Suikoden VII

Chapter Three: Part Seven

Chapter Three: Part Seven

The bedroom at the top of the tallest tower was indeed massive. The chamber was round and homey, with a high ceiling to accommodate the cone-shaped roof, and windows facing all directions. Astraea could see for kilometers from the position. The furniture was also intact, with a large bed and bed bench, a carpet that covered the stone floor, a square-shaped table with four chairs, a desk alone the east wall, and a cozy couch along the west wall. It was perfect.

Though it was quite the climb up the staircase.

"What are your plans for today, Your Majesty?" Dawa asked, leaning against the desk.

"Figuring out breakfast," Astraea said around a laugh as she tied her boots. She looked at her assist. "I hope it wasn't difficult for you to abandon Potsfurt at this time."

"His Highness Prince Brendan is currently occupying the city so I believe they should be okay. Potsfurt got along just fine without me during my first stint as your assist."

Astraea stood up and brushed herself off. "I'm impressed you were able to cross Giant's Passage with that large gap. Musashi couldn't even cross it."

"Truthfully I didn't really think it through, Your Majesty," Dawa admitted. "I was approaching your siblings and the others when I heard that you were trapped on this side with werewolves. I ended up panicking and took off across the bridge. It wasn't so bad navigating broken sections when there was debris I could jump to, but..." her brow furrowed, and she rubbed at her temple with her fingers. "I—ah—overestimated my abilities when I reached that gap."

"Y-You almost died?! Astraea exclaimed, hurrying over to her.

Dawa looked towards the floor. "...I thought I could jump and use my whip to grab hold of the opposite rail. I was wrong."

"T-Then how did you make it?!"

"The big 'wolf," Dawa said, meeting her gaze. I fell into the water, but when Lord Mahihkan saw me fall in he jumped in after me and pulled me out. Well...he pulled me out by transforming into that giant wolf. Then we rushed here to give you aid."

Astraea nodded. "Then I owe him doubly; one for helping me and one for helping you."

"I will fulfill my debt to him on my own, Your Majesty," Dawa said. "I—" she glanced out the window beside her and paused. Her brow furrowed again. "Someone's approaching the castle."

"Someone?" Astraea moved to the window and looked out. She saw Viktor walking up the path to the castle, followed by a figure dressed in black. The figure didn't look like they were walking; they looked like they were floating. Astraea opened the window and leaned out. "Viktor!" she called out. "Who is that with you?"

"No clue, Your Majesty!" Viktor shouted up to her. "She just showed up out of nowhere and demanded to see you!"

"And you're bringing her here?!" Dawa shouted out the window beside Astraea.

The figure paused, and when Astraea blinked she was gone. Viktor stopped and spun around, yelling in confusion to see her gone.

"There you are."

The sudden voice came from behind Astraea and Dawa. Astraea turned to see a woman dressed in a black cloak standing behind her. Dawa immediately threw herself between Astraea and the unknown woman and drew her bullwhip. "Intruder!" she shouted, and started swinging her whip.

"Halt," the woman said sharply, raising her hand. In that moment Astraea saw an...aura surrounding the woman and her body trembled by the sudden surge of power that shook her. "Wait, Dawa!" she blurted out.