***Author's Note: Thank you for your continued patience when I upload on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays.
Chapter 4.
The Chevalier d'Artagnan
I.
Many people are acquainted with the exploits of the chevalier d'Artagnan. His dangerous journeys in the service of the royal courts of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, and his powerful bond with his friends; Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, or as they are better known, The Three Musketeers, are known worldwide. To say that Louise was stunned to find she was in the presence of such a famously capable hero, let alone now the master of said man, would be an understatement. She was in complete awe. Chief among his many other traits, d'Artagnan was known as a nearly unbeatable duelist, having made his three famous acquaintances by challenging all of them to duels almost simultaneously. To have such a powerful combatant in her service caused Louise to feel both relief and, strangely, a sense of excitement. The prospect of the combat to come was finally becoming a reality to her, and despite feeling trepidation about the bloodshed during the buildup to the war, Louise now only felt a thrill at the chance to prove her capability as a mage of the Saint-Hermine household.
"I must say that your claim to being such a highborn mage surprises me. I would almost expect a more formal or perhaps ostentatious look to one of such a supposedly prestigious bloodline." d'Artagnan had a curl to his lip as he spoke, as if suppressing a laugh he was sure would embarrass his new master.
Louise looked down and realized she was still wearing her day clothes from earlier, having, in her excitement for the summoning, forgotten to change back into the family uniform. The chevalier was also notorious for his roundabout loyalty when facing those he served, and though Louise was not an avid reader of fiction she at least knew this of him, and knew better than to feed into his games.
"Prestigious? Maybe. But only a fool walks around wearing a sign of who they are and from where they hail for all their enemies to see and take advantage of. I could wear the livery of the Saint-Hermine family if I desired a massive target painted on me. However this is the first bit of strategy Rider. I have no reason to reveal that part of my character until I am ready to strike down my foe. Only then will they know the true authority of who they dared to face."
"Indeed. I suppose that concealment of identities is a rather prominent aspect of these events. Very well. I will trust in your words that you are of the nobility you claim, and that such majesty is accompanied by capability." Rider was impressed by Louise's resolve. He already had hopes to make a true leader of her.
"In any instance, and whenever you would like, servant, I will be happy to demonstrate." Louise was not yet sure how much she could take Rider's words at face value, worried they may carry some secret meaning.
"I, for one, would be honored at the display of someone's might!" An arrogant but playful voice suddenly called out from the darkness. "Perhaps, oh and I do not mean to arrive so rudely and uninvited, but perhaps the servant present, Rider was it? Would be happy to demonstrate his capabilities for his lovely new master?" Louise and Rider both turned sharply at the words that so suddenly pierced the night air. As they searched for the source of the theatrical voice their eyes came to rest on a figure perched lithely atop the church's pointed roof. He was a young man of maybe twenty-four or twenty-five, his complexion dark and well loved by the coastal sun of southern Provence. His mouth was finely shaped, and his pearly teeth seemed to light his whole face whenever his smile showed them, which was quite often. He wore a black doublet decorated with sharp angular patterns of a deep jet color. A long cloak of violet velvet hung down his side, completely concealing his right arm. At his left hip was visible the intricately carved hilt of a long duelist's dagger.
Rider, never one to turn down what he perceived as a martial challenge, was quick to reply to the newcomer. "I am always prepared to show my strength. Especially if the one to whom I owe fealty commands it. However monsieur, it would be untoward of me to accept a formal challenge from one whom I do not know. You have had the luxury of overhearing my name. Might I have the honor of knowing yours?"
"Oh, of course! I have forgotten my manners twice now. Monsieur I owe you a great debt for being so patient with me, clumsy lout that I am. I must apologize beforehand for I am unable to provide my true full name, and therefore unable to give you a true gentleman's greeting, but I pray, oh and you do seem to be the understanding type, I pray you will accept a lowly servant's introduction as a fitting one." The mystery man gave a low bow at these words to emphasize the true sincerity of his request.
"As a fellow gentleman I welcome any sort of introduction monsieur. Trust that I understand your circumstances as they are my own." Rider bowed slightly in return, greatly enjoying being able to play the part of the gentleman he was, and so soon after being summoned.
"Rider. This is ridiculous." Louise spoke softly, hoping that, even with his enhanced senses, the enemy servant would be unable to hear her. "He is not yet completely on his guard. While we have the advantage we should both attack before he can prepare himself for combat."
"My master, you do me a great disservice as a gentleman to suggest such a thing. Our adversary has been kind enough to announce himself and even offer what I suspect is fast turning into a proper announcement of a duel. I will not allow such lowly tactics to stain my honor. If that is the avenue you desire to pursue that is your business. But if it is really your inclination to drag me into your underhanded tactics," Rider paused and let a taunting look pass over his eye, "perhaps you will use a command seal to bend me to that direction."
