"The central figure in any successful war is not a hero and not a
leader.  It is the ideals held by all those who rally behind the cause,
and they are far more powerful than any man or woman could hope to be. 
Those who lead by force of their personality will see their goals die
with them, but those who turn over their egos to service of a cause will
find power beyond their dreams."
				--General Klaus


                 Rocketarian Pictures presents
                in association with Improfanfic

                   Suikoden: Distant Shores
              started by Illyria and Todd Harper

                   Part 11: A Banner to Wave
                           by Illyria


	The pale blue shadows of daybreak stretched long before the party as
they approached the ruins.  Hoof beats and footsteps slowed as they
approached the moss and ivy-covered structure, its doorway visible only
if one knew to look for it and not assume the mound before them was a
natural creation.

	"How long has this been abandoned?" Tavia wondered aloud as she slid
off her horse, one of the few they'd been able to capture running loose
in the forest after the surprise attack.  Alouette followed suit, his
hard-soled boots barely making a sound as he landed on the soggy ground.

	"Not as long as it looks," Alyssa explained, walking up to it.  "The
Sindar in this area would often disguise their structure's entrances, so
that they'd blend in to the surroundings after only a few years of
growth.  Around back, where it's harder to see, I bet it's a lot more
open and civilized-looking."  At her words, a sopping clump of moss
dropped from the entrance above, landing with a soft squish at her feet.
 She wrinkled her nose.  "Or not."

	"I do hope we do not stay here long," Alouette commented, toeing a
branch into a mud puddle.  "These are certainly not suitable
accommodations, especially for you, mon capitan."

	"I... am tired," Pane gasped as he sank with his pack onto the
marshy soil.  Alouette looked simultaneously shocked and envious of the
boy's casual relaxation, shortly before he attempted to remove a mud
stain from his outfit simply by brushing at it furiously.

	"All the soldiers we found are here," Baren proclaimed as he walked
in at the head of a group of haggard-looking troops.  "All twelve of
them."

	Tavia winced.  "G... good work, Baren.  I guess we wait, then.  I
suppose we should look around?"  A soft tap on her shoulder drew her
attention, and she turned to see Alouette.  She flashed a questioning
look at him.

	"Forgive my impertinence," he quietly said, "but I always heard my
grandfather talk of armies serving on their stomachs.  Perhaps it would
be wise to let a few rest up, and then see if we could not trade a horse
for food for us and those who will be joining our fine feté?  I am sure
they will bring more mounts with them."

	Working over this, Tavia slowly nodded, chiding herself for not
thinking of the logistical aspects of the current events.  "Everyone,
Aloue-"  She caught him shaking his head discreetly at her, and she
slowly continued, "Everyone, I know you're tired and hungry.  One can't
be remedied without the other, so I'd like everyone to get some sleep,
and then a few of you will go out to obtain some supplies.  We have six
horses, one should be enough to trade to feed us all and leave plenty
for when the rest of our troops begin to find this place."

	Alyssa poked her head out of an archway which she'd freshly cleared
of hanging vines.  "There's a sheltered area in here that'll do fine for
sleeping in.  Until I figure out how to open the main door, anyways."

	The troops, cheered at the prospect of sheltered sleep and imminent
food, bustled past the blonde girl into the ruins.  Pane soon followed
them in, knees nearly buckling under the weight he'd once again hoisted.

	Tavia, feeling a bit bolstered by how easily they'd taken her
suggestions -- or orders -- let a smile creep onto her face.  It did the
men good to feel even slightly more at ease.

	The sound of Alyssa jogging up behind her caught her attention, and
Tavia turned to greet her.  "I got the entrance open.  Should we explore
it some?"

	Stifling a yawn, Tavia nodded and walked up to Alyssa's side.  "Yes,
we should see if there are any rooms more suited for sleeping that this
entryway.  For..."  She could no longer hold back a yawn.  "For the
troops, you know.  Alouette, come on, we're going to explore the ruins."

	He dropped into a quick bow, then sauntered up to stand between the
two young women.  "Of course, mon capitan.  I live to serve."

	"How'd you get this open, anyways?" Tavia wondered aloud as they
stepped through the black doorway.

	"Treasure hunter's secret," Alyssa flippantly replied as she lit a
torch.

	"Your hands, mademoiselle, they are covered in dust," Alouette noted
with a smirk as he looked at two subtle hand-shaped carvings in the
elaborate wall designs.

	"...Let's go in further, shall we?"

