In the Shadows of a Midnight City

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Day 1: 11:45 PM

The night was still young as far as Shoutarou was concerned. As he walked through the streets he had a coffee with him that he got from the Cafe' near by, a nice warm drink for this time of year. He had decided to look into the night life of Lucca and it seemed normal enough, it would possibly make things more peaceful. At least it would if he didn't know about the Grail War that was supposed to begin today, and he had yet to obtain a servant.

He knew he would have to perform his summoning Ritual soon, and was going to do so when he returned tonight to the office. But until then it was going to be a matter of gathering information and finishing the last of his rounds of the City. He knew just about all the sights and had experienced a good deal of the life around it but now was the time to put it to use as now the time had come to be on full alert.

Not sure what to expect, he had come to Ponte a Moriano to check the night life of this area to see if a master could use this location to hamper other masters or perhaps as place to hide in plain sight. Walking through, he saw many people moving to and frou on the streets, however none through the alleys just yet. Deciding now would be a good time to check them, he started into an Alley as he finished his drink. If he were to find any indication into the Shadows of Lucca City, he would have to walk right into them.

He kept his senses on full alert and his prana at a state of ready at all times. Now the question was for Shoutarou...What awaits him in the Shadows of Lucca?

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian bit back another gasp of pain as she tried to make her way down the alley. Internally, she cursed. She cursed her arrogant, seemingly suicidal master for deciding to charge into a fight. She cursed the beast for showing up in that damned alley. Above all else though, she cursed herself for getting herself into such a mess. She should have tried harder to stop his reckless rush, threat of command spell be damned. She should have reacted sooner, before her Master had disappeared. That was something she had no time to explain – all she knows is that her master was dead, probably at the hand at the same creature that had so badly maimed her before she could dispatch it.

Just saving herself from the abomination had drained her. As an Archer, she could survive without a master far longer than the other Servants – but only if she was careful, and the beast had not let her be careful. He reserves now were dangerously low, but that soon would not matter. The shadow beast had given her one final parting gift as it tore into her abdomen in its death throes, capping off a series of bruises, scrapes, and cuts that all but demanded that she let them heal.

The Countess of Huntington bit back another cry of pain as she continued to move down the alley. She couldn’t let them heal – letting them would sap all but the last dredges of her reserves, leaving her hours away from fading back into nothingness. If she didn’t let them heal, she would be dead but sunset, even if her enemies didn’t find her first. It was a fate she could not escape.

Another agonizing death.

Another lost chance.

Another failure.

Marian slumped against the wall, ready to feel that familiar cold embrace as her vision began to fade…

Thum

Marian’s eye shot open as she felt more then heard the pulse. She had never felt anything like it, but she knew what it was. As a Servant, severed from her Master, it was her only hope.

Another Master.

Slowly, painfully, Marian rose to her feet. She would not lie down and die – not when there was still a chance. She would not let it slip away.

Bloodied, dirty, and limping, Marian walked out of the alley, toward her next Master.

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

The moment he took a step passing by a near by alley, he felt it. It was weak but it was there...a magical presence that he had no doubt in his mind was close by. It was like a beacon, like a cry for help and he was certainly not going to ignore it. Keeping his eyes open he followed it towards the entrance to one of the near by alleys. Moving both swiftly and quietly he kept his focus on the presence.

'This presence...it's weak...and fading, I have to hurry.' he thought as he moved towards the presence all but tossing aside his empty cup of coffee.

It got closer and closer...and then in an instant there it was. What he saw was a woman whom had obviously seen both better days and was in obvious danger. She was definitely attacked that was easy to see from the bruises and the bleeding. His first reaction was to go to the woman's aid, that was one of the first things his Father had taught him when meeting someone who was victimized like this woman was, to go to the aid of the victim and become their shield.

"Take it easy there, it's gonna be okay, I'll get you some help. What happened to you?" said Shoutarou as he came up to her and took hold of her to help her stand as he looked around for signs of who or what did this to her, and if they were still near by stalking her to finish the job.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian felt his presence before she saw him, her vision fading as her legs gave way for an instance. Instead of being met by the ground, she felt a pair of arms catch her. Marian looked up at her savior, at the moment occupied making sure nothing had followed her. Compared to her own disheveled appearance, his pristine suit positively shined. She let herself drift off for a moment, thinking of the last time she had been saved, the last time she had been held like this – tired, frightened, her life depending on the kindness of a stranger.

But that had been lifetimes ago.

She returned to reality, a pair of blue eyes staring down at her. "Take it easy there, it's gonna be okay, I'll get you some help. What happened to you?" A few stray strands of red hair fell across his face as he looked around again. He was cautious, at least. More than what she could have said of her last master. But this man….yes, she could feel it. The same pulse that had drawn her in this direction in the first place. He was a Master, and by the lack of escort, without a servant. That, or he was in fact stupider then she thought.

Only one way to know. “I am the Servant Archer, summoned by the holy grail.” Another spike of pain shot through her, interrupting the explanation. After a moment, she continued in a voice tinged with pain. “I have lost my Master – a result of his own brashness. I am not sure how long I will survive in this condition without a supply of Prana.” Marian attempted to stand on her own, ashamed to find that she had to steady herself on the young man’s arm. “I offer you my services as your Servant in this Grail War.” Her legs gave on her again as she collapsed against the man who controlled her fate. Behind her, a howl echoed down the alley.

