I am Balian of Ibelin, tasked with a mission to bring these people prophesied to aid us in the upcoming struggle against the Beast. And I… still have little understanding as to what I've just learned.
"Ishtar, stop swerving around! I'm so close to falling." Ritsuka whined as he struggled to get a grip on the "goddess'" flying contraption she called 'ma-na'.
"I did tell you that getting on it was a bad idea in the first place. But come on, master!" Ishtar waved off the justified complaint. She then raised her hand towards the boy's sister and then said, "Look at Ritsu over there. She's not moving an inch."
"I'm scared frozen, Ishtar!" Ritsu yelped as she hugged onto the contraption with greater strength.
"Haaahh… how refreshing it is to have such youthful masters." I turned to my right to see the Florentine woman from Vinci who was with me in my wagon for the journey home. She looked as if she were the mother of these two. Fondly gazing at them as they feared for their lives.
It has been hours since I discovered these strange folk from the heavens. The journey both up and down the mountain took and will take us from dusk till dawn. The travel should have been shorter, but the young ones insisted on explaining their circumstances to me before leaving. To tell the truth, I did not understand a single thing they told me. The hospitaller with me looked as if he was as lost as I was. Is that why he spoke with Lady Vinci separately for a considerable amount of time? To gain as much information as he could? I suppose I'll have to ask him myself later.
We did not account for the fact that these… Chaldeans… might not have suitable transportation to aid them in our journey back to the King's Camp. Hence, an arrangement wherein the "goddess" will supply the means whilst my band will guide them down the mountain. Truthfully, I would have made the necessary changes to allow them to ride in my wagon, but the woman of Vinci declined my offer. At the very least, I am comforted by the fact that I don't have to be near that daemonette that parades herself as a deity.
"Ishtar's a bit rough on the edges, sure " I heard Leonora speak to me as she assumed a thoughtful pose. "But she's getting better! She's not that mischievous anymore and is really just being herself. You'll come around one day."
I looked at the woman beside me strangely. Had I spoken my thoughts aloud? I don't quite think so. So, what source did she use to figure me out? I regarded her with a greater sense of suspicion as she smiled at me cryptically.
"As much as you wish yourself to be this oh so stoic knight who doesn't smile at all," Lady Vinci said in a matter of factly tone that barely hid her cheeky demeanour. "It cannot work against a genius such as me."
"You're a… genius?" I asked confusedly. I have not heard of any man nor woman refer to one's own self as a genius. She looked at me with wide eyes as realisation dawned upon her.
"Nevermind." Lady Vinci coughed into her hand. She then gracefully switched the subject towards one I did not wish to indulge at the moment.
"So how's the first glimpse of the moonlit world?" She asked me with curiosity. "Though, it can't quite be called your first time. You already were exposed to a prophecy about us and were also supported by servants to fulfil it."
"I knew not of their identity… as far as I am concerned, they were simply nomads from the East." I countered weakly before addressing the first part of what she said. "And the prophecy given to me was from God. It has nothing to do with your 'moonlit' world."
She stayed silent for a short time. I did not expect this turn of events, so I turned towards her. She was looking at me as if she was calculating… something. She then donned a smile of piqued curiosity, causing me to tighten my grip on the reins in alarm.
"You think that the prophecy was from God… interesting, interesting…" Da Vinci hummed as she brushed her chin in thought.
"You disagree?" I asked with narrowed eyes. I do not like where this conversation is going.
"Oh, please don't take offence!" Da Vinci quickly raised her hands in denial of my claim. "I am merely stating what you believe, that's all."
"And yet it appears that you do not think the same way." I countered with a level tone as I eyed the road downhill.
"Well… it's because there are many ways a person can receive a prophecy." Da Vinci answered with a voice only a teacher can give. "You can study the arcane knowledge of wizards and mages past, you can be born with the gift of premonition, you can find an artefact like the Oracle to do the same thing, and so much more-"
"But one from God Himself is questionable." I interjected bluntly. She was expecting it too, as evident by the quick switch in demeanour.
"Yes, that's right." Da Vinci said before turning away from me to face the winter winds. "Rare are prophecies from a deity as grand and mighty as the Christian God. Better yet, they are not that proactive in helping us, their 'creations'."
"A bold claim, I must confess." I hummed as I guided the wagon around the bending and winding roads that lead to the camp. "But who am I to judge? I thought the same as you, once upon a time."
"Oh?" Da Vinci raised her eyebrow a little bit. A sort of knowing smile graced her lips before fading into a thoughtful frown. "And here I thought you were a zealot. A man unshakeable in faith and stature."
"You jest." I said to her with a deadpan expression, to which I got a cheeky laugh in reply.
"You're right, I'm just kidding." Da Vinci crossed her arms to shield herself from the cold. "But back to what you were saying. What did you mean by that?"
"I cannot say much." I told her as I stared at my feet in shame. "But long ago, I was once a criminal charged with the crime of murder. I left my hometown in search of my long estranged father, whom I rejected at first. When I found him, I stayed with his party and lived to be around him. We were journeying back to Jerusalem, where my Father - the Baron of Ibelin - served. Little did I know that I led my captors to his camp…"
"Let me guess." Da Vinci said with a sombre, downtrodden expression. "Your father died."
"And so did a lot of good men." I shook my head in dismay. "From then on, I treated my journey to these lands as a means of penance. My duty as Baron and Knight to my King as a debt I need to pay… for my sins and myself."
"You were weighed down by your transgressions." Da Vinci muttered underneath her breath.
"To the point that I once proclaimed, after climbing up the Hill of Golgotha, where Christ died, that God did not hear me." I was about to speak once more, but I was interrupted by Da Vinci. Who, with an eerie voice, spoke aloud what I wanted to say to myself.
"You felt as if you were outside God's Grace…" Da Vinci said, as if realisation dawned upon her.
"You must have felt the same way." I nodded to her as I squinted my eyes to get a more focused view of the road ahead. "For you to be so sceptical and questioning the power God has and what he can do… I can find myself in agreement with your words if we met earlier. But after what has happened to me this past week… I can only say that He works in ways we cannot see. And that only after it has happened will we realise what He had done."
"Yes… I can accept that." Da Vinci rested her chin on her palm in contemplation. It appears that she has lost her desire to converse with me. And so, I left it at that. And at the right time too. For in the distance I was looking for this entire time: the King's camp.
Later… the King's Camp… near the closest hill that leads to the path up Mt. Hermon. An hour before daybreak.
