Suikoden VI

by Lady-Solita

IS 478. On the Southern Continent in the country of Nagarea, the isolated civilization has begun a steady downward spiral of corruption and darkness. For Daunte, his main concerns are survival and the wellbeing of his little brother. But as the Tenkai Star, he is destined to lead the 108 Stars of Destiny into battle against the forces tearing his country apart.

15. Chapter Two: Part Two

As a reminder, both marriage polls are closing this Saturday so make sure to get your vote in on who you would like to be Haswar and Lymsleia's husbands.

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Part Two

Daunte stood in front of the mirror and raised his arms. He held the tekko on his hands. His raised his right arm high to the same level as his head, while his left arm lowered and was parallel to his left leg. He bent his knees slightly, his left leg forward while his right leg was back.

He stared at his posture for a long moment before he nodded and straightened. "That's the stance I need to take in combat."

"How do I look?" Roen asked, turning to face Daunte. He'd taken a forward stance with his bolo knife, holding the weapon vertical while his left hand directly behind this blade, and his right leg bent forward while his left was bent back. "Jantu has been giving me helpful pointers in how to properly hold my weapon."

Me, too," Daunte said, removing his tekko. "Has he taught you dueling?"

"He's offered, but dueling doesn't seem practical to me. Most of the soldiers we've fought haven't had any interest in running their mouths at us in the middle of a fight." Roen relaxed his stance and sheathed his bolo knife. "I heard Gunther's group would be coming back today, so that means Felicity will be back today."

"Yeah," Daunte began, but before he could say more a uniformed Liberation Army soldier approached them. "Daunte, Roen."

"What is it?"

"Lord Bearyl has summoned you both to meet with you." The soldier then left without hearing their reply.

"Huh," Roen said, looking at Daunte. "I wonder if he's going to throw us out too."

Daunte didn't answer. It'd been three days since Caesar had visited him in his room. Three days since the strategist had basically revealed to Daunte that he didn't have any faith in their leader anymore. It felt awkward to be on the receiving end of such revelations, particularly since Daunte didn't have a position in the Army appropriate enough to hear the strategist talk about their leader in such a way. It puzzled him as to why Caesar had sought him out to tell him these things. If Caesar was having problems with Bearyl Lutis, then he should've taken his concerns to someone who could actually make a difference. Like Varnaz, or Allise.

Is it because of the Rune of Restoration? Maybe it's because I have a True Rune that he confided in me in such a way.

Daunte was also concerned, however, about whether or not Bearyl had found out about his talk with Caesar. Daunte hadn't told anyone about it, not even Roen, and Arin hadn't told anyone either. It didn't seem appropriate to just gossip about such a thing.

They made their way upstairs, catching snippets of conversation as usual. While most everyone still spoke positively about their chances, others were apprehensive about Lorik Varra's departure and Bearyl's proclamation that the Liberation have zero contact with Agameru. Daunte kept his head ducked and hurried upstairs.

"Don't waste my time."

Daunte paused on the top step. In front of the doors to the war room, Bearyl Lutis was addressing a man in his late forties. The man wore a black bowler hat and was dressed in a black tunic and baggy pants. A small cart was behind the man, and Daunte saw various items sticking out of it, including a soroban and a balance scale.

"My Lord, I assure you that I'm not wasting your time," the stranger told Bearyl. "It has taken me twenty years, but I've perfected this formula and I just it will be essential to the Army."

"As you have told me, Mr. Eliasen, you are not a warrior and you have no political connections," Bearyl retorted. "So I don't see how you would be essential to the Liberation Army."

"Ah," Eliasen answered. "But what I offer you is a chance to bring Nagarea into the modern age, to compete with the economies of the world. As I'm sure you're well aware, Nagarea is one of the few countries in the world that does not use the universal currency of potch. However, with my expertise." He gestured to his cart. "I've devised a way to convert Nagarea's bits into potch. I've perfected the currency conversion between the two, and I can provide for you the means—"

"Take your business elsewhere," Bearyl interrupted. He waved his hand and two soldiers stepped forward. "This currency conversion you speak of means nothing to me. I can't think of a single use for it, particularly since we have no foreign allegiances and the fact that potch is worthless here. Do not waste anymore of my time."

Eliasen sighed, and shook his head. "I'm sorry you feel I wasted your time, my Lord. But I can clearly see you lack economical vision." But there was no bitterness in his demeanor as he grabbed his cart and steered it towards the stairs. He nodded to Daunte and Roen as he began his descent.

"There you two are," Bearyl called out to them. "I've been waiting for you." He went back into the war room without another word.

Daunte however took a moment to watch Eliasen leave, his stomach clenching slightly. He said that he perfected a formula to convert bits into potch? Surya said potch was the universal currency…nobody else but us is using bits. Why wouldn't Lord Bearyl want to have this man join him? Currency conversion sounds very useful!

"Daunte," Roen hissed to him, and Daunte snapped to attention. The two of them headed into the war room. Caesar was standing at the back, adjusting the figurines on the large map, and Varnaz was also standing at the table. He glared at Daunte and Roen as they came in, but Bearyl stepped forward to address them.

"Well," Bearyl said curtly. "While I appreciate the work you've both have done here, neither of you are really standing out, are you? Neither of you have offered me anything that sets you apart from any other soldier."

"I have a Fire Rune," Roen said. There was a little bit of bite in his voice.

"A-And I have the Rune of Restoration," Daunte said.

"The point is," Bearyl continued as though they hadn't spoken. "That we need to spread our influence and gain new allies. I'm sending the two of you out on an expedition to recruit people to my cause. We need every man and woman we can get, and we need strong and seasoned warriors. My castle is open to you to take any available warrior with you, but that also means I expect you both to use my resources wisely and bring back people who will be useful to me. Got it?"

"Y-Yes, sir," Daunte said, bowing. He felt a spike of exhilaration fill his body as he bowed. H-He's allowing us to leave the castle! Now we can go check on Tidur and her daughters!

"Gunther returned, so unless either Felicity or him are too tired they will also be available to you," Caesar said, stepping forward. "But speak to me directly when you're ready to assemble your group."

"R-Right."

"Once you assemble your group, hurry and be on your way," Bearyl told him curtly.

Daunte nodded and quickly approached Caesar. "Who is available to come with me?"

"Gunther, Allise, Felicity, Jantu, Varnaz—"

"No," Varnaz interrupted curtly. "A seasoned warrior like myself doesn't babysit children like these."

"—well, you have four people to accompany you," Caesar told Daunte. "If you would like to utilize them all, I will summon them all to come here."

Daunte felt bad about calling Gunther and Felicity forward after they just finished a job, but he nodded. "If they're available, I would be glad to bring them with me."

Less than ten minutes later, they had assembled in the war room. To Daunte's surprise, both Gunther and Felicity were very enthusiastic about going back on the road

"I'm ready whenever you are!" Gunther laughed.

"It feels like old times," Felicity said.

Allise and Jantu also surprised Daunte with their enthusiasm. "At your service," the Kobold warrior greeted, bowing slightly.

"Well, this should be fun," Allise said in a most carefree way.

"I want the six of you to go out and get recruits for the Liberation Army," Bearyl told them. "I'm giving you all two weeks to go out and find as many people as you can to fight for our cause."

"Yes, sir." They all bowed to Bearyl.

"And you are forbidden to make contact with Agameru," Bearyl added. "You are not to step foot in that town or associate with anyone in that town. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir." The reply was significantly more somber.

"Good. Now be on your way and gather useful recruits for me."

"And be careful," Caesar added. "Ever since we were driven away from the Garrison the security in towns has increased significantly. And since you guys thwarted the kidnapping plot of the Falenan royals, they will definitely be on the lookout for you. Just be discreet and look for people who have a resolve to join us. Don't worry about trying to convert total believers in the Theocracy yet."

---

"Okay," Gunther said, turning his horse around to face them after they left the grove of trees. "We have two weeks to scour the countryside and look for recruits. Where shall we go first?"

"Can we stop by K'alak'i Patieba first?" Daunte asked him.

Gunther frowned in confusion. "That town is awfully close to the Dark Chasm. I hope you're not planning a siege, because just the six of us can't liberate the Dark Chasm."

"It's about Tidur and her daughters," Felicity spoke up. "I mentioned them to you during the last mission we went on."

"Ah," Gunther said, nodding his understanding. "We didn't have time to stop there and check up on them. Hmm, this recruiting mission would be a good opportunity though."

"I wish Oboro had stuck around," Roen said. "Then we could've hired him to look in on Tidur and her daughters."

"Don't we already owe him for his finding of the Falenan royals?" Felicity wondered.

