I don't own Suikoden 3 and I'm not making any money on this. in fact I'm losing money on this.

I'm trying new things this chapter. describing the more of the scenery and trying not to wander around. I also switched form Helvetica to Verdant text. (I see a lot of fanfics in Verdant so I guess is easier for most people to read)

Blood, pain and forgiveness chapter 2

The sun rose over the Amur Plains spilling golden light over the landscape. A pack of DarkHares leap over a bush, their little axes gleaming in the light. Not ready to face the day a GoldBore rested on a rock, sleeping soundly. The unusual peace of the Amur Plains was wasted on Chris who's thought ruled her mind.

Hugo do you still wish for my death? I'd thought you'd forgiven me with that hug as we parted ways. Maybe you have forgiven me but not the Sliver Maiden. That is what everyone calls me now, an icon and the hero to Zexen. Talking about my sliver hair, china like skin and my granite rock hart. Now with the true water rune they say I have a soul of ice. Goddess is there any part of me that people still see as skin and blood?'

Chris left Brass Castle late last evening and rode slowly through Amur Plain. She stopped too rest for the night but only fell into an unease sleep. It would have been better for Chris too haved pushed her horse and reached Karaya by last night or left Brass Castle today fresh. Yet staying at Brass Castle meant staying with Borus and Chris had not thought of what to say to Hugo when she reached Karaya. Given the chose Chris opted to spend a night in the wild. Poorly rested and tired Chris rounder the hill that lead to the Karayan village gate.

The two Karaya fighters who guarded that gate drew they swords Halt! What business do you have in Karaya Sliver Maiden?

Chris throw her sword still bound in it's sheath too one of the fighters. I'm just here to talk with chief Hugo, nothing else. Chris then dismounted and handed the reins of her steed to the other Karaya fighter. Leaving them both a bit dumbfounded Chris walked in to the village and nether of the Karayans moved to stop her.

In three years the Karaya village had been totally rebuilt. The dwelling made of only wood and canvas where simple and well suited for the grass lands. Woman cooked food and others weaved rugs, children played games or sat around an elder listening to tales of old. The man of the village could be seen carving wood or tending to the livestock they herded. It was a peaceful village and one that Chris feeling ever more awkward in.

A glint of light grabbed Chris's attention and lead her to a polished Zexen breastplate armor resting to the right of a doorway. Chris knew that armor anywhere, it was her fathers. This village... we'd be better off without it. Chris's words came back to haunt her and she could not believe how cold she had sounded. At the same time the armor bought back memories of Chris's father, the tears going away to war, the joy when he came home alright and the comforting hugs when other girls picked on her for not being lady like.

Chris? Chris Lightfellow what are you doing here?

Chris looked up to see Luce coming out of the doorway. They had meet in Budehuc Castle but there was always an uneasiness between them. I was just looking at Father's armor.

Luce joined Chris in remembering the man that had worn that armor, rather if it was Jimba or Wyatt was up to them.

I lost count of how many times I asked Jimba to get rid of that armor. but he just put it outside and polished it routinely. I never understood why Jimba keep it, then I learned that he was a Zexen knight. Luce looked over to Chris and smiled friendly. I think Jimba kept the armor to remember where he came form and the daughter he left there.

Chris never thought of it like that. Maybe Dad still loved me and Mom after all, but this is not the time to reflect on the past. It's the future I'm worried about.'

Luce I need to see Hugo, It's very important.

Sorry Chris but Hugo left four days ago and said he be gone for some time. Lucia here thou; maybe she can help you. Come on, Lucia just inside getting ready for breakfast. We'd be happy to set you a place to eat. Luce pulled opened the flap of her tent to let Chris in.

But I'm not Karayan...

Your Jimba's blood and that's good enough for me.

Chris didn't know if she should go in or not. So she just stood at the threshold of the door. Luce then decided the Chris need a push or rather a shove in the right decision. Child your letting in a draft. Chris was caught off guard by the speed and power of Luce's push and almost fell to the floor.

Luce's home was like many Karayan homes. The center of the one room was raised and covered with rugs. The seats where small benches made of cared wood barely a foot off the floor. Bachman and Lucia sat next to each other talking but stopped as Chris almost fell face first into the room.

Luce walked in right behind Chris and ushered her to a open seat. Here we go Chris you can seat here. I got to finish cooking, so you can ask Lucia what you wanted. With that said Luce left to finish the meal.

Lucia rested her head in her right hand with a small smile on her face. So Sliver Maiden' what do you what to see me about?

Well I ahh relay needed to see Hugo.

My son Hugo? Why do you need to see him?

Chris knew there was no way around it so she just told Lucia everything. How Hugo saw her the last day and threaten her life. How he changed her to a duel to the death so he could avenge Lulu. That said everyone was quite, Lucia's head was down and eyes closed but her fist was shacking. The quite was soon broken by Lucia punching the floor.

Damn it Hugo! Why didn't you tell me? You hid this from me for three years, If only you told me I could have stopped you. Of all the foolish, hot head and stupid things he could have done.

Bachman tried to calm his chief down. Hey I knew a hot head chief we had not long ago did that same foolish thing at Hugo's age and she turned out all right.

Did you say something Bachman!?

That caught Chris interest Lucia you had one of those human punishment' vendettas packs to? Who was it against.

