Disclaimers - Yes Konami own Suikoden. Apart from the character of Andrew, who is mine...all mine! *Evil Laughter*
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Andrew's Story - Chapter Sixteen
Reunions, Rolling Dice, Righteous Battle
(Location – Coronet)
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The first thing Andrew noticed about the port town of Coronet was the rustic beauty, although that was really set off by the second thing Andrew noticed about the port town of Coronet....
"Highland soldiers...what are they doing here?"
Millie, in a rare show of sensibility, responded with this. "Maybe they took it over like they did in Muse?"
Andrew stared at the usually perky girl, her mood had shifted quite frequently since he awoke from his unconscious state outside Muse. Right now she was in a somewhat sombre mood.
"I really hope you're wrong about that...we'd better remain inconspicuous while we're here."
"Incon-spiky-whaty?"
"Bah...it means to keep a low profile."
"Oh, why didn't you just say that in the first place?"
Because I mistakenly thought there was a brain up in that empty head of yours...
He looked back at Millie, who was staring blankly at the lake..."It's pretty...oh look, a huge wave."
Andrew blinked, "A huge wave? Yeah ri-iiiiiiiiiiii!!!!"
Millie smiled. "Guess you saw it, huh?"
Andrew was indeed staring at the wave, then he blinked again..."Is it just me...or is it stopping?"
Millie frowned as she looked at the wave again. "Hmmm....It's not just you. Someone's using vast magical energy to stop that wave..."
This isn't happening....huge waves don't just stop like that, and Millie doesn't make sense like that...
Millie suddenly looked really excited. "Hey look down there! Coming out of that inn!"
Oh great, she must've seen Bonaparte...why else would she get so excited?
Millie prodded Andrew. "You're not looking! It's Riou and Nanami!"
Andrew looked down this time, and indeed saw Riou and Nanami, leaving the inn, and heading for the docks. "Come on, let's go see them....they need to know the truth about Jowy."
Millie nodded grimly as they ran to catch up to Riou and Nanami.
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"Lord Riou! It's so good to see you're safe!"
"Yay! You're both okay!"
Riou and Nanami spun around to see Andrew and Millie running towards them. Millie gave them both hugs, while Andrew managed to avoid doing the same.
"We should get out of here as soon as possible Lord Riou, after all there are many Highland soldiers around." Andrew said instead.
"We know that!" Riou said miserably.
"Those meanies aren't letting any boats out of Coronet either! So we can't get to South Window to meet up with that old grump and the others..." Nanami added, equally miserably.
"Apparantly they really upped security when a some kid managed to get his boat out carrying two enemies of the state." Riou's face fell.
Millie began wandering away. Andrew looked at her. "Where are you going now?!
Millie turned back. "Oh, I thought I saw something move over there...thought it might be Bonaparte. It's not, but there's a little shack here."
Andrew looked over, as did Riou and Nanami. Indeed there was a small shack by the lake. "It looks like...a Fisherman's shack. Maybe they could help?"
Riou looked at Nanami, "It's worth a shot." he said.
"Lead the way then!" Nanami said, walking ahead of everyone.
Riou followed quickly, with Andrew and Millie close behind. They had just about gotten to the door when a man barged out of the shack.
"Oh come on Tai Ho! We're old pals, right???"
He stormed off. Andrew scratched his head..."Well, if he's not helping out a friend...what chance do we have?"
Nanami looked at Andrew. "Well, no harm in trying is there Mr. Pessimist?"
Nanami led the charge into the shack. There were two fishermen sitting at a table, one of them - a shabby middle aged looking guy said "Give it up Sheena, no way are we taking you across the lake."
The other one, a younger looking guy with long shabby blonde hair, said "Bro, it's more customers."
He looked up. "Oh, right. What can I do for you kids."
Nanami looked innocent as she asked "Can you take us across to Kuskus in your boat?"
"Oh no, not another one. Look here missy, as long as those Highlanders are crowding around the city - I ain't taking my boat out anywhere."
"But sir, it's really important we get to Kuskus..." Riou spoke up.
The man looked at Riou, more importantly in his eyes. "Well...I suppose I could give you one chance...But before I do, I'd like to test your luck with the roll of the dice. What do you say?"
