Suikoden VII

Chapter Three: Part Eight

Chapter Three: Part Eight

Two days later...

Potsfurt

"Your Highness." Yasmine quickly entered the dining room holding an envelope. Brendan knew what she was about to say though before she continued. He would recognize the seal on the envelope anywhere. "This came from Blutkrieger, from His Majesty The King."

Brendan took the letter and quickly read it. The words on the page made his stomach clench and his throat tighten. He clenched his jaw and stood. "I'm being summoned back to the Capital."

Yasmine's brow rose in shock. "I see," she said. "Shall we call the deputy to oversee the city again?"

"We have no choice. His Majesty didn't specify what defenses to leave Potsfurt with." Without another word he stormed out of the dining room and towards the stairs.

Yasmine took a moment to glower at the letter before hurrying after his charge.

—

Blutkrieger

Three days later...

Kerime looked upon his charge with trepidation. "Are you sure about this, Your Highness?"

Vahan nodded, straightening his shoulders as he surveyed himself in the mirror. There didn't seem to be a day that went by anymore where he wasn't suiting up for battle. Now, though...now he was doing it to make a statement. He looked at Kerime. "I'm giving you an out. You don't need to follow me with this. I'll release you from your duty if you think I'm making the wrong choice."

Kerime narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "I'm going to support you to the very end, Your Highness. That is the oath I made when I became your assist. Out of all my siblings, you are the one who had treated me like a true brother. Because of you, I do not feel illegitimate. I feel like one of your full-blooded siblings."

Vahan reached out and clapped him on the shoulder. "That's because you are my brother," he said firmly. "You're more of a brother to me than my full-blooded brothers. That will never change, Kerime."

Kerime's naturally hard expression softened slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"But we should be prepared," Vahan said, his tone sobering. "His Majesty has summoned Brendan back here, in addition to the Lordships and Ladyship from all around Zelant. I do not know if this is because of our conflict with the Bianca Alliance or—whatever it is Astraea is currently doing. But with this many witnesses present now is the time for me to act."

"...The package," Kerime said. "The one that arrived nearly a week ago. They said that it came from—her."

Vahan frowned. "Perhaps. Whoever it came from, Sir Albert is hiding it."

Having worked daily with the Intelligence Bureau, Vahan had seen firsthand the ever-building frustration amongst the agents that not only was intel not being actively shared with them, but it was being suppressed from being shared with them. Vahan shared in their frustration, as it felt like they were lacking a lifeline with all the conflicts that were going on. How were they supposed to deal with war with the Alliance, and Astraea's treason, if the very people who were supposed to be collecting intelligence were being prevented from doing their jobs?

Something didn't feel right. Vahan didn't quite know what was wrong, but he didn't like it. He didn't like the secrecy from his father or Sir Albert, especially when both were expecting him to put his life on the line to defend their country. So after careful deliberations, Vahan had come to a difficult decision. Something strange was going on. And if his own father wasn't going to tell him...