Motherland
Chapter II: One Promise to Keep

There's a ship out
On the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It's been tossed about lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly
And God, somehow you know that ship is me
There's a lighthouse in a harbor shining faithfully
For this sinking soul to see
That someone out there still believes in me

When You Come back to Me Again, original soundtrack from FREQUENCY


Lights from houses in Razril reflected on the dark, rippling water surface. At the end of a small pier, Snowe's shadowy figure was sitting alone, his gaze trailing the surface of the sea until it reached the horizon. He knew there was a solitary small boat drifting somewhere on the ocean, without any destination and unable to know if its only passenger were dead or alive.

It had been two weeks since Snowe returned to live in Razril after the declaration of the restoration of the Kingdom of Obel, and the foundation of the Islands Federation. Regardless of how happy everyone seemed to be as they applauded and cheered in the celebration, it was only an act to encourage the citizens after the war, for in the minds of the comrades who had fought together on the IL MARE, the true hero who had led them past all obstacles for this freedom wasn't with them anymore.

After the celebration, everyone who used to be in Razril continued on with their lives. Katarina now was the commander of Razril knights, which had declared independence from the Dukedom of Gaien. Konrad became the magic instructor at the Knight Academy once again. Keneth was still a knight, and soon to be promoted the position of the vice-commander, as Katarina said that she needed a reliable assistant like him. Jewel was still a knight as well, while Paula, her elven friend, decided to return to the elven community in Na-Nal with Selma. Tal still lived in Razril, but he had already resigned and become a fisherman under the guidance of Shiramine.

As for Snowe, he chose to abandon his noble status altogether, and intended to live as a normal citizen for all his life. He was very grateful for being forgiven and allowed to live here again by Katarina and the townspeople. However, at the same time he also felt uneasy, knowing that a weak person like him had no way to return their kindness.

I'm no different than before... Snowe thought hopelessly.

He was always weak; now the boy finally brought himself to accept this truth, even though it still hurt him sometimes, especially when it reminded him of all the past events he did wrong. ็He had thought that the all-knowing fate was just in carrying out its duties by guiding Zaron to Lino En Kuldes and people who gave him loyalty and friendship, while Snowe sank lower and lower until he had nothing left and was alive at this very moment because of Zaron's kindness.

But now, the boy began to think that fate wasn't fair anymore. What happened to Zaron who could forgive even the lowest kind of people like him, and fight for people in need without wanting anything in return? The curse of the Rune of Punishment still ate away at his life, until Zaron decided to sacrifice himself one last time by dying alone at sea, in order to prevent the curse of the rune to grab hold on people around him. However, in case of Snowe, he thought the punishment he received couldn't compensate for what he did; yet now he still lived, in this era of peace Zaron had created.

A ray of light that briefly flashed across the sky for a second caught his attention.

It was just an ordinary shooting star, yet it reminded him of another shooting star he once saw many years ago.

Back then he was sitting at the end of the same pier, but he wasn't alone; young Zaron was also sitting beside him. Although he couldn't remember why they were watching the stars here in the evening, or what they were talking about, he vividly recalled that they both turned to stare at the shooting star in surprise, speechless for a moment, until Snowe spoke first.

"Did you wish on that star?"

The brown-haired boy nodded slightly.

"Yeah."

"So did I," Snowe continued. "I wished that I could become a brave knight quickly, like my father said." The boy's voice showed his utmost confident. "And when the time comes, I'll be sure to make you my right-hand man."

Zaron just smiled back to him; it was an innocent, childish smile they sincerely gave to each other, before Snowe's noble status and envy caused him to distance himself away.

"Oh, Zaron, what about you? What did you wish for?" Snowe asked curiously. "Tell me."

"Umm…" Zaron lowered his head, looking down at his legs as he absent-mindedly swung them over the water surface, seeming hesitant to speak. "I wished that…I would find my family someday."

"I see," replied Snowe.

"But I don't know if it could come true or not." The boy uttered a laughter that sounded somewhat bitter.

In his childhood, Snowe listened to that laughter without giving much thought about it, but now he began to understand the feelings hidden in it; people of Razril could see that Lord Vingerhut was kind to an orphan like Zaron and took a very good care of him, however, only few knew that the lord's words given to Zaron clearly showed his expectations for the boy to repay for his debts.

"You know, Zaron," Snowe still remembered what his father told Zaron, with an intention that contrasted of the gentleness in his voice and words. "If I hadn't adopted you on that day, you wouldn't have been alive right now. You were very fortunate that I found you when you were abandoned at sea by your own parents."