I did not want to alarm the whole camp of the presence of the Chaldeans. As soon as I deemed it close enough, I stopped the wagon train to reorganise the men to allow the Chaldeans enough space to fit in my own. I even offered them our winter cloaks to hide them from the suspicious eyes of the King's camp. I do not want any issue to arise that would distract the King from what truly matters. The children were enthused, though Ishtar did not like the arrangement at all. It was through the combined effort of the children and Lady Vinci that she relented. Though she ripped off the hood as she 'wanted everyone to bask in her beauty'. The Hospitaller, Lady Xuanzang and Touta commandeered another wagon. Leaving me to keep watch on the King's new guests.
"Woah… this is so different from Uruk…" Ritsu muttered as she and her brother gazed at the camp from the back of the wagon. "Look! They're Crusaders. They've got the crosses and the swords and everything!"
"I really like their armour." Ritsuka said as he smiled at the soldiers they passed by. " It reminds me of Richard's. So colourful and filled with many coats of arms."
I glanced at them from the front in curiosity. What is a Crusader? And why did they refer to the King's men as such? Is that what they called the men of Jerusalem from whence they came? It must be foreign in origin. Whatever the case may be, what I heard only highlights the strangeness of my situation.
"Hey Sir Balian." Ritsuka asked as he made his way to the seat behind me. "What year is it?"
I looked at him oddly, to which I only got a confused look. These children have information about the Secret side of the world that would be enough to break a man, and yet they lack the means to know the current date? How is that even possible?
"It's the year of our Lord, 1184." I answered curtly before turning back towards the path. I can see my side of the camp from here, I then guided the reins to direct the wagon train there.
"1184… Why is that year familiar…" Ritsu hummed in thought as she wracked her head trying to remember something.
"We'll find out soon, my cute masters." Da Vinci, who was beside Ritsu, rubbed the girl's head. "What are we going to do now, Sir Balian?"
"I will ask the Hospitaller to arrange some beddings for you all while I speak to my King about your arrival. He will take over from there." I said as we halted to a stop. We have finally arrived at my camp.
A multitude of men started surrounding the wagon train to aid us in unloading from it. They are all sworn to my house of Ibelin, as shown by the red and white shirts with the cross on their chests. They, as was ordered of them, treated the Chaldeans with respect while keeping them an arm's length away. I expected to only see my men right about now as not everyone is awake at this time. But to my surprise, as I brought myself down the wagon and handed the reins to one of my lieutenants, I was approached by a group of blue clad knights who came from the open gap of my camp. In the middle of the knights was a greying, yet stern looking man who clenched his sword's hilt as if wary and guarded.
"Balian. The King calls for you." Tiberias growled as he glanced at the people at my back. I turned around to see their peculiar reactions. The children were quizzical, as if deciphering the King's Right Hand Man's identity. Lady Vinci had that gleam of recognition, like she solved some puzzle of her own making. Ishtar just crossed her arms, completely unimpressed at the man before them.
"Lord Tiberias." I saluted with respect before returning to business with a firm face. "He is awake at this time? It is not healthy for him to be up this soon."
"The King demands it, and there is nothing we can do to stop him. He's too stubborn for his own good sometimes." Tiberias huffed in agreement with me before returning his gaze once more to the Chaldeans.
"You must be the reason for the King's restlessness." He walked past me after I stood aside. He raised his hand in salute to the Chaldeans and said. "Well met. You can call me Tiberias. Forgive me for my lack of niceties. I would like you to have your rest, but the King desires your presence immediately. Follow Balian here and be there as soon as possible."
"Y-yes Sir!" Ritsuka straightened up before the man. "We'll be there as you say so." Ritsu nodded fiercely without saying a word. They are clearly intimidated by Tiberias' attitude.
"Then I shall go on ahead of you. Take care of them, young Balian." Tiberias turned around to walk past me once more. Before he left, he clasped my shoulder and smiled at me knowingly. I grimaced at him because I knew that he did not want to be as involved in this mess as I was. He was leaving me to wade through this quagmire on my own and there is nothing I can do about the fact.
"Don't think of us too much as a burden, Balian." Da Vinci giggled at me as she crossed her arms. "We're quite capable if you spend the time to know more about us, you know?"
I nodded tersely at that remark before leaving her and the Chaldeans to speak with the Hospitaller. Truly, that woman and her innate skill of reading what is in my mind sends shivers down my spine. How is it that she knows what's in my head without me even saying it? A gut feeling is telling me that I would rather not know. Moving on, I then found the Hospitaller conversing with my men and the two 'Servants' from the East. They must have been talking about the events of last night. The hushed tones and the hastened words from Xuanzang and Touta signalled that it was a private conversation not meant for everyone to hear. Even I was excluded from it, as they silenced themselves before me.
"Ah, Balian. We were just talking about you." The Hospitaller said with a pleasant smile. "The men over here offered to create tents for our guests for their stay here."
"Then I am thankful. Please go and tend to your daily duties." I said to my men, who bowed in respect before leaving me alone with the Hospitaller and the servants.
"They are surprisingly quick to accept the strangeness of these two." The Hospitaller hummed as he rubbed his chin in front of the sheepish nomads. "Well, that might be because of their efforts during our encounter in the mountain. They even went so far to offer their thanks to them."
"But it still does not forgive the fact that they hid the truth from us." I said as I caught myself unintentionally distracted from my main purpose. "Nevermind. All things will have their due time. Now, listen to me and what I have to say."
"What is it, Balian?" Xuanzang asked as she tilted her head.
"The King wishes to speak with the Chaldeans." I explained shortly as I turned to the group in question. "And from the looks of it, he would wish to meet you too."
"But we're not part of their group." Touta said confusedly.
"In the eyes of the King, it appears that distinction matters little." I looked straight at the two nomads. "Before all of this, the King wanted to speak to you first. But he withheld his desire because he said that you were 'incomplete'. Now that the Chaldeans are here…"
"We understand." Xuanzang raised her hand. "We will come with you."
"Then let's go. We shall not waste time." I then beckoned the group to follow me. As soon as we started walking, Lady Vinci took the time to guide the children to follow us. As the two groups merged, some form of conversation came forth. Their chatter was quiet, as if careful and guarded. It seems that they do not trust each other enough to be I'm friendly terms. But there is one thing my mind took great note of whilst leading them all to the King's tent.
"Why does that guy look familiar…" Ritsuka mumbled as he cupped his chin in thought.
Later…. The King's camp… nearing daybreak.
