Suikoden VI

Chapter Six: Part Six

Part Six

"Okay, the Army is nearly ready to mobilize," Caesar said. "However, with this new rescue mission we will need to march a day early. Will everyone be ready for this?"

Daunte was relieved to hear everyone answer in the affirmative in the war room. He stepped forward. "I plan on taking just a small party with me to Kader," he said. "It's just an extraction of two people and not an invasion of the town, but it will undoubtedly get Sheikh Tamara Nuori's attention."

"Oh no doubt," Keiran confirmed. "Sheikh Keha Hale is the only Sheikh with a Garrison attached to a town, but once you announce your presence in Kader word will travel fast to Tamara Nuori and she will mobilize her forces to meet you."

"I would like to be part of your extraction group," Georg said, stepping forward. "I've met Dylan already and I promised him I would bring help, so hopefully he will realize you're the good guys if I'm with you."

Daunte nodded. "I would be glad to fight by your side."

"The Dark Chasm still has a marker we can teleport to, so we should have Viki teleport our forces there," Caesar said.

"That's a good idea," Daunte said. "And I'll have Viki teleport my group to K'alak'i Patieba so we can get to Kader faster." he paused before adding, "There's someone in K'alak'i Patieba I'm looking to recruit anyway so I'll kill two birds with one stone. Ah..." he rubbed at his head as he contemplated his next thought. "Maybe—I should have Shou in the extraction party. That way when we get Dylan and his father out of town he can send word to the rest of you that we were successful?"

"That's a good idea," Caesar agreed. "Consider your party carefully before we leave though. I will have to stay with the troops and won't be available for you to switch anyone out after you select your party."

"Ah," Varnaz said suddenly, looking around the room. "Where is Lady Leknaat?"

Daunte realized then that she wasn't there and frowned deeply. "She may not have heard the announcement. I'll debrief later if—"

"I believe we're all set for now, if you want to go down and see her," Caesar said.

"I'll come with you," Gunther offered eagerly. Allise scoffed rather loudly and Gunther winced. "On second thought, maybe not..."

Daunte headed for the elevators alone to go down and see Lady Leknaat. He leaned against the wall of the elevator and closed his eyes. This will be my first war campaign leading the entire Army against enemy units. I don't want any of my forces to die in this battle, but I know death is an inevitability in war. What can I do to protect the lives of my soldiers?

He opened his eyes and raised his right hand to stare at the Rune of Restoration. "You're the parent rune of the Resurrection Rune," he said softly. "But so far I only know a healing spell and an offense spell. Can you please help me become stronger? I don't want to lose anyone in this next fight, but I don't know how to unlock the secrets of your spells. If I don't become stronger, I can't protect the people who fight in my Army. Please, help me?"

The Rune of Restoration did not have a response for him. Daunte sighed heavily and dropped his arm. "I guess I'll have to make due with Howl and Berate for now," he murmured.

The elevator chimed and the doors opened, but Daunte straightened as he realized that he'd only reached the first floor and not the basement. His eyes widened slightly as Nash and Sierra entered the elevator. "O-Oh, hello," he greeted. "I'm going down though and not up."

"That's fine," Sierra said briskly, leaning against the right wall. "We needed to talk to you anyway."

"Is something wrong?"