"It WILL come true," Snowe suddenly recalled the answer he gave Zaron on that day. "A knight's duty is to help people in need, so when I become a knight, I'll help you find your parents, Zaron."

And perhaps then, for a child like him it was probably an act of playingthe role ofAl's good friend, like what his father said to him when Zaron wasn't around.

"Snowe, take good care of Zaron so when he grows up he will help you in return. We can count on his loyalty after all, since he belongs to our family from the beginning."

Zaron's innocent face immediately lit up.

"Really?"

Snowe nodded.

"Sure. I promise."

Snowe held up his little finger, and Zaron hooked his on it; that was their childish promise, unspoken and forgotten with time. Soon they had grown enough to learn their places. Snowe was forced by his noble status not to show a close relationship to Zaron as a friend who came from the same level, and Zaron finally learned his status in the eyes of the leader of the Vingerhut household, who was once close to someone Zaron could consider his father, but in reality was a 'master,' whom he was indebted to for all his life.

Those statuses eventually became their habitude, coated with false 'friendship,' until there was nothing left to say to irritate each other anymore.

In the end, our wishes and the promise I gave to you at that time were never accomplished, were they? Snowe thought, letting out a sigh.

"So you're here, Snowe."

A hand touched his shoulder, causing Snowe to turn back in surprise. He exhaled in relief when he saw that it was someone he knew.

"Oh, it's you, Jewel."

She smiled back to him and sat down beside him.

"Why are you sitting here alone?"

"The weather's nice here," Snowe replied without looking at her, his gaze fixed at the horizon. "So I came out to get some fresh air."

Without having to ask, Jewel understood from Snowe's words and gesture that perhaps he was thinking of Zaron. After Zaron was gone, she began to notice that Snowe seemed surprisingly absent-minded. Since then he began to retreat from the crowd, and often sought solitude in a place and time where no one would disturb him. She knew that he still felt guilty with the people of Razril and the knights, so he tried not to associate much with them, but that didn't seem to be the only reason.

After they returned to Razril, everyone moved on with their lives. However, only Snowe remained the same for everyday, staying away from the crowd and absorbing in his thoughts somewhere in the town, without telling a soul where he was going to, or what he was going to do.

They remained silent for a few moments, listening to only crashing of waves, until Jewel decided to speak again.

"Snowe, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?" Snowe asked, though he didn't seem to be the least bit interested.

Jewel looked down at the foams of waves as she said slowly.

"I'm going back to Na-Nal."

Snowe didn't know what to say to this.

"It's so peaceful here, so I feel like there's nothing for me to do here as a knight," she continued. "And Paula has also returned to her kind in Na-Nal. I feel a bit lonely without her."

She then uttered a small laughter.

"But that's not the main reason after all. The truth is…I suddenly get terribly homesick…"

She dropped herself on the floor, supporting her head with her arms as she looked up at the starry sky.

"How strange," she said thoughtfully. "I used to think that my hometown was dead boring, so I left at the first chance to enroll in the Knight Academy here. But right now, I don't even know why I miss my home so much."

Snowe silently listened until she finished talking. Then he asked: "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning? Isn't that a little sudden?" he remarked.

Jewel sighed. "I wished I could tell you three or four days ago. But you know how hard it is to find you these days. Everyone just shook their heads when I asked them if they knew where you were."

Snowe was speechless.

"Anyway, it's good that I finally get a chance to tell you." She sat up, turning to give him a faint smile. "Because there's something I want to ask you as well."

"What is it?" He said listlessly as if he were uninterested, which made Jewel hesitant for a moment before she decided to ask.

"Snowe, will you go to Na-Nal with me?"

He was very surprised at her question.

""Why do you ask me?"

"Well, I think that you could really use a vacation," Jewel explained. "You seem to have a lot on your mind, here in this town."

"You're right," he admitted. "But now I'm not thinking of going anywhere."

"…I see," Jewel answered. She lowered her head for a moment before speaking again. "Snowe, I know that you're sorry about Zaron. We all are. But we have to live our lives to the fullest."

"So you're implying that I'm not living my life to the fullest, huh?" Snowe responded.

"N-no, it's not like that," she suddenly faltered. "But after he left, you didn't seem so alive. Everyone's worried about you. And I don't think that Zaron would be happy to see you like this."