The King has many duties he has to attend to. Each and every one of them is strenuous and difficult due to his advanced illness. Every morning he undergoes careful treatment from his physicians and his nurses. Part of which is the long and arduous task of cleaning his wounds and replacing his bandages. It is why Tiberias and I worry for him. He needs his rest and the time to tend to his illness. He is at risk of causing further damage to his body. It's also why we had to wait for an hour just outside the King's tent. He deserves his privacy.
"Euughh… What's that stench?" Ishtar pinched her nose in disgust as she looked around for the smell. "It's like Gugalanna took a dump and just left it to rot."
Every single one of us looked at the cloaked girl in alarm. The guards especially. Everyone knows that a leper emits a sort of odour that isn't exactly pleasing to the senses, but this is the King she's indirectly insulting. Lady Vinci seems to have caught wind of my thoughts, as she hastily redirected the conversation into safer waters.
"N-now that we are about to meet the King, what should we expect to see?" Lady Vinci said as Ritsu panickedly reprimanded Ishtar under hushed tones. "I gather that he's the peaceful type of King?"
"If we choose our words correctly, then yes that would be the case." I said pointedly towards Ishtar, who still kept her nose pinched. "My King is as patient as he is wise. He never raises his voice. In part due to his temperance… as well as his illness."
"Illness? Is he sick?" Ritsu asked confusedly. "Then why is he here? Shouldn't he be recovering in the city?"
"That would be, in point of fact, because of you all." I crossed my arms as the children widened their eyes in surprise. "The King was the first to know of the prophecy. And as such, is the first to desire to meet you. It's the only reason this camp was installed."
"Talk about a welcome party." Ishtar brushed her hair to the side. "What kind of disease does he have to take so long to see us, then?"
"Leprosy." I answered bluntly. Their reactions were well within my expectations. Ishtar's eyes narrowed in dislike, Lady Vinci looked away somberly, but the children were mixed between sadness and sympathy and… realisation? Their faces bore similarities to Lady Vinci when she was engrossed in her own puzzle. But why would they react in such a way? What is it all for?
"The King is ready for you." a woman said as she opened the tent entrance. She was one of the nurses. I nodded in acknowledgement and ushered the Chaldeans in. The Hospitaller and his group followed from behind, leaving me as the first to enter.
The shift in light made my eyes dim a little. The two torches in the middle of the tent helped me to adjust. Behind those two sat the King. His bandaged hands were almost covered by the resplendent robes he wore. As my eyes wandered from his chest that bore the coat of arms of Jerusalem to his face, I noticed that he wore the silver mask once more. He must have heard from Tiberias about the young ones and changed accordingly. But even though his face was hidden, I can tell that he had a pleasant smile directed towards the Chaldeans. Before he spoke, he waved to all of the nurses, the guards, and whoever else was there - save for my group - as if ordering them to leave. To which they did.
"Come forward." The King waved to them in a cheery manner. "I would like to meet God's chosen. The ones who would come to aid us in our time of need."
The Chaldeans were speaking in hushed tones before the King called them. It was Lady Vinci who stopped their conversation by holding the children by their shoulders before guiding them near the torches. Ishtar stood beside me near the torch to the left while Ritsuka stood farthest at the right. I turned to him and saw that he was pale white in shock. Was there something I missed? Why is he like that?
"Welcome, servants of prophecy." the King bowed in respect. "I am Baldwin, fourth of my name and King of Jerusalem. We've been expecting you."
"I extend my greetings to you as well, nomads of the East." Baldwin bowed before the servants beside the Hospitaller. "You have come from far away. Though from different circumstances, you too are part of this grand plan that the Lord has in store."
"W-w-we are pleased to meet you too!" Ritsuka bowed lower than the King. His forehead reached the height of his knees before he pulled back. Ritsu and Lady Vince did the same, though to differing degrees. Ritsu only went halfway, while Lady Vinci just lowered her head. Ishtar didn't move at all. I was not able to see whether or not Xuanzang and Touta bowed, but I am sure that they did. After the greetings and the pleasantries were exchanged, the King broke the chatter with a calm voice.
"I must confess. I did not expect that there would be children as young as you two among your host of mystics." King Baldwin admitted as he observed the siblings with unbridled curiosity. "Though, I cannot be one to judge, I was at the age of 13 when I succeeded my father.."
"And 16 at Montgisard…" Ritsuka said before he shut his mouth with his hand. The King was surprised like I was when he said that.
"Yes… that is true…" The King said in awe. Clearly impressed at the boy's knowledge. "How did you know? I am surprised that my feats are known from whence you came."
"Allow me to explain." Lady Vinci said as she stepped forward. She then took something from her left pocket and started doing… whatever she plans to do with it before resting it upon her open hand. In a moment, the thing glowed blue before a bright light erupted from it. Showing so sort of… what is that?
"To simplify, what I am holding is an advanced communicator and what it's projecting is what you called an image. An imitation of something real placed into another medium like parchment. A more technical explanation is that this is a painting made of light. I won't say more, because it will take us days." Da Vinci said in an exasperated voice before pressing something into the communicator. In a few seconds, she showed an image of a large grey structure surrounded by a vast landscape of ice and snow.
"This is CHALDEA." Da Vinci said as the image started to spin in a slow motion. "A facility created by a certain mage named Marisbury Animusphere nearly a thousand years from now. Of which it is being led by our Masters, Ritsuka and Ritsu." The children waved weakly at this. "In a cut short explanation, we use magic from the earth to protect it from anything that plans to wreak havoc upon it. Be it ancient beings from the void, demons, vampires, even 'gods'. Everything that deals with protecting the planet and the timeline, that's us."
"We employ the use of SERVANTS. At some point in History, our deeds have become cemented into the hearts and minds of everyone who knew us and that immortalised us as Heroic Spirits: the manifestation of historical figures that can be summoned in their peak form. Where they are the most powerful version they will ever be. A clear example is us four." Da Vinci raised her hand towards Ishtar and the nomads. "I was an inventor, Ishtar was a deity to her people, and from what I heard, Xuanzang Sanzang is part of a famous tale from ancient China - the land the two of them came from."
"So it seems." King Baldwin nodded in understanding. "You are here to restore order… yes that makes sense… I cannot ask anymore from you. For while simple it is on the surface, what you speak of is still too complicated for me to comprehend at this moment. But why have you come here now and not before? When all things are not yet about to come to a head?"
"Pardon?" Da Vinci asked as she pocketed her communicator. The Chaldeans too were confused at that.
