Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing Suikoden.
A/N: I'd been contemplating this fic for months and months, but I never had the time write it down and make it work. Anyway, now that I've finally got it down, I don't want a bunch of reviews/e-mails stating "But Nash and Sierra are married!!!!!" I am well aware that it is a likely possibility that Nash is married to Sierra. But it still isn't official. It's not even official that he is married.
The things that happen in this fic are based on theories and is not necessarily canon. In fact, this fic totally contradicts my other fic "Destiny of Four". Technically however, the take on this fic should be theoretically possible for the most part... Just keep in mind that I'm just having fun with the idea of what goes on between Nash and other people in the castle, and I'm not taking any of it too seriously.
Chapter One – Charming the Ladies
"I'm not entirely sure why you're still here."
Nash pushed himself from the wall and caught up to the woman who had just emerged from door he had standing beside. He walked beside her, knowing that even though the stern knight had not looked at him, her comment had been directed towards him.
"Why, whatever do you mean, Chris?"
"I mean this new army, the Fire Bringer, is probably going to be fighting against the Harmonian army. Having admitted to being bishop Sasarai's spy, isn't it rather dangerous for you to be in the headquarters of the Fire Bringer?" She continued to speak hastily, as though talking faster would make the man by her side disappear.
"Ah, but Chris, you one of the few people at this castle who knows that about me."
"And since I'm one of the leaders of this army, do you really think I won't tell anyone?"
"Yes."
"And why is that?"
He shrugged. "Because you find me alluring, charismatic, irresistible-"
Chris shot him a death glare.
"-and Salome, your tactician, thinks I'm okay, and you trust his judgement," he added hurriedly.
The glare continued for a moment longer, and it was evident that she was struggling to decide if she should lash out at him for his sarcasm, or ignore it. She ended up choosing the latter option as they began to ascend the stairs of the castle.
"I haven't brought you up in the meeting today in hopes that you would have the intelligence to clear out of here on you own. I may trust Salome, but I don't trust you. I don't want you snooping around the castle and making trouble. I'd rather you left."
"I don't believe that."
"I suggest you disappear from here before you come to believe the hard way." She was still refusing to look at him.
"Is that any way to treat someone who has stuck it out with you while you were traveling through the grasslands, helping you find your father?"
Her expression hardened. "You never intended to help me find my father. You were just using that as an excuse to find the Flame Champion yourself."
" 'Use' is a harsh word, Chris... We both had the same goal in the end."
"Why do you insist on staying? To spy on us before telling bishop Sasarai as much as you can find out about our plans?"
At this point, the blond Harmonian stepped quickly up a couple of steps and cut her off at the top stair, forcing her to stop walking. He stared down at her, and Chris finally met his gaze. She stared defiantly back up at him, as though daring him to push her further.
However, he simply shook his head. "Chris, I know there have been a lot of conflicts with the Harmonian army recently, but that doesn't mean that there's going to be an all-out war between our countries. I already told you that bishop Sasarai suspects there is more to this conflict than what meets the eye, and you must admit that there have been some pretty suspicious things going on within the Grasslands and Zexen that have still gone unexplained..."
"What are you getting at, Nash?"
"There is another force behind all of this conflict that hasn't yet been identified. I can't help bishop Sasarai by spying on the Fire Bringer, that's not why I'm here. But I think you know that. My job is to get to the bottom of this mess, and I can't do that unless I'm in the thick of things. And besides," he added with a roguish smile, "I've come to enjoy working with you, Chris."
Chris did not respond, but Nash stepped aside. After staring at him a moment longer, she continued to the top of the steps and down the hallway. He followed her, and he noticed the increasing look of annoyance on her features, clearly wanting to be left alone. However, Nash was not finished speaking with her.
"What are the Fire Bringer's plans now?" he asked.
Chris sighed, but apparently figured it would be easier to just let him know whatever he wanted, for she did not hesitate to answer. "There seems to be some sort of disturbance near the Great Hollow, and one of Lucia's men, Jimba, is still missing. We have heard a rumour that he was seen near the Great Hollow. We've also heard another rumour that one of the bishops is missing."
Nash put a hand under his chin in thought. "So you're thinking this disturbance has something to do with a True Rune? And that it's somehow connected to Jimba's and the bishop's disappearance?"