“Help me.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Shoutarou listened to every word that the woman had to say. And what she had said had at first surprised him but then it served to confirm why he had the aura she had, regardless if it was fading or not. He helped her stay on her feet as well as she could as she clung and held on to him. This was not the first woman he held like this in his life, but this was certainly the last thing he was expecting to have to do for a Servant. However, Servant or not, she told him her story and had said the two words that he could not resist at this point.

It was then he took in the sound of the howl. It was powerful and would give most people a chill of fear up their spine and Shoutarou was no exception. Though it had not struck him with great fear, it was enough to send his mind into quick think mode where he knew they could not stay here, the presence of that howl was just too great, and if he was going to save Archer or even make a contract with her, he couldn't do it here without the source of this howl having something to say about it.

"Alright, consider yourself my client and my future partner, Archer. But first, you have to tell me what caused that howl, and how long do you think we have before it is upon us. If I can I will perform the ritual here and now, but if it's too close I'm gonna have to pick you up and make a run for it." said Shoutarou having given his answer and his analysis of the situation.

His eyes looked to her then to the alley...there was definitely something dark in those shadows, and he had to get Archer either back into action or get her and himself away into safety.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian heard the man ask what was following her, but paid him little attention, her focus on the alley. They were getting closer. “Hellhounds made of shadow and darkness. Beasts made of blood and blades.” She shuttered at a recollection of what they had done to a hapless bystander. “I cannot take them in my current state. They are close – and getting closer.”

No matter what her savior might be capable of, he was still mortal, and she had seen what these creatures could to mortals. “They are too close. I would slow you too much in my current state.” Without waiting for his response, she made her way back down the alley. She didn’t have the energy to call forth her bow, but her sword was still hanging at her waist. She drew her blade, and readied herself. “We do not have time to run. Begin the ritual. I will hold them off.” She paused for a moment, considering what she was doing. This man was not yet her master. Nor did she know whether or not he would even establish the contract, as he said he was willing to. Some would take the chance to run, if they knew what was coming down the alley, seeking them. But this man… he did not seem the type.

He had come to her side, willing to help her without a second thought. She would have to trust that her first impression of the man was accurate - He was her last chance. She readied her blade, keeping her gaze on the alley as she spoke to him. “If you are my master, then I should know your name.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Shoutarou saw the determination in her as she moved herself down the alley. It was insane to think she would even try this, especially in her current state. But she was indeed a servant, and even if he did reinforce himself with Justice's Pursuit, it might not make the difference with her extra weight. However, the important thing was supporting the injured servant that would become his partner. And that started by performing the ritual as he let his prana flow once he took a spot a few feet behind her. He formed a pin made of ice with his prana and pricked his finger to make it bleed since he knew blood would be a necessity for this ritual.

"Alright, Archer...if you can hold them off in your state...I can give you what you need to defeat them. My name is Shoutarou Faulkner, Archer and it is time for these monsters to count their crimes.."

Focusing only on the lady Archer in front of him he stared at her as he began to chant the words...

"I command thee,
thou shall come forth to my side,
thy sword shall control my fate,"

He felt them getting closer, he had to go as fast as he could otherwise he will have stepped in to a situation that may very well ultimately lead to his and Archer's Demise. And he was not about to let his newest client and future partner die if he could help it.

"Abiding by the Holy Grail's Haven,
if thou accedest to this will and reason then answer me,
the Oath set forth here,
I am the embodiment of Good in the Eternal World..."

He continued to chant not focusing on the feeling of ravage and death that approached them rapidly. He focused only on Archer and her weakened presence. He was going to trust her to protect him...he knew she was hurt and he knew she was weakened. But with this ritual he could change that and by changing it, giving them both a fighting chance to get out of this with their lives. He let the blood flow from his finger to hit the ground beneath their feet as he continued.

"I am the disposer of evil in the Eternal World,
thee, the seven heavens that bear the great trinity,"

By now the beast or beasts must have surely found them and was stalking their prey. Sizing up the two of them before leaping to rip them both to shreds and feast upon their slaughtered remains. Though in the face of this embodiment of fear and malice, he continued in his heart preying that this would work as he called out the last two lines...

"Come forth from the circle of constraint,
O GUARDIAN OF BALANCE!!!"

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Archer did not take her eyes of the alley as she felt the master take position behind her. It would take a couple of minutes for him to complete the contract – she would have to hope that is was fast enough.

As he began the chant, she could hear the beasts crashing through the debris. They would begin closing in on them soon. As the crashes grew closer, she could feel something – like the prickling of needles, or a sudden breeze across her back.

On the roof tops, beasts loped along, trying to get a better angle, a chance to steal a kill from there shadow-spawned brethren. A chance to leap down from above, pinning them between the walls and their fellow beasts. Three verses left.

With every line, the feeling across her back grew stronger, the master’s prana building up in preparation. This only served to drive the beasts to move even faster. Time was against them.

The beasts were now only a couple turns away from them. A couple of rooftops from their prey. As the master finished the second verse, the needles had turned into a fire, now, but not painful. It was warm and reassuring, even in the cold, cramped back alley.

The beasts were now just an alley away. Only a simple building between them and the master-servant pair. They stalked slowly, trying to ensure that they took their prey by surprise.

