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“There’s a potential problem with setting a trap in the mountains.” Blaise replied, “That would take time and men, a few things I wish we had more of. We also wouldn’t want to be caught and stuck there. Any trap I’ve ever heard of takes a number of men, unless you have any other idea as to how we could set something.”

Blaise looked at the map in waiting of a response from anybody. She looked at the enemy camps that stood in the low valley that lead to the forest. There had to be some way to get a surprise antic. Her attention was called briefly to the large river that pooled then flowed out of the valley. Doing a double take a small idea walked across her thoughts. Is it possible? She though to herself, Could we pull it off? No, it’d be too hard . . . too taxing. Maybe if I did it . . . no I’d surely kill myself with the effort . . . maybe . . .

Eitan looked to Rosette but did not do so insulted or defensively.

“I have to admit that many of our brethren are egotistical. They abuse their purity and look at it as superior. Those of the Eavshayer would rather embrace their existence instead of claiming superiority. We are here to help and we will do whatever we can to do so. The Foresters are not the only ones in danger.”

Blaise regarded the area that Chrono was pointing to which was where her eyes were set on in the first place.

“Yes, yes, the river.” She said testily, “But I don’t know if it will work. The river is much closer to the camps then the mountains. That pool there would be our main target. If we could drive enemy lines back to that lake then maybe . . . maybe we could pull it off. But it would take someone extremely powerful, no, two people. If someone did it alone then it would be much too difficult.”

“Well that makes sense.” Kaden reprimanded sarcastically, “Good thing you explained or else we would have been really lost.”

Blaise looked up at him and glared, “Well sorry for hesitating. I’m just not sure if this idea is safe enough to consider!”

“Anything is worth considering at this point in time, Lieutenant.” Eitan said, “We need to know what it is.”

“Alright,” Blaise sighed, “The lake is fairly large and has a great supply of water coming from the river. Large enough to drown an army . . . which is what I intend to do. In order to do this then we need to collapse the shores of the lake to make it larger. We collapse the shores a good three-hundred feet into the land then block the leaving river that takes the water from the lake and let the lake fill. It might take a time to fill but we could speed it up a bit if need be. Once the Dragon Slayer’s troops are close enough then we lift the water from the lake and envelop a great number of the Dragon Slayers in said water ultimately leading to death by drowning. This would take great skill, speed, precision . . . but it’s so dangerous. We risk catching some of our own troops in this water trap. It will also take up so much energy that it could be life threatening. One person, no matter how powerful, could not do this on their own. Two people could pull this off but they need to be very strong in their elementals and it could be at a great cost to their strength. Three is too many and someone would get in the way because, let’s face it, not everyone can think the same thing at the same time.”

Blaise shook her head, her brow furrowed.

“I’m sorry Rosette, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You are good with that sword of yours; I’m just not sure if it would be enough. If I am to do it then I will need some one equally, if not more powerful than I. This is where I am at a delay. I need someone slightly stronger than me. With Nathan gone there’s no one—” She stopped herself suddenly and looked to Eitan inquiringly.

Eitan smiled to her gently and nodded. He knew what she meant by her look.

“Yes,” he said, “I can help. I’m not sure where I am in comparison to your prowess but—”

“Oh, don’t start, Eitan.” Nayati said, joining the conversation, “You know you’re one of the best and you’ve proved it to me and others many times. And if there’s anyone who can keep up with the likes of you then it’s Blaise.”

Blaise folded her arms and gave Nayati a chiding look. He smiled to her impishly and shrugged.

“What? I would have said something sooner but I figured it’d be better if you found out for yourself . . . so, now will you do it? Blaise, truly this is a brilliant plan. Yes, it’s dangerous but if anyone can do it you can.”

Blaise looked again to where Chrono pointed.

“From where we are by the lake we should be out of range for most attackers. In order to get this to work then Eitan and I will have to move around enemy lines as the Forester troops push them back. We will be able to get to the lake and around the other side before the Dragon slayers are pushed to it. That way we will be able to do our work from the opposite side. I’m sure we could be safe there. I would still like you two to remain close to me anyways. If I were to catch any of our own in the water trap, if you two were nearby then I would be positive in knowing that you were not amongst the souls that were caught.”

Giving the map one last look she sighed and looked up to everyone stony faced and a bit pale.

“Alright, that should be it.”

Algren sat in his tent again, his mind dark as he studied the maps spread before him. His mind poured over one battle plan after another, his mind swirling with ideas. He saw lakes, rivers, plains and all help promis to him. But which to use? Surely the foresters would expect some sort of double cross. They would help him only long enough to destroy Blood, but they would be ready. A gust of wind blew the door opened and rain streaked in. Bane's storm was perfect. A weapon itself. The heavens were a never ending supply of projectiles to destroy his enemies. Hail and lightining, thunder and rain. All at Bane's command. And Bane was at Algren's command.
"What are you planning to do? Why did you talk with Blood in private?" Whsipered Asmudius in the dark. Algrn smiled.
"That's a secret. As for what i plan well, you will learn soon enough. Gefton!" Barked Algren. "Find Jacob and tell him I want his plan on destroying the forest before me immediatly." Gefton bowed and Algren turned his attention back to Asmudius and a dark idea crossed his mind.
"Asmudius, how many seals have I opened at any given time?" Fear came over Asmudius' face and his spoke shackily.
"No more than four." Algren smiled and opeened a book on the table beside him. He flipped pages till he found what he was looking for and smiled.
"What is that?" Asked Asmudius.
"One of The incantations your father gave me. The one that unlocks all nine of your seals, you temple of captured deamons."
"You wouldn't dare! You unlock them all, you won't be able to control me in that state!" Algren chuckled as he imagined the carnage that would follow Asmusius's wake.
"i don't need to control you, I simply need to unleash you." Algren looked at the table once more." the question is where. Algren Had two hundred Dragon slayer hopefuls on his side. Men and women whom he trusted with his life. He knew everyone of them by name. They would all fight for him and the glory of the empire he would create. This was the last hurdle in his run for dominance and he would leap over it ease.

Blaise nodded to them and tried to smile but it was easily discernable that it was false. Looking out a window she saw that the light was fading from the sky casting eerie shadows that would bring the fate-ridden night.

“It’s getting dark. Kaden, go to all troops and relay to them the information needed. Eitan, do the same for your men and tell them to prepare. I’ll call all the troops together in the square as the time nears that when we must leave. Midnight is the time we set out. Rosette, Chrono . . . never mind, I’ll talk to you once we’re alone. Alright, dismissed.”

Kaden and Eitan left at the command and Nayati trailed out behind them giving Blaise a reassuring nod. Looking at the map one last time she gathered the pins and slowly began rolling up the map.

Blaise looked up to Rosette and Chrono, her brow furrowed. She was leaning over the table with her hands pressed against it, stress weighing down her shoulders. She was quiet, strangely so, just listening to Rosette. There was nothing to say, though she knew there was so much to say. There was something she had to tell them, or ask them, or say but what was it? She had completely forgotten her mind just going blank.

Blaise stood, leaning on the table and staring at the wood – emotionless. She didn’t know what she was feeling; it was a totally new emotion. This was strange for her; she usually knew how to handle herself and her emotions. The girl could imagine standing outside of herself and looking at her own self. She would say that girl was sick and pale with worry and dread. She would say the girl didn’t know how to use her strength in this situation, she was stuck. She would say this girl was not her . . . if it were true.

“Rosette,” Blaise said shakily, not looking up to her, “Tell me you can do this. Tell me you will be out there with me fighting strong. Tell me . . . you can do this . . . you can . . . can’t you?”