"My liege! Isn't this course of action a bit too rash?!"
"What if he decides to deal a fatal blow once he faces you, My King?"
These are the worried voices of Sirs Bedivere and Lancelot, who are currently speaking out their grievances to their King's decision to square off in a duel with Sir Archer to prove the redhead's worth. Currently they are in the training grounds. With Arturia, Lancelot, and Bedivere on the North End, while Archer, Mordred and Kay are on the South End. As the King of Knights warmed up for the spar, Sir Bedivere continued his argument.
"My liege", said an exasperated Bedivere, "The last time you faced someone off in a real duel is when you still possess Avalon. And we can't tell what Sir Archer's true motive in Camelot is. Lord knows what he'll do If he catches you off guard."
"I agree with Sir Bedivere on this one, My King." Said Lancelot. "What would happen if Sir Archer decided to strike a fatal blow on you then and there? Whether he helped Sir Mordred or not, he is still a potential enemy that we haven't properly gauged yet."
These two are always the ones to convince the King of Knights to Not engage in any sort of physical combat. Ever since the loss of Avalon all those years ago, the pair have done everything in their power to dissuade her into letting one of the Knights take over her duels, convincing the King to let the generals lead the armies themselves, and basically keep her away from anyone who challenges her in a fight. For years, they succeeded-with the help of Kay and half of the Round at the beginning. They managed to narrow down potential challengers to those who have sworn not to harm Arturia. And if the King wants to spar with someone, they managed to keep her from dueling anyone but the Knights of the Round.
Sure, they must keep the notion that Camelot's King is a fighter, and not someone to back down in a duel. So, the Round occasionally organized tournaments year-round to show the people that their King is not a pushover. And for the most part, it worked! They gave the contestants dulled weapons whenever it is time to fight the King, however; the Round have managed to make them swear an oath of secrecy that, if broken, means death. Lots of gold were given to these tournament challengers as a prize since they technically protected the King from people who wanted to harm her.
The Round perfected the art of presentation. Perfectly showing their King at the forefront of the battlefield to boost the morale of the men, and letting the generals take over the brunt of the fighting as they guided her to the rear lines. That too, worked like a charm. With everyone giving praise to the King for her bravery and lessening the impact of defeat by equally blaming the generals who lost the battles.
They perfected the art of persuasion whenever a challenger came forth and demanded a duel with the King. First, they intimidate the challenger. If that doesn't work, bribery would do. If that doesn't work, then they have no choice but to let the challenger spar – with dulled blades of course. As well as the usual oath of secrecy to keep them from spilling the beans.
And while all these acts were done in the name of the King, said King became dissatisfied with fighting anyone after a few years. She became a bit dull when it comes to fighting but she's still deadly after all these years because of it. Arturia knew that this 'overprotection' as she described it hindered her abilities a bit. But she couldn't stop her Knights in what they're doing because she understood the reason of their overprotection of her. That's why she wants to fight this Archer. Because…
"Sir Archer won't do anything that will harm me, Bedivere. And he certainly is no enemy, Lancelot." Arturia said. "This is nothing but a simple spar to prove his worth. We can't accept an incompetent warrior in my kingdom, after all."
Naturally, the two knights gawked at their King. Why wouldn't they? Their liege just dismissed the possibility that Archer might be a threat. This never happened before. Arturia always allowed the Knights of the Round to do a background check to anyone she duels. But this time, the King of Knights is fully trusting on this man - a potential hostile stranger- to not harm her. It's incredulous, right?
"But my liege!" Said a Bedivere who quickly recovered from the shock. "The man is someone we just met not too long ago! We know nothing about him. He could well be a spy from Hengist's Saxon horde."
"I second Sir Bedivere, my King" said the Knight of the Lake. "Even though he has proven that he is an honest fellow, that does not mean he deserves to be trusted. He might as well kill you the second he has a chance."
The King of Knights was used to this. After years of not having a counterargument against their actions to protect her, this time she'll fight back.
"There is something with the man as I laid my eyes upon him." Looking back at her Knights as she speaks to them.
"Something that's telling me that he isn't the hostile enemy that you two paint him to be." Her voice is filled with such finality that Bedivere and Lancelot couldn't argue back.
