[Queen's Grail War] Episode 2: Brokeback Mountain
After two hours of mediocre rest, I force myself off the paper thin mattress and onto my feet. I've gotten more than enough rest now.
"Gunner, I'm ready to go. Let's scout from the cliffside." I say in a hushed voice, taking precautions in case any eavesdroppers are listening in.
After a few moments of silence, the grizzled general manifests in front of me.
"It's ab-", Gunner pauses, reflecting on what he had said before. " I hope you've slept well, Master. Let's be on our way then." Gunner, clearly eager, steps out the door first. Naturally, I follow him into the streets.
I head further down the street I took to the hotel, going through various dark alleys and hopping the occasional fence. After a good 10 minutes, I reach the steep cliffside, it's height and verticality enough to scare off even the most experienced rock climbers, assuming they didn't have equipment.
"Master, should we look for another way up? I have no way of carrying you up there..."
Ignoring Gunner, I press forward and place my hands against the wall of rock before me. Stable. Slipping on leather gloves, I harden my fists and feet with rune magic, and begin my ascent.
The climb is brisk, myself being used to the outdoors and using unconventional methods of travel, and I find Gunner waiting at the top for me. Extending out his hand, he pulls me up right as my hand reaches the top.
Tracing the cliffside, we walk quickly and observe the plains and fields that got on for miles. "Gunner, I can't really see much considering the distance. As a Servant I assume you have superior eye-sight of some sort."
Gunner gives out another genuine laugh, "Well, you'd be correct. At least about one of my eyes.", clearly referring to the eye patch covering the left side of his face. " But unfortunately, no, I do not see anything significant. "
I'm a little uneasy, is voice was a little louder than necessary, and I can tell he's trying really hard to force himself into a subordinate role. I force a small chuckle and silently continue our pace for the remainder of our hike.
Looking down towards the river, I observe two crucial details;
-
I do no have a boat, the means to get one, nor the knowledge on how to drive one.
-
The river is flowing downstream, the opposite direction from which I need to go.
"Gunner, let's turn around and establish a camp at the center of this cliffside."
Gunner ponders my proposition.
"Yes, actually, I would've made the same conclusion. He have a huge tactical advantage from this mountain. A bird's eye view of the plains and steepness of the cliff are favorable conditions during combat. Should someone choose to scale the mountainside, I could easily detect and shoot them down." Gunner comes to logical conclusions that I hadn't even considered. I had just wanted to get some more rest, and to get away from that horrid motel.
"Exactly what I was thinking. Once we're at the center of the mountain relative to the river and town, we'll set up camp and get some rest."
With that, we begin backtracking.
Arriving at our new destination, I clear myself from the line of sight relative to the plains, and climb up into a nice tree with a large, thick branch. Even without pillows or blankets, this is much more comfortable.
"Gunner, I'm going to get some more rest. I'll leave it to you to keep an eye out." Gunner nods, wordlessly. Staring over the edge of the cliff, it's obvious that he's deep in thought. "But that's no concern of mine.", I think, as I fade into sleep once again.*
Bzzzzzzt....
BZZZZZZZZT...
I'm violently woken up, panicking and ready to fight off any attackers. Naturally, nobody was there, and my phone was just ringing. Falling several meters off the tree branch, I hit the cold dirt, landing flat on my back.
Bzzzzt...
I look over to my phone, which is lying a few inches from my face. It's cracked. Grumbling to myself, I answer the call;
"What the hell is it?" I shout. Looking over through the tree line, I notice that it's almost at the crack of dawn.
"You're awfully tired sounding. Shouldn't it be a little past dinner there?"
"Hmm? What do you mean by 'over there'? Shouldn't you be in London as well?", Daniel? Why is he calling me?
"Oop, hello.. I went traveling! Did you too?
Crap.
"I.. Suppose you could say that. I'm not really in a position to talk on the phone right now, so make it quick."
"Morgen...mmmm....last night was wonderful." I hear the voice of another old acquaintances, Alexander. I was never very fond of him.
