The Rithmatist

your defense to counter what they are doing. Let us assume that your opponent is drawing the Matson Defense. What would be your response?”
    Fitch filled out the small circle in front of him, drawing smaller circles on the top and bottom bind points, then adding small chalklings at the other bind points. When he finished the first one—a snake—it wiggled to life, then began prowling back and forth in front of the circle. The snake was attached to the front bind point by a small tether around its neck.
    “Well?” Fitch asked. “Which of the defenses would be best to use against me?”
    “I don’t know,” Melody said.
    “Ballintain,” Joel guessed.
    “Ah,” Fitch said, “and why is that?”
    “Because the Matson commits my opponent to drawing a large number of defensive chalklings. If I can get up a basic defense that is quick to draw, but leaves plenty of space at the top for me to draw Lines of Vigor, I can start shooting before my opponent finishes his defense.”
    “Excellent,” Fitch said. “This is, um, unfortunately the strategy that Nalizar used against me. I doubt that he keened me—he started drawing too fast. Undoubtedly a quick defense is often his style, and he likely knew that I favor complex defenses. He could have predicted that his strategy would be a good one.”
    Fitch hesitated, laying his chalk against his small circle defense. A few seconds later, it puffed away into dust. Any Rithmatist could dismiss their own lines this way, though one could not dismiss those drawn by someone else. You just had to touch chalk to lines you’d drawn and intentionally will them away.
    “But,” Fitch said, “don’t assume that just because you are aggressive, you will beat a good defense. True, a strong defense is generally more viable against multiple opponents—however, a skilled duelist can build their defense even against a determined offense.”
    “So,” Melody said, “what you’re saying is it doesn’t matter which defense I use.”
    “That’s not what I’m saying at all!” Fitch said. “Or, well, I guess I am. It doesn’t matter which defense you use, for strategy is most important. You have to understand the defenses to know what advantages you gain by picking a certain one. You have to understand your opponent’s defense so you can know their weaknesses. Here, what about this?”
    He drew an ellipse on the ground, then began to sketch it out with Lines of Forbiddance and a chalkling at the top.
    “That’s the Osborn Defense,” Joel said.
    “Very good,” Fitch said. “Of course, that shouldn’t be too hard to determine, since there’s only one basic defense based on an ellipse. Now, which defense would be strong against the Osborn?”
    Joel thought for a moment. Osborn was an elliptical defense—which meant that the front and back of the defense were much stronger than the front and back of a circle. At the sides, however, it would be weak.
    “I’d use another Osborn,” Joel said. “That way, I’d be matched with him in strength, and it would turn into a test of skill.”
    “Ah,” Fitch said. “I see. And you, Melody? Would you do the same thing?”
    She opened her mouth, probably to say that she didn’t care. Then she hesitated. “No,” she said, cocking her red-curled head. “If I’m watching my opponent to see what they are doing, then I can’t just go with the same defense they do—because I’d have hesitated and let them get ahead! I’d have to play catch-up the entire match.”
    “Aha!” Fitch said. “Correct.”
    Joel blushed. He’d spoken too quickly.
    “So,” Fitch said to Melody, “if you’re not going to use another Osborn, which would you use instead?
    “Um … the Sumsion Defense?”
    Joel nodded. Sumsion was a quick defense that was open on the sides. It was often used by people who preferred offensive chalklings—which would be the main way to defeat someone with Osborn. You’d send your chalklings to attack the exposed flanks.
    Melody gave Joel a triumphant smirk as Fitch used his chalk to erase his drawing.
    Oh, that’s it! Joel thought. “Do another, Professor.”
    “Hum. Shouldn’t you be working on those ledgers?”
    “Just give me one more chance to beat her,” Joel said.
    “Very well then. Both of you, get out your chalk.”
    Joel hesitated. He didn’t have any chalk on him at the moment. “Can I … borrow a piece?” he whispered sheepishly to Melody.
    She rolled her eyes, but handed him one. They both