"You have arrived at a point of time where my Kingdom and the muslim kingdom of Salah Al-din are forced to broker a truce with one another against the threat to the North. Camelot is here. And her king, Arthur Pendragon, seeks dominion over us in hopes that we would be 'protected' from the machinations of the Beast called the Human King." The King explained softly. He then turned to me as if questioning me if I am seeing the same thing he's seeing. I turned to where he directed and saw that the Chaldeans were all shocked…
And afraid…
"W-wait that doesn't make sense." Ritsu tried to tell her brother. "I thought we already-"
"I know, right! We made sure that-" Ritsuka and Ritsu then found their mouths shut by Da Vinci, who donned a fake smile before saying.
"We can't say spoilers, kids." Da Vinci laughed whilst Ishtar scoffed loudly. Clearly upset at the news.
"Hmph! Like that would be a problem" Ishtar crossed her arms underneath her brown cloak. "I am more powerful than anything they have to offer. So, you don't need to do anything but show us the way." Ishtar proclaimed with great confidence.
"We shouldn't be so hasty, Ishtar." Da Vinci lightly reminded her. "We're supposed to be the vanguard to let Mashu and the second team have a proper area to drop."
"There are more of you?" The King asked with a hint of hope. He is clearly glad that more help is on the way.
"Quite a lot, in fact." Da Vinci answered for them. "But we can't bring too many because it would overload the systems."
"What she means is that there is a limit to the summoning." Ritsu explained with an apologetic smile to the King who had little knowledge to understand what was said.
"I see." The King nodded in acknowledgement before turning towards the nomads of the east. "What of you two? Where did you come from?"
"It's… complicated…" Xuanzang laughed sheepishly before explaining her tale.
And what a tale it was.
Within the depths of Camelot… Noon…
Clink.
Archer looked towards his (unwanted) employer. He dropped his tools on the table to the side and went to search for her.
Ever since he was forced into this arrangement wherein he became the magician's assistant, he's been ordered to create three to five prototypes with completely different functions and purposes. One for close quarters combat, one for ranged fire, one for fast paced manoeuvres, and two for flight. Basically, he's forced to create a modern army.
As to where Archer is, he is currently within the depths of the Holy City. Since the city was designed with Rhongomyniad, the shape of the whole structure is akin to a lance protruding out of the earth like an iceberg. With the higher levels being the tip and lower levels as the base. Archer's level is like a circle being illuminated by the sunlight coming from the hollowed out centre. You can walk towards the light and look down into the dark hole that has no end to it. Of course, with the safety of railings keeping you alive. But Archer doesn't care about that, he cares about his employer. Wait, no. That sounds wrong somehow. Oh well, Archer could care less. He has more important things to pay attention to.
"Is something wrong?" Archer asked with a raised eyebrow towards Morgan. She was creating the power source for these mass produced sentinels, yet for some reason, she was in some sort of malaise. Ever since last night, she's not quite been herself. Well, if Archer's not counting what happened with Avalon at least.
"It's just a headache. It will pass." Morgan said as she flicked her wrist towards the operational core that rolled to the floor. The core then flew towards her hand. Leaving a trail of dust just floating around the floor. She then smiled at the bowman with strange curiosity before asking,
"Are you worried for my sake?" She asked before laughing into her hand. "My, my, someone's going to be jealous at how you're treating me lately. It's almost as if-"
"Forget that I even asked." Archer rolled his eyes before changing the subject back to the task at hand. "Moving on, I completed three of the models. I don't understand how the other two will even work, yet I still did them. Though, they are still incomplete."
"Good, good." Morgan waved before standing up from her table. "I would like to speak with you more, but there has been… something that caught my attention. Stay here to finish the prototypes. I will give it the necessary power it needs later. Have fun with yourself."
Without even explaining what that business even was, she teleported away from the area and into places unknown. The bowman was used to this happening, but even so he can't help but be annoyed. Without much else to do, he went back to his creations and began the final touches needed to make them complete. Though, he wouldn't do much because half an hour later, one of the doors that leads to this level opened.
CLUNK!
A loud slam from wood hitting metal rang through the floor and into the chasms below. Archer did not flinch, he had heard the loud footsteps beforehand. He knows who this is. And from the frown that found itself on his face, he was not too pleased with the woman who wished an audience with him.
"Sir Archer." Arturia called to him as she stood beside the table her half-sister once sat upon. "I would like a word."
Archer turned around from his work once more. This time, he did not move an inch closer to the woman. Having been made clear of the fact, Arturia frowned before speaking what was in her mind this whole time.
"You won." Arturia said in defeat before glaring towards the direction of the chasm. "I have now allowed the entrance of all those we find outside our wall."
"Yes, I know." Archer crossed his arms. "I heard from your knights."
Both of them stayed silent at this point. Neither wishing to speak any more than they ought to. But for Arturia, it feels like the pressure from the tension in the room was getting to her. As she finally burst out in rage at the impassive look the bowman was giving. With the final straw being that slowly raising eyebrow that never ceases to piss her off.
"That's it?!" Artura asked in indignation. "That's all you're going to say?"
"What did you expect me to say?" Archer asked in confused curiosity. "That, 'I told you so'? That, 'I was always right all along'? Please, your Grace. You are expecting too much of me. Even though I am right, it's not my place to tell you such. We're both grown, and you should know better than to think that I would treat you like a failing student. "
"You are the most insufferable man I have ever had the misfortune to lay my eyes upon." Arturia clenched her fists on her sides. "Every word that comes out of your mouth does nothing but annoy and confound me to the deepest pits."
"I am flattered." Archer scoffed with a smirk before turning around to continue his projects. "But if you were expecting me to play another verbal joust with you, then you are mistaken. I have a job that you oh so willingly thrusted upon me. One I would never wish to spend another minute more than I ought to. You can leave the same way you camE IN-"
Crash!
As soon as he felt an arm on his shoulder, Archer realised that he was flung towards the wall near the door. When the dust settled, he tried to get off the crater he created. However, he was stopped by a steel hand keeping him in place. When it finally cleared, two glowing emeralds filled with rage met his gaze with full force.
"Are you always this violent?" Archer asked weakly as the hand on his shoulder squeezed with inhuman strength.
Grab.
For once, the bowman was forced to silence. As the second hand of the woman before him snaked around his neck. Threatening to crush his throat in a second. He can feel slowly getting tighter and tighter until… until her hand falls down to her side. The conviction in her eyes faltered with it.
"Why can't I kill you, Archer?" Arturia whispered once more. This repeating theme between their meetings showed up once more. "Why is it, whenever I want to, there is another, more powerful force inside of me taking away that desire?"