Chris nodded. "The other knights and I are going to investigate as soon as preparations are complete."
"And when will preparations be complete?"
"By tomorrow morning."
"Can I tag along?"
They had reached her door as Chris shook her head. "Most definitely not. The knights are more than enough to take along on this expedition. You want to prove yourself trustworthy to me, stick close to these quarters and help out around the castle."
Nash knew her reason for keeping him in the castle was a rather feeble one, and although he was dying to argue with her reasoning, her stony and resolute glare left no doubt in his mind that she considered the matter to be closed.
"I guess I don't need to tell you to stay alert." Nash sighed slightly with resignation.
Chris opened the door but paused a moment longer. "If you make any trouble for us, you'll have me to answer to."
"Now Chris, when have I ever caused trouble for you?"
Chris eyed him wearily for another moment before closing the door without answering, leaving him standing in the hallway alone.
Nash continued to rub his chin in thought. She had been so much more formal with him since they had come to Budehuc castle to form the Fire Bringer. It would seem she felt she had to assume more authority now that she was back in the company of her knights and she was a leader of this new army.
It also appeared that Chris would obviously not tolerate his presence on the mission, and this had created quite an obstacle for Nash. He needed to find some reliable information for Sasarai, and soon. Nash knew it had been some time since he'd sent word to him, and he doubted the priest's patience would last until Chris and her men returned.
Suddenly he heard a sound behind him and he turned around to find a boy in a blue coat and a grey cap peering at him from around the corner. He then came walking out towards him, feverishly scribbling something into a little notebook.
The kid began speaking without taking his pen from the notepad.
"Now tell me, why exactly is it that the Lady Chris doesn't want you in this castle?"
"Who are you?" Nash asked, slightly irritated that the boy had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Chris.
"I'm Kidd, the detective. Now, Mr. Nash, was it? Why wouldn't you be welcome in the castle? Are you an old foe? An old unwanted acquaintance? An old boyfriend???"
Nash raised an eyebrow, and released a small chuckle. "I'm sure Chris would love that last one. At any rate kid, you're going to get yourself into a hell of a mess, sticking your nose into other people's business like that."
Kidd tapped his pen on the notepad, staring down at his writings before responding to Nash's comment. "I'm responsible for finding out anything I can about the residents at this castle, for everyone's safety."
"Safety?"
Kidd ignored him and continued. "Now, I've already been consulting with a couple of the other residents in this castle, who seem to recognize you... Miss Jeane says you helped liberate Greenhill during the Dunan Unification War."
Nash blinked, a little surprised to hear the runesage was somewhere within the castle premises. "Jeane?"
"But my other sources tell me that you were not in the Dunan army... Is this true?"
"Such meddling isn't good for your health, boy," Nash replied, narrowing his eyes at him.
"So it is true!" Kidd continued, scribbling even more into his little notebook. "Shady... Very shady indeed..." That said, the boy detective flipped his notebook shut and took off down the stairs.
Nash stared after him, but then just shook his head. He had more important things to worry about than some snooping kid. He had to figure out a way to find out what was going on at the Great Hollow. There was nothing else to do but to sneak out of the castle and get a head start on Chris and the knights. After all, who would notice that he was gone?
As Nash was descended the stairs of the castle and was met by a blonde- haired girl in oversized armour. She smiled widely. "Hello there, sir... Are you Nash Clovis, sir?"
Nash nodded absently at the girl, his mind still formulating a plan to sneak out of the castle that night.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Cecile, the Garrison Commander..."
"Indeed?" Nash said, still not paying the girl much interest.
"Yes, and I've just come to inform you that the Fire Bringer has made an alphabetical list of all our accomplices and each shall take turn guarding the castle at night. You're last name is Clovis, so you're on the first group of people taking shifts to guard the castle tonight."
Suddenly he became all ears. "What?"
"Yep," Cecile nodded. "Another one of Thomas' great ideas! Everyone living in the castle is a Fire Bringer supporter, and by the rules established in the first meeting today, everyone is responsible for defending and supporting this castle in any way they can."
"Just great... Can't you get someone to fill in for me tonight?"
