Title: Vacation
Summary: Tir meets some rowdy pirates, weirdass priests, and a couple of important Islanders during vacation in the tropics.
Genre: General
Game: A little bit of all 5 released games, excluding Tactics (but I like Tactics!!!)
Length: A few pages
Warnings: As usual, spoilers abound. Some non-canon ideas.
Disclaimer: The Suikoden series are property of Konami. Works displayed here are solely the imagination of the author without any resell for profit.
Chapter 1 - the Cruise
The word vacation usually brings to mind of a relaxing time devoted to pleasure and rest. Vacations were suppose to be weeks long trips away from the daily grinds of work, may the work be pouring rum into some roaring drunkard's cup or running the government of a newly form Toran Republic. Vacation refreshed the mind, energized the soul to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and gave vain hope that maybe all can be well somewhere in the world. Most of all, the point of vacation was to do absolutely nothing stressful.
Vacation was not spending a night on a sinking ship then a week on an active volcanic island full of blood thirsty cannibals with a couple of pissed-as-hell True Rune Bearer and a love-sick man servant.
More on that later.
Tir had initially been resistant to the thought of "taking a break." He was still coming to grips to his two years-old newfound True Rune on his right hand. Having a cursed trinket-like gem that so many idiots were willing to kill him for was still something to get used to. There were just as many who wanted to deify him and a devout trail of raving religious fanatics usually followed him whenever they find him.
Then there were official duties that were the curse of everything. He did become the president, the defunct leader by unanimous vote, so he became saddled with the responsibiltys of looking after a newly formed nation. Day and night were endless parades of petitioners and meetings about when to have a meeting about a future meeting that they may meet to get some real legislation work done. When everyone actually sat down to discuss the real overhaul of their government, some pugnacious punks would want drastic changes while the prunes wanted a reestablishment of the old system. This was maddening to Tir who was a natural people pleaser wanted to accommodate everyone and usually end the meeting with nothing done.
Burearcracy was a bitch that refused to slacken her jaw, even after the cumbersome old system was abolished.
Still, all of the responsibilities aged Tir in a way no natural aging can. Only at twenty years old, Tir already felt decades older. Whether it was the memory of the Past Soul Eater's Bearers or just all those ordeals he went though, he did not know. In fact, he did not even want to know. Trying to figure it out would only exacerbate that pulsing pain behind his eyes after a legislative session.
Maybe detecting his master's displeasure, Gremio convinced him to go on a tropical island cruise for a desperately needed vacation.
"It would do you some good," Gremio said, "I heard that the Island Nations have some great hot springs and good sea fishing."
"I can't Gremio," Tir had replied almost automatically. Ever since his foolish agreement with Odessa, he had his smorgasbord of meetings scheduled months ahead by none other than devoted Gremio. The thought of fishing in the exotic mysterious south, however, was disgustingly tempting. "There's the meeting with some representatives from Falena, Zexen, then dinner with an ambassador from Harmonia..." He went on for about five minutes. "And next month formal council from what weird country Nagarea..."
"...Yadah yadah yadah and Rune hunters always coming after you..." Gremio finished for him. "Please, Lepant already said he would fill in for you, young master." Gremio never lost the habit of calling Tir 'young master.'
"But we cannot possibly blow off that ambassador from Harmonia!"
"I'm sure that..." Gremio paused to look for a name on the master calendar that took up an entire desk. "Ambassador Sasarai could wait."
Tir made a face. "Harmonia is the most powerful nation known, with influences across the vast ocean. They're an intolerant theocracy with great interest in True Runes. Who knows what nations they are targeting."
"Better that you just happen not to be here, right? Just this once, young master. Toran won't burn down in two weeks."
"Gregminster burned down in two days."
Gremio had used reason and reason and eventually ended up with a treat.
"You're going and that is that."
"No!"
"Oh yeah? What if I go tell Kasumi that you like men?"
"What!? I do not!" Tir could not understand why the thought of Kasumi looking at him oddly seemed like a bad idea. Heck, with all of his duties, he simply had no time for the ladies.