"I have never felt this way before." She unconsciously leaned her head closer to the unnerved bowman. "This gnawing, festering, emotion within my chest that shows itself every time you are before me. One that, no matter how much I want to seal your mouth shut with my fist, it stops me from doing so. One that even has the audacity to shame me for the thought."
"Do you have an answer to this?" She challenged as she took a step forward, causing Archer to panic. "Do you have some sort of weapon against me that I know not? Tell me, for I will take it from you and be done with this game of ours. I have had enough of dealing with you. I am sick of not knowing the truth. No more escaping it. Do you understand?"
Archer took this moment to pause and reflect. Arturia's gone mad it seems. All that stress he's inflicted upon her finally got to her head in the wrong way. He had no idea that this entire thing was going to happen today. He genuinely thought that his words to shoo her away was going to do just that! Not bring forth this madness.
"Alright, I give. I will tell you everything you need to know." Archer raised his hands up close to his chest in a sign of surrender. "But please. Let me have the space I need to talk. You're not exactly giving me any sort of room here."
Arturia's eyes widened at that. She then hastily took three steps back and turned away from the bowman to hide the redness of her cheeks. Wait. Why is she feeling embarrassed? She was not supposed to feel anything at all. She pushed that thought aside and sat on the chair that, unbeknownst to her, was the same seat Morgan used. Archer created his own chair to sit on adjacent to her. Before she could get herself comfortable in her own seat, Archer asked,
"What do you want to know first?" Archer asked curiously as he leaned back on his seat.
"Who are you, truly?" Arturia rested her arms on the table and leaned forward. "What is your real name? And what are you to me?"
"A lot of questions. But I will try my best." Archer said as he crossed his arms in thought. Should he tell her everything? It would be a far leap in logic for Arturia to accept that once upon a time, they were lovers. He knows that this is not the Arturia he knew and is most definitely aware that she has no idea of his identity. So, how can he simplify his story to help her understand?
"To start…" Archer said slowly as Arturia unconsciously drew closer. "I was once known as Emiya Shirou. From the city of Fuyuki within Japan. You could say I am a hero from the future."
"That would make sense as to why I don't know you." Arturia added in contemplation. "You are from a completely different part of the world in a completely different time. It is far-fetched for me to accept that you met an alternate version of myself, however given the circumstances I shall begrudgingly believe in it.. But how did we meet?"
"A simple thing called the Holy Grail War." Archer said as he nodded in acknowledgement to what Arturia said. "We are part of the same team back in the future. You were summoned as one of the Servants of that war. I… was just a tag-along."
Arturia's instincts flared up at that pause. Why would he lie there? It was clearly an attempt to cover something up. But what? A part inside her wants to know. No, not just that. She needs to know.
"You lie, Archer." Arturia narrowed her eyes at the bowman who just blinked in surprise. "Judging from what you said, the war for the grail needs servants to participate. You clearly stated that you were anything but. What were you during that time?"
"...I was a master." Archer sighed in defeat. "One of 7. We fought side by side during those days. Though, you did the heavy lifting while I just stood at the corner. To summarise, that is how we know each other. The camaraderie we formed was equal to the bond you formed with your Knights of the Round Table. Though, with some notable differences." Archer said with a knowing smile. He did not need to elaborate what those differences were. Nor does he want to.
Arturia, meanwhile, found herself at odds with what she heard. She should be satisfied with that explanation. She finally got what she wanted: the truth about Arch- no, Shirou Emiya. But why is that gnawing feeling still there? Why is it telling her that there's more to the story than he's letting in on?
"Who was I to you?" Arturia asked suddenly. Archer was about to answer, but he was cut off by Arturia. "Do not use the words you spoke to me when you gave me Carnwennan. I want you to tell me everything."
"But what I said back then was the truth-" Archer tried to counter but was cut off again.
"Not the whole of it." Arturia pressed harder. Her eyes were more pleading than demanding. She felt as if she was at the cusp of some great discovery like when she pulled the Sword from the Stone. "Who was I to you?"
"..." Archer paused at this. Should he tell her? How would she react? The reason he didn't want to tell her everything was because of how impossible the truth is. But she wants to know nonetheless… What is he supposed to do?
"You were my servant." Archer explained in a low tone, but loud enough for Arturia to hear. Her eyes widened in shock. She knew he said that she served as a participant in the war, but for her to be subservient to him?! What in the world happened for her to agree with that arrangement?
"You taught me everything I know." Archer continued solemnly as melancholy overtook his senses. "Though, that sense of justice you saw these past days is a byproduct of something else entirely. You merely enhanced it. We ate, drank, and spent everyday together back then. You were my friend…"
"Stop." Arturia raised her hand as the other one rubbed her temple as a headache was about to overcome her. "Just…please."
"What you claim is impossible." Arturia frowned as her fists scraped the table before her. "Earlier I did not question your words as I was patiently listening to them, but it has gone too far. You claim that the Holy Grail of all artefacts - of which I too possess - is degraded to the point of becoming a trophy in your game that you call a War that takes place in the future. A future where I myself partake as your servant?"
"...It doesn't make sense!" Arturia growled as she glowered at the bowman. "How did I even end up in that situation?"
"You made a pact with the world. The terms were that you are trapped in a time loop until you claim the Holy Grail for yourself." Archer explained with a stoic demeanour. "You had your reasons." Archer rested his chin on his palm. "One of them is that you would use the reward of the Grail - an omnipotent wish - to restore your Kingdom and save it from the ruin it was destined to. Mind you, we won that war. So, don't think that me being your master was a terrible thing. I have feelings, you know?"
"I swear to the heavens, you are either lying to me or telling the truth. I do not know which is better for me." Arturia slumped as she felt the weight of all that was told to her on her shoulders. However, there is still one thing that was bugging her to no end.
"What was the catalyst?" Arturia asked curiously. "I used Rhongomyniad as the means to summon all the Knights of the Round. You do not look like you once wielded any of my weapons before you became a Heroic Spirit. So what was it?"
"Avalon." Archer answered calmly at the shocked woman. "Somehow, my father got a hold of it and passed it down to me… by sealing it inside my body."
"Y-you… you possessed it this whole time…" Arturia weakly raised a shaky finger. "And you didn't tell me?" She then slammed the table in rage and asked, "How dare you keep it from me! That sheathe was not yours to withhold."
"Did you deserve it?" Archer asked with a raised eyebrow at the enraged woman. "You were more or less a tyrant these past few months. Totally and completely unsuited for the gifts you oh so abandoned. I had little to no trust in you back then, so forgive me if I didn't have the heart to tell you."