"If I may change the subject," Allise said. "We can take a shortcut through Winter Hill so we can avoid the Bridge of Faith. Well more specifically, we can cross through the Great Cistern to get to the shortcut. We'll have to abandon the horses, but it'll be quicker than riding through Winter Hill."

"Right, the Great Cistern," Daunte said. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a small box. "There's someone in the Great Cistern I have to deliver this to."

"That's a sound set," Jantu observed, leaning in to see. "So there's someone here in Nagarea that has the Sound Rune?"

"Oh right, that one woman," Gunther said, grinning. "I can't wait to meet her again."

"The Great Cistern has many hidden entrances, and I happen to know a couple," Allise said. "I'll guide us to where we need to go."

"Since we're going to Winter Hill, maybe we can convince Cairoh to join us?" Roen mused.

Daunte nodded. "Let's get as many allies as we can."

Daunte had seen everyone but Jantu fight in party comment, and he was immensely impressed with the Kobold's strength and resilience. As he wielded a tabarzin, his right hand was equipped with a Minotaur Rune that made his strikes even more deadly. The Rune allowed for him to strike several foes as once, but Daunte saw that the strength of the Rune also quickly took its toll on Jantu and he would have to rest for a brief period. Gunther described his condition as being "unbalanced", but after a brief rest Jantu would quickly rejoin the fight. Jantu was also very capable of taking several blows from the enemies. He was stung and rammed, and not once did he wobble. It was impressive, but his resiliency made Daunte a little jealous.

I hope I can develop into such a formidable warrior too.

They quickly reached Winter Hill, and Daunte quickly looked skywards. He remembered the small golden dragon he'd seen the last time he'd come to Winter Hill, and the girl who had commanded it, and he hoped to see them again. But he saw no dragons in the sky, and he didn't see the girl with her elaborate outfit. Maybe she's no longer around here? he sighed with disappointment.

"Is everything okay, Daunte?" Felicity asked him.

"I was looking for the girl with the dragon," Daunte told her. "I thought she would be an excellent recruit for the Army. After all, if she can command a wild beast like a dragon then she has to be the perfect warrior for the Army!"

"Oh, I remember her!" Gunther exclaimed. "Yeah, she had that little dragon at her beck and call! It was impressive!"

"Are you both on about that silly story?" Allise sighed, shaking her head.

"Allise, we truly saw her! It was a teenaged girl who had a baby dragon under her command!"

"Let's focus our energy on people who actually exist, Gunther."

"Aw, Allise—"

Daunte knew that Allise wouldn't believe them until they actually found the girl and her dragon, so he didn't argue with her. I wonder how many outrageous stories Gunther's told Allise that she doesn't believe him in this.

They followed Allise through Winter Hill towards the secret entrance she had mentioned. Daunte almost asked why they didn't simply go back to the main entrance, but then he remembered their encounter with the Matron in the Great Cistern and that the security would be even tighter in there. There's already monsters to contend with, along with contaminated water. Hopefully we won't run into any more problems.

"It's just over this hill," Allise shouted over her shoulder. They guided their horses up the steep hill and over the top. At the bottom of the hill Daunte saw something that caused him to pull the reins of his horse and stop.

"Hello there!" Cairoh called up to them, waving. In the grass three meters away Daunte saw a manhole buried in the grass. They rode down the hill towards the item merchant, who was grinning from ear to ear. "You guys are just in luck! I have many new items to show you!"

"How is business here in Winter Hill?" Gunther asked him as they dismounted their horses.

Cairoh's smile faded and he shook his head. "Not as good as I'd hoped. Surprisingly, not a lot of travelers are willing to buy wares from an unlicensed merchant. I'm going to have to take my business elsewhere, it seems."

"Any rare items today?" Daunte asked him.

Cairoh shook his head. "I haven't found anyone willing to trade with me. That stupid, blasted Merchant's Pledge!" he wrung his fists and growled. "I would still have my livelihood if it weren't for that blasted Pledge!"

"Why not join us?" Daunte suddenly blurted out. "We could definitely use a shop like yours at headquarters."

"Remember that we've been trying to get him to join us and he's refused," Gunther told Daunte.

But Cairoh looked thoughtful. He looked mournfully at his cart. "It…I've done nothing but complain, haven't I? But what good is complaining? It's not going to improve my circumstances, and it won't remove the Merchant's Pledge. We merchants will still have to recite the damned thing every single year, so long as the Theocracy is in control."

Gunther gaped at him in shock. "Y-You mean—!"

Cairoh grinned at them. "I want to make a difference. And the only way I can make a difference is if I joined you guys, right? Very well, then. From this day forward, you will have Cairoh and his wares at your full service!"

"We're happy to have you," Daunte said, shaking his head.

Cairoh nodded to him. "My Lord, I will head on to the Liberation Army headquarters to set up my shop! It should be all ready for you by the time you get back!"

"Would you mind taking our horses back with you?" Allise asked, dismounting. The others followed suit. "We'll need to travel the rest of the way on foot anyways."

"Of course I will. Have safe travels and I will see you soon!"

Within a few short minutes Cairoh had his cart packed and he was riding off towards Liberation Army headquarters with their horses. Daunte smiled as he watched him go. That's my first recruit. He turned and saw that Gunther was gaping at him. "What is it?"

"Do you have any idea how long we've been trying to recruit him?" Gunther asked him. "And yet he finally agreed after you only asked him one time? That's incredible, kid! We really ought to use you for negotiations!"

"B-But I didn't do anything special," Daunte said defensively. "All I did was ask him to join."

"And he accepted your offer when he didn't accept mine, or Lord Bearyl's." Gunther shook his head. "We should have you ask all our potentials recruits to join. They'll definitely join us if you ask them!"

"W-Well I don't know about that," Daunte said.

"Then it's settled," Allise agreed. "Daunte will speak for us when we approach a recruit to join."

"That sounds reasonable," Roen said, grinning.

Daunte sighed heavily. Well if it makes them feel better I'll gladly speak to people we want to recruit. But I'm probably not going to be able to recruit every single person I ask.

"So here's the secret entrance into the Great Cistern," Allise said, gesturing to the manhole cover. Jantu knelt down to remove the cover. "If we head west of this positon through the Cistern, we should reach the southeast in less than six hours."

"That does save us some time," Felicity said cheerfully. She looked down the hole with apprehension though. "But I've heard many stories about the Cistern—"

"And they're all true," Gunther said apologetically. "With any luck we should be able to find and purify some contaminated water down there."

"I would rather not see any contaminated water," Allise said softly.

The group carefully climbed down the ladder into the darkness of the Great Cistern. Halfway down the ladder however, Daunte heard the familiar singing and he was flooded with relief. Liron! She must be nearby! We won't have to scour the Cistern looking for her!

"Is that singing?" Jantu asked after they had all reached the bottom of the ladder.

"That's "The Song of Mission"," Allise said, craning her neck to hear. "A very popular Nagarean hymn."

"No, no, no!" the singing abruptly stopped and a woman's voice was shouting. "That's not how it's supposed to sound!"

"And that's Liron," Gunther said, grinning. "Daunte, I hope you have that sound set ready."

"You speak of her with such familiarity," Allise said suddenly. Her tone was soft and she was smiling a humorless smile. "You must know her very well, Gunther."

"Not really," Gunther said quickly. He definitely had a defensive sound to his tone. "She only gave us her first name, so that's the name I refer to her as."

"I see." Allise still held onto her smile though, and Gunther's expression was a little strained.

"I wonder where all the other contaminated vaults are?" Jantu mused aloud.

"They've been quarantined so there's no risk of them infecting the rest of the water supply. However we still found sections of water here contaminated so we should be on the lookout."

The group made their way towards Liron. Daunte was relieved to find the same type of monsters in the Great Cistern that they had encountered before. Their skills had increased since then, and so fighting the monsters was relatively easy. He was also pleased that he found no extra security down there.

But they would have to contend with the monsters if they did come down here.

They found Liron in the same vault they had when they'd come down into the Great Cistern to rescue Archana. It was surprising to find the woman still down there, healthy and unhurt, and still so focused on her Sound Rune.

"Why won't you work the way I need you to?" Liron shouted at her Rune. She was on the verge of tears.

"Liron?" Daunte asked.

Liron thankfully didn't shriek this time but she quickly turned to face him. "O-Oh, you're back. I'm sorry for shouting, but I'm at my wits end! I don't know how to get my Sound Rune to work without a sound set!"

"Like this one?" Daunte asked, reaching into his bag and pulling out the box with the word 'sound set 2' stamped on it.

Liron's eyes went wide and she grabbed the box from Daunte. She pushed up the lid and looked inside the box, and her eyes widened even more. "Yes…yes, yes, yes! This is a sound set! This is what I need! Where did you find this? Are you giving this to me?"

