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The walk back to the town – Carrick – was slow but satisfying. Naturally, I had my character sheet before me:524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuuEuSwE0S
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7n229Mw8u
Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWragM9Dnnu
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JIMd8hm4K
Fighter, Level 2 HP 16 AC 0524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXIDmSd0LK
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc95rHdvCCm
Str 7524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRH3yigW4G
Dex 4524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt87C9TWSVX
Con 8524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU8MwrdQcM
Int 16524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAFTkhtE7j
Wis 16524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKnBLHneLm
Cha 4524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQT2nflbfJ
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHZyDhpkiH
Skills524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6hnd6NAAW
Lunge 5524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprWcp5Mog8
Parry 5524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhgbrMvCLZ
Wield Shortbow 3524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNHo4vusOT
Wield Rapier 5524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfjrLElp3H
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcn515XFmX
You have 1 attribute point to assign.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZF4hnIyTC
You have 5 skill points to assign.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXJZxScLvR
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5dzzjRnFY
XP 110/200
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdwxNUFb92
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvscXLLIbtx
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWH4UpNy8W
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZUBCQB30
'Can you tell me about how to improve skills?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkV4qo9qT5
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9pLdKcdFA
'I don't have access to the menus that you do, so anything I can tell you is conjecture.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVDSv657ka
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLMV48XpCW
'I understand.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfs4JQ751e
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSnH73s8im
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3mNstjHqH
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKahwrGryZ
'Mine seemed to go up fairly rapidly.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVPUsa8Q7K
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2y8l2oye3
Carlena looked at me thoughtfully. 'Tell me my stats.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNhcOLERE6
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmksU8UZHEE
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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRzorjZcU0
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw63RHGILb
'Much as I thought. Although my Intelligence is slightly disappointing. Now, what are yours?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXbIFlRzIL
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0b7jozoPJ
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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBXJkw3Bav
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsypK5J3WdG
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUdPqlJeA0
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7eT8TMdIR
'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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC9dyd1yws
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2BXf5bBgG
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzQNc7k53S
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzatzXI43Z
'What's the maximum an attribute can be at?524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QxxbF7rFy
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'Again, this is conjecture, but I think for a human, twenty.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXz5xj08JK
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAOacc7eJo
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc46DGfzlX
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPVkQ1QCfK
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdSomEP60f
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkRdoWB2T8
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35pqtpKxy1
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZywJn53em
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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNAaBaYRbj
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLtz7PuIpY
'Yes, sire.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A2LKI4giR
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuglIku7Gi
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).524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Gotmqnvr
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKVllhPQ86
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfRyxquuOC
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFFYGwVz0e
After taking my throne and ordering the servants to leave, I called the chancellor close.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESTwKcAfy0
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWXCGWARlG
'Well?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNv4C6RaT8
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'They are moving an army towards us.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KE3ah0XI6
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'How many troops?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BDihgo0Ql
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSf2Rjl5B2
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U3kYAPhq9
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr1KAqPch0
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDHcknrVPg
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'How long have we got?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr15VW87TF
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'They will arrive at Three-Ways tomorrow, probably near enough to noon.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbljtwUsZG
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEpp55vbvf
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33p8yTtajl
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Perhaps I was looking worried, because Parrin asked, 'can we stop them?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxtkxIRenU
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0FD70FXBe
I smiled. 'Of course we can. In fact, I think they've made a mistake. They didn't bring their full army?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMvx038vYZ
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'No, this is about half.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0CuyXMwBd
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2yA8O0iy9
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?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP9FS9wORB
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6uQRvpqm8
'No.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8wQlhlp2u
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkYO7jDpJC
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH22Uq8hdM
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ7Lpx71Wn
'True enough sire.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOlq9KvJD2
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hAR5pyQxM
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiEUlGHZox
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ORwySxk2B
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QIjzq6rIn
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITqczGvzcn
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazpRfZd9WY
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gFWokXQHc
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:524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TNfE1z2Tk
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Greyland Archer524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgZutsdrYV
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Fighter level 0524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMQB8geAGc
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Ranged attack: 15524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQXhFfFNhI
Melee attack: 8524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaGyWT82EF
Armour Class: 2524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBqOj15cIP
Hit Points: 5524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9RiTVfiu6
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT48oO4qYzJ
Skills:524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOsxy7JK22
Wield Longbow variable, according to experience524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJSNC2uGtK
Wield Shortsword variable, according to experience524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcjUBfp3RE
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxjdPgHYeK
Monthly Upkeep: 4sp
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSae0MZMPLq
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUKEkA5b2G
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwarsVya5d
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4aTt6OZZP
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXUrMOMV1k
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OqVWn6lwM
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1qdesHecC
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIBqJ2z47T
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfvDdsHgNV
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJty6yneaCp