The first beast turned the corner as her master uttered the last line.

A surge of prana rushed through her as wind tore around her. She could feel the prana seep through her very being, damage clothes and bodily wounds alike fading away in its rush. “I accept this pact under the name Archer!” She shouted over the sudden gale. “I hereby recognize Shoutarou Faulkner as my master!”

The first of the shadow hounds fell upon her a moment later, but it was a moment too late. The hound fell upon her blade as she thrust into it mid-jump, bisecting it as she pulled her blade free to block the attack of the second hound. She was no longer weakened, as she would not let her Master die.

She sent the second hound reeling back, slicing through it as it stumbled. The bulk of the pack had not arrived yet, as she had no desire to fight them with her blade. The ones on the ground had stopped pressing their attack, most likely heading off to join the ones on the roof. The brief opening was all she needed.

Sheathing her blade, she focused on calling forth her bow. She smiled ash she felt the familiar weight of curved wood and bone settle into her hand, the previously dismissed quiver coalescing on her back along with it. She was summoned to this war not as saber, not at lancer, but as Archer. And these beasts were about to learn what that meant.

The first one jumped off the roof, hoping to ambush them. In a flash, she notched an arrow and fired, striking the beast mid-air, bouncing it off a wall before it lander in a pile at her feet. A second arrow to its skull dispatched it.

The next set leapt at once, three of them bearing toward them. She took out two before dodged away from the third. She notched another arrow as it oriented itself, leaping at her in time to take an arrow to the gut, its momentum sending the carcass crashing into her.

Archer unpinned herself, shooting a quick glare at the dead beast before surveying the alley. Half-dozen beasts lay dead. More were coming. She turned to her master. “We should not stay here.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

As he spoke the last line, he too felt the gust of prana charged wind rush around them, as he felt Archer become revitalized, a link between them starting to form. He felt the prana flow from him and begin to head towards the injured servant, as he felt it rejuvenate Archer. And her injuries were healing. He felt his right forearm burn painlessly as he felt the command seals, the symbol of the contract materialized on his skin. They would have a chance without a doubt. He had done his part now he had to trust Archer to hold up her end...

And hold up her end she did as the first came at her only to meet her steel's unforgiving embrace as it was sliced in twain. The Second tried to jump her but met a similar fate. He could see the others moving away to join the pack up on the roofs. They were going to go with a high ground attack, but now it seemed they were only setting themselves up to be targets, once she materialized her Bow.

Arrows flew taking out more of them, in the end she had defeated 6 of them in just the short time she had regained herself. However, this encounter had only be gun and as she looked at him. He took her words to heart and then started to look around to find the first chance to escape and thought about using his magic to use Justice's Pursuit so he and Archer could move at a faster pace without him holding her back.

"And we wont, we should find a way to keep these things away from open public areas. If we can stick to less populated areas I think I know of a way we can escape them...or at least get us a better position for this fight. I'd rather not let them stay on the high ground."

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian found a small smile spreading across her face at her Masters words. In a war where so many tend to disregard the safety of others, it was refreshing to find someone who cared about getting commoners involved. “A wise plan. There should be an appropriate square along this road.” She pointed down on of the many streets that branched off the alley. Though wider the alley itself, it was still worryingly narrow. “I noticed it while scouting with my previous master. At this hour, it should still be deserted.”

She took a moment to study her Master more closely. He was about a head taller than her, and carried himself with a familiar confidence she had not seen in a very long time. Once again, she was reminded of the archer she had first met at that tourney, literally a lifetime ago. He lacked that same self-assured bravado, the self confidence that would get them into trouble as much as out of it, but he had the same spark in his eyes, the aura of a man with a goal and little care for anything that got in his way.

“If our altitude is problematic, I would suggest taking to the rooftops.” She paused for a moment, a realization hitting her. “Ah, but where are my manners? You have given me your name, and yet you do not have mine.” She dipped into a bow. “I am Marian Fitzrobert, Countess of Huntingdon. May our relationship be long and fruitful.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Hearing her speak of the location where they could take these beasts to keep them away from innocent people, it caused him to smile as well. She, like himself, cared for the common people that he himself was raised among. Thought a lot of magi tended to see themselves as noblemen and lived like such, Shoutarou's father was a fan of simpler ways of life of middle class people. They lived in a nice house and had good things but they did not forget the people they worked to serve as detectives. It seemed him and Archer would get along nicely.

As he looked to the area that she mentioned, he saw that it was narrower than where they were now. It could cause a problem, however, it would also keep any aerial attacks on a straight path that would be easy to intercept so long as they kept their eyes open. He would have to trust Archer to lead the way as they moved along this path, and from there they could fight these things in a more open area hopefully devoid of innocent people.

It was then he noticed that Archer was taking a moment to study him. He had no doubts that Archer was making her first assessments of him. Though if it was based off of her former master or someone else was beyond him at this point. Shoutarou at this point decided to return the favor and study her for a moment. She seemed as a confident and caring soul, and carried herself with an air of nobility that suited a Heroic Spirit. She also seemed very observant and aware of her territory...this would prove useful not only if he asked her to help with his investigations but gathering information about masters as well, it was going to be a good partnership indeed.