"It's all yours," Daunte reassured her.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" Liron threw her arms around Daunte and hugged him tight.

"Hey, can I get a hug too?" Gunther joked. Allise scoffed behind him.

"Here, let me give you all a demonstration as a way of showing my appreciation!" Liron let Daunte go and spun around so that her back was to them. She bent over and opened the box again. Daunte couldn't see what she was doing with the sound set, but he heard several clicking noises. There was then a sudden burst of light, like a flashbulb, and then Liron was quickly on her feet. "There!"

"What did you do?" Felicity asked.

"Now I can use my Sound Rune the way it's meant to be used," Liron said. She raised her hand and pressed it over her throat. The Sound Rune glowed on her back of her hand briefly, and then she dropped her hand. "There, that should do it!"

Daunte's jaw dropped and the others shouted with shocked. From Liron's cute and feminine face a very deep and masculine voice spoke as though it were perfectly natural. Liron laughed with this new voice and clapped her hands. "I did it! I finally did it!"

"T-That's incredible!" Gunther sputtered.

Liron pressed a hand back over her throat and her Rune glowed again. "With this Rune, I can alter anyone's voice," she said, her voice returning to normal. "Here, I'll do the same for you!" she pressed her hand over Daunte's throat and the Rune glowed. "Now, try saying something!"

Daunte was almost afraid to. He could hear his breathing, and he heard the immediate changes in his voice from just his breathing alone. "…Something," he said finally, and grabbed at his throat as he heard that same deep, masculine voice coming from his own mouth.

Roen, Felicity, and Gunther shrieked with laughter at this sudden change in Daunte. "Oh, that voice is perfect for you kid!" Gunther slapped him on the shoulder. "It'll drive women crazy!"

"Do you like it?" Liron asked him.

Daunte was fascinated that his voice had been altered by the power of a Rune, but he much preferred his own voice. "This is incredible, but I would like my own voice back."

"No, you should surprise Arin with this voice!" Felicity teased. "It would give him quite a shock!"

"Understood," Liron said. She pressed her hand to his throat again and restored his normal voice. She giggled with delight. "I'm just so happy right now! The Sound Rune is finally responding to me—and it's all thanks to you! How can I ever repay you?"

As relieved as Daunte was to have his voice back, he immediately saw the value in Liron's Sound Rune. If she could alter voices in such a drastic way with different sound sets, it could make reconnaissance a lot easier for the Liberation Army. "W-Would you like to join the Liberation Army?"

"Liberation Army?" Liron looked thoughtful for a long moment before smiling and nodding. "I would be more than happy to lend myself to your cause! Consider both myself and my Sound Rune at your service!"

Daunte was honestly shocked that he was able to recruit two people so quickly, but he accepted her handshake and laughed. "Welcome aboard then."

"Wonderful! Would you like me to join your party now, or go to your headquarters?"

Daunte wondered how Liron would know how to get to their headquarters, but he already had a full party and knew she would be of better service for the time being at the castle. "Please, go on ahead to our headquarters. It is due north of here in a grove of trees."

"Understood. I will see you all back there!" Liron gathered her things and took off running. She rounded the corridor and disappeared out of sight.

"Will she be all right by herself?" Jantu asked.

"If she throws that voice up again she'll scare the pants off of anybody!" Gunther laughed.

"Well, that's two recruits," Allise said. She smiled at Daunte. "You're off to a very good start."

"Thank you," Daunte said, nodding. "Let's hurry and get to K'alak'i Patieba."

"Right," Felicity said softly. "I pray to Nagar that Tidur and her daughters are all right."

"I know Sloan Faakhir isn't the greatest guy, but would he really bring harm to his estranged wife and daughters?" Gunther asked. "I mean, he's left them alone thus far. Would he really go after them like this?"

"Yes, he would," Daunte said grimly.

"Anything is possible," Allise added softly. "People don't change just because of marriage."

"Then let's hurry," Gunther agreed.

---

Navigating the Great Cistern took a little over six hours, as Allise had predicted, and by the time they found another secret exit and came out into the southeastern side of Winter Hill, night had fallen. They made camp for the night but set out as quickly as possible the following morning for K'alak'i Patieba. Without their horses it took a long time to cover ground, but they moved quickly out of Winter Hill and into the Rocky Plains.

Luckily they did not meet many monsters in either terrain and were able to reach K'alak'i Patieba by the late morning. The town was still bustling with activity, and Daunte didn't get any sort of vibe that something sinister had happened. He felt awkward about being back there and for a moment he looked to the eastern horizon forlornly.

"What's the matter?" Gunther asked him.

"The Dark Chasm is that way," Daunte said, nodding in that direction. "I don't like being so close to that awful place, knowing that the other children are suffering, while I'm running around free and not helping them in any way."

"…Yeah," Felicity agreed, hugging her arms. "That place still gives me nightmares, but we escaped. But I can't help but wonder if other kids are suffering in any way because of our escape."

"I understand your concerns," Allise told them. "But the six of us can't take on the Dark Chasm by ourselves. We would need a much larger force to do that, and that's currently beyond our means to do."

We had five hundred soldiers to seize one Garrison, Daunte thought bitterly. Granted we don't have those numbers anymore since Lorik Varra left us, but we did have good enough numbers to take down a force of three hundred. There isn't nearly as many guards as that at the Dark Chasm! So why won't Bearyl Lutis consider liberating it?

But Daunte knew there was no use getting upset over it. He would simply have to keep pressing the issue of the Dark Chasm to Bearyl Lutis whenever he got on their leader's good side. Hopefully this recruitment mission will get me back on his good side.

"So where is the Sheikh's family?" Gunther asked as they reached K'alak'i Patieba's town square. "I don't see any damaged property. And I'm sure if they were arrested it would be the talk of the town, but I'm not hearing any such gossip."

"They run the inn, which is over there," Roen said, pointing. He breathed out a quick sigh of relief. "Oh thank Nagar! There's no property damage!"

Daunte was also relieved to see Tidur's inn in relatively good condition. The front door looked strikingly different than before, but he had to remind himself that soldiers had broken down the front door looking for them the last time he was in town.

"Let's go check on them then," Allise said. "If the Sheikh left them alone, then we can also try offering them asylum."

"If we offer asylum to the Sheikh's family, he will surely bring his full fury down upon us," Jantu warned. "Granted if he's not already brought his full fury down upon them."

Daunte didn't want to think about it and they tried to look as unassuming as possible as they headed for the inn. He saw wanted posters attached to an announcement board in the square, but nobody around them gave them a second glance. Well, except for Jantu, but Daunte suspected that had more to do with the fact that he was a Kobold and not because they recognized him as a Liberation Army member.

"Please let them be all right," Felicity prayed softly. Daunte's heart was pounding in his throat as they reached the door. He almost knocked, but his anxiety prevented him from doing so. He opened the door to the inn and peeked inside. The interior still looked clean and orderly, but he didn't see Tidur or her daughters at all. He stepped further inside. "Hello?" he called out hesitantly. "Ms. Tidur? Are you here?"

"I'm coming," came the immediate reply. The tone of voice was so easygoing that they all breathed out a massive sigh of relief. She's all right.

"Welcome to my in—oh!" Tidur cried out in shock when she saw them. Footsteps quickly sounded from the hallway behind her and Esther and Ciana came into view. Esther yelped when she saw them, and Ciana didn't react at all. "Oh my goodness, you've returned!"

"…Huh," Gunther sighed as he took Tidur's appearance in. "I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"As you have said to nearly every pretty woman you've ever met," Allise said, folding her arms over her chest.

"Ms. Tidur, are you all right?" Felicity said, stepping forward. "Nobody has come here to harass you, have they?"

"What?" Tidur asked with honest confusion. She quickly shook her head. "No, of course not! Who would harass us?"

"Why would anyone harass us?" Esther said dangerously. She stepped in front of her mother. "What have you all done now?!"

"Where is the sick boy?" Ciana asked.

"A-Arin is being taken care of," Daunte told her.

"Oh, so he's all right?" Tidur asked. She sighed with relief and smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that. I was so concerned about his health the last time you all were here."

"You didn't answer my question!" Esther exploded. "Why are you concerned about us?! What have you done?! Have you put us in danger?!"

"That remains to be seen," Allise said honestly. She looked at Tidur. "My Lady, has Sheikh Sloan Faakhir approached you in any way with threats?"

Tidur looked at Allise. She blinked once, then twice. "You," she said finally. "You are Sheikh Keha Hale's wife, are you not? It's been a long time, my Lady."

"I'm his ex-wife," Allise corrected gently. "But never mind about me. Are you three all right?"

"Yes, we are," Tidur answered her. "Are we in danger in any way?"

"Have you heard anything from your husband at all?"