Ohhh well I sower I'd kill Teresa Wisemail, the then acting mayor of Greenhill.

Hold on a second, I went to Greenhill academy and Teresa still alive. I thought you where honor boned to kill her?

Well yes, I was but I forgave Teresa. You can do that if you don't want to kill them. Didn't Hugo tell you that?

No, he most surety did not. So how dose this vengse oath work?

Luce sat next too Chris and explained the idea of human punishment. Chris we believe that the spirits rule over nature and all life obese them but one, humans. Humans do two things unique in nature we kill out of hate. Hate is a completely human trait so to kill out of hate is punishing someone because your human. Humans also have forgiveness another unique quality. With the oath taken there only two ways out, kill them or forgive them. So Chris if you could get Hugo to forgive you it all be okay.

This was the best news Chris had heard for days. How to get an enraged flame champion to forgive her, that Chris had to think of but it gave her hope. The food was served and conversation moved on to lighter topics.

After breakfast Luce offered too have Chris spend the night at home, an offer that Chris happily took. The rest of the day was much less event full. Chris spent most of it with Luce talking about Jimba and Wyatt or what Chris should say too Hugo tomorrow.

Like all days it came to an end with the setting sun and new day came with the sunrise. Chris planed on leaving early that afternoon. With little ceremony Lucia handed Chris her sword and bid her farewell. Chris then when to say goodbye to Luce.

So Chris are you still going to meet Hugo today.

Yes I hope Hugo can be talked out of it but if not then I'll have no other choice but fight him.

No Chris, there's always anther choice.

Chris nodded and held out her hand to Luce for a handshake. Luce moved to shake hands but at the second pulled Chris into a Karayan hug. Luce being the strong woman she is managed to lifted the Zexen knight armor and all.

May you walk with the divine protection of the spirits of earth and wind.

Luce... ... ... my armor... ... ... ... It's buckling ... ... stop ... please.

I'd be sad if you or Hugo died and I don't think I could tack losing someone again.

Luce let go and waved too Chris as she mounted her horse and rode for the Ancient Highway. After riding though the Ancient Highway Chris came out at Grate Hollow and then it just a quick ride to Yaza plains where Hugo was waiting for her. Chris did make good time arriving before sunset as that was the agreed upon time for the dual and she found Hugo with no trouble.

Hugo sat crosslaged on a bolder with his back to Chris as she rode up too him. Chris looked at Hugo and for the first time and rely looked. She saw how Hugo reflected Karayan believes of living with ones environment and not against it. Hugo's earth colored clothing and dark skin. Hugo's hair brown like wheat at the routs and black like fresh soil at the ends. Hugo's eyes, goddess you could get lost forever in his eyes.

Chris found herself wishing ever so slightly that Wyatt took her with him to live in Karaya. The people there where so full of love, saying good by in Zexen was a hand shack at arms length but in Karaya in was a loving hug. Sadly that was not to be, Chris came for a world of stone and steal; She and Hugo where as different as night and day.

Chris dismounted her horse and then let it go free, knowing the horse could find it's way back to Brass castle from here. Hugo knew Chris was here but made no move until she sat down next to him on the rock. They didn't say anything for a awhile but they just watched the blowing winds of the Yaza plains. After what felt like ages Hugo turned to face Chris. So you came after all. To tell you the truth I didn't think you had it in you to show up.

I'm a knight Hugo, so I can't turn down a challenge or it will besmirch my honor.

They say that. Unblemished honor is the flower of virtue.' Personally I don't buy that.

Hugo we don't have to fight you know that right? I don't think your angry at me anymore or at lest you don't show it. So why should one of us die over an oath you don't feel passionately about.

It's true that the rage of Lulu's death had long cooled in my hart but I have already tackn an oath. No mater what happens I have to see it through to the end, even if I'm no longer mad I still have yet to forgive you Chris.

Then tell me Hugo! What do you want me to say? what would I have to do to make this right?

Chris if I had to tell you it be meaningless and If you don't know what I want to hear then your a fool.

Chris may not wanted to fight but she was not about to be insulted too her face. Jumping down to the ground and drawing sword she face Hugo. Then fight damn it! I'll let my blade show you how foolish I am.

Hugo was unmoved by Chris's threats and calmly jumped down form the rock. All right and truth be told, I'm looking forward to see who is the better between us. However I have on rule, no using true runes. It would not be fair if I just blasted you with my true fire rune five seconds into the fight.

Chris nodded her agreement.

Hugo pulled his long knife free form it's scabbard and took his fighting stances. Good, now then Chris lets' finished this once and for all.


Anthers Notes.

I know the line lets' finished this once and for all is the oldes one in the book but I still like it and the man who said Unblemished honor is the flower of virtue was James Thomson.

To answers some linger quest form the last chapter. Yes I do hate BorusXChris. I personally think Borus as the Jealous I kill anyone who looks at MY woman' type. The only time I liked Borus in the game was kicking his ass with Geddoe. Chris could do way better.

Well tell me what you think better or worse then the last chapter. I'm still trying to find a way of writing that comfortable for me so I'm playing around a bit. I hope this was clear than the last chapter. I do love feed back and I'll tack anything you give me good or bad.

I have to shout out to my first reviewers, Sindaaraniel, Catherine Rain and Crimson Rogue. much love to you all.