"Well. At least it would explain why you never show interest in women...I'm sure Vincent..." Gremio droned on about the sexually questionable people they had recruited. "And it would get a lot of fanatics off your back."
At any rate, after a few more well-placed threats, Gremio did convince Tir to go on a tropical island cruise. The servant had arranged for a two week trip down to one of the vacation islands down somewhere in the Island Nation Federations.
Island Nation Federation was rather interesting politically. They sustained many trade treatises, usually with nations that were sworn enemies of against each other. Most of the time, they were unconcerned with whom their own alliances offend as the Island Nations were the conveyers of goods and missives between the Northern and Southern Continents. Without their protection, many merchantile pursuits would become impossible.
Militaristically, the Islanders enjoyed more than a century of relative peace, often occupied only with petty internal conflict like pirates and smugglers. And though many nations had attempted to covet True Rune relics, the Islands however, with their dependence on international relationships, strictly discouraged any rune hunters. Thus Gremio thought it might be less hassling for Tir to visit the Island Nations.
So weeks later after well placed threat, Tir waited along with Gremio, standing in the long line for the boarding of a newly christened cruise ship Costa Hellenia. The two wore long mundane cloaks so not to attract attention from raving citizens. Hundreds of passengers were before them, everyone chattered excited about the on-board casino, baths, pool, exercise rooms, theater and such.
"Are you excited, Young Master?" asked Gremio good naturedly. He was the one who suggested that they board with the third-class passengers so as to not attract attention to the fact that he booked the most expensive royal suite on the Captain's deck.
Tir nodded blandly, not exactly thrilled with the idea of a cruise nor adverse to it. "Yes, very excited," he said for Gremio's sake. The man-servant deserved at least half-hearted approval for all the troubles he went through for his Young Master. "And I'm sure we'll have everything we need." Tir lightly kicked the small cart next to him.
The small pick-up cart was piled up high with a mountain luggage, full of both necessary and unnecessary amenities. There were clothes for artic weather, sweltering jungles, formal ware, a pelthora of undergarments, and even cut up sacks. Then deep in some luggage were the many hidden weaponry and runes because Kasumi was very insistent on being prepared just in case their "ship sank and they got washed up onto a volcanic island full of blood-thirsty cannibals." The ninja woman packed one case with potent poisons in case they need to do some espionage work and miracle salves for cuts, bruises, headaches, and acts as super glue. She even snuck in a few toothbrushes and mints for their dental and oral hygiene.
Gremio only packed the essential paperwork and shampoo for his glossy and downy soft golden hair. "Can't ever be too prepared for anything," he said amiably. "Though I doubt we'll have any trouble. It'll be a nice smooth sailing and no one would know that you're even there. We have nothing to fear."
"If that's true, then why the hell are we hiding in an alley way?" asked Tir blandly.
The line of passengers had extended far beyond what the wharf was built for that when they joined the line, they had to squeeze in the alleyways in between smelly fish warehouses. In addition to their odd mountain of luggage, there were some drunkards that Gremio already had to beat off.
"Oh. We're still in Toran," said Gremio, pointing to some still raving imperials and religious fanatics that loitered around wharf. "But hey. Don't worry. We'll board the ship in no time. In fact, let me go ask how long it'll take. Be right back."
With that, Tir was left with the cart of god-knows-what. He looked around, wondering what type of people are coming along on the cruise.
The most he saw were some of the wealthier merchants from Toran Republic. Those people wore decorative shirts, lavish trousers and expansive jewelry as if they were attending a ball. Tir pulled his cloak closer around him, remembering that it was early spring and that it was still somewhat cold. Sprinkled among them were the reputed eternally inebriated Kanakans to the south. Kanakans wore thicker but more practical cloaks. They moved with deceptive grace that would probably become nervous twitches if they ever become sober. There were some Falenans and Armesse who kept to thick wardrobes and giving off very obvious death glares at each other. Rarer still were the pair of Harmonian couples identifiable by their cool color blue and silver cloaks.
