Just to warn you all, Futch does not make an appearance in this chapter. Sorry. I had this chapter started before I began posting the story. I promise he'll be back next chapter. Thanks for all the positive reviews! I'm kind of surprised the story is getting such positive feedback, to tell you the truth.

Oh yeah, if there are grammatical errors in Percy and Borus' speech, they're probably intended. I apologize if I have the speech pattern of a drunk person wrong. I've not been around many. That said, enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: Suikoden isn't mine.

Chapter Three: The Aftermath

After the flight, Lady Chris retreated to her room with the excuse of needing to review Salome's battle tactics. Her knights attempted to convince her to come out for lunch and, later on, supper but their captain responded with the excuse that she was still feeling queasy from the flight earlier. She made it crystal clear to them all that she wanted to be left alone. The sun was setting by the time Salome finally developed a tactic to get someone inside the room to make certain Chris was all right.

Tap. Tap. "Lady Chris?" came a timid voice behind the door to her room.

"Yes?" the knight tiredly answered.

The door cracked open to the Lady sitting on her bed reading The Noble Knight: Life of Sacrifice, by Camus and Miklotov. "May I come in?"

Lady Chris almost smiled at the friendly nurse. "Of course, Mio. I was just reading a little history. What do you need?"

"Actually, I'm here for you. Salome said that you were feeling ill." The nurse sat on the bed next to Chris and opened her black bag, getting out her stethoscope.

Chris looked at the object as if it were about to bite her. "Oh. He worries too much. It's just a little air sickness."

"Air sickness would've gone away by now. He said you didn't eat your lunch or dinner." Mio looked concerned.

Chris waved the nurse off. "My stomach is just upset. I'll be fine."

Mio looked at her doubtfully.

Chris sighed. "I wish everyone would stop treating me like an invalid! I am fully capable of taking care of myself!" Embarrassed at her outburst, Chris's cheeks turned a marvelous shade of red.

Mio looked startled but moved to hug the Silver Maiden.

Chris flinched away from the embrace. "I just need a little time alone!"

"I think you've spent enough time alone, dear," suggested Mio gently.

Chris flushed. "I just feel so bad!" she blurted. "I completely ruined his shirt!" The knight looked at her bed sheets in shame.

Chris looked up, astonished, as Mio laughed. "I don't think you need to worry about that."

"But I-"

"I think what you're really concerned about is that you showed vulnerability this morning," Mio remarked while checking the knight's pulse.

"B…but I…"

Mio ignored her and continued on. "After all, you're a knight of Zexen and they're not allowed to show weakness."

Chris gaped at the nurse's frankness.

Mio continued on, oblivious to the knight's reaction. "If you really feel bad about it, you could try to make it up to him…you know…invite him to go riding."

Chris turned green.

"Horse riding," Mio put in quickly as she wound up her stethoscope.

Chris looked at the nurse blankly.

Mio sighed in slight exasperation. "You know, sometimes I don't think you realize you're a woman."

Chris looked down.

"And sometimes I know you don't realize it." Mio patted her hand before getting up and walking towards the door. "Oh, I almost forgot," the nurse said as she turned back. "You may want to check on your knights in a bit. They may need some extra help getting to their rooms tonight."

Chris blinked as the nurse finally left her sanctuary. She heaved a sigh before reopening her book.

Meanwhile

"Ohhhhhh, I onch knew a maaiiiden wit' long shilverrrr hairrrrr, and sheee shnapped my heart like a twiiiiiiig…." sang the very drunk, very off-key Percival and Borus, one arm companionably around each other's shoulders swaying in time with the beat.

The two mercenary groups, who'd have to swallow a can of paint thinner to get drunk, looked at the knights with expressions of contempt.

"Pathetic." Joker shook his head. "They've only had half a dozen rounds."

Ace sniggered in reply.

"You know, Pershy. You really are a good guy. A…good…guy." Borus slurred at Percival, talking very slowly and nodding his head after each word.

"As'r you, my friend. As...are...you. Bartender! 'nother round!"

"Are you sure you want…"Anne began.

"When we shtop sinin' about maidensh we'll shtop ord'ring rouns'." Percival interrupted.

"So they'll either be dead or unconscious," Joker snickered as Anne hesitantly passed another round to the knights.

"Who wants to take bets?" Ace shouted to no one in particular.

"Guys…" Queen raised a tired eyebrow as Ace and Joker grinned at her. "Shut up."

The two mercenaries sullenly looked down into their half empty glasses to the snickering of the other nearby mercenary group.

"She's got you two whipped!" Duke shouted, his team grinning with their captain.

"Hey Ace!" Elaine shouted. "Maybe we should go out sometime!"

Ace looked at the woman hopefully. "Really?"

"On second thought, I don't think your mistress would allow it." She started laughing with her team.

"Yeah, well…" Ace trailed off, not able to come up with a good comeback and instead took a long swig of his beer.

"Nice comeback Ace," Joker sneered.

"And you could do better!" Ace retorted, getting out of his chair. "I haven't seen any ladies even pretending to want to go out with you lately!"

Joker sneered as he got in Ace's face. "At least I don't go around making a fool of myself around every pair of pretty eyes!"

"Uhhh, guys?" Queen caught their attention.

"What?" they shouted, simultaneously.

She pointed towards the knights. "They're the entertainment for the night. Remember?"

The mercenaries scowled at each other for a moment before once again taking their seats.

"Why I got stuck with idiots like this," Queen mumbled.

"Ish all that dragon fellers fault," Borus started again. "If 'e hadn't taken Lady Chrish on that dragon, she would'ne gotten sick."

Percival sighed and stared broodingly into his glass.

Borus thumped his mug down angrily. "'e impugned 'er honor. I challench 'im to a duel!" With that declaration, he tried to stand up but couldn't seem to get his legs under him and instead had to rely on Percival to pull him back into his chair. Unfortunately, the equally drunk Percival overcompensated and tugged his friend a little too hard. As a result, Borus practically fell on the knight and they both ended up in a heap on the floor, much to the mercenaries' amusement.

"Here," Anne sighed. "Let me help you up."

The boys grunted as the bartender helped them both back to their seats. "Will someone please get them out of here?" she beseeched the mercenaries, who were suddenly very interested in their drinks.

"Jus' one more toast Anne," Percival slurred. "T' r friendship." He held his glass in Borus' direction.

"Here, here." Borus returned as their glasses clanged together. They both emptied the mugs in one deft swig and promptly passed out, causing the mercenaries to shake their heads in shame.

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