"No, I haven't. We haven't spoken in three years."

Daunte gaped at her in shock. It's been over a month since we attacked Faakhir's Garrison and accidentally outed Tidur as being the one who saved us. A man like him would not simply sit and let a grudge simmer. He would've and should've acted out on it by now. Yet he hasn't? He's said nothing to Tidur or even the Grand Citadel about what Tidur did?! Why?

"Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere a little more private," Allise said. "I know we're imposing on you, Lady Tidur, but I think it's best we speak elsewhere."

"All right," Tidur said, nodding. "I have a private sitting room down the hallway." She gestured down the way she had come. "Go and make yourselves comfortable. Girls, come with me into the kitchen to prepare some tea."

"Mom, is this okay?" Esther asked. She was no longer speaking angrily, but she looked concerned.

"Of course it is," Tidur reassured her. She smiled at Daunte and the others. "The sitting room is the third door on the left."

Tidur and her daughters left to go into the kitchen, and the group went into the sitting room. It was cozy and beautifully decorated, and the windows were beautiful as well. Esther must have spent a lot of work on these, Daunte thought as he looked at the windows.

"Oh, my heart is still pounding," Gunther sighed, sitting down on one of the couches. "What a beauty! I can't believe a bastard like Sloan Faakhir is married to such a woman! What an idiot for throwing her away!"

"She has…changed," Allise said, slowly sitting down beside Gunther. "I only met her a couple of times when I was married to…that man, but Lady Tidur was different then. She still has a pleasant air around her, but she seemed…content before. Fulfilled, even. Now she seems different. Much sadder."

"She has a very striking scar on her face," Jantu said. "I wonder where she got it from."

Daunte didn't answer any of their wonderings. He'd seen Tidur's memory and he knew the truth about her marriage to Sloan. He scarred her face, and was also verbally abusive. She must have put up with such for a long time. But it's strange…Allise said that Tidur use to be happy? Was Tidur just better at hiding her pain back then?

He fidgeted where he stood, and idly opened the drawers on a desk he'd found in front of the window. In the top drawer however, he found a 3x5 picture frame that was face down. Curious against his will, Daunte picked up the frame and turned it over. He was surprised by what he saw.

It was Esther and an unknown boy around her age. They were sitting together, holding hands, and it looked like they were laughing about something. Daunte was surprised by the picture, and wondered why Tidur would hide the photograph of Esther with a boy. He touched his index finger to the glass of the picture frame, and flinched as the Rune of Restoration suddenly reacted to it. What?! He squeezed his eyes shut.

"You have a lot of nerve showing yourself here, boy."

Daunte opened his eyes. He was no longer standing in the sitting room. He was standing in a white parlor filled with expensive furniture. He gaped as he saw Esther standing in front of him at the window, holding the scarlet curtain in one hand. The girl was dressed in a shapeless mint colored dressed with a matching thin veil. Her honey blonde hair was loose under her veil, and her gray eyes were wide—

Wait. Gray eyes? Daunte leaned in close to the girl. Wait a minute! Esther has brown eyes, doesn't she?

"Trespassing onto the property of a cleric with a weapon is a grave offense," an angry voice boomed outside. "You will tell me right now why you are here!"

"I already explained why I'm here, sir," came the crisp reply. It was the voice of a boy, fresh out of puberty. Daunte quickly looked around the curtain to see what was going on outside.

"I'm here for Tidur." A young teenaged boy dressed in a long-sleeved dark silver sherwani was facing off against two men in white cleric robes. His left hand was holding a sword's scabbard and he wore a fierce expression on his young face. "I'm here for her hand."

"My daughter is already betrothed," the first man snapped, his hand clenched into fists at his sides. "She has already been promised to a more worthy suitor than you. Do not disgrace yourself further with your posturing and leave, boy!"

"My name is Sloan Faakhir, sir," the boy shot back, and Daunte jumped back in shock. "And I'm well within my rights to be here. Per Nagarean law a betrothal will be null and void if the suitor is bested by another. I'm here to exercise my right within that law to claim Tidur as my bride."

"Is this a joke, my friend?" the second man said to Tidur's father. "Am I really to play a game of swords with this child?"

Daunte's mouth slowly hung open. He looked down at the girl at his side—Tidur—and back at the two clerics. Did…did I hear correctly? T-That man is Tidur's fiancée? But that can't be right! She's still a child, and he's a full-grown man!

"I challenge you," Sloan sneered at the man in question. He tossed a white glove into the dirt at the man's feet. "Per Nagarean law the winner will be Tidur's betrothed."

The man swept down and scooped up the glove, but wrung it with fury. "A man such as I will not take part in these childish games! Be off with you and don't meddle in the affairs of adults!"

"Yes, you're an adult," Sloan replied. "An adult who arranged himself to be engaged to his best friend's daughter. Tidur only just started wearing veils, have you no shame? Or are you so pathetic of a man that you can't find a woman your own age to marry?!"

"To hell with you!" the man roared, throwing the glove back at Sloan. The man drew his own sword. "If you want a fight, boy, then I will gladly give you one!"

"This is unnecessary," Tidur's father snapped. He glared at Sloan. "I do not authorize this. I would never allow my daughter to marry someone as low in society as you!"

"Yet you'll engage her to a man over thirty years older than her just because he's a cleric and your best friend?" Sloan shot back. "You're no better than he is!"

"Let me silence this brat once and for all," Tidur's fiancée sneered, raising his sword into the ox position horizontal over his head. "This will be an easy fight for me!"

Sloan did not answer the man's boast. Instead he drew his own sword and assumed the roof position. Daunte hearing heavy breathing to his right and looked at Tidur. The girl looked like she was on the verge of tears and nearly hyperventilating. She was gripping the curtain tight in her fist.

"Tidur." A woman came to her side. Daunte assumed from the woman's features and demeanor that this was Tidur's mother. "Tidur, I understand you did not want this. However, our lives are shaped in a way that we can't always get what we want. Hile is a good man who would take very good care of you. Do you think that child out there can provide for you in any way?"

Daunte stared at this woman incredulously, but Tidur didn't seem to hear her. She was still looking outside at the swordfight going on. Daunte turned to look to, only to hear a shout of pain.

Outside, the fiancée was kneeling in the dirt grabbing at his right arm. There was a huge gash on it and blood had soaked down his white sleeve. Sloan stood over him, completely unhurt, and pointing the tip of his sword at the fiancée. "Do you yield?" he asked.

"Wait a minute—" Tidur's father began.

"Do you yield?!" Sloan shouted.

"Yes!" the fiancée wailed.

"This means nothing!" Tidur's father quickly shouted as Sloan sheathed his sword. "As a cleric I naturally outrank you, and I declare this fight to be unauthorized! Now remove yourself from—get back here!"

Sloan was walking directly towards the window where Tidur was standing. Daunte looked at Tidur and saw the girl no longer looked distressed. She actually looked quite shocked.

"I won," Sloan told her, looking up at her. Daunte was also surprised by the way Sloan was looking at her. In the last memory Sloan looked at Tidur with genuine hate. But as a child Sloan looked at her with kindness, and…something more.

"I won," Sloan repeated himself. He was keeping his tone gentle. "Did you see me? I won."

Tidur stared at him wordlessly. Behind Sloan, Tidur's father was advancing on them. "I do not authorize this! Tidur, go to your room now!"

Sloan reached out a hand to her. "Come with me. I'll take care of you, I promise."

"Tidur!"

Tidur blinked, and a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks. After a moment she reached out and accepted his hand.

"Daunte?"

Daunte quickly looked up and let out a short breath. He was back in the sitting room, and he was holding the photograph in his hands. He looked down at the two children in the photograph—Sloan and Tidur—and quickly shoved it back into the drawer.

"Are you all right, Daunte?" Felicity asked behind him.

"I-I'm fine," Daunte said, turning back around.

A moment later Tidur came into the room carrying a tray with a pot of tea and teacups. Daunte quickly looked away, feeling ashamed. "We have camellia tea. Is that all right for everyone?"

"Yes, thank you," Allise said. Esther and Ciana set up the teacups while Tidur sat down ready to serve. After everyone had a cup of tea in their hands Tidur spoke. "So, how can I help you all?"

"We have reason to believe that your family isn't safe," Allise said. Daunte wondered how she had become their spokesperson all of a sudden, but he knew that their casual acquaintance would help matters. "So we're offering the three of you the opportunity to join the Liberation Army?"

"Liberation Army?" Esther exclaimed. She looked at her mother. "Those are terrorists!"

"W-We're not really terrorists," Gunther said defensively.

"Oh? Then who else has blown up building with Rage Runes besides you guys?"

Roen visibly flinched. Gunther leaned forward a bit. "Those stories are completely false, little lady?"