Suddenly, a commotion from the further docks caught Tir's attention.
"Come back here!"
People were spun around and pushed aside. Whatever it was, it was definitely small.
"Hey! Watch it punk!"
"Excuse me! Coming though!"
"Get him!"
"Sorry! Out of my way!"
"Ouch! My foot!"
"Oh! Pardon me!"
"Don't let him get away!"
Curious, Tir looked around and found a discarded barrel to stand on. He saw the parting of people and a little brown mop fluttering and running his way.
"How rude!"
"Forgive me!"
Finally, the brown mop on a stick stopped. It was a boy about two years younger than Tir. He was dressed like a farm child, wearing only a simple tunic with a rope-belt, only not as dirty or as tanned. His cheeks were pink and he panting heavily from all that running. He perked up and looked around left and right, obvious urgency in his searching. After a couple of passes, the boy zeroed in on Tir and sprinted over to him. "Please! You got to help me!" he shouted in panic.
Tir could only stare. This boy before him was Luc! It was the same hair, same facial bones, and even same color of eyes. And he was older and taller, so Luc probably hit the growth spurt by now. But this boy could not have been Luc. Luc was sarcastic, rude, and arrogant. Luc emitted an aura of cool confidence, with critical eyes to immaculate details and a superior smirk or frown on his calculating face.
This one just looked like he was too retarded to do anything on his own.
"What?" Tir just assumed that Luc had gone crazier, if that was even possible.
The boy grabbed him by the shoulders, giving him liquidly eyes. "You got to hide me before they catch me!"
"Um..." Now, many things were going through Tir's head right now. He had questions like "Had Luc gone nutso again?" and "why is he being chased?" And should Tir even help? Hell, Tir did not even like Luc that much though he did owe him something for helping out the Liberation Movement. Tir was torn.
"PLEASE!!!" Now the boy was on the verge of wailing, showing absolutely no shame as big drops on tears welled in his sad hazel eyes. "They'll torture me if they catch me!!!'
Having the expression hurt that was more pathetic than a kicked puppy clawed at Tir's heart until he could take it no more. "Alright!" Tir thought really fast. He went over to a particularly large chest full of extra undergarments that Kasumi stuffed until the chest almost could not close as part of their luggage. He kicked the chest open and hurriedly dumped the cloths into the empty barrel he was using as a stepping stool.
"Quick! Get in here," said Tir, pointing to the semi-empty chest.
"Will I fit in that?" the boy asked a little incredulously.
"Do you want help or not?"
"Well...?"
They heard the oncoming loud clinkering of soldiers, roaring into their vicinity. On an impulse, Tir reached over, grabbed the boy's collar "Just get in!" and threw the boy into the chest. He hastily folded the boy's limbs until he fitted then slammed the lid shut and plopped down on it.
By the time the pursuers came by, all they saw was a heavily cloaked civilian sitting on top of a black chest, whistling the new Toran Republic Anthem and killing time.
"Hey," the man with a round cap barked. He had about half a dozen men and women with him. Each wore a light weighted dark blue cloak that covered their shape like a shroud. "Have you seen a boy with brown hair and about this tall" the man held his hand up about five feet high "go by here?"
Tir, having all the sneaking practices during the war, pointed toward the central square. "Yeah. He went that way," he said in a falsetto squeak.
"Arg," another one growled. "Damn it. When did that shrimp learn how to run so fast?"
"Shut up! We hit him hard and fast and bring him back. Or else our asses are fried."
"By Jacobor by his Eminance?"
"By Jacob if we do find him. By both if we don't! Let's get going!"
Tir watched the lingering trail of men. They had the elaborate silver stitching of the Circle Rune on their coats so Tir assumed that they were from Harmonia; he did hear that Luc was originally from Harmonia. But why would be chasing after Luc? Probably Luc pissed off somebody again, like that time when he 'tested' them by sending the rock golem and see if they survive the trial. It did not seem like Luc was capable of making such a grievous error, but if he did...then it served him right.