"But what can I do?" He replied wearily. "I don't know what I want to do…what I should do. I don't even know if there's anything I can do." Snowe placed his hands on his knees, clenching them together. "I've done many wrongs, to Zaron, to Razril, to everyone. And there's no way I can atone for my crime. But look at me now, I'm still alive and well while Zaron was…"

His voice trailed off as he lowered his head. Jewel could only watch his back in worry, whispering softly.

"Snowe…" She gently touched his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Snowe, don't say that. Zaron and everyone understand you. No one holds a grudge against you."

"But I can't forgive myself," Snowe said sharply. "You're the one who don't understand, Jewel!"

Her face immediately went pale at his words.

Realizing what he had said, Snowe tried to control himself, his face red with shame.

"I'm sorry, Jewel. I didn't mean to…"

"Forget about it," she broke off the conversation, standing up before turning her back to him. "You're right. I don't understand you at all. But I do want to understand you better…even a little."

"Jewel, I…" he looked up at her, not knowing of what he should say.

"I'm not going to disturb you anymore," Jewel forced herself to say in a calm voice. "Goodbye, Snowe. At least I hope you will come to send me off at the port tomorrow."

Then she walked away. Snowe could only looking after the retreating figure in guilt. He heaved a sigh and blamed himself in his mind.

After waiting for his temper to cool down, the boy decided to make up to Jewel by going to send her off tomorrow morning. Then he stood up, turned away, and started walking back to his house.


At present, Snowe's abode wasn't the luxurious Vingerhut mansion, but an old, small house that used to be vacant, hidden in the back street area of Razril. Only few knew he was living here, and Katarina was the one who arranged this place for him at his request, as he wished to abandon everything he had in the past. As for the Vingerhut mansion, which had been confiscated since the lord fled from Razril, it was now operated as an orphanage for taking care of the orphans the late Commander Glen had adopted.

Snowe walked into the narrow alley, keeping an eye on the shadows lurking in each corner. Although the number of thieves and pirates had enormously diminished until only few remained after peace had returned to Razril, you could never be sure. But then, apart from safety, the main reason he liked looking at everything in this alley was because it reminded him of the past memories; the night he and Zaron graduated and became knights, the kindling ritual, the feast, and especially when they came here to rescue a girl kidnapped by the pirates.

Perhaps it was the only good deed I did as a knight, Snowe thought, half-amused and half-resigned. Oh yes, it was half thanks to Zaron as well,

He let his thoughts wander with the details he saw until he completely forgot to stay alert. As a result, the boy literally jumped in place as he heard a voice calling him.

"Young Master Snowe?"

Snowe turned toward the voice at once. What he saw was a woman opening the door of a house and coming out, her gaze fixed on him. It took him a few moments to recognise her as a relative of an old servant of the Vingerhut household.

"It's really you, Young Master," the woman said as she approached him. "I heard you returned two weeks ago, but I really have no clue where you are, Young Master."

"Please don't call me 'Young Master' anymore," Snowe said politely. "I'm not a noble now, just another normal citizen like you."

The woman was speechless for a moment. Thinking that perhaps she had no other business with him other than being surprised by his appearance, the boy broke off the conversation.

"Please don't tell anyone I'm around here. Goodbye."

He turned around and began to walk away, but the woman still called after him.

"Wait! There's something I need to tell you. It's about Zaron."

Snowe stopped short, turning back in surprise.

"What? About Zaron?"

She nodded.

"What is it about him?" Snowe mused to himself softly.

"If you don't mind, why don't you come into my house and have a talk inside? It won't take long."

"Sure," he replied, so the woman turned around and led him into her house.

A few moments later, Snowe found himself waiting impatiently at a small wooden table, while his host was making some tea in the kitchen at the back of the house, even though he had already said it was unnecessary.

He really wanted to know what she was going to say to him about Zaron. The people of Razril still didn't know of Zaron's sacrifice for his comrades on the IL MARE, as Katarina didn't think it would do any good to tell them that the hero who had liberated their city was lost, and might as well be gone forever. Thus, the townspeople only knew that Zaron was now living on one of the other islands, and it wasn't known when he would return to Razril.

As soon as a cup of tea and a plate full of biscuits was placed in front of him, Snowe immediately asked the woman without touching them.

"What is it that you want to tell me about Zaron?"

The woman sat on the chair across to Snowe and asked him; "Well, you remember my mother, don't you?"