"It's as if, there was a voice in my head saying that he is someone that would never do anything that would harm me. Besides,"
The King of knights looked directly into their eyes – as if saying "Fight me". "I could easily cut him down should he try something out of line"
Arturia knows what bloodlust feels like. So, if any hint of Archer striking her for a fatal wound comes up, she would end his life, no hesitation. Her heart twisted at the thought.
As she picked up her training sword, she then proceeded to head towards the training grounds. Leaving Bedivere and Lancelot to their thoughts. The Knights knew they can't win against their King after he (They know her as male) sets his mind on something. But a question formed up in their minds. 'Who is this Archer to the King that he'll put so much trust on the redhead?'
Meanwhile…
"Mordred, what went wrong for this to happen?"
"The hell if I know! I'm just as clueless as you are. The hell did you do to deserve this anyways?"
"Well, somehow, he earned the curiosity of the King. And rightfully so. You are much more interesting than you expect, Archer. The King must've seen something special in you. Even more so than our friend over here. And Mordred is a special kid, in his own right at least"
"I'd like to see things from your point of view, Kay, but I can't get my head that far up my ass! Asshole!"
'What a sailor's tongue' thought the two men
The trio are currently at the South End of the training grounds. Archer was warming up for the duel. Mordred was there to help him out through brief swordfights to wake up the redhead's senses. Surprisingly, Kay was with them. Claiming that he was inspecting the sword – Rhindon- and wanted to see it in action. But in reality, he was curious about Archer.
'Who are you Archer? Who are you to cause Wart to have a lapse in judgment?'
Kay had never seen his sister act in such a way. There were so many odd things he noticed Arturia do. The small smiles she gives to Archer whenever he talks, the small chuckle directed to Archer and Mordred, and right now she's practically handing her life to a stranger. Who is this Archer to cause such a drastic change of attitude in his sister? And looking back at their conversation it seems as if Arturia was as confused as he is.
45 minutes ago…
"Arthur! Why did you challenge him into a duel? What were you thinking? Didn't you realize you could've just had Mordred duel him? You're basically giving a stranger a chance to take your head!"
The King of Knights and her brother are inside the room of the Round Table. The rest of its former occupants headed out to the training grounds to clear out anyone who was using it so that they can use it for the upcoming duel.
"I have made up my mind, Kay. I wish to see his strength. If he can defeat a man who bested Sir Mordred in a fair fight, then he would be a useful asset"
'There is sound logic in her argument' thought Kay 'A man who is potentially stronger than a knight of the Round is a rare find these days. If Wart truly wishes Archer to join her side, then I can't stop her. A powerful ally in Archer is needed these days. However,
"Wart" said a Kay filled with worry, "You just met the man today. If anything, Archer is dangerous. We know nothing about him. We don't know his intentions, his motive, hell, we don't even why he saved Mordred. He gave nothing of the sort. In fact, we don't even know if he's on our side."
"He's on our side because not only did he save Mordred but spent the entire journey back to Camelot protecting him!" The King of Knights raised her voice a little. Not too loud for to classify as a shout, but loud enough to get the message that she's annoyed through Kay's head.
"So, what if he did? What if he just used Mordred to get to you? What if Archer just tried to get on Mordred's good side to get closer to you? What if he planned this meeting so that the duel will happen? He could kill you out there, Wart. Don't do this." Said a pleading Kay.
To Kay, Archer was a good man. He was honest, calculating, and even kind – as he observed him with Mordred. But he can't help but be suspicious about him. He just popped out of nowhere after all. Plus, his sister's safety reigns supreme above everything he does. So, he was willing to do everything he can to convince Arturia to not fight. Even if it means to paint a good man into a villain.
Arturia was hurt when she heard his brother label Archer as a conniving assassin who was waiting for the right opportunity to strike at her. She doesn't know why, but it infuriated her hearing her brother's words. Because somewhere deep down her conscience,
"That's not true." Spoke a Neutral faced Arturia. "He would never do such a thing."
"And how do you know that?" Said kay, voice laced with accusation and hints of…confusion?
In his mind the Tall Knight was rattling his brain for a rational answer at his sister's behaviour. Because while she didn't notice it, he saw her face morph into shock, then rage, then emotionless. Who is this Archer who was able to make his sister feel this way about him?
": Because I know he won't!"
Good thing there was no one in the room. Because the emotionless mask the King placed upon her face broke apart. What replaced it was a fury not even Kay himself has seen. And then, as weird as it sounds, the brother-sister pair wore a look of shock, and after a moment, confusion reigned in on them as they try to make sense at what just happened.
