We have now reached the second day. Odd, almost no time seems to have passed... Oh well, enjoy.

Day 2: Though Not Really the Second Day

To recap from what had happened, I pulled a metal stick out of a rock and now I'm the new pariah of England. I use this term because that's what a king is as I found out the hard way.

After being thrown into a castle against my will, I couldn't even leave for a week afterwards. It seems as if the crowd, which grew bigger with each passing day, had set up camp outside and continually shouted the chant. I couldn't tell because as long as the great wooden doors were closed I had some peace and quite. When I tried to open them to escape, the shouting was enough to billow my newly acquired robes and push me backwards. As it stood, I was stuck in a castle.

After the horrifying week was over, Sir Kay and Sir Ector approached me. They asked me to knight Sir Kay as one of my knights. As Sir Kay explained it to me, he said that for twelve years he's known me and that I would do anything for this country. He wanted to help me in anyway he can. Even if the other knights do not accept me as the rightful king, he would, if not because of the sword then because he believes that I will be a good king.

Touched by his words, I knighted him as my second knight. When asked who was my first knight, I could only answer cryptically, "Sir Archer." They did not ask because they sense that I didn't know much about my first knight either, and even I was unsure if I was to ever see him again.

Still, my retinue of knights slowly increased. Three weeks passed and my knights grew to be eight in number, excluding Sir Archer. Many disregard me as a king and refuse to swear alliance with me. Some in fact swore vengeance against an 'imposter' to the throne. Sir Bedivere, another one my faithful knights, and Sir Kay fought against those who were against me. They tried to reason that I was the real king and could be a good one. Of course, without any hard evidence, they didn't get far. I steeled myself against my critics and focused to work on how to improve the country. The largest issue at hand was that everything was still fragmented.

On this fateful night, twenty one days from when I was first declared king, my knights and I were at our discussion table, trying to figure out what to do. None of us, myself least of all, knew about how to run a country. Many boasted strong skills in fighting prowess but nothing on how to manage an economy or keep the people happy and safe. Even as we spoke, various bands were raiding our very villages and we couldn't do anything about it.

"The question lies not in who is doing what, but what must be done!" Sir Kay shouted as he banged his hand on the table, nearly upsetting his drink. Several clamors of agreement met with his statement and all eyes turned to me for a verdict. I couldn't agree with what he said, because we are facing an unknown foe, but I couldn't bring myself to disagree with him either.

In the past three weeks, I'm sure that Sir Kay had been very patient with me, as all the knights were, but now I'm sure that their patience is wearing thin. They haven't been able to do anything and I couldn't bring myself to make any decision. I've read somewhere before that the most useless king is an indecisive one.

Just as I was about to give in and agree with them, a voice spoke up, "The answer lies then in answering how it must be done, not what must be done." Everyone looked towards the window, where a figure clad in a brown hooded cloak was standing. His face was obscured, but everyone could see a grin from underneath. No one noticed that he was there when they first entered and no one else had entered in that time.

He walks slowly towards the table and takes a drink from my cup. Immediately, each knight drew his sword and pointed it at the stranger faster than I could even blink.

"Forgive my impertinence, my King, but your welcoming party sucks," the figure managed out a dry chuckle. "Havest thou forgottenest thy mostest faithfulest and firstest knight…est."

After deciphering his mangled sentence, I realized who this stranger was. "Sir Archer?!" I shouted as I rushed over to him.

In an overwhelmingly dramatic maneuver, he pulled off his cloak, showing the red and black attire underneath. Grinning he said, "I'm glad that you seem well, my King."

"Can you care to tell me what you've been doing these past three weeks Sir Archer? I've told countless others that you exist, but many just think that I was hallucinating when I pulled the sword out."

"No problem. But first, try to drop the 'Sir'. I told you, it makes me feel old," Sir Archer said, still grinning. "If you would allow me a seat, as this will take a while to explain."

I hurriedly slid a chair over for him and sat nearest to him to hear the story. Everyone else slowly sheathed their blades and gathered to listen.

"Thank you, now before I begin, I would like to ask for no interruption or flash photography," Sir Archer said in all seriousness.

