Disclaimer: I do not have ownership of Suikoden and its characters. This is a fanstory and is to pay homage to the popularity of the series.
Noisy clutter of horses and wagons sounded in the streets, beneath the early light of dawn. As the first ray of sunlight shone onto the majestic castle seated on the highest hill of the island, the inhabitants of the castle were already moving about in their daily chores. Servants were feeding the livestock; blacksmiths were forging new weapons and armors while rune sages were researching old tomes for hidden knowledge.
For the four founders of the Blue Pearl viewed the gathering of knowledge as a source of power. The Blue Pearl was one of the most powerful trading companies in the face of known continents, with powerful political ties in the Island Nations Federation, the Gaien Dukedom and the Zelant Kingdom since it first started a hundred and forty years ago.
Two of the founders were elves, an unusual thing of note since elves seldom care much about the world outside their Great Trees. The third founder came from a lineage of Nay-Kobold family while the fourth founder was never known to public.
The castle on Donut Island was one of the many capitals of the Blue Pearl Trading Company. It was also under the charge of Paula Mistwood, one of the founding elf. Though she was now considered an elder by elven standards, she still looked not a day over twenty. But more importantly, Paula had been a capable leader for the Eastern Island Nations' base of operations for the past hundred over years.
A well respected war hero, she had helped stopped more than a few wars against the Island Nations by neighboring countries. She also had battle experience in many naval and field battles. Of particular note was the war she took part in one hundred and fifty years back. The war was against the old Kooluk Empire, which ended up freeing the Island Nations from the Empire's tyranny. She was also part of the core group that was involved in setting up the Island Nations Federation. As such, she was considered one of the more important and famous leaders of the Island Nations.
Right now she was checking the daily accounts of the profits that Blue Pearl Trading had accumulated. Part of the profit would go into a secret fund that was set aside to aid the Island Nations in times of need. Of the remaining amount, half of what was left went into the research operations conducted by Blue Pearl, and what was left would be set aside for the development of the trading company itself. Silence reign in the room, for the servants knew better than to disturb her at this hour. The whisper of wind next to her was all that told her of another presence in the room besides herself. Showing no signs of shock at the arrival of the newcomer, she continued with her bookkeeping.
"What news do you bring?" Paula asked, eyes scanning the account books as she made fast mental calculations of the numbers.
The dark cloaked man nodded to her politely. "Harmonia is on the move again. I have news gleaned from the priesthood. Several rune hunters are going to be sent to Falena."
"To get the Sun rune I presume?" Paula asked with a weary sigh, her eyes blinking tiredly.
"Yes, the Harmonians also plan to arouse the neighboring nations around Falena to create as much chaos as possible. The rune hunters have orders to kill anyone who stand in their way."
"Typical Harmonian behavior. The chief will not be happy to hear about this." Paula said grimly, looking at the cloaked man in acknowledgement. "I'll inform him. Thanks Haleth, the payment is at its usual place."
The only answer was the flapping of curtains near the open windows. The man had vanished without a trace. Paula lay down the account books and placed a new parchment onto the table. Dipping the quill in the ink, she began to draft out a new note.
The brown haired young man stood at the border of the Falena Queendom and the New Armes Kingdom. His crystal blue eyes surveyed the entire area around him, making sure that there was no one around to see him as he took a step forward. Instantly pain spread through his body, his eyes were blinded by a sudden flare of red light, causing him to quickly step back into New Armes land again. Behind him, his trusty war horse nudged him gently with a whine, as if checking his master for any signs of physical injuries. Strapped to the horse was a small wagon filled with his belongings. With the Strength runes embedded onto the body of the war horse, the wagon was but a light weight to his trusty sted.
