The major problem before me was the need to explain. If Shirou did not know what kind of war the Holy Grail War was, then he was going into this war completely blind. Knowing what the Holy Grail War was, that was something that the Grail assumed of its Masters, it did not provide more then the absolute basics to a Servant.
Which meant if Shirou didn't know, Rider would only know the absolute basics. Shirou was in a hopeless situation where he could never really understand what was going on himself. He would need to be told, something, anything.
If not, then he would be marching to the slaughter. There was no way for him to learn the workings of the war without help.
"Illya?"
I speak my Master's name.
Illya doesn't look entirely sure of herself either, staring at Shirou. Perhaps she had underestimated just how much he knew?
"Emiya Kiritsugu… never told you about the Holy Grail War?"
There was that name again. My blood boils at the words tumbling from Illya's lips. For me, it was still far too soon. For her, though, this was an issue a decade old, she'd had enough time to get over it.
Shirou shook his head.
"No, father didn't."
Ignore it, Illya. I pleaded in my mind that she wouldn't rise to the unintended bait.
Illya huffs, but thankfully she doesn't explode.
"Get comfortable." She grumbled. "This is probably going to be a long explanation."
And it was. The clock on the wall was damaged, the hour hand missing, yet the minute hand still worked. It had enough time to turn fully and return to its original position in the time that Shirou and illya spoke, the girl slowly explaining the situation that Shirou was actually in.
I'm actually a little impressed. I have to admit, she handled it far better then I thought she would. She explained it all; that it was the fifth Holy Grail War, that the war was fought between Servants, a form of Familiar or, more accurately, Ghost-Liner. Rider and I just listen, watching the two talk.
"She has issues with him." Rider finally spoke up. I almost start, not realising he'd shuffled near me.
"He has what she wanted, I think." I answer. It wasn't hard, listening to Illya talk, to realise that she envied Shirou in some way. It was easy, hearing how he spoke of Emiya Kiritsugu, to understand what, exactly, she was envious of. Shirou had stolen away any chance she'd had to reconcile with her father.
Yet looking at Shirou, I found it difficult to believe he was actually raised by Emiya Kiritsugu. He was… too naive, too earnest, too…
"The love of a father." Rider noted. I didn't answer, not immediately.
"Yes." I answered.
"You hate him?"
"Emiya Kiritsugu summoned me in the previous Holy Grail War."
"Oh, pretty and a veteran." Rider mused. "Don't suppose you'd like to go for a hunt with me later?"
…
I don't believe this. He was young and awkward and asking me out on the ancient Irish equivalent of a thrice damned courtship. Where Rider was from, there was no real divide between male and female warriors, not when the greatest warrior of his age had openly been a woman.
"Rider, please remember our situation." I grumble. "We're enemies."
"I don't think we are." He flashed me a smile. "You tried to save my Master. For that, you have my thanks."
I wanted to scream for just a moment. What a silly boy.
"Maybe not enemies." I mutter. "But we aren't friends yet."
"Any questions?"
Rider and I were drawn back to the conversation happening before us. Shirou's hand was to his cheek, trying desperately to think.
"I don't think so?"
"Then summarise it."
Illya's voice had an edge to it. Shirou gulped.
I could see the merit to what she had said, though. If Shirou has really understood what Illya said, then he'll be able to quickly regurgitate it in simpler terms.
"The Holy Grail War happens between seven Servants and their Masters." He starts. "Once six of the seven Servants are dead, the Holy Grail can be claimed by the last Master standing. The Holy Grail begins forming once four Servants have been defeated, and appears in one of four locations. This time the location is Ryuudo Temple." He nods, finishing nervously. Illya stares for a long moment.
"It'll do." She grumbles. "Saber, he's not a complete dunce anymore."
"Hey!"
Still, we could get to the point now. I let out a small sigh, yet Shirou spoke before I could.
"Why help me?" He asked. "If Saber had attacked before, I'd be dead…"
Illya and I looked between each other.
