Suikoden VI

Chapter One: Part Seven

Part Seven

Daunte was thankful that Gunther had arrived in the Rocky Plains on horseback, as it meant that they didn't have to do so much walking anymore. With three of Gunther's soldiers dead there were three available horses. Daunte shared a horse with Arin, Roen and Felicity shared a horse, and Surya got his own horse.

"Our headquarters is north of here, just southeast of the Northern Wharf," Gunther told them. "We have to be careful crossing the Bridge of Faith, but it won't take us long to get there."

"The Bridge of Faith?" Surya asked.

"It's the only bridge that has been allowed to be built over Golden River," Felicity told him. "It's a blessed bridge so it's guarded to prevent monsters from crossing it, but we might get the attention of the guards on it."

"We'll be fine," Gunther reassured her, giving her a wink. "Twenty-thousand people cross the Bridge of Faith every day, since it cuts travel time by half so people don't have to walk all the way around Winter Hill to get to the Northern provinces. We use the bridge all the time and have never been caught, so the rest of you should be fine."

"How come those soldiers we fought knew who you were on sight?" Surya asked him.

Gunther shrugged. "The hell if I know. Some freak out when they see me, others don't bat an eyelash. I guess it depends on which soldiers actually pay attention to bulletins regarding the Liberation Army."

They rode northwest towards Golden River to reach the Bridge of Faith. Daunte looked to the northeast and sighed softly. Baltas was in the opposite direction, and this side trip might make things more difficult for Surya in finding his family.

But we agreed to join the Army, and I want Arin to be in a safe place.

When they reached Golden River and walked along side it to reach the Bridge of Faith, Surya's brow furrowed. "Daunte."

"What is it?"

"This looks exactly like the Feitas."

"Feitas?"

"The Feitas River flows through multiple routes all throughout Falena. The water in this river looks exactly like the Feitas."

Daunte didn't realize that rivers had a distinction that even allowed them to look remotely different, but he shrugged. "Maybe the Feitas and Golden River were connected at one point? I know Golden River is partially dried up because of the Great Earthquake."

"That must be it," Surya said.

There were very few encounters with monsters on the road towards the Bridge of Faith, and the few encounters were easy battles. Gunther was an exceptionally skilled swordsman, making his motions seem effortless. There were various times though that when Gunther rushed in to make the kill, he jumped back clutching an object in his left. "500 bits," he said once, tossing the bag at Daunte. Another time it was medical herb.

"Wow, you're getting quite a bit of loot!" Roen exclaimed as Gunther snatched up a rune scroll from a pompon.

"Having a Hunter Rune has its perks," Gunther said, tapping the back of his left hand as he continued riding.

Hunter Rune? Daunte looked at Surya, but the other boy shrugged. "I've never seen one before, but apparently it's a rune that makes stealing a bit easier."

Daunte snorted, and continued riding. Arin was still asleep against him, his small body bobbing with the motions of the horse. Seeing his brother's poor state was a bigger incentive for Daunte to ride faster.