	The light of the torch seemed to barely stretch beyond to their feet
as the trio slowly progressed down the massive stone hall.  Tavia
fingered her sai nervously, anxiety growing with each step.  Military
training could only teach so much, and what she'd learned from reading
adventure novels under the covers at night was that ancient ruins always
but always contained some sort of sealed demon.  Or vengeful ghost.  Or-

	A sound of whistling air came darting towards her head, and Tavia
instinctively brought her sai up to block.  The sound of Alouette doing
the same with his rapier eased her anxiety just a bit.

	A moment passed, and the sound of two soft thumps could be heard on
the paving stones.  Light suddenly filled the room, and Tavia quickly
shielded her eyes until they could become accustomed to it.

	Alyssa looked over at them from where she'd dipped the torch in a
shallow trough of lamp oil.  "You two certainly gave those fruit bats
what for."

	Tavia and Alouette blinked, then looked down at the small forms at
their feet.  Blushes spread across both their faces.

	"Aha... well... better to be safe than sorry!" Alouette proclaimed,
lifting his rapier and brandishing it with a turn of his wrist.

	"You're right to be on the lookout, though."  Alyssa craned her head
towards the ceiling, its wide stone beams barely visible even in the
increased light.  "Sindar ruins are prone to infestations."  She leaned
back against the wall, a smile of reminiscence appearing.  "I should
tell you about the time Alaric and I fought off an entire pack of-"

	A moment later, Alyssa found herself gasping for breath as Alouette
landed heavily atop her, forcing her to the ground and dragging Tavia
down with him.  Both girl's eyes traveled up the wall to the row of
arrows that had embedded themselves deep into the stone.  "...or there
could just be traps."

	"Oh, wonderful," Tavia muttered as she slowly rose to her feet. 
"I'd rather face monsters.  At least you can see them coming."

	Alyssa leaned in close to the wall to inspect the symbols engraved
in the stones.  "Well, the one I pressed against was 'Greetings.'  Cute.
 I think I can translate the rest of them... are we thirsty, cold, or
tired?"

	"Let me guess.  Flood the room, set fire to it, or ... well, I have
to say that I don't know what 'tired' would do."  Tavia pondered.  "Any
ideas?"

	"A good host greets his guests, lets them in from the cold, then
serves dinner and wine before they sleep," Alouette offered.  "That
would seem the proper order to me."

	Alyssa shrugged.  "Makes as much sense as anything."

	"Wait, Alyssa!" Tavia cried as the blonde pressed firmly against the
symbol for "cold."  She flashed her a look of irritation.  "I really
hope we're not about to put our skills at outrunning flames to.. the...
test..."

	Tavia's mouth slowly dropped open.  She was dimly aware of Alyssa
and Alouette having struck the same expression.  Above them, great
granite slabs were sliding into slots in the ceiling, opening the area
to the autumn sky above.  The rumbling slowly stopped, leaving behind
three dumbstruck teens.

	"No rich man's heart remains hard when faced with hunger, and no
poor man's heart remains cold when winter gives way," Alyssa quietly
recited, looking at the sun above.  The two glanced at her, but her gaze
remained affixed to the sun.  "A Sindar saying," she finally explained. 
"I understand the ties, now.  To greet your guests was to show
disrespect, as you should bring them into your house as a family member,
with no special fanfare.  They found other cultures odd that way.  I
guess they wanted to punish anyone who found their way in here and
thought they should be greeted."

	"They almost did," Tavia quietly said, still staring around her. 
The room they were in was actually a courtyard, with a covered stone
well in the middle.  Around the perimeter lay barracks and a few empty
buildings, perhaps for storage.  The only exit was the archway through
which they'd passed.  Looking up, she saw that a walkway around the edge
of the walls had been created by the former ceiling blocks, but, as had
been evident from the inspection outside, there were no defensive
towers.

	Alouette confirmed her thoughts.  "This is not a place I would wish
to be attacked in.  Little offense, and its good defensive structure is
hampered by a lack of alternate exit.  Were any sort of missile or magic
attack to be launched, we would all be in trouble."

	"First things first," Alyssa firmly said, pushing on another symbol.
 The stone top for the well folded in on itself and slid away.  "The men
need sleep, and we've plenty of room in here for all of them.  And many
more, when they come.  This ruin looks just fine for sleeping in."

	Tavia slowly nodded.  "I'll give the word.  Do you think the 'tired'
symbol brings out some beds for the barracks?" she asked as her hand
advanced on the fourth and last stone.

	"The best sleep," Alyssa said as she reached out and caught Tavia's
wrist, "comes from death."

	Tavia's hand jerked away.  "Aha... ah... alright, then.  Those
Sindar certainly were a pleasant group, weren't they?"

