The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH1PSYpOkg
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wkbc8j7Ju
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20b91j8p1z
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CsnHTbmip
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxXBw1Qa5S
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlJBS1OeFK
Str 7666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX75OAruhJ
Dex 4666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlyg954xT6
Con 8666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtxiRoz3yy
Int 16666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNMeLiXkl8
Wis 16666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwH1hqpzl7
Cha 4666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3zBFKeVsk
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquUMTkrvll
Skills666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45mTzeGCno
Lunge 5666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhjKZr6wEU
Parry 5666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEDo6otXkS
Wield Shortbow 3666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLghsyeFXWW
Wield Rapier 5666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6aRHihju2
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbxv12j14i
You have 1 attribute point to assign.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E1NoQ8Bo6
You have 5 skill points to assign.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggWajqLpt8
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiDZi7EtGm
XP 110/200
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666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NriLEWhmF
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeetolsoo6q
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICwxXFt8VM
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabdxCsOwHt
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl5LN5tFe4
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUOmjgtBG0
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZxmOZmlJK
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyloc1t3ebd
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8bpKEbuoE
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn5HzHT7Aw
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iQYJjt1fd
'I understand.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZQWVR23UD
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsGpdHNSTU
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVVmWhpd04
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqyeWBY6er
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8OU5cRqgv
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefDZjQc7mn
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec9YPKCazb
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsPM9RtkjJ
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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGual8dSlb
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM0rxkAfj1
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjWVhuNOlO
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I8hDEC1Eu
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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRoIk5Ozbm
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzQYju1aXm
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhj5UfCakq
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTf3ZzhSdc
'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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8XZMIciVl
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwyx61VTIa
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDOrPCFyUm
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBxcXEFeSX
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhlgNhErPD
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTyIJzuwyk
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KhSPrlDpo
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzELcsCYrK
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zPehAU3GA
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7NWRPKEBa
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqkOlbW2mx
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFdCDYK6Oi
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhpCxFaMJB
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnPsGqj1jh
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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5YLPrVkXo
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD82OAebjJy
'Yes, sire.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ULyv8VoMU
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpBV0JDlVu
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).666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmTUVluXMP
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwr0bgtBeI
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzow4LwlbmT
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeFdNkygjP
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UKbKVmMIX
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4ISOoxCjP
'Well?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4TwYKqYNV
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQGC23etwV
'They are moving an army towards us.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcnRd72rzq
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KQKdVawML
'How many troops?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyGj4hMXX0
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETn83bszpg
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ur6DijSk
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWjhXJIF9s
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqVo0RugHO
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cp0jJX7Ae
'How long have we got?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmRRGHJ5Yo
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgkkrTtDfy
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBOOPwIivQ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB5bCwx9Gb
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiyQe3EG7B
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgp6vIdcwq
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmspJXR7sG
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCdlo3lor1
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapkiWiY4dr
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQmz0hFnhF
'No, this is about half.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZVsgagKa2
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U4ZpdhPv1
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?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpP91bvDE4
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgufdC1eSQZ
'No.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCltFHYmVMs
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vw9xFDpO6
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHArGweaKTp
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9499jhjg3p
'True enough sire.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEE5113vdC
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3YeLeribp
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyPGlJ2Bua
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4gf8cuAEU
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssmbctnxPm
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg0ac1gshg
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF9WPI4Pal
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJbaiT23Dj
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:666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn7ZIEnxcC
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ0moS8PV8
Greyland Archer666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfw2L4lb0g
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jlAuKkbRP
Fighter level 0666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q82nN0OES
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrQUZ8Tx1g
Ranged attack: 15666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZpSt1i0GQ
Melee attack: 8666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ0QNrpudu
Armour Class: 2666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjP2txicNg
Hit Points: 5666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV5K5XS70T
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGHe6gpznm
Skills:666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5uZkeIPyX
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9to6cOUCB
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63w8EVF8f8
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmZmacUFm5
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UVlx3budI
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0wxziwgLg
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSrGrfcq9p
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PQhOm20dl
