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3tx7gj819
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4lzVM44mm
Our mutual fan club was broken up by the arrival of the ballista crew, who had come at the double, as if to make up for the fact they had missed out on the fighting. Their sergeant saluted.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WA9cN2ojB
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SyPZWrdpT
'Hard luck, sergeant. You were to be the hero of the battle by the original plan.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwvmTNHyOO
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHaVZqmXQq
Checking first that I wasn't looking too serious, the powerful-looking young man allowed himself a reply. 'We're very disappointed sire; next time I hope you'll leave some for us.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XbMHesnCg
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1Crlb6uwW
'Good man. Well, I've a task that will make you popular with the rest of the army. Are you honest?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerN4bbRini
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8Ag1YDL4B
'As honest as a mirror sire.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNQf0o7iyj
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGELDRE6et
'That's what I hoped. I want you to search all the enemy bodies for coin. Then roll the corpses into the river along with any dead horses. We'll demoralise their army downstream as their dead comrades float past. Our own dead we'll bring home in carts for their families. When you've all the coin, report to me and I'll share it equally with every soldier here. Even you lot.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOa03jhEOG
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ3RNkimA2
'You heard the king!' The sergeant gave me a salute and the crew immediately set to their somewhat morbid task as though it was a pleasure. Which perhaps it was. Loot was loot after all. Which gave me a thought.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYhOs4BdPC
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCksiCa53Y
'Do you have a Detect Magic spell?' I asked Carlena, who nodded.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGupHlS6N44
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPrHGWrGVg
'Can you use it and see if there are any magic items on the dead, perhaps on the Shaman or their officers?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxtcJKomiF
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxye3w6PpZl
'Oh, I should have thought of that.' Carlena hurried back up the hill.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbz5E8ibyG
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp4NNERvI6
'Any orders for me sire?' asked Chancellor Parrin.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfM9DwvOHR
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlCBHdSa6
'Soon I'll want you to go scouting again, in case the rest of their army moves up towards us. I've a feeling that they won't. For now though, if you could find some decent wine and tolerable bread, I could really use it. Being a rhino for eight minutes is a hell of a calorie burn… I mean it gives you an appetite.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC347SIatw
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KMWyuwgwc
Slowly, I made my way back over the bridge and up to the gatehouse, bringing the Cleric with me. On my way, busy soldiers glanced at me in an entirely different way than they had before the battle. There was respect and admiration in their eyes. Affection too even. I was becoming the king they wanted. And whenever my gaze rested on soldiers performing their duties, they hurried that bit faster, as though wanting to demonstrate their backing for me. This was a complete contrast to the sullen looks and slow responses when I had first gone to the barracks in Carrick.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtSmXSMueC
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQJHZrKhO0
Of course, I'd been wanting to study the effects of the battle on my character sheet ever since the fighting had ended, but only now, after a deliberate pause to consider if I had overlooked any important orders, did I feel the time had come when I could open that menu.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsl5h1BdQ1
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKsnGr5WfF
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Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kqM9pYvmU
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Fighter, Level 5 HP 40 AC 0467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQatEXNqLdu
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Str 7467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB0SVL41Ki
Dex 4467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2LX69jFbc
Con 8467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhfLNwoSPW
Int 16467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGNI5IhwDN
Wis 16467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlAhEeWhfB
Cha 4467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtC9URza8F
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI86gyKpRUT
Top Skills467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Hrkci7cT
Bash 25467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQNHbxuYb7
Impale 25467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kTDiddUdi
Lunge 5467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6oZcAStNf
Parry 5467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx0UT1nNbT
Wield Rapier 5467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1S4dN7ciE
Wield Shortbow 3467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hz7rOac7K
Block 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqV5O0CdVk
Defensive Stance 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcQN1mbS9V
Deflect 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQNaibampV
Dodge 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHBncxl4xI
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwZfRE3N0U
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You have 4 attribute points to assign.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy51VohGYlE
You have 15 skill points to assign.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv5bccrd1c
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XP 2,860 (3,200)
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My attribute points I decided to save, again, tempting though it was tempting to put a point in Dexterity. Assuming I could train up the low stats, I'd want those points for later.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6TOL3Eq2q
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There was also a new notification attached to my character sheet, which I opened.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfyVBii714
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcQilV3ewC
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg7BJmNmH0
Congratulations Sean de Courcy on reaching Level 5 in Fighter. You have unlocked the following specialisations within the Fighter class. Please choose one:467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91rvgdjErZ
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GoIyJ9NH8
Berserker467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Cx4bIkot
Champion467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4xMQw08fT
Paladin467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxEaIa72kb
Shadow Knight467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3VoBa4Vej
Warlord
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLXtfPn3qT