"This wouldn't do, this wouldn't do at all." Lazlo said, as he pondered his next move. Leknaat, the self appointed guardian of Balance, avatar of the Back Gate rune, had warned him that he would not be able to enter Falena, at least not in a corporal form. The Sun rune, one of the True runes and protector of Falena would not allow any other True rune bearers to enter its land, at least not physically. Leknaat had told him that she could only enter by sending an illusion of herself, and even that had been taxing on her body.
But if there was one thing Lazlo had learnt in his hundred over years of searching ancient Sindar ruins for information about the True runes, it was that all True runes possessed sentience. It might be possible to reason with the Sun rune, after all he did bear its sibling, the True rune of Punishment, a rune symbolizing the essence of Atonement and Forgiveness in the world.
Steeling himself, he strode across the border again. This time, he was prepared for the instant flare of pain that spread through his body. With his magical senses, he could sense an immerse primal force as raging as the Sun, trying to chase him out of this land. Clenching his teeth against the agony, he kneel down, placing both his hands onto the soft green grass that currently felt like a hundred knife blades cutting into his flesh.
Lazlo spread his power in a radius into the land around him, seeking to find some way to communicate with the Sun rune. For a moment, nothing happened, then he felt a connection and found himself floating in a fiery swirl of light. The power of the Sun rune pulsed before him.
I am Lazlo, bearer of the Rune of Punishment. Your sibling greets you and hails you well. We meant you no harm, but we are on urgent business and need to trespass your land. There is danger afoot, to you and your people. I can help, will you let me pass? Lazlo asked. A streak of blazing orange light speared through his soul as the essence of the Sun rune entered his conscious. For a moment, the Rune of Punishment arouse at the intrusion, but Lazlo clamped it down with an iron will, opening his mind to the force of nature that was currently spreading through his body.
Moments passed as the Sun rune crawled through his memories. He could feel its burning fury, ready to strike him down if it detected so much as a single thought of harm against its people and lands. It could find nothing. The essence of the Sun gave a sigh, a feeling of warmth and protection spread through out Lazlo's body as the Sun rune acknowledged him as one of its children. There was a feeling of disorientation as he returned back to his body that was sprawled on the grassland. Tor, his warhorse was licking urgently at his face as though that could wake him up from his spirit quest.
Lazlo laughed, getting up, patting his worried horse. "I am alright now." He said, getting up to his feet. The Sun rune had allowed him into its land which would make everything easier.
"Come on Tor, we need to get to Sol-Falena as fast as we can." Lazlo said, climbing up his horse and setting off toward the west. The day was still young, and it would at least take a week of travelling if he rode full speed ahead to reach the capital of Falena. Lazlo sighed, better to take it slowly, he did not want Tor getting a heart attack. He could still spare a few more days. The wagon wheels clucked merrily behind him, the sounds synching harmoniously with the chirping of mating beetles. It had been too long since he had a nice quiet ride, he would make the most out of it.
"So Tor, maybe its time we find you a wife….."
Faroush looked down at the temporary arena set up outside of Sol-Falena. The practice of keeping gladiators in Falena were no more, but to judge another's skills in battle, it was best to see them fight first hand. The audition for the Queen's Knights Candidates was being held in a seven day event at Falena. Notice had been sent to all corners of the Queendom, and it had drawn a large crowd of spectators and would be knights from all over the land.
Falena's Queen's Knights had been greatly diminished by the end of the civil war. Of the original knights, only Lyon and Miakis were left. They had to quickly boast up the ranks of the Queen's Knights largely due to the fact that the Queen's Knights are the symbols of Falena's military power. Although Falena had assumed an uneasy alliance with the New Armes Kingdom, there was still the fanatic Nagarea Theocracy to the southern west of the country. Any signs of military weakness, especially now after Falena's civil war could lead to an attack by neighboring countries.
Faroush had invited some of his war companions into the ranks of the knights, only three had accepted. Dinn, Belcoot and Gavaya. Faroush's intention was to get several more potential knights into his service so he could start grooming them for Falena's future. As Falena's Commander of the Queen's Knights, it was his duty to keep up a strong military appearance.