"Bah! This knave thinks he's a knight. You're nothing more than a cowardly soldier who fights from afar," said Sir Agravain, a relative of mine from what I heard. Apparently his mother was of relation to me and sent him to serve the kingdom.

"And he babbles on nonsense like foot-ography," he continues.

"This is going to be a long night," Sir Archer groans. "True that while I specialize in ranged attack, if you think lowly of my melee skills, then you're going to be in a world full of hurt."

"Threatening me are you? And with a strange tongue too. Let me cut it out for you," Sir Agravain retorts.

Fearing that we'll get nowhere fast, I intervened to stop the imminent battle. "How about we let Sir Archer tell us first? He may explain our unanswered questions and we can ask what he didn't talk about later." A simple compromise, but I think that did the trick. At the very least, it appeased Sir Agravain enough to silence him for now. The other knights also looked please at my decision, leaving them enough room to ask later.

"Thank you, my King," Sir Archer said happily. "Now then, the photography will be explained much later as it is of little importance now. As for the way I speak, as you can tell, I don't have much of your accent. I come from a country far to the East, as per my sword techniques. For the past three weeks now, ever since I was inducted into your service, my King, I have been observing the edge of the defenses of the general area. Take a look at this map please."

Sir Archer produces a map. It was not a very good map, looking like something he drew up in about five minutes. It showed the castle and the walls surrounding the city. A stretch away from the city lies something that looks like a very sick tapeworm.

"That would be the river of Glein, my King," Sir Archer said stuffily as if he was daring anyone to criticize his drawing. "From the activities that I observed slightly beyond the river, here," he motioned and pointed at a point slightly beyond the river, "There lies an encampment of Saxon troops. Most likely, they will be attacking soon."

"You've gathered this much?" I asked him in awe.

"Independent Action is a specialty of my class unit. Aside from that though, I believe that necessary measures should be taken immediately."

"And what would you have us do?" Sir Bedivere asks.

"Me?" Sir Archer looks at him quizzically. "I may be more strategy oriented, but I don't think my suggestion would go over well right now."

"Why not?" I ask him. "You are one of my knights. I would hear your words on this."

Sir Archer sighs as he closes his eyes. "What I say does not come easy. I personally believe that we should go there and wipe out the entire encampment."

"What?!" came the unanimous cry, myself among them.

"We've nothing to go on but your words!" Sir Kay shouted out. "We don't even know if what you're saying is true, or if these are even Saxons!"

"True, what if they are traveling merchants?" Sir Agravain asks spitefully.

I myself wanted to believe in what Sir Archer says, but for him to call out an attack so suddenly, I wonder if he has thought this through.

"Traveling merchants don't usually carry enough weapons for a minor skirmish," Sir Archer's voice calls out with confidence and clarity.

"They might be dealing in arms," Sir Agravain retorts.

"All the worse. If they are bringing arms here, then they must have people here to buy them. You can be assure then that the defenses here won't work too well if your enemies are already behind your walls."

That statement brought everything to a screeching silence. I cannot find a flaw in his statement. True that if they were dealing in arms, then that would mean that they have people here. The question remains now is if they really are the Saxons. If they are, then that can only mean trouble.

"Tomorrow we'll find out," I said to them. Everyone's eyes are focused on me. This is going to be my first big decision. I can't let this go awry. "Tomorrow, I'm heading out there to ask them what they are doing. If they are trustworthy, we'll let them pass. If they are not," I swallow a gulp as I focus my words, "We vanquish them, totally and completely."

Everyone murmured in agreement. To them, and me as well, this was a solid plan. Find out what they are planning and then take them out if it's anything bad. Almost everyone agreed, except one.

"I disapprove of that plan," Sir Archer said with his eyes narrowed. His face had a dark countenance that shook my very core. After a moment, it passed as if it was never there. His face had a small smirk, though I couldn't tell if it was for good or for bad. "But if my King so desires it, then I shall head along with this plan, no matter how fool-hardy it may be."

"You didn't have to add the last part in," I complained.

