*Nota Bene: I do not own Suikoden.


Master of Budehuc Castle
Chapter 2

Last time on Master of Budehuc Castle Thomas was established as castle master. He met the tenants and decided to lease the land out to everyone who wants to open shop. Word has already gotten out, and unfortunately, the Zexen Council has more than a few things to say about that!

--Jitterrue
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Day 53
Oh my! I am quite embarrassed. You see, Cecile has asked me several times to allow her to cook for me. At first I insisted that it was not necessary and that she needn't go through the trouble, but she continued to plead. I said, If you must, of course you are welcome! You needn't ask me at all.

Oh, yes, of- of course Thomas! she cried and ran off immediately to the kitchen. Well, I hadn't really expected anything from her but, well, only an hour or so later, she knocked on my bedroom door asking me to hurry to the Inn. She said it was urgent, so, I hurried to the Inn where Sebastian was waiting for us.

Is it ready Mr. Sebastian? Is it ready? Cecile asked him in wide eyed excitement. What on earth was Cecile so enthused about? I wondered to myself. But I knew when I entered the Dining Hall. One of the two long tables was no longer in the room and the other table had been pulled to the center. A feast had been set on the table and smelled quite nice. I stood looking at it for a while, until Cecile ushered me into the seat. (Well, there was only the one seat there, at the end of the table.) So I sat in the seat, feeling a bit awkward because Sebastian and Cecile just stood there watching me, anticipating my reaction.

Oh! Do try it, please Mr. Thomas! Cecile cried.

Of course, of course, I replied. Then I plunged my fork into the plate and took a bite. Well.....I - I can't say that it was bad. No, it was just far too hot for my like. And by hot I mean spicey. Very spicey! I smiled....(oh my mouth was burning!) and Cecile looked so excited.

Well Mr. Thomas? Well? Do you like it? Cecile asked.

Oh, yes of course. A bit hot - er - I mean its very.... full of flavor! I couldn't be rude of course.

Good, good! How wonderful! I made it myself you see Mr. Thomas! she said, only barely containing her pride and excitement.

So then, diary, I had to make myself eat more. I didn't want to hurt Cecile's feelings. She had made the meal herself. But then my mouth got soo hot I began to sweat. And suddenly.....
Suddenly I woke up and I was in my bed! That's why I am so Embarrassed right now. The food was so hot that I, I passed out! I shall never hear the end of it from Juan.
-Thomas
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Day 57,
I've been sleeping all day. Then I read an article from our Newspaper. I didn't know Nei and Roland (a Zexen knight, I do believe) were lovers. Quite interesting. I gave Muto a bag of seeds to look after and much to my surprise, he ate them! In one fell swallow! He ate them all, the whole sac. I suppose I shall have to return to Duck Village for another sac.
-Thomas
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Day 60,
I met the most interesting people today. As I was taking a morning walk, I noticed a commotion at the front gates. Cecile was fending off a group of travelers passing through. Well I couldn't get too mad at her for it, they did look quite peculiarly, one of them, I'm sure, had a face that could scare a small child. But I won't say any more on that. They were mercenaries lead by a Captain Geddoe. They weren't here, of course, to open shop but they did offer to send out word for us. I also heard a bit of a rumor about a Flame Champion and a Fire Bringer. I don't quite understand who these people are, but they do seem interesting. I believe they are legends or such, because both the Grasslands and Zexen has mentioned them.
- Thomas
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Day 68,
There is something leaking from the ceiling of the old theater room connected to this castle. I felt it one day as I was walking through it, something wet and cold fell, splat, on my face! We are trying to find the source of the leak and where exactly the hole is. I do believe it's quite small, I can't see it. Either that or someone is playing foolish jokes on me. Now that I think about it.......I truly hope it was only water.
- Thomas
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Day 70,
I've finally raised over 100,000 potch! I've wanted to hire a member for my party, someone who is a good fighter, and I had found the perfect man standing in an alley in Iksay. I'm going to hire him now actually, so I shall leave this diary. Oh and I musn't forget, I actually have the honor of having the son of a Chief here, at my castle! Hugo is his name I believe.
- Thomas
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Day 75,
I went to Iksay a while back hired the man, and ran into trouble. Sigh. I ran into a Zexen Council member who was searching for my castle. He asked me to lead him to it, not even knowing I was the master. Of course I complied, but he had not come on terms of peace. We held a meeting, all the former castle tenants, the council man, and I. He is trying to force me to no longer allow Grasslanders to profit from my land. Despite the document I showed him and the Council earlier, Zexen still believes that Budehuc castle is a part of Zexen territory. He gave me a time limit to force out my Grassland tenants! How terrible. I am quite angered. Then, even worse, as he was leaving, he insulted some of my guests who were standing outside of the castle! (Hugo and his friends, it was.) He called them . I should never, ever allow such a man to step foot on my property again. How can Zexen be so evil?
- Thomas
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Day 76,
Oh, my life is full of strife. The Council member returned and set my Castle under seige! On top of insulting my guests, saying that Hugo has done some kind of crime in Zexen. He insisted that I turn the boy in! It was an act of war! A disgrace! I do not know what Hugo and his friends have done, if anything. The boy does have a very hot temper, but he seems just and heroic to me. So of course it was the only honorable thing to help Hugo out in any way that I could. I just had no clue what to do. Well, just my luck, I ran into Caesar and Apple. I believe that Caesar is a military tactician and he gave me a parchment of strategies to follow. He told me to follow the instructions on it and I should have no problems with the Zexen knights. We did just as he said. We began work right away, doing small repairs on the castle and sharpening are warfare skills. Cecile built straw fighters and put helmets on them so they could just be seen over the walls. From far away, it really did look like an army. Hugo, Caesar, and all the rest of them ran secretly from the Castle and Cecile and I went out to fight.

