Suikoden VI

Chapter Four: Part Four

Part Four

When Daunte used the Blinking Mirror to teleport the party back to headquarters, he was stunned. Somehow everyone he had recruited—Jeane, Yaman, Eliasen—had beaten him back to HQ and were scattered around. Jeane had set up shop on the second floor beside Gusoku of the northwest building. Eliasen had set up shop on the second floor of the southwest building. And Yaman was in the inn/tavern building on the first floor, challenging many people to Chinchirorin.

"How did they get here before us?" Daunte wondered out loud.

Allise shrugged. "They must have run very fast."

Daunte looked at his group. "Thank you for your assistance. You're dismissed."

The group dispersed and Daunte quickly headed for the main building. It was pretty late at night but the headquarters was still very active as he ran all the way up to the fifth floor. Before turning in, he needed to report to Caesar about how his recruitment quest had gone.

"Excellent, my Lord," Caesar told him once Daunte finished his debriefing. "I've received word that one hundred extra volunteers from Uaminifu are on their way here."

"Really? One hundred more?" Daunte was surprised.

"We heard about how you stuck your neck out for a drifter in the city," Caesar said. "A lot of people witnessed it, and a lot of people were inspired by it. They think it's admirable that you, the leader of the Liberation Army, took such care of someone who wasn't even in your Army."

So did everyone know then that La'Ahad had not been one of his soldiers? Daunte shrugged. "All I did was pay for his dinner. It wasn't anything miraculous."

"Yes, but you demonstrated your care for your fellow man. It's really made people recognize how much you care for those who serve under you, and they want to join the fight because of it."

Daunte slowly nodded. "I'll be glad to welcome them."

"However, there is something I want to discuss with you." Caesar gestured to Daunte to take a seat at the war table. Daunte complied, and Caesar sat down next to him. "It concerns the refugees of the Dark Chasm."

"What about them?" Daunte asked.

"This is a report of our resources." Caesar presented Daunte with a thick stack of paper. Daunte started to read it when Caesar continued. "It won't surprise you to know that three-quarters of our resources have been diverted to take care of these children."

Daunte felt a twist of discomfort in his stomach, but he didn't show it. "It's not surprising. Most of the children are still malnourished and sick. Even with our healing Runes it will take them time to recover."

"My Lord, many of them are not recovering."

A jolt of shock shook Daunte to his core and he gaped at Caesar. "The children are receiving the bulk of medical supplies, medical care, and food," Caesar continued. "But for many of them it's not enough. Even with the food and added care, some are still too weak to get out of bed. I've done an assessment of the care we've been providing them, and I've come to the conclusion that we're in over our heads. We've diverted so much time into taking care of the children that it's starting to interfere with training drills. Clara and Dr. Yulin have not been taking care of any other patients other than these children, and even though they're both brilliant doctors they're overwhelmed. Your liberation of the Dark Chasm was a noble and righteous move, however at it currently stands I'm afraid our Army doesn't have the necessary capabilities of caring for them."

A surge of anger shot through Daunte and he quickly stood up. "If you're suggesting that we throw the children out, you can be quiet Caesar! There is no one else who would care for these children if we send them away! I understand that the care these children need is very time-consuming, but I would never abandon them to their fates!"