After that day, the Fifth Holy Grail War, he had not once stopped searching for her. For years he had been without her. For years of constant anguish, he pursued his own ideals in memory of a woman who had walked a similar path. s.h.i.+rou clenched his fists, he didn't know what had happened to bring him here, and frankly, he just didn't care. She was here, and that was all that mattered. He couldn't let the opportunity slip through his fingers. At that moment when he had first seen her again, at the moment he first realized the implications of where he was, he had sworn an oath. In much the same way as a memory of n.o.ble woman had once done for him, he would do all in his power to uphold it. This time she wouldn't be alone to bare the burden of a King under an emotionless mask.

s.h.i.+rou stood up from his make-s.h.i.+ft bed of leaves; he would have to go hunting today. Based on the orientation of the sun and humidity of the air, it was mid summer. At least he wouldn't have to worry about the cold of winter. He walked towards the river, his only supply of water, and washed his face off, the cold clearing away the blur of his tired eyes. He was fortunate, he thought, that there was a forest with a river adjacent to the wheat field.

A sound soon snapped him to attention, his muscles tensing. It was a habit after many years in pursuit of Dead Apostles, or anything for that matter that brought harm.

s.h.i.+rou turned and had a projection ready at the back of his mind; he could never be too cautious, life had taught him that. However, it would be for naught as he immediately relaxed.

"So you've come again," s.h.i.+rou said to the single blond ahoge sticking up from a bush. It twitched before Arturia revealed herself.

"How do you do that?" Arturia asked. She was sure that she was hidden. For all intents and purposes, today was the day she was going to find where he lived. Could it be that the Fairies raised him in the forest? Could she finally prove Kay wrong for laughing at her face when he was the one who told her of Fairies? It was not a pleasant memory to remember coming home that one day.

"The same way I've done for the past seven twilights. A Knight in training such as yourself isn't suited to hiding in the shadows."

"O-Of course," Arturia stuttered. It was the first time someone other than her family acknowledged her desire to be a Knight. She set her mind straight at that point. "And a Knight in training like yourself shouldn't be hiding secrets in the forest."

s.h.i.+rou smirked at the rebutle. "Not a Knight."

"Yeah, you're a Squire."

"No, not a Squire."

Arturia furrowed her brows. What mind games was s.h.i.+rou playing at? She wouldn't believe him; no regular boy should possess the amount of sword skills he has. Nice try, but she wouldn't be falling for it. Question is, why would he not admit it? "Then what?" She decided to humour him.

"Just a hunter." s.h.i.+rou looked at Arturia, unable to hide the flicker of emotion that crossed his eyes at that moment. He could only hope that Arturia wouldn't pick up on it.

Arturia stared, but seemed to shake it off as she began to ponder.

A hunter? Arturia echoed in her mind. Of all the excuses he could use, why a hunter? Then again they were in a forest and s.h.i.+rou didn't appear to be living in a home. Why didn't he have a home, surely he had a home? Better yet, why was he hiding it? Surely the Fairies would of had a place for him to stay. Arturia's eyes narrowed...

Arturia's stomach growled; she blushed and quickly covered her face. It was her fault for not eating anything, but she couldn't help it. The only way she could have gotten food was by asking Sir Ector. G.o.d knows how perceptive Sir Ector was; he would have asked where and who first thing in the morning. Quite frankly, she hadn't told anyone of her encounter with s.h.i.+rou, at least not yet.

s.h.i.+rou smiled and reluctantly began the day's activities. "Hunger is the enemy." He said as he draped a warm cloak over his shoulders. A bow appeared in his hand, and he soon walked into the forest foliage. "Wait here, I'll be back with some food." He called over.

Arturia nodded her head a moment after she knew her blush was gone. Only then did she realize she missed her opportunity to follow after s.h.i.+rou. It was the whole point of getting up early and fooling Kay to deal with Sir Ector's morning activities; namely feeding the live stock. Now what was she supposed to do? Her hand fumbled with the practice sword strapped to her waist. Perhaps she could practice with s.h.i.+rou later...Well she supposed she could do a warm up before then.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

s.h.i.+rou traveled quietly within the woods, his bow at the ready and eyes searching for movement. A hare would be preferable over a deer due to the difference in weight because of his child sized body. However, if push came to shove and all he found was a deer, he supposed he could simply reinforce his body with magic. Now if he did that, how would he be able to explain it to Arturia? I work out?