"...Of course I do," the boy answered as he recalled the kind old woman who used to take care of him and Zaron when they were children. However, he couldn't be too close to her because of his higher status, but as for Zaron, she loved him as if he really were her grandchild.

"She passed away shortly after Zaron...umm...was exiled." Her words made Snowe's face went pale. At that time his father had him rested his room for days in order to recover from the shock of seeing Commander Glen killed by his 'best friend' right in front of his eyes, so he didn't have much chance to hear what the townspeople say about Zaron's exile. Now he couldn't help but regret his betrayal, which was perhaps the indirect cause of the old woman's death by grief.

"I'm sorry," the boy lowered his face and said softly.

"It's not something you have to be sorry about," the old woman's daughter gently consoled him. "My mother was very old, after all, and back then you said that because you were shocked, weren't you? I believe there was no way you could frame your best friend."

Snowe felt a chill running down in his heart, yet he remained silent. He knew that even if he confessed the true feelings in his heart back at that time: fear, fright, yet still an urge from his dark side to get rid of Zaron, it could not make things turn out any better.

"I'm not as good a person as you think," he answered evasively.

His reply made her fall silent for a moment before she continued.

"After her funeral, I cleaned the closet she kept her things, and I found something. I think you should see it."

The woman rose from her chair and walked into a bedroom situated beside the kitchen. Snowe heard her open the closet, and a moment of silence that he presumed she was searching for what she spoke of. Then he heard the sound of the closet being closed, and the footsteps that brought her back again with a fold of dusty red cloth in her hand.

"This is it," she said as she handed the cloth to him and sat on the chair again. Snowe unfolded it curiously to find that it was a small boy's shirt, old and ragged.

"Is it..." the boy said thoughtfully. "Zaron's shirt?"

"It seemed so," the woman agreed. "I can't remember if it's the shirt Zaron was wearing when your father helped him from the sea, but my mother kept it well in her closet. I remembered that she said she had something to give Zaron when he finally became a knight. Come to think of it, it could mean this shirt."

So he could use it to search for his family? Snowe thought as he briefly looked over the old shirt, worn down by the salt water and time.

"So, would you please keep this shirt for him?" she asked.

He turned to look at her in surprise.

"Why me? I..." he bowed his head in silence as if he couldn't think of what to say anymore. Then he finally looked up and forced himself to continue speaking after a moment. "I...I don't think I'll ever meet him again."

Not only me, but everyone else, too...

"But aren't you his best friend? I thought you knew where he was."

"I guess you could say I do..." replied Snowe.

But what could I do even if I knew he was out there? He could only ask himself. He had no way of finding Zaron in that vast ocean, no matter how he so wished that he could meet him again.

Not knowing of what to say next, Snowe looked down at the red shirt, examining it more closely, and then it surprised him. Although at first glance this small shirt didn't seem to be of any importance at all, he could somehow tell that the fabric was of high quality, and the neatly sewn hem and pattern on the shirt made him cannot help but think it probably didn't belong to an ordinary common boy.

He flipped the shirt and looked at its backside, which was in a slightly better condition than the front. Then his eyes widened in bewilderment.

He was beginning to realize that the shape of the shirt and the way it was sewn was similar to ones worn by people of the Kingdom of Obel; but moreover, the patterns along the hems and on the back of the shirt reminded him of the vest Lino En Kuldes always wore on the IL MARE.

That's impossible...

Thoughts are running wildly in Snowe's mind, processing the shirt with the rumours he had heard: King of Obel had another son, who was lost and supposedly dead, and also the story he overheard Lino told Zaron on the eve before the battle at El-Eal while he was passing the king's room to wait to talk with his friend. Lino said himself that if his son were alive, he would be the same age as Zaron.

Not that it's certain, but what if it's true?

The boy gripped the shirt in his hand tightly before deciding to speak up.

"But, although I can't see Zaron, I think that I can bring this shirt to his family."

The woman's face immediately lit up.

"You mean...you'll take it and find his family for him?"

Snowe firmly nodded in response.

If that were true, then at least I think I could make your wish on that night come true, and keep the promise I gave you, Zaron...


The harbour of Razril in daylight was so noisy that it seemed to be another place from in the night, although there had been a drizzle of rain since this early morning. Cargo ships and passenger ships of various sizes were mooring at or leaving the port, while on the piers there were a lot of people, some loading and unloading cargo on the ships, some waiting to get on the ship heading to other islands, and some sending off the passengers.