When she said they should take to the rooftops, while he did think about it...he wanted to see the square first before he made a choice...there was probably a fire escape or two they could use if they had to go to the roofs. It was then he turned to her when she said where her manners were. His attention was upon her when she did something he wasn't quite expecting as she fully introduced herself. And Believe it or not, her story and the story of the man she was linked to was actually one of the stories he read as a kid. To think, he would be fighting by the side of Maid Marian...

"So that's who you are huh? I'm honored to meet you Countess." he said responding to the bow with one of his own. "and I concur...may our relationship be long and fruitful. Alright then, Countess. Take point, I'll follow behind you. Let's get to the square quickly, then hopefully we'll have time to reassess if we can force them off the roofs. Give me one moment before we go."

Shoutarou also decided that before they left he would arm himself, continuing to be unarmed around these beasts would make him nothing less than an easy kill. Channeling his prana the air around him started to cool, specifically near his right hand as he began to chant.

"Keeper of Justice, I ask for your strength
Tip the Scales to my favor and balance the scale
Balance with ice and form my weapon
Grant to me now...the Crystal Blade!"

Crystals of ice formed around his arm and then stretched out and combined in Shoutarou's hand. It formed into a broadsword of ice that Shoutarou spun in his hand and then gripped it, ready to use at a moments notice.

"Ready when you are, Countess."

[Marian Fitzrobert]

“There is no need for such formalities,” Marian replied as her Master used her old title again. A title from a lifetime ago meant little to her beyond a reminder of better, grander things. And she already had an adequate token of that, she thought as her reached up to the chain that hung around her neck. “Archer should suffice.” She then turned her attention to the nearest wall, looking for footholds before deciding to simply leap to the top when her master asked for a moment.

She watched with interest as he summoned the mass of ice before shaping it into a broad sword with his magic. While she was, thanks to her current form, capable of far greater feats, she had never had a chance to watch such magic in action. It was impressive.

“Ready when you are, Countess.”

“I have no doubt you believe so, Master Falkner,” Marian replied, a small grin spreading across her face. Even as an ethereal being brought forth by an object of magic, she could have a little fun. “But we do not have a chance to determine if you are right, so…” Without another word, she grabbed him, carefully wrapping an arm around him so that she could carry him aloft before leaping into the air. After a graceful arc, she landed on the roof. Her feet had barely touched the tile before she spun around a half rotation and leap out through the night air again, towards the hopefully abandoned square. “… You will have to cope with my assistance for the moment.”

After the third bound, she heard a series of louder crashes behind her. A quick look over her shoulder showed her three more breasts were tailing them. “It seems our company caught up with us.” She drew her sword with her free hand as she turned to face her master. “Let me know if any get to close.” With that, she returned her focus on the roofs ahead.

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Before Shoutarou could come back at Archer's reply, he was swept up by her strength and lifted into the air as she leaped up. The feel of them moving through the air was enjoyable to say the least. Sure he leaped great distances with Justice's Pursuit. But nothing like this it was almost like they shot off into flight. If this was but one of the wonders he would experience, perhaps there would be more to take away from this experience than simply a battle.

However, he didn't allow himself to be caught up in the moment for long. As they started to descend on the rooftop, he knew that they would have company waiting for them. That company was going to be the blasted grail beasts that had decided to try and make a meal out of them.

"Cope? I don't think I'll have a problem accepting your help, Archer. This is amazing enough, I can only hope to see you accomplish great thing. But first shall we handle our business with the savages that thinks we're their next meal?" said Shoutarou as he smirked at her.

As they landed on the roofs, as she leaped he let her control the momentum. If he tried to help her he might throw her off and they could fall to a bad situation. The crashes were a big signal that they were still being pursued, and he held his blade prepared to swipe at the beasts if they got close enough.

"Let me know if any get too close." she said to him.

"Don't worry, you'll be the first to know, Archer." he said as he looked back at them. They were definitely trying to gain ground but Archer was setting a good pace. If they got close though, they might have to beat them back before they could continue on to their chosen battle ground.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian was enjoying herself for the first time in a very long while as she jumped across the rooftops, her new master in tow. Master Falkner seemed far more appreciative of her then her previous master by a wide margin. The thought of her last master caused her smile to wither slightly. As suicidal as her last master had been, his death had ultimately been her fault. She let him wander away from her, and she failed to stop his death.

One of the beasts clambered onto the roof ahead of them. Marian readied her sword. She would not make the same mistake twice. “One ahead of us – brace yourself.” Marian touched down on the roof at the same time the beast righted itself. A split second later, both Servant and beast launched themselves. While the creature had been clever enough to try and attack their front while his compatriots were in back, in made one crucial error.

It forgot to bring friends.

Marian met the beast mid-leap, her sword hand slamming into the creature’s skull with enough force to redirect its momentum almost entirely straight down. As the beast now arced under them, Marian used it as a stepping stone, catapulting herself and her master toward the next building while sending the beast crashing into the terracotta tile below.

The other beasts showed little regard for their fallen ally, leaping over and around the crater in the tile as they continued pursuit. Marian added an extra burst of speed to her leaps, trying to put more buildings between them and their pursuers.