Louise couldn't believe her servant's behavior. Not only was he so early showing direct defiance of her orders, but he had the audacity to taunt out her most precious resource. The new master nearly lost herself to her emotions, but was able to reign them in just before she lost her temper. She was hoping she could sway Rider similarly. "Fine. Do as you will. I will consider this a show of your potential as a servant. Prove your worth to me."
"Hahahah! You really are my master." After this last address to Louise Rider turned back to face his opponent. "My good man, I ask your forgiveness for making you wait. I would be happy to accept whatever introduction you are able to offer, provided that is, that it is accompanied by a proper challenge."
"Nothing more could be closer to my intentions. Ah yes, you are truly the type of gentleman I would seek out for a proper duel. Yes, truly exquisite. Monsieur! You may address me as Archer. I pray that this will serve as introduction enough for you. And now monsieur, my fated combatant, as your master was so desperate to take part I will allow her this one participation before it is combat for only you and I!" Before Rider could comprehend these final words, Archer lifter the arm wreathed in the violet cloak and pointed it at Louise. As he raised his hand a long barreled musket materialized out from under the flowing garment., and just as suddenly as it had appeared Archer loosed a crimson bolt of energy from its muzzle that exploded in a spectacular detonation where Louise was standing. Rider, awestruck, was hardly able to react to the destruction that had occurred so closely to his own person. However, before he could think her dead, the dust cleared and revealed Louise wreathed in the dark purple energy of her own magical barrier.
"BAH-HA-HA-HA! Excellent! Most excellent indeed!" Archer let out a rambunctious laugh as he beheld his target completely unscathed. "I would hope for nothing less from a master of the Holy Grail War. Especially the master of such a fine gentleman."
"I don't understand master. Even I, with a servant's reflexes, was unable to react to his shot." Rider was still unsure if he believed Louise had survived the attack.
"It is simple my servant," Louise let the barrier persist as she spoke, fearing a second shot from Archer. "If one plans a surprise maneuver, they must expect and be ready for one from their adversary. I would not be a great mage if I were not able to at least expect from my opponent what I myself am capable of." Louise spoke with some bravado, but the truth was the barrier could only maybe withstand one more shot like that before collapsing entirely. She currently had to trust that Archer's promise of only a single attack was the truth.
"I apologize for my rather impulsive test of your capabilities. I promise that from this point forward I am good to my word. Monsieur Rider! En Garde!" Once more the musket let a crimson blast fly from it's barrel, but this time it was accompanied by a series of similar shots, each one aimed towards Rider. The declaration of combat had put the chevalier on his proper guard though, and he was able to nimbly weave his way through the destructive bolts raining down around him. He played with Archer for a moment in this fashion, gauging the power and accuracy of the ranger's attacks, before drawing one of the pistols from his belt and loosing a powerful musket ball of his own. The projectile forced Archer to pause just a moment in his onslaught and dodge the returned attack, and this pause was all Rider needed. His superhuman servant capabilities allowed him to launch himself the several stories height to where Archer was perched atop the church spire. His sword drawn, Rider drove the blade's tip straight towards the faltering Archer's chest. Archer was no slouch at close range though, and the impressive duelist dagger at his hip was for more than show. He rapidly drew it with his off-hand and parried away Rider's deadly attack.
Rider, off balance and mid-air, was incapable of reacting to the muzzle now pointed firmly at his stomach. Archer loosed a red blast that pierced seamlessly through his combatant. So absorbed in his successful attack, he had neglected to remember the pistol Rider had fired earlier as its report rang out once more, the ball burying itself deeply in the shoulder of Archer's shooting arm.
Archer was knocked backwards off his perch and tumbled down the church roof before landing in the courtyard below with a loud crunch. Rider, hitting the ground at the same time, managed to keep his footing, and landed with a painful groan, the wound in his stomach burning furiously as he moved."I will allow you monsieur Archer to regain your footing before I continue our duel, as is only proper in a combat between gentlemen." Rider attempted to inject a tone of bravado as he spoke to cover the pain in his voice.
Archer let out a pained cough as he attempted to raise himself off of the stonework. "Most gracious of you monsieur. I must say that I was impressed by your tactic back there. Allowing yourself to be wounded so that you could land a crippling blow on me and limit my attack capability, it is a dangerous gambit indeed. However I have some unfortunate news for you."
"And what is that my good gentleman?" Rider couldn't help his nerves being rattled by the confidence in his opponent's words.