	"You've no idea.  A shame, it doesn't look like this place held any
treasures.  This was," at this description, Alyssa's expression became
even more hangdog, "just an outpost."

	"Ah, mademoiselle, do not be sad.  Come, I will comfort you."

	Deciding to take her leave, Tavia quickly set off for the entrance. 
Some fights were Alyssa's alone.

*  *  *  *  *

	Tavia tried to will herself to sleep for the fifth time that
evening.  She'd been exhausted all day, but there was business that
required attention.  Now that the troops were settled, warnings
prominently posted on anything Alyssa deemed a risk, and food on its way
back from nearby farms, she should have been able to drift off to a very
deserved night of slumber.  Should, however, is a deceitful word.

	Starlight filtered into her second-story room, as bright as a lamp
when coupled with the nearly-full moon.  Her eyes came to rest on a
stone chair at the other end of the room, the only furnishings besides
the pallet someone had scrounged up for her to sleep on.  

	Neatly folded at its base was her Academy uniform, or what remained
of it.  Between all the scrapes and rips it had suffered, to say nothing
of having a sabre plunged through it, the symbol of her pride as a
Heimdall student was useless as anything but rags and bandages.  Someone
had found her some spare clothes: a deep crimson short-sleeved tunic,
worked in white along the cuffs, and some baggy black pants.  A faint
pattern of tigers ran along the collar of the tunic, picked out in
yellow thread. The pants were on the large side for her, but they were
serviceable, and that was more important than a perfect fit; a blue
scarf, given by one of the soldiers, served to keep them in place when
tied around her waist.

	It was a fine outfit.  It was even an attractive outfit.  But it
pained her to know that was the outfit she would now wear, and that it
was not her Academy uniform that would stand before the troops tomorrow.

	A soft noise outside her window drew her attention, and she leaned
up.  "Alouette?  Is that you?"

	Her door slowly opened, and the man in question popped his head in. 
"Oh, my apologies, mon capitan.  I was just proceeding to my room.  I
did not mean to wake you."

	She shook her head.  "I wasn't asleep.  Al... Alouette? Could you
come here for a moment?  There's something I'd like to ask you."

	"Ah, well, it is unseemly to walk in on a lady in her bedclothes..."

	"Get in here," she demanded.  He complied.  For a moment, she
struggled to find the right way to ask her question, finally settling on
straight-forward.  "Could you tell me about your grandfather?  What he's
like as a person?"

	"My grandfather is... my grandfather is... my grandfather." 
Alouette looked at Tavia's blank face and held up a hand.  "Give me a
moment, this task is proving more difficult than I thought.  Ah, well...
he is a very strong-willed man.  He gives an order, and expects it to be
obeyed without question.  Unless he's in service of someone he respects,
in which case he expects their orders to be obeyed without question. 
Even as a boy, I could tell which nobles he respected and which he did
not, for those who'd earned such were never once questioned by him."  An
odd look came across the young man's face, and his gaze dropped
slightly.  "My grandfather does not give respect easily."

	Unsure how far into Alouette's personal history to tread, Tavia
nodded slowly.  "I see.  Thank you, Alouette."

	"I go on too much.  I must ask, though... what are you really asking
about, mon capitan?"

	Deciding requesting he not call her that would be a futile
proposition, Tavia quietly replied, "Do you think he'll want to take
everything over when he gets here?"

	There was a short pause.  "Do you wish him to?"

	"I... don't know.  I don't think so.  I don't think the troops would
want him to.  They don't really like him all that much."  A worried
expression crossed Tavia's face as she realized her unintentional
insult.  "I'm sure they would if they got to know him."

	A low chuckle was her response.  "No need to worry.  He's said many
times that he only feels complete with someone to report to.  Were it
not for that, I doubt he would have agreed to serve a cause like
Senrou's... I do believe he considered it a foolish one, in his heart,
but he was too willing to serve again to refuse.  He only expected to
serve in the capacity of protecting Bristow, after all.  And very few
troops ever like him.  He cares more that they respect and carry out his
orders."

	Tavia sighed and dropped her head onto her folded arms.  "Okay. 
Thank you, Alouette.  Good night."

	"Good night, mon capitan."

*  *  *  *  *

	"I see them!"

	Tavia looked up at Pane's voice.  In the distance, she could barely
make out the slowly advancing forms of General la Lanterne, Reid, and
the rest as they approached in the late afternoon sunlight.  She sighed,
relieved.  She'd been worried they'd run into trouble along the way.

