The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu6tYfOmfR
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRl9GLVea0
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV752bZRFrv
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ED7Log0GB
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5JpODonmH
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdFtqcNWsR
Str 7895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7fbGfi5iZ
Dex 4895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof2V80s952
Con 8895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xjlS4QHsp
Int 16895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLxjIEUTV6
Wis 16895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vJJMoDIaN
Cha 4895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfKUhfeqqS
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBwHGkCD9U
Skills895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowezjAWrpd
Lunge 5895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMfFWhluYn
Parry 5895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8RR7K6D2C
Wield Shortbow 3895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqywSH5Hain
Wield Rapier 5895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdTdvDbELO
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eXB0RnkJ1
You have 1 attribute point to assign.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN0UYL07oN
You have 5 skill points to assign.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2BjAf5P2D
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFteMGCi3T
XP 110/200
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54yuzevlbf
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza6vuvXU0P
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx7xjG0vVP
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFVmmPJvEa
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Q4WQne4l
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e7VEKQbtd
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO0y7MKmCK
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pvTAE1uGK
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKq4rs0tbI
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiye5k7EM6
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStEH4Zwv8w
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptCXmCY0uK
'I understand.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKZRLpxipg
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrNgbyvRCH
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf8LQU3WiQ
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPUkkPfJUJ
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXZQwrvrhM
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjYagK6n3T
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkAsvvrZQC
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TplQILffA
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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSZzES6YDZ
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfffKsboiZF
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCaCAPMCL
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nws1H84MO
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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01GdBez3Ho
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7WUbIiN3C
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDk2CjWyyg
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWcp4wVFmn
'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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJOsagwF8E
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqGvFVjBzq
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl48SduIcR0
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghmyt0EeLO
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPlRkho3zy
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIVm3SUIBE
'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QnXVZ8dFC
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJHV9Hqip2
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mq9ENzTNS
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu0vgMPuMo
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHafhnwsR4M
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL43JuThNYI
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlnopD3cri
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxcVyk7XST
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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E1TIF1MSi
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA5gZIlpLD
'Yes, sire.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydJRLSVQ3J
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TBodUlu7g
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).895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKY7Mc9YzY
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjxzoCv1Q7
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWucg9IG0
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf82b9qrnV
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVXydxjuiN
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSiNdqa4FO
'Well?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gOPveqPeE
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxkGLkMLHh
'They are moving an army towards us.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM8zeCBpiM
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFOA3NTF6M
'How many troops?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocHa7d3ZXI
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLoxMRaXWg
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixksOFlbGt
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEs3eYbNGN
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38UYRShkCf
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls1nIChXTK
'How long have we got?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqMDIcf36o
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid4fQ5wIMG
'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEgeN9JkIP
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsIhScHfv
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRWagZFGBo
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMlz5uAhBJ
Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9YCwCCYnv
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gx5osw6Sp
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfai4ZnXeA
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqV9qbaqPz
'No, this is about half.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ019srD9WHC
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgaD0GX3Qd
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?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIFChmBOF6
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sgABubNHR
'No.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS47t3Yqx1
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UlqqC5Jz5
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdJ0LboKSX
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhPkH3V439
'True enough sire.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTpUwPpdTx
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJIUmjYMku
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeQD6buK7e
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8XK05Lb2P
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbYPhIWfrz
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWQKcpper8
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDLEcLxc0v
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDOWDHHyLq
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:895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgohXjsMNqU
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY98U7X0fX6
Greyland Archer895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT500RLqtU
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4cr6WGQEb
Fighter level 0895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfE9ADv2ID
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPz8qXyWfr
Ranged attack: 15895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc0I2iVJnO
Melee attack: 8895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXjW2YNa7h
Armour Class: 2895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0t6hM5ad2
Hit Points: 5895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTU3Qh8QWn
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw81nAwQxZ1
Skills:895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAeOINWIBl
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtQL3TTzhV
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnlic6pt0P
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7l1mdhY8g
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEodFCGDOZ
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwrisNCdp3
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7z0ueONy8
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsxzcotuKw
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawmySCiDoa
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukE2TkGAeA
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRvHdwUs7m
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7jXMcoQN0
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi6RSn1bt6
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIMwv7egFW
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT1KQfxbNC
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMuTFzFF6g
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67skNUBWYn
'Show me to Lord Arval.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39smCHrdCF
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsmpigQ3zj
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPaXuNxo4x
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkd1wrhcFj
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Xlif6vH7
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3JbKXSyc5
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSeO3Mn8pB
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64kjN0xL7L
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEWQtFEx9E
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrROEeoIaL2
I nodded.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkavddmhRz6
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlL5WuGPeq
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bwYuw9O1d
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgM2ZV33nb
'What's the maximum range for it?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB9LZriRsa
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JzaHansCk
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUogEScOHVW
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU5K3igmnM
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFoXELjRN6
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYguzEKmUI
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot7jq1NX1w
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0oAZqkGbN
'Yes?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGRfY4ZnCu
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAUZsPTfvB
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAjsFKl8xz
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqwjhW7Y5B
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj5qgA071E
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzWROjOHKv
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoiiryVbv8
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVaUPHomqt
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjFat2upi3
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXQURsxhIG
'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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3tfxAnM9t
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPMf2yj1Sj
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfX1oy2lx2
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E5E0DCV8l
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIRoe3Lll7
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXkvY9Tgzg
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbrnYxQ35h
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jEXv78Ym
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkjwWRX4Tb
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1dbRQPCti
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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhvvXZyRW
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbsc5gEcS
'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?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkCLF9uFAD
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwVyqVIXFo
'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD11LhTvfs9
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtwokHzW1V
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImdIG7yeDa
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33tg8YZ09Q
'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgtHVOKxx7
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaotNT9EDp
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq3lcRdvK3
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ524VxIHPLS
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEau1058cz
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'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNv1wk69zX
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7quu10SOV
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21h8XffIVK
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgZU36auHo
'Go ahead.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPfg77Ta8Q
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJOSs7Bvfu
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABsCSeVY4Y
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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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcqUq731iR
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmLG6C79jP
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RRAudbLcs
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1MeUqXR4Z
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMr6ktopO0
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMzpOlRZU7
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2YVAxtLn5
'And?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9CX4imgIl
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'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaXOqxYjEy
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtTBR9lYYv
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8irvEFLJA
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn0aDfbmTj
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHRmx7j9gD
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ArvHFm3D
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'Ready sire?'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5dUJk2Jbe
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8nKLAqypM
'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ram5Dxzte
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIPIiGpPnE
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotekxa3pVb
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts0vwmvASR
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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5w8OXbCi8
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFpxLkIO4w
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51nQKKi9qN
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH924HwxvZ
'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9DuVRrTib
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdl3hZsP2J
'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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3oZNFbJ6Z
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm2dPvN9y0
Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy2CuTe9CW
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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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNFwe5Dx65
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjlnQBHECn
'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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rILtjxDKB
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzQJwk1dXd
'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.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWItqVMnCd3
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'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEan36c8TDk
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'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!'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsBYuSnXEN
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLvYLqXDWz
Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rJI40Gqfx
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YEme7zJvL
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDZCwga38t
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRnfjH6Qc5
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfjM3VuLwY
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGlELO4Gvn
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.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPI3uRpemx
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEcIF7qvUb
'Good luck.'895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm7hyn89hP
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8wWhMDzAb
'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyLcOimr9P
895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH3QtQ6H0d
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.
and then Add to home screen.