Riou looked round at Nanami, Andrew and Millie. "We've nothing to lose, you might as well try Lord Riou." Andrew said.
"Yes, you're great at dice games...go for it Riou!" Nanami added.
"Okay, I'll play." Riou confirmed.
"Fine, Chinchiron it is then." The man said, "You know how to play right?"
"Of course" Riou replied.
"Fine, I'll roll first."
The man shook three dice in his hands, and threw them into the bowl. Two Dice showed Five, and the other a Six...
"Ah, looks like I score a Six. You're turn to roll."
Riou took the dice and shook them. He gulped as he threw them down. Two of the dice rolled showed a six when they landed, but the other one spun around for a while. All eyes were on that dice as it spun...
It stopped spinning...it was another six.
"Well I'll be damned, it's a triple! Dammit, that means I lose...guess you're a pretty lucky kid." The fisherman said.
"You're not seriously gonna take the boat out now are you Tai Ho?" The other fisherman asked.
"Of course I am Yam Koo, the dice NEVER lie. Get the boat ready!" Tai Ho replied.
Riou stopped, "Hold on, we've got to go back and get the others."
"Others?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah, some friends of ours from before...it's okay if they come too, right Mr. Tai Ho?" Nanami asked
"Sure. Go and get them quickly, we don't wanna hang around much longer."
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The boat was set up, as Andrew waited for Riou to get back with his friends. Millie was staring across the lake.
"Do you suppose Bonaparte could be over there?" She asked, quite innocently.
"Knowing that groundhog, it's fully possible." Andrew replied, trying not to sound too harsh.
He heard footsteps, and looked up to see Riou and Nanami walking up with...what appeared to be a group of travelling gypsies. And Pilika too.
Riou made the introductions. "This is Rina, Eilie and Bolgan. They really helped me out before, now is the time to repay the favour."
Rina, an admittedly beautiful girl, walked over to Tai Ho. "It's really nice of you to take us in your boat."
Andrew managed to conceal his giggle. Tai Ho nodded. "It's no problem, I'm always pleased to have beautiful women aboard."
Andrew again had to conceal the giggle. Yam Koo was sighing. "Ignore him, he has a weakness for beautiful women."
"Okay, let's get going everybody. Hopefully we'll get away unnoticed." Tai Ho said, ushering everyone onto the boat.
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Meanwhile...
"I don't believe this!"
"What is it this time, Malcolm?"
"Another boat has just left from Coronet! Those Highland soldiers must be really bad at their jobs...two boats out already?"
"SQUEAK!!!"
"What is is Bonaparte?"
"He's really excited...his owner is on that boat for sure!"
"Really?!? That's cool!"
"Come on, we'll meet them in Kuskus. Whoever's sailing that boat is an expert, they'll reach Kuskus before us..."
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The boat trip was uneventful, apart from Tai Ho being really lecherous around Rina. Eilie and Riou were deep in conversation. Pilika and Bolgan played. Millie stared out at the water. Andrew sat in silence. Yam Koo was fishing as they went, he had already caught some beauties.
"We'll be there soon...but there's some kind of riot going on there, you'd better be careful." Tai Ho said.
"We'll be ready." Andrew said, looking straight at Kuskus dock.
The others nodded in agreement. "Whatever, just don't get in too much trouble." Tai Ho said, his voice full of mischeif.
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They took one look when they docked. And all they could see was a group of Highland soldiers. They had completly cut off the entire area. Then he heard the piercing scream, a familiar voice...
Andrew looked over to the center of the rabble, and saw Elaine standing in the middle with a kid he didn't recognise. All he knew was that she was in trouble.
"ELAINE!!!"
And he charged right at the Highland soldiers, not bothering to notice that Riou and Bolgan were close behind...not bothering to notice Eilie throwing knives at some of the guards. Not noticing Rina and Millie casting spells using their runes...all he cared about now was getting Elaine out of there....
I'm coming Elaine...I'll be there for you...always.
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Ah, I HATE to leave you cliffhanged like that...actually I don't, the suspense may be killing you - but the next chapter will tie it all up nicely.
