Suikoden VII

Chapter Three: Part One

Note: The Viktor poll will be closing this Saturday, 11/23, at 11 pm GMT. Th results of the poll will be posted at the beginning of the following chapter. If you cannot vote in the poll, leave your vote on a comment and I will count it towards the final total.

Poll #2: Would you like to see Viktor have a romance subplot?

- Yes

- No

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Chapter Three: Part One

Honigmilch was the second largest city in the Kingdom of Zelant and the most centralized of the cities. It was the home base of Zelant's many Mercenary Brigades, the Magic Guild, and Mercer Hall—the place where all mercenary jobs were posted. Unlike the other cities of Zelant, leadership was not passed down through birthright. Rather, the mayorship was won through a tournament held every two years. Richard had admittedly entered such a tournament on a whim and had won the mayorship. Though he was lackadaisical about the job, he was well respected by the populace and performed his job well.

Astraea had only visited the city once or twice, as it had a lively but dangerous reputation. Though crime was low in Honigmilch, there were constantly brawls in the streets between rivals Brigades on a near-daily basis. She knew that Brendan had spent a year living in Honigmilch in his early twenties and her oldest brother rarely talked about his experience living there. They traveled into the night to get there, and it was very late. Despite that, Astraea could hear from outside the high stone walls of Honigmilch that the city was still very much alive.

"How will we get inside?" Astraea wondered, looking towards the main gate. There wasn't just guards on duty; it looked like a whole military unit was on duty.

"Oh, that's easy Your Highness," Richard reassured her in a light tone. "Honigmilch has an emergency escape for its bureaucrats. It's how I'm able to sneak in and out of the city to do training journeys."

"And it's unguarded, Lord Richard?" Sigrun asked.

"Of course. Almost no one knows of its existence. But keep it a secret please," he added lightly.

Ferdinand had Viktor's left arm slung around his massive shoulders. Viktor's right arm was tied with a belt to his chest; the stump pointing upwards against his heart. The Kobold warrior hoisted him up and shook him a little. "Stay awake, good sir," Ferdinand said. "We're almost there."

"Good," Viktor grumbled, though his head was dipped forward. "I could really use a drink right now."

"How close is this doctor you mention, sir?" David asked Richard.

"I'll guide you all to Dr. Tieling's clinic," Richard said. "She will most likely be asleep, but she will help us."

"Good," Denzel said. "Hopefully we don't get recognized."

"Oh, that's impossible," Richard said bluntly. "Three Zelantans royals, a ninja, a Kobold, a man missing half his arm, and the mayor himself walking the streets? Everyone's going to notice us!"

"...You didn't mention me," David murmured.

"But at this time of night, everyone will be drunk and partying and fighting," Sigrun said. "Most likely both."

"We should probably get going before he dies," Musashi said bluntly.

"Gee, thanks," Viktor rasped in a sarcastic tone.

Richard led them around the perimeter of Honigmilch to the south wall. Astraea felt the ground dip slightly as they rounded the corner of the south wall. They walked a few steps before Richard stopped. He held up his hand for everyone to stand back and he pulled out a pick. He stabbed into the wall at key points, and the suddenly the wall shifted. A section of the wall thirty centimeters wide swung back into the wall like a door opening inward. Richard grinned at the group. "Follow me, Your Highnesses."