Nota Bene: I do not own Suikoden
Chapter 8
Last time on Master of Budehuc castle, Thomas learned very much about the old masters of the Castle from Eike's daily paragraphs. Also, war with the Lizards has destroyed Iksay, and Thomas's relationship with Cecil is under the threat of exposure. Thomas has a lot of troubles on his hands.
-Jitterrue
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Day 149,
Hello diary. This whole day, I felt quite tired and lethargic. Sebastian believes me to be ill. But I do not think I am ill. Even so, I will not stop to rest during the days until I cannot work any longer.
It was a cold day. So very cold. The cold does not phase Juan, I suppose. He was just as lazy as ever, still sleeping on the icy grass. I do wish I could sleep so carelessly, but with the threat of war.......
I've received strange news. The lizards have returned to their hide-out, and no one has heard of them since Iksay. But something else bothers me. The Chisha village fears attack from Harmonia. They have not been so yet, but their leader sends me a message of woe, and of hope. She says to protect my castle at all costs. She also says that the Flame Champion is coming.
The Flame Champion....... should he not be dead by now? I have learned a bit about him..... He would be so old now.....
Eike's page:
Jun I took over after his fathers death. He was just as corrupt as his father, but he however never became insane. His nerves were of steal and nothing, no matter how horrible, or evil...... could shake him. Some say he was in alliance with dark forces, some say he spoke to the creatures of the night, to dead things that walk the earth, and most surely, a bat-creature, a man or a demon, who walks the forests at night, and is always with those who never know he is there.
Jun was feared as a heretic, but none opposed him, for it was thought that he could summon the most horrible of creatures.
My, my diary! Doesn't that sound awful? I hardly know if I really want to finish this.....
No! I must!
- Thomas
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Day 150,
Another messenger from Chisha arrived today. He bowed low to me and greeted me. Master Thomas, he said, It has been confirmed now that Harmonia has declared war upon the grasslands. We must unite! But we cannot with out the Flame Champion. I am here sir, to ask your permission to take from your ancient library, a copy of an old alliance. For Zexen was once part of the grasslands.
I stared at the man in shock. Zexen, Vinay Del Zexay itself, were all part of grasslands! The nation that has for so long given me so much grief.......... What must I do?
I was hoping you'd ask, sir..... could you unite our people once more? please..... Until the Flame Champion returns......
I understand. I will do my best.
The messenger bowed and left. I have a huge duty upon my hands now.
I ran into Cecil on my way to the library to speak to Eike. Cecil's eyes were wide with wonderment. I asked.
Oh! What? NO! I would NEVER eves drop....... well... actually ONLY if it was important! I swear! Cecile cried out suddenly, even though I'd never suspected her of anything.
Whoa whoa Cecile! Calm down! I suppose you know already what's going on...... Is this true?
Slowly she answered me. ....Yes. Don't me angry Mr. Thomas! Please don't be angry!
I smiled at her and told her not to worry about that. I would have told her anyway, her being the head of the guard. We have a job to do Cecile. A mighty job.
Then I received my next page from Eike:
Angered by his father's death, Jun searched deep into the castle for clues, for he did not know that his father had died in a skirmish with a tenant. Jun discovered the tunnels, built only a few generations earlier and searched into them. It is said that he searched for 5 days before finally coming to the end. There he claims to have seen a body, guarding a gate of some sort. However, this was not a body at all. It was a man, who Jun knew quite well. Good sir! Jun asked the man. How long have you known of these tunnels, and told me naught? But the man did not answer. Answer me sir! Or I shall draw my blade, and leave you hear, in the darkness where you lie! But the man did not stir.
Finally the man said, most mysteriously, The tunnel ends here, and you will delve no deeper. Such was the man's mandate, to guard the wishes of Jun's forefather, that no other will dig any deeper under the earth...... ever again. And Jun left. He disappeared into the forest to continue his evil works and meetings with the Bat-creature until his death. Hugo has seen him.... our young friend the Karayan.... He's seen this bat-creature, for it is neither live, nor dead. Thomas, do not wonder yet who this man in the tunnel was, for the story is far from over and I must protect you from insanity! - Eike.
Diary, Now I am most frightened. How does Eike know so many intimate details, if all this happened so very long ago? But my desire to wander into the tunnels is not squelched. No, in fact, it grows.....
- Thomas
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Day 151,
Today was very busy. The tenants and I have devoted our time to reinforcing our walls and our armies. War is coming, we can feel it. Something big is going to happen diary, Something big.
As I stood on the balcony, looking down, I chanced to turn around and look...... the newspaper...... I trust Arthur..... that I do. But this time, I had to look, For I saw my name, which is not uncommon, but I also saw Cecile's......... I didn't read the paper. No, I, I,.....I removed it from the wall and flung it out my window.
I've.... I've never done such a thing. I fear I reacted too hotly. Arthur will surely know.... but I cannot hide my love forever. My Love? Is such truly love diary? How will I ever know? How can one know if they are truly in love? My mind torments me on the matter. I shall never be rid of it.
Eike's page:
Jun's nephew, Rahan, took the throne next, for Jun had no children. Rahan was a weak man, driven mad by the threat of war, for at this time, Harmonia had risen into power and Zexen, at this time a grassland city, had threatened to turn their allegiance to the greater power, Harmonia. The castle was hotly sought after. There were rumors of a great warrior, who rose from the ranks. He who obtained the true fire rune. He would rise to conquer. But not with out his comrades, the holders of the true Lightning and Water runes. Of whom you've suspected, Thomas, no doubt. Rahan hid in the tunnels, afraid of war, and a Zexen man was allowed to control the castle.
- Thomas
This concludes Chapter 8 of Budehuc Castle!
Next time:
On chapter 9, we will finally learn what Eike has to do with the castle's deep history. We'll also see the Castle preparing for war and how on earth will Thomas EVER get Zexen to unite with the grasslands? And is Thomas really in love with Cecile? How will Arthur react when he sees that his beloved paper has been torn from the wall?
The plot thickens.