Cecile frowned. "As a member of the Fire Bringer, this castle should be your priority! You should be honoured to be in the first group to take guard! You –"
"Alright already!" Nash shook his head. "What time?"
"Your shift is five hours and you start at 1:30 in the morning."
"Perfect," Nash rubbed his hand over his eyes.
With a curt nod, Cecile turned and marched back out of the castle back to her post at the gates.
Nash sighed, and headed for the tavern. This was a problem. He should have said his last name was Zovis or something. Now he had to lose precious time guarding this hunk of rubble when he could be getting a head start on Chris' investigation team. He sighed. He'd just have to leave tomorrow morning.
As soon as he entered the tavern, a tall strange man with a white mask greeted him.
"Ahh, perfect! You have the mark of an actor on you!"
"What?"
The masked man bowed. "Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Nadir, the play director here at Budehuc castle. Congratulations, you've just earned yourself a leading role in my next play!"
"No thanks," Nash muttered. He was developing a dull headache. "I just came in for a drink."
"But I insist! You'll be perfect for the part! And besides, have you not heard about the set of rules made by the Fire Bringer leaders? As a member, you must help this castle any way you can! This play will be great for both the morale of the troops and for raising money."
"But really, I-"
Nadir shoved a script into Nash's hands. "It's a docudrama about vampires."
"Just perfect..."
"Read through it, the first rehearsal is tomorrow morning. I'll announce who's playing who then."
"I thought you said I would be playing the leading role?"
"Well, there's more than one leading role..." Nadir replied hurriedly.
"But-"
"There now, thank you very much for your co-operation. I'll be on my way now." The masked man left the tavern, leaving Nash with a script in his hand and an exasperated expression on his face.
Nash sat at the bar, propped his elbow up on the countertop, and rested his chin in his hand. There was no way he could get out of this castle without looking suspicious now... He was trapped. Trapped in this God forsaken castle.
Late that night, Nash was walking out by the lake, just before his shift guarding the castle started. He racked his brain for a solution, but realized that he'd just have to wait until Chris' group returned and hope that the told him what was going on. He let out a sigh of resignation.
"Well, if it isn't Nash Latjke."
Nash spun around to see the silhouette of a woman he hadn't seen in fifteen years - Sierra Mikain. As she stepped into the moonlight, he saw she had not changed in the least; she still had the face of a young woman, with shoulder length silver hair and haunting crimson eyes. Of course it only made sense that she looked the same. She was a vampire, after all.
Nash had not been expecting this encounter at all, but he addressed her as though he had only just seen her the previous day. "I don't go by that surname anymore."
"My mistake. Then again, it has been quite a while."
"It has."
"You don't look that surprised to see me."
"You'll find I'm not surprised at much anymore."
"...You don't look as old as I thought you would by now."
Nash allowed himself to smirk slightly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
There was a long, tense moment of silence. The two had had worked together for a brief period of time a little before the Dunan Unification War, but their partnership had ended abruptly when Sierra departed for Tinto without telling him. Although the two had argued constantly, they had somehow formed an unspoken friendship. However, Sierra had misled him on his journey for her own purposes, and then for some mysterious reason, disappeared. He had not seen her since.
Nash finally broke the silence. "So are you going to tell me why you're here?"
"I was going to ask you the same question. I never expected to find you in this run down castle."
"I have my reasons. Why were you looking for me?"
Sierra turned towards the lake. "Who said I was?"
"You can't tell me you just randomly decided to visit this hole of a castle," Nash scoffed.
"I assure you, I have no business with you. I just happen to be revisiting an old friend's castle. It is disappointing to see that he never had any heirs to inherit this land..." She turned and looked at the shabby castle, which looked nothing short of eerie in the foggy moonlight.
"Don't tell me this castle was originally owned by another one of your ghoulish friends," Nash replied, suppressing the urge to shudder.
"Alas, he was not. One of the few humans I befriended during that period of my life. I don't know what became of him, but it pains me to see the castle is being run by a mere mortal boy."
"So you've been skulking about here for a while. I should have known. I thought I sensed deceit and an undiluted arrogance in the air when I first arrived here," Nash muttered.
Sierra glared at him. "You haven't changed at all. You're still the sarcastic, foolish mortal you were when I first met you."
