Stupid boy.
Such was the thought plastered on Assassin's face. And though without a mirror, Artoria was certain her expression said the same.
Emiya Shirou… Nay. Despite owning the same family name, he did not carry himself like that man.
Artoria didn't have the heart to spare the betrayer, the one who snatched defeat from her almost-inevitable victory… She couldn't ever, ever, forgive that man no matter what… However…
SRRRK
The hiss of steel pulling away surprised both Assassin and Shirou as Saber was the first to withdraw her blade. Hateful eyes dead-set on the boy's broad back, it loomed over to his surprised, albeit hopeful, stare at her.
Artoria… she didn't know what to make of this boy who summoned her. He looked nothing like the cold mercenary. His appearance carried nary a similarity, nor did his eyes share the same dull and indifferent look that man beheld when he saw the world. And yet he was aware of her because of his father.
Emiya Kiritsugu…
Artoria wanted the truth and only the truth. Never again will she be betrayed and used by others. To that, she swore, hence why she donned dark armor and the accursed blade of Vortigern, Hammer of the Vile King… Excalibur Morgan…
…
…
Or so she assumed. Her memories were muddled. Beyond the moment when she lost the last war and the moment she was summoned to this one, she only had the awareness that some time had passed. Artoria couldn't fully recall what occurred in the rift between the two points.
Hence, why she tried to gather information. Hence why her fury burned as hot as the coals of hell when the boy claimed to be a son of that man.
Assassin's interference in the matter made everything more difficult, complicating her task of questioning the brat. The thief who stole her face spoke of protecting Shirou from her! What nonsense! When was it heard that Masters needed protection from their own Servants?! Hypocrisy from a fake, especially when she was another's Servant interfering in their affairs!
She didn't intend to kill one who may only be a bystander. As low a possibility for any spawn of her betrayer to be innocent, she wasn't entirely mindless and lost to revenge.
She sought only the truth.
"I won't allow it. I know I can trust Saber with my life. She isn't my enemy, or yours. She's a knight of justice above all! An ally!"
… And hearing those words as he defended her from the interloper… That made Artoria lower Excalibur Morgan nonthreateningly.
'Fool…' It didn't stop her from judging his character, however.
Irises of pale gold stared at the back of the redhead boy. Unknowingly, Saber's lips had pierced, judgmentally dismissing the boy's naiveté in showing his back to someone who threatened him. She was surprised, yes. But even more than that, she was a tad bit doubtful of the mortal who summoned her.
To act as a human shield for someone who raised their blade against him… T'was a foolish act. Though it made her feel warm inside for some mysterious reason, she quashed that thought to momentarily turn her glare at the other who'd yet to comprehend her Master's decision.
Assassin took longer to lower her blade. Tensions had stilled but a trained killer, a hardened warrior, would never drop their guard. For her vigilance, Artoria could commend that face-thief.
Yet she cared little of what thoughts the other blonde harbored, only what she'd do now in the face of her charge defending his oppressor.
"Young man, are you truly of the mind that this beast in armor wouldn't turn against you as she did earlier?" Assassin spoke carefully, eyes on Artoria through and through.
"I am. I appreciate your well-meaning intentions, but I ask you two to stop." The boy spoke with all the confidence he could master. Lacking in the face of an active combatant, but it was more than telling of where he stood in this matter. That of opposing either of them from entering combat again. "As her Master, I swear on my life, Saber is not a threat. Not to you or me. It was all a misunderstanding."
"… so you're a pair in this war as well… hmph…" Assassin's brow furrowed a bit in disgruntlement. Her mutterings went unheard, save for Saber's heightened senses picking it up as the other woman swung her katana to the side. Pointed away, but not sheathed. "Very well. To clarify, boy, you are certain you need not my protection, yes?"
"My Master is a participant of this war." Artoria cut the brat off before he could get a say. "As I am. Do not interfere in our business, interloper. I suggest you take your leave. I will not ask twice!"
"Saber—?!"
"Be silent."
