x
The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoQNDQwpJA
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABwzAS2om6
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXxaVqu3lD
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcOrPnJhII
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA5Wg4Y7JH
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44XpOELiww
Str 7536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqq3D1s0CO
Dex 4536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkjrboJbWm
Con 8536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoCvVwVext
Int 16536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9fLCgxbAU
Wis 16536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PW8RoAE8t
Cha 4536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinmcIYLzRo
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzELHsgbkcq
Skills536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOuB5L5Rhn
Lunge 5536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5laip6VToL
Parry 5536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg0KOn0pLr
Wield Shortbow 3536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62pWKpRpio
Wield Rapier 5536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PbTg5Gett
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsFUIqZmTR
You have 1 attribute point to assign.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzb8EoT8jI
You have 5 skill points to assign.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj05QO8O0i
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zquuElwVO
XP 110/200
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhkOMcnIRO
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MWoLsXzdT
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6UsZJxArx
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMoB2xYyXh
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkAAFDyyT7
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMuyHiEibt
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkXQnHyVHe
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrc9GUevik
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzFU8sNQA
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSr7oEJKhi
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPzrauTmMy
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVpYY2OjPn
'I understand.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8KrRMhbJX
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX94GWcmhrP
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk7VUY0kF1
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0448tWE8E
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcZjRHJhEc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrgJzuaJek
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkVeMUXaDt
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3Ct4xmfUG
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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoDh5OHJcG
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObsbnyzbk7
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkid6SwIYFk
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOfGSyXkUX
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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfzwW4sGpT
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIrM6t7AX9
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0abAdKpCw
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyLUUa6qkt
'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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEPFNCD3c3
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUEok8YqAn
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxgE4s3ilQ
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb59aVYp9wE
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgXGmSQ5vq
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LQpITwkqk
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNHnfDSeoE
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt6rtF0XV0
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVS6jSyZtr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ADQhagoT
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNKWGu1SOI
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6fNFJDBSf
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTNSKN2QOr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHABsslXvuK
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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0VwrPA43w
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN22ftpY6KX
'Yes, sire.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWhyxreacp
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXx2C3mugz
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).536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1iQRqLCwk
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbK7HLgQ4J
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPRcW3WMpP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2jUHVRKCo
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfI8K8w8dz
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOHI09IfsA
'Well?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTQoP8DA0T
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUVjUbkr6y
'They are moving an army towards us.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHiWPbjUK3
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtS9XXQAY
'How many troops?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGDUDyyIdC
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva9pww5YLt
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYl4UjOvOI
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO2RJf9rMM
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzQOlMCmKW
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUDhrBztQ
'How long have we got?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH1uSZ0QM3
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFSmC5qm93
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc56Zoj7EI
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzUvwym27y
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9gAuZwqK2
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvzLvNGqmt
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIQfKB4SiH
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeuhcRS9qN
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMwZ078Jwr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC4dviLtlh
'No, this is about half.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mL7jC5ypP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02edmaYoUe
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?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUPXQ6DcOB
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CVcmZEsGE
'No.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjun5mDe5w
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHhdAiJ2wz
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3AoOgkCdP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QkX30K1QX
'True enough sire.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8bguYZmBh
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj9KPwlrpx
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp59t38TdL
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7nOSAGrog
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1mcCfkPJn
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhWRsxSNvj
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXcgA9qWID
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso8Q1Xg1Ul
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:536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKKpVvkfuZ
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0KEKF7XBl
Greyland Archer536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUMMoXl4HQ
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlRDWpHV4V
Fighter level 0536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58zEKogTmh
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wOvqyMVwT
Ranged attack: 15536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0CQGfMeYA
Melee attack: 8536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EPrpAa8fy
Armour Class: 2536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnh7MiVzuy
Hit Points: 5536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpWg7eOmgz
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSCybRMltV
Skills:536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiqQmFkklW
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzY1n1thxT
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEWQNogbXE
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF5IqXFLtQ
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAWWlP8rtg
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNBMlrtN7Z
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA293r1af5
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbW2eHbcpy