"So who blew up that chapel in the capital two years ago?"

Gunther twitched. "That was not our fault."

"But you—"

"Esther," Tidur interjected. "Why don't Ciana and you go upstairs and play?"

Esther clicked her mouth shut. Without another word she took Ciana by the hand and led her to the door. However when they reached the door she suddenly spoke up. "If we're in danger, then who will protect us?"

"Ciana," Tidur said. "I will protect you, as I always have."

The girls left the room and Tidur turned her focus to the group. "While I appreciate your concern, I'm going to have to refuse your offer."

"Ms. Tidur, we're afraid of the Sheikh coming after you," Felicity said fearfully. "If you were to join us, we could protect both you and your daughters from him."

"We've gotten along just fine without the assistance of the Liberation Army so far," Tidur said. "I have nothing I can offer your Army. I'm not a warrior, and neither are my daughters. And an Army headquarters is not an appropriate place for my children. The only thing I desire is to give my daughters a stable living environment. That would be impossible if I join you."

"Ms. Tidur," Daunte said suddenly, stepping forward. "You are a capable businesswoman and could help organize the barracks into a new inn. You could use that living space to give Esther and Ciana a safe place to stay. And you wouldn't have to fear your husband coming after you."

"I'm not here because I'm living in fear," Tidur said defensively, her hands stiff in her lap. "I'm officially estranged from my husband and he has expressed no desire to have any association with us. I came here to start a new life with my daughters and to give them stability. I'm sorry I cannot be of any further help to you."

Daunte sighed softly, but he reluctantly nodded. "I understand, ma'am. We'll leave you to your peace. But if you change your mind, or if your lives become in danger, then don't hesitate to seek us out."

Tidur smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Daunte. I'm glad to see a fine young man like yourself with a good head on your shoulders. I wish all of you the best in the paths you have chosen."

"Thank you." Daunte bowed, but his stomach was churning. There was…just so many things that didn't make any sense.

The Sheikh saved Tidur when they were both teenagers, younger than me even, from a marriage she didn't want. But then he turned around and spent who knows how long physically and verbally abusing her? Why would he go to such lengths to save her from an arranged marriage if he was going to work so hard to make her miserable?

"She still has a pleasant air around her, but she seemed…content before. Fulfilled, even. Now she seems different. Much sadder."

Allise had said that, which implied that Tidur had been happy at some point during her marriage to Sloan. But something changed…and Sloan revealed himself to be the monster he was. What caused the change?

I don't understand at all.

---

"We should probably leave soon before someone recognizes us," Roen said.

"One moment," Allise said. She pointed to a trade post. "I want to see what changes there are on the market."

"You've always had a knack for this," Jantu said as they approached the trading post.

"Well, it can quick and easy money if done correctly," Allise said. She smiled at the tradesman. "Can you tell me about the rumors on the market, mister…?"

"Kin," the tradesman said. He was a lean, bronze-skinned man in his late twenties with a black goatee and his hair worn long in a ponytail to his shoulders. "My name is Kin. And unfortunately the news isn't good."

"How so?"

"The price of rice has skyrocketed," Kin said grimly. "So now the demand for rice has dropped. As you all already know, rice is an integral part of the Nagarean diet, and with the higher prices it's simply not getting out there."

"What is the current price of rice now?" Allise asked.

"3,000 bits a bag," Kin said apologetically. "It's very upsetting, ma'am. If we can somehow get the price of rice to decrease, then the demand for it will increase again as well."

Allise nodded her understanding. "Good luck, sir."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Aren't you going to buy rice?" Gunther asked her when they walked away. "I-I mean, that would help bring the prices back down wouldn't it?"

"He only had one bag to sell so it wouldn't have made a difference," Allise told him. "We'll need to buy rice elsewhere in order to balance the demand."

Oh, so that's how it works? We'll just need to buy rice and then sell it as fast as possible to get the demand back in equilibrium? Daunte shook his head. This is just so confusing.

"I think we've done all we can here," Gunther said. "We've ensured that that family is safe, though the Sheikh really is a fool for throwing that woman away! But where should we go to next?"

"How about Baltas?" Daunte asked.

Gunther's face lit up. "Yes, yes! There are lots of beautiful women in Baltas!"

"Oh, brother," Allise sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Didn't we rescue the prince from Baltas, though?" Roen asked. "They'll recognize us, won't they?"

Gunther snorted obnoxiously. "You'd be surprised how little people pay attention to what goes on around them."

---

A day and a half later they were back in Baltas, and to Daunte's utter shock they breezed through the security check at the entrance to town. Security didn't seem any tighter in town despite the fact that a kidnapped prince had been successfully rescued from town.

Maybe no one really does pay attention. But why am I surprised?

"I know where we can go first," Gunther said, gesturing in the direction of the tavern. "That lovely dancer! Let's go and recruit her!"

"She was pretty quick on her feet," Felicity mused, smiling at Daunte. "You had quite a bit of trouble keeping up with her!"

"Anyone would," Daunte grumbled.

They entered the tavern, and saw that it was still as lively as it'd been the last time they were there. And based upon how many intoxicated individuals Daunte saw, he knew that the loophole abuse of the alcohol consumption law was in full effect.

"Who exactly are we looking for?" Jantu asked as they neared the stage.

"Hopefully she'll be out any minute," Gunther said gleefully. And no sooner did he saw this that the familiar guitar music filled the air and the patrons cheered. Desiree came out onstage with her usual routine of being covered by a cloak before whipping it off to dance.

The way she moves make me wonder if she fights in the same sort of style. Daunte wondered. Desiree kicked her leg up high before sliding into a full split on the stage.

"I must say she has impressive agility and stamina," Jantu mused.

"I'm mesmerized by her legs," Gunther sighed.

"I'm not surprised," Allise remarked with little humor.

Desiree gracefully climbed to her feet before she pointed. "You!"

Daunte stiffened as that graceful finger once again pointed to him. "Aw, why you again?!" Gunther complained loudly.

Daunte found himself pushed onto the stage, and Desiree was smiling at him. "Want to show me your new moves?"

"What?" Daunte asked.

Desiree didn't respond except to dance around him. Daunte once again tried to keep up with her, but Jantu had a point. Her speed and stamina were incredible, and while Daunte quickly tired she still kept going. The patrons were still cheering, but they were also still heckling him. Why did she choose me again?!

Mercifully the dancing ended and the crowd cheered. Desiree turned to him and cupped his cheek. "Good effort. Come back though when you become quicker on your feet." She kissed him on the cheek and skipped offstage.

S-She said that before didn't she? Daunte quickly scrambled offstage before the patrons could start throwing stuff at him.

"Well it looks like you missed that opportunity to get a new recruit Daunte," Allise said apologetically.

"This isn't fair!" Gunther whined. "This is the second time she's chosen you to dance with! Why does she keep choosing you?!"

"I don't know," Daunte said defensively.

"Let me give you some advice," Jantu said, pulling him aside. "She has advanced stamina and agility skills. I can tell with how she moved her body. If you want to keep up with her, I would recommend building your agility and stamina skills."

"Agility and stamina skills?" Daunte asked.

"We all have strengths and weaknesses in combat and magic," Jantu told him. "We as people have a natural skill set we can develop. With enough practice it will greatly improve your skills overall."

"I don't understand," Daunte said.

"Well, I can only tell you combat-related information because I'm a combat trainer. If you want some pointers I can teach you how to develop your skills. However since you have a True Rune you shouldn't just focus on combat skills. Once you find a magic trainer they can train you in such."

"S-So you're saying you can train me to keep up with Desiree?"

"If she moves as quickly in combat as she does in her dancing, I think she would be a great ally," Jantu said. "As a combat trainer I would rate her stamina and agility skills grade 'B'. From what I've seen of your skills Daunte, I would say that your stamina has a grade of 'E' and your agility has a grade of 'D'. If you were to develop both of these skills to be on the same level as hers, then you would definitely be able to keep up with her."

"Can you raise these skills to grade 'B' right now?"

Jantu shook his head. "In order for me to raise your grade, you need to earn 'points' in combat. As of right now you would only have enough points to raise each of them to 'C'. Just take your time and develop all of your skills and you'll become stronger."

"All right."

"Guys," Felicity said as she hurried over to them. "Gunther wants to stop by that one white house with that sultry woman to see if she'll join us."

"That sounds like Gunther," Jantu said dryly.

"But why?" Daunte asked. "Does the woman have a special skill she can contribute to the Army?"

Felicity shrugged. "Ask Gunther, this is his idea."

They left the tavern and turned down towards the street where they found the white house. Daunte saw the usual soldiers around them and felt a little self-conscious. But it was a relief to see that they weren't giving them a second glance.

