x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqD22RPdfy
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUpFjy3xfT
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqtnCA6kDU
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDAmYUpx6j
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGxTZ7KUIX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkDtchm7Bl
Str 7645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyKqH2PMEN
Dex 4645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGODIht2ld
Con 8645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB6Ecg8rMt
Int 16645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREThTwKj1D
Wis 16645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7UMPXRs4o
Cha 4645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBQgMkJixs
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnc11zZAw0
Skills645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hmef33KGs
Lunge 5645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIin5kCmjVd
Parry 5645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ZvStO8Wh
Wield Shortbow 3645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM2Phb3AIo
Wield Rapier 5645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fdTgMYu95
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BmqWMbNf3
You have 1 attribute point to assign.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSoIUcsxD2
You have 5 skill points to assign.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS1sg7knxD
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6DZw9Bkxm
XP 110/200
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCeWWExaL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4l6jU7fnK
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUcNhWJuDH
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR3esQtnPh
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L3MrgCV6J
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivYscTcpAk
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBgsJL4Jd2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYlVZtP42f
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdZNbfcncg
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2TNvrk5xv
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTaQg8pRHq
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzuZZ7jEnQ
'I understand.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVBUqNGvX2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfHl72zeCS
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiXW6HOZbd
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTevANw1Vne
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaZs0Lj1U1
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfrDIFyRoy
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnSJwPx1c7
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJJeLphlNc
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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtyHKUshB0
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8fOMrt7sx
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XFd6exU0U
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRcBepCbpe
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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dKYECa6lx
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYEaeN3I7M
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEXqTJpWIF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMhEUTb74Q
'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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8obKBigiMv
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkmH8k3ylJ
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtnUcpswPF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7cfY24YX
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDHyowu4Sw
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpObHrV8r3Y
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH2Cb9csv9
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVquN3OrUFD
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWLCWhxKp7
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXvQh5FT4q
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPsmuCrYAN
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqIRgJpkVT
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArIBCrJQQG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmsKhaiotu
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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ9XuJrmjf
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOfnjXDnsj
'Yes, sire.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlvqDJYrGZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UdEyIRQ0F
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).645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLmXOQGxXn
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5twa1ixcV
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRKvcPuYry
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV8dF9BrqV
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd0HrD95AB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA4p9vDQdB
'Well?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwCQgbqOHf
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Kh8WKCRg
'They are moving an army towards us.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9Uxv93Mdx
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC8h2Bz3k3
'How many troops?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WSj0P130o
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyHHGaUs92
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD0DxRBF2t
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKfVCv70Ky
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXqPvQs3gg
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3UVnYC5cO
'How long have we got?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTJvhCrlAv
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn1P5AQvcD
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdsVENWQzy
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h5pjBOHfY
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnE0sx93tk
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOLvCRkEDi
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIRHb3fvVE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo7r3e405t
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYzBJ2zacu
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk6XQtOUlY
'No, this is about half.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdr12Vo3Sm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p4WdJf8hT
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?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dij38USNb
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYut4kBT5Vj
'No.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi6cf76LZk
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ODtrrxDp
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurKKmNXR7X
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8pUfEibdk
'True enough sire.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQMbQkOOq8
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeXImnfxXo
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThgbyjjxeF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiGL3iemu3
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHShg7Xeks
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMThFg5Qiki
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JIXah6pEW
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9qlUpnQsL
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:645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9b6zhCl9U
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LbjhhwjhE
Greyland Archer645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOzlVsP4YQ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJHz9QjNSh
Fighter level 0645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn84heHnyG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs30vG315Sa
Ranged attack: 15645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzLEOLHEWX
Melee attack: 8645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVOXchJTWy
Armour Class: 2645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGwgIG8gsU
Hit Points: 5645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgHuMDjInZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hbQhUTKGT
Skills:645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqMHBcAG30
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIY2cexxFa
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fBO4tHDMg
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJISy8XTuM
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx0QsXTtbB
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGXJLpCFxp
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoSTSH7wVc
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXXnG3m07Q
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMZavK06NY
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtBl9O5eOX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23PVL5CoRz
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1mF5N7XkP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjnwo0rhrT
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo11VW8uLOm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx5bdiakBO
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi9PXUrRmL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jEVF3SNbM
'Show me to Lord Arval.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeRsxHi4hU
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeQyEmrX7o
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCHooAqC4D
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UYfYs5lD9
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtJXhLf71c
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeETjXnBVX
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKw5xTbt8y
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVQLmS4zbT
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDocHI4rMmT
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWBBghezhR
I nodded.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPfAqEeOgm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDym342Te8
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUguwK0TL4W
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10mSJMeQLn
'What's the maximum range for it?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8H0BEhcwh
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM5rLipuaN
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK7RKLDuG8
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8alNUS4EC
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHOpGJgBtf
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCZyid5fiR
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPavnCx83k
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8xOiozUR6
'Yes?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUKQ5Ch3Re
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9MRo6G0wt
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC5igK7Dv8
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBKS7jHzLK
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwmBOMZJgl
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe30eNwTfAo
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFCquMbW2c
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoaSZJJH0v
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAOFgLhnlf
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgMaQHwnW3
'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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZYi8WYuhS
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqiRjOHLH6
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8gShnDPFd
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxvnWSCSIl
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvvGFm0IHZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67zZhuOkZ9
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNa7AuPu6D
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYQi77U6Qm
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SxdtmU2bP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGp4lkHkuB
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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5Zkq8i1x2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglZcMNUxUU
'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?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacBVdCSKnP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQyIeyjsP
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0wKhMnO1p
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj9QDeSs8D
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMSn5Zh5yy
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnklGL6eM9r
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk81wLzChV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBT5LuXgrX
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVCIoLCqaO
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W5Dz2fVLg
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa9L1pAcSr
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DFlS3lIRE
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZWEFT23Ol
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg90ednQsF
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKZ5yGaZjB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHKLqgxxZj
'Go ahead.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBOM0WlY6p
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh7yCQrVZa
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEPbZ2mHYi
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO6Vf03CLu
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6jX0fKuyS
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsa9J9y2q5
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMpqUXLHJ6
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7RbD9R4e9
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f71rmRmnm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlhwmiuLtM
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUvMfPhsbI
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXwTFrFMuN
'And?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt21XC7LYr
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1tvIyZM9E
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjsl7nCz0g
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1OlGIDsA5
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoZytiL4rJ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcrdAAHK0U
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fx3TKYdfV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCUcvBVaZM
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwwV58c1Vs
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'Ready sire?'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLX6uLVqs0
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuCMUXzwzs
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeKRyvJZQQ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc8vvQsevj
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yeg4FVil4
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSuaPXixit
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjoCjGnRP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZKfz6Lfmf
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP3KNmW7mG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJbWF0kMt4
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GsFgNmMiD
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYXQDWjQqA
'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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT1KHu9eNE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ409dlhyrSH
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7rhOBa6Cb
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnCI6iNKyk
'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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qsb8Uolxh
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qbChX3OXP
'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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp6L2x5dIh
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEF8hZsu3Z
'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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNWukUyVBk
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RrV117aIF
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQDot1sTkF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixiN5u2jW2
'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!'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu8T1sZrUF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqSF221Svg
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX0kFGTH9b
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YCmnrDrgq
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1WFJcry6l
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpkLrQARi8
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCXzXRNxxh
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCXlirawjz
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPaFRrJX9N
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqDzIIeqS9
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.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTEzcCKSSw
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB1ZgKizW5
'Good luck.'645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxXnPpxElZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLpcIyzbsD
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeIdyVMkgU
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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.