After a while struggling to defend ourselves, Sebastian sent a fake note to the Zexen general saying that his actions were uncouth and unauthorized by the Council. Fortunately, they believed it and retreated. Juan (its still surprises me that he did this) ran all the way to Zexen territory to validate our fraud note, so that we could not be troubled again.

Hugo escaped and the castle was safe, for now. I am very proud of everyone! We all worked so hard. But somehow, I do not think this is the end of it.

-Thomas
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Day 79,
It seems something has gone amiss in the castle. The rancher has lost three horses. Its all over our newspaper and Kidd has already gone to investigate. I hope they have not been stolen and have only wandered off somewhere. I accidentally broke my window. I wasn't trying to, it... it just - broke! I put my head against it, just for a moment to think and it shattered! hmm. Bother. I shall have to get that repaired.
- Thomas
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Day 80,
Watari, I believe is his name, (the man I recently hired) never smiles. Perhaps he is haunted by some dark past, but even so, as I passed him one day I told him to brighten up and smile a bit. Then I went on. Sometimes I worry about my tenants. I wonder how they are doing and if they get enough business. Most of them seem very happy, and I'd like to keep a nice atmosphere on my land. I do hope the Zexen knights never return. It's caused such an uproar. And the poor Grasslanders....they were at first afraid that I would let them go, but I have made my decision clear! Any merchant, guest, or other peaceable personelle are welcome to my castle and none shall be forfeit!
-Thomas
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Day 83,
What a terrible day. Two of the Zexen knights came to me today with grave news. By tomorrow at noon I will no longer be master of this castle and I must leave for Zexen with Sirs Leo and Percival. ...... I ... I can't believe it. I can't believe they are taking me away. I have tried not to cry..... I wouldn't in front of my tenants......Oh how I love my castle! It's grown so dear to me and we have all worked so hard! But tomarrow.....tomarrow I will be gone, all of the shops destroyed and forsaken, most of the tenants will leave and all that will be left will Budehuc Caslte.....once again in ruinous state with none but 6 tenants....slowly fading from memory and history, never again to see wealth and prosperity.
Oh diary, have I failed so miserably as for all to come this?

I gave the castle deeds to Martha for her to deal with them as she wishes. She will keep them safe.

- Thomas
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Day 83, Midnight
Hello Diary. This is the last time I shall ever see you again..........I never thought.....I never thought I d ever see myself in this position. How quickly all has gone. It hasn't even been a year. Its only been almost 3 months. How could it all end so quickly, just when we were just beginning? I could not sleep so I wandered around the castle a bit. I walked down the hall and into the Library. There was Eike, still up in the Library, still researching the Castle. I said, Why are you still studying? Tomorrow, I will no longer be the master. Eike looked at me gravely, with that grim, ghastly face....for a long while he was silent. Then he said he still had unfinished business to do. But then he did something I hadn't expected.......he said, Thank you. I said, Your welcome, Eike.
This library, scary Eike, I shall miss them.

Then I went quietly down the stairs. I ran into Sebastian on my way down. I said. Why are you still up? Sebastian looked at me, sorrow on his face. I still have to prepare another diary log for you. A pang went through my through. My tenants were in denial. Sebastian, you needn't burden yourself so. I will not be here long tomorrow. Then Sebastian looked to the sky and gravely said, Tomorrow is still another day that must be recorded. I have work to do. Sebastian bowed and went on his way.

Then I went around the corner where the largest hole was in the wall. I saw Muto, with a tape measure, carefully measuring the gap in the wall. I said. What are you doing? The dog looked at me with Canine innocence and said, Repairing the wall. I swallowed and said again, But you do not have to do that, I will be leaving tomorrow. Muto looked at me sadly, Do you want to leave us? I wanted to cry. Of course I didn't, No Muto, of course I don't! Then Muto, with his faithful naivety replied, Then you are still my master, and I must repair the wall. Poor Muto. He just doesn't understand. I began to feel tired so I slowly trudged back up the stairs to my room. It would be the last time I would sleep there.

