Suikoden VI

Chapter Three: Part Seven

Part Seven

They had resolved to leave the Liberation Army. Arin didn't bother hiding his relief at Daunte's proclamation, although he did pose a very good question.

"Daunte, are we taking your allies with us? The ones you recruited?"

That was a good point. He knew the Liberation Army was going off in a very bad direction, and it didn't sit well with him to leave the very people he'd recruited into the Army to this fate.

"That's a good point," Felicity agreed. "The people you recruited are really only here because of you, Daunte. I don't think they'd want to stay if you're not here."

"If they come with us, we'll be our own independent army though," Roen said. "Where would we go?"

"I think...I have an idea," Daunte said slowly. "There was a place where Arin and I lived before..." he waved a hand. "It's to the west of here, directly along the coast. I didn't bring it up earlier because of how far away it is from the Nagarean-Falenan border, but..."

"Well, it's better than nothing," Felicity said, nodding. "That settles it. We'll pack up, gather our allies, and leave."

"When we fled Daunte, I grabbed everything I could carry," Arin said as they walked back to camp. "Would you like to see it?"

It was the first time Daunte had even thought about it. He'd been so caught up in everything that was going on that he hadn't thought about if any of his meager possessions had been saved. "Thank you, Arin."

They covertly snuck back into camp, and luckily the overall mood was so morose that nobody was paying any attention to them. Daunte followed them back to the tent they'd all been sharing, and was surprised to find that Arin really had brought along all his minimal possessions. Unable to help himself he gave his little brother a quick hug before looking everything over. However, the item on top of his satchel gave him.

It was the letter Surya had written him.

Daunte carefully opened the repaired letter and reread it. He then frowned deeply, and tucked it into an inner pocket.

They left the tent, and Daunte had a genuinely sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like this. He didn't like leaving the Liberation Army like this. But at the same time though, he felt like Bearyl Lutis had put him in an impossible position.

Serving that man has been thankless labor that has almost gotten me killed numerous times. It's far too risky to stay here under his command.

Daunte was still careful though, and approached each of his companions to let them know what was going on. He was almost surprised by their responses, but...

"You want me to leave with you?" Liron asked. "Of course I will."

"Is this a trick question?" Priscilla asked him sarcastically. "You had better not leave me here with this idiot!"

"I owe you my life," Eamon said. "As do my people. I owe Bearyl Lutis nothing."

"You're the one who recruited me," Cairoh said. "You're the one I have allegiance to."

"My livelihood was saved because of you," Gusoku said. "I can do no better than to stay by your side."

"This was inevitable," Oboro sighed. "But you must do what you must do. As do I. I will stay with you, my Lord."

"Sure," Shou said.

"I'm not leaving your side!" Sharon snapped. "I don't know anybody else here!"