x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdLoQ4NYFJ
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY6fsD1j8J
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV80vwUy0fG
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6TCRiRF5T
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeskeFagQK
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV5fxCai7q
Str 7598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtVwSv0EiJ
Dex 4598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiczu2bS78C
Con 8598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdDWKyKHJl
Int 16598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiQ7rqk61L
Wis 16598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd4g4b5vyF
Cha 4598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm911eVRKk
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj48ujPXrjY
Skills598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS7ilY7oZZ
Lunge 5598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX73HyC84bm
Parry 5598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixmTaJjdMK
Wield Shortbow 3598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDAHbpbSH5
Wield Rapier 5598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga7LhoeeAp
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIZ6TL8H3z
You have 1 attribute point to assign.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ683ktQa2Nt
You have 5 skill points to assign.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUa5f0duHk
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJLL3HSH08
XP 110/200
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGun7Pu9O4
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAq1Yzber8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhhWsxppIN
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34UI5pehAm
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5sH9i6j0v
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3OeiYnKdt
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6UhuQFtF5
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob9z6Kabau
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6JxoHek0P
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGrYAsRVQz
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkJLkReXbW
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OHMjpViqa
'I understand.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEuUHMNY4r
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkKJuvKO6G
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2nsWrf2Y6
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrymmKGI3M
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiOprXOOf3
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG2VG1xTyJ
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi05OTCTnZx
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWdrHHMhMN
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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsKxrXlnIP
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6nNTrf0Vq
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBu0714YY
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcwRFxVObR
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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhSCWdGqpZ
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUdBVjLAau
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIERggop9c
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNwTzbbQHz
'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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFueQGXWvX
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIczA67HfBq
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSsKtImFzW
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz4it7j7Uz
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUUwZ6syBF
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmCUEEzu06
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0HRiJ4sDP
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANKCw7RuB6
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o7yB8cXgT
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcw6KV2wIG
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHllASoKQ4
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqfjZhznp
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKZW1etZ15
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71FX7826Vr
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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmGieiRXoS
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29MMa8oGB0
'Yes, sire.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2icKQjLH0J
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTr1xHs2uM
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).598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGAVFbqrJg
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcbDJQ7U3T
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnMFoL2qaC
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7eUwmfYZZ
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNukXiET76
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aCkuj2rdw
'Well?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU7h0unjLy
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ydlWmozbd
'They are moving an army towards us.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTHRErNJsu
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA36BRld87B
'How many troops?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCoSO4yjqA
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GpMwiaVXR
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeernBj0Mt7
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo2hzcepwN
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1fYkoTNIH
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT2PjIm9qf
'How long have we got?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolxSX2Iwzm
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAyL2XwVoU
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6yR5oFLVA
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZteGU3669
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyKvOFkFHE
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeVK7lpAbH
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnCA8ffAvY
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe25QeLmUqP
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshqlXTbow5
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V5oys3luc
'No, this is about half.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm49Flg1CEv
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD41hQO0Mq
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?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7u7Rzoy9O
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2fSfczaQJ
'No.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH2WFGvi7D
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY241fhAU7
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnusIOrdcGG
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl09ccm9Sc0
'True enough sire.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcghngnvxb
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX7f7JQ6jJ
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lXWDpeOuM
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZrbGxHZ8M
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN2W01Nk9N
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zO3MLck6g
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPDvYE1FGS
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY6isyE7Zb
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:598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrMZ8NM9Ny
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ZeHP5yeV
Greyland Archer598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnErBuwR5E
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT0iJe8pP9
Fighter level 0598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV6q85i0oG
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8WUAb0CKQ
Ranged attack: 15598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KvNyjF3nC
Melee attack: 8598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC00OhdCHt
Armour Class: 2598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiBhVA9RSh
Hit Points: 5598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcEbRLbrSZ
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqPhDyAYcr
Skills:598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtASsiFa2T8
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCiXayYZ7F
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN5fBkKYIs
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhScn1DWmeR
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnY6vBbO9x
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuYeLya8Wk
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc2K6BN52X