Wait. Wouldn't Luc blast his pursuers into oblivion instead of running?
"Young Master," called Gremio, coming back from his excursion to the front of the line. "They were having a small argument up front, but I think we'll get on within the hour."
"Oh," noted Tir dully. He was thinking about whether or not to tell Gremio about the live body now shut up in the trunk and if that particular body was getting enough air. "What kid of argument is it?"
"Looks like some rich snob got his money purse stolen when his ship landed. A white bearded man was raving about it. Couldn't really tell since they're speaking in some odd tongue. Anyways. The line is moving. Let's get on and start relaxing."
So without further drama, Gremio went to push the cart along as the line start shortening in rapid pace. Tir kept on wanting to tell Gremio about the body in the chest, but he had stop in awe when he saw the cruise ship, Costa Hellenia.
The Costa Hellenia was a magnificent ship tastefully painted burgundy and gold. The upper decks were polished mahogany any wood with a haul made of innovative steel plates. Unlike many of the older ships, it boasted six decks with the lower two dedicated to the miracle of steam engines and many mechanical infrastructure that made life on rough sea like a trip through elysium.
"That's got to the biggest ship I've ever seen!" exclaimed Tir.
"If you think that's big, then you should see the newest Lino EnKuldes," said a random passerby. By her clothing, the stranger seemed to be an Islander. She looked to be late-twenties, with a long tress of voluminous tawny hair, healthy sun-kissed skin and fine legs. Her build a reminded Tir of a voluptuous dancer. Her expression was a mix between stern and comely.
Gremio was completely bedazzled.
Gremio never believed in love at first sight, but he definitely believe it now. And it came with a curvaceous figure and a generous bust. He made animal noises, trying to ask the most important question in his mind.
"What's your name?" the woman asked, looking rather confused by Gremio's reaction.
"I'm Tir and this is Gremio," introduced Tir reaching out his hand, "How do you do Miss..."
The woman took hold of Tir's hand in greeting. Her soft hand had some calluses. "I'm Bernadette, but most people just call me Berns."
Gremio was still choking when Bernadette shook his hand. It took a while for him to mentally slap himself and get his composure back together. "Hi...hi. Miss Bernadette. Um...which cabin are you staying at?"
Bernadette seemed slightly puzzled by Gremio's question. It was a rather odd question to ask a complete stranger but she answered it anyways. "I'm staying in Royal Suite Number Four."
For some reason, Gremio smile went extremely wide.
"Well, excuse me. They'll have to check my customs paper. Mayhaps we'll meet again on board," With that, Bernadette went to one of the four lines that were admitting people.
Gremio stared at her fading shadow. He did not know why, but for some odd reason, that woman just captivated his attention. It could be her exotic looks that combined a warrior's confidence and pure feminism.
Tir only sweat dropped as he saw Gremio's eyes turned heart shaped and balloon hearts floated around Gremio's head.
"Come on, it's our turn to check in."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bernadette smiled wide as she settled in her suite. It was a spacious and comfortable apartment with several rooms and everything she needed. There was a plush bed, a desk with plenty of stationeries, a glass of flowers, and a closet full of blankets and towels. A sizable shower compartment, a fully furnished living room, austere but delicately arranged meditation room and a balcony overlooking the main deck. Imported Armese plush carpets thrown liberally on the floor. She went over to the desk chair in her private sitting room and proceeded to remove her sandals. It had been a long week of walking around the rebuilt Gregminster, seeing new scenes and purchasing the obligatory gifts for her countless cousins, nephews and nieces, one of them who happened to be the Queen of Falena. She walked from morning until afternoon, waiting for her audience with the new head of the newly formed Toran Republic. Unfortunately, she never got the chance and was sent home instead by a rather prompt letter from the Mayor of Middleport who happened to be in charge of foreign affairs.
Bernadette thought about disobeying orders, not to accomplish her original task but just to spite the Mayor of Middleport. She hated the ass with all his inveigling mannerism.
