Suikoden VI

Chapter Two: Part Four

Part Four

Armed with his souvenir for Arin, Daunte followed Cius up the stairs onto the bridge. He cleared the top step when he heard someone shout, "Daunte!"

Daunte quickly looked towards the Sun Palace. A familiar face dressed in the uniform of a Queen's Knight was running towards him. Daunte broke out in a smile and waved. "Surya!"

"I can't believe you're here!" Surya laughed. Daunte held out a hand for a handshake, but Surya bypassed the hand and gave him a quick hug. "Gosh, it feels like it's been forever! How are things for you?"

"Better," Daunte said, which was a bit true. "Arin seems to have made a full recovery. He was practicing swordsmanship when I left."

"What a relief," Mokuren said, and Daunte was embarrassed that he hadn't noticed her before. He also noticed that she wasn't dressed in a Queen's Knight uniform. "That poor boy looked so sickly for so long!"

"And what about you?" Surya asked Daunte. "How are you doing?"

"Well, I found out the name of my Rune," Daunte said, raising his right hand slightly. "And it found out what some of its powers are."

"Yeah, that's always good information to know. How are Roen and Felicity?"

"They're good, too."

Surya nodded and laughed again. "It's kind of surreal seeing you here in Sol-Falena, Daunte. It's hard to believe it wasn't too long ago we were running all over Nagarea's countryside looking for my cousins!"

"I know what you mean. I feel the same way."

"And we are eternally grateful to the three of you for your work," Cius said. "Prince Surya, are you going to be in attendance for the assembly?"

Surya shook his head. "Dad said it wouldn't be a good idea. But once I heard Daunte was here, I raced over so I could see you before the assembly. They're about to start, but I still wanted to see you."

"That reminds me," Daunte said. He pulled out the letters from Arin, Roen, and Felicity and handed them to Surya. "These are from our friends."

"Oh, thank you!" Surya looked at the letters excitedly. "I can't wait to read them!

"Prince, I can have someone examine—" Cius began.

"No, that's not necessary. I trust Daunte." Surya looked at Mokuren. "Let's head back to the Sun Palace. I want to read these and write reply letters."

"That sounds good, Prince," Mokuren said. She suddenly pulled out a pink handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes dramatically. "Oh—parting is such sweet sorrow, but we must never forget the ties we leave behind!"

"I must be going," Surya told Daunte. "But I'll look for you after the assembly."

Daunte nodded. "Thank you, Surya."

The pair hurried off and Cius gestured to Daunte. "Shall we?"

Daunte was escorted back to the Parliament building. As they descended the steps to enter the main entrance, he became acutely aware of a...difference. When he'd initially entered with Bearyl and the others, the guards posted didn't give them a second glance. Now that he was walking alone with Cius, he saw that the guards were actually watching him. But he didn't see suspicion in their demeanor. They almost seemed to be looking upon him with admiration.

So they know as well. How many people actually know the truth about the events in Nagarea, though? If these guards know, then the Queen certainly knows.

"There you are," Caesar greeted him as Cius led him back into the waiting room. "They'll be calling us in any minute."

"What did you get?" Gunther approached him excitedly.