TRUE COURAGE FOUND

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything else, except this story, on Suikoden IV.

Author's note: The names I chose for the game are as follows; the hero's name is Link, the ship's name is the Dauntless, and the army's name is the Crusaders.

When the Vingerhuts reached their first destination, the bridge impressed the older Vingerhut to no end since this bridge was more massive than the one on his own ship. He looked over to see Link talking to two younger boys, who were nodding to a question that they were asked. "Remember, starting tomorrow, you're going to start getting some hands on training with this stuff." He said, before heading down the stairs.

"We well." Both replied.

"Oh, and Eugene, stop by the training room after your shift ends. I've got some new moves that I want to teach you." Lino said, before following the Captain.

"Yes your majesty." Eugene said.

As soon as the king left, Vingerhut couldn't help but speak his mind, "Wait, aren't you still children?"

This was where Flare decided to step in, "In some ways, they are, but them being here was their choice." She said, while still in the captain's spot, "As from what I was told, you didn't even try to stop either Snowe or Link from joining the academy when they were younger."

"That's because my son is more than capable enough to take care of himself. Unlike your great Captain Link ever could." Vingerhut said, although he could see that nobody seemed fazed at all about his comment."

"Actually it's the other way around." He turned to see Tal coming up the stairs, "During the academy days, the teachers always have to give Snowe special treatment because that way he wouldn't have to know the meaning of hard work. Link on the other hand worked hard to where he's at now, earning everyone's trust and not afraid to actually get his own hands dirty." He said, before turning to Flare "By the way Flare I came to take over since your shift ended a few minutes. So did yours."

Eugene and Nalleo nodded before leaving, Nalleo turned to Eugene and said, "Lets find Rakgi and do some fishing."

"Yeah, sure."

Flare started to go down the stairs, but turned to ask, "By the way, Tal, why were you late."

Tal placed his right hand behind his head, and had a sheepish grin on his face, "Well, I was doing a little fishing, and when me and Ugetsu thought we both had a big one, but it turned out we got each other, and I ended up fishing him out of the water, and let me tell ya, even with Shikamaru's help, that is the biggest fish I have ever caught." He said, causing the bridge members to give a hearty laugh, even Flare started to laugh out loud before continuing down the stairs.

Vingerhut was mad because this boy insulted him and his son, "Listen here brat, you'll address me with some respect. You hear me?" He yelled out, to only receive the response that he wasn't expecting.

Tal just gave him a look that showed no fear whatsoever, "Like that well ever work on me or anyone on this ship. Even Commander Glen was annoyed whenever you tried that on him. You keep demanding respect from others yet you don't show any towards others unless they are in the same class as you are." He said, before getting started on his shift.

Vingerhut was furious because this boy had gal to talk back to him like they were on the same level, "Come, Snowe. Show me the rest of this ship." He ordered Snowe, not wanting to be around this boy any longer. What he didn't see was that Snowe had a look of admiration on his face for those around him who weren't afraid to stand up to somebody as powerful as his father.

When they reached the next level, Snowe started to speak for the first time during this little tour, "This is where the quarters for the captain, the king and his daughter, and the tactician. The doors at the end lead to the saloon, which is the biggest room on the entire ship." He said, just as Desmond came through them, with a teakettle and some cup.

When he reached the end of the hall, he was greeted by Millay, who was at her usual post, "Hey Desmond. I see that it's your turn to bring Sir Link his tea."

"Yes it is. Is the Captain in his cabin?" Desmond asked.

"Yeah, he's in there with the king and Lady Elenor right now." Millay answered back, only to hear an annoyed sigh behind them.

"Why does Lady Elenor keep doing this to me?" Asked Agnes, who had just come out of Elenor's room.

"Oh before I forget, Lady Elenor told me to tell you to take the rest of the day off, and no, she is not kidding." Millay said, just as she heard a knock on the Captain's door, followed by a come in.

Agnes looked like she was getting frustrated by the second, so as soon as Desmond stepped out, she charged past him, bang hard on the door three times, and let herself in.

Those who been around long enough gave a low sigh, "She still has a lot to learn, don't she?" Millay asked.

"Not really, and considering that Helga isn't here, she's just got lucky." Desmond said, before heading back towards the saloon.

Snowe turned around, "Would you like to see the saloon, father." He asked his father.

He only nodded as they proceeded down the hall, "What was that about?" He asked, since he saw the same look on his son's face.

Just as he grabbed the doorknob, Snowe faced his father to explain what just went on. "Agnes is the apprentice of Elenor Silverberg, and what you saw is an everyday occurrence around here. To put it mildly, whenever somebody wants the time of Lady Elenor, Agnes tends to treat everybody like a little kid refusing to share their favorite toy." He explained before opening the door.

As soon as the door was closed behind them, it was then that Vingerhut was able to remember where he heard that name before, "Wait, Elenor Silverberg, the tactician from the Scarlet Moon Empire?" He asked, although he was hoping it would be someone else.

"The one and the same, as for why she is here, you're better off asking her yourself." Snowe said, while heading towards the stairs on the other side. What he didn't notice was that his father was frozen on the spot when he got a good look at the saloon.

Next chapter is up, so enjoy. Read and Review.