This is beyond understanding." said the king. "You are the wisest man alive. You know what is preparing. Why do you not make a plan to save yourself?" And Merlin said quietly, "Because I am wise. In the combat between wisdom and feeling, wisdom never wins.

-John Steinbeck

Chapter 2

Saber jerked awake. Gilgamesh reclined in a chair opposite the couch she was lying on. Yawning, she fought the unending drowsiness which had taken hold of her, no doubt from the lack of mana.

She found that in her tired state, her guard tended to slouch, and she'd find herself saying things she otherwise wouldn't in the normal state of mind. "I dream," she yawned once again, "of a time when no one carries a gun. Isn't that funny? I never held a gun. Why would I dream about them?"

Someone cleared their throat. Climbing to a sitting position, she was disappointed to find Archer's latest master, the Priest, watching on bemusedly. "What is he doing here?" she accused Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh shrugged. "It was the only place to go. Unless you'd rather sleep on the streets."

Saber clenched her teeth in irritation. "Yes, I'd rather," and she attempted to stand, only to stumble, but this time, Kirei was the one to catch her.

Helping her back down onto the cushions, he gestured behind him, "May I present Sakura Matou. Her family has so generously offered us use of her services."

"You mean to form a new pact?" Saber inquired.

Gilgamesh was the one to respond. "Of course. Although it would have been most convenient for Kirei here to take you on, but I imagined that wouldn't sit well with you."

"You imagined correctly," Saber replied.

"The feeling is mutual," Kirei informed her. "Gilgamesh also convinced me of the wisdom of keeping you around. Unlike Kiritsugu I am not interested in the Grail for a simple wish. It is enough that I be present."

Saber did not buy his story. In fact, she half-dedicated herself to making sure he would never see the grail, much less be there to witness its culmination. But she kept all that to herself.

"Thus," Kirei continued, "Two servants in my employ will certainly be better than one."

"That's putting it mildly," Gilgamesh quipped.

Saber had opted to go for a walk with the little girl. It was the least she could do. Though not in the least a fully developed mage, Sakura managed to have healed Saber's injuries and supplied enough mana that she was able to assume spirit form. Although they all had agreed, that in order to conserve mana over the years neither servant would do so.

It was a little difficult getting the girl to open up. There was an empty look in her eyes that Saber didn't like. "So, you have any brothers or sisters?"

Sakura paused and then shook her head.

Saber sighed. So far, she hadn't gotten a word out of her companion. She was beginning to suspect there was something seriously wrong with her. Beginning with the foreboding magical aura surrounding her own natural reserves.

"Let me tell you a story," Saber began. "For when I was newly king." She helped Sakura to a park bench and sat beside her and took her hand. "There is a chapel that once belonged to St. Augustine and it can only be found by adventure. I decided to go there and to go with me I selected a squire. We would ride in the morning, but little did I know the tragedy that would occur that night before. I was awakened shortly before dawn by a piercing cry for help. My squire was sorely injured in his bed."

Sakura seemed to be listening, and Saber was pleased.

"He said he had traversed to the chapel in a dream and from there took a golden candlestick from around a coffin. On the way back while searching for me, a stranger accosted him, demanding that my squire return the treasure. My squire did refuse and made to pass him by only to be stabbed."

Saber looked forlorn as the memories became more distinct the more she dwelled on them.

"Alas, my squire did not make it. As sure as he never left the castle, my squire showed me the candlestick! And he showed me the knife as well. There was nothing we could do."

Sakura squeezed Saber's hand and Saber smiled reassuringly. "I gave him a grand burial. And in his honour I did seek out the chapel, and I made sure none would go with me this time."

A comfortable silence ensued, and they both shivered from a sudden eastern breeze.

"Did you find it?"

Saber recovered from her surprise and gave a joyful laugh. "After many adventures, yes. I couldn't enter, however. There was a light inside brighter than I have ever seen before. I was sure it was the Lord."

"What did it mean?"

Saber frowned. "I'm not sure. But I resolved to amend my sins and to bring peace and order to my kingdom."

How naive I was.

Gilgamesh watched both Saber and Sakura as they returned from their walk. Kirei from further back in the room was reading over some manuscripts. "You realize," Gilgamesh started, "that Saber will corrupt that girl."

Kirei nodded, not bothering to look up. "I'm planning on it. The less influence Zouken exercises over her the better."

Gilgamesh smirked, his gaze never leaving the proud gait of his interest. You're playing with fire, Priest.