Somehow, s.h.i.+rou just knew she wouldn't believe that. Then again, he could just take his chances. If he knew her, and he d.a.m.n well did, then he knew even as a child she must eat a lot. Two hares then, or a deer, he decided. Luckily it was at that moment that a hare entered his perfireals. With practiced ease, he easily shot it down. One down, one more to go.

Walking to the downed hare, s.h.i.+rou picked it up and placed it in a pouch hanging from his waist. A flicker of movement caught his eye, and quickly, he reinforced his legs and jumped onto a tree.

A phantasmal beast? s.h.i.+rou mused as he watched the small creature. It had the shape of a hawk, but was a tad bigger. If it wasn't for its teal coloured eyes, and ethereal glow, a dim blue, it would not have looked out of place in the forest. Now the question was, what would one be doing in the middle of the woods? Then again why was it staring at him? Just to make sure, s.h.i.+rou waved a hand and watched as its eyes followed. It really was watching him, how strange. What could it possibly want with him? In a come hither sort of motion, it waved its head as if to say follow me.

s.h.i.+rou furrowed his brows, but nonetheless, decided to follow the phantasmal beast. Good idea or not, it would be best not to leave a phantasmal beast unattended. It walked on sharp red talons, occasionally turning its head to check if he was still following. Eventually, it stopped and flew off. s.h.i.+rou's eyes never left it until it perched atop a tree and signaled him to move forward with its eyes. He complied, but he made sure to keep a constant eye on the beast. His attention however, would soon be diverted upon his feet stepping on smooth cobblestone.

He looked up.

A house? No it was more of a mansion, but why was it in the middle of the woods? For all intents and purposes, it was abandoned. s.h.i.+rou didn't know for how long, but vegetation was already creeping its way throughout the house. This was probably the home of the phantasmal beast, but why would it bring him here?

s.h.i.+rou walked closer and upon inspection noticed a plank near the old front gate.

Ashton Forest.

The plank read.

With a caw, the phantasmal beast once again flew off, but this time straight onto the top of the mansion. It again cawed, urging him to continue before it raised a wing and began preening its soft brown feathers. Hesitantly, he stepped through the old gate.

"Welcome home."

A gentle voice echoed throughout s.h.i.+rou's mind. Snapping his gaze back to the phantasmal beast, it disappeared within the mansion.

"Welcome home?" s.h.i.+rou mused aloud. If he was confused with the nature of the phantasmal beast before, now he was baffled. Phantasmal beasts, at least the ones he's encountered, were never too friendly to humans. The majority of them preferred staying away, or downright antagonizing them, and by antagonizing, he meant killing. Things such as Goblins, Imps, and the like, they were all easy to understand, but this particular beast...

s.h.i.+rou scratched at the back of his head. Welcome home, could mean a majority of things, but the easiest conclusion was he was home. The phantasmal beast must have lead him here a.s.suming he was the master of the house, which was strange in and out of itself. Phantasmal beasts just don't do that. If they have a land in which they believe is theirs, they would gaurd it, not give it away. Then again, he was always a third rate magus, his knowledge only coming from experience.

Touring the mansion grounds, s.h.i.+rou noticed a chicken pen near the backyard. He debated on what to do, that is, until the phantasmal beast perched atop his shoulder. He tensed.

"Welcome home."

The voice repeated within s.h.i.+rou's mind.

"What do you mean?" s.h.i.+rou asked moments later, realizing the beast wasn't out to attack him. Perhaps it could understand him.

The phantasmal beast tilted its head in confusion before waving a wing to encompa.s.s the area.

"Yours."

The voice said.

"Mine?" s.h.i.+rou said confused, but no voice returned to answer. Instead, the phantasmal beast simply began to preen its feathers, drawing attention to the colar around its foot.

The collar read, Efret. A name probably.

Noticing s.h.i.+rou's stare, Efret once again motioned towards the area and said 'yours.'