	It had been a long, uneasy day waiting for them to arrive.  A long
two days, really, but at least the prior one had been filled somewhat
with obtaining food and exploring the ruins.  Tavia decided she did not
like waiting for something with no word of its status.

	"Greetings!" Renard's voice bellowed out as he approached the
fortress.  "You certainly picked an awkward place to travel to."

	Waiting until he grew closer to respond, Tavia let her gaze wander
over the party.  Beyond a sizable contingent of troops, there was
Lierni, Alaric, Kyrina and Daniel behind la Lanterne and Reid.  All
seemed in good health, if somewhat tired and confused.
	
	In short time, the general was before Tavia, looking down at her
from atop his mount.  "Glad to see you're all doing fine.  Alaric and
Kyrina came and retrieved us all from Bristow, talking some foolishness
about ruins and attacks and... well,  something about Senrou, but he
said he'd rather wait for you to tell me in person.  Were it not for the
two of them nearly killing the horse they shared from the pace they set,
I wouldn't have believed them.  It seemed rather unlikely, but..."  He
shrugged, and motioned to the forest.  "We told the troops stationed in
Bristow the general location we'd be meeting at, though Alaric here
couldn't give us enough specifics to pin it down exactly."

	The fine-featured boy shot a glare at the general as he pulled up
beside him, but it barely counted as fierce.  "Considering this is a
place I've never been to before, and that hasn't been seen by human eyes
for decades, I think I did pretty well."

	A perturbed glare was held by the general for a moment longer, then
he chuckled at Alaric.  "Don't be so defensive, boy.  You did fine.  So,
what is this place you've brought us to?" he asked as he landed on the
ground, handing his reins to the nearest convenient figure.

	Alouette looked down at the reins.  "Ah, greetings, grandfather."  A
heavy 'thump,' later, and Alouette's muffled voice asked, "And may I
take your coat?"

	"Alaric told us of where he expected this place to be," Renard
explained to Tavia as he joined her in walking.  "Tensions are growing
in Bristow, especially between the troops and the citizens.  And, well,
between Werner and everyone else.  It seemed prudent to have the
soldiers journey here, and resolve what we could in that regards within
the town.  I'm pleased to say that some cadets decided to join the
soldiers."

	Tavia nodded.  "Where are they now?"

	"Without specific directions, Alaric and I gave them a general
location to go to.  They'll be filtering into the area shortly, and
sweeps of the forest should be able to round them up."

	"Kyrina would be ideal for that.  I'll ask her to set them up." 
Tavia swallowed hard, forcing out the question she'd been wondering
about all day.  "General... with Senrou dead..."

	"I'd assumed he was dead, yes."  Renard's face clouded slightly, but
he shook the expression off.  "I believe I know what you're asking,
girl.  The troops respond well to you, and that's important to revive
their morale."

	Tavia let out a sigh of relief... not that she'd wanted control, but
a struggle for it between anyone would only divide the troops further. 
"Thank you, General.  Your support is greatly appreciated."

	"I said I would help the army," he replied with a slight shrug. 
"And... someone's coming."

	Nearly a half-dozen people leapt to readiness as the soft sucking
sound of someone approaching through the marsh filtered into the camp. 
It was only a moment later that Tavia realized she was one of them, and
forced her uneasiness down as much as was possible in this unpleasant
situation.

	"Anyone around?  I was sure they were gathered here..."  The female
voice descended into thoughtful muttering as the group flashed
questioning looks at each other.

	"She's alone and letting us know of her presence," Renard summarized
as he sheathed his sword.  "It would appear that we have a peaceful
visitor."

	Tavia slowly nodded, but kept her sai tight in her hands,
regardless.  The last layer of branches surrounding their clearing were
suddenly broken by a hand poking through them, alternately pushing and
flinching as pine needles poked it. With an ungraceful stumble, the
figure itself finally wound through the barrier, nearly taking a header
into the standing water below.

	"Blasted sap.  It'll be on my hand for a day.  Oh!"  She extended
said sap-covered hand towards Tavia, who'd taken a few cautious steps
forward.

	She slowly reached out and clasped the girl's hand, shaking somewhat
hesitantly.  "Er, hello.  And you are?"

	The newcomer certainly didn't look to be a threat.  Golden brown
hair was tied in a short ponytail at the nape of her neck, streaked with
lighter highlights that spoke of blond hair that had darkened with age. 
Wide greyish-green eyes met hers with no fear; instead, a sense of
friendly curiosity lay behind them.  Well-made but simple traveling
clothes in tans and blues made up her outfit, with the hands that
protruded beyond the silk tunic stained at the fingertips with the mark
of a scholar.  Tavia blinked.  Some of her professors hadn't even worked
enough with literature to get those ink stains, and she wouldn't put
this girl's age over sixteen or seventeen.

