"I could pee in a bucket and tell him it's beer."

Grandfather chided her gently, reminding her she owed her life to that man.

"He's rude."

Sypha would have said more had Cressa not pounced on her from behind and thrown her wiry arms around his shoulders. Then Arn was hugging her, and so was Uncle Enoch, and Arn's sister Mathilde, and Grandma Isra who was not really her grandmother but everyone in the clan called her that, and Mihael and Tobias, Grigore and Safa, Eino, and of course Granda. All her family and friends sat her down and did not let her go. Grandma Isra wept to see her alive, and so did Grigore who had been a close friend of her father. Mathilde kissed her forehead one, two, three times in quick succession and threatened her to never, ever worry them thus again. Cressa wanted the story, for Cressa was always wanting a story and knew exactly how to wheedle one from her latest victim. Sypha was all but convinced 'story' was the first word her friend had ever spoken, and often said so. Regardless, if she matched Cressa in anything, it was stubbornness, and it took a gentle smile from Grandfather and his patient words to break her silence. "I think, if you are willing, child, that we would all like to know what happened. Since I doubt we shall get an account of events from our Belmont friend."

"What happened," she demanded. "That made you sent him down after me?"

Cressa tried to suppress a laugh and it came out in a snort. "You needed to be rescued. Like a princess."

It was mortifying. Ever since they'd arrived in Gresit, she had begged Grandfather to let her go in search of the Sleeping Soldier, and every time he'd refused. "It's too dangerous." She could handle it. "You'll be alone." That was true; ever since they had lost Jai, she had been the only mage in her family's train. But she didn't care. She was ready. "Sypha, no…should the worst happen…" The old man could never finish that string of words, and she would be forced to relent for awhile more.

To have finally convinced him she was capable, only for it go so poorly so quickly…it was a wonder he let her leave with Belmont and Alucard to face Dracula at all.

Of course, it wasn't because he thought her competent. Had Jai been alive still, he would have been the scholar mage to accompany the Sleeping Soldier in the story. But she was the only mage, and that old tale was only that besides. Just an old tale. Grandfather only let her go because he felt it would be wrong to deny their friends assistance.

And because he trusted Belmont.

"Please look after my granddaughter."

Inwardly, as Sypha stood unseen around a corner, she seethed at the request. She didn't need protection, especially not from an arrogant and churlish drunkard.

"I was under the impression your granddaughter could look after herself," Belmont answered.

"Well, yes…but all the same…" She heard her grandfather falter, again unable to call forth the words he needed, and she slid to the ground, wrapping her arms around her knees as she reminded herself what her going away would mean for him. She was his only grandchild and very dear to him. Should anything happen to her on the road, far away from her family, and knowing that he had willingly sent her into danger a second time, it would break his heart. Sypha bit her lip and studied the gravel at her feet. What a thoughtless, little brat she was being thinking ill of her family.

Then she heard Belmont sigh, as if she were just a child to watch over, and she again burned with resentment. "I promise I'll bring her back to you safe and sound. Happy?"

"Most certainly," answered Grandfather. "Thank you."

There was a pause, are heartbeat or so long, and then the hunter replied. "You're welcome."

Sypha pursed her lips. She could look after herself just fine…although she supposed it was at least a little gratifying to know Belmont thought so too.

He came with her to see the Speakers off. She didn't ask him to nor did she particularly welcome his stoic regard as she hugged each of her family in turn: Cressa, Arn, Grandma Isra, Uncle Unoch, all of them, and her grandfather who held only longer and tighter than any of the others. He held her as though she were only a child again and made her promise to be careful and trust her new companions. The latter was made in reluctance, but it seemed to satisfy the old man. He pulled out of their embrace and put his weathered hands on her cheeks, smiling as if he were imprinting her face in his memory.

Then Cressa looked Belmont up and down, smirked, and muttered to Arn, "She is not coming back to us a maid."

"Cressa!" Grandma Isra scolded.

"As if!" Sypha sneered at her friend, who only shrugged and climbed into the cart where Tobias and Mihael were already waiting. To her relief, either due to distance or he simply wasn't paying attention, Belmont didn't appear to have heard Cressa's remark. Grigore and Safa helped Grandma Isra into the wagon, Enoch climbed up into the driver's bench and took up the reins, and then it was just Grandfather standing alone on the gravel. He opened his mouth once as though to speak, but Sypha threw herself into into his arms one more time. "I'll miss you," she murmured into his cloak.

"We'll meet again, my angel. I know it." Then he joined the others, and they were gone.

In the end, as she waved goodbye from the city gate, she was rather glad Belmont came with her after all. Even if they argued all the way back to where they'd left Alucard, it was better than having stood there alone.

-0-0-0-

Author's Notes: No complaints about the end of the series, but I would have liked to see Sypha reunite with her grandfather.

This one is recycled from a multi-chapter fic that's being broken up into shorter stories and one-shots. I hope you enjoyed.

I do not own this series.