Efret was a peculiar phantasmal beast, s.h.i.+rou decided, but it was docile. Raising a hand, s.h.i.+rou began to pet Efret, noticing the way it pressed up against his hand. Smiling slightly, s.h.i.+rou turned his attention back to the chicken pen. It would seem as if he didn't have to go hunting any time soon.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Not yet," s.h.i.+rou said to Arturia. "It's not cooked yet."

After leaving the mansion and promising Efret that he would return, s.h.i.+rou was now preparing lunch for himself and Arturia. Lunch in this case consisted of skinned hare and chicken, most of which was close to cooked after ten minutes on an improvised spit. Most of the components were made out of wood, but s.h.i.+rou had created a turning k.n.o.b for the spit.

"But the meat already looks tender," Arturia said with a huff, a sign of her protest. She was tired and hungry after practicing her swordsmans.h.i.+p by herself throughout the morning, and it was s.h.i.+rou's fault for taking so long. "And I don't understand why you're coating it with...with..." Arturia trailed off.

"Herbs," s.h.i.+rou supplied.

"Herbs," Arturia finished. They were an ingredient s.h.i.+rou seemed to have found in the woods. Apparently they make food taste better? Somehow she doubted that- They just looked like little leaves, or gra.s.s tips. Moreover, the black rock thing that s.h.i.+rou ground up and called black pepper, it was horrible. Albeit, she took a sample for herself when he wasn't looking. She just took a tad bit, a little smidgen on her index finger in which she proceeded to stick into her mouth. It was the wrong decision.

Her eyes focused uncertainly as she noticed s.h.i.+rou sprinkling the black pepper and the other herbs over the food, in which case he declared lunch served.

"Do you want the hare, or the chicken?" s.h.i.+rou asked as he held out the two pieces of meat-on-stick. They were s.h.i.+shkabobs really.

Arturia debated for a moment, but ultimately chose the hare since she had eaten enough chicken at home. Tentatively, she drew her mouth closer and took a small nibble, not unlike a chipmunk nibbling on a nut. She chewed, her eyes betraying nothing as her tongue pushed the food around every crevice of her mouth. She chewed and chewed and chewed, s.h.i.+rou noting the way her chewing was getting faster. She soon swallowed.

Arturia paused and simply stared at the hare in her hands. G-G.o.d's divine! What was she eating! It was love at first bite. B-Black pepper, to think that such a h-horrendous thing could- magic! It was magic! How else could she explain such a burst in flavour. Her mouth was in heaven, her eyes glazed, and her mind unfocused. All she could think off was taking the next bite.

I had a feeling she ate a lot even as a child. s.h.i.+rou mused as he smiled wryly. The scene itself was nostalgic, although, it would seem that Arturia did not yet possess her dignified eating skills, if the grease on her cheeks was any indication. Bite after bite, she sunk her teeth into the tender meat and practically glowed. It was enough to stop him from eating and just fondly watch her. A fatal error. He soon concluded when her eyes landed on his uneaten chicken, and the remains of the hare in her hand. And yet, it was the small things, times like these, that s.h.i.+rou could fully realize the enormity of his situation. He was with her again, and he would never trade it away.

Shaking his head in amus.e.m.e.nt, he tore off a small chunk of chicken for himself and gave the rest away. Next time, he'd have to get more food. Three chickens? Four? Five? He didn't mind, as long as Arturia was happy.

After cleaning themselves off at the river after their meal, s.h.i.+rou decided it was time to make some money. "I'm going to head to town to see if I can sell the hare's pelt for a few coppers, maybe even a silver. Perhaps even tour the town a bit." He said to Arturia.

"I'll come with you but," Arturia paused and stared hesitantly at s.h.i.+rou. "When we're there, call me Arthur."

Arturia didn't mind all that much that s.h.i.+rou called her by her given name. He had known it all along after all, magic probably. However, in public, she was known as Arthur as carefully instructed by Sir Ector.

"That's fine." s.h.i.+rou agreed. He knew that she was hiding her ident.i.ty as a woman and her reasons for it. Therefore he said his next words with certainty. "You're a boy after all."