Now she was out of her heavy duty sandals, she picked up a pair of house sandals. The house sandals were padded much fuller at the soles and embroidered with designs of shells. House sandals did not last as long, but they were sure comfy.
"Now to go out and see who's on the ship," muttered Bernadette to herself. The woman was still career military and had an ingrained sense of responsibility. She did saw herself partially in charge of security on this ship full of foreigners.
She went out into the hallway was softly lit by wall lanterns. She saw that there were three other suites besides her own, and each seemed to show some sign of occupancy judging from the noise or the number of shoes outside the door. Occupants of one of the suites were definitely Islanders by habit because of the dirty muddy sandals were left outside. The farthest away from her had some luggage stacked in front of the door but the owners were nowhere in sight. The one opposite of her was ominously silent, until a large crashing sound and a threat jerked Bernadette out of her silent observation.
"Brat! You're SO DEAD!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Now Gremio, don't get mad," said Tir placating.
"You stuffed a dead body in the trunk!?" Gremio rubbed his temples, mentally repeating a mantra of no-anger. He loved his young master as his own brother, but like any brother, Young Master was very difficult on the nerves.
"Well, I think you're getting the wrong idea. It's not just any body; it's a guy about my age..."
Gremio looked like his appendix just burst. "A boy?" Gremio just shook his head and rubbed his head some more. He thought they were past all that sneaking around and illegal activities since the war. They were respected officials now with good lives and a bright future, if not semi-cursed by a divine entity. Gremio had planned to keep it peaceful. How was he supposed to dispose of a dead body at sea? There was nowhere he could bury the body. Guess he'll have to throw it overboard when he gets the chance. "Young Master. This poor man servant of yours would like a relaxing vacation."
"Gremio! It's one of our old companions! I couldn't reject his request!"
"And who was it?"
"That wind mage! You know, that boy who wouldn't leave the stone tablet."
"So he died in our trunk!?"
"Hey! You guys are loud," a muffled voice came from the trunk. "Can you quiet down? I was having the most wonderful dream..."
Gremio slowly approached the trunk. "He's...alive?"
"Does it sound like he's dead?" Tir asked.
Gremio popped open the trunk and looked in. "LUC!?"
The boy only moaned and burrowed into a pile of undershirts. "Go away...I'm sleepy."
"Get the hell out of the trunk, Luc!" said Gremio, exhibiting more annoyance than usual.
The boy sat up and blinked once or twice. He had more of hazel in his green eyes than Gremio remembered. "Luc? That's not my name."
"Then what is your name?" asked Tir.
"Um..." the squinted his eyes, looking as if he had difficulty understanding the question. Then, he looked left and rights, blinking slowly like a moron. "Where am I again?"
"The cruise ship Costa Hellena," offered Gremio, his eyes narrow. "Young Master has asked you a question. Answer it!"
The boy tilted his head and squinted. "Oh..." He blinked twice before wiping off some drool from his cheek. Yep. This boy is definitely not Luc. "What was the question?"
"Name! Your name!"
"My name is....Sai." He held up a hot red pair of brief undies. "Which one of you is name Tir?"
Tir widened his eyes and his face turned red. He jumped over a coffee table, trying to get the brief.
Sai immediately went on the defensive and threw the undies at Tir, hitting the Rune Bearer in the eye. Tir momentarily lost sight, tripped over the expensive and plush Armese rug and crashed into a desk, knocking over ink jars, quill pens, a potted flower, and some of the legendary and odorous mermaid oil that Kasumi claimed to ward away evil.
Gremio did not miss a beat and immediately wiped out his ax to his Young Master's defense. He advanced upon Sai, ready to chop the offender into pieces if the boy dared to try anything funny.
"Err...that looks awfully sharp, mister," said Sai placating, backing up to the trunk. "I say your name is Gunk Gremio."
"WHAT?!"