Arturia would have countered those words, but when she opened her mouth she found it lacking any voice. Her mind went blank as it scrambled for something, anything, to refute what the bowman had said. However, she failed. For the truth struck her stronger than her desire to defend herself. She lowered her head until her bangs covered her eyes. Be it through the sword and through words, she can never seem to get an edge on this man.
"At the very least." Arturia sighed in defeat once more. She noticed how often she's doing that lately. "I now understand why I cannot kill you."
"What?" Archer asked confusedly. Not quite aware where she got that from.
"It's because of Avalon." Arturia crossed her arms in resolution. "It seems to call to me through some way or form. Causing me to falter whenever I tried to end your life. There is no other explanation."
"Have you maybe considered that you spared my life out of the goodness of your heart?" Archer asked with an extremely raised eyebrow. He clearly cannot comprehend the fact that this was the rationale this woman was taking.
"Impossible. Only something greater than simple goodness could have saved you then." Arturia countered without pause. Though, the shivers that went down her spine as she said that name almost did her in. But why is it she felt that she made a huge mistake in her logic just then?
"Then that's settled." Archer got up from his seat. "I am not giving Avalon back to you. Not until you abide by your promise to save everyone. Only then will I think about it."
"An unfair proposal, as it was not in your place to make such." Arturia stood up from her seat. Clearly satisfied with how things went. "I cannot complain, however. It might not even answer my call if I reached for it right now." She sighed with a hint of sadness in her words.
Archer stayed silent as Arturia started walking out the room. He had nothing left to say to her. She did not say anything else either for she felt the same way. A fight that turned into an impromptu conversation that revealed so much would do that to anyone, after all. The tension between them still remained, though it was lessened to some degree. Archer sees this as an improvement to their relationship… in some sort of strange way. Maybe one day he will see a time where Arturia's gone soft on him. A long shot, but it's possible.
"I expect you in tonight's meeting." Arturia's voice echoed through the halls. "You and Morgan. Your combined report is needed then. Do try to not let me down with your progress."
Archer just scoffed at that and closed the door. He was about to finish his designs had it not been for her just barging into the room. Oh well, it's not like he can't finish them today. Might as well go back to it. And so, he did. For about 2 hours straight, he worked on his models without pause. Nothing of note happened during this time. Just some technical work that needs not be shared. As soon as 3pm was around the corner though…
Fwooooshh!
"Archer, there has been a development. Install this operational core into the proto-" Morgan said as she stepped out of her portal. She paused at the sight of the man sized crater at the wall. The bowman turned around with a raised eyebrow and wondered what caused her to stop talking.
"I trust that you had a wonderful conversation with my sister?" Morgan smiled as she tossed the round core at Archer.
"A lot better without you in it." Archer huffed as he took the orb and started installing it into the prototype. Morgan laughed at that barb and simply sat back on the chair that Arturia once sat upon.
As Archer finished placing the orb in its compartment, a blue light glowed from behind him. The bowman turned around to see Morgan controlling a holographic map that was the same as the one from the Round Table. The speed of which she's moving the map around made it a bit hazy for Archer to see clearly, but with his enhanced vision, he can tell that Morgan was directing it to the Golan Heights. Where their enemies set up camp.
"I felt a disturbance." Morgan explained as she zoomed in on the white capped mountains of the Heights. "I do not understand what its origin was, but what I do know is that it is powerful. Whatever it was, it landed near here. Where our enemies lie."
"Why are you telling me this?" Archer asked with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. "Shouldn't you be sharing this information to the King? What can I even do with this knowledge?"
"Gasp in surprise, for the most part." Morgan said as she finally found what she was looking for. She zoomed into the camp of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and searched for a specific group that did not belong there. Archer realised this not just from the strange clothes and the command seals on two of the individuals there, but also from the servant they were with.
"Does she look familiar to you?" Morgan smiled knowingly as the two of them watched a rag cloaked Tohsaka Rin complain to a certain Crusader Knight about something. If the once highschool girl turned servant wasn't enough to confound the bowman, then the Knight she's talking to did him in.
"That's impossible…" Archer drawled out as he imprinted every single detail into his mind. "She's not supposed to be… but how…"
"I already informed Mordred about the location of the camp. They are close by, so they will investigate the matter further." Morgan said as she redirected the view towards a band of Sentinels marching in a hastened pace with the Knight of Treachery and Agravain at the very front. "Of course, their goal is to investigate and not to attack. I explicitly stated that it was Arturia's orders, so they would not dare do anything else but that."
"You have this all planned out." Archer looked at her suspiciously. "What are you planning here?"
"I want to know what they are here for." Morgan deadpanned. "We are here to dominate the earth to protect it from the Beast. But what about them? Maybe their goal is to destroy us? To take the Holy Grail that anchors us into this plain of existence? They don't look like it, but this new group has some sort of power to them. The kind that can equal ours or be greater. Who knows?"
"What we do know is that we have to tell this to the King." Archer said as the map vanished into particles of light. "That, and we also need to complete the prototypes. Now if you have had enough thinking about the possibilities, get over here and help me finish this thing."
"All things have their due time, Archer." Morgan gracefully walked towards the bowman's side. She snaked her arm around Archer's shoulder and said, "You just have to be patient."
"Right." Archer looked at the short woman with an unimpressed look. He then shrugged the hand off, much to the Witch Queen's amusement.
"Focus on the task at hand for now." Morgan said as her hands glowed blue towards the prototypes. "Work needs to be done."
Night… the Golan Heights…
I am Balian of Ibelin. Leader of the Company sworn to my house and host to the Chaldeans and the nomads of the East. Though, after what happened this afternoon, it is more fitting to unify these two groups.
"Young Masters, calm down!" Xuanzang laughed as the two children stared at her with awe filled eyes. "I know that my story is amazing to hear, but please ease yourselves a little. You look like you're about to explode!"
"But Xuanzang-san, there's no way we can just calm down. Not after hearing about your Journey to the West!" Ritsuka exclaimed with starry bright eyes. "Tell us more about your travels to India, did you get to meet any of the deities from there?"
"What about that Talking Horse?" Ritsu pushed her brother aside, much to his displeasure. "Can you summon him right now? Oh, please do! I wanna know how he can transform into a Dragon."
In the hours following the confession of Xuanzang, wherein she told her story of how she aided the King of Camelot during these past months, the children took this moment to converse with the two nomads. I did not want them to suffer from the heat, so I arranged for a large tent suitable for their needs to be erected for them. It took a while to set it up, as we had to sew a couple smaller tents to make it work. But, God be praised, we managed. And that is where we are now, with me patiently spending my time with them seated near the cots at the side of the entrance.
