The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiMdCT24EH
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwg4OHyY8R
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA0UzzgasW
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpqFuOuSL8
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG7tw4vVAK
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HspjTn591
Str 7660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP1AzYQ64h
Dex 4660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Yu4LYUlt
Con 8660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE1tRJI1HP
Int 16660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS4igSvzOh
Wis 16660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h0n68t91B
Cha 4660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpdXeKubLk
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGSZgfmaiz
Skills660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVTZBAJNYi
Lunge 5660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0sL3oT0Jq
Parry 5660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x1AlIQlx7
Wield Shortbow 3660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVGGGMF2CB
Wield Rapier 5660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYTuYJTEiy
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM2b3uTZjs
You have 1 attribute point to assign.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU0Lawcurb
You have 5 skill points to assign.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobEADKtpeQ
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZqjGPuF8Z
XP 110/200
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9fWHN2XIq
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABmLK41Ekc
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8VxWtlXMC
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKISJGpEz5
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpaGXmQJ9U
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnceXTT88F3
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQSuRon3v1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtdwa5VvHJ
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb3K1qh7tm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p4Cz2Fogh
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A7VZPtZof
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT8omyAqD3
'I understand.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjnZqoIi2o
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwtLYTvOIk
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW790NTgYc
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH6rzOaczX
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkGtAa2vn9
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F4xIQWXJl
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH82TuFhexA
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaPzEuWO9f
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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS0n7REqhc
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQDOroTUNi
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1zJVHrAnb
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJi89C0Nc7
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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAOHsaSWvf
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8HsbtgcXQ
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4RqqZtgzh
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sYcaEl8k
'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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ597uck2LVj
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tFJJeqizN
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB0KJ3pcEL
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCmnhQDgX
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfqZ2eTjGa
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzOxjQhUj3
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudH29sNmdZ
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSbjJiQmqh
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt9PryJRJj
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUbC1sUBYA
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVBPtf9wHd
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TG4nlg5Mv
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnlGVPAQhH
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfSXXMlDC3
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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q5FrIjYz5
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAiFoHS40w
'Yes, sire.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5011VYUcl
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UsFmXrgRW
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).660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8vCthCbmL
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpC3uN7WbA
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwP4rQCrgp
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7ZdX8j88R
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c57tCMQ1b
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWCwlJaWJv
'Well?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRVW2s8gjd
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjFHOKbcH5
'They are moving an army towards us.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW78KQ56Mm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Tc5nwive
'How many troops?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qnXv60NSW
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9fzDJ8PJL
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppBMK9aFxU
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaXfrl8vqw
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zTxRXmRlA
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuWMk62LCH
'How long have we got?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWtKawPmhQ
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjh7JEs5Go
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6KfwNBSsP
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg58U95iy1
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa8IhlXPF1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtjcuvnmpL
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NUPAIZa0Q
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VL9tnRYox
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41P8N80ESM
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BSzFYyGaP
'No, this is about half.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLicqzJBqg3
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloKbCsBHc0
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?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGz3PaH1Ms
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCE6viC9vq
'No.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HfrX5Zw91
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhd8mpekGp
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq71D38YlL
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr581UAWHE
'True enough sire.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uF2DN6iwo
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxyWl2ZzUG
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RBJ6OHY80
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPvZF6O6iv
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrVwa07Pgh
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI59lUm6FK3
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q2RLEnlrR
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86qhureXwF
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:660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI5a0PcPj1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57K0BUrwT3
Greyland Archer660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPULXhIz9In
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1t0oXfmZn
Fighter level 0660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyqapMN0HU
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7oMahJbel
Ranged attack: 15660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxjqwsYVlU
Melee attack: 8660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljpu9st9Gp
Armour Class: 2660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbNJB1u5NN
Hit Points: 5660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnJHKJU2zE
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSqXcEdoVJ
Skills:660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CkyNtsD7r
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Zc8zSS7c
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzrtnK40lv
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUW2WsAuoV
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqvdrp4cgO
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv1y0yW4bX
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6zMl0lAJW
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBXCIfr7Mu
