Disclaimer : I don't own Suikoden, it belongs to Konami.

NOTE: I'm totally bored so I write this... not even serious, but review would be appreciated like always.

RULES : drop your logic somewhere else then read...

Chapter VII : "Trader from Highland Trading His Life"

Hans was dreaming about nice hotels and fine breeze with captivating sea. Vinay del Zexay. Finally, he would reach fine civilized city to relax after crossing barbarian Grassland land for days. Vinay del Zexay, with their famous knights to protect, nice scenery, developing trading activities..., it had somewhat become heaven of tourism around Zexen-Grassland region. And he missed that delicious Vinay apple pie that had been famous since 100 years ago. Oh my… he felt really fatigue. He somehow envied those knights with their horses… now his legs were killing him. Hm… maybe he could follow that group of rich merchant over there, they would probably gave him some water if he was lucky enough. But they looked like arguing now and what? They turned their direction back to Brass Castle way! The forest was still the same, not likely changed that much, only now the traffic was kind of…- a horse shriek and a heavy baritone voice followed. "Do you really want to go to Vinay del Zexay, young lad?"

What kind of question is that? "Of course, er- Sir good knight.", he answered with a thick Highland accent. What a thin dirty horse… not like usual Zexen's beautiful and strong horse…

"…..What business do you have there?"

Ok, now he thinks I am suspicious…

"…..Trading. I am a merchant from Highland." And his nice outfit told the man that he was indeed from Highland.

"Merchant? Where are your goods then?"

"well, yes! My name is Hans Peterson… I- uh was robbed…in my way from Brass Castle. I thought Zexen always famous with its tight security due to noble knights…"

"You don't look like one.", his eyes judging Hans, "but regarding this condition… ok, now help me bringing these supplies… " SURE! Oh,the horse suddenly look beautiful! "-I can not keep these goods while riding horse…while they sure waiting…..Now, lend me your hand!"

"right away, Sir!"


[][][]

Hans could not believe what he saw. Vinay del Zexay had been burnt. No more beautiful city, no more nice hotels, no more delicate apple pies. But hey, he could care less since he was now running away from knights pursuing him. As he arrived, he was arrested regarding 'extremely alert situation'. A matter of procedural, since he was foreigner when Zexen itself was apparently at war so it suspected everyone who came and refused to welcome any foreigners. Could be spies or something. He tried to explain, and they did listen to him and was polite enough, but procedure was just procedure…

So, he ended up sneaked out, running away. Now he was running…running…and running… luckily this marketplace wasn't burnt out…

A curly blonde handsome man with typical Zexen noble feature, in silver armor on a top of very muscular beautiful brown horse, was observing the situation no too far from it. He watched as the very young man fought his soldiers. No, it was not barbaric way. It was a beautifully skillful technique of swordplay. No doubt, the young man was a trained one. What more caught his attention was how that young man fought without even an attempt to kill nor hurt the soldiers but successfully evade all attacks nevertheless.

"got you!"

Damn it. Hans was cornered now. Hans desperately prayed to God for miracle. The almost atheist-like turned to believe in God suddenly.

Nh hiaaah…. (horse neighed)

Tap tap.

Now as Hans saw it, an important person who must be a high rank knight arrived and approached the scene. Could it be worse? Hans chuckled to himself, reminding not to do things rather too 'easy going' next time.

"What was this about?"

"Sir Harras, I apology, Sir…", one soldier (low rank night) approached the important man and whispered something to him.

The important man eyes raised an eyebrow then he approached his horse to Hans.

But suddenly another horse in fast pace came.

"Master Harras…!", the messenger yelled in panic, "THEY'RE HERE!"
Harras the light brown hair knight stared Hans briefly as Hans standing frozen there waiting for his fate determined by this Harras guy . They made a brief eye contact, then the knight turned his horse suddenly. His expression changed to worry as he rode his horse fast. Several soldiers followed him as he yelled giving instructions.

Hans lost in thought for a moment. Did they just say this is an attack?