"Well, what do you know about the Holy Grail War? I figured you might, seeing as you're an enforcer."
"Alex is there too? Are you two on a honeymoon?"
The sudden mention of the Holy Grail War surprises me.
"I'm not sure how my occupation would lend towards me having that kind of knowledge, but fortunately for you I'm a little more well versed than most."
I'm definitely suspiciously now. There's now reason for a person to ask about this. Especially considering his circumstances.
"Honeymoon? Of course not. I think he might be trying something, so I mean, hey! Justinian! Can you help me out?" After some commotion and rustling in the background, I speak up again.
"Justinian? Are you in Rome?"
"Nope. China. He's a friend of mine. But on with it. I need to know everything you know about the Grail War going on right now."
This is a little too much to be just a coincidence. "Funny you should say that. I'm also in China; on a business trip, you could say. What do you need to know about the war?"
"Daniel have you seen my pants?" Alexander butts in again, but he's ignored.
"Are you? Probably should skip to the point then. I'm Gold, and you're?"
I look down at the Command Seals on my left hand. I wasn't even concerned with what team I had been assigned until now. "I'm Gold too, it seems. Looks like we're on the same team, for better or worse. Have you met up with everyone else yet?"
"One other Gold, and one very enthusiastic Silver Defectee over there. We're at the Temple. I'll go find Caster and make sure he doesn't try to roast you." Daniel whispers into the phone, "The only other master here thinks Alexander and I are dating. I'm not sure what to think of that."
"Defectee? Can we trust him? Where can I find you guys?"
"Probably. He burnt all three command seals to do it. Apparently anyone who threatens me is now the target of Lancer of Silver's wrath. As I said the Buddhist Temple." Justinian once again begins to argue with Alexander. "For the love of my sweet Theodora, I will throw you out!"
"I suppose we can exchange information once I get there. Is it safe to travel right now?"
"I don't see the sun ship. If it comes to it, call and Saber and I will provide backup and Caster can put on a fire works show."
"Well, it looks like I should start moving. If we find transportation, we'll be there in an hour, if we cannot, it will be several."
"Best of luck. I'll see you soon." He hangs up the phone, and I approach Gunner, who's still sitting at the cliffside.
"Yo, the situation has changed. Team Gold is holed up at a nearby Temple, it should only take an hour if we manage to find a car."
Gunner gets up and faces me, his presence feels a little more intimidating than before.
"Very well, Master. However, I'd like to make it clear that I refuse to take orders from them. Once there, I shall take charge, and obey nobody but yourself."
I'm a little perplexed. What happened to his decision to act "more like a subordinate"?
Gunner continues, some hesitation in his voice. It seems as though he's struggled with this decision for a long time. "Don't get me wrong, Master. It is not as though I am going to act as a monarch or refuse to cooperate. As of right now, my biggest concern is winning this war, and I can only trust myself to do that."
Silently, I nod. I think I understand what Gunner means. I have no qualms with Gunner taking charge, or even ordering me around, so long as it improves our odds of success. I just hope it goes over well with everyone else. "Well, let's be on our way. Let's go to the town we were staying in and borrow a car. I know this might sound stupid, but as a Servant, I'm assuming you can drive."
It only takes as a little over an hour to arrive at the Temple. After sliding down the mountainside, we entered the small town and stole a rusty Honda Civic. Gunner had to drive since I've never learned how, apparently he has a "Riding" skill.
Finally, we arrive at the Temple Steps, well, what was left of them. It looks like they were razed in some sort of bombing raid. I step forward and brandish my Seals; proof of my allegiance to Team GOLD. I prepare to speak up, but before I can, Gunner steps forward and takes the stage, calling everyone in the Temple outside with his booming voice.
"SUBORDINATES! Step forward and present your Command Seals. Every Master and Servant present has 30 seconds to show themselves, anyone who fails to do so will be immediately executed. I will not stand for any insubordination in my army!!"
Posted Apr 15, 2016, 12:48 AM UTC