Arturia froze. "Y-Yeah..." She said uncertainly, her gaze unable to meet s.h.i.+rou's. Still though, she was frustrated. Could he not tell that she was a girl? Was she so lacking in femininity? She had heard from the local mothers that milk was good, perhaps she should drink more- No! This was good the way it was! It's better for s.h.i.+rou not to know, but but... Arturia snuck a glance up at s.h.i.+rou, her thoughts conflicted on the matter. There he was, so carefree, so reliable to be able to take care of himself alone. Arturia had no doubts that she would struggle through life without Sir Ector and Kay's guidance, but s.h.i.+rou, he was different. Not only was he surviving, but he also found the time to entertain her in a forest. He was trustworthy, even her gut said so. "...S-s.h.i.+rou, I-I'm not "

"-You know, you're gonna get left behind if you just stand there?" s.h.i.+rou called a distance away. Arturia hadn't noticed that s.h.i.+rou was walking forward due to gazing at the ground.

"C-Coming!" Arturia called as she ran up to s.h.i.+rou's side. Together they made the trek to the town of Bristol; an awkward silence hung between them that didn't fade until s.h.i.+rou slapped Arturia's back and said that 'she was thinking to hard.'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Well, that went better than expected," s.h.i.+rou muttered as he pocketed the sum of copper coins he had received from the trader. "I didn't think it was worth that much."

"14 coppers, that's enough for a few meals," Arturia said.

s.h.i.+rou nodded his head. It was good that he had pocket money, never know what he might need to buy. At least he had a house know if Efret had anything to say about it. He still had to make good on his promise to return. For now however, he enjoyed touring the town of Bristol. It was truly a novelty experience. The houses were made with timber from trees, and the the thatch roofs proved to be good insulators. The small smithy he had noticed upon entering the town was fast at work on an anvil forging a steel bowl of some sort, a pot probably.

A comotion soon caught s.h.i.+rou's attention. A boy Arturia's age wearing white breeches, black stockings, and a gold coloured coat, was hara.s.sing a similarly aged girl who wore no more than rags. The boy had s.h.a.ggy brown hair swept to the side, and had a sneer on his face. The girl however, was distraught, her once clean braid coming loose and releasing her blond coloured hair to sway past her back.

s.h.i.+rou's eyes narrowed when the boy slapped the girl to the ground.

"Local bullies, a n.o.bleman's son based on that Coat of Arms," s.h.i.+rou said, relying on shared memories form the Fifth war.

"That's Lord Wolfred's son," Arturia supplied in disgust. "Sir Ector asked me not to get involved in things like this."

"So you'd just stand by?"

Arturia trembled in anger. Of course she wanted to do something, but she knew Sir Ector's reason for wanting her to stay uninvolved. It would be a breach in her honour should she disobey Sir Ector when all he wanted was to keep her safe. Still though, she had heard the rumours of how Lord Wolfred's son miss-treated the local girls; to have it proven in front of her drove her to the edge. Her hands trembled as she gripped her practice sword; she grimaced as she struggled with her morals.

Noticing Arturia's troubled face, s.h.i.+rou knew what he was going to do. h.e.l.l, he probably would have done so anyway. He knocked his bow which he had brought with him, and fired.

"AAah!" Lord Wolfred's son yelled as the arrow nearly grazed his hand- The hand moving to slap the girl a second time.

"That's enough," s.h.i.+rou said as he approached. Tentatively, he held a hand out for the girl to take while directing his attention on the son of Wolfred. "That's no way to treat a lady."

Hesitantly, the girl took s.h.i.+rou's hand and stared between s.h.i.+rou and Lord Wolfred's son. Her family could not pay their tax fees, nor could they spare any food if they were to last the coming winter. She had hoped that she could ask Lord Wolfred, the kind man he was, to exempt her family as he did once before. Unfortunately, she had the pleasure of speaking to his son instead...

"A lady? Hah! You can't be serious," the boy laughed. "She's but a peasant unable to pay the tax money."

"The tax money?" s.h.i.+rou asked.

"Yes, but a mere five coppers that she can't seem to produce."

The girl looked down in shame. It wasn't her fault that she was born poor, not that she blamed her parents. They were the kind of father and mother who did their best to provide, no matter how meager what they provided was.

s.h.i.+rou didn't hesitate as he removed five copper from his pouch and tossed them to the son of Wolfred. "Here, five copper." he said. Turning around, he then gave his remaining nine to the girl behind him. "Use it for your family," he said.