They spoke for hours on end. I remember all of which they spoke of, as it is too much to count. But one such topic is the formation of a sort of pact that sunders the former contract the nomads made with the King of Camelot. In my understanding, that is why Xuanzang and Touta now refer to these children as their Masters for King Arthur is no longer their liege. I eyed the red markings on the back of their hands curiously during this. It must be what sustains the 'pact' that they've created. I wonder what it would take to possess such?
"Oi, Balian. I'm getting thirsty." My musings were disrupted by a certain floating black haired girl. "What sort of refreshments does this 'camp' have to offer? Is there some sort of wine in store somewhere?"
"Nothing that can damage the humours." I told her calmly, much to her disappointment. "You will have to suffice with water for now."
"Hmph!" Ishtar scoffed as she flew beside me. "What Kind of King do you even have? Is he that cheap to not even have at least the bad sort of wine? What? Does he not enjoy his life at all?"
"Lesser Kings might." I retorted in defence, "But my Lord, the King seeks a life of holiness. Separate from the vices of men. He seeks the wholeness of mind and body, not the depravity that too many seek."
"So you say…" Ishtar mumbled under her breath. Clearly not too pleased at my rebuttal. Her face then shifted to one of curiosity. I braced myself unconsciously.
"Why haven't your mages healed your King's leprosy?" Ishtar asked as she landed on the cot beside my own. "You do know that leprosy is curable with the right spell, right? So, where have your king's mages gone? Are there no more to speak of?"
"...We have no such thing." I answered slowly to ensure that I understood what she just said to me. "We do not believe in witchcraft, as it is the work of the devil for us to partake in it."
"Who said anything about witchcraft?!" Ishtar exclaimed in offence. "What I speak of is the magic that Kings like yours should have in the first place. What? Has the magic in the world thinned so much in this period that not even Royalty can access it anymore? Ugghh. So this is what the future has in store. I do not like it."
"What is this magic you speak of?" I asked curiously, to her mild surprise. "And is that what gives you your powers?"
"Hm… that's a good question." Ishtar crossed her arms and legs in thought. "Yes… yes… that should do."
Yank!
"Wh-what?" I questioned as I felt myself being pulled towards the exit of the tent. I could not resist, because there was an underlying strength to this girl. Where is this strength coming from?
"Masters, I'm bored." Ishtar turned around to the children. "Let's go out and stretch our legs or something."
"Oh?" the two turned to the girl. They looked at one another and then towards Xuanzang, who stood up with a smile.
"I agree with her, young masters." Xuanzang said with a confident grin. "I think I want to go out and explore the area for a bit. Don't you two think talking to little old me's getting a bit boring?"
"Of course not!" Ritsuka replied as he got up all hyped. "You will never be boring in my eyes."
"Same here!" Ritsu answered similarly. Xuanzang laughed at their enthusiasm and said,
"Aww, you kids are making me blush." Xuanzang softly patted the children's heads. "How about this: we go out there, and I'll show you what it's like to have an ally as strong as Sun Wukong. Deal?"
"Oh shoot, we're gonna see something epic!" Ritsu jumped in the air. She then grabbed her brother and Xuanzang by the wrists and started running past Ishtar and I. Clearly, she was excited at the offer.
"Hmph… Not like she'll ever be better than me anyways." Ishtar sulked behind me.
"What was that?" I asked with a curious look, to which she just shook off.
"Nothing." Ishtar said as she started floating out of the tent. "Now follow me. I'll explain along the way."
As we left the tent, the first thing I noticed was the waft of smoke and burning wood. In front of me was a large fire pit built for the winter season. Behind the pit was the exit of my camp, where the children were surprisingly quick to get to. It left me with Ishtar who looked as if she was moping for some odd reason. I did not get the chance to address it, because it was here that I realised that Ishtar still had her feet off the ground.
"Hm?" Ishtar turned to me as I looked at her panickedly. She glimpsed down to where I glanced and gasped at her mistake. She hastily rectified her mistake and landed her feet just in time before someone noticed our presence.
"Oops." Ishtar winked at me cheekily. "Made your heart nearly blow up there, didn't I?"
"For my health, I will have to ask that you don't do that again." I sighed as she giggled at my stressful demeanour.
"Oh, lighten up." Ishtar waved at her masters who were calling for her from afar. "You're always so stiff and calm and just boring. Really, is this truly the way you are to everyone? Like a walking stickman who can't smile or frown or get mad?"
"I am born this way." I looked down at her unamusedly. She looked up as if she did not believe a single word.
"Lies. There is more to your story than meets the eye. Maybe you're struggling with some horrible moment in your life. Is it love? Are you like this because of love? I can tell, you know?" Ishtar's eyes darkened a shade under the campfire we passed. It's like she can see through me in the same manner as Lady VInci. What is it with these Chaldean women and their perceptiveness?
"Where did this interest in me come from?" I asked confusedly as we left the camp. "From where I am standing, you were adamant in insulting my King just mere moments ago. Now, you want to know more about me?"
"I'm bored." Ishtar inspected her hair as she brushed it in her hand. "Calling out your Kingdom's inadequacies does get boring after a few hours. So, answer me: was it love?"
She then glared at me with the intensity of the sun. I want to stay silent, but there is this odd force persuading me to talk. It was almost too strong of a force to ignore, yet I overcame it. And it seems that Ishtar noticed my internal struggle, for she just scoffed to the side and said.
"Hmph. I underestimated you." Ishtar conceded as we reached the outskirts of the camp. "I didn't expect that there would still be men strong willed enough to resist my charm. Usually, only those who have sworn their hearts to another have the ability to withstand my persuasive charisma. Obviously there are exceptions, such as your case. But strong will isn't just the only thing helping you, now is it?"
Once we were out of sight, Ishtar floated to face me. It caused me to stand still and question her motives. Why is she so persistent with this subject? Can she not comprehend the fact that I do not want to talk about it?
"Call it whatever you want, but there's this itch in the back of my head that's telling me that I've seen this story before." Ishtar said as she circled around me like a herbalist eyeing a plant. "You found love, but because of duty or some underlying psychological trauma you failed to commit to said love. Maybe you are divided because of your social status. Like a knight in love with a princess or something. For some reason, I feel annoyed at that first one. It makes me want to shove an arrow up someone's ass."
