Questions, so many questions...

"Calls himself the Master, I should add even IF that is a bit pretentious!"

Rider

"I'm assuming that this 'Master' isn't just another party from the earlier Grail War?" I ask, looking over at . . . one of the Saber sisters near me.

No, I do not know exactly WHICH "route" that she hales from so cannot tell you what nickname Rei's group tagged her with nor do I particularly CARE enough to find out.

Though she does have a good point with that question. That and considering that the current situation with the fairies of Camelot is safe/stable enough since they seem morei interested in guarding the now awakening (and oddly enough no longer mortally WOUNDED) mortal human form of Saber (aka Arturia Pentdragon, aka KING ARTHUR). I'm more interested in Rei's handling of that question.

And of our unexpected fairy vistor AND her version of little Hannah...

Sigh, right

It is a matter of priorities. While not HOSTILE, the small fairy woman is wary of US, especially of Rei and her older sisters.

...

They are dressed like Death Knights? You might have noticed that, maybe? Kind of why even I was wary of them initially when we first met earlier. I'm just glad that the fairy woman and her young Hannah aren't running away screaming or being hostile.

The small girl Hannah wouldn't be a threat to us, but the fairy woman? Well, the Fey folk (even the smallest versions) have a LOT of magic to call upon. Call upon, and their Fey magicks are NOT easlity understood or counterd by human folks.

So, I am glad to say we are concentrating on the fairy thank YOU!!

As for this Master person? It could be one from the OTHER "routes" for MY Grail War. Rei said something about possible stray characters being stranded here at random (but not the entire CAST from said other Fate games, as it were. But considering some of the human characters I was told about running around the LAST Grail War I wouldn't put it past at least ONE Master being idiotic enough to call himself "THE" Master.

Oh, there is that one story character from the story the Magus from WHATEVER Grail War seems to be going insane over and seem Hades bent on trying to get MORE information about (and getting interrupted every bloody bedamned time), but that just CANNOT be . . .

All of the other Sabers just look at each other and then shake their head in the negative but then Rei says something that DOES answer that question after giving me a quick glance before turning back to the odd fairy woman before us and her wide eyed charge.

"If by chance you mean this chap," Rei begins while making a small, magical image of a dark, bearded man which gave off a . . . sly and somewhat sinister air. "I have done . . .business with him in the recent past. Hired his services through the use of some needful information he found he wanted along with a magic item for his drum . . .er . . . some issue I shall not go into right now due to respecting his privacy, in exchange for saving a world from destruction since he was in a much BETTER position to do it at the time than my group and leave at that."

I hear behind me from several several surprised gasp and muttered curses, but I am more focused on the conversation before me between this strange fairy woman and Rei. Something about the tiny fairy is . . .putting me on edge for some reason.

I find out later, but that is not to be told just YET... But let us just say Like she's more of a threat to me and the other Heroic Spirits at some primal level, as absurd as that may sound.

Then again, the Faerie are rather powerful and much more dangerous (and mercurial) to deal with than what modern day story teller would have you believe from children's books....

"We've rather have our plate full at the time saving our assigned Earths disaster--that's what Champions are supposed to do on Quests," Rei begins to finish up.

I see the fairies hovering around the human version of Saber start at the word "Champion", and turn as one to take notice of the conversation.

No shouts of Rei being a liar are heard from them or the small fairy woman before us. After all, you cannot LIE to a fey, for they'd sniff it out in a hearbeat naturally. At least not without a lot of Magic on your side...

So you ARE the Champions who'll be able to save my daughter through saving this world? I hear the fairy woman's voice ask in my mind.

By the looks of it, all of the adults in this group near us (the fey around the human Saber can go hang for all I care at this moment) seem to hear her as well.

The children seem to be blithely non-aware of that rather loaded question.

. . .

See that our little fairy woman wishes to not panic the children like WE do not wish ot needlessly panic them. That is rather . . .appreciated.

Yes," Rei nods, answering that unspoken question while giving the appearance of answering another implied question. "We hired him to save our team mate's Earth, John Quatermain."

"YOU'RE THE CHAMPION THAT HIRED THE MASTER AND SET HIS LIFE TO BEING A HERO IN 'THE MASTER CHRONICLES'?!" Rins screeches at Rei, interrupting everything. And pretty much stating the questoin on every non-Heroic Sprit's (or non-champions) mind by the looks on their faces.

Well, I had known that since Lilith had shared that information, but still...

What is of MORE pressing concern is the fairies surrounding the human Saber, however.

"Champions?!" one slightly bigger fairy practically screams with the sound of fairy bells in her voice. "Why not show until now?"

Then, a look passes over her. it is A look that is WAY out of character for one of the forever frolicking and youthful types of fey these SIMPLE MINDED, flittering things are supposed to be from what I know of her type to be!!

1. "It been too . . .long." she finishes, with a haunted look on her youthful-looking face.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree