Suikoden VII

Chapter Four: Part Two

Note: Sorry for the delay, I fell sick this weekend. I hate falling sick before holidays, especially Christmas.

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Chapter Four: Part Two

"Who will you take with you in your active party, Your Majesty?" David asked.

"I'm coming," Dawa insisted.

"We know," Denzel said amusedly.

Astraea looked around the room for a moment before looking back at David. "I need four more people to complete my party, so I'll bring Sigrun, Ferdinand, Lord Richard, and Viki with me this time."

"Aww Astraea, you're so cruel to leave me behind!" Denzel wailed, pretending to sob as he hugged her from behind. "How could you abandon your Big Brother like that?!"

"You'll manage," Sigrun scolded him, though she appeared to be smiling against her will. "When would you like to leave, Astraea?"

"It's still early, so let's head out now," Astraea said. "After I meet with Mahihkan, I'll start off with the nearest town to look for recruits."

Sigrun immediately sobered. "Astraea. The closest town to us is Alfsberg to the west. That's Lord Reilly's lordship seat."

Astraea grimaced. Lord Reilly Krieger was the father of Darko. Astraea remembered seeing Darko fall during the Massacre of Innocents, and she knew that Reilly had loved his son dearly. And she knew that if Sarka had believed in the lies about her...then so did Reilly.

"I know," she said after a moment. "But I can't tiptoe around the cities of Zelant. If I'm able to best the King—"

"When you're able to best the King," David corrected her.

Astraea smiled reflexively when he said that. "When I best the King, I want to show that I'm not afraid. I want the people to see me. So even if it's risky, I will go to Alfsberg. If Lord Reilly wants to challenge, I will meet him head-on. And I will tell him the truth of what happened to his son."

"Then it's even better for you to stay home, Prince," Viktor said amusedly. "When people look for Her Majesty, they will be expecting her brother and sister to be with here. Fewer royals together will draw less attention."

"Everyone is here whom you chose for the active party, Your Majesty," David said. "Feel free to set out whenever you like. I will be here for you to speak with when you are finished with your recruitment quest."

"Thank you, David." Astraea nodded to the group. "Is everyone ready?"

"Whenever you are, Astraea," Sigrun said.

"I am," Ferdinand said.

"I haven't been Aifsberg in a while," Richard mused. "I'll distract Lord Reilly if need be."

"I-I'm ready," Viki said.

"I'm ready," Dawa said more assertively.

"Oh, before you go," David said, hurrying to a table along the west wall. A large bag was resting there, and Astraea realized that it was the bag that David kept the dragon egg he had purchased. "Just in case, take this with you."

"All right." Astraea swung the bag across her body.

"I'll walk you guys to the city gates, at least," Denzel sighed dramatically.

Everyone began to file out of the war room and down the stairs. David lingered to clean up the table. Viktor lingered to speak to him. "You're awfully chummy with the future queen," Viktor observed.

"I pledged myself to her service," David said, glancing up briefly. "And I'm the Tenki Star. Traditionally they are the Chief Strategist to the Tenkai Star. I need to support her."