And I will continue to guard his life whenever the need presents itself. I have no doubt you will return the favor. That is another thing this place gives us. We are able to use our skills to protect more than just a single person. We are knights after all. While we may serve one lord and master, it has always been our duty to protect as many as we can.

I don't know that I trust in hope that much. Nor luck for that matter, but it does help to keep that little bit inside. It can help to keep you going. Once you completely give up on the chance of things being better, what is left to try for at all?

[Diarmuid's expression grows slightly bitter.]

I know it is foolish to be so angered by something we cannot control, but what they have done to us through the grail and the wars still upsets me. We heroes are men and women like any other. Many would say we are even greater than normal because of all we have done. What right do they have to force us to fight like this? To bow to their foolish commands?

[It's one thing to willingly give yourself to a master, but what had been done to them with the grail? It was all a lie. Their lives and their wishes were nothing to the magi who summoned them in most cases.]

Now that I know what I know, I would trade any wish on the grail for the chance to stand here and know you and so many other heroes as the men and women they were. If we aid each other, all the better. If we fight, we fight on our own terms. And yet, it cannot be that easy for so many have been forced to depend on the lies the grail and the war carry.

[He thinks of Kariya and he thinks of Sakura first, of course. But he also thinks of Rin.]

Sir Lancelot, forgive the change in topic, but do you speak much with Sakura and Rin? I know they are both important to your master.