They traveled down the same road and quickly spotted the white house. But Daunte immediately noticed something different about it. "Where are the guards?"

"Hey, you're right!" Felicity exclaimed, running forward. Roen followed her. "That female guard and the handsome male guard are gone!"

"Handsome?" Gunther echoed. Felicity grinned at him. "You're not the only one who can admire an attractive person, Gunther."

Daunte looked up at the house as they came to stand in front of it. The balcony doors were closed. After staring at the glass doors for a long moment, Daunte realized something else.

The curtains are missing.

"Hey," Roen said. His hands were cupped around his eyes as his face was pressed against the first-story window. "The furniture is all gone."

"Really?" Felicity asked. She peeked into the window as well. "Hey, you're right! The house is completely bare!"

"Maybe this "sultry woman" moved elsewhere?" Allise asked.

"What is this?" the group jumped as a woman approached them. She reminded Daunte of a typical nosy neighbor. "Why are the lot of you loitering here?"

"What happened to the woman who was living here?" Gunther asked, gesturing to the house.

The neighbor huffed, and tugged at the solid veil on her head self-consciously. "It happened just last night. Soldiers came and arrested her."

"Arrested her?" Felicity exclaimed.

"There was so much noise—a lot of shouting and screaming. Her guards tried to defend her but then they were served with her arrest warrant and they were compelled to hand her over. After she was gone they took everything out of the house—all the furniture, her clothes. Even the plants she'd been growing." She shook her head. "I don't know what that woman did, but she didn't really cause any problems around here. Granted she made a lot of us uncomfortable with the way she carried herself, but I never once saw her do anything illegal. But with the sheer number of soldiers that came last night just to arrest her and her alone, whatever she did must have been very bad."

Daunte looked at the others and saw their unease. Just last night. We arrived here too late.

"We should go then," Gunther said grimly. "I don't think there's anything more this place."

"Where shall we go to next then to find recruits?" Allise asked as they walked away. "Thus far we've only gotten an item shop and a woman who fiddles around with a Sound Rune."

"Wait," Daunte said, turning to them. "Let's go to Tenaga. I'm fairly certain we can get another recruit there!"

"Tenaga?" Gunther said, frowning. "Isn't that risky? You guys did rescue a princess from there!"

"We rescued a prince from here though too," Felicity said. "We can at least try, can't we?"

"Without our horses it will take a significant amount of time to get to Tenaga," Jantu said. "And Lord Bearyl only gave us two weeks."

"Then we might as well hurry," Allise said.

---

Within a week they had reached Tenaga. Daunte however was once again on edge from the security, especially given the fact that they'd been assisted in rescuing Princess Kaylani by the mayor and the town's forces. The guards admitted looked at him twice but no one said anything as they were hustled into the town proper.

"—can't believe we had a princess here!"

"The poor mayor—"

"But he was beaten!"

"Thankfully the Cabinet understood, but they were so angry—"

"At least he's okay now though, right?"

Daunte breathed out a sigh of relief at this gossip. So everybody is okay. Nobody was found out during all this.

"So where are we going?" Gunther asked.

Daunte opened his mouth, but he found he didn't have an answer. He'd felt compelled to come to Tenaga to get recruits, but now that they were there he didn't have any answers. "I—"

"Gusoku, are you really closing?!"

Daunte snapped his head around to look over his shoulder. He recognized Gusoku, Tenaga's armorer, standing in front of his armor shop. But even from his position Daunte could see that the interior of the shop was empty, and Gusoku was holding a sign in his hands as he addressed the townsman speaking to him.

"Yes, it's true," Gusoku sighed sadly. "I can't compete with these new regulations. I'm not making enough money to make the rent on this building."

"B-But you're the only armorer in town! What are we supposed to do?!"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm fairly certain someone else will come along to set up shop. This is a pretty competitive piece of real estate, after all."

"Just take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

The townsman walked away, and Gusoku shook his head. He climbed up a ladder to take down the sign indicating his armor shop to hand up a new sign instead. 'Closed for Business'.

Daunte hurried over to him. "G-Gusoku?"

"Ah, it's you!" Gusoku said, forcing a smile at him as he climbed down the ladder. "If you're looking for armor I'm afraid you're too late. As of this morning I'm not longer a shop owner."

"W-What happened?!" Felicity asked.

"It's the new regulations. Apparently after it was discovered that members of the Falenan Royal family had been held here, and that they were successfully rescued by the Liberation Army, the Theocracy added even more to the Merchant's Pledge! As an incentive for people to join the Theocracy's Army, shopkeepers such as myself are now forced to give a 90% discount to any and all members of the Holy Army and government officials!"

"Ninety percent?" Allise asked. She shook her head. "How is anyone expected to make a profit from this?"

"I couldn't," Gusoku said. "I could tell tens pieces of armor and still not recoup the losses of even one! I-It's difficult because I've worked so hard to maintain this business, but I simply can't compete with the regulations! I've lost too much money as it is, so…" he sighed again, and tapped the side of the building. "So I'm finished."

"How about joining us?" Daunte asked suddenly.

"Huh?" Gusoku looked at him. "Join you?"

"We're the Liberation Army," Gunther said.

"So we're basically responsible for what you're going through," Allise said, wincing. "But we would gladly give you a job in the Army if you would like."

"You're responsible?" Gusoku asked. "How on earth is the Liberation Army responsible for this? These regulations happened because of what happened with the Falenan Royal family, but we had no business kidnapping them anyways! If the Theocracy hadn't taken them in the first place, then none of this would be happening! No…" he wrung his trembling fists in fury. "If the Theocracy had simply left us business owners alone and stopped punishing us for no reason, then I would still have my livelihood! There is no one to blame but the people at the top!"

"So, you will…" Roen began.

Gusoku heaved out another sighed but he grinned at Daunte. "Consider me at your service, my Lord. I will work my heart out to overthrow this corrupt government so that no other business owner has to go through what I'm going through!"

"Well, welcome aboard," Daunte said, shaking his hand.

"I'll gather whatever I have left over and meet you all at the headquarters!" Gusoku said. He ran around the building and disappeared from sight.

"We now have an armorer," Gunther said, grinning. "And he has a good head on his shoulders for who is truly responsible for everything going on!"

"Hopefully he can set up shop at headquarters and get his trade going again," Felicity said.

"Wait a minute." A townswoman approached them. "You guys look familiar to me."

"No, we don't," Allise told her quickly. They took off running down an alleyway. When they were certain the woman wasn't following them, Allise turned to them. "We need to leave the city before she gets the soldiers."

"Right," Daunte said.

"At least we got Gusoku before we were finally recognized," Roen asked. "But where should we go to now?"

Daunte hesitated before he blurted out, "Agameru."

"We're forbidden to go there," Jantu pointed out, but Daunte noticed that his tone wasn't exactly challenging.

"I know," Daunte said. "But I want to check in on them and make sure they're okay."

"Me too," Felicity admitted.

"Well, what our Lordship doesn't know won't hurt him," Gunther said. "Agameru is to the very north of the northwestern provinces and on the southwest side of the High Peak Mountains. It'll take three or four days to get there."

"We'll be over our two-week limit by going there," Allise pointed out.

"I'll take responsibility for it," Daunte said. "But I would still like to go."

Allise smiled at him. "Then we're decided."

---

The journey to Agameru did take three days, but they arrived in the hamlet without incident. Daunte saw that it was a very small town of maybe two hundred people or so. He saw that the gates and the fencing surrounding the town was entirely made of wood, unlike the stone walls they'd seen in other towns. He could heard everyone mobilizing from within the town, and the makeshift guard towers at the entrance were being armed as well.

"Halt!" a fully armed townsman shouted, approaching him. "What is your business here?"

"I-Is Lorik Varra here?" Daunte asked, raising his hands. "We—"

"That's Lord Lorik Varra to you!" the man shouted in Daunte's face. "Now what do you want?! The Liberation Army is no longer welcome here!"

"W-We're not acting as representatives from the Liberation Army," Daunte told him. "We just want to speak to Lorik Varra and see how all of you are doing."

"Well, no thanks to the Liberation Army we are in dire straits. We're trying to prepare for a potential full-scale assault by Sheikh Sloan Faakhir." The man huffed in fury. "If it weren't for the Liberation Army, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"Can we still speak with Lord Lorik?" Allise asked him. "We just want to check in on him."

The man was breathing heavily and glaring. Finally he waved to them. "Fine, come on. But don't waste any more of our time!"

Inside Agameru, everyone was getting fitted into armor and trying out weapons. From the elderly to small children. It made Daunte very uncomfortable to see this going on. The Sheikh's Army drove the Liberation Army out of his Garrison. How are these people supposed to stand a chance against him?