Did s.h.i.+rou regret giving away his pocket money? Not one bit. Besides, it was money well spent to help the life of another.

"T-Thank you!" The girl said clumsily as she bowed. She had never known of a n.o.bleman so nice to commoners.

"Your welcome, but you best be going," s.h.i.+rou said.

Nodding, the girl waisted no time in getting away from the son of Wolfred.

Meanwhile, Arturia was staring at the scene unfolding. She was impressed, s.h.i.+rou had not only stood up for a stranger, but he helped said stranger knowing her situation. His actions only further cemented Arturia's trust in him. Admittedly however, she was feeling inadequate. There was s.h.i.+rou upholding his laws of chivalry, and here she was doing absolutely nothing! Granted, she was doing her best to listen to Sir Ector, but she lamented her inability to help. No, she wouldn't accept that, she would find a way to help!

The son of Wolfred was soon glaring at s.h.i.+rou. Not only had he ruined his fun, but now he clearly noticed s.h.i.+rou's bow and lack of an arrow. It didn't take him long to connect the dots as to who nearly shot his hand off. "How dare you! Do you even know who I am? You're just a mere peasant!" He yelled.

"You're Lord Wolfred's son," s.h.i.+rou said evenly as he retrieved his arrow and promptly glared back. "Now the question is, do you know who I am?"

"A low born Cur. Sir Anders, deal with him and have him locked in father's prison."

s.h.i.+rou turned his attention to the Knight, Sir Anders, approaching him. He was tall and well muscled, his armour barely covering his body, he could utilize that. His joints were the largest openings, perfect for an attack, but on his head was a full on helmet. As s.h.i.+rou was contemplating his actions, Arturia approached.

"Halt," Arturia surprisingly said to Sir Anders. Surprised with the sheer charisma of the command, Sir Anders stopped. "As a Knight, you should address proper courtesy. Even if who you face is a Squire."

A squire? s.h.i.+rou thought puzzled.

"A Squire?" Sir Anders stuttered in surprise. "T-Then he's the son of a n.o.ble?"

Arturia nodded her head. "Do your eyes not see the colours he bares on his body beneath his cloak?"

s.h.i.+rou stood dumbfounded for a moment before he removed the cloak around him and revealed his inner clothing. He wore the red garb gifted to him by Caren Ortensia during his time as an enforcer, and a sleek black body armour. He surprisingly resembled the Archer of the Fifth War if not for him wearing blue jeans.

Regaining his bearing, Sir Anders stood straight, his sword held upright by his chest. "Then I face you as Sir Anders of the Knights of Lord Wolfred," he said.

"s.h.i.+rou Emiya of...Ashton Forest." s.h.i.+rou said all the while copying the movement of Sir Anders. As for the name, he recalled the location of the abandoned home.

Sir Anders blinked. "You were the son of the late Duke Ashton?" He stared quizzically at s.h.i.+rou until his gaze focused on s.h.i.+rou's eyes. "That would explain the n.o.ble red and black in which you wear. The eye colour is identical too, even the name seems like something the old fool would think off; a pity for his naming sense."

Arturia mulled the new information in her head, s.h.i.+rou wasn't from Scotland?

"Sir Anders, attack already!" The young son of Wolfred demanded.

"Quiet boy! This news is something your father may wish to hear." Sir Anders placed a hand on s.h.i.+rou's shoulder. "How did you survive the a.s.sa.s.sination boy?"

s.h.i.+rou didn't answer as everyone interpreted his silence in different ways.

"I see...Duke Ashton must have hidden you away." Sir Anders eyes narrowed. "You best not repeat this information to anyone else. Never know who would want to kill you."

Kill him? Arturia stared at s.h.i.+rou wide-eyed. He was in hiding as well? The feeling of shame once again welled up within her. Even though he was in hiding like her, he still chose to stand up for what he believed was right. She had no excuses for why she didn't help. If s.h.i.+rou could risk himself for another, why couldn't she?

Meanwhile, s.h.i.+rou hesitantly nodded his head to Sir Anders question.

"Good," Sir Anders said. "Unfortunately I still have to oblige the young master here in a spar with you. Don't worry though, I'll take it easy on an aspiring Knight. Although I don't see your sword on you."

s.h.i.+rou contemplated creating a sword, but a tap on his shoulder had him stop dead in his tracks.