Each had a description, which corresponded to fighter sub-types I was familiar with from Storm Wars: the Berserker specialised in speed, high DPS and was a master of improvisation, downside, medium armour only; the Champion was a duellist, a weapons specialist perfect for one-on-one fights, downside, all the benefits were individual only; the Paladin had holy spells as well as combat skills, downside incompatible with evil troops and creatures; the Shadow Knight was the opposite to the Paladin, with unholy spells and an incompatibility with good; the Warlord was the opposite to the Champion, a tactical specialist, all the benefits were group ones.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLKDsR8tpc
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW4SbGm3c2
Obviously, with Lord Arval being a Paladin, the Shadow Knight was out. And it wasn't smart to replicate his spells and skill bonuses when I could gain new ones for our realm. Even if I got this body into reasonable shape, I was never going to be a Berserker. So that left Champion and Warlord.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu47UX93ZkH
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq88FVd4lh
Rereading the description of both, the Champion appealed to my pride. Following that path would ultimately lead to a character who could defeat anyone else in the world in a face-to-face encounter. I could visualise myself using Lightning Draw to bring a sword into my hands faster than my opponent anticipated and cutting them down with Critical Strike before they'd even drawn breath.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u5LYbJZr0
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHyyxYlvcl
It was clear though, that in this world of twenty-five kingdoms battling for mastery, the Warlord was going to be the right option. As a Warlord I'd get feats that could rally shaken troops, that could heighten the combat skills of those nearby and at high level could identify unfamiliar enemy troop types. I selected it and immediately got twenty or so new skill options and my first Warlord feat, Charge! All friendly units in the vicinity got a 20% increase to base movement and a temporary 5 hit point increase.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxrmgCpf19
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrUdLIshHX
As for the skills, since I knew I would learn fast from practice, I would simply put one point in each to unlock them. With 15 skill points to assign, I could get all but five. My exact choices, however, could wait.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4uuViPOWn
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jIRZjjxu8
Closing my character sheet, I had a look at the state of Greyland's army on the military menu:467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6it76xQKUF
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467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYEcj0I6gf
Military467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2trOxDJI
Light infantry: 26*467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfXWC0ZogY
Heavy infantry: 11*467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfygWImh892
Archers: 34*467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4b0c72Lve
Light cavalry: 18*467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6JmRYQ3Sg
Heavy cavalry: 4*467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ULwgXVJhn
Ballista: 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JkzDIuq7x
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQv9BGzJKA
(*veterans)467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS96mIsonQ
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Hospital: 18467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBtJRVUlzj
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmvuLWUT2W
Military upkeep cost: 43 gold, 6 silver467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIMsr1DOYb
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0GF5NSYIs
Currently training:467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2feTlkhzl
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlMCRLVm52
Buildings: keep level 2; curtain walls level 1; towers level 1; town walls level 1467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnQGObnrBq
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2TOHjWzGp
Currently building: tower machicolations, 23 hours
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Not at all bad. In fact, considering my original plan, which would have been costly in terms of archers and probably infantry, it was a fantastic result. Greyland's army was small, but it was still intact, a viable force with which to face the other half of the army of our enemies, should they dare advance. If anything, we were actually stronger than when the day had begun, since a new veteran tag had appeared over most of the troops.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGMSuqCV7K
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJmteqMy8I
There were rooms in the larger tower and although I struggled to get up the wooden stairs, which creaked loudly beneath me, I found a bench on the first level that could accommodate my bulk. The Cleric stood uncertainly by the door.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdeiGn4s6j
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'Take a seat.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyfxpuXxjq
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She obeyed me.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wr3ehWZOh
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'What's your name?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD8Cg1OALY
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtiUA28lu4
'Anthea Greyford, sire.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpdM5YCHV
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlx1SnRbsO
'Anthea, you know I have menus for the running of ths realm?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBkDnXypSM
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xxHM5eKOQ
'Yes sire.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kz2XUawZo
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDansjbhOb
'Well, you aren't…' I struggled for the words that she might understand. 'You are listed under the church menu but you aren't a special person. You can't level up, or can you?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGstA9Oj8Ow
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDyMEGzANA
'Apologies, sire. I don't really know. If you were to upgrade the church perhaps?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETqvBr2ZCu
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK8eUJcDDe
'I was reading about the various levels of church earlier and while it's not a priority …' I held back from expressing my concern about the food supply, 'that upgrade will happen. But it wasn't clear if you would gain a level. I learned only that the town would gain a second Cleric and those attending the church would be able to obtain cures for moderate wounds and the delay of poisons and disease.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli7aUYWsqx
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDu92w10Mx
'I think it likely I would become second level sire, since those prayers are available to those who have reached it.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnvIYklXLF
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4MgYDfx3Z
'Let's hope so. And let's hope you can join me progressing. Because we are going to need a strong healer, both to level me up as fast as possible and for future battles.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6wJ2jroik
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFf7zkSDCw
It was hard to see her response: in her full chainmail armour the coif put most of her face in shade. Her mouth looked determined enough though and she gave a nod.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aLcBhSqUb
