Sophie

They poured over the map like pin collectors looking for a rear trinket in a sea of hay. As Sophie got briefed on the plan, her list of questions grew shorter. The two of them moved around the strategy table, pointing at one location or another on the map as they drank their chosen beverage. It was a simple plan. Sophie grasped its design long before her real list of questions had ended. Her questions since then were asked more to buy herself some time. She wanted to know how thoroughly Sawyer thought this through. It was also a way for Sophie to test the logic behind each step whilst also preparing Sawyer for her to not only challenge his plan but possibly alter some parts of it.

To Sawyer’s credit, he had a very solid answer to her tirade of questions. She did not expect him to have such elegant solutions or reasons for half his methods. He’d slotted knights in places where their affinities can best make use of the terrain. He was aware of the strengths of his men and of the knights from the village. Many among them had positions in the battle that acknowledged not only their affinity but their individual talents as well. Again Sophie had to remind herself of the lineage that he came from. Although the council did help him understand where to best position the villagers best it still took his leadership to make it all happen. Being able to conjoin both parties’ strengths into one unit after being with them for such a short amount of time was impressive.

Sophie looked over the map now with its wooden statues of swords, shields, spears, and bows placed in strategic positions. Below each of them was a thin colored disk that served as a platform. Each color represented an elemental affinity. The wooden statue represented the most dominant type of unit that was within each group. The colored platform it stood on represented the main affinity that the unit had in their ranks. Sophie eyed the three spare statues that were on the map. The centerpiece of the map's criss-cross of rivers was the lake. All three spear pieces had blue disks below them. With each of them being placed facing the lake from all three parts of the land. From the bottom left to the top, each stood on its own piece of land.

Having Aqua spear knights on each part of the land placed by the lake made perfect sense, given the plan. The key problem with fighting the Famine Fisher this way, however, was its ability to retreat deep into the lake and hide from their assault until it was ready to face them once again. Sawyers’s plan was to use these groups of aqua knights to harness the water from the lake itself to finish the demon before it could submerge itself too deep under water. A strong and precise attack at a weak point should end it. And this key success was being placed every aqua knight they had at hand to fight on this effort alone. It was a good plan but…

“-part of the forest has been poisoned from yesterday’s struggle. So the vanguard will be moved closer to the rear. Hopefully, leaving the tainted forest behind them will deter the wolves from blindly ambushing them... Are you listening?” Sawyer asked. He just finished moving a wooden sword with a red disk northwards on the map. Sophie blinked at the scene before her. How long was she out of it? She recalled asking a question, but could not remember what.

“You’ve been staring blankly at the map for a full minute now,” Flynn’s voice sounded in her head. The fatigue was catching up to her.

“I’m fine,” Sophie nodded for Sawyer to continue. With a sceptic glare, he did so.

“As for why I pushed the vanguard forward. It’s because they have longer ranged units among them-more so than the others.” Sawyer pointed to another sword with a red disk underneath it. Sawyer put this piece on the southeast side of the map. “They have more sword users than overall long ranged ones, but the added firepower will make them more adept at handling the developing situation.”

“Wouldn't these two units provide most of the support?” Sophie said. She nodded at the two statues of an arched bow that accompanied the vanguard on the bottom right of the map.

“We want to keep the battle in the south-eastern part of the land if possible. It is the farthest it can be away from the village without it retreating somewhere other than the lake. If we push it to the brink when it’s too far from here. It might retreat off to a place we cannot prepare countermeasures for.” Sawyer said.

“So we must dance with it until it seeks its proven place of safety. That’s when the final trap springs,” Sophie mumbled to herself. It was a good plan. But to put such a heavy bulk of its success on the Aqua knight’s shoulders alone was… Sophie came too to see Sawyer still eyeing her with suspicion.

“There is something you’re not telling me,” he said. “If the plan has flaws, say it.”

“There is no real flaws in your plan, at least not flaws you’re not already aware of,” Sophie said. Sawyer looked at her and the map before sighing to himself.

“You speak of the Aqua knights,” he huffed. “We were hoping that those who had passed out would wake up. But even if they did wake, this would have still been a long shot. But given everything at our disposal, it’s all I see working in this scenario.”

“I understand why you went this route. But if the opportunity comes and they miss…” she fell deep in thought once more.

“I’m all for a new idea if you have one,” Sawyer said, but Sophie hardly heard him. Her mind was too busy tracing out this additional element to his idea, one that could increase the odds of this plan working if only she could manage it. If only she could…

“Whoa there Sophie! Are you sure you can handle that right now?” Flynn asked through her mind. He’d caught wind of her deep contemplation. She would have noticed the slip-up had she been less tired.

I’d be more confident if I was not so drained. Will a few hours rest truly be enough?

“How much will this cost you?”

I wish I knew,

“The village will be on standby for evacuation. Using their energy as a buffer could have worked if only they hunkered down.”

A village this small doesn’t have a hole to hunker down in.

“I don’t like the way you’ve been pushing yourself lately.”

Flynn, listen. I-

“-if my burden becomes too much to handle and you must block the lake, even if I’m In the thick of battle. Cut our bond.” Sophie’s heart sank.