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSelBPydDXu
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdopKYW4KW
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aBPUeiHyH
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02PslTAk8Z
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwJYMbvkU7
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOuCnWWOzZ
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdWZHXwIPj
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqGl8fXBoC
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguNALnMQ6W
'Show me to Lord Arval.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXDzQ5cGgw
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL5gXKs6b0
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hZK4ik9Cv
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsQUPwf89D
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ptd0kRkZX
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM02Ttckxy
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqEPn5XXVl
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69AUbU9bgz
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV45cEKJcB
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpzywHEe0H
I nodded.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIymcTB3Al1
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaIVuTlGUS
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLHfMbwTnm
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KsdYA3gQP
'What's the maximum range for it?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh90f1WCgQp
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkbZPkukLx
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GTVXWBoYg
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhUOUrKWEH
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2BWuriRJV
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibgFrF13qC
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIylOqscX8r
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RKsLKgzPk
'Yes?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgZ7IVnJcN
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHsLVvhPcj
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Q16osh42
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomXeFJAgXs
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6L6XdyA3y
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9axFFMX5W
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVns9jllMf
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVokvsFq6l
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRi0DdrWab
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQyFvxSmjI
'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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDhC7Idyeh
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6mFl8i2xw
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkBMG0SAqY
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHTo2wzjNH
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sbrx6UiaY
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd2qoQEerk
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nVXhPw8cV
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5tFgL76dC
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuQyf9JJJO
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1tUigMeT1
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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14d2twR7U4
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUaZJoyV0l
'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?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxDbDxFEUd
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5yyEELp5Z
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihfz2H6QL6
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4uBvggcT7
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTjr0Q6LFE
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpgXsVP0C7
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jdjdXgisf
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WgGQC7V9t
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfA4wivxYq
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7UngKYeTR
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lWHs0bL36
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsh38PhEZl
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RRUxDDp08
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEU87J3aIl
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOvWWCHYnF
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2bysasJmX
'Go ahead.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3T5nxx7X2
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wZRirzeGf
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex6RxysBZh
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIZb7uupFF
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf8d5cLrPY
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlKFqamz1W
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJqkGxa6kM
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmWi3y6n35
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwzefE3D3f
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOniUrTLq9
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Cd0zSxRL
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfeqpDpate
'And?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVlj49XT7C
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTQftBdgyf
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPwLJA0szV
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl6gEXmmOd
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TtPVDNpE4
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAgXm1mPH5
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH9zSMviMS
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MQF6oG9PA
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWQYUgdiLe
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡise997JWbE
'Ready sire?'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5j6ts76Xr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV59oLT56h
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0FStIKfhe
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G2TjdKHaf
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhAGN9IGCr
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWB6XgsZM
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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EMJusoKhP
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0afsmDIBHJ
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8aqSHpCK9
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFZmkN5JAO
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNimkJeDeN
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsR6BtInvc
'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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVqKi9uDqN
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEoouEqicI
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ak9yik6e
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7bXW093Qz
'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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxdoTAYmPc
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttH3NzkeLH
'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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75mA0ypGYa
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK2PGcRvwK
'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.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kusz61Y91
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoJMqkTjP3
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2soRXcpQG
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtflYGn1mq
'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!'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDgPVpjOul
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyBe8OGHAC
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnAhDN1MSq
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlCjw2CQjx
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaxBZS3UNh
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMwQ36wAkS
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA2YXMlcrL
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EDdi2Hy45
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5hdR9Am3C
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfurVB7b7Ba
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.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJNqfXJ2Ng
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxaHFhLPce
'Good luck.'536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPGlIWUkd8
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjBT09xq4X
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0veAaBaF0
536Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsGWwUZOye
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.