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIWrYQqY5X
Footsteps from below announced the arrival of the chancellor, bearing the very welcome load of two bottles of wine and four tin goblets. Behind him, a soldier had a basket with bread rolls and apples.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xKTq0gOKA
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxfUAi8arw
'Well done Chancellor.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4yvGETqcG
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkRfv4XJeQ
'Thank you sire.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQIL1grCE
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3du5ARY2OM
One of the joys of a high Dexterity, it seemed, was the ability to draw a cork from a bottle with just a narrow blade from his Scout's tool kit and it was only a moment's work before the comforting gurgle of wine being poured was heard.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ZzYgZjmN
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHeacKPccB
'To Greyland!' I offered the toast and my two companions responded.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjlf4c4axo
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXJnGabaH4
I asked Parrin about his sneak attack on the Shaman and was listening to his account – it reminded me that the Scout had an extremely important Ring of Silent Movement – when Carlena joined us, a look of quiet pleasure on her face that made me hopeful. That and the finely made rapier she carried.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFadOtW9Sy
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1XpWSK7Ai
'Four magic items sire.' She emptied a bag onto the bare wooden floor with a satisfying clatter from the three items that fell out. 'I've used the rest of my mana for the day casting Insight to discover their properties, but I thought you'd want to know.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVPAhvcgoC
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2d9kf36OX
I nodded.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYfbAy8fBz
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr26zgtz0G
'Their Shaman had a scroll of Hold Animal and an amulet with the spell Hide from Animals stored in it; one of their officers had Bracers of Archery; and the other had this: a plus-two rapier.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1u4xKVQSP
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uxPq1KTqh
'Excellent, what do the bracers do?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ8txYMkFM
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VMyUxtFQN
'Give you five skill points in your wield skill for all bows; a slightly faster rate of fire; and fifty-percent increase in all ranges.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn5Uek402j
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAVGkZ30l5
'Very nice. I'll keep them and the rapier. Can you use the scroll and the amulet?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HJMGUJAtN
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBZJ7vTxg2
'The pity is that I can't add them to my spell book, with their being Shaman spells not those of a sorceress, but as a once off, I can cast those spells.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xzrQxFfXp
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UjDviDDsi
'Very good, they are yours. Sorry Chancellor, nothing for you it seems, though you deserved it.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwpejqfWKF
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsSNlrW9cV
Parrin smiled and spread his hands. 'What's good for us all is good for me.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM738RDhA0
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcaSHl0Vo6
We were well into the second bottle of wine and nothing but crumbs and apple cores remained in the basket when Lord Arval bounded up the stairs and into the room. A glance, then he stepped over to me, knelt and clasped my hands in his.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINk8z91ch1
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ptzkrSBO
'By Miya! What a day. What a day. When I rose this morning, I could not dare hope for such an outcome.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5E3AOA40N
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkymhpizwGG
'Nor I Lord Arval, now take a seat and a drink.' I freed my hands from the warrior, picked up my goblet and passed it to him. 'I'm only sorry we ate all the bread.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR8pfa7aux
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngnAlnh3C6
Our general was clearly exhausted, his face was wan and he sat with obvious relief. Yet his eyes were darting to check we all shared his happiness. And watching him, I had another thought. Perhaps the PCs had levelled too? I raised my arm. Carlena and Parrin were both still level 9. But Lord Arval had reached level 8.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxlW3SS1Ff
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq61qch5BG
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06A0kUWTKv
Lord Arval: Paladin Level 8467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4hZIRa0va
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwf1lc82m5
HP 79467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwT4TRZmt0
AC 18467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr6sO6ozmo
XP 30,124 (64,200)467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNCDtODQcI
Str 17 (18), Dex 12, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 9.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjJG2bVOZc
Shield of Defence +1, Trueblade +2, Ring of Strength +1, Potion of Healing.
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBLVw1ryRt
'Another toast!' I declared, though I no longer had a goblet and had to raise just my hand. 'To Lord Arval, our level eight Paladin!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmPvP7z5Eq
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCycqbB0sN
'Congratulations!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fX13FE8hq
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKtVAloyHa
'To Lord Arval!'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyTBDsuq45
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzlmTZLe5Y
Our general acknowledged the goodwill in the room with a cheerful wave. Then Carlena told him about the magic items we had gained and he told us about the rout of the enemy, whom he pursued for miles down the valley. After that we fell into a comfortable silence, the silence of those who had been through battle together and who were reflecting on the day's events.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHKqieBLW6
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsBtcuyYaq
At least, that's what I thought they were doing. Lord Arval, however, looked over at the cleric and spoke: 'Can you leave us some privacy, please.'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb1BPvLpp6
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8JkGIflzK
'Of course,' she got up at once and descended the stairs.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHefSRKp7H
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBg3Xs3QdT
I looked at Lord Arval and no doubt my expression was curious.467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjAgzi3Lxx
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OVkFc7SFE
He smiled. 'It's nothing urgent. But I wanted to know: how did this day compare to the battles you experienced in your world? You must have had other victories like this?'467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxXVeQVx3D
467Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBjd47OGPR
How, I wondered, should I reply to that question? I could hardly say that the only battles I had fought in had been games.