By the time they reached the courtyard, the beasts were beyond mortal line of sight – only her Clairvoyance let her track the creatures. A half dozen were directly behind them, a dozen more split between two groups closing in from other directions at street level. Marian set them down on top of some sort of tower – perhaps, a few centuries ago, it had held a bell. Now, it simply gave an apartment dweller below a view of the city. “I have not seen these beasts behave like this before. Usually, they send only a smaller packs – six, at most. Sending reinforcements is… new.” Hopefully they would not send much more. “Your orders, master?”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

To say the least, Archer was impressing him more and more. She had no qualms about fighting these things and the progress was going well. They were going to make it as far as he could tell, he had full confidence in her ability. However, as they moved along it seemed one of the beasts were going to take an initiative and try to get them itself.

However, Maid Marian had other plans.

While the creatures were starting to appear more intelligent than he had thought. This one had forgotten to bring reinforcements and thus there was a chance for them to break through. She waited for the right moment then struck with her sword's handle to make it fall down. And even more attributed to her agility, she used it to as a bouncing point to send them further along. As they rushed ahead, she was going faster...probably to garner more distance and it was working.

"Good Work, Archer...you certainly can pack a punch." said Shoutarou as they flew along.

After a few more leaps they reached the courtyard and she landed on a tower. It was obvious this used to be a bell tower, he could see some of the left over structures for holding a bell. While he couldn't see them anymore, he figured that they might be able to plan a quick plan of action from up here. Gripping his blade he looked at Marian as she said...

"I have not seen these beasts behave like this before. Usually, they send only smaller packs -six, at most. Sending reinforcements is...new. Your orders, master?"

'Reinforcements? That's not good, these things are smarter than I had thought.'

"Archer, we should use this vantage point to take out as many as we can before having to engage in melee combat. This tower could provide us with a good place to hold them off, if they have the ability to climb. They have to come to us, and you have a distance weapon. So my orders are this, shoot down as many as you can from here, I'll act as a second pair of eyes and tell you where they are coming from if you lose sight of them."

Shoutarou began to look around the area taking in all of the details, like he would a crime scene.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her master’s order – he seemed really attached to his formalities. Still, he was nice enough. “Very well then, Master. If we plan to stay here though, I am going to need a moment.” Without another word, she ducked down into the tower.

Inside the tower, the various pieces from the old bell system still hung from the walls and ceiling, disused and ignored by the current occupants. Various pieces of construction equipment – tools, work tables, spools of wire, barrels full of waste material – lay scattered about. The owners must be converting the space. To one side of the room was a staircase leading further down the tower, spiraling along the outside wall, giving Marian a straight view down to the ground floor. Hanging from the roof was some sort of pulley, most likely used to haul things to the top of the tower. Another barrel hung from the rope. Perfect.

Marian closed her eyes for a moment, considering the resources at her disposal. No time to climb down and rig the front door – rigging the top of the stairs would have to suffice. She headed back up, grabbing a spool of wire and a tool set before ducking back into the stairwell. Aided by knowledge from the grail, she strung the wire across the stairwell, under the railing, and up to the pulleys release pin. From there, she spooled the wire out behind her and back up to the main floor. One more piece.

Setting the wire aside, she maneuvered one of the barrels to one side of the stairs. A few sheets of plywood and a wood scrap later, the barrel was poised to fall down the stairwell, held back only by her improvised chock. Marian tied the other end of the wire to the chock and, once she was sure everything was taut, headed back up to her master. Now, anything that tried to head up the stairs would be met with a careening barrel before her counterweight crashed into the doorway on the floor.

Minutes after she left, she was back at her master’s side. “Staircase secured.” Marian brought forth her bow before nocking an arrow. “It won’t slow them down for long, but it should give us ample warning.” The Archer moved toward one edge of the tower, and settled in to wait. The initial rush from forming the contract was wearing off, and the night’s actions were catching up with her. While her master’s supply of Prana from her Master was more than adequate, the strain was catching up with her. Perhaps it was an echo of her master’s feelings?

Any further musings were cut short as she spotted the first beast enter the courtyard. She met it with an arrow, nocking another one as the first beast fell with a shrill cry. “They are coming.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Looking at her as she responded to his order he couldn't help but see that eye roll. He hoped that he wasn't offending her by being polite. Though they were partners now, he hadn't known her that long so thought it was appropriate. That was something he would have to settle with Archer later...if they got out of this anyway.

Taking a look outside, before he heard her start to rummage around their surroundings. It seemed, Archer had begun to fortify the only entrance up to here, which would be good. The way she rigged it spoke of experience and wisdom in combat situation where they had to hold a position. The beasts would have to take time to get to them but the more Marian was able to take out the easier it would be to defend this position and he would stay near her so that if it got to be to dangerous he could trust Marian to grab him and jump again.

He kept a look out for her and then saw one of the beasts start to enter the courtyard. As soon as he saw it, he saw an arrow sticking out of it. Marian just struck, meaning she well saw that one before he did and that was a good thing. They were going to be able to take out quite a few before they had to worry, and hopefully all of them. As Shoutarou gripped his blade in both anticipation and nervousness, he looked to Marian nodding as he saw others starting to come in.

"Here they come, take your shots and make em count, I know you can do it." he said with a smile that showed his confidence in her.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

The air cracked as Marian loosed another arrow, though it did little to slow down the other beasts. “Seven.” Seven beasts dispatched since they arrived at the tower. A dozen and a half left. Behind her, her Master was keeping an eye on the other approaches, shouting out when any of the beasts got to close. Ultimately, that was the problem – changing her position took too long. Every time she moved to stop the advance of one group, another would push forward. Eventually, one would make it through.