While waiting for her ship to set sail, Jewel impatiently looked over the crowds to the direction of the town, even though Tal and Keneth were already standing beside her.

"I don't think he's coming," Keneth remarked as he saw her gesture. "We rarely see Snowe these days."

"But this is just too heartless," Tal said rather angrily. "Does he still consider us his friends by treating us like this?"

Keneth stopped his friends by giving him a sharp glance, but in return he received a glare that seemed to tell him: 'it's true anyway.'

Jewel sighed.

"It's all right if he doesn't come," she said calmly, ignoring the worry she felt as she recalled their conversation the previous night.

Perhaps I made him hate me after all...She was trying to shake this thought away when Keneth spoke.

"Oh, Jewel, I think you should hurry and get on the ship. It seems like they're departing soon."

She nodded.

"Okay."

She turned to glance at the town of Razril briefly, her hand tightening around the strap of her rucksack, and then she turned around, walking towards the wooden ladder leading to the ship. But as she took just a few steps, a shout she heard in the distance made her stop short.

"Jewel! Wait!"

Tal, Keneth, and Jewel turned to see Snowe, with a small rucksack slung over his shoulders, hurriedly finding his way through the crowds and running so fast that it seemed he could fall down on the wet floor any second. However, he safely made it to where the three of his friends were standing, breathing heavily in front of them, who could stare at him in surprise for a few moments.

"Snowe, you did come!" Jewel exclaimed happily.

"But did you have to pack THAT much for coming to send someone off?" Tal remarked.

As soon as he stopped panting, Snowe looked up and began to speak.

"Sorry...I took too much time packing...Jewel..." he turned to the owner of the name, who had a puzzled look on her face. "There's something...I can't explain now...but anyway, I...I'm getting on the same ship as you."

The three of them suddenly gaped at his words. Keneth was the first one to recover, and he turned to murmur something to Jewel so that Snowe wouldn't hear.

"It works out better than you think, eh, Jewel?"


Finally, Snowe and Jewel got on the same ship after saying goodbye to Tal and Keneth. As soon as the ship departed, Jewel immediately asked Snowe why he wanted to come with her, and his answer surprised her more than ever.

"You mean...you think Zaron is...King Lino's son!" she stammered.

He nodded slightly, and she sighed.

"Oh my, one of my friends is a prince?"

"Actually it's just possible, but I think it's worth to take the risk," Snowe replied calmly.

"You're right," Jewel agreed as she placed her arms on the gunwale, her gaze fixing on Razril, which was getting smaller and farer away in her sight. "If it were true, then that would be good. I mean, at least Zaron had met his father and sister, even though they didn't know they were related..."

But then she bowed her head.

"But howgreat it would be if Zaron were here now as well..."

Snowe remained silent, so Jewel continued to speak.

"I can't figure how King Lino and Princess Flare would feel; would they be happy or sad to learn the truth now, when Zaron wasn't around anymore?"

"Neither can I," Snowe answered worriedly. "But I still think I have to tell them. At least I want them to know Zaron was one in their family."

So I can keep the promise I gave to him...The boy thought.

After seeing Snowe remain silent for another moment, Jewel turned to him with a smile onher face.

"Then it's settled. We're going to Obel together."

"We?" Snowe repeated the word, puzzled. "Wait, Jewel, aren't you going back to Na-Nal? Whydo you want to come with me to Obel?"

"Because I'm your friend," Jewel simply replied. "Na-Nal isn't going anywhere, and the ship has to stop at Obel first anyway."

As she saw Snowe still didn't understand, Jewel looked into his eyes and continued.

"I...I really want to go with you. I want to know if Zaron were really King Lino's son, and..." At this point, she suddenly looked away. "I'll be worry sick if I let you go alone. At least it's good to have a friend with you, you know."

"That's right," he nodded and smiled back to her. "Thank you, Jewel."

"W-well, that's what friends are for, anyway." Jewel stammered as she tried to hide the expression on her face.


It was in the afternoon two days later that they arrived at the Kingdom of Obel. Looking up from the ship, this hillside city didn't seemed to have changed much since the time Snowe and Jewel attended the ceremony, except for some construction of a few new buildings in town, most remarkably on the cliff on the east of the island. On the way to the palace, Snowe and Jewel saw that one of the buildings was Doctor Yu and Carrie's free infirmary, but they didn't have much time to chat with the former doctor of the Serpentarius and his nurse as they wanted to hurry and find Lino En Kuldes.

