The Path to Victory | Tales of the Knights II - Pt. 2

 Peering through gaps in the multi-layered grid of pathways from high above, Arossa observed the forces stationed by the enemy on the large platform which comprised lowest level. The base of the main stairway was guarded by two more paladins in their massive warplate, but only a handful of other troops were present further back, where they watched over the side passages in defensive positions to compensate for their lighter armour. Given the earlier assault, however, Arossa doubted that was all they had prepared. Occassionally, she could hear the synchronised marching of patrols passing through the upper tunnels which currently obscured her vantage point from view, but without any window larger than the occasional crack it was difficult to properly gauge their numbers. Torchlight gradually shone from one of these fractures as another group passed, and she ducked back into the shadows of her position to avoid the illumination.
 The latter half of the tunnel she was located in had collapsed long ago, falling to the lower levels where it now served as one of the makeshift barricades used by the defenders below, leaving the surviving portion open for her to cautiously peer out from. The other advantage was that an attacker could only come from one direction; she heard the telltale sounds of someone trying to move stealthily from around the corner. With barely a sound, she drew her rapier and prepared to strike, but first spoke in a forceful whisper.
 "The bow is drawn."
 "The arrow flies." came the reply.
 The two knights stopped a moment before trading blows. Arossa gave an affirmative nod and sheathed her sword, and the other knight followed suit.
 "You made it here first after all, commander." The voice was quiet, but she knew it to belong to their communications expert, Vypp.
 "Naturally. I would hardly be living up to my title if I lost in a test of speed."
 They both moved back towards the opening, crouching low to take one more look over the area.
 "So what have they prepared for us?" Vypp asked, nodding towards the way down.
 "Patrols guarding the main intersections on each level, but only a small force in position at the bottom. They must have another ambush set up somewhere, but it isn't obvious."
 She stood back up, followed by Vypp, and started heading along the tunnel.
 "There probably isn't anything more for us to gain up here. Let's get moving to join the others, and see if the gamble paid off."

 

2 Hours Earlier

Arossa and the others had assembled in a meeting chamber to discuss the trial ahead of them. Most of the knights were sat around the outskirts of the chamber as audience to the briefing, while Arossa and her advisors stood at a large, round table in the chamber's centre with a map of their destination spread across its surface. Stationed in the knight's barracks in Old Breta, their target was literally somewhere below their feet, secreted within the myriad passageways of the undercity.
As commander of this mission, Arossa had walked them through the details of their assignment and the location they had been tasked with reaching - the lowest floor of the undercity. Now it was time to plan out their strategy.
 "My recommendation is that we start standard formation and head along the main throughway from the entrance at full speed." Arossa proposed, illustrating the route by tracing the map with her hand.
 "Wouldn't that be exactly what they are expecting?" queried Vypp, standing across the table from her and eyeing the path for himself. "They will have plenty of chances to intercept us along that path."
 "Indeed, but that is why I think we need to head in at full strength. With small groups they will have ample chance to pick one off as a larger force, but if we proceed together they will be forced to match us head on." she explained.
 "Even so, we can't be sure what we'll come up against." interjected Amse, another of her command team and the order's most senior combat engineer, who stood on her left for the discussion. "Given the width of the throughway, a squad in heavy armour could block it off entirely and with no easy way to flank them it would inflict a heavy toll."
 Silence followed for some time as they all pondered the conundrum. Then, from the sidelines, one knight tentatively raised a hand.
 "What if we enter as one unit, but then disperse without engaging once we meet them?" they asked. Arossa recognised them as a new initiate to the order, recently ascended to knighthood from the ranks of the lance guards that they had often fought alongside.
 "I think I understand what you are suggesting, but please continue." she encouraged, making a mental note to learn their name properly once the briefing was done.
 "Well... if they have to gather in order to engage us as well, then they won't be in any position to pick us off for some time after. If we split up as soon as their attack starts then we should be able to head towards our goal along the side passages without fear."
 Arossa nodded and then followed on as they finished. "It will be tough, but our mobility will be our strongest asset for in reaching the bottom floor. We need to regroup at some point however, as I suspect they will have defences in place even if we bypass their main force."
 "What is your assessment, Amse? Anywhere we can use?" She asked, turning back towards the centre.
 He paused for a moment before responding, and leaned his arms onto the table to take a closer look at the diagram.
 "It could be risky, but I think I've spotted something..."