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPNq6RqXAP
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UPlH0YhhE
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw2KAPsm1Z
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcs0yxHdU2
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ley7MGyf
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolikLnUx2N
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjOYHgfMfz
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUJjvMLfTM
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWORMhYIyZJ
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtP3D1ioZH
'Show me to Lord Arval.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGRgSRFdCk
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBAY7EkcUo
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfbFmKZH42
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQsyHHNxuf
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsMCixG671
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlLS75C4fX
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfKbMkNlPt
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJqQ5B7KFy
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeBO3252AL
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxcqtXbDnG
I nodded.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6DVlvoHjX
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v8QrkrhWV
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd2FjmJaRD
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH54W6kjNO
'What's the maximum range for it?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m8pbC0Bvu
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdej99gi3BC
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJdFAEZMZe
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtlGE6FWpd
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakenXe9YGD
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyjFbpH8yX
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR854vPlR8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGGhpUz94J
'Yes?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQJfbCa3r8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclMwdU0qOx
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKIXEp9N61
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHUeoFPjWb
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PYua3Aqwt
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdzzU2aQCA
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgrOQAJUo4
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NqDv8rlFJ
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXihcNOUtKu
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbmR33Pww0
'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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDUfJhN47k
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxoUBoczWM
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENGSgCDwOD
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMudRcKlCl
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8eSL8osVp
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwCqSydyWT
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCOpUNuWeV
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioOxeUAtY4
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXzwbrCOeD
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WGvbQG5KO
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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz8JgR1Oht
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5jKzdKGcO
'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?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5e3q8CO7o
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8bWtFu2Bs
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAh2QSbfjX
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxu2XMFFPn
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Hh5twwJY
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CdJuV11C6
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcwP4er4cK
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u53MYy3rz
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM1qKHL7eO
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGHWPzgZBK
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw3NlhtaP8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSknZG7bYe
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWmaSJqxdf
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ReTDZoik
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ19SlOEV2
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRMaB5Pul
'Go ahead.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuASxR4YBV0
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuRXOuOT50
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpePx5E7YO1
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbk2gyhhfl
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHkaJuX6st
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXkgFHsYZW
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLV0VXnw4b
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqwJxpoMbC
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ8h3ML1ZU
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVp40L6NhC
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpGlj0lGoU
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ78tlKoXdm
'And?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRbmdoLWaI
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYW2w0YUCb
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AgzIufGP3
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC37A7wcrhB
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbSp4UJxci
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfUFJfniOb
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh3Q2g5FsT
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoA1AVxkAH
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo0YYZ90C4
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTUJ7xJ5nL
'Ready sire?'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIMKxAHWsc
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJJ2vJkntW
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGkQT9hQ19
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FHIdI6hk3
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1Xmg3gQVB
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWA9MEZfdp
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mfe3Xm4E5
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLx4D7HhfA
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn76gZyi4m1
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvGmYB9TF1
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPiRFhZma8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OrK4dkMuA
'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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSztHMQTaE
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7d4M1s604
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGw5dgjL8
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQelVFLBfj
'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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95yuq9jWiS
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywy6oykf3s
'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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHwEpNUJjd
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpUtrUSFow
'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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuH8S8a6ds
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk3S9UOP9t
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ6GsL9jri
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59DOF0RIuv
'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!'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu62pe5sDzt
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdKAFlVxLs
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDrVyvetwa
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77A2OaiBL5
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpRrhVtMTE
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlkEnFEFHi
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ki75dWbJo
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjs9C8Na3p
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCrdBfjMfH
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjElswShsuy
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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1CvOZzoVQ
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSVo16whqT
'Good luck.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYOblHLQRH
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTeLQWJlym
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoru7G2E0h
598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnQgmLZB9D
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.