"A true marksman trains with both hands." He smiled as he spoke, and with the flick of his wrists an eight-barreled pepperbox pistol flipped into each of his open hands. A barrage of small blasts erupted from the many muzzles of the small pistols. Rider had grown used to his adversary's surprise focused style by now and, despite his heavily bleeding wound, nimbly leaped into the air over the burning trail of destruction and brought himself down on top of Archer, his sword piercing deeply through the surprised rifleman's heart. Having dealt the deadly blow Rider quickly hopped away, fearing a final last gasp from the wounded duelist.
A stream of blood flowed from Archer's mouth as he coughed and gasped, staring with shock and confusion at the wound in his chest. "You are... quick. Monsieur." He had been quite wordy before this point so Rider was rather shocked to not hear more from him.
"I am a Rider, speed is an important part of what I do."
"Ah. I see. You were known for your quickness... in life. That will be good to know. For next time." With these pained words Archer doubled over and collapsed onto the ground in a heap."
I don't know that there will be a next time my good adversary. I salute you though. It was a fine battle." Rider raised his sword in salute of his fallen foe, keeping his back straight and proud despite the crippling wound.
"Though he is known for being more boisterous than he can deliver, I assure you my partner will make good on his promise." Yet another mystery voice called out from the shadows. Louise was growing tired of unwanted guests interrupting her summoning.
Rider looked over at his fallen opponent and saw that, instead of the sparkling light that usually signified a servant's death, the body of Archer erupted into an orange conflagration. The flames of rebirth burned his entire being down into nothing. Then a similar inferno blazed brightly atop the low flat roof on the right side of the churchyard and Archer's figure appeared as the flames swirled and burned away. Before it extinguished, the fire illuminated a figure, another servant, standing on the building. He was a man of an age only slightly more than his companion. A profusion of hair that was more red than brown poured down his shoulders from beneath his gray felt hat. His face had striking features, with its brilliant gray eyes cutting a contrast with his bleached white skin, and a light mustache perched just atop his supple lips. His dress was far more flamboyant than his companion's. His own doublet was a striking rose color, gold paisley patterns drawing the eye to his person. A brilliant black cloak hung around his shoulders, covering both his arms and hanging down to the immaculate boots of a similar shade.
"Now now, my most beloved companion that was a rather poor show of your skills. It should be as when we first met each other, and you should put more effort into first impressions." Though his words seemed a bit harsh, there was nothing but affection in the gaudy fellow's voice as he lectured Archer.
Rider was dumbfounded to see the servant he had just spent so much effort defeating was now standing healthy and alive alongside an ally of some sort. Louise rushed over to her wounded servant and immediately deployed her magical barrier around them both.
"Oh madame I apologize. There will be no need for that. Your servant has pierced me through the heart and defeated me in a proper duel. It would be unbecoming of me to take advantage of the details of my defeat in such as manner." Archer straightened himself out, testing all of his limbs, as if unsure that his resurrection had been completely successful.
"I must say monsieur Archer that given your behavior so far I am inclined to believe you. But should I extend that same confidence to your companion?" Louise was very worried. While still inexplicably excited by the combat, she was very aware that the situation for her and her brand new servant was quite grim.
"Fear not madame. As my fellow has just indicated, there shall be no further combat on our part tonight. You have bested Archer, and so Archer shall not engage you in battle." The newcomer seemed to reserve his same reassuring tone for both his partner and Louise.
"I have just one question monsieur. Before we part ways I must know. I had slain you. How is it then, that I find you in such a manner appearing unscathed?" Rider was bitter, but curious about what appeared to be an annulment of his victory.
The two gentlemen on the rooftop exchanged a quick look before the one in red nodded to his companion. "As you have bested me, yet been robbed of the true victory I shall at least make it a victory of knowledge for you. Yes, my worthy foe, I live. You have achieved the most coveted victory of a Holy Grail War that is learning one of the other servant's Noble Phantasm, a powerful ability marked by the deeds that made them famous." Archer gesticulated wildly as he spoke, his actions matching his overblown speech patterns. "What you see before you, my partner and I, are both Archer. The fated friends, men who would rather face death than part with one another. As long as one lives, so too shall the other. Now, before I say more, as I may have already said too much, we two must depart. I bid you adieu, until next we meet." With those words both marksmen assumed their spirit form and disappeared from sight.
Their foes gone, Louise dropped the barrier and Rider allowed himself to collapse to the ground. The master immediately turned around and started feeding magic energy into her servant to seal his wounds. "Quite the eventful summoning. Do you always bring trouble with you wherever you travel?" Louise tried to keep her tone light as she playfully chastised her servant.
"I do seem to have a habit of my enemies finding me no matter where I may be, or in what manner of preparedness I am." Rider's tone was still strained as Louise healed the wound.
"That should be enough to stabilize you for now. Come along Rider. I need rest. We can attempt to work out our strategy tomorrow."