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqyoeHXAkV
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CqVLiHgdJ
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyQ4oGYsVO
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCju1K7iDv
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3pzIqaoav
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTBFgzExa3
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sVOQMlW36
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee5vqYfeCm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk8ymardnx
'Show me to Lord Arval.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Psbg3Buc1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLixuebcpS
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZWDqi5iHE
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdQalJBkAR
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAn0zUqJmK
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazcZn6EC6b
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78eqw8ykee
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzR7zo5GaD
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfiNiru4K2
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Z7LKkOOk
I nodded.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3riGQ5e9TA
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFHARiJ3Xv
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrvUOgFJVM
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gnUfGbLEI
'What's the maximum range for it?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsubuuvHAdm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46zaBwGHmp
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrmsyJUTch
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUdynyET2e
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ipIadbXRV
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TR9uBxBKD
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGlWT99EqI
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxDyTtPNzi
'Yes?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RKu5sWu8q
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLikjpXYnpo
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUHdwxxHz9
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gmEn5xUUw
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsOxuf4JwH
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbcCG8hqqS
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2xMnD1TA
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbyS8gS7vE
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R5hG2p0bn
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GSdfUjXFB
'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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbzF1jDEhl
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX4ZdlQ228
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oJ9g3sBck
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bViFGTtwt
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr4U8b12uM
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9tKxTm4Mj
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqgFfPQEZW
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvd2Z8Nbr6
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZYlyjsAKt
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg9Eja2q02
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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFI6sMpmL1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxZ8Kxe9B5
'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?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmhxbrMsK8
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvhMqoyCmP
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcIR5bItTI
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wn9eI4DK8
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2PofmMXcq
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALIZxzd19x
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP071S5ptY
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbcFOxSxrS
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89817DK2m7
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8dQUZPHZG
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTErVP3OLv
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjjUiBOHfA
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZOg3IQDFC
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Vhgidm1T
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4GBmaD08s
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60mw4OvwwB
'Go ahead.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pJivclS87
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cHfeCtka1
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUQHa8P0pl
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeQPcJZ7Zy
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpkYMuOc3Q
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqx8rGdWm9
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWGRZ71Ptw
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOtONVFwJZ
'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUYqKQaBsr
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9vFE8wr4t
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndCN5LEXoR
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOJAq2u0yc
'And?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcWeIlzMmR
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBhZqyprlv
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J4idyJ5rc
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsChdru1Spx
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dzihUDzwx
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJanXs58xn
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOznTYDbxZc
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QbcqOuxVg
When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZbOd6o4Li
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpp7SDWWm5
'Ready sire?'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ofmn5bqFm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9RoTZZftR
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsz3K7Sx8n
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD78zXPMQlh
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzaQDosWQD
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYzMJCd3CT
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAqG7oqzjC
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ya0F8BiB3
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixdv6pEUdW
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo1FMiZc93
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsthiTyXtd
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WELq9E3S
'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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wGbUXuOIY
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cPWdW9FJi
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTPjMqSNw1
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeElGBEfW9N
'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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TZ4S0VGa2
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvTVZ3j6zZ
'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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3cENOL3A0
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XGg7s4D7X
'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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoVeEAGTnp
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy7AstdQgR
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dvx03Xw6o
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D1tlCNopj
'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!'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS8a9jvVLo
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBT118Ll9J
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtQRR8APhS
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wLuWSJlyA
'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZcevLc5xk
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw8yeKKV7O
Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJFj5e2O0E
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRbDyTlhIV
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8m94ImRPm
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX6HEO27xe
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.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlAiPdBn9x
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQndbX0kl5W
'Good luck.'660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXs6RKM9AZ
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAcFmbHKaW
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf3h8EtXpU
660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSj1qxapsQ
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.
