Suikoden VII

Chapter Seven: Part Three

Note: Sorry for the delay; I had to take a break a few times writing this chapter. And while I was writing this part I ended up restructuring all of Chapter Seven and Chapter Eight. But I feel the flow of the story is going to be better with the changes.

—

Chapter Seven: Part Three

Astraea didn't realize she had collapsed to the floor. All around her was a chorus of voices screaming, "WHAT?!" and, "NO!". Astraea's vision swam and the air burned. It didn't feel like she could breathe.

No no no no no, Philomena—!

"What do you mean?!" Brendan had lunged forward and grabbed Taiwo by his collar, shaking him slightly. "What do you mean she's dead?!"

"T-The King!" Elly wailed, lifting her head. Tears were still spilling down her cheeks and scrubbed at her face with her coat sleeves. "He did it, he killed her!"

"That can't be!" Sigrun cried out. She wrung a hand through her hair and she shook her head furiously. "No, you're wrong!"

"She's telling the truth—" Taiwo began.

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Sigrun shrieked, tears visibly stinging her eyes. "The King would NEVER do that! H-He loves Philomena more than he ever loved any of us!"

"This is a mistake," Denzel whispered, his eyes wide and darting around the room frantically. He looked at Musashi helplessly. "This is a mistake, right?" he asked his assist as though he knew the answer.

"You both need to tell us what happened," Vahan whispered, stepping forward and raising a hand. "What—How is Philomena dead?"

Taiwo shook his head. "I didn't see the whole thing," he confessed. "Only the end of it. But she—" he gestured to Elly. "Miss Drake saw everything."

All eyes shifted to Elly, who was trying and failing to regain her composure. Brendan let Taiwo go and rounded upon her. "Talk," he snapped. "What happened to Philomena?"

Elly struggled to speak but lack the energy to speak. Brendan grabbed her by her arms. "Tell me what happened to my sister!" he screamed in her face, his voice half-rage and half-sob.

"Whoa, WHOA!" Viktor shouted, physically inserting himself between Brendan and Elly. "Check yourself, Prince! You do NOT manhandle women like that!"

"You stay out of this!" Brendan snapped, pointing a finger at him.

Viktor narrowed his eyes. "I may have only one arm, but I can still kick your ass!"

Yasmine reached her charge's side. She spoke softly to Brendan, but whatever she said did not quell his anger. The half-siblings looked on helplessly. Janna and Wenke were both crying, Conall, Gopal, and Erment were grim-faced, and Rufino was pacing back and forth helplessly. Kerime, usually so stoic, had a helpless look on his face. Astraea scrambled to her feet, though her knees knocked together. "ENOUGH!" she shouted.

The main hall fell eerily silent, save for the sounds of sobs. Astraea swallowed thickly and ducked her head. "Erment," she said. "Please go and get Dawa for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Erment said, and he took off running for her tower. Astraea blinked rapidly to keep her vision clear and she looked at Daunte, who was watching the proceedings with a somber expression. "Lord Daunte."

"I understand," he said, nodding. "If she is willing—" he nodded towards Elly. "Then I will retrieve the memory. But I would...suggest we go somewhere much more private."

"Agreed," Sigrun said.

They moved to the familiar sitting room, the half-siblings distributing to different couches. Dawa joined them in the room, as did Ferdinand. Daunte sat down in his usual spot and Elly sat across from him. She was no longer crying but she looked visibly numb. "If you are all right with this, Miss," Daunte said to her. "I can retrieve the memory of this—horrible event and show it to Her Majesty."