They were not allowed to speak to anyone or to visit any shops. They were taken directly to Lorik Varra's house in the center of town. The man himself was also being fitted into armor and was testing the weight of a sword in his hand. Even Daunte could see however that he was holding the sword incorrectly.

"Can I help you?" Lorik asked curtly. Tala repositioned the sword in his hand so that he was holding it properly. "My hands are quite full at the moment so I don't have much time to talk."

"How are you doing?" Gunther asked him.

"How else? We've received word that Sloan Faakhir is preparing to mobilize on us. As payback for betraying the Theocracy and taking Zinnia." Lorik sheathed the sword. "I must do everything I can to protect my people."

"We can speak with Lord Bearyl about this," Allise said. "If you're accepted back into the Liberation Army, then—"

"I have absolutely no intention of offering my services to that man again," Lorik said harshly, glaring at them. "I pledged myself to his cause and for what? To have my people senselessly murdered and be the butt of everybody's jokes just because I'm not a warrior? No thank you."

"Forget your pride for one second!" Allise snapped, startling Daunte. "When the Sheikh comes here, everybody will surely die! More of your people will die! We can ensure that will not happen!"

"Really?" Lorik said, his tone unconvinced. "You can swear that Bearyl Lutis will rise to the occasion and defend us? Forgive me if I don't believe you."

Daunte felt that Lorik was being stubborn, however…however he had a sinking feeling that there was a point to Lorik's apprehension. Would Bearyl Lutis simply welcome him back and help him defend his hamlet? Daunte himself wasn't sure.

"Now if you'll excuse me, we must keep preparing," Lorik said. He gestured to Tala, and the young woman moved behind him to fix the armor he wore. "We don't know when Sloan Faakhir will bring his campaign here, but we know it's coming."

Daunte felt he had a sudden choice to agree with him or to offer him help. After a moment he decided. "C-Can we do anything to help?"

Lorik looked at him. "Excuse me?"

"I-Is there anything we can do to help?" Daunte asked him. "If the Sheikh is coming, I will gladly help you defend Agameru from him."

"No offense, but what can one teenager offer to me to help my town?"

"I-I have a True Rune," Daunte reminded, pulling back his glove to show him the symbol.

"…I remember," Lorik said at length. "But you only know a single healing spell, correct? You don't have the power to repel an entire army. Thank you for the offer, but I must refuse."

"B-But I can't just leave you guys like this!" Daunte demanded.

"Daunte," Gunther said softly, taking him by his arm. He looked at Lorik. "We understand, my Lord. However we will tell Lord Bearyl about the siege that is coming for you and we will see about having him send aid to you."

"I won't hold my breath," Lorik said, folding his arms over his chest.

"Thank you for seeing us," Allise said. They all bowed and turned to leave.

"Your name is Daunte, correct?" Lorik suddenly called out to them.

Daunte paused and turned to face him. "Yes, my Lord."

"Thank you for your consideration," Lorik told him. "If Bearyl Lutis even had a fraction of your integrity, then this war would've already been long over."

Daunte gaped at him for a long moment. "T-Thank you, my Lord."

"You're welcome. Tala." Lorik turned to his bodyguard. "Tell Zander to run another drill with the younger ones."

"Yes, my Lord."

There was nothing more for them to do in Agameru, and they were escorted directly to the gates. Daunte however noticed that they encountered far less hostility from the people of the hamlet than they had before. "Thank you," the man told Daunte.

"Y-You're welcome," Daunte stammered, but he felt guilty for accepting the thanks when they weren't doing anything to help.

Outside of Agameru, the group looked amongst themselves. "Lord Bearyl must know about this," Allise said. "But in telling him he will find out we disobeyed direct orders to not come here."

"I will tell him," Daunte said. "No matter what he's said, he needs to know Lord Lorik needs help!"

"That he does," Gunther said grimly, looking at the outer walls of the hamlet.

"And once again you arise to the occasion to help people."

Everyone snapped to attention at this familiar voice. Daunte turned to see Oboro leaning against the outer walls. The older man was smiling at them, but the smile seemed…strange.

"There you are!" Felicity exclaimed. "We were wondering where you had gone off to, Oboro! You just disappeared after the Falenans were rescued!"

Oboro shrugged. "I disappeared because Lord Bearyl Lutis tried to extract information from me as though I owed him something. When I told him that you—" he gestured to Daunte. "—had hired me and so I had to answer to you, he ejected me from the premises."

"Yeah, he has a knack for doing that," Roen muttered.

"So I've spent the last month or so doing what I do best," Oboro continued, approaching them. "But when I'd heard that Sheikh Sloan Faakhir was readying his battalions to assault this town, I came as quickly as I could to warn them. And now we meet again, and I see that you were similarly unsuccessful in trying to provide further aid to his Lordship."

"His posturing will get everyone killed!" Allise fumed softly.

"He is posturing," Oboro agreed. "But he is also being cautious. He did lose several people trying to maintain a stronghold in Zinnia. I can see his hesitation in accepting help, but…yes. This town doesn't stand a chance against the upcoming invasion."

"We will try to help them," Daunte insisted. "I will gladly tell my Lord that I disobeyed his orders and came here, if it means that he will send aid!"

Oboro looked at him for a long moment. Daunte stared back at him in confusion. Finally Oboro spoke. "You really do have a good head on your shoulders. Despite everything that has happened to you and what you have gone through, you're still looking out for others. It's very admirable."

"W-Would you consider joining us?" Daunte blurted out. He didn't know where the question came from. "I-I know I still owe you payment for your assistance with helping us find the Falenan Royals—"

"I would be happy to join you," Oboro told him.

Daunte blinked. "R-Really?"

"It would be an honor to lend my services to your cause. I happen to have a lot at stake myself in your victory."

"Really?" Gunther asked. "How come?"

"I can't tell you that," Oboro told him.

"Why not?!"

"T-Thank you," Daunte said, shaking his hand. "We would definitely appreciate your services."

"What exactly are your services?" Roen asked warily.

"I'm a detective," Oboro told him cheerfully. "I will investigate anyone you ask, and if you have a mind to find some more recruits, I can find you leads about where you can find these recruits."

"That would certainly save us from just wandering around again," Jantu agreed.

"Then I shall accompany your group back to your headquarters. An old man such as myself shouldn't travel alone, after all."

"B-But you've been traveling alone this whole time!" Roen pointed out.

Daunte nodded and looked at the others. "Then, let's return to headquarters."

---

The group had left for a two-week mission to recruit as many people as possible. They returned to headquarters however a full-week late and with only four recruits. As they reached the front of the castle, Daunte saw the figure standing at the top of the stairs and he suddenly filled with dread.

"So," Bearyl Lutis called down to them. "The six of you have been gone for three weeks. Where are the warriors I told you to recruit?"

"M-My Lord," Gunther said, stepping forward. "We got some people—"

"I've only have three people come to my castle," Bearyl boomed down to them. Daunte shrank a little, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The courtyard had quickly become silent and everyone was staring at them. "Two shopkeepers, and a girl who does nothing but change people's voices. And I see you brought back that individual I had escorted off the premises a month ago."

"Well, Lord Daunte here has hired me," Oboro answered him pleasantly.

"Lord?!" Bearyl snapped. He glared at Daunte. "Since when do you have a Lordship?!"

"My Lord," Daunte said, climbing up the steps. "I have important information—"

"All of you have wasted my time and resources gathering freeloaders who contribute nothing to my armed forces!" Bearyl shouted. "Gunther, Allise! I expected better of you both!"

"My Lord," Allise said apologetically, bowing.

"I'm sorry," Gunther said insincerely, also bowing.

"Lord Bearyl," Daunte snapped. "We have an emergency! Agameru is preparing for a siege by Sloan Faakhir's for—"

"So you flagrantly disobeyed my direct orders?!" Bearyl snapped. He gestured angrily. "Seize his weapon and take him directly to his room. You are suspended until further notice."

"Wait a minute!" Felicity cried out, hurrying up the steps. "Lord Bearyl, Daunte was just—"

"So you also went to Agameru?!" Bearyl snapped at her.

"I—"

"No," Daunte interrupted. "It was just me. I snuck off from the rest of the group."

"I don't know why I put up with you," Bearyl fumed as a soldier took Daunte's tekko. "Gunther and Allise, I need a word with you both about how and why neither of you kept a better eye on your subordinate."

"Lord Bearyl!" Daunte snapped as two soldiers seized his arms. "Lord Lorik Varra is in trouble! Agameru is going to be attacked by the Sheikh's forces! We have to—"

"I'm not interested in listening to the plight of traitors." Bearyl turned around started climbing back up the stairs. "Gunther, Allise! Now!"