"And you're still the snooty old hag I loved to hate."
"I expect next I see you, you'll be toothless, wrinkled and still chasing after women's skirts."
"Maybe, but I sure as hell won't be chasing yours."
"You're disgusting."
"You're running out of suitably stinging insults."
"Better than resorting to your tactics and hitting below the belt."
"Below the belt is where all the fun is."
The vampire turned from him. "Goodbye Nash. It would have been better to postpone this reunion indefinitely."
"Wait."
Sierra stopped.
Nash had a rush of ideas and a plan formed his mind in an instant. "Where are you going?"
"You don't care."
"I need your help."
To his surprise, the vampire chuckled. "You fool. I haven't the slightest idea what it is you want, but you will not get it from me."
"Relax, I'm not about to ask sexual favours of an old hag like you."
She spun around on him, fangs bared and eyes flaring. "I could kill you right now!"
"But you won't. It's been over fifteen years Seirra, but you still can't fool me."
"Push me too hard, and you'll realize too late just how foolish you are!"
"Look, can you at least hear me out?"
Sierra raised an eyebrow, but did not respond.
"The truth is, I'm here by bishop Sasarai's command to find out the real cause for all of the conflict that has been occurring between Zexen and the Grasslands. Harmonia is trying to find the True Runes, but there is another unidentified force interfering with both Harmonia and the Grasslands. My investigations have led me here, and I am currently assisting an army known as the Fire Bringer, led by Chris, Geddoe and Hugo.
"The problem is, I've hit a snag and one of the leaders of the Fire Bringer... Well, she doesn't entirely trust me."
"I can't say I blame her," commented Seirra.
Nash continued without responding to her comment. "The bottom line is, something big is going on near the Great Hollow... But I'm being watched to closely right now to find out myself. I need to gain trust around here, and I can't do that if I'm snooping around where I'm not wanted..."
"So what you're asking is if I'll do the snooping for you? If you're with the Fire Bringer, aren't you going to find out eventually anyway?"
"Sierra, I'm a spy, I need to stay three steps ahead of this lot of rebels at all times."
"Give me one good reason why I should help you."
The Harmonian shrugged. "Simple. Karma. You dragged me all over this forsaken planet making me believe you could help me, when really you were just using me to get revenge on one of your old vampy boyfriends. I almost got killed countless times, and then you just left me out to dry with absolutely nothing to go on!"
"This is hardly sending me on the guilt trip you're going for."
"Sierra, come on! Just this one favour for an old acquaintance..."
Sierra turned back towards the lake, and was silent for a long moment. Nash held his breath, waiting for her decision.
Finally, the vampire sighed. "If there is a disturbance within the runes, then I suppose it shouldn't be left up to mere mortals to rectify it. I'll go and find out what I can..." she turned back to Nash with fire in her eyes. "Don't you dare mistake my help as a favour to you. As a rune- bearer, I'm partially responsible for order in this world. In truth, I visited this castle just to see what the Fire Bringer is about. I'm not ready for this world to crumble apart just yet."
"Thank y-"
"Don't thank me, I already told you that I'm not doing this for you."
Nash resisted the temptation to flash one of his purposely-irritating smirks. "Of course. When can I expect your return with the report?"
"Tomorrow night."
"Just one day? Impressive. No doubt you'll be using some demonic power to hasten your travels." He couldn't resist taking one more jab at here.
"You're truly a sad, pathetic, idiotic bastard."
"I am indeed many things, but at least I'm not a hag."
With a noise that could be likened to a snarl, Sierra turned from him, and in an instant she had vanished among the shadows.
Nash smiled to himself as he headed off to the gates for his shift. Not only had he convinced Chris to let him join the Fire Bringer, but he had gotten Sierra, whom he hadn't even heard from in fifteen years, to do his dirty work for him. It seemed he still had a knack for charming the ladies.
A/N: I usually write the entire story out before I even post the first chapter, but it's been so long since I've posted anything that I just wanted to get this up. I definitely have a plan for this story, but I may be making changes to this chapter depending on if anything changes. Not that it's really heavy on plot, it's more of one those 'behind the scene' fics. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it, leave a review to let me know! .