But when they arrived at the palace, they found only a vacant front door. There wasn't even a single soldier in front of it, even though there were a few stationed in the city.

"I guess the kingisn't in the palace," Jewel remarked.

"It seems so," Snowe agreed. "So what do we do, then? Go inside and ask someone?"

Before Jewel could give him an answer, they heard a voice of a woman asking behind them.

"Excuse me, may I inquire about your business here?"

They turned back to see a girl with short greyish brown hair. At first Snowe didn't remember knowing her, and he wouldn't recognise her at all if Jewel wasn't with him.

"Why, you're Millay!"

Millay, who used to stand guard in front of Zaron's bedroom, now looked so different from when she was on the ship, both in terms of hairstyle and her attiring: a dark-coloured light armour with the royal crest of Obel on it. Snowe was very much surprised, but it made he understand why he couldn't recognise her.

The girl nodded before asking.

"And you're...Sir Zaron's friends, aren't you?"

"Right," Jewel immediately answered. Then Snowe gave his answer for her first question.

"We would like to speak with King Lino." Seeing the puzzled expression on Millay's face, he explained more. "There is something we would like to tell him about Zaron."

As she heard the name of 'Zaron,' Millay suddenly looked impatient.

"S-something about Sir Zaron? Did you find him somewhere?" she asked more loudly.

"Well, actually...no," Jewel mumbled. "But Snowe has learned something about Zaron that King Lino should know."

MIllay looked disappointed for a brief moment, but then she continued to speak.

"In that case, I will take you to where His Majesty is," Millay said before she turned and led them in the direction of the cliff east of the palace, but a voice stopped them.

"What is this ruckus all about? This is the royal palace grounds, you know," Setsu came out of the palace with the question and a frown on his face.

"They are friends of Sir Zaron, Mr. Setsu," replied Millay. "They come to request an audience with His Majesty."

The answer didn't please Setsu somehow.

"I take it is about your 'Sir Zaron,' huh?"

Snowe reluctantly nodded, even though he could tell Setsu's feelings from his tone of voice.

"Great, the last thing His Majesty wishes to hear in order to make him feel uneasy." His sarcasm made the three listeners' faces stern. Snowe retorted sharply;

"But this is an important matter that His Majesty must know!"

Setsu snorted loudly.

"Then tell me what it is all about, and I will decide for myself if it's important enough for His Majesty to hear."

The boy thought that perhaps he should take out Zaron's shirt and throw it at Setsu's face, knowing that if he did so, Setsu would surely go pale and run to tell His Majesty himself, but he somehow didn't feel he wanted to reveal this truth to anyone here rather than King Lino.

As Snowe was still silent, refusing to speak, Setsu continued.

"Young man, I think you should understand that His Majesty has to deal with many matters more important than your friend's business, and I don't want this little pesky subject to cause him more uneasiness as he has many responsibilities to hold to his kingdom. Your friend had bothered him enough in the past."

"This is NOT a pesky subject," Snowe protested. "I have to inform His Majesty only."

"So what is it about, then? Why can't you tell me and can only tell His Majesty?" Setsu asked back.

Snowe was almost cornered once more, but then he forced himself to answer as he returned Setsu's gaze as sternly as possible.

"It'sso important that His Majesty absulutely needs to know, but someone like YOU doesn't have to."

The caretaker of the palace swept his eyes from Snowe's head to toes in disdain. Then he turned his face away.

"Then it can't be helped. It would be too heartless for me not to allow someone who has travelled so far for an audience," he said curtly and waved his hand in dismissal. "Millay, hurry and take them to His Majesty so we can get rid of this nuisance."

Millay didn't answer him. Instead she turned to look at the two visitors and spoke to them quietly.

"This way, please."

Then she continue to lead Snowe and Jewel toward the eastern cliff in silence, but Setsu's voice still sounded after them from the distance.

"But if I know that what you tell His Majesty isn't important and isn't a good one at all, I'll deal with you later and make sure that you'll regret it!"


"You were so brave, Snowe," Jewel said in astonishment shortly after they had left the palace grounds. "You were very cool back then, you know."

Snowe blushed and stuttered; "W-Well, that wasn't a big deal after all. There are many people braver than me, anyway, Zaron for one."

"But I, too, think that you were really brave for talking back to Mr. Setsu like that," said Millay, who was walking in front of them. "If I were you, I would have got so angry and walked away. He's just so mean, always scowls when he hears anything about Sir Zaron."