	"Do you know anything about Bristow?  Or Falling Star Ranch?"

	Her hand jerked back, suspicion clouding her face.  "Why do you
ask?"

	"Oh... oh, sorry.  I should explain why I'm asking."  She smiled. 
"My name's Charlotte, and I'm a cartographer.  I'd heard about where to
find those places, and what to expect, but when I got there..."  An
exasperated sigh upwards blew a few wisps of hair hanging over her
forehead into fluttering.  "I hate war.  You can never count on places
to remain where they should be."

	"How did you know to come here?" Reid asked, taking a step forward. 
His hand rested on his hilt, tense with the threat of violence.

	"You all made tracks, and where there's tracks, there's a location
to record at the end of them.  You're really good, though, I almost
didn't see them!"  Charlotte flashed a reassuring smile at Reid and
Tavia.  "I don't think too many people would have noticed them.  I've
had an awful lot of practice with traveling.  And don't worry... your
troops will get more skilled, too."

	Reid finally took his hand off his hilt, his distrust turning into
apprehensive curiosity.  Charlotte took that as a prompt to relax and
let her leather traveling bag fall with a soft thump to the ground.  "I
hope you don't mind if I stay with you tonight.  I have my own food, of
course, but after passing through the mountains, it would be nice to
stay around some semblance of civilization."

	Renard took a short step forward.  "You've come through one of the
passes?  And you have maps of the range?"

	Charlotte drew herself up proudly.  "I never leave an area without a
good map of it.  If I can't go visit a place myself, I'll find every
last bit of information I can about its placement before I move on."

	"Excellent... excellent..."  La Lanterne nodded thoughtfully to
himself, his gaze moving off toward the snow-capped mountains in the
distance.  "Please come with me, and I'll tell you anything you wish to
know about the recent events.  Bring your maps."

	As the duo walked off, Reid approached Tavia.  "I'm glad to see
you're all right.  Where is Senrou?"

	There was a short pause, and Tavia slowly started walking, motioning
for him to follow.  "I have some things to tell you."

*  *  *  *  *

	Davon's eyebrow raised nearly to the roof of the tent. 
"Interesting."

	A red-haired figure tumbled out of her bed, blinking in confusion. 
"How long have you been here?"

	Ignoring her question, he proceeded flipping through the papers in
his hands, expression shifting from word to word.  Adele finally rose to
her feet and stormed over, snatching them from him.  "I assume you came
to deliver this message to me, then?"  He simply nodded, a slight smile
appearing.  "Well, I guess you'll know from now on not to go through
anything I've yet to read."

	"Of course, of course.  My apologies."

	Adele waved him away, thumbing through the stack.  "Oh... it's from
General Nevenheim."  Her voice caught on the last word, and she forced
it through a tightening throat.  The general would not be pleased with
her failure at Bristow, despite the successful surprise attack at the
keep.  She did not wish to disappoint Aisha.

	"Are you sure about that?" Davon asked, voice innocent.

	She flashed an irritated look at her assistant before inspecting the
papers more closely.  "Oh... it's not from her, it's just the seal of
the Council."  She paused, frowning.  "Why would they send me a message?
 I just report to General Nevenheim."

	Davon shrugged.  "Who knows why politicians do anything?  I imagine
we could make it back in a day if we brought some extra horses."

	"I suppose we could, yes... should we wear out mounts, though?  They
didn't say it was urgent."

	"Always assume it is.  No one will ever be disappointed to see
you've completed a task sooner than expected."

	Adele pondered that.  "That is an excellent point, Davon.  Prepare
the horses, then, and tell the next person in command to take control of
the squadron until my return or further notice."

	He gave a quick bow.  "As you command."

	The tent flaps closed behind him, and Adele was left alone with her
thoughts.  She would soon be found out.  Why hadn't Tavia died? 
Everything would have been fine if she'd died with the knowledge she
held, never to share with the world what Adele had done.  And Lierni. 
Lierni would have to be taken care of, though not until after Tavia was
dropped.  But both of them had to go, or they'd start telling their
lies.  Their jealous lies, because they did not have the honor and
bravery of Malespoirs-

	Adele clutched her head.  She was developing a headache, and they
would be leaving before the next dawn.  Perhaps it would be wise to rest
before her journey.

*  *  *  *  *

	"Reid, are you all right?"

