Of course he took the hit for her. Forget that she was his Master and he her Servant; he wasn't about to let anything happen to her. He was going to protect her at the cost of his life - which is something only two people in all of history could likely boast. Despite the pain and the anxiety at the overwhelming likelihood that he'd been poisoned, Rider smiled when he saw Saft wipe away her tears.

Her strength was growing. And he couldn't have been prouder.

The explosion startled Bucephalus, and the horse reared up into the air, neighing loudly. He wanted to bolt, but Rider wouldn't allow it. He held tight to the reins as the heat from the explosion hit his face. For a moment he was silent, just reaching out with his senses, trying to see if Assassin had been caught in the blaze.

Suddenly his senses went off and Rider hurled his sword with all his might to the left - just in time to spear Assassin to a nearby tree.