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGfBkEv0pe
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttyf3iKgvZ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe6TPsjDkU
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIBmmG5ExR
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b8QcuXuKO
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMm0VDdZhw
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLUK7ZZ138
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IoB05r8Su
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKf9a8UIic
'Show me to Lord Arval.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IDi5EKqym
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJRU5SKy4W
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4lWltJGgm
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7R1lmXHiA
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDZos8bUSP
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIBvOchxeP
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNsGI8QKAk
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiInk8wrawb
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1PZ7bXnXX
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFvzxMwjUc
I nodded.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT4oHC0TC3
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mfmGJRonB
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1WC8Z4wS0
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvW0fCgfDz
'What's the maximum range for it?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUDMkFITBV
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluAnsBEqha
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsCGddafz3
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoNjnuoyxI
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQVRHukh7K
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXreWfigS56
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhjHVWhrOZ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf6WZfA9dC
'Yes?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxgoOv0j9N
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y5GBhtkPJ
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGAmZU9nAj
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedVT7vBHAU
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQtMp2rWVr
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxq47ZVUKj
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj6emQaJmY
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08qJhGtYph
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GesbcGRxm
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI1LitK3sw
'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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPxw9BoJy5
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn60LkIXJuS
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAEVLnwnhn
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskgz5X0sTM
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HO4WX7Uag
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7nvOjjzhs
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4gZxhTII8
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr4LuepTFD
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiMa1R5mls
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG1EJiRWRl
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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a9qRa1llr
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HDKVd9Lsz
'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?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gjiv4iprw
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5o4OwVdeW
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3T4yPWdhH
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNOvtL2wUF
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAtsckVXAr
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgAO53Rdfw
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbkMMQcIml
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMDRN4QZas
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Zf9Ml7eS
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw0sqDA3P3
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdZIRpiUsU
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqGC5jwQuq
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZvygcHJ7J
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPsNAU2Ph7
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJLVTk6wQ5
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdADFmDKV1
'Go ahead.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDXaqHs02H
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSq1nU4REw
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xb3oqZ1OL
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpxZyBBvqR
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaewURXTGHk
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerNYBCtCi2
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx1UOiHkxH
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxoyooUyE
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuZGBZ3NTB
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg5b0y4qSW
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThTzue1abW
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLswwupmuX
'And?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvQcU84iRe
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJZZGWLGuL
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfLglq7qFJ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbftz0FXQI
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hy5ryDWWk
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMR4NxTSTA
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBacREQpD1
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gMUcw9VMr
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl0ySOLxhC
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlOFjAPfqr
'Ready sire?'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQG2Fml7YO
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmWfYHr8jH
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQRstnPcI7
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAHSm4j2aM
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU17qnnxEi
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1nxCPQQKX
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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJZeEH58DC
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF2jGkg8oX
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZsVUJLBzQ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbto68slfvr
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNeUhSYOm8
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxIJxPSZrt
'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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV2IKuDxNH
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ucukXdMsh
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5sJmnDVs
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XYaYFU4b3
'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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DzyqCfBqT
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwYcLHNDKb
'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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28cS5OGOzZ
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbCRpwadcO
'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.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Ecjmqi9b
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAk3oRa1U3
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEO6n5RM5k
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrCUuPsP8K
'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!'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1YWPVnlxL
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNKiimHMKH
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNPL3UqQem
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mVl9wpTsE
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaWkAoRAVW
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWLF9PUBwb
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihuUPlZFP5
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcmw7jy7cN
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqt1XmDKzI
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNgXkU7GfO
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.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgLKVPysDX
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAheGFYaXA
'Good luck.'666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nNWqVOXbC
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGVBt7u6Vt
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gXEeSVNEq
666Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96rgmoPgF7
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.