	His grey eyes were clouded, staring off at nothing in particular in
the night sky.  Tavia cursed the darkness that had fallen during their
talk, wishing it wouldn't hide his expression.  She had no idea how he
would take Senrou's death.

	"I... am troubled.  That will pass, and I will be fine, but for now,
I'm troubled."

	Tavia let herself smile slightly at his understatement.  She'd often
wished she could even attempt to hide her feelings, but it would be nice
to do so without being as transparent as Reid.  It was a sad smile,
though, and one that quickly faded.  "Do... do you want to take his
place?"

	His gaze moved from the night sky to her eyes with sudden intensity,
one that startled Tavia.  He looked at her for a long moment
appraisingly, then slowly shook his head.  "I was raised to be a leader,
even though I know I'm not one.  I didn't have the freedom to choose
anything else, so I went and did all I could... I lent my support to
someone who was destined to be a leader, and someone who was fighting to
free everyone from the shackles of destinies imposed on them by others."

	A gentle smile appeared, barely visible in the night.  Tavia cursed
how they'd stopped in the courtyard, casting his face in shadows while
letting hers remain an open book.  "The problem with people imposing
destiny is that it often ignores what fate has decided.  If fate did not
have plans for you, you would not be bearing one of the True Runes.  If
you'll agree to lead this army, I will trust that your fate is to do so
and lead us to victory."

	Tavia traced her fingers slowly across the back of her hand, moving
them along the lines of her rune.  It seemed so simple and plausible
when Reid talked of it.

	"Remember what I said in the tent?"

	She looked curiously at him.

	"We're on the same side, Tavia.  I knew it then.  You weren't at
Heimdall because you wanted the prestige it carried... you really
thought it was a center of justice, founded by a nation of honor. 
Because that was the government you wished to see.  That's what I want,
as well."

	Tavia flickered her eyes down to the paving stones of the courtyard.
 Simple, plausible, but terrifying.

	"Ah, you two are here.  Please come in for a moment."

	The duo looked over to General la Lanterne, who was bearing a torch
and motioning them into a nearby room.  They looked at each other, then
proceeded in.

	A bevy of maps and scribbled papers were spread before the man on a
great stone slab, with a half-dozen torches mounted in the walls around
to cast away every shadow.  "I have found what I was looking for."

	Reid quirked an eyebrow at him.  "I wasn't aware that you were
looking for anything."

	A slow smile spread across the massive figure's face, one element of
an expression that looked increasingly detached from the present.  "I
have been there once, and never forgotten."

	Tavia cocked her head slightly to the side.  "Been where?"

	Renard jabbed a finger at one of Charlotte's maps.  After he removed
his thick digit, Tavia leaned in close towards the mark.  "Wha...
Whu..."

	The General blinked, then picked up the map.  "It would appear that
I smudged it.  I hope the girl doesn't mind."

	"You're talking about White Cloud, aren't you?"

	His stool, as sturdy as it was, creaked as Renard turned to smile at
Reid.  "I shouldn't be surprised that you've talked of it, with your
family's standing."

	Reid shook his head.  "It was a long time ago.  I'd think about it
when I would get roped into another bit of noble foolishness, but then,
anywhere but Kesshin often seemed attractive."  He frowned slightly. 
"But you can't be talking about that for..."  The general smiled and
nodded, and Reid's mouth dropped into a deeper frown.  "And how exactly
do you plan to get us all through the pass?"

	"Will someone please explain to me what you're talking about?" Tavia
demanded, stepping between them.  "Is it a city?  Odd name for one, if
it is."

	Renard settled back in his chair, his action suggesting that a
lengthy story was about to be told.  "It's not a city, it's a castle,
though it has a history long enough for a national capital.  It sits in
the border range between Leirstam and... well, Heresha, though it hasn't
been used since our state was called Tir Eselyn.  The national leaders
wished to have a neutral place where they could meet to discuss
policies, form treaties, and carry out all the other activities which
provided for peace between the two nations."

	He took a pull on his pipe before proceeding.  "A place was found, a
high plateau right on the border that had passes leading to both states.
 That a series of warm springs were where the plateau met the mountain
range simply made their job easier.  The castle was built around them,
providing both a water source and a way to heat it during the frigid
cold.  They spilled over from the castle itself to make a mountain lake,
completely surrounding it on the approach.  With mountains behind, it
reflected both them and the castle like silvered glass before tumbling
down through the range to form more waterfalls than can be counted.  The
beauty alone would have made it legendary."