Sai held up a clear glass bottle of pink sloshing liquid with a pretty red bow on the bottle neck. There on the bottle was a label with Gremio's name and secret contact named Gunk in case the bottle was ever lost. Coincidentally, the bottle of pink goop was the imported miracle shampoo from Nagarea, the very same bottle that Gremio would kill for. "From the look on your face, I bet it'll totally kill you if I accidentally drop this..." Sai even smirked an amazingly Luc-like smirk.
Tir was recovering from his crash. He blinked hard and rubbed his head. He did not know desks were so hard! He saw Sai, Gremio with a bottle in the middle and alarm immediately blared in his head.
"No! Don't touch it!" In Tir's enthusiastic desire for the bottle, he ran and slipped on a piece of careless strewn underwear, sending him crashing into a coat hanger next to Sai.
"Oops..." Sai accidentally dropped the glass, spraying the pink gunk and a terrible smell of an overly perfumed boutique everywhere.
"Brat! You're SO DEAD!"
Just then, the door swung open.
----------------------------------------------------
"Uh! Excuse me!" Bernadette did not realize that the door was unlocked. So when the argument reached a climax, she instinctively grabbed hold of the handle and twisted.
The Island woman was greeted with the sight of Tir's buttocks, Gremio's fist in mid air, aiming at Sai's cheek.
Gremio fumbled. It was that pretty woman from the dock! "Um...miss...how may I..."
"Auntie Berns!" he cried, cutting off Gremio. Sai jumped up and over Tir's body and ran toward Bernadette. "It's me, Sai! Do you remember me? Your nephew."
Gremio's jaw dropped. That ragamuffin is Bernadette's nephew? Did he just totally destroy his chance for a date with this luscious lady?
Bernadette gazed at the boy for a moment, frowning in disapproval. She remember this kid alright, and all political mistakes that she may very well make. In fact, she could just save herself a lot of trouble if she just turns on a heel left the ship.
Sai gave her a pleading look and whispered "PLEASE!"
Bernadette sighed theatrically, buying some mental time to decide whether to help this poor child or not. In the end, she laughed. "Ha! Why, it is Sai!" she said a little too happily. She knelt down to hug him. "Where have you been? Your keepers and nurses had been looking everywhere for you."
"Well, I got into slight trouble when..." Sai continued to go into a long tirade of excuses and giving Gremio the evil eye. Sai pointed at Tir and Gremio, telling Bernadette things that made her grimace, things that made her frown at Gremio.
The man who had came back to life, Gremio, felt in inexplicable desire to wring the boy's neck. "Miss, I can explain."
"Is it?" returned Bernadette coldly. "I'm told that you two forcibly kidnapped him and stuffed him in a trunk for ransom."
"WHAT!?" Tir was incredulous. This kid had gotten into this trouble himself! "He asked me to hide him in the first place!"
But Bernadette was not paying attention to Tir at all. "I'm taking Sai with me. Meanwhile, I'm going to personally report to you two to the Captain Cerum and see to it that you two are thrown overboard."
------------------------------------------------------
Captain Cerum was a heavily dark bearded man in his late forties. He towered above most men, and his voice was a loud boom that people had usually described as rune cannons.
He looked at the two hapless youths from the newly formed Toran Republic and shook his head. Kids these day! What were they thinking, kidnapping an innocent child and usurping authority? And worse, they had to be brought in by the feistiest, blunt and unforgiving Bernadette EnKuldes. He shook his head like a disapproving father. If he did not reprimand them now, they would probably participate in some sort of junta and overthrow said newly formed Toran Republic. And only the True Runes know how bad war is for business.
"I'm told by Miss Bernadette that you two had personally kidnapped her nephew of age thirteen and threatened his life. Is this true?" asked Cerum solemnly.
"No!" cried Gremio, outraged. He was about to personally elaborated how the brat destroyed his favorite shampoo when Tir clamped a hand over Gremio's mouth.
"We apologize for any trouble we've caused," said Tir amiably. "We meant no trouble."
"We don't?" asked Gremio.
Tir determinedly stepped on Gremio's toes. Tir moved closer to Gremio's ear. "Just play along."
