Emperor Manos was standing outside his tent on a hill overlooking his vast army camped in tents in the square formation normally used in battle. General Pathos and a Royal Guard were with the Emperor, as was his sorcerer Morgan.<\/p>\n
A raven briskly landed on a large branch of an oak tree. \u201cGuard, shoot the raven, Zanora must not know of our plans,\u201d commanded Emperor Manos.<\/p>\n
The guard rapidly and expertly pierced the raven with an arrow, and it fell croaking from the tree striking the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell done, guard. It was a spy bird sent by the High Priestess, Zanora, who uses its eyes and ears to observe what we are discussing so she can report it to King Kali for his attack tomorrow,\u201d explained Emperor Manos.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many men are left in my army, General Pathos,\u201d asked the Emperor.<\/p>\n
\u201cLord Manos, prior to our last battle we had counted twelve million men, but sadly we lost quite a few,\u201d replied General Pathos, eyes downcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the number of men in King Kali\u2019s army. What can you tell me, Morgan?\u201d requested Emperor Manos.<\/p>\n
\u201cLord Manos, my divinations have revealed a maximum of 19\u00a0 million men,\u201d replied Morgan.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeneral Pathos, blow the horn for attack at dawn. When the battle starts we will see how things develop, but as the moon is full, Morgan could invoke the Moon Goddess Iona and have her conjure up 18 auxiliary units of soldiers in square formation to reinforce our army, if needed,\u201d the Emperor informed General Pathos.<\/p>\n
\u201cLord Manos, I\u2019m glad to hear this. We will be ready at dawn for this massive and decisive battle to save our people from the evils of King Kali\u2019s black magic,\u201d responded General Pathos.<\/p>\n
At dawn, Emperor Manos\u2019 army attacks, but, after seeing the great mass of soldiers in King Kali\u2019s army storming forward, the Emperor soon realizes that his army is greatly outnumbered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour conjuring rite for the 18 units is needed, Morgan,\u201d shouted Emperor Manos.<\/p>\n
Morgan climbed onto a small mound and raised his hands to the Moon goddess Iona, sounding an invocation. After a short while,\u00a0 eighteen units of fully-armed soldiers materialized out of a large mist just ahead of Emperor Manus\u2019 army, nine units on either side forming a bull\u2019s horn attack configuration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have done as commanded, my Lord. The Moon Goddess Iona informs me that our army and King Kali\u2019s are now equally matched with the same number of men,\u201d said Morgan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Morgan, you have performed an invaluable service,\u201d exclaimed Emperor Manos<\/p>\n
Then King Kali\u2019s army splits up into 16 equal square units forming a semi-circle and attacking Emperor Manos\u2019 army with great intensity.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Lord Manos, if I knew how many men there are in any one of the 16 units of King Kali\u2019s army, I could create a resonance spell resulting in a multitude of ghostly apparitions that sow great confusion and disorientation among King Kali\u2019s soldiers,\u201d said Morgan.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, this will definitely save the day for our island Ruta,\u201d enthused Lord Manos.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuard, summon Leonoros, the Court Astrologer, immediately. We need to calculate the number of men in any one of these 16 units,\u201d shouted Lord Manos.<\/p>\n
The guard hurried off to fetch Leonoros, the Court Astrologer.<\/p>\n
To help Lord Manos win the battle, how many men would you say are in one of King Kali\u2019s 16 equal units?<\/em><\/p>\n Can you also work out the number of men in one of the eighteen conjured units?<\/em><\/p>\n And while you are at it, what about the size of the opposing armies?<\/em><\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>