	Catching himself before he progressed too far along the path of
reminiscence, Renard continued.  "Both nations were involved in its
construction, and both were determined to make their contributions even
more spectacular than the other's.  Rune masters developed a way to
weave Fire and Earth together, and the passes have remained clear even
in the dead of winter for more than 200 years.  Even though entire rooms
have surely collapsed by now, it's still a perfect place for any fight
for freedom to be made."

	The young blonde leaned forward, an irritated expression plain. 
"General, may I speak freely?"

	"Of course."

	"You're being sentimental.  There is no reason for us to risk travel
to some castle of legend when we have a perfectly good fortress
surrounding us."

	For a moment, Tavia thought la Lanterne would snap at the boy, a
fearful prospect considering their respective sizes.  A small smile was
all that appeared, thought, and his voice was gentle when he spoke. 
"You speak with the voice of inexperience, much like my son did.  And
with the brashness of my grandson."  He motioned grandly, his arm
encompassing the entirety of the ruins.  "How many men would fit in
here, Arondight?  Four thousand, or five, perhaps?  More importantly,
how many men would rally behind the cry of 'Come to the ruins?'"

	"Ruins need not stay ruins for long, and a force of five thousand in
a location not easily attacked are worth ten thousand in a place whose
location is known."

	"One torch set to the forest, and our death would surround us. 
Marshes do not make for an easy escape."

	"Having our army travel up into the mountains and leaving themselves
open on the way would be an even more sure invitation for death."

	The two men stared at each other, neither backing down, neither even
blinking.  With a sudden swiftness, they turned to Tavia.  "What do you
think, Tavia?" Reid asked, flicking his gaze occasionally towards la
Lanterne.

	"Ah... could I... could I see the map?"  The parchment scroll was
handed to her, and Tavia spread it, pressing so firmly against the table
below she feared she might rip the paper.  The needless force, though,
served to mask the shaking of her hands as she dealt with this new
feeling of command.  "I... so we're here?"  Renard nodded, and she
swallowed.  She wouldn't be able to delay making a decision very long. 
"And the castle is here... the pass would be here, which would require a
journey along this route... there don't appear to be settlements..."

	"The road to White Cloud has become nothing more than that over the
last two decades," the general offered.  "No trade cities, not even a
village along the way to see our progression."  Reid shot him a scowl.

	"I see.  I... I see."  Tavia blinked a few times, in the hopes the
lines on the map would find it in their hearts to rearrange themselves
in a manner that would make her path clear.  After giving them a few
moments to make this change, she inwardly sighed.  "All right."

	"You've made the decision?" Reid asked.

	Struggling still with the concept of "the" decision as opposed to
"her," decision, she nodded.  "Yes, I have.  This fortress is close to
where our troops were scattered, and Kyrina should be able to round most
if not all of them up with her sweeps."  A smile spread across Reid's
face, but one remained with Renard, as well.  "But... once our forces
are as strong as we think we can make them without risking attack here,
we'll move to White Cloud."

	Feeling the need to explain her decision, she turned to Reid.  "All
those cadets fought so hard because they were rallying behind the
Heimdall name.  I completely understand what you're saying, but we need
to replenish the number of troops we have, and it'll be harder to
convince people to leave their homes to journey to a ruin instead of a
historic castle."

	"Tavia, you don't have to explain."  The words themselves sounded
petulant, but Reid's tone was soft.  "Both sides had their points, you
made a decision, and it will be implemented.  You can't get into the
habit of offering explanations for every decision you make."

	Renard looked on approvingly.  He slapped his hands against his
thighs, then rose with a groan to his feet.  "Wonderful, wonderful!  We
should send a group to scout things out at the castle.  We'll need some
scouts who're comfortable with spending days on end out in the open...
and it may have become infested in the last two decades with any sorts
of creatures.  I think Baren and the twins would be a good choice.  I'll
give them the word."

	A sharp cough halted him in his tracks, and he turned to look at
Reid, who'd risen to his feet as well.  "I'm sure you meant to ask Tavia
who she thought would be the best to go, General."

	"...of course."  Renard turned expectantly to Tavia.  "Do you agree
that they would be the best choice?"

	A large lump decided to make its presence known in the petite
brunette's throat.  "Well, actually, if they need to get there quickly
and quietly, I think Kyrina should go.  I'd like to have someone really
tied to the cause going, and she certainly is.  And if they're just
scouting, they won't need Alyssa's Water Rune, and I think it would be
good to keep that here for any wounded troops we find.  Alyssa and Reid
could maintain the sweeps instead of Kyrina, and she, Baren, and Alaric
could go investigate the castle.  I mean, I trust Baren and the twins,
but one's a prisoner who changed sides and the others are mercenaries...
you know?"  She forced herself to take a deep breath after that lengthy
explanation, feeling a bit queasy at contradicting the more experienced
general.  "But that's just my opinion."

