Rough Around the Edge(Part 2)

{Fortress of Millenia. 2004. Several hours after previous chapter.}

Dinner was an overall silent affair. With the Servants being recently summoned, us Masters were kind of just gauging their company for the meantime - establishing a working relationship and testing the waters, as it were. The summoning contract allowing a telepathic link was a boon in this regard.

By the time our meals were finished, and the plates and cutlery taken away by the homunculi servants, our clan head spoke.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend this meeting. Due to Caules'...unfortunate circumstances from the day before, I had to postpone this until he recovered. And judging by the ruckus this afternoon, I assume you have?" Darnic turned to me with a firm gaze.

"I'm combat ready right now, but I'll be at peak condition by tomorrow night, Grandfather." I answered.

"Do make sure that a situation like yesterday doesn't happen again. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

I received several subtle glares, all for different reasons. Celenike's bitchiness was most obvious; Gordes was patronizing; Fiore...was more patronizing than Gordes, surprisingly; and Roche was staring blankly ahead, like he was daydreaming.

Our teamwork as a faction was just...impeccable. No doubt about it, truly.

"Now before we proceed to the first agenda, I suppose you've all familiarised with yourselves with your Servants. And as established, we'd each share the true names and battlefield roles of each. To start-"

"On a strategical basis, I'll have to reject the disclosure of Saber's name." Uncle Gordes said.

"And why is that?"

"Yes, why so?" Celenike accused. "We all agreed beforehand to reveal our Servants' true names, even the damn hunter agreed." Wow, thanks Celenike. "It's rude to renege on something like this, Musik. Geas or no Geas."

Gordes continued. "Back then, I wasn't completely sure if I would summon this particular Saber. But now that I know for sure of his identity, revealing it would be dangerous for him. I want to minimize the number of mouths from which it could be leaked."

He faced Darnic fully, "By my own family's work, the castle's homunculi grant our Servants a far greater reserve of magical energy to draw from, as long as they stay within the castle's vicinity. And even then, the shared network will still work to as far as the city of Trifas. So I think it's safe to say that my contribution to our side will suffice for my silence. The only one I'd be willing to trust with Saber's name is you, Darnic."

Darnic contemplated Gordes' words with a silent look, though a pulse along the crimson string connecting him to the invisible figure behind him told me that he was conversing with Lancer.

"Very well, we shall make an exception in your case."

Celenike clicked her tongue, and was subsequently ignored.

"I think that is enough delay for now. If I may have your attention, we can finally proceed with our primary agenda for the week."

We sat in...arguably neutral silence, before Darnic spoke.

"Excellent. I've received news from Zugzwang this afternoon that Hyouma Sagara has summoned Servant Assassin. In 3 days he will arrive in Bucharest, and we need at least one Master/Servant pair to rendesvous and escort him from Sighisoara to return here."

"I volunteer." I immediately said as he finished speaking.

"Caules, no." Fei said.

"Caules, yes. Me and Rider have decent enough scouting ability. And, while I won't speak for you, maybe we can have you as backup a few kilometers away in case the Red faction decides to attack us on the way. Archer has Clairvoyance, right? He'd be a good spotter. Darnic said at least one pair, so having the two of us should be good enough."

Because that face of her's told me, through the sheer bond between siblings, that she had no intention of leaving me the Root alone.

"Fantastic idea. But-"

Oh great here it comes.

"I am going to be with you. This is just going to be a pick-up and security detail, so there's no need for me to be so far behind from you. If an enemy Servant, maybe even 2 enemy Servants, woud attack you, that would mean more time for Archer and I to come to your aid. This is final."

[She makes a valid point, Caules. I do not believe you can seriously survive a scant few seconds from a Servant's surprise attack. Even if you know of their capabilities, a knight class would trounce you.] Medusa telepathically sent.

[Yeah, I guess you're right...]

On one hand, I'm glad she's taking this War so seriously. On the other hand, I want to make sure she's even more equipped

"Fine fine. Let's go together." I acquiesced to my sister's wish.

"Good. Glad we can agree on that."

Darnic pointedly looked to other Masters.

"I say they're suitable enough. Saber would be more valuable defending the fortress anyway." Gordes said.

"As if I care about retrieving Assassin's Master. Better to leave that errand to these two. I have more...worthy things to spend my time on." Celenike dismissed, seeming to pull back on the scathing remarks in front of the clan head.

Meanwhile, Roche just stared off into space, like he's been doing for the last...I actually don't know how long. Judging by his Servant connection though, he'd just been conversing with Caster the entire time.

For a second, Darnic looked down at the table and blinked, as if he didn't expect the conversation to be that quick or easy.

"Hn, following that..." He looked to me this time. "Caules, now that you're properly situated, I think this is a good time to reveal your Servant's identity. Your fellow Masters' have already introduced themselves as Chiron, Solomon ibn Gabirol, and Paladin Astolfo. All that's left is yours."

[Rider. Permission to diclose your true name?]

[You already have it, Caules.]

"Youngest of the Gorgon Sisters, Medusa of the Shapeless Isle." I announced.

"A strong legend with good Mystery. That is a good summon. Knowing the Rider class, her Noble Phantasms must be quite notable. Does she possess the Blood Fort?" Darnic had a glint in his eyes, the kind of ecstatic look one made when they saw a plan coming together.

[Oh, he's talking about Blood Fort Andromeda. Man, I forgot that that bit of info's known with how many Grail Wars there were. All I know is that it sucks out the Od of those inside when activated.]

[Yes, that is something I possess in this Class container. As for the details of it, I'll tell you later, Caules.]

[Alright.]

"Yup, she has it."

Darnic hummed in thought. "That is good to know. Meet me in my office tomorrow afternoon so that we can properly plan out the specifics of it and where we can place it."

Wow, he was actually giving out a proper order to me for this. Considering the defenses of the Fortress and the terrain around it, having the Blood Fort somewhere around would be pretty favorable.

"Understood, grandfather."

"With our primary agenda settled, I'll have to inform you all of the structure and roles of the homunculi that will accompany and serve you throughout our time here in the Fortress of Millennia, so that they can cooperate with you smoothly. Musik, your input here would be appreciated."

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