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsKjRysqxu
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxnSgAkpFW
'Show me to Lord Arval.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZHt06LLY4
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpedZuPfX6v
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMmgKs6yzy
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmvtqfWjgV
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHM7IuuapC
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQhtmqzFhl
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhk8enVMSF
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN4Y2mBMAZ
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR4pt29qEr
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I nodded.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsXoQc1WSb
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j0xxSQri1
'The ballista is on top of the main tower.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1AvPoGp8W
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTPqMXfhIO
'What's the maximum range for it?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQqv2xFQoA
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmscjak4oG5
'I can show you, if you'll come up to the palisade walkway.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY28FfftRxL
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTYATwBSIN
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IOXhnDnck
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUjAMhGHBL
'See that reddish rock beyond the bridge?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTuBFOdX5d
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'Yes?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmimU8FMxSB
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDmfTbqkLr
'The ballista can hit that. I know, I had them fire at it.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWwBokHYCO
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNIcqECKjj
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zwaZxyNs
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5ka1dyQEx
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6TcgrponU
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ744srmMLGL
Lord Arval looked at me and then continued.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nLTcetotJ
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEndxfOzQlR
'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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavMnBaY3tW
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMlrUl84Fe
'And what about you and the Sorceress?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFtQuUzqqp
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD4SHY3XxK
'It seems to me, she should be on the small tower, nearest the bridge, and myself with the reserve.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI94EBvt3n
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xppEymj7K
For a while I studied the position and everyone waited silently, the only sound that of our flags flapping in a light breeze.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSzWYuVSof
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaW5LtNoo6
'Suppose you were their general, what would you do?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHwHXpHJik
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT06lPG4JH
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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vR4pAQZS9
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypkjnvJ7rK
'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?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9137UAu3FD
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'We'd lose the opportunity to fire when they are crowding the bridge.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3qKvdhU7K
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg0s32sx73
'If they are smart, they will cross in single file.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa0PN1TVNF
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'What if they stand close to our walls? We might not have the elevation for the ballista to see them?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRhXoE6BDl
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'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhCPhFj6lj
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CSiD1K7l1
'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi3dvsnjhU
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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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3bXmZPrAb
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWnf650Joj
'Very good sire. Shall I order it moved now, we need time.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt7qq15CMK
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'Go ahead.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgnC5sAw2N
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxX9ZoQVHK
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIfD50onHk
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY23aA9vys
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsUChDe7Rw
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'Does a soldier fight better on an empty or full stomach?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSEhBSDIA
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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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ9jeT1Kyz
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'And?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnAulJfbdt
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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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7jUTh0eAN
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3r8nOhWqg
'Very good, distribute it now, in case the enemy are making good speed.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsAllndMmm
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3SnDHvRTr
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbFMvEhetU
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When they were drawn up beside the four heavy cavalrymen, Lord Arval had the gates closed and barred.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxjtRrErWO
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'Ready sire?'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VeCi2Rx2Y
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'Not quite, gather the soldiers, I'll speak to them.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooTfvqMCiI
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTLU4zdYfW
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMyN7kw7ij
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE1aAGlAwj
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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFAqvcSCkC
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12oKaARcLn
'What day is it?' I asked Chancellor Parrin in a low voice.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT8VgByOcV
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'Twenty-fourth of the month of Abya.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsD2DoGRdx
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'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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPBbW76KaL
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Lord Arval gave a roar and shook a spear, which encouraged many of the men to do the same.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznVtoYFHXk
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IIg4gHrrF
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDsZKVx59o
'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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB40lE1PH2F
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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.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER82fWEfTT
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInSRlOrJ5M
'This is where we make our stand. This is where they will break. Fight for yourself, your comrades, and your families at home.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtbHT9Zy8P
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy8rWR9GJl
'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!'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRvoOm2MH2
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Lord Arval gave another roar and this time there was a really satisfying response, one that resounded all around us.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO07R1wYmbz
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'Positions!' Our Paladin, now on his horse, led the troops back to the palisade.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK487mW32Ey
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Before she left, I called Carlena over. 'I think today might be the day for your potion.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6yPhk9QHt
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLaCLmyjzt
'You might be right.' She looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before from her: respect. 'You spoke well.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZddPufnK1a
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRXkREWP3y
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.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2NJ6Zwi1v
524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j6TjVnlNV
'Good luck.'524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUnW3sMPmL
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'And to you.' She walked towards the gate and her position.524Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJp4b8uYlw
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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.
