Disclaimer! The Suikoden world, characters, etc. belong to Konami. AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!
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Elaine's Story Chapter Eleven & Avara's Story Chapter Five
Stuck In The Middle With You....bah
(Location – Outside Muse City)
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"Everybody out! We've got to flee Muse City, Highland soldiers have entered the town!"
Elaine stopped looking for her knife when she heard that. It sounded like Flik to Elaine, and she quickly ran down the stairs. Indeed Flik was ferrying people out of the bar. Elaine ran up to him.
"What happening Flik?"
Flik didn't look at her, but answered quickly. "I don't know how they did it...but somebody was working for them on the inside and opened the gates for them! And there's a rumour going around that Lady Anabelle has been murdered. Now get out of here already Elaine!"
"Anabelle...Murdered? What are you talking about?"
"Just get out of here already, head to Coronet and get a boat to Kuskus. Meet everybody in South Window City. GO!"
Elaine wasted no time, she ran out of the bar. There were indeed a plague of Highland Soldiers milling around Muse now. Elaine gasped in horror. I don't know how it happened...but it WAS an efficient plan.
These Highlanders are righteous bastards.
Nobody stood between her and the exit, she moved silently - putting her assassin skills to uber-good use. None of the Highland Soldiers saw her get out. She took one last glance at Muse City...it now belonged to Highland...
She ran away from the Muse area. Not sure what to do next...
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Elaine sat in the mini-camp she had set up. It had been a long time since she had camped alone. Truth be told, she was a little afraid of being alone right now. Highlanders in Muse...they're all around here now. If somebody figures out who I am...well...that wouldn't be pretty.
She sighed, suddenly wishing she knew where her knife had ended up. She felt very defenceless without it, after all she had been trained mostly with weapons. Suddenly she wished the assassins' guild taught hand to hand combat too...I could sure use it right about now...Well, I know how to kick ass anyway. I'll be okay...
"Over there! Somebody's there!"
Or not...
Elaine glanced up to see a group of Highland soldiers running towards her. She stood up, and sighed. There are way too many of them...I could take out some of them easily enough...dammit. Andrew.....
They raised their weapons at Elaine. She tried to escape, but was soon surrounded. She managed to catch one of them with a swift kick to the stomach, but eventually she was overwhelmed.
"What's a girl like you doing out here all on your own?"
"Hey, she looks familiar somehow..."
"You're right! Hey, she's that assassin!"
"The one who failed to eliminate that kid! Oh, Captain Rowd will be so pleased to see you."
Elaine struggled to break free. She managed to catch one of them with a swift back kick to the groin, allowing her to roll away...
And then the multi-coloured lightning bolts struck the Highland soldiers down. Elaine watched, admittedly thinking it was spectacular. She was glad she managed to roll away when she did.
"Well well well...if it isn't Elanna."
Oh crap...not HIM.
"It's ELAINE you jerk!"
Elaine spun around and slapped Avara right on the cheek. He rubbed his cheek, "Well, nice to see you too."
Elaine folded her arms in defiance. "And what are you doing here?"
Avara pointed to the downed soldiers. "I'd say saving your life. I think a little appreciation is in order."
Elaine frowned...I hate to admit it...but he's...*shudder*...right. This time anyway.
"So you saved me, big deal. Doesn't mean I have to like you does it?"
Avara's spiteful look faltered for a second. "Hey, no skin off my back if you don't like me. But let's face it, you can't get to South Window alone. So, being ever so gracious, I'll allow you to accompany me."
"How DARE you! You're lucky I'm unarmed!"
"Which reminds me, I believe this is yours."
Avara tossed something. It landed in front of Elaine's feet, she picked it up. Taking of the handkerchief which was wrapped around it, Elaine held up her knife. It gleamed in the moonlight. She took another look at the handkerchief.
It was covered in blood.
"Somebody used it..." Elaine suddenly remembered something...
"And there's a rumour going around that Lady Anabelle has been murdered."
Elaine looked at Avara. "Where did you find it?"
Avara turned away. "Outside the city gates. Someone had thrown it down."
Elaine looked at her knife, before sheathing it in her belt. "Someone used it to kill Lady Anabelle."