Gunther and Allise raced up the stairs past Daunte, though Gunther spared Daunte a sympathetic look. Bearyl disappeared into the castle, and to Daunte's surprise the soldiers immediately let go of his arms. "I'm sorry," one said. "But we have to escort you to your room."

"If it were up to us, you wouldn't be punished," the second one said. "As far as I'm concerned you didn't do anything wrong, but…"

Daunte nodded. "I understand." He said nothing to Roen or Felicity or Jantu or Oboro as they headed into the castle. He was steered towards the stairs leading down into his room, but the sudden excited chatter from upstairs gave him pause.

"—an armorer! We finally have a real armorer who can get us the best armor! And an item merchant! We can finally get all the supplies we need!"

Daunte's jaw dropped incredulously and he glared upstairs. Are you kidding me? He yells at me for not getting him warriors and humiliates all of us over an apparent failure, but yet he's HAPPY he has these recruits?! I don't understand him! If he's satisfied with our work then why doesn't he show ANY appreciation for it?!

"Come," one of the soldiers said softly, waving to him. Daunte saw from the man's grim expression that he had also heard what Bearyl had been saying. Daunte bit down hard on his bottom lip as he marched towards the stairs.

What's the point of even trying if my efforts are not going to be appreciated?

---

Arin was shocked that Daunte was suspended again, but Daunte was too angry to talk about it. His anger also gave him restless sleep and he spent most of the night glaring out the window into the darkness outside.

The following morning Arin still wanted answers about why Daunte was suspended, and though Daunte was lethargic from staying up all night he finally told Arin what happened.

"W-Wait, what?!" Arin snapped. "You're being punished for that?!"

Daunte nodded. "And he didn't appreciate the recruits I sent back here."

"B-But when the armorer arrived, Lord Bearyl was ecstatic! Why did he yell at you if he was happy about Mr. Gusoku?!"

"I honestly don't know," Daunte sighed, throwing up his hands.

There was a quick knock at their door. "Daunte, can we come in?"

"I can't, Felicity, I'm suspended," Daunte answered.

The doorknob rattled and the door surprisingly swung open to reveal Roen and Felicity. "O-Oh, they didn't lock you in!"

"They didn't?" Daunte asked with genuine confusion.

"I'm so angry," Felicity fumed as Roen closed the door behind them. "Who does Lord Bearyl think he is to treat us in such a way?! We scoured half the countryside finding him recruits, and he rewards us with scorn! If I wanted to be worked to the bone for a thankless task, I would've stayed in the Dark Chasm!"

"Felicity, we can't compare our work here to the Dark Chasm!" Daunte said defensively. "They're completely different!"

"I've told you guys this before, but it was a mistake to join the Liberation Army," Roen told them softly. "We're under the command of a man who is going to run this Army into the ground and get everybody killed! We need to get out of here while we still can!"

"And go where, Roen?!" Felicity demanded sharply. "We're fugitives! We have no homes to go home to, and no families to seek out! We have nothing! At least by staying here we don't have to keep looking over our shoulders!"

"But if we stay here, then that man is going to end up getting us killed," Roen retorted. "And I for one do not want to lose my life in the name of Bearyl Lutis!"

"Guys, stop it!" Daunte snapped, standing up. "We're here and we need to make the most of it! Lord Bearyl has made questionable decisions, yes, but there are plenty of people here who believe in his cause and are willing to die to bring the necessary change to this country! Now unless anyone has any better options, we have no choice but to tough it out here and try to survive!"

"Right," Felicity said, nodding.

"…Right," Roen said, nodding. "I'm just so angry with how we've been treated! Bearyl Lutis is no leader at all! I honestly believe he has no idea what he's doing!"

"But he is our leader and we must follow him," Daunte said. "Because all of us know what the alternative could be."

"…Yeah."

They left not long after that. Daunte waited a few moments until after they were gone and tested the doorknob. It turned easily in his grasp and the door opened.

T-They really didn't lock me in here? Does…Does this mean that they really don't agree with my punishment?

"Brother?"

Daunte turned to look at Arin, who watched him fearfully. "Brother, what are we going to do?"

Daunte forced a smile at him and walked over to sit beside him on the bed. "Everything is going to be all right, Arin. Just you wait."

"W-Will Lord Bearyl really get us all killed?" the child asked him.

"No," Daunte said, but even he wasn't certain of it.

---

Bearyl rubbed both hands over his face and lowered them to his sides. "What did you say?"

"I was just notified that sixty soldiers are missing, my Lord," Gunther said tensely, planting his hands on his hips. "They were confirmed as having been here last night, but as of this morning they're no longer here."

"Where is their commanding officer?" Bearyl snapped. "Summon him here now!"

"I can't do that," Gunther said. "Their commanding officer is gone too."

"Was there any witnesses?" Allise asked. "Does anyone know why roughly two-thirds of one unit are gone?"

"Their comrades have their own ideas," Gunther said, shrugging. "They said it was desertion."

"Desertion?" Bearyl echoed. "Desertion?!" he punched the war table in frustration. "They ran away like cowards and deserted us?! How dare they make a pledge to me if they're not going to uphold it?!"

"I imagine they were concerned, my Lord," Gunther said.

"About what?!"

"Well why all due respect, you haven't exactly inspired confidence—"

"Excuse me?!" Bearyl hollered. He advanced upon Gunther. "I am the leader of the Liberation Army! I am a symbol of hope for what this nation can truly become! These soldiers owe me everything! This Army would exist without me!"

"But Phoebe Amirmoez created the Liberation Ar—"

Bearyl struck him across the face. "Don't you ever marginalize the sacrifices I've made for this Army! For my Army!"

"I've done nothing but defend you!" Gunther shot back. "I've worked my ass off to make this Army a success because I believe in you and I believe in our cause! If I didn't have any faith in you, I wouldn't be standing here!"

"You—"

"Enough," Caesar cut in sharply. "Gunther, you're out of line. This open defiance of our leader shows insubordination. We're in this together, and if we want to win this war we can't be at each other's throats!"

Gunther slowly relaxed, and nursed his cheek. "I'm sorry, my Lord," he said softly.

Bearyl let out a sharp breath. "Okay." He turned back around to look at the map on the table.

"But this is a real concern," Caesar said. "We have sixty soldiers that are missing, and if others believe that they deserted, that may inspire mass desertion. We need to be an inspiration and united force for our soldiers in order to ensure that this doesn't happen! Gunther, Allise, and Varnaz. Go down and meet with our forces but do not be totalitarian with them. If they have grievances, listen to them and bring them back to us. Most of all show your faith in our leader because if we don't demonstrate faith, then how can we inspire such from our troops?"

"Right," Gunther said, nodding.

"I'm very good at sweet-talking," Allise said.

"I will ensure my soldiers have faith in our leader," Varnaz said.

Caesar nodded, and waited until all three of them left. He silently counted to ten before turning to Bearyl. "My Lord—"

"Save it, Caesar," Bearyl interrupted him, still looking at the map. "You've already made your grievances known to me."

"I've downplayed this, but I believe this was desertion," Caesar countered. "We cannot stand to lose allies the way we are! At this rate we won't have any Army left to make a stand against the Theocracy! My Lord, I implore you to heed my advice and humble yourself! I promise you it won't be a sign of weakness! We cannot lose any more allies!"

Bearyl was silent for a long time. Caesar's breathing was heavy as he waited tensely for Bearyl's answer.

Finally, Bearyl turned to face him. "Then it's time to call Falena in one their favor."

---

Investigations

Secret #1

Name: Jantu

Age: 37

From: Two River, Dunan Republic

Position: combat trainer for the Liberation Army

Secret #2

Jantu came to Nagarea all the way from the Dunan Republic four years ago out of curiosity. As there are no native Kobolds in Nagarea, Jantu caused quite a stir when he arrived. The reactions varied from fascination to fear, and he wound up in trouble multiple times. But as he's demonstrated himself to being a very capable fighter, he's always been able to get himself out of trouble.

Secret #3

Jantu fought alongside the Kobolds of Two River during the Dunan Unification War. Ever since he was young he's looked up to Lord Ridley of Two River, and has tried to follow his example. The three races that occupy Two River—the Kobolds, humans, and Wingers—have a tumultuous history, but thanks to the efforts of Dunan Army leader, Lord Riou, relations between the three races improved considerably. This is probably why Jantu feels no apprehension or animosity towards the humans that surround him.

Secret #4

Did you know Jantu is a fan of chocolate? I…don't quite understand how this is so, particularly since I had heard that chocolate is a toxin to Kobolds. But Jantu is often seen snacking on chocolate bars imported from Kanakan. His body must have exceptional endurance to it, or his metabolism might process chocolate differently than it would for other Kobolds. I would still recommend that someone speak to him about his chocolate intake though. Toxin or not, that much chocolate is not good for anyone's teeth.