However, five days into the audition, Faroush had only found six candidates that showed more skills than most ordinary fighters. Three were able to fight Lyon or Miakis to a standstill. The other three was able to defend themselves well enough for more than ten minutes. The rest were invited to join the royal army as the need for soldiers was never lacking. The crowd were cheering happily at all the fights, certainly Lyon's idea of opening up the audition to the public was a great morale booster for the citizens of Falena, Faroush will have to thank her for her forsight later.
It was nearing the end of the day and the audition for the day was about the end. The setting sun had lit everything red. The crowd had gradually thinned and more people were drifting towards the food stalls set outside the arena rather than to stay in and watch the last fight. A young man step into the arena pit and Faroush could hear the young man's name being announced. Rozen Silverhand.
Faroush sat up straight in his booth as he eyed the young man walking into the area. His stature spoke of the calmness before a storm, of reined in energy waiting to be unleashed. His left hand was encased by a skin tight silver gauntlet, probably the reason for his name. Faroush smiled. With his battle experience, he could tell that this was going to be an interesting battle.
Miakis stepped up from the opposite end of the arena. The two combatants eyed each other, but no one made the first move. It was a test of will power and patience. Tired of waiting, Miakis rushed in to attack, only to find herself lifted off her feet by a strong gust of wind. Her hands and legs snapped together of their own accord, invisible currents of wind binding her in midair.
There was an excited murmur in the crowd as everyone turned their attention to the young man at the end of the arena. His right hand was lifted and even from the distance, Faroush recognized the pulsing signature of the Wind rune appearing over the combatant's right hand. The young man looked to be a powerful mage. Faroush raised his hand in a signal to Lyon standing at the side of the battle. Lyon nodded, springing into action, running towards Rozen Silverhand, wooden sword drawn.
Rozen skipped out of the way, parrying away Lyon's attack yet at the same time maintaining the hold on the magic that bind Miakis. Lyon attacked and he defended, each time brushing away the attack casually, yet never attacking. Even to outsiders, it was evident the level of power and skill was too great between Rozen and Lyon. Faroush smiled, Rozen will make a powerful Queen's Knight, but first, he'll need to check out the man's background, he did not want to unwittingly let a spy into Falena's Queen's Knights.
Faroush raised his left hand, summoning a bolt of lightning into the air. Mainpulating the power of lightning, he amplified his voice. "THE AUDITION FOR TODAY HAS ENDED. THE LAST CONTESTANT, PLEASE RELEASE YOUR CAPTIVE AND PROCEED TO THE PALACE." Faroush instructed as he met the eyes of the contestant standing in the arena below.
There was a loud cheering among the crowd as they realized a new Queen's Knights candidate had been added to the ranks, and a large crowd descended into the arena pit to congratulate the new winner.
Faroush made his way outside of the arena, his guards following behind him. His horse had been readied by the stable hands and he quickly swung himself up. Sounds of footsteps behind him announced the arrival of Lyon and a slightly disheveled Miakis.
"He got me good Faroush." Miakis said with an apologetic grin. "I never expected a little whelp like him to possess so much runic power. I had almost expected the last battle to be a piece of cake."
Lyon laughed, giving Miakis a grin. "That's how the world works, contrary to your expectations. But I have to admit, he wasn't even sweating when I attacked him and I wasn't being easy on him."
"His physical attack skills rival that of the current Queen's Knights, except maybe Dinn or Belcoot. His skills as a mage is also a big assest. We have pathetically few mage fighters in Falena as it is." Faroush said. "Miakis, please watch after him and make sure he reach the Palace without the entire crowd mobbing him. Lyon and I will make our move first."
"Ai-i Commander!" Miakis said with a cheeky salute. Spinning around, she headed back inside the arena to rescue the new guy.
Faroush smiled at his long time companion. "After you Lyon."
Lyon chuckled, getting on her horse as they set off towards the Palace.