“Will you tell me what you have in mind?” Sawyer eyed her with a hard-to-read expression. Sophie looked at Flynn, who stood behind the wandering prince. There was a look of concern on his features. A rear sight to behold on such a carefree face. He really was a selfless fool. She smiled at him before returning her gaze back to the map.

Thank you Flynn, but it won’t come to that, I promise. She thought. It cannot come to that.

“How wide is the lake?” Sophie asked as she pointed her nose up at the map.

“Seven meters across. Why do you ask?”

“You’re wrong Sawyer, I have not thought of a better plan. The only way to strengthen the plan on this table is by adding me to the equation.” Sophie said.

“‘Add’? In what way?”

“I will be the one to block the entire lake. When the Famine Fisher is pushed to retreat, I’ll be there to end it.”

“So you’ll take charge and add your strength along with the Aqua knight’s pivotal attack?” Sawyer said. Sophie simply remained silent and waited for the other shoe to drop. Sawyer’s eyes widened when he got the message.

“You mean single-handedly… you think it possible to finish the Famine Fisher all by yourself?”

“It’s possible, but I’ll need everyone’s help before I can do anything.” She fought back the instinct to stiffen from saying that. This plan should work. The margin of error was far less dicey than the Aqua knight approach. But even so…

“These are sixty Aqua knights, all combining their power into one united attack. We are talking about enough power to alter the flow of the lake. Are you telling me you alone hold enough strength to surpass all of them combined?”

“Have the Aqua knights instead focus their efforts on backing up the flame and earth knights inland. Keep the demons off our backs while we whittle the Famine Fisher into submission. If the Aqua knights see an opening, then have them combine their powers to take the shot as originally planned.”

“I’ll make no such alterations until you tell me what you’re planning,” Sawyer said.

“It’s quite simple, really,” Sophie said. “I’m going to block the entire lake as I said.” Sawyer paused a while. Sophie could practically see the gears turning in his head as he looked onwards.

“Some rune smith trait at play,” he sighed.

“You could say that,” Sophie shrugged. “At least this way, the plan itself is more likely to work.”

“And you truly think you can deny the Famine Fisher access to the entire lake alone?”

“You already know the feats us rune smiths are capable of.”

“I am aware. But what you speak of is-”

“-Keep the Aqua knights by the lake if it makes you feel better. Mayhaps they will find when I stop the demon, but it won’t be the best use of their talents at the start.”

“And leaving chances of failure entirely on your shoulder is a better move?”

“If I can deny the Famine Fisher access to the lake. Then all that’s left will be cleaning up the waves of demons it summons. It will be ugly work, but with a little luck, we should survive it. Let’s just try and keep the Famine Fisher time to retreat because we are all too busy fighting the fodder it summons. ”

“Even before the wolves came. We had our hands full with the demon, and you both say that it will be worse this time around?” Emmitt said. Sawyer brooded over the map in silence and so Sophie stepped in to face him.

“That’s why you’re going to need all the men you can get to handle the demon wave that’s coming. You accepted our help, so let us help. We have a lot riding on this fight as well.” She said,

“And try not to forget that we are also a huge asset. that includes the young ones,” Flynn said.

“Could they keep up with the likes of me?” Emmitt asked Flynn. Sophie did not have to see Emmitt’s strength to know that he was a powerful knight. His build was much like Flynn's except that he held himself up with more rigid discipline. He was the vasiel to a prince. Even if hidden, the fact remained that he was chosen for the prestige role. He was strong. Sophie knew that Flynn could gauge strength at a glance, as well. So it intrigued her when Flynn chuckled to himself and shook his head.

“Hard to say. Never seen you fight, but what I can say for certain is that Andrew will surprise you.” Flynn said. Emmitt seemed to take what Flynn said in stoic silence before nodding to himself.

“Yet another young talented hunter, seems what’s said about this generation still holds credence even this far from home,” Emmitt said as he looked at his prince.

“So it seems,” Sawyer said. He glanced up at Sophie as if trying to detect a lie in her words.

“He’s a passionate kid, and now with his family’s safety on the line he’s determined to do his bit to make this battle a success,” Flynn said,

“At the very least, this frees you up to be more useful in other places in the battle, does it not?” Sophie said. With a reluctant clench of his jaw, Sawyer bowed his head in understanding.

“We will do it your way then, I’ll reroute some of this plan to make better use of the support you’ll give me, however, I will still separate the men between me and my vasles, your friends may be as talented as you claim but my men know how to command. I will be stationed on the northern side of the lake,” he said.

“I knew you’d see reason,” Sophie said proudly.

“There is… one other business I want your friends to take care of. I know you can’t guarantee to have Natalie come along and help but-”

“-I’ll convince her to help,” Sophie interjected. She felt Sawyer’s unease and just wanted him to get into the reason. “What is it?”

“There is an unaffiliated hunter pair that has been caught up in this mess. They are wanderers much like yourselves. They’d fought under my command in the last battle but were fuming at how everything turned out. They should have abandoned the cause time ago. Said they'll do as much the last time. But despite their open protests and grievances, they still agreed to come to join this battle."

"You think they are being insincere," Sophie mumbled.

"I’m afraid they are scheming for something drastic in this battle. This is all speculative, mind you, but even still…” Sawyer trailed off as he picked up a new piece and looked over the map. Sophie had to remind herself to breathe.

“What are you afraid this pair will do?”