Suikoden VI

Chapter Four: Part Six

Part Six

Word spread quickly about Queen Lymsleia's request to see Daunte in person, and the HQ was filled with excited chatter. There seemed to be no doubt about what Falena's Queen would decide—it had to be positive. Otherwise, why would she have invited Daunte all the way back to Falena?

Well, she did the same to Bearyl Lutis. At the same time though, she was testing Bearyl when she invited him, and he failed. I'll have to make sure that I don't fail.

It was still early in the day, but the planned assembly was scheduled for the following afternoon, so Caesar proposed that they leave as soon as possible. Daunte agreed, and began formulating the party to take with him for the trip. Caesar would have to come, of course, but who else would he take?

Of course, he had several volunteers.

"I've always wanted to see Falena," Felicity said. "And I haven't seen Surya in such a long time. Can I come, please?"

"I want to see Surya, too," Roen said. "A-And I'm curious about the Dragon Horses. They have then in Falena's capital, right?"

"I think it's a good idea to bring them along," Caesar said. "On a political level, it would be advantageous for Prince Surya to see more familiar faces. And on a personal level, it will do them some good to get away from fighting for a little while."

"Can I come too?" Arin pleaded. A refusal immediately rose to Daunte's lips but his little brother tugged on his hand. "I want to see Surya again too! I-I was sick for the entire time he was with us, but I do remember him! He's a really cool guy!"

"I see no harm in bringing Arin," Caesar told Daunte. "The change of environment would do him a lot of good, considering he's been shuffled between the Dark Chasm and an army headquarters."

Daunte did want to bring Arin along with him, but he was concerned about something. He pulled Caesar aside to speak with him quietly. "I'd be more than happy to bring my brother with us, but what if Queen Lymsleia thinks I've brought him along to milk sympathy from Falena? Like how Bearyl Lutis tried to use me to milk sympathy?"

"This is an excellent point," Caesar agreed with him. He seemed pleased that Daunte had noticed the implications of bringing Arin with him. "But I wouldn't worry about it. Unlike Bearyl, you have the advantage with the political bargaining with Falena after you took part in saving the entire royal family. Not to mention the fact that the purpose of our visit is to try and convince Falena to take in the Dark Chasm refugees. You don't need to "use" Arin for such a feat when you are walking evidence of the monstrosities of that place."

Daunte breathed out a sigh of relief. "So there's not a chance they will think I'm using Arin to gain an alliance?"

"Oh, there is a chance of someone in Falena believing that," Caesar said. "But it's highly unlikely that Queen Lymsleia would believe it, so there should be no harm in bringing him along. I think a change of environment would do him some good, don't you think?"

Daunte nodded. They returned to the group and he looked at Arin. "If you can go and pack quickly, then you can come with us."

"Thank you, Big Brother!" Arin gave him a quick hug and hurried out of the war room. Roen and Felicity also ran off to pack their things.

"Is there anyone else you would like to bring along?" Caesar asked.

"We're coming, too."

Daunte looked towards the door. Shou came inside, pulling Oboro behind him by his sleeve. "This really isn't necessary," Oboro said. "What are the chances that they'll be in Sol-Falena?"