Usual disclaimers apply.

- Logistics -

'Isn't it beautiful ?' asked Gawain proudly, admiring the giant wooden structure.

'It's… impressive' conceded Morgaine carefully. They were standing in the middle of the castle main courtyard, craning their necks to get a full view of the construction.

The young woman tilted her head to the side, thinking. 'What is it ?' she inquired eventually. Her husband glared at her.

'It's a catapult !' The blond knight watched her, hands on his hips. 'You know what a catapult is, don't you ?'

'Yeees…' she replied uncertainly. 'But just in case, do explain.'

Puffing his chest in pride, Gawain enjoyed the moment. For once, he knew something his wife didn't, and he was determined to savour every second.

'A catapult' he began, speaking slowly to make sure she'd get all the complicated war terms, 'Is a siege engine. That means that in times of war, we will use this machine to throw huge stones at the enemy.'

He gestured to the huge wooden arm, harmless for the time being, that towered above the gates : 'This is where the stones will be installed. These' – he pointed to a complex set of ropes that seemed to tie loosely the construction together – 'are the cables operating the whole thing.'

He took Morgaine's arm and led her closer. 'When sufficient tension is applied, and then released, the stone will be thrown at the enemy.'

The priestess observed the construction in dubitative silence.

'I am supervising the construction' her husband informed her proudly. 'Well… together with Galahad, that is. We have been working on it since march and… well, the result speaks for itself.'

'Indeed.' Morgaine's lips curled up in a smile. 'Though I have to admit I have been wondering what it was… Me and Vanora, we thought you were expanding the stables.'

Gawain huffed indignantly at this blatant offence to his masterpiece. 'Bloody women' she heard him mutter. Laying a pacifying hand on his arm, the priestess looked up again. Even from this perspective, the stone ramparts of the castle only slightly dwarfed the assembly.

'Is it finished ?'

Gawain nodded. 'Almost. Just some paint, some grease, and it's ready.'

She frowned. 'Then… will it be used for the defence of the castle ?'

Gawain blinked. 'What ? No. I told you, it's for the siege' he repeated patiently.

Morgaine stared at him in incomprehension. 'The siege of the enemy. In his castle. On his ground.'

'Gawain…'

'What ?'

She smiled snidely. 'If it's supposed to go outside…'

'Yes…'

'And that it's all assembled…'

'Yes…?' His voice was beginning to sound slightly worried.

'This huge catapult…'

'Your point being…?'

'How will you get it through the gates ?'