"Don't get the wrong idea." I muttered. "I would have saved you regardless. Servants are called Heroic Spirits for a reason, but..."
"You have something we want." Illya finished. Shirou flinched.
"Did father leave something of yours here?"
"Yes." I answered. "In a sense. Given I cannot sense it within the house, and that the bounded field around it has collapsed, though, I think its far more likely it was hidden inside you." I let out another, small sigh.
"I won't let you harm my Master." Rider warned. "Pretty face or not." His hand curled around the shaft of his spear, but I held my hands up in peace.
"I've learned that the catalyst that Emiya Kiritsugu used to summon a Servant in the Fourth Holy Grail War was the sheathe of Excalibur, Avalon." I stated. "We need the sheathe. Please give it to us."
The ball was back in Shirou's court, yet he stared at me stupidly.
"What?"
Rider burst out laughing.
"That's absurd." He stated. "Avalon? In my Master? If that was true, then he would have summoned… king… Arthur… with...out..." He trailed off, staring at me. "Oh. Shit. I just asked King Arthur to hunt with me."
"Rider?"
I blanch a little. Was it really that obvious?
"What ma-"
"Don't bother, Saber." Illya muttered. "There's no point trying to hide it. It's obvious to everyone." I just stare for a moment. Then I nod.
"I am King Arthur, Servant of the Sword." I state clearly. Rider nods.
"Cu Chulainn." He states. "Fair is fair, after all."
We already knew that, but the gesture was nice.
"The sheathe." Illya's words were quite strong, as she held out her hand. More symbolic, then literal, I hope. Surely she realised Shirou couldn't provide Avalon on a whim.
Rider shook his head.
"I'd be an idiot to give you back the original Avalon." He grumbled, yet his face looked conflicted. "The copy you have as a Servant is powerful. The last thing I need is you having the original."
I…
I don't tell him I don't actually have Avalon. That would play into his hands, and weaken our bargaining position.
"Why do you need it?"
In comparison to Rider, Shirou doesn't appear to be so bothered about it, more curious then sly. I share a look with Illya. She doesn't shake her head.
"My Master is ill." I state, hoping to play to Shirou himself. "It'll only get worse as the war goes on. The sheathe isn't for me, it's for her."
Hopefully, appealing to his good nature would work. Rider regards me with suspicion. He is a mage, too. He probably already realised what I said wasn't entirely true, yet.
He nods. If she wasn't sick now, so be it, but he accepted that she'd get worse.
"And your sure it's in me?"
"Yes." Illya answers him. "I can feel it."
"So can I, now that I know what I'm looking for." Rider admitted. "I don't have the means to remove it. Honestly, I'm perfectly fine leaving it where it is. I like my almighty Noble Phantasms nice and useless."
He was right, though. Within Shirou as it was, it would have minimal effect without my mana, and Shirou had no way of getting that.
"And you can get it out?" Shirou asked.
"Without harm." Rider added sharply. It seemed that would be a non-negotiable condition, but at the same time, I don't think Rider was entirely willing to go along with this.
"I think so. Maybe not this second, but I specialise in this sort of magic." Illya answered. "Even if it takes me a few days to get ready, I'm sure I can get it out safely." Her voice wavered at the last second. She probably didn't want safely, per say. A little pain would probably be desirable for her.
Yet…
"Alright. What are you going to give me back?"
"What?"
The three of us, Rider included, all exclaimed at once. Shirou was smiling.
"Something for something, right? You're asking me to return Saber's trump card, and I'm in a fairly hopeless position here." He answered. "So what will you give back? What are you offering for Avalon?"
My heartbeat quickens.
Just what could we offer Shirou? Command Spells? No, for him, those are not so useful anyway. Safe shelter? His house was totalled, he couldn't remain here. An Alliance? Would Rider ever accept such a thing?
Something. Anything.
[ ] Barter for Avalon.
-[ ] Write in.
[ ] Leave without Avalon.