Sure enough, as she shifted her position yet again, a resounding crash echoed up the tower as her trap was sprung, crashing down the stairs and into the doorway below. “Alright, new plan.” She turned to Faulkner. “You cover the doorway while I try and thin out the herd.” She nocked another arrow. “Unless you have a better idea – I’m open to suggestions.” Another crash below drew her attention to the base of the tower, where one of the hounds was trying to make itself another door. A quick arrow put an end to that.

It was time for a change in tactics. Positioning herself within view of the towers entrance, she concentrated her arrow fire onto the narrow bottleneck. She just hoped that her master could take care of any that slipped through.

Then, suddenly, a piercing howl pierced through the darkness. As one, the remaining beasts turned, looking off toward some point inside the city. As Marian watched, the entire pack ran back off into the darkness from which they came. Within moments, all that was left were the quickly evaporating corpses. “What on earth…?”

Why retreat, when they had just managed to break through their defenses? Unless reaching them wasn’t the goal. “This wasn’t an attack,” Marian realized out loud. “It was a test.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Shoutarou nodded and quickly moved to help reinforce the barricade that was going to be keeping them from himself and Archer. He prepared himself by holding the blade in his hand and placing his foot on the end of the doorway to help hold it down. His heart raced and his mind continued to take in the battle behind him as his ears sent him the sounds of battle. Holding his blade, he stared hard.

He heard the crashing from the trap and he knew they were on the way to them. He began to chant as he prepared to cast Justice's Pursuit. He heard them on their way up and he held his blade at the ready. The crashing and rushing came closer to them from below as he continued to chant. It was then as the last loud bang he finished his spell, and a gust of wind came around him as his eye sight sharpened, his body felt tougher, and his legs felt tougher and his own weight lighter on him. Twirling his blade, he got into stance as one of them came into view. Thankfully it was only one at this point. It's teeth like swords as it gnawed at the bit preparing to pounce at Shoutarou.

Having the high ground, he knew he could at least swat it back down with a good slash. It then bounded up to them in a hungry fury as he looked to strike down Shoutarou. Shoutarou however had no intention of being this thing's meal. The detective prepared and watched as it bounded up to him, and and then with one swing of his blade cut into the beast, not deeply, but enough to hurt it as he cut along it's head and jaw line leaving an injury that would normally leave a scar as the beast was sent tumbling back down the stairs.

"Come on...you want more where that came from?!" called out Shoutarou showing this thing no fear...at least until two more showed up. Now gathered together, the three prepared to strike...and that was when the howl came. That piercing howl that Shoutarou swore could be heard through most of this part of the city. It was then with a growl the beasts began to back off then scampered off.

What ever that howl was for, it probably saved him and Marian from a two pronged attack...

"That wasn't an attack, it was a test..." said Marian as Shoutarou turned to look at his Servant.

"A Test? Are you sure, Mari..-Oh! Sorry, I mean Archer?" said Shoutarou as he seemed to be getting over the nervousness he felt after seeing three of those beasts preparing to strike after he probably served only to anger the one he slashed.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian looked her master over for a moment, ensuring he wasn’t too badly injured, before she responded. “After my last master was…” Marian hesitated for a moment, guilt flashing across her face briefly as she tried to find the right words, “…eliminated, they then set their sights on myself. In the state I was in, it would not have taken many of them.” Marian’s gaze rose to her Masters. “However, I made a contract with you – a new master, a new target. I don’t think they were trying to eliminate us – I think they wanted to see what we were capable of. Why else would they run away while they had us cornered?”

Marian dismissed her weaponry, but remained corporeal herself. This was partly to better protect her master, in case more of their adversaries decided to show themselves again. A large part of the reason however was because she enjoyed having a body again. After everything that had happened this night, after all the attacks, the losses, and the chance encounters, she just wanted to be able to feel the world around her and take comfort in the fact that she was still – for lack of any better term – alive.

“So, master Faulkner,” she began. “Might I suggest we retire to wherever you are staying for the time being? We can continue to talk here if you would like, but I wouldn’t suggest it.” A gust of wind blew through the repurposed bell tower. “Besides, it’s a little drafty.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

"Yeah, I think we should head out back to my Office. You did great tonight...thank you." said Shoutarou as he smiled at her. "Come on, I don't think it's far from here actually. We need to head to the old town."

Shoutarou looked at Marian with both an appreciative look and a look of awe. He had heard the stories in school of course, but nothing like what he came to see today could ever be expressed properly in text. She may have been a countess, but she fought like a real heroine. After that battle, he was reassured he made the right choice in choosing to help Maid Marian.

But now the time came perhaps for the two of them to get to know each other a bit better before they began their quest for the grail. Deciding to take a chance on what she felt comfortable with, Shoutarou looked at her and then motioned to the stairs.

"After you, Marian." he said with a smile as the breeze blew through.

The wind blew through this city alright, and it was bringing with it a sense of danger that few would notice and understand but if one does they know the weight that hangs over them. It was a great weight for any person to bare, even to the sturdiest of wills. However, struggles like this always become easier to the detective with a partner. And now, even if it wasn't intended and even if he had never summoned her, he now had a partner. And he was going to work on making sure that they would have a good partnership.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

“After you, Marian.” Marian gave an appreciative nod to her Master before starting down the stairs.