"Really? Isn't it enough that I do so. If you are so agitated, then I'll take back my former complaint. I had forgotten my place and ask for your humble forgiveness," Sir Archer states solemnly as he does a deep bow.

"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel better. It sounds like you're messing with me," I said, slightly annoyed. I'm sure that he is doing this on purpose. Sarcasm is literally dripping off of his words.

"Not at all. I am to serve you, my King. It matters not who stands and oppose you, simply give me the order, and they will disappear without a trace," Sir Archer vows as he straightened up. "Now then, for the extra portion, I will only allow my King to hear. No one else is allowed so please leave."

"What?!" the knights shouted again.

In all honesty, if he did have something to say, I would rather have him talk to me in private. He seems to trust me unconditionally, and I in turn feel as if he was someone to be trusted fully. I don't know why, but that's how I feel. On the other hand, half of me wanted nothing to do with him. Everything that deals with him ends in a headache as far as I can tell.

"It is getting late," I said for a compromise. "We can discuss this later. For now, I bid you all good night. I am retiring to my chambers."

That should at least give me enough time to sort out what I have to do. Saxons, knights, and Sir Archer. Each is worthy of years worth of pondering, but I'll have only one night. Everything has to be thought out. As a king, I would accept nothing less.

For some reason, my thoughts keep shifting back to Sir Archer. I know very little about him, but I have an unwavering trust in him. He said he came from a land far to the East. I remember Merlin telling me about lands to the East and West. He said that to the East, far beyond the deserts that connect to the mythic lands of India lies cultures unimaginable. For Sir Archer to have travel this far, to have braved the deserts' heats, the winters' frosts, and even bandits, he must be very strong.

Forgetting myself for a moment as I undressed, I felt my face heating up. I couldn't really be feeling this! I kept telling myself that as a king and fellow swordsman, I am admiring the strength of Sir Archer. Anyone could see that he is strong. Even without having to fight him, being in his presence and feeling his confidence would be enough to convince anyone. Even without his presence, one look at his toned body would tell anyone that he's experienced in the arts.

My mind quickly derailed as I imagined his rippling muscles. Realizing that my thoughts had strayed too far south of his midsection, I quickly brushed the thought off. It lingered in my mind though, what his body looks like without the armor. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I would like to see how he looks with all of his muscles.

"I am honored you think so highly of my body," a voice called out.

"EEP!!!" I shouted as I jumped backwards into my bed. I quickly held the covers in front of me. Even though I'm already wearing my nightgown, it is still embarrassing to be seen.

Sir Archer was leaning against the wooden door as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He approaches the bed as his head swerves to look at everything around him. "Snazzy place you've got."

"Snazzy?" I asked in wonderment. Never mind that I was just thinking lewd and disrespectful thoughts about him, he still brings a sense of strangeness no matter where he goes.

"Hmm? Yeah, snazzy. And," he looks at me in wonder. "Why are you covered up?"

"B-because it's rude for me to show myself like this. It is very impolite and undignified," I stammered out. I knew that my face was burning red and hid it under the covers.

"Hmm? You never used to be afraid of your body." What's he talking about now? I just don't get him.

"Oh! I get it. Don't worry, if you drink a lot of milk you'll grow up big!" he states cheerfully. Wondering what he's going on about, I let down the covers to look at him. The moment I did so, I felt something poking my chest. It seems that my movement pushed me towards his finger which was pointed at something and it came into contact with my chest.

"KYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"

I quickly covered my chest area with my arm and with my free hand started to attack Sir Archer with my pillow.

He simply blocked my onslaught and quickly placed his hand in front of my mouth to silence me. For a moment, I was quite frightened that I would become an adult so soon.

"Quiet," he whispered to me harshly. "Do you want to wake up the entire castle?"

I was trembling in fear but Sir Archer quickly released me. Before I could do anything, he knelt down beside the bed, his head bent humbly.

"Forgive me for grabbing you so brusquely," he murmurs in sincere apology.

"T-think nothing of it," I panted out. My mind was racing. If this keeps up, I'll think I've had a fever. "What brings you to my chambers?" I decided to ask him instead of longing on the fact that he was here in the first place.