"I agreed that he was being too unreasonable," said Jewel. "How could he think he had the right to decide for King Lino?"

Snowe couldn't help but sigh. "Actually, I think he loves King Lino, and was well-meaning for him in his own ways," he said with his eyes casted down, as if he was reminiscing the past. "You know, it's like not wanting someone you love gets into trouble or feel uneasy or sad, and at last it turns into trying to keep them from everything that will hurt them, either physically or mentally."

At this point, Snowe bowed his face and lower his voice.

"I guess I kind of understand him; he reminds me of my father somehow."

"Snowe..." Jewel called him worriedly, so he looked up and gave her a relieving smile.

"I'm all right. Just thinking."

She nodded in reply before turning to ask the other companion to change the mood of the conversation.

"By the way, Millay. What isthekingdoing around here?"

"He is supervising the construction," answered Millay.

"Construction? Of what?" Snowe asked curiously.

"A new ship, and a monument for Sir Zaron." There was a sense of pride in her voice, but also a faint trait of sadness as well. "He said that he would like to construct a monument for Sir Zaron to see when he returns."

"I see," Jewel replied and continued to ask. "And how is Princess Flare?"

"She's out patrolling the sea," answered Zaron's former bodyguard. "She rarely stays at the palace, usually out patrolling the waters, and returns only once in a while." Then Millay added admirably. "I think this kingdom is fascinating. I haven't heard of any royal family that is as down-to-earth and hard working for the people. As I have a chance to see with my own eyes, I can now understand why Sir Zaron loved and respected His Majesty so much."

Snowe turned to look at Jewel in puzzlement when he saw the half-smiling expression she had toward Millay's words. Before he could ask her, she drew closer to him and whispered softly in order to prevent the other companion from hearing.

"I think Zaron's truly the prince of this kingdom, you know. I could picture him working diligently for the people as well if he were here!"

"Did you say something about Sir Zaron?" Unfortunately, Millay's keen ears heard that and she turned back to ask.

"N-Nothing. By the way, what are you doing here, Millay?"

"I enlisted as a soldier here," Millay answered after a moment. "I don't want to stay in Middleport anymore, and I think I want to be of use to the land Sir Zaron protected."

A wide smile formed on Jewel's face as she heard her answer.

"Zaron would be very glad to hear that."

"R-Really?" Millay stammered. "I-It would be great...if Sir Zaron could return and hear it himself."

"Right," said Jewel. "And don't forget to tell Zaron more. I'm sure there's something he surely wants to hear from you only."

Her words made Millay stop short. Fortunately, she was turning her back to them, so both of them couldn't see that her face was already reddened.

"W-What to tell...T-There's nothing. I...I was just..."

"You don't have to be shy. Everyone on the ship knew that."

As Millay was helplessly speechless, Snowe helped her, unintentionally, however.

"What is the 'that' you're talking about, Jewel?" he turned to ask Jewel in puzzlement, which made her sigh as a result.

"I take back my words. There seemed to be one utterly clueless person on board."

"Hey, you don't have to say that. What is it about anyway?" Snowe asked, even though he found himself blushing. Millay took this opportunity and continued to lead the way when her two companions didn't notice.

Jewel almost laughed out loud.

"You really are clueless, Snowe! Well, the thing is, Millay has a cru-"

"A-Ahem, we're there," Millay fortunately found the chance to break her off, so the sentence was left unfinished.

Before them, there were workers busying with their tasks on the cliff, where some wooden drafts had been set. Lino En Kuldes was looking at the blue prints and discussed with Gareth, the engraver, while Akaghi and Mizuki was standing on guard not far away.

Millay bowed to him and informed him about Snowe and Jewel, so the King of Obel laid down the papers and approached the two of Zaron's friends, who bowed to him as well.

"Hey, you don't have to be so formal. Just tell me what brings you here," Lino said casually.

"Sire, there's something about Zaron that I would like to tell you in person," Snowe replied.

Lino raised one of his brows at the boy's words, but his short response was "I see."

He then nodded towards the cliff path the three had just passed on their way. "It's quiet over there, so shall we go for some breeze, as well as a talk? "

"Yes, Your Majesty," as Snowe answered, the King of Obel turned to speak with Gareth for a moment, then with Akaghi and Mizuki. After that he began to lead Snowe to the path.

Snowe briefly took a glance of Jewel, who was giving him an encouraging smile. He smiled back to her before following Lino.