"It's a complete misunderstanding, you see." Tir described the entire episode in detail, starting with the incident at the docks and how Sai had requested some personal time in Tir's trunk.
Captain raised his eyebrows as Tir went on his narrative of misfortune and how ugly men from the north had threatened to kill Sai and everyone in the world. Unfortunately for Tir and fortunately for Sai, Tir took a split second decision to help Sai out.
Children! Cerum grumbled silently. Troublesome lot!
"....so you see," said Tir, after about half an hour of explanation, creative details, and prevaricating the events, Tir seemed to convince the Captain that they really were the victim of circumstance. "That Sai kid actually got US in trouble. We were just trying to help him out. And it's very fortunate that Miss Bernadette came along. We really did not know what to do to help Sai."
Captain Cerum remained silent for a good minute after Tir completed his narrative. As he suspected, these were just boredom prone young men who had nothing else better to do than kidnapping some kid as a prank. He should punish them for the infraction, but nothing too severe. Cerum did remember what he, himself was like when he was their age.
"Well, I suppose your intentions weren't all terrible. I say you have two choices. Pay up twenty-thousand potch or kitchen duties for tonight and we'll call it even."
"Twenty-thousand potch?" Tir almost screamed. No one in their right mind (except during war) ever carry that much on their person.
Seeing the disbelief on their faces, Cerum answered for them. "Kitchen duty it is."
----------------------------------------------------
"Thanks for playing along, Auntie Bern," said Sai, cheerful as ever. "I thought I would never get away from those two fogies."
Bernadette sighed and frowned. She had been warned and informed exactly what and who Sai was. His devious nature hidden behind a placating and helpless mannerism. A child who was born with far more magic than usual, not to mention that he was educated in one of the most demanding magic schools in the world.
Now that she was saddled with the child, she could only feel a headache coming on. "If he ever finds out what you've been doing, he'll skin your hide!"
Sai smiled charmingly at Bernadette. He was dressed in the proper Islander garb, with the white satin overlaid with muted maroon and green. On his feet were house sandals, light and comfortable. As predicated, Bernadette would never allow him to run around like some street urchin. He rambled around the sitting room, looking at all the new scenery like any wide-eyed child. His words, however, were hardly child like. "He is far too sophisticated for such simple punishments," Sai said with confidence. "Besides, he's too busy to notice."
"You'll be amazed on what he can notice," warned Bernadette.
"What? You mean the strain between different political parties? How some Guildsmen inexplicably find themselves in the dungeon?" asked Sai with a knowing smile. The Islanders were honorable people who did not appreciate falsehood. Any further falsehood on his part would definitely make Bernadette upset with him. "He notices many things of those who are opposed to him. But whom he considers as an ally, he place complete faith and trust. It's one of his greatest strength and weakness." Sai hobbled over to the window, looking at the sea. They had set off port only an hour ago.
"I am not a fool, Auntie Berns. I have people watch him as he had watched me. Knowledge is the greatest sword one can wield." Sai turned to look at Bernadette, now looking as innocent as any twelve year old. "I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"
Bernadette was not about to let him off so easily. "You ran away and LIED to me. They were not going to take your for ransom. They were only trying to help you."
Indignant, Sai's countenance turned serious. "If you knew I lied, then why did you help me? Why turn them in?"
"Because you are Sai and you have called me Auntie since I first met you," said Bernadette. "We may not be blood related, but I do care for you and I happen to think that you're best under my guardianship than theirs."
Sai seemed taken back by the bluntness of the response. Auntie Berns was a woman who spoke her mind and honored her words. If she hated him, she would had no trouble speaking so. Sai felt guilty for even suspecting that she was a mere sycophant. "My apologies, Auntie Berns" he said, looking down, truly ashamed.
Bernadette sighed again then laughed, waving her hands. "It's alright." Sai was still a child, one who was still gripping for his purpose in life. Push a child academically is easily done, but emotional intelligence took time and experience that no amount of study could replace. "Let's go get some chow."
With a smile that knew he was forgiven, he heartily agreed. "Alright!"
--------------------------------------------------