Suikoden VII

Chapter Eight: Part Three

Chapter Eight: Part Three

Astraea and Dawa went back up to the war room to assemble the party, but to Astraea's shock David wasn't waiting there for them. Elly stood in David's spot. She smiled and waved to them. "Hello, Your Majesty! I'll help you assemble your party in place of Sir David."

Astraea was taken aback, and she was ashamed to feel a little disappointed. She contemplated if she should ask Elly where David was or focus on the task at hand. She contemplated for a few moments as she approached the Strategist and decided on what to say. "Where is David?"

"The Silverberg said he had something to take care of and asked me to help in his place," Elly said. Her smile slipped a little. "Is that all right, Your Majesty?"

"Of course it is," Astraea said quickly, raising her hands reassuringly. "I was just surprised. David said he would assemble my party like he usually does."

"He's acting of his own accord," Dawa growled, her expression hardening. "Who does he think he is? Making his own plans without even consulting the Queen he pledged to serve?!"

"Dawa, I will take care of this when we come back," Astraea told her sternly. She looked at Elly. "When we do come back, tell David I'm summoning him for a meeting. Make sure he knows that's an order he can't ignore."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Astraea was uneasy. David wasn't a constant presence at her side, but he had always seemed available to her when she needed help. His empathy and understanding helped her in so many difficult situations. Now he seemed to be doing everything in his power to keep himself occupied so he didn't have to be around her.

He must be angry with me about something, she rationalized. There's no other reason why he would avoid being around me. I'm the leader of this Army and he's my Chief Strategist. We have to look like a united front at all times. If he's doing all he can to avoid me, it's to maintain the appearance of the united front despite his anger towards me. I'll secure the alliance with the Forest Pixies and the Elves and then get to the bottom of this.

"Who would you like to take with you on this trip?" Elly asked, drawing Astraea's attention back to her.

"I will be going," Dawa said automatically.

"Ah, yes, Dawa is coming," Astraea said. "And Brownie has also said he wants to come and meet with the Forest Pixies."

Elly's brow rose. "With how negatively that House Pixie talks about the Forest Pixies, I would think he would want to avoid them."

"Don't speak of me as though I'm not here!" Brownie breezed into the room and grew big, his eyes flashing. "I will meet those bastards and demand that they help us!"

Elly glanced at Astraea. "Ah...will you be taking Donauwelle and Eggie with you as well, Your Majesty?"

"In the support party," Astraea said. "For the main party Viktor has asked to come with us this time. That means Gwenette will be coming with us as well, so the last person—"

"I'm coming with you."

The sharp voice cut through the air. Astraea couldn't help but jump and slowly turned towards the stairs. Kion approached the table, his expression grim. "I will be accompany you on this mission, Astraea," he said curtly. "I'm proficient in diplomacy, though not to the extent of Brendan. I will act as a dignitary with you with the Forest Pixies."

Astraea swallowed hard. "Y...You want to help me, Kion?"

Kion narrowed his eyes. "If I had no intention of ever helping you, then I would not have joined you. Or do you intend on me being a prop in this castle, Astraea?"