Putting up a mask of impassiveness, Arturia continued.
"See to it that the training grounds are prepared for the duel."
"… As you wish, Your Highness…"
And with that, the Tall Knight left the room.
Present time.
"Listen, Archer." Said Kay, "The King has made it pretty clear that she wants to spar with you so here's how it goes." He waited to get the redhead's attention before he continued. As the Tall Knight got it, he said,
"The rules of the duel are simple; knock the King of his feet and you win. Simple right?"
"I'm guessing the problem with your explanation is that you make it sound easy." Said the deadpanned redhead.
"Correct!" replied Kay with a smug look. "No one has ever made Arthur lose in a duel. But I got hopes for you, friend. So don't go looking so despondent."
"…You've placed a bet that I would win, didn't you?"
"Ah! I've been caught. I guess I have no choice but to double my bet now."
"Hah! Yeah, right. I know firsthand that Archer is good, but there is no way that he can beat the King. Sorry Kay, looks like your money going to be mine soon."
The voice of Mordred interrupted the two's conversation. And from the looks of it, behind her is the betting stall that was hastily set up by the castle servicemen working in the grounds.
"The fact that the Knights of the Round are gambling at a poor man's plight worries me." Said Archer. To which the Knights just laughed at.
"Alright! From the looks of it, you're ready now, Archer." Said Kay
"Now, procedure's simple too, step into the circle and meet the King at the centre. Once the bell rings, that's when the duel begins." As he finished, Kay then pointed to the bell at the top of the wall beside the grounds.
"Also," the Tall Knight held Archer by his shoulders so that he can look at the redhead straight in the eyes. "I know I've said this already, but there really is something special about you. Special enough to catch Wart's attention."
As he looked at Archer's face, Kay knew he knew what he meant. So, he continued,
"Whatever that is, I just wish that you don't use it to hurt him."
Archer felt Kay's hands tighten as the Tall Knights face darkened, "We wouldn't want that, won't we?"
"I get you. And you don't have to worry, I have no intention of harming your King. Not that I could, in the first place." Came the nonchalant response.
"What with all the people in the grounds as well as 4 Knights of the Round."
"Don't get smart with me, Archer. I'm telling you, anything out of line and I will not think twice on taking you down."
"…Alright, alright. I get it, now would you please let me go now, I have a duel to fight."
Kay let him go after giving a very clear warning. As Archer walked to the center of the circle, training sword in hand, he began thinking of a way to fight Arturia without trying to arouse suspicion. You see, after all these years, the lessons the King of Knights taught to the naïve boy in the dojo all those years ago is still fresh in the redhead's mind. Now, he was a trained killer, but some Arturia's fighting style is still there in his form. To the normal eye, they won't see it, but Archer was facing his former teacher so of course she'll notice a pattern in his move set. Now the question was, how can he fight in such a way that doesn't show Arturia's influence? Simple, he can still go for his suicidal battle style that he's perfected as a Counter Guardian.
With that matter resolved, Archer noticed that he was already close to the center of the circle. Arturia was already there before him. He stopped just 2 arms' length away from her. And it was then when a voice popped up.
"Are you prepared for our duel, Sir Archer? Not a lot of people can boast that they've defeated me. I hope that you won't overestimate yourself to the point of self-harm. It's been years since I've first dueled with a real warrior. And while I commend you for defeating Drecken, I'm afraid that our fight will be you last." She drew her training sword and went to the battle pose that Archer is well-acquainted with.
Archer will definitely not let that taunt slide. So, he retorted with his own.
"Don't get cocky, Arthur King" Arms folded and guard up, he continued. "Many a King have fallen by my blade. And by the end of this, you'll be on your knees screaming."
He defeated the King of Heroes after all. As well as Arturia (in night battles at least.). So, he has every right to brag about his feat against humanity's oldest hero and Britain's greatest King. But his taunt…
'Ok… that didn't sound as good as I thought.' Archer thought
'I know that he was taunting me, but why do feel thrilled at the thought of him making me… No. No! Purge these thoughts. Now is not the time.' Thought Arturia
"Prepare yourself…" Already in a battle stance, he tensed, "You've selected a terrible opponent as your first." And with these words, he charged.