"It is none of those things." I retorted in frustration. I sighed angrily whilst rubbing my temple before saying, "She is a princess, yes I can agree. The King's sister, to be precise."
"Oh?" Ishtar smiled at me sadistically. "You cheeky dog. What happened next?"
"Nothing." I answered with honesty and a hint of sadness. "Because she is married to another man." Instead of the judgmental glare I was expecting, Ishtar widened her eyes in surprise and laughed.
"Really?! That's it?" Ishtar clenched her stomach in laughter. "You stopped yourself just because she's taken? Come on, Balian. If she's really the one for you, then something as stupid as a marriage shouldn't stop you from getting what you want."
As I have nothing to say, I just stayed silent and just observed her. Ishtar has a strange moral compass. And that is putting my observation in the kindest way possible. Because most would say that she condones adultery. I am in no place to judge, however, for I am the one who committed such sin. Much to my despair.
"Oh, lighten up Balian." Ishtar patted me on the shoulder as we continued our walk in the distance. "You christians are always so uptight with what is right or wrong, that you always deny yourselves the pleasures of life. What's one mischief in the grand scheme of things, anyways?"
"Take it from me, the world's most famous homewrecker." Ishtar proudly pointed to herself. "You should make the move and take that woman for yourself. Otherwise, you'd live to regret it."
"I will take your words into consideration." I offered in an attempt to end this embarrassing conversation. She looked at me amusedly and said,
"Sure. And make sure to tell me what happens after." Ishtar giggled as we made it down the hill to a small group of trees. Where the children and Xuanzang are.
We arrived at the area to see Xuanzang displaying her skills and abilities. The one that Ishtar and I first saw is the ability that allows her to duplicate herself multiple times over. Xuanzang then went on to demonstrate her staff that can extend in length and width in any manner she wishes.
During this demonstration, Ishtar explained that every thing in the world has an external sort of magic called mana, while every living thing has magic within them called Prana. Certain individuals can harness the mana around them like breathing, while most are blind to its presence even though it was shown to them. Few can master the skill of wielding oneself's prana, and those who do have the potential of being more powerful than an entire army. After this explanation - and after stopping Xuanzang from destroying the forest as a show of force - Ishtar then showed her own abilities to me and the children.
"As I am the goddess of Venus, I am given many powers that nearly no one on earth can fight against." Ishtar gloated as she summoned Ma-na with a snap of her fingers. "One of them is Maana. In the most basic terms: if I point at it somewhere, you will never see that somewhere ever again. I also employ the use of gems that do the same thing." Ishtar then brought forth three gems that she held between her fingers towards us.
"Please do not test it…" I pleaded with her as her weapons vanished in a bright light. "I am already assured that we have an advantage over Camelot, so there is no need for a show of force."
"Well…. I mean I get what you mean, but…" Ritsu scratched the back of her neck nervously. During Ishtar's talk, the children and Xuanzang moved to stand beside me. I turned to Ritsu and Ritsuka doing all they could to avoid my questioning gaze.
"What is wrong?" I asked with suspicion. "Do you not think that the power we now possess is enough to overthrow our enemies from their city?"
"You gotta understand, Balian." Ritsuka tried to explain for his sister. "You now know the existence of Servants and how they use famous historical characters. The way they're powerscaled is in how well known their powers are. So, if you have to consider those things in mind-"
"Then our foes are unstoppable." I sighed as I slapped my face with my hand. "Not even an army of a hundred thousand men can ever hope to defeat the legendary King Arthur and his hallowed Round Table."
"Cheer up, Balian." Ritsu consoled me with a cheery smile. "At least we have you and each other. That should count for something, right? Plus we already beat the King once, so you can say we got this in the bag."
"What?" I asked incredulously, causing the children to be sheepish. "You've faced the King beforehand? How is that-... Nevermind... I am too overwhelmed to ask. You must know how to deal with this threat then?"
"...sort of?" Ritsuka's voice cracked as he shrugged. "We've met a King Arthur, yeah. But probably not exactly the same as the one right now."
"What do you mean?" I asked curiously. "There should only be one King Arthur, am I right?"
"Well," Ritsu clapped her hands, "The one we met is a-"
"Spoilers, young masters!" A voice far from us yelled in a chirpy manner. "We cannot tell him that yet!"
All of us turned towards both Lady Vinci and Touta riding on horseback. The Hospitaller was with them as well. All three horses stopped a few metres before us and their riders looked at us with forward to ask,
"What has happened?" I turned to the Hospitaller, who looked at me cheerily.
"The King wished for me to scour the lands for any sort of enemy presence." The Hospitaller went down his horse. "Lady Vinci over here volunteered to join me in my mission."
"We found nothing, fortunately." Lady Vinci got down from the horse with a bag of snacks. "But Dr. Romani rayshifted some food for us, so that's gotta count for something."
"I went to hunt for some meat though I didn't find any." Touta said as he was handed a small ration-like foodstuff by Lady Vinci. He turned towards the children and said, "However, these nutri-bars really fill the stomach like a full meal. I didn't know that the future was that advanced to invent these things. You Chaldeans must be living in paradise compared to our time."
As I have little to no understanding of the topic at hand, I turned to my fellow knight the Hospitaller and conversed with him about the events of today. He was pleased to hear that I have established somewhat amiable relations with the Chaldeans. I then told him what little I was able to comprehend concerning magic and the arts of the mystics. He simply laughed briefly and said,
"I am an old man, Balian." He said as he patted me on the shoulder. "Nothing you say is going to make sense to me."
And then I just ended it there, a strange rush of relief overcame me as I did not have to endure the struggle of simplifying such complicated information. I decided to move on to a more pressing matter.
"Any news on Guy?" I asked with trepidation.
"He's 2 days away." The Hospitaller crossed his arms, he was obviously displeased. "He is said to have commandeered about double his numbers, nearing 1700 if I am not wrong. He was supposed to be quicker than that, but a colleague of mine in my Order told me that a supply chain mishap happened around Nazareth and Geshur. Causing an unnecessary delay."
"That is concerning…" I said in worry. "How are we supposed to protect the King with our numbers? We cannot hope for victory if an attack comes tomorrow."
"God will make a way." The Hospitaller consoled with a calming smile before getting on his horse once more. "Now, let's retire for the night. The Lord needs our strength, and we shall give it to Him by resting for the next day's labours."
"I agree." I said as I turned towards the Chaldeans, who also seemed ready to go back to the camp. We then started our journey. Peacefully walking under the calm of the night sky. It was… good.
I can only wish that it would be the same for tomorrow.