Usual Disclaimers apply. I don't own Suikoden, Konami do. I kinda own the new characters though...in a way...
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Elaine's Story – Chapter Two
Her Nightmares, His Feelings
(Location – The Route To Muse City)
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Her name is Elaine Johnson, an assassin for hire. Or at least, she was an assassin, hell she still might be one. Who knows? But recently her outlook on life had changed dramatically. All because of a boy. Elaine was contracted to kill the boy by some Highland General...or something like that. But she failed, due to her less than perfect planning and the courage of the boy's friends.
Elaine assumed they would just send her back to Highland, where unspeakable torture surely awaited her failure. But it never happened that way. The boy invited her to come along with him. To make sure nobody hurt her. That act of compassion melted Elaine's heart, and she allowed emotions to surface. Elaine agreed to go along with the boy, Lord Riou, and his party to Muse City.
Elaine found herself thinking about those guys in Highland who had hired her. She grimaced. News of her failure to kill Riou would surely have reached them by now. But she didn't feel scared. She wasn't the only one they'd want dead. Riou walked ahead of the party, oozing confidence and pure leadership quality. Highland wanted him dead too. In a way Elaine felt a bit of a bond between herself and the boy.
Well, when the same people are trying to execute you...guess you have to think that way.
Riou nodded at the others. They were camping out for the night. They'd reach Muse by tomorrow assuming they travelled quickly. There was a sense of urgency around the camp that night. They'd reach Muse by tomorrow all right. Elaine picked up some of the stuff that had happened to Riou and the others. She shivered at the tales of Highland's exploits.
Next time I'm checking the employer's credentials...so evil. I can't believe I almost killed him for THEM.
But there was some nice stories too. For the first time in her life...Elaine felt comfortable. Why these particular people made her feel at ease was beyond her. She enjoyed talking with Riou and Jowy, swapping stories with Nanami, playing with Bonaparte - then getting yelled at by Millie...it had been so long since she had any time for something other than assassination.
And she was enjoying every second of it.
She fell asleep with a smile that night. Only for nightmares to plague her slumber...
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A Highland Camp...
"We have to get rid of those meddling brats quick! But we can't let on it's US that killed them. And that's where you come in."
Elaine stood motionless in front of Captain Rowd. He had been babbling on like this for ages.
Eventually Elaine spoke up: "That's nice Captain, but you haven't actually told me WHO I've to assassinate yet."
Rowd looked embarrassed for a second, but scored a point by replying quickly: "Yes, just a test my dear."
My dear? Grr, lucky for him I don't kill for free...well, I MIGHT just make an exception here...
Rowd continued: "We have it on good authority that he's on his way to Muse City now. He'll never get in with the added security there, so he'll be stopping at this little inn here. That's where you can...well, kill him."
Elaine sighed loudly: "And WHO is it I'm assassinating sir?"
Rowd never faltered this time: "His name is Riou."
Elaine rubbed her chin for a second: "As in Genkaku's adopted son? Well, that should be quite the challenge. Okay, I'll do it. He couldn't possibly be a threat to me."
Rowd nodded: "You'll report back to us with his head. We will not take failure in any way."
Elaine smiled an evil smile: "I don't fail. Never."
Rowd returned Elaine's smile: "Good, payment will be made as soon as you get back."
Elaine turned to leave without a word. But as soon as her back turned to Rowd, he unsheathed his sword and plunged it right through her back! Elaine fell to the ground silently. Rowd kicked the body before bellowing an absolutely heinous laugh.
"That's for failing me dear."
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Elaine woke up screaming...a cold sweat already broken out on her forehead. She quickly wiped it away before looking around the Camp. Luckily, she hadn't woken up any of the others. She took another quick look around, and she lay back down and tried to get back to sleep.
She never saw Riou looking over at her, with a look of pure sympathy on his face. She never knew he heard her tears. She never knew he heard her talking in her sleep...
She never knew what he whispered in the night.
"I'll protect you Elaine. You won't have to be afraid of Rowd again."
He closed his eyes...and fell asleep. He dreamt of Elaine...but he never told anybody about it.
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Hmm...well, find out what happens when they all try to get into Muse City in the next chapter!