“It might be best to refrain from using my name.” Marian reminded him as he followed behind her. “No point in helping the enemy any more then we have to.” Still, his informal attitude was nice. Again she was reminded of the difference between Faulkner and her last master. A shiver that had nothing to do with the breeze ran through the servant’s body.

She made her way down the steps at a brisk pace, sometimes taking steps two at a time. For a brief moment, her mind wandered back to another ruined bell tower, harsh gray stone instead of brick and clay. One of the bands many bases – out of the way, abandoned in the middle of the wood. He would chase her around its base before she ducked inside and bound up the stairs, before finally cornering her at the top. Up there, the view went for miles, with nobody around but them and the birds…. “A Servant is brought back by the grail,” Marian thought aloud. “After they have lived their life. It brings them back because they want something.” She paused on a step and turned to her new master. “But you aren’t a servant. You are a master. There is something you want. Something that no amount of magic can grant you.” She grinned. “Which narrows the list down considerably. So, Master. Why is it that you are here? What is worth risking your life for?”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

And there it was...

The question that was probably on the mind of every master that the Grail welcomed into it's battle. However, for Shoutarou, this was a question he also asked himself as a detective everyday as he continued to work in the field. A question that shaped every hero and every person in this present that chooses to fight the evils of the world. And right now the question that his Servant decided to put to him here and now.

He thought about it a moment as he walked down the staircase and then stopped when she did and looked back at him. The grin showed possible mischievous intent with this question but he was certain that she really did want to know what he was in this for. It's not like he would like to her about this, he just hoped she thought of his cause as a worthy one. Because of course, when it came to the end of this War, it was going to come down to one of them getting what they wanted.

Keeping his eyes on Marian, he said...

"Well, the reason I'm here is for justice. Something happened long ago, and I want to see if I can right it some how. Also, I'm here on unfinished business, a mystery left unsolved..."

His father's final case...and the destruction of Fuyuki City. These are what brought him here, and while he was concerned about where it would lead him, he knew he could use his detective skills to help get info on the other masters and their servants. He wasn't certain if they could win at this point, but damn if they weren't going to try.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian considered her Master for a moment before continuing down the stairs. His answer was vague – far vaguer then she had expected. Above that, however, his words rang true. “I wish my own reason for being here was such a mystery.” Archer continued down the stairs. “In a way, I also have unfinished business. Life has a way if dumping such thing on you, doesn’t it?” As she reached a turn in the stairs, her mind brought back memories of that night, unbidden. For a brief moment, she froze there, her hand drifting to her wrist. The image of that accursed bracelet burning through her flesh still fresh in her mind.

“Tell me, Master, have you ever lost somebody close to you?” There was no hint of humor in her voice – an honest question, tinged with the melancholy of a past life. “I…. lost somebody. And did nothing to stop it – weather or not I could of, I don’t know…. It didn’t matter anyway. The same man that killed husband found me. He took everything from us – time and again, simply taking what he wanted from us. But I didn’t care, until that night when he killed my husband. The one thing I really cared about, gone….” She paused, looking up at her Master. “All I want is a chance to set things right, even if only slight.” She turned again and continued down the stairs.

Masters often summoned servants that are like themselves, when they perform the ritual without a catalyst. She couldn’t help but wonder if maybe that was true after the summoning.

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

The question he heard from her next, and the explanation of what she wanted the most with the power of the Grail. It reminded him of one of the vague reasons he gave. He was here to finish a spot of unsolved business...and it was something that involved someone he lost close to him. But it wasn't a husband it was something a little more personal...

"I have...and he taught me everything I know, Archer. I remember reading the stories...and maybe there is more to it than they would have ever written. However, I know that both of us know the pain of loss...maybe you and I are more alike than I thought."

It seemed that the two of them had a common pain, but also common goals. Now if they were exactly the same end result the other wanted, that was definitely in question since he was looking to let a city rest in peace where she was looking to set her life right by using her legendary skills before she ever gained them. However, what was irrelevant at this point, what was relevant was that the two of them were now bound to one another by the contract of the Grail.

"Look...I know that in the end only one of us gets to use the grail as we see fit. However, the two of us can discuss along our path to it, which of us should use it...or if we can somehow come to peace with our regrets. Either way, I will do my best to be a good partner to you, Archer. You can count on it."

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian couldn’t help but smile at her Masters newest promise. So earnest, so full of life – it seems that she had gone from one end of the spectrum to the other with her change of Masters. “I will hold you to that, you know.” She gave a small bow. “And try to match the sentiment, Sir.” Somewhere past the buildings a cars horn blared off into the distance. After it had passed, the air around them was once again enveloped in silence.

Until a low grumble echoed in the alley, just loud enough to be noticeable. Marian froze mid-step, looking down at where the sound had emanated from. Covering her embarrassment with a quick cough, she moved her gaze to a particularly interesting crack in the wall. “It seems that this night is catching up with me in more ways than one.” She was hungry. How was that even possible – as far as she knew, she wasn’t even human anymore! “We should continue to your office so that we can recuperate.” She started down the road again, heading in the same direction her Master had been heading before the brief stop. The city was like a maze, with alleys and dozens of little spots to hide away and plenty of viewpoints among its bell towers. She just hoped that her Master’s office a view an impressive as the tower they had just vacated.