"COME!Hop!", Hans startled as a curly blond handsome knight yelled to him offering to ride along with his horse. "I might spare your life if you prove yourself in this battle, kid."

"w-WHAT?! BATTLE? I'm just a merchant! And who are you?"

His face told Hans that Hans should had already known it but hence he answered, "…..Edmund Redrum.", he then hit his horse hard.

Then it turned to be real battlefield real fast. And Hans could not think anything else beside survive. Purely spontaneous actions; then he would flee from this land. Act now think later was what rolled in his mind. He was too far too familiar in war, too often played in those war scenarios thus he just wanted not to be involved anymore in that play. No fear but simply just apathy. Many people he fought, he avoided to kill. But when there was no options he did that. Exhausted. Badly injured. He saw fire.

Clank clank (swords) (yelling) (panic)

Damn it…wherever I go….war always pursuing… just like the color of bloodshed in whenever land I step in.

Uh….

He was now badly injured and stabbed in the shoulder. No medicine left. And he knew it was the right time to use the bright shield rune but of course it was not an option. He cursed himself, next time… I should embed my self with shield rune… water rune which he attached to himself was not that useful, he just did not have natural ability on that. He sighed. As he looked toward his left, that Redrum Boy was apparently being the target of a big guy with three soldiers following him. and that blonde knight was already injured and his left eye was bleeding and his movement was slow. Damn it! The big guy wielded his sword to Redrum, was about to kill him. Without second thought, Hans charged to the front and willingly took the blade on him. If he, he'd die, but me certainly not-and use his last energy to knocked and even killed those four men which was purely spontaneous instinctive action rather than something heroic. Then he looked at where Edmund Redrum was, just to ascertain his condition. Just by that, a sharp subject from nowhere hit his chest. He then fell because he had got too much. His view became legs… dead corpses and lying men….. fires…. Buzzing and noisy sounds of war, yelling, chattering in panic, and for a moment he caught a glimpse of a boy in his robe, somewhat familiar with that sandy brown hair… he was alone far where no other people stood, looked into the fire and corpses with expressionless face. But the view was blurry already.

"Boy! Hold on!- ". The Redrum guy called him in panic and their eyes locked for a second. Hans then tried to look again to the mysterious boy direction but he found no one standing there…-and everything became dark.


o.O.o

Sasarai was standing alone and looked at the ashes of remaining city of Vinay del Zexay.. He was in disguised with ordinary Zexen clothes, just like ordinary boy in cream clothes. No smiles on his face. He was deep in thinking. Steps then heard. He was not alone.

"Lord Sasarai… let's make others do this for you. You don't have to-"

Sasarai smiled."I know how to protect my self, Frans."

A nasal bird then came and caught his attention. He got the message and sent one. He smiled more. "…..you're right. Anyway, let's pull back." He thought for a moment and said, "I am now kind of… in hurry…. Now let me ask you, this…. can I depend on you to take things here?"

"…absolutely, My lord.", Frans answered firmly.

"Handle the soldiers and meet me in Yaza Plain to coordinate in two days. Don't make any movements for now, wait for my orders. Remember not to bring attraction. We don't want to involve in their war."

"You got me, Lord Sasarai."

"May God bless your days.", the area around Sasarai started to glow yellow.

"The honor with you as always, my Lord.", Frans bowed and with that Sasarai had vanished within the thin air.

o.O.o

*end of chapter*

note:

At 40, Ryu left Kyaro and 10 years later met Tir then travelled together for 30 years.

The scene at Kyaro was 30 years later (49 years after suiko iii) . Geddoe has been retired from SDSF 20 years after suiko iii and then 14 years later started to work for sasarai as spy (harmonia still hold policy : collect all true runes no matter what), that means he had worked as Sasarai spy for 15 years at event in Kyaro). Hate and more to bored to the current Harmonia politic, Ged then chose a break and ended up traveling together with his friend, Riou. Geddoe and Ryu travelled together avoiding Harmonia for 30 years.

So, it was 179 years after suiko iii The story start….