Arturia brought the cup to her lips before taking a sip of the tea that was ordered. Her eyes closed, savoring the unique flavor of it. Leaves from a plant that never existed in her world made from that same method. A universal trait among humans, it would seem.

But it couldn't hope to come close to Shirou's. Nothing could.

"I hope you understand why I chose you out of anyone else, including the king's choice of mercenaries." Arturia started off, taking another sip from her drink. Éclair mirrored the action, their tastes were similar at least.

She set the cup down, "I do. I did when you first approached me. But keep in mind that adventurers don't like being called mercenaries, it makes them frustrated."

"But are they not? They take on jobs that pay them upon completion. Protection, security, hunts and even bounties."

"I believe it has more to do with the meaning. Those that are truly mercenaries have less of a moral code than adventurers. Mainly because of their ideals. Mercenaries are mostly comprised of those that either failed to become adventurers, or they were permanently barred from continuing that line of work. That sort of situation breeds negative emotions, less thoughts on the good of things and more on what pays best, regardless of how dubious it may seem."

"I see." Arturia takes another sip before continuing.

"Having someone that follows that same moral code and honor by your side proves to be more beneficial, especially when money isn't considered top priority. The king has already provided me with a small sum to assist in acquisitions for the future. Supplies, material and anything that would be considered useful for this task."

"Would that include taking on more allies for this? Or would you prefer smaller numbers?"

"For the time being, I feel that you are enough. I have yet to find another that can match your skill, but that may not take long as I have yet to even leave the castle." Éclair nodded, remembering the short clash the two shared in the training yard.

Thirty minutes earlier

"How about a spar?" Arturia suggested before walking to a set of training swords. Tossing one to Éclair, she lowered her stance and readied herself. Both hands on the grip, Arturia decided to let Éclair take the first action.

Almost immediately, Éclair rushed forward at a remarkable speed. Though to the knight, it was as if watching in slow motion. If memory served her, King Aultcray said something about her… level being reset. Arturia knew enough that something like that would bring her abilities back to the bottom.

But it didn't say the same for her skills and experience. Those would stay no matter what.

The two clashed swords multiple times, feeling for each other's weak points. Suffice to say, Arturia showed none for her opponent. Éclair's experience allowed for not many openings. Éclair rushed again before feinting a slash to the left before performing a sweeping kick.

Arturia skipped lightly, easily dodging the attempt of throwing her off balance before appearing right in front of Éclair. The training sword against her torso.

"Dead." Arturia backed up a few paces before readying her stance once more.

"Again."

It seems that Éclair decided to no rush things this time. Good. Despite being very skilled, her abilities led her to be rather… confident. But that came from before her capture and imprisonment, her abilities are no longer what they used to be. She's no longer as fast or as powerful in her swings as before.

It will change in due time.

Arturia lifted the training sword to intercept the overhead slash before tilting the blade to the side and let Éclair's slide downward before catching it in the wooden cross guard. With a twist, the sword flew from Éclair's hand as she watched it sail to the edge of the training square.

"Your confidence in your abilities stem from before you lost your power. You need to adapt again to handle much stronger opponents. The knights here may be of higher level, but your skills far outweigh that." Éclair slumped her shoulders, taking the advice to heart while she relaxed.

"Understand that I am here to help you now, as I have chosen you over anyone else in this castle to join me." Arturia held out her hand before Éclair took it and shook it.

"I won't let you down."

"I know you won't."

Present

"Your lack of armor is… unsettling. We should acquire a set for you from a local smithy."

"I had a set custom fitted for me, but when I was falsely imprisoned, it was confiscated and most likely melted down for the men." Éclair sighed, her shoulders slumped. Arturia understood the feeling, many times had her own armor taken too much damage in her early years of the war, leaving her no choice but to have it melted down and reforged. Luckily as time went on, Merlin had enchanted the set she still wore today, able to take on the fiercest of blows.

"All the more reason to acquire a new set. Is there a smithy nearby? It would be best to handle this matter before too long."

It wasn't a matter of time, as she had visited the church with Éclair after their bout to learn about the hourglass that somehow could tell her when the calamity would arrive. Such a thing wasn't present in the Age of Gods, but then, her time of rule was already nearing the end of that particular age. Perhaps it was commonplace at the pinnacle of that era. Questions that no longer need answering.

"There is one, a Mr. Erhard. He's a kind man, but he is quite blunt."

"What smithy isn't?"

"True." The two ladies shared a laugh at that.

"I couldn't help but notice your lack of a sword. You said you were apparently the sword hero."

Arturia shook her head, "I am no hero. To these people, I am considered a messiah, but I am not. I am just a knight who fell in defense of her kingdom… But if you insist."

Excalibur appeared in a flash of gold mist, appearing in her hands as if it never left. Éclair's eyes widened, taking on an awed expression. The Holy Sword has no equal, aside from a certain reality splitting cylinder.

