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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hboBTcknF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvev1CRuj52
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcya0qVs49
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6JZX5Igjc
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeQ7knXXFl
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb00EMzJGH
Str 7601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi8JGvehYD
Dex 4601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzova8jvNRJ
Con 8601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJb36QzQjV
Int 16601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uZeVtNw8o
Wis 16601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiEMtL8mru
Cha 4601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXWVhTFv2A
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH0otkpOvM
Skills601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MBaKDGVD1
Lunge 5601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnur3X7p7oZ
Parry 5601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE16e2SbI6
Wield Shortbow 3601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z3iwEcqxy
Wield Rapier 5601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyOqVgWraT
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGSJPAift4
You have 1 attribute point to assign.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOPvMzzUk
You have 5 skill points to assign.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HRKQAC5yW
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEHTntKsqz
XP 110/200
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZBAO3UwUF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupJl3lUcRp
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yIqrysbos
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc9a8w590H
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpRxvsYsd6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuHO6C1blt
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEInJ4m9Fy
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07YOlTXb6N
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG8u0J9GBA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbQOkUT6EL
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33eTXOqBkm
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlazxMizub3
'I understand.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCWUx0rQfR
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuIZ5A7OAF
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUo2RU0B9u
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiLobdsbP4
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MgOqNX3cu
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaDgPp6sRs
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAdxuRZVqU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUjoUyfF2W
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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lNhODbTK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtq7b39TwO
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFAuychUC2
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0fdsCFz95
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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFIslNyYCz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBduKUJLLH
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1pbixIGy5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJI7LO1eWO
'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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U94MTowse
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzsWuk8awS
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo774cYXdR
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlyxK10tqx
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrdVwnpW6U
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgcI2XYphq
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8cH9HxplX
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODgQvzN6Zj
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbltYVOcZor
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6y7dCfdAG
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWBieyV279
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsz7GHmXhj
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyPl3m4Cai
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w8W1H4FYi
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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBea647sIj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYtxmjClgh
'Yes, sire.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZUPi4lWlA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqh5kUT1yi
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).601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP83qcnW56
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejhfzeF6pM
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPULeSCwpJ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfc4T409Ml
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjsGtiMvzC
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiBLTAILva
'Well?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPTin0YLLP
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJGLEJXLm5
'They are moving an army towards us.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZTdVsQ03m
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5EKv2NEot
'How many troops?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVvISwnfGH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcziiNsjcGw
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyGgjuQZML
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxQavjeub3
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPNsAFhOqX
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNgYTKbHeF
'How long have we got?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1TapyRjBf
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPZAdWYmjh
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ekSmWUJq
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXxa9qtBLE
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIQwU4pg9n
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS1I6tRkmb
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ma7ZvcEU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOrpJ5fWlP
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuTJI0Ebu
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KhAbfFepE
'No, this is about half.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iYp4aJXBj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaJ0KxT0NY
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?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L4u6F13Nh
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpRrfHxaDi
'No.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxfTlPJ9ER
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT8MGo5vYy
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU2nFqUIsX
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wwhEwZ142
'True enough sire.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBPuAgbjbn
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnnv2x09ZF
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l2YmL0Faj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPKZMmfQVc
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FqmsxRDVy
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmpPATGBhQ
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOHrPiGKmR
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0BGPrc7cs
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:601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyltmjYnYhI
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCTLYFI8cS
Greyland Archer601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gOEfJ2fkF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5yhedDzi4
Fighter level 0601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N9RfecfRA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc2Nz7UQ2x
Ranged attack: 15601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSbTcBnWdA
Melee attack: 8601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMVs4nTB1O
Armour Class: 2601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFRtgAuZ7Q
Hit Points: 5601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mx3qRUaOh
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vFdXZs6KG
Skills:601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qg6PueRl4
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvxTsjtBY3
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFPIx9lRtb
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIctHA8zgi
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeSkPg9SkB
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu6gFangmb
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihCnXk0x6v
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBShfwHeYMv
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRlebMkILi
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbWDqhoa9O
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLZ1dUTZj9
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTc74WvSD
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBEDGqohSQ
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0lptImKdG
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLh8UrQcAF
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaPQlBMCKz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rBOGSNjC6
'Show me to Lord Arval.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcOFEadzDC
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7lLkvPZ9J
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElRcZYOBTK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgHwWtIpJv
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW5i3hrfO6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9urGq3LyoW
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR3PlbJ6R4
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV15yyVcMf7
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwybquI0mvh
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUowtXsOpp5
I nodded.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoPafol3iC
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt2IU3eyE3
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI78lQ62Hk8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3742llGIQ
'What's the maximum range for it?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GxrppYFP5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04EcMSdUKQ
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn9G6zTl4U
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YjSiZ4sEY
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ZrnUpoF2
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJtf1EZqpO
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u25TRcRLB
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LjFPx6eij
'Yes?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByP9cFAfyq
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyTuCe1myZ
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hSQJAlD42
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zyOwp7132
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ieAPWCeeK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaz8f3cMoG
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4MNeG28oT
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpYVIzg606
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0RYV92sqt
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQEeoDxXOe
'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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfS6U5rV2O
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLn8XmYjJp
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHstHmiYf3R
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GMQg3pg6m
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ51PdYItF5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCviTn0RLXN
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGtfBr4AEz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl2NkrrXcr
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5O7J6xu84
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5rDmfVkFo
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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDtA9chHZ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVYyyJliYg
'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?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mz6b80kYM
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRShKl12u4m
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9domoPSFmS
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqO6KzVzym
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aVh3fHAtF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtaCwNPhLa
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2aocPAgX4
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2whkStCBQ
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAr2Ho5mF3
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrbKD7JrqF
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwIE0YJagL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bv47oXQSB
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYhuD92Upm
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN46BaaNGL
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0qdENQv9G
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI8BH0ervH
'Go ahead.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSAfqZSVwD
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUwsnMKKOF
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCFRXE7QrQ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aIA0kxfjO
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpScdEVe2t
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEHHxiD1Cd
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSLEhIYSy6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQXrJ7KTX5
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jgAI96aC5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i4bZqa72N
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc089PGOx0f
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJFocQTvKA
'And?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbItqQnW1oh
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWHL32ZZtO
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb2p2o64Ol
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr3IfTq54t
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtNgPO3Ask
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA0HmPy3aE
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoGLOC0Tj3
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz4jkbDBuY
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLPtf04qu2
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGwlrM7o9c
'Ready sire?'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zGLHTUY4P
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Qoj2iY4r
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLNaMuLR2c
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI7ddqISrK
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF6OTPP5BY
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEwHSj0xwJ
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQDI20r4Gu
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhP7uk8pyv
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjBjiiP377
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W1qj6ZxKS
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTidPVtTPO7
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BkvrguasD
'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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORRC3tSQ1z
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSYmMRZ6dy
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtU2GVyt3d
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EFRyHbb22
'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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHWgKkDruY
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgzKlO55y7
'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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQUmhkmcBG
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnis5Z56IDx
'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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcMoYon12N
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04kYsgBlpM
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRV4KSnwP8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0ELOHG6Mo
'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!'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesapfmpMbe
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRvQtjjltD
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVGC18oaBD
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriGpicNmg8
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqD7nSLVhs
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bv97MBSiD
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pkeh3Kzuc
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF88SURzmJ
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRflxlhaTl
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKlx20TR42
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.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkLrtrQll6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTGNvSZgPz
'Good luck.'601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzyUGjX0hS
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2AAU9M6p
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wr5RhR2J8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIwUJ1NsDD
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.