"Ah yes," Sir Archer replied as he stood up. "I wanted to confirm with you as to what my status is so that you can effectively use me to my fullest potential."

My only response was to look at him strangely.

"Don't look like that," he mock pouted. "Before that though, I am sorry for… touching you there," he said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"L-like I said, t-think nothing of it," I replied. In reality, it didn't feel all that bad. For a moment, I felt as if thunder had struck me in an intense moment of euphoria. Banishing away the thought immediately, I asked him, "So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Ah yes, I wanted to tell you about my class, Archer."

"Your class?"

"Yes, as you've already surmised, Archer is not my real name. For a while though, this had acted as my title and I've grown accustomed to hearing it. It denotes my abilities and specifications. I would like to tell you what they are so that you can understand my capabilities better."

"…I don't quite understand it, but go on."

"Alright, let me start with something simple. An archer needs to have good eyesight to shoot right?"

"Right."

"Well, my eyesight, because my class is Archer, is stronger than most. Even in pitch darkness, I can see quite clearly. Distance is of little concern to me as well. Not to boast or anything, but across a battlefield, I would be able to clearly see the enemy commander's eyes."

"That sounds too farfetched."

"Farfetched or not, what I tell you is the truth. I don't know much in the arts that Merlin uses, but I can at the very least do this. Please close your eyes for a moment."

"Wha?" I asked, but my body responded automatically. I closed my eyes and I felt a tip touch my forehead. Suddenly, an image jumped out at me. It was a picture of Sir Archer, and ranks denoting of strength, magic, luck, and so on.

"What was that?!" I exclaimed as I opened my eyes. As I did so, the image disappeared.

Sir Archer had a longing look in his eyes. "That was a trick an old friend showed me. It lets you see the statistics of people you've met. You'll know their strength and such and can make accurate decisions. Each vision is different from people to people, your mind will organize the information to what you can understand best.

"Now that you know that much about me, I'll take my leave if there's nothing else."

As if sensing that I wished to be left alone with my thoughts, Sir Archer quickly stepped out of the room and locked the door. I was left alone to my thoughts as I had wanted, but… a part of me… wished that he was still here…

Shaking my head, I turned to my bed and buried my head in my pillow. More thoughts plague me now, more than just Saxon and knights. Now the image of Sir Archer floats around inside my head though… I'm not too adverse to looking at it.

Caren's Corner

Caren: "So the idiot has stumbled back. Saber, you seem to have a... healthy imagination..."

Saber: "Don't call it that!!! Besides, that was when I was little!"

Caren: "Oh? So even at that age you were imagining things like that?"

Saber: "N-no! T-that was... um... uh..."

Caren: "Fufufufufu... You don't have to hide it from me, Saber. Lewd thoughts are only natural to a young girl."

Saber: "Yes... but no... um... I... but I...."

Caren: "Don't deny yourself! Be who you truly are! Live for your own life! Isn't that what Shirou has taught you?"

Saber: "Caren... yes... I should live for my own self more..."

Caren: "Do so! And God, please forgive this girl for her waton and unbridled perverse thoughts!"

Saber: "WHAT?!?!?!"

See you next time in Caren's Corner.

Extra

Sir Archer's Stats:

Alignment: True Neutral

Sex: Male

Height: 187 cm.

Weight: 78 kg.

Strength: D

Endurance: C

Agility: C

Mana: B

Luck: E

All other parameters unknown.

Extra 2

King Arthur and the Knights

1. King Arturia "Arthur" Pendragon

2. Sir Archer

3. Sir Kay

4. Sir Bedivere

5. Sir Agravain

6. Sir Tristain

7. Sir Tor

8. Sir Dagonet

9. Sir Cador

10. Sir "Not-Important-Enough-to-be-Quite-Mentioned-Just-Yet"

So Archer is back... is he really Archer? Well, we'll find out soon enough. Are everyone's personality in somewhat canon? I worry about them being too OOC. Also, if there are any inaccuracies, especially in the knights and mythical or historical facts, please inform me so that I may change them. There are also cases where these errors are necessary because since Sir Archer has come back, time is moving in a different direction... perhaps. Look forward to the next chapter.