"It's… I don't think I have any words that could describe what I'm feeling when I look at it. As if I should bow to you instead of the king…" Éclair's eyes blinked multiple times before shaking her head.

"Strange. I didn't think I'd ever say such a thing." She took another look at the sword before Arturia willed it away.

"That sword doesn't look like a knight's sword. It looks like it belongs to a king."

"Perhaps, but there were blades in Camelot that eclipsed it by a fair margin. In power and appearance." A lie to be sure, but it was best to avoid the topic altogether.

"Really? How powerful?"

"A fellow knight by the name of Sir Gawain had the power of the sun in his hand. Well, in his sword, but I'm sure you understand. Capable of sending a wave of the hottest flame in a widespread attack. Those caught in it were reduced to less than ashes." It was no surprise that Éclair's expression held one of awe and intrigue.

"Was it a holy weapon?"

"In a way, but these blades were forged by hands much higher in power than mere humans. Have you heard of the Fae?" She shook her head.

"No, I don't believe I have."

It's understandable the Fae having no presence in this world, much less any influence. It was most likely for the best, for there are those here that would no doubt abuse the power they gave, just as there were in her own world.

"I didn't expect you to, they were a race of magically gifted people, much more attuned to the ways of the arcane than any other. They alone could forge weapons capable of taking over the world."

"Then it's for the best that they are not here."

"Agreed." Éclair turned her head to look at something before pointing in that direction.

"The blacksmith is just over here." The two carried on to the front door, the sign of a hammer and anvil above it and well displayed for those around the area. Éclair pushed open the door, prompting Arturia to follow.

The front desk was empty, but the sound of a hammer striking steel was easily heard, even from outside. Something must be set up for customers entering because the pounding silenced, and a large man walked out of the back. Well over six feet tall with an expression of intrigue.

"What brings you two ladies to my little shop? I assume it's for armaments."

"You would be correct, smithy. My companion needs a set of custom fitted armor, nothing more." He nodded, his hand to his chin while looking over Éclair.

"Didn't I make you a set a few years back?"

"Yes, but it was confiscated by the church and was dismantled."

"What? Those idiots…" He facepalmed, shaking his head in irritation. He sighed before continuing.

"Alright, let's get started. I think I still have your measurements written down in my book."

Éclair smiled and nodded, "Thank you Erhard. I appreciate it." He waved her off.

"'Think nothing of it. Do you want me to put it on the armor's tab? I'm sure I can sneak it by them." He gave a grin, chuckling all the while. The two shared a small laugh at that.

Arturia stepped in, "While your attempt at humor is well received, it would be best to not embezzle the castles funds when we have what's needed here." Showing the pouch of coin in her hand. Eclair was first to respond.

"It's alright, Arturia. It's mostly a running joke we had the last time I was here. I always pay for my things, so there's no worry." With that said, Éclair produced a pouch of her own.

"The King was kind enough to return most of my things, including what money I had. I'm sorry I didn't bring it up, but I was under the assumption that you didn't need anything from here."

"Of course I don't, we're here for you."

"In which I can pay for my own armor." Arturia stayed silent before nodding.

"Very well. I'll peruse while you handle your business."

Arturia left them to talk more to look around the shop. Swords, spears, shields, bows and other styles of weapons hung on the wall. Even ones that she didn't recognize entirely. They all were ordinary, there was nothing special about them. Some did have a different color than others, a light green straight sword, a pitch-black polearm, other strange colors adorned these weapons.

All of these weapons with no one to use them. The blacksmith, Erhard, makes them with the hope that one day every one of his creations would see the light of battle. She smiled a bit before reaching out to pick up one of the daggers on the table and inspected it.

"Arturia." Setting the small blade down, the knight turned to look to Éclair who was still in her usual attire.

"Erhard's going to be working on making a new set instead of modifying an existing one. It'll be a few days until it's finished."

"Then it is supplies that we will take care of next. Come." With that, Arturia left the blacksmith with Éclair not far behind.

A large portion of the day was spent finding supplies while keeping light on them. Mostly utensils and tools for handling food outside of a kitchen. Sadly, her skills in cooking were… sub-par compared to most. Luckily Éclair knew well enough in hunting, skinning and preparing meat of most animals.

Her time in the village she grew up in apparently pays off.

Within a few hours of gathering supplies and learning the local area and forestry, the two were already outside the gate.

"Well, I believe that we would do a good job." Éclair seemed overtly enthusiastic, much to Arturia's agreement with the sentiment.

"Yes. I believe we shall."

I understand that I make long chapters and short chapters, but there are times where I end up losing the motivation to write a longer chapter. It's on my end, really.

I don't know about any of you, but whatever SQ I've been earning from the storyline (I'm on the seventh Singularity) and the event that's taking place right now, I have not been lucky. I've been getting others, but they're almost always 4 Stars.

It sounds contradicting when I think about it. I suppose it's more on the lines of "I hold no more hope for it, but I still make the attempts."

Anyway, I hope you guys have a good summer. I'll try to keep writing despite my waning motivation.