The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP1vQYNVSa
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCIZIREXw9
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnyKZylcnh
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUODxgpj2P1
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ502JK4yceB
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbDgsnqS2Y
Str 7649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RNeh8ImS8
Dex 4649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX8uZURUru
Con 8649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl92fyPcAT
Int 16649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdNCuuluYi
Wis 16649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1altORnH1I
Cha 4649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q0Agh7BDa
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sLUFWxEf7
Skills649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbunLwWPHkU
Lunge 5649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWLgW2k86v
Parry 5649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR1NaNwYOu
Wield Shortbow 3649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESJwezSTTu
Wield Rapier 5649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9stDC7A3E
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTNNOE4HWf
You have 1 attribute point to assign.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyuKRlLePi
You have 5 skill points to assign.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9lZmm8pvI
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDlA2TUiaG
XP 110/200
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvuIYgqokH
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjok1V4fGuc
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb1XKjxvdQ
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQqiXimC2j
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdM8n3hxuc
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ZCs6xab9
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpnHcQkEop
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCJqkZT0NM
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzzHTPtkkz
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqF0XO1kPY
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGTsweoLmc
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyXflmY6P0
'I understand.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJVXY084p
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ACkbOj3W
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK13XqpIrJ
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhoRcVwxW9
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GF0fRAgKB
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFf2VqUYE
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceR4bt3EzA
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xu27RKw2B
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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP0nubMrE5
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW13v0gF5t
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNAZ4RBhZc
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjGQkwPvo0
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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiwMwsMo1d
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmN2vh4HeK
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZODt7oBbY
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4BGtzLR29
'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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xb2DYq4D5
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjEO3M56it
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD64TBpKhL5
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoQ8zHUCvz
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk27u7dzvEP
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwDUETJ7fX
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnhdrv76kL
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R6S9FL1wj
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43PxPW8eTK
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKLt1H8pz3
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUurfTMUAh
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1POYwi334
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNPyO57sjV
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHstjWGyraM
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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IaTPXRCN4
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYD3haHHW5
'Yes, sire.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzMS9sDACY
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwvf1DGIJS
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).649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahyf9v6noe
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3OWxLdPa3
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27O19jLrdF
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xa02E0388
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisdSpXXoTy
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFV0qrE4KP
'Well?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkJoadycPm
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqrW0Von0r
'They are moving an army towards us.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUxJRwn3dG
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKCUzZqwTS
'How many troops?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhuRXvfVsw
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD19gPtM1Da
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajcwqWEIE0
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAchGKqEbO
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKgadrdCw1
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jy0ar3ktU
'How long have we got?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXStFSV1LG
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZlhCD4FZQ
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oBjhCZ84l
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNLPT8FjQ0
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOV2vlYrkt
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27SEVa4LwJ
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dRgzJpfoQ
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPh6E5Phhw
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9CZlMsIpg
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeWtfML9Li
'No, this is about half.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc5Ngxk8Nv
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmj3VYUss1
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?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvHza3IUxG
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXXao2zM0k
'No.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6gybHMoWS
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMK1A5LAQI
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4PlZ6wuUR
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmcTnghfxP
'True enough sire.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuPEViwuE1
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7yHO9mFcl
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpYKBR9ENf
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7HK4vlOaR
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepmFtUIZZM
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcAkpT3Rwu
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BC8hpD6Mb
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCOPLt7MGm
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:649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI5cU0Ssxn
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdA9NSI8RO
Greyland Archer649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fUhH7puMP
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kZgWTFaOg
Fighter level 0649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e9OYuRKxR
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZojjRPOeSF
Ranged attack: 15649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflvzN8mrBX
Melee attack: 8649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaFbnNJRRS
Armour Class: 2649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpQPqAFNRe
Hit Points: 5649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF9CjqLifG
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwQgrFXUBi
Skills:649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT8YUxe3Qj
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCrIvi0FtP
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr3cqLFHHR
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSKRSaLyzU
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5oMrR5jmz
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqum7rm0jw
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihPaxIkYBg
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziskDlcwDe
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69OZsfeqVA
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUf7HZ2Z78
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkfoeR5OLp
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFAYZMh43o
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIOykrpz7s
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviQ27BACaJ
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXpTWZNB1x
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApAM2QIaJ5
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0thWP82wM
'Show me to Lord Arval.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQojhOuzJE
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky2TuETm93
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGdCMgPXVm
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt3NeD3u9H
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3tyWLHIpA
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuurSxnUFB
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzhrd4mLZm
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGMpjRvRee
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmthvDyfOt
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6wTaIw4fw
I nodded.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV9TA9oEA1
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMak0cLuSNO
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkX108dXGn
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCQATit6Ni
'What's the maximum range for it?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHS4AgCFXH
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThkFG4QAqQ
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXogjT7RI87
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq9kmSjwBT
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduUwsIj3De
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohN7Uev1kz
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZwrI8rAGH
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzfeT916cg
'Yes?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW9xGVNm5a
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l5AFSVAQr
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5TrZ5pHqb
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk7LHg90Rg
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnLSpkMAKq
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIdpTgOI2J
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8wCKxMnOj
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFcztaIPa4
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKlHtMwADi
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhTEwzfqIB
'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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxayQvYqb1T
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYgMFdx1PN
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ULmgHdEs
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO9V9sfIia
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ltqOgLAe
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa27PJHZtk
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtaWFtAO3R
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yI6t4L5VZ
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvDcRZtZ4l
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnVcwfU0gp
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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrxRGxxhq6
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGVFMQsoNr
'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?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxZLM6tfCm
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rgy2kc4L0
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweLyt7QtVK
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxwpOgSYTs
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD5eFj6BB5
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Nw6WPaqb
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv4LrylrOp
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjylHewe6
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn7JyLzr36
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7pFmWIdQQ
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gL5qnNMVI
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMbcBO09lq
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSsaOwyh7o
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed3GUvIB1E
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZNd8n1ZqK
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ts0Ex32VW
'Go ahead.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97l2qZVIja
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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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EoSRW7trI
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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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrFfQs47gN
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwVN2EVtQ6
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rO1xd11YJ
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGtOS0obpy
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'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxVk1EAH33
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VP34Zhhl8
'And?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDjS1sNuUV
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCyAcSI2Rd
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD0iyOwOs0
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFZwicVgmD
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8th1PQ7FN
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPNuHBQdK9
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdBuWxxudo
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraWxMjmmgu
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'Ready sire?'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAseaxjtIVg
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPKLnqBh7B
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAGvuEuaJG
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqP1QfCOM
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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxKkqHSdDi
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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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcaUaGra62
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'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJCwdoU2pm
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LNpmO848f
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN5xGOYR7T
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOXj9ApvdN
'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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUG1VKYRUt
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWPwb4ek2D
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2MNd5DbAA
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'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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuyc1hPmFC
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'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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AIOFYVliO
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'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.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9EgJcYmp0
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qVAGcCvhX
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP3UPs40X3
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqw5oJSGLH
'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!'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1QgzywfL2
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtkCdqHz1M
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVceA6vdY3G
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXennmTgQL
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS6zQcLKnE
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'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFdEkQQgjY
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdypdUfYnB8
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.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlk1vhi9by
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdw5ry5L5o
'Good luck.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwZICZk4FD
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcplobVF3Fy
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukAWhnRkkh
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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.
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