"Ha, that's only a rumour!" Avara scoffed.
Elaine looked at Avara. "I don't think it is. Somebody used my knife to kill her. Knowing my luck I'll probably get framed for it too."
Avara's smirk only increased. "Well, how do I know it wasn't you?"
Elaine grabbed Avara by the scruff of the neck. "You take that back!"
She threw him down to the ground. The handkerchief that had been wrapped around the knife fluttered down to the ground. Elaine picked it up and examined it.
"Hey...there's something embroidered on it...the letters 'J.A.'"
"Do you mind? You just threw me to the ground like a commoner."
"You're lucky that's all I did...J.A...."
Elaine thought about it for a second. Avara picked himself up and looked at her scornfully. "J.A? Hmm, well I can only think of one person with those initials. Jowy Atriedes."
Elaine let out a little laugh. "You cannot be serious! Jowy wouldn't do that! Maybe whoever stole my knife stole his handkerchief too..."
Avara shook his head in disgust. "You are clutching at straws now honey. Jowy was acting all weird lately, I bet he defected to Highland to make sure they wouldn't kill him when they captured him."
Elaine quietened down, taking Avara's words into context. "But...still...it couldn't be..."
Avara began walking away. "Well, we'll find out when we get to South Window won't we? Are you coming or not?"
Elaine looked at him, hate in her eyes. "Fine! Whatever, I guess I owe you one for...groo...saving me back there."
Avara smiled, it was an evil looking smile Elaine had thought. "And when we get to South Window, I'll prove you wrong."
Elaine just smirked. "One other thing magician."
Avara turned back around. "What would that be, pray tell?"
Elaine patted him on the shoulder. "You call me 'honey' again, I will slit that throat of yours."
Avara shoved her hand of his shoulder. "Is that a threat?"
Elaine smirked again. "It's a promise, boy."
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The day passed by slowly. Elaine and Avara barely spoke to each other, reluctant travelling partners. Getting to South Window was all that mattered now, even if that meant putting up with each other. A slash of the knife or a quick bolt of lightning quickly dealt with the few monsters that dared stray into their path. As it was, they were mostly unbothered as they headed to Coronet. Neither would admit it, but they both knew they couldn't get to South Window alone. Coronet was just over the next hill...
"STOP THEM!!! They are the ones who got the others."
Elaine and Avara exchanged glances, before turning back to see a group of Highlander soldiers running towards them. Elaine quickly took out her knife as Avara raised his staff, preparing a spell. Elaine jumped in, catching one of the soldiers with a well-placed kick. As she landed she struck another soldier with a swift elbow to the throat. Another soldier rushed her, only to be dropped by one of Avara's Lightning Bolts. Elaine swiped the legs out from another soldier with a leg sweep, he landed with a thud. She spun around, swinging her knife around in an arc. She caught one of the soldiers in the face, and he fell to the ground screaming. Another Avara Lightning Bolt dispatched another soldier. The remaining soldiers looked at Elaine and Avara. Both had evil looks on their faces. The soldiers glanced at each other...and ran like hell.
Avara brushed his hair back, apart from that singular strand. Elaine put her knife away again, satisfied at a job well done. She looked at Avara. "Wimps."
Avara managed a smile. Amazingly. "Where's the challenge? These people are so boring."
Elaine picked up a pouch from the ground. She opened it, and smiled. "I think we've just found our fare to Kuskus."
She opened the pouch fully and poured out at least 200 Potch. Avara nodded. "I really didn't want to use force to get on board."
Elaine raised an eyebrow. "By force, you mean me...don't you?"
Avara said nothing, but that was good enough confirmation for Elaine. "Whatever wizard boy."
Avara looked at Elaine. "Hmph. Are we going to Coronet or are we going to stand around here arguing."
Elaine smiled. "We can do both."
And with that cheap shot, Avara and Elaine entered the port town of Coronet...
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Will the heroes ever meet up again? Who knows, I'm gonna leave them languishing in Coronet for a while as we go back to Kahri on that Island in the next chapter!
And I apologise for the rubbish use of the classic Stealers Wheel song in the chapter title...