She chose to be blunt, curt, and unyielding. As much as she wanted to wring the boy's neck for answers, he was too naïve and open-minded to be fighting any battles, verbal or otherwise. Judging by his temperament, he would sooner ask Assassin and her Master to join forces, something even Artoria, the King of Knights who fought on the side of chivalry and justice once, knew was not a risk they could take. Maybe it was her darkened form, an aspect clouded by cynicism that weathered through numerous betrayals, that influenced her decision, but she'd be damned letting the brat get himself killed.
To that end, despite her hatred for his family name, she opted to stand between Assassin and Emiya Shirou.
The Servant across from them broke the silence with a tired sigh.
"Hm, my orders were to protect the boy. No more, no less. For whatever reason, my Master deems his safety a priority and does not want to see him hurt… But judging by your personal stance against me, as well as that detestable likeness of yours, Saber… even a cordial agreement of non-aggression seems… arduous at best."
"I'd welcome a neutrality from your camp, that is, at the cost of your face, or maybe head on a spike. It'd make the matter easier as I need not fight you or your own at all if you're already dead."
"Hm. I'd welcome you to try and behead me yourself, alas it is not my right to push this issue any further." Assassin deftly twirled her katana before sheathing it in her scabbard. "Master of Saber, my own Master wishes to speak with you very soon. On her behalf I propose we hold a peaceful conversation in…" she fell silent, as if communicating telepathically before saying with a smile. "How about two hours? Care for tea?"
"You dare make demands in our territory, knave?! Why should we agree to such terms?"
Behind her, the boy started stammering… Or perhaps blustering. Though she wasn't in the right to speak for him as her Servant, Artoria knew better than to let the fool take the lead. He wasn't prepared for her to turn on him earlier. He sure as hell wasn't prepared for a potential threat to come waltzing through the home's doorstep. For all she knew, Emiya Shirou would happily welcome the outsider just because they tasked their Servant to 'protect him' earlier.
Even though Saber said 'our' or 'we', her own chances of victory lay on the shoulders of a dunce that knew not to be cautious of any in possession of a blade that could cleft him in twain.
"I wasn't talking to you, Saber." But Assassin was cheeky, that much she could tell. "But be that as it may, my Master's request is meant for the boy. Not the traitorous knight who pointed their sword at their liege." Turning to him again, Assassin ignored Artoria's death glare. "Emiya Shirou, yes?"
They both flinched. Assassin knew his name.
"Y-yeah?" Saber flinched harder when the brat confirmed it by responding.
"You don't mind, right? My Master said she insists you listen to reason and discuss the matter personally. On her life, I vow to not raise a hand against you or your Servant. Likewise, I ask you and yours uphold the same."
Assassin had the gall to smile using Artoria's face. This was beyond troubling now.
Assassin's Master knew his name. That meant that someone did their research, or far worse, they were affiliated with the brat in person.
And considering how recent she was summoned, not even an hour ago, the latter was far more likely.
Artoria internally cursed her Master's downtrodden luck. Saved from Rider at the nick of time, but already in the sights of an Assassin before she was even called…
A cursory glance over her shoulder informed Artoria something more. The brat's face was one of blatant shock. Recognition. Meaning he knew, or perhaps, had an inkling as to who Assassin's Master may be. And the glint of fear in his eyes told Artoria all she needed to know.
She grit her teeth. If it wasn't the traitorous drama of her previous Master, it was the personal conflict of her newer, greenhorn one. Lowering her tone, she grunted.
"What will you do?"
"W-what?"
"I am your Servant." Saber said through grit teeth. "I will abide by your request. Even if I still demand my answers, our… partnership should not be strained by indecision. This is a matter between Masters, not Servants. So? What. Will. You. Do."
She stated it as gratingly as she could under breath. He was slow on the uptake now, but more due to her cooperative approach despite having nearly beheaded him earlier. Fortunately, he wasn't that slow an idiot as he gulped air once and spoke up.
"I… will agree to the terms. Saber and I won't attack and accept a cordial discussion. I-if you're willing, I'll prepare some snacks and tea for when you arrive."