Though she couldn’t help but wonder why she was taking him to his office, as opposed to where he was staying. Unless – he was staying in his office? She couldn’t think of why somebody would be sleeping where they work, but then she realized that it might have been for subtlety. If the office was already here, other Masters would not find somebody arriving in town to use it as somebody who checks into a hotel. Though that did leave one question. “If I might ask, Sir, what is it that you do?”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

And here was another question that knew was coming. It was true he was staying at his own office but he had back ups just in case. At this point, until the office was compromised he could at least use it as his base of operations. As they walked he adjusted his tie, and started down towards his Office, where he could apparently feed Marian.

"I'm a Private Eye actually, I solve problems and mysteries." said Shoutarou as easily as someone would say a lot of things in life, and he said it with a proud smile.

His office did have a view indeed since it doubled as his home while he was here in Lucca. He just hoped his livings would meet under the approval of Marian. It was not uncommon for people in his profession to work where they live. It made things easier as far as he was concerned, he even had his workshop there if he needed to use it. Of course those particulars were hidden well as far as he was concerned.

He then thought back to Marian...in a sense what he did now and what she did back in the day weren't so different in their purpose. However the cause and the purpose of their work was far different. They both helped people, but while he did so under the guide of the law. She, like the man her legend was intertwined with, was more of an outlaw...a woman who did what ever it took to do the right thing, and it was something Shoutarou could respect even if his work was within the bounds off it. Now the question was...would she feel the same as he did about it?

[Marian Fitzrobert]

“Mysteries, is it?” For a moment, Marian considered if his job had brought him to the grail war. Of all the Mysteries in the world, the grail was likely one of the greatest. It seemed unlikely that one’s career would depend one finding quasi-legendary objects, however. Most likely his ‘mysteries’ were of the more mundane variety. A ‘Private Eye’ – perhaps some sort of surveillance? The archer let out a sigh as she abandoned the line of thought for now. Her master’s answer had been far less insightful then she had hoped.

Instead of complaining, she simply replied. “Solving problems is something I am familiar with, though I am unaccustomed to having so few people worry about.” Once tasked with helping run their band of thieves and rebels, and later as Countess of Huntingdon, she was used to having to worry about others – putting her own interests aside for the greater good. Now, however, she had to only worry about herself, and her Master. Even if they found themselves more allies, it was still quite a change. “However, I think it is a change I can get used to.” She grinned. “Conflict is so much easier when your enemies have no interest in negotiating, if those hounds are anything to go by.” The Masters could be another story – many would likely be willing to kill on sight, but anything was possible. “Though that isn’t the most cheerful way to look at things.”

The two of them were alike, in a few ways. Both had unfinished business, as he had put it. Both were trying to set something right – but it was more than that. What it was, she wasn’t sure. Sometimes though, you don’t need to.

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

"Yeah that is true...unfortunately, however...the two of us will be fighting in a battle that doesn't allow for much negotiation. However, I feel I have something other masters do not and that is the ability to read people and to investigate the clues they leave behind to find out who and what we are dealing with. So at the very least, your master can get you Information...Archer. We are a Team and while we may not be larger, that doesn't make us any less good at what we do." said Shoutarou with a slight grin as he walked along with her.

He knew that she was a thief and a rebel. Her legend made that quite clear as she was among one of the most famous bands of Rebel Thieves, history had to offer. And soon he would test his own words about them being as good as the Merry Men as they would face some of the greatest Heroes in history. Shoutarou was always someone who was willing to improvise to get the job done, if it meant making alliances then he'd be okay with that, just so long as he also helped keep innocent people from being harmed by the war.

That objective weighed heavily on the minds of the Faulkner Elders when they sent him to fight this war. They were a family that protected the good people of the world and kept them from seeking the darker, more mysterious side of this world they lived in, and this Grail War had the potential to make for a great number of casualties and for people like him, he could not allow such things to go down, not if he could help it. However, he could do no good dead...so he would plan his tactics with Maid Marian..and hope it was enough to win this war.

[Marian Fitzrobert]

Marian knew that face. She had seen it often enough – on herself and on others. It was the face of a man that was looking into an abyss and trying not to blink. It was hard, going into a fight, not knowing who you would be – what you would be – afterward, just hoping you would be able to live with yourself when all was said and done.

“I look forward to your skills at work, Sir.” She said with a slight bow, trying to reassure her master without even realizing it. “I’m sure your abilities will serve us well through our battles.” The comment was an honest one – Marian had been in enough ambushes (both sides), participated in enough raids, and fought enough battles to know that knowledge is power. Knowing an enemy gives you leverage, and in a battle like the grail war she was guessing she would need all the leverage she could get.

Right now though, she wasn’t sure she would be able to take advantage of it. Though she was trying not to show it, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to take on another Servant right now even if she wanted to. While her injuries were not a problem, and had already healed, she was quite exhausted. A chance to sleep and actually eat something would be quite appreciated. She was hoping they were getting close – this town was such a maze though, it was hard to tell how far they had gone. “So, Sir, where is this Office of yours? Or are you as lost as I am?”