Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 30 (Septem)

Leo's eye flittered open, protesting against the light of the sun that shone into the cave. Oberon had found them this retreat as night had fallen, allowing them to pass the night marginally more protected from the elements. It was, however, far from comfortable to rest in. His aforementioned Servant was nowhere to be seen, but Leo could feel his presence nearby. He was most likely checking for people close by, something Leo had tasked him with the night prior. His eyes drifted across the cave to the young man in its other corner. He was still; the slow rise and fall of Leo's coat was the only indication he was still alive. His face was calm, no longer tense with the pain of last night.

"Well, at least it looks like it all worked," Leo muttered to himself.

He lifted his coat off the young soldier as the sound of footsteps came from the cave entrance.

"Ah, Master! I see you have woken up from your beauty sleep!"

"Good Morning to you too, Oberon," Leo replied dryly, throwing his coat over his shoulder. "Did you find a city or settlement outside?"

"Nothing," Oberon shook his head. "The nearest city is beyond the reach of my butterflies. I have no idea where we are."

"Hopefully this soldier will be able to help us when he wakes up," Leo knelt next to the dead fire, poking the embers with a stick absentmindedly.

"But Master, he is already awake", Oberon said cheerily. "He is just pretending to be asleep, probably since he doesn't trust us."

Leo glanced over his shoulder in surprise, seeing their new friend jump up with a start. The soldier's hand moved to his blade at his side, only to grasp at empty air. His eyes grew wide with panic, and he looked around the cave, assessing his options.

"Ah, yes, when I realised you were awake, I confiscated your weapon," Oberon said. "It wouldn't do to try anything dangerous now, would it?"

"Enough, Oberon." Leo stood up with a sigh and faced the young soldier. "You should sit down. I did my best to care for your wounds, but I am no doctor."
"You... who are you people?"

Caution was still clear on his face, but it was marred by another expression. Exhaustion. He still had not finished his recovery, and his energy levels were dangerously low. As he stumbled forward, Leo stepped in and caught him, stopping him from collapsing onto the floor of the cave.

"Just travelers looking for Rome at present," Leo said. "You need your rest before anything else."

"No..." the soldier wheezed. "I... have important information for Emperor Nero. Our enemy, they are closing the net... they are chasing me."

Leo frowned. Based on his words, this man's pursuers would still be after him. If they were following behind, who knows how far away at this point.

"We can move you," Leo said. "Take you with us. But we need you to guide us. We don't know how to get to Rome. Can you do that?"

"Just... head towards the morning sun," the soldier gasped.

Leo nodded and glanced back at Oberon. Without words needing to be exchanged, a cloud of butterflies gathered around the soldier, lifting him off his feet and hovering close to the ground near Leo. Leo stepped outside and oriented himself, taking in the rising sun on the horizon. It was a simple enough direction. The only question now was if they could beat any pursuers.

"Come, Oberon, we need to move."

The race across the hills of Italy began. With Oberon transporting the body of their newest companion, the trio forged a path towards the rising sun. It was a race against an unseen enemy. Unfortunately, a physical contest was Leo's weak point. Their guiding star had not even reached its zenith before the sounds of clanking armour emerged from behind them. Leo's breaths were ragged and uneven, and he was forced into a stop, resting himself against a lone cyprus tree.