"Here," Arturia said. "Use mine. I'm sorry if I haven't been of much help."

"Thanks, you've done more than enough," s.h.i.+rou replied as he took her wooden practice sword.

"You plan to test this steel against that wood?" Sir Anders asked as he brandished his sword.

Reinforcing Arturia's practice sword, s.h.i.+rou smirked. "Yup."

"Then have at thee!" Sir Anders yelled.

s.h.i.+rou breathed in and closed his eyes.

s.h.i.+rou, always keep your guard up.

He stepped to the left, narrowly dodging Sir Anders frontal swing. His sword was raised above him from a low stance, covering the majority of his upper body and head.

When you strike, you strike with purpose. Use your hips to generate power.

"Agh!" s.h.i.+rou yelled as he came low and struck high. Sir Anders met his blow with his sword, but severely underestimated s.h.i.+rou's reinforced strength. It was a price he would have to pay. With a resounding bang, Sir Ander's chest plate caved in from the sheer blunt force.

"B-But it's wood!" Sir Ander's yelled in disbelief. He wanted to heave, but years of training were enough to force the action down. He had underestimated s.h.i.+rou, but no longer; he didn't want to have to repair anymore armour.

When the enemy stands before you, any notion of mercy must flee your mind. The path must be clear, the outcome decided in swift motion.

s.h.i.+rou opened his eyes and leveled a calm gaze at Sir Anders.

Sir Anders struck with ferocity, his blows heavy and precise, and yet every blow was parried in equal amounts skill and strength. To defeat without shame, to match honest blows with honest blows, thus was the path of chivalry, the way of the Knight.

s.h.i.+rou parried one last swing from Sir Anders and backed away, maintaining his form.

Arturia gasped. Watching s.h.i.+rou move, his swings, his footwork, it seemed as she was watching a mirror image of herself, only without any of her flaws. He did not over reach as she would still often do, nor did he rely too much on his own strength. Rather, he used the strength of his enemy to his advantage. This was the type of swordsmans.h.i.+p she was aspiring for.

s.h.i.+rou's eyes narrowed as he watched for movement on Sir Anders's part.

That's right, keep your arms steady, your legs firmly planted, and when the enemy strikes-

Sir Anders lunged, a firm hand on his sword moving in a horizontal swing.

You clear the distance and put an end to the battle.

s.h.i.+rou cleaved down and pushed Sir Anders's sword to the ground before pus.h.i.+ng off on his feet. Sparks came off from the swords as s.h.i.+rou slid his weapon up Sir Anders's sword and promptly stopped below his unguarded neck.

"Yield," s.h.i.+rou said.

"Fair enough," Sir Anders huffed as he pushed s.h.i.+rou's blade away. "Your apprenticed Knight has taught you well. Although how a piece of wood withstood my sword is beyond me." Sir Anders held out a hand. "A good spar boy, next time won't be so easy."

"I wouldn't hope it to be," s.h.i.+rou said as he grasped Sir Anders hand.

"Wait wait wait!" The son of Wolfred yelled. "Sir Anders, you were supposed to beat him and lock him in father's prison!"

Sir Anders glared. "Foolish child, if you ever hope to be a Knight it would be better to take after this boy than it would be to imprison him. Besides, I like this boy more than I like you."

"W-What how dare you! F-Father will be hearing of this!" The son of Wolfred said as he ran off.

Sir Anders shook his head. Stupid boy. Lord Wolfred valued his Knights, he wouldn't blindly follow the words of a blubbering child. However, he was still tasked with looking after the boy, so reluctantly, he decided to follow after him. "See you around, s.h.i.+rou of Ashton Forest," he said as he left.

Arturia ran up to s.h.i.+rou, a smile on her face. "I can't believe you beat a Knight!"

"Well, it sort of just happened," s.h.i.+rou said as he returned Arturia's sword. He scratched at the back of his head. Winning wasn't really that much of a big deal for him. He was literally an adult in a child's body...With the added benefit of reinforcement to make up for his child body's limitations.

"Indeed, that was quite a performance young one."

Arturia froze as a calm hand placed itself on her shoulder. Turning her head, her teal coloured eyes met mirthful blue. The man wore full-plate-armour adorned with the colours blue and yellow around the edges. Save for his head, every other part of him was armoured as expected of a Knight.