Cecile was there waiting for me. Cecile? Why are you here? Cecile could barely contain the tears. T- Thomas do you have to go? I looked Cecile in the eye, I felt so terrible. She had removed her helmet and her light seemed to stream down her face....like the few tears that trickled down. Yes, Cecile I said. It's all I could say. Then after an awkward pause, I walked to the high balcony, and she followed me. I would have never imagined me in this situation three months ago, I said. Actually, I actually didn't want to be a Master. I was quite happy living with my mother in the Northern Outlands, but then one day as she was dying, she confessed to me who my father was..... Cecile looked at me in question but did not say anything. I continued, He is a Zexen Council Member. Cecile looked shocked and I heard gasps from around the corner. Heh. I was being spied on. Oh my tenants. He gave me this castle to get rid of me and to find a master here. Two problems solved for him, he said so. Can you blame me? I was so curious to come to Zexen, I wanted to see who my real father was..... I stopped talking. Then Cecile hugged me and cried on my shoulder. I put my hand over her head. I was so sorry. So sorry.

Oh diary. How could it have come to this? I shall miss them all, so much. And you as well diary. Even the moon shines with a sorrowful blue light.... And now I shall sleep and I shall dream for a while.....that all is well in the world. Goodbye.
- Thomas
p.s. I haven't seen Martha.
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Day 84, Just before noon.
Hello diary. Sebastian was so kind as to prepare you for me this one last time... Sir Leo and Sir Percival have come to take me away. I said Goodbye to all of my tenants. Muto still doesn't understand. Piccolo will explain it to him. My heart is heavy, but I must leave you now. Goodbye.
- Thomas
p.s. I never saw Martha. Cecile will tell her my goodbyes. I do not want to leave with anger upon my head.
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Author's note: Now, my dear reader. Take a while to reflect and absorb what you have read. Remember what all that Thomas has done for this castle and know how much he loves it and it's people. So feel free to cry a little bit and take a moment of silence.

Ok. Continue.

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Later that Day!
Oh Diary! I am writing in you again! I didn't think I would! You want to know how I'm still here, eh? Well. All seemed hopeless, it did. But just as Percival and Leo were taking me away, Cecile stood in our path. She said that she would never allow me to be taken away! And then Sebastian, and Muto, and Martha, and Piccolo, and even Juan! They all stood up for me! And fate smiled upon me. Sir Percival, bless his soul, said, Hey, Leo, say we let them have what they want. said Borus. But it was decided. They returned to Vinay del Zexay to report to the Council that I refused to cooperate. And I am still master!
But there will be war......
- Thomas
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Author's note: Ah!! Don't you feel so much more relieved? Aren't you happy? Yay!! Now go ahead and celebrate for a while. But not too much because it's still not over.

Ok. Continue.
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Final Battle for Budehuc Castle:

Day 85
Hello diary. War swept through today. We set out on the battle front, and faced the Zexen's bravely. They fought and we fought. They chased us up into the castle where fought so helplessly. (Piccolo pulled a nice move though.) When all hope seemed lost and several people lie wounded on my soil, a flash of light struck down four Zexens! (I still don't know who that came from.) Then Martha came through the door. Wonderful lady! She handed me a document, told me to read it and stood with her arms folded, smiling smugly. Suddenly, I knew, all hope was not lost! Excuse me, Sir! I said to the Council man. This is a parchment of the deeds to Budehuc Castle. As of Midnight two nights ago, Budehuc Castle is property of the Grasslands. It was sold to Lucia the Karayan Cheif for 200 potch. That's one potch a year, holding this land in Grassland ownership for 200 years! It is no longer part of Zexen territory!

The council member stood with shock! What?! H-how can this be? He fell to his knees in defeat. Then Sirs Percival and Leo, accompanied by the illustrious Lady Chris. came with an official message. Well then, they said. This attack on Budehuc Castle has not been approved by the Council and is therefore illegal. You, Sir, will be removed from office as of noon tomorrow. Percival smiled at the gawking faces of Thomas and his tenants, Best of luck to you. I suggest you strengthen ties with Zexen once more, he said. Then they left, with the Council member cursing and griping at his situation.

Lady Chris bowed to me and shook each of the tenant's hand. Then she too left through the castle gates.

Victory has been had. All is well in Budehuc Castle!

- Thomas


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Next time on Master of Budehuc Castle:

Now that peace has been had, how are things going with Thomas? What kind of people are visiting him and what's going on between Thomas and Cecile?