Suikoden VI

Chapter Two: Part Six

Part Six

"I'm sorry, but we're following orders. Lord Bearyl has told us to not allow anyone from Agameru on the premises."

"Then please just give him this message!" the messenger thrust the letter into the soldier's hands. "Please give this to him and tell him we need help! Sheikh Sloan Faakhir is coming after us, and unless we have the help of the Liberation Army then we will all surely die!"

"Why are you staying in Agameru to fight?" the second soldier asked. "What is Lord Lorik Varra thinking, making a stand like that instead of fleeing?"

"We're dead either way!" the messenger seethed. "Where in the name of Nagar are we supposed to go?! We're just a small hamlet, but that's still almost three hundred villagers! A group that size traveling the countryside?! Everyone will know who we are and everyone will come after us! Staying to fight may not be the best decision, but fleeing en masse isn't much better!"

"All right," the first soldier said. "I'll take this to Lord Bearyl immediately. If you wait here—"

"I can't wait for a response!" the messenger turned on his heel. "I have to get back and protect my family before the Sheikh's forces arrive! If the Liberation Army means to answer us, then send us a reply with troops!" the man sprinted back to his horse without waiting for a reply.

The two soldiers watched him leave in silence. Then the second one spoke up. "You took his message. Will you deliver it despite Lord Bearyl's order to burn all messages from Agameru?"

"Of course I will," the first soldier said gruffly, turning towards the stairs leading into the castle. "It's the right thing to do. I know I'm disobeying orders, but I won't have the blood of those people on my hands by following that idiotic order."

The second soldier watched him leave before hurrying after him. "I'll come with you. Hopefully Lord Bearyl will see reason, but if not I don't want you getting into trouble by yourself."

—

Caesar saw the soldiers enter the war room while the other lieutenants of the Army prepared for their meeting. He hurried over to them. "Is there a problem?"

"This just arrived." One soldier handed Caesar the letter. "It was from a m-messenger from...Agameru." His voice dipped low when he said the last word, and the second soldier looked away.

Caesar looked at the letter for a long moment before forcing a smile at the soldier. "Thank you both for your hard work. I will announce this letter during our meeting."

"Y-You're not angry with us for disobeying orders?!" the second soldier hissed. They both looked shocked.

Caesar's smile broadened. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now, return to your posts."

Both men stammered before saluted. "Yes, Lord Caesar! Thank you, sir!" they hurried from the war room.

Caesar opened the letter and swiftly read it. He revealed nothing on his face, and after finishing the letter he tucked it back into its envelope. He held onto the letter and deliberately did not approach Bearyl as they all took their seats at the table. "This meeting will come to order," Bearyl announced. "We have a pressing matter to discuss—"

"Yes, indeed," Caesar interrupted, standing up. He held up the letter. "We've just received word that Agameru is about to be razed by Sheikh Sloan Faakhir's forces. Lord Lorik Varra has humbled himself with this letter and has requested our assistance."

The table broke out into loud conversation from this news. Bearyl's face, however, was unmoving. "May I see that letter, Caesar?" he held out his hand.