"And who might this be, Arthur," Sir Ector asked as he raised a brow towards s.h.i.+rou, the gesture moving a lock of brown hair over an eye. He soon fixed it with a brush of a hand.

Arturia furrowed her brows. What could she say? In the end, she decided to go with what she believed. What was s.h.i.+rou to her? She mused, but the answer was evident. She stared at him and gave a small smile. He was different from the other children and was skilled with a blade, but to her, he was undoubtedly, "My friend, s.h.i.+rou."

She liked the way the word rolled off her tongue. She had never had the liberty of calling anyone her friend since she spent most of her time in hiding like s.h.i.+rou.

"Your friend who you neglected to tell me about." Sir Ector voiced his opinion.

Arturia pursed her lips and began to think on the spot. "He's Duke Ashton's son." She mirrored Sir Ander's previous words.

"Duke Ashton?" Sir Ector said surprised as he glanced at s.h.i.+rou. "He was able to survive the a.s.sa.s.sination?"

"He was hidden away," Arturia supplied.

Sir Ector mulled over his thoughts, but ultimately agreed with Arturia's reasoning. He turned to s.h.i.+rou. "It must have been hard, s.h.i.+rou, living while everyone else died."

s.h.i.+rou blanked, a distant memory of a boy walking through a city of fire surfacing within his mind. The screams, the cries of mercy, the wails of those who he could not save. He closed his eyes to force the images away.

"S-Sir Ector." Arturia elbowed Sir Ector as she noticed the look on s.h.i.+rou's face.

"Oh, sorry sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Sir Ector apologized. He then turned to Arturia. "Now for you."

"..." Arturia averted her gaze.

"s.h.i.+rking your duties to your brother Kay, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"...No." Arturia said.

Sir Ector sighed before giving s.h.i.+rou a nod. "We will be on our way, Arthur here has earned the right for Kay's duties as proper."

"W-What, you want me to clean the stys! But but-" Sir Ector brought a finger over Arturia's mouth.

"Wouldn't be much of a punishment unless you don't like it. Don't think I don't know that you happen to like sharpening the swords." Sir Ector said before he turned to s.h.i.+rou. "Well be on our way s.h.i.+rou."

s.h.i.+rou nodded his head and watched as Arturia and Sir Ector disappeared in the distance.

With Arturia, she held her head in her hands. She hated cleaning after the pigs. It was stinky and utterly gross, something unbefitting of a Knight in training like her. Besides, she didn't think the pigs liked her very much. Evident by how much extra s.h.i.+t was always lying around when she walked in. Ooooh she hated those pigs.

"Arturia, you said the boy was a Squire?" Sir Ector asked, interrupting Arturia's thoughts.

"Yes," Arturia replied puzzled with the sudden question. There was no doubt in her mind that s.h.i.+rou was a squire, it was impossible for him not to be.

"Then did you consider who will Knight him? It doesn't seem as if his apprenticed Knight escaped the Ashton a.s.sa.s.sination." Sir Ector said.

Not a Knight.

Not a Squire.

Arturia recalled her pa.s.sing conversation with s.h.i.+rou, and a look of dawning horror soon spread to her face as her insides churned and caused her to fidget. He couldn't be a Knight? The notion was daunting as it was heart-wrenching.

Just a hunter.

The words were innocent enough if it wasn't for that sudden flicker of emotion that pa.s.sed through s.h.i.+rou's eyes. That longing look, as if he was staring at something that he was simply unable to have...

Arturia clenched her fists, her eyes downcast and overshadowed by her bangs. She was an idiot. How could she not have realized? The more she thought about it, the guiltier she became. Her eyes glanced down at her practice sword, and quickly she averted her gaze. She couldn't understand the heavy ebbing of her heart. Whenever she pictured s.h.i.+rou, her friend and Squire in training, it hurt knowing the burden, the lie concealed behind his smiles. He was probably smiling for her sake, encouraging her to follow in her path of Knighthood when he alone could not.

If Sir Ector noticed anything in Arturia's behaviour, he didn't say a word, only laid a careful hand over her head.

It would be the quietest walk home that Sir Ector would ever remember.