Suikoden VI

Chapter Two: Part Eight

Part Eight

Daunte retrieved the box that had the words windows set on stamped onto the lid. He held it in his arms for a moment before he let out a long sigh. I should do this now, in case I don't have time later.

"Daunte." Ichirou came up behind him, the child's face full of worry. "Why are you emptying your pockets? You'll come back from this, I know you will!"

Daunte turned around to face him. "Ichirou, does our headquarters have a contingency plan in the event of an invasion?"

"I...believe so," Ichirou answered after a long moment of silence. "B-But it's been months since we ran a full evacuation drill. Do you think the Army will come here?"

"If we don't succeed in this siege, they will surely come here."

"T-Then you should take everything with you!" Ichirou started pulling items off the shelf that Daunte had stored there. "If the Theocracy's Army invades headquarters, they'll steal all of your stuff!"

I'll probably be dead or in captivity if that happens, and then this stuff won't be any use to me. But Daunte didn't say that out loud. "Ichirou, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"If the Holy Army does come, you can probably guess what will happen if you get captured."

"They'll send me to the Dark Chasm," Ichirou quickly responded. Fear filled his face. "I-I...Daunte, they almost sent me there but the Liberation Army saved me. Lord Bearyl saved me. I..." he shook his head furiously and he could only whisper the rest of the words, "I don't want to go there, Daunte!"

"No, you don't," Daunte agreed. "But if the enemy advances here you'll need an escape plan. Oboro will be coming with us for the upcoming siege, but I've spoken with Tidur so if the invasion comes here find Tidur. She has an escape plan already in place and she said she'd be more than willing to help others escape." Since he was unaware of any contingency plan in the event of a very possible invasion, he'd spoken with Tidur about a possible escape route. Tidur as it turned out already had one in place for herself and her daughters, and was open to helping others. Daunte made arrangements then to have Arin remain with Tidur's family so he could flee with them as quickly as possible if the worst occurred, and he notified all other recruits he'd obtained who were not participating in the siege to also follow Tidur's lead with this.

"O-Okay." Ichirou nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Daunte."

Daunte tucked the box under his arm and headed towards the barracks. All around him soldiers and civilians were getting ready, but he was growing increasingly uneasy. Mostly because nobody seemed confident about their chances.

Well, I might as well get my worry out of the way now. If I'm worried when we march it might get me killed.

"Hi, Daunte!" Arin called out, waving to him. He was playing with his figurine on one of the beds, while Ciana sat beside him with her red string. It looked like she was playing Cat Whiskers. "You're about to leave, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," Daunte said. He ruffled Ain's hair as he craned his neck around. "Is Esther around?"

"She's over there, complaining to Mom," Ciana said bluntly, gesturing with her pinky.

"Thank you." Daunte indeed saw Esther standing with Tidur and headed over to them. Tidur was calming making a bed while Esther panicked at her side.

"—to leave now!" Esther insisted, wringing her hands. "If they come while we're still here—"

"Everything will be fine, Esther. I'll look out for the both of you, I promise."