It didn't take long before they were right in the middle of the path, looking at the wide, emerald green ocean glittering in sunlight that spread as far as they could see. Akaghi and Mizuki had followed them as well, and were standing on guard out of the hearing range.

Snowe was silent for a moment, summoning his courage. Finally, he opened his rucksack and handed over the small shirt to Lino without saying anything.

Lino took the shirt and unfolded it, looking at it curiously. Then his eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately turned to the boy.

"Where did you get this shirt!"

"It belonged to Zaron," his answer only made Lino's expression look more puzzled, so he explained. "I don't think Zaron had told you that he was lost at sea as a child, and my father found him and adopted him. I heard what you said to Zaron in the night before we attacked El-Eal, and someone gave me the shirt when I was back in Razril, so I assume it could be related."

"So..." Lino said in disbelief. "That means...Zaron and Merric...were..."

As Snowe nodded, the King of Obel lowered his face and said slowly as if he were questioning himself.

"But if it were true, Zaron should have known this from my wife's memories in the rune. So why didn't he tell us at that time?"

"I'm afraid I don't know exactly, Sire," replied Snowe. "But if I have to guess, I think that Zaron didn't want to make you feel sad. I know him well; he won't say or do whatever cause people to be sad, especially the ones close to him."

The King of Obel pressed the small shirt to his chest. There were both happiness and sorrow mingling in his eyes.

"Perhaps it was fate, then..." he quietly mused to himself.

"I must apologise, Sire, for telling you at this time, even though it might be..." Snowe bowed his head and spoke with difficulty.

"Too late? No, no need to apologise," the King of Obel gave him a sad smile. "On the other hand, I thank you deeply for telling me. It's so good to know that my son had survived, grown up to be a good man, lived to the fullest for what he believed in, and...sacrificed his life for other people. How good it is to know..."

Snowe could only remain silent, unable to say anything. He cast his eyes over the endless ocean, hoping to see a solitary small boat drifting somewhere out there, with a question that he couldn't currently find the answer.

Zaron, I finally kept my promise to you, but was it the thing I should do...?


There's a ship out
On the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It's been tossed about lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly
And God, somehow you know that ship is me
There's a lighthouse in a harbor shining faithfully
For this sinking soul to see
That someone out there still believes in me

On a prayer
In a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Ahhh, raining down against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again

There's a moment
we all come to
in our own time and our own space
When all that we've done
we can undo
if our heart's in the right place

On a prayer
In a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Ahhh, raining down against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again

And again I see my yesterday's in front of me
Unfolding like a mystery
You're changing all that is and used to be

On a prayer
In a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Ahhh, raining down against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again

When You Come back to Me Again, original soundtrack from FREQUENCY


A/N: Actually, there were only two chapters when I first planned the story, and I just found the song for this chapter just ten minutes before posting the Thai version. I guess I have a habit of making my fiction longer than it's supposed to, but I couldn't help but lengthen the part about Snowe's feelings and all, for Snowe is one of my favourite characters, somehow. However, honestly I have mix feelings toward him; sometimes I just want to laugh in his face, sometimes he wins my sympathy, and other times, he was just so under-developed. (Well, many characters in this game were, too, but I like Suikoden IV and I like them anyway. ;) ) I had hoped he and his friendship with the hero would have a much more important role in the story and ending, but then...

So, I decided to dedicate this chapter to his atonement for what he did to the hero, as well as fill his insight with some parts about their childhood. In my opinion, I thought that they were true friends when they were children, but then things started to change as they grew up. If possible, I would like to write another story about them as children.

As for other characters such as Millay, Jewel, and Setsu: I like the idea of Millay being with Hero4, so even though I can't find any chance to write about them being together in this story. I heavily hinted that they had a crush on each other, as you will see in this chapter and the next chapter. There are also some hints that Jewel likes Snowe as well. And Setsu... Well, not that I hated him in the game, but I think somehow he only cares for Lino and Flare's well-being, so his role in this chapter turned out this way.

White Shadow, and DeyaX, thank you very much for your comments. All comments and critics from everyone are very much appreciated too, for I know I have a lot to learn to improve my writing, and also many thanks to all readers, as always.

PS. I used to rate this story T, but now I will rate it down to K+. At first I was unsure about the rate because there are a curse, a kiss, and some hugs in this story, but I guess they areOK since the curse(that Lino said in Chapter 1)is just mild, and the kiss and hugs are family-like...I guess.