	"It's a good one," Reid encouraged.

	A heavy pause hung over the trio before Renard responded.  "Of
course.  And they are excellent choices, Miss Reinschild.  Shall I give
the three their orders?"  At her nod, he bowed quickly and took a quick
leave of the tent.

	After a moment more, Reid sighed and bowed his head.  Tavia glanced
at him.  "It was just a mistake, Reid.  And now it's fixed."

	"I... yes, certainly.  And he does have a point.  White Cloud has
easy access to major areas of population, and is easier to defend than
these ruins.  The castle could hold a major army, and this doesn't hold
enough to fend off a single division."

	"Well," Tavia cut in, feeling a stab of sorriness for Reid, "we can
certainly get some good use out of this place.  Sure, it's hard to get
to, but if some troops were quartered here when we need to make a quick
strike, it'd be a great place to launch them from!  Or if we wanted to
surround someone... they wouldn't expect to see soldiers coming in from
the forest, right?"

	Reid chuckled.  "I suppose so.  We'll get good use of this place,
certainly.  But Tavia... don't be afraid of hurting someone's feelings,
all right?  It can slow things down at inopportune times."  He stood and
favored her with one last smile.  "Good night.  I'll see you tomorrow."

	She watched him go, wondering again what she was getting into and
how in the world she'd been set on this path.  It was ridiculous.  It
was... it was like one of those adventure novels, the same type she'd
daydreamed about during classes.  Tavia sighed.  She needed a dose of
good hard reality.  She needed...

*  *  *  *  *

	"Yes, you are being foolish," Lierni said as she sipped her tea.  "I
don't suppose we have any lemon?"

	"No," Tavia dryly replied as she sniffed at her weak drink.  "We
didn't manage to bring along any lemons when we were bartering for
stores of flour and oats."

	"A pity."  Lierni took another draw at her tin cup, then set it down
with a faint clatter on the nearest crate. "As I was saying, you're
being foolish."

	"About what?" Tavia asked, fixing her attention on Lierni raptly. 
She was sure to cut straight to the heart of things, and all the fog
surrounding her path would be blown away in due swiftness.

	"Everything."

	Tavia's head dropped nearly between her knees.  She groaned, "Li,
you're not helping."

	"You don't believe you can take this position of command, and you're
letting that show in your face everywhere you go.  No one will follow a
commander they don't think has confidence in their own abilities.  You
spend your days wishing Adele was still a friend and Senrou was still
alive.  And everyone knows you have a thing for that Arondight boy."

	A sharp blast of air found its way out of Tavia's lungs.  That had
indeed been clear.  It had also been, unfortunately, correct.  "I wish
you'd spent a day or two outside the library to learn some tact."  At
the other girl's raised eyebrow, she admitted, "Okay, how to sugar-coat
things."

	"Don't be foolish, Tavia.  You don't have that luxury now."

	"I don't have that luxury... that's exactly what I'm trying to
figure out, how I wound up in a spot where I have so many people
depending on me that I can't make a joke like that!"

	"You have a True Rune."

	Tavia dropped her gaze to the floor and muttered, "You know, I'm
starting to get really tired of hearing that."

	When Lierni spoke again, her tone was surprisingly soft.  "I've been
talking with the people here, Tavia.  They remind me of you, you who was
always outraged when a young cadet was picked on by upperclassmen.  Who
would give up her free time to tutor a failing student.  Who stayed by a
poor fighter, encouraging him, for five attempts at a test before he
finally passed."

	Tavia blinked.  Of course she'd done those things, it had seemed
only natural, but she'd never realized that Lierni had noticed.

	"You grew up on a farm, learned about how to fight and lead, and yet
still embody those ideals they wish to bring about in the nation.  Why
wouldn't they put their trust in you?"  A shadow passed over Lierni's
face, and she took another sip of tea to momentarily shield her face. 
"And... I have been thinking that I wish to stay with them, as well. 
This is a more noble cause than I thought.  It would be easy to take
knowledge of them to Saints Castle, but..."

	Both girls sat in silence for a moment, neither needing or wanting
to bring up the spectre of Lierni's family history.  Finally, the
black-haired girl straightened in her seat.  "Besides, I'm sure to learn
plenty about trade routes from all the supplies we'll need to acquire,
and that will be helpful back home.  Whenever it is that I return."

	"Thank you," Tavia slowly said, feeling the words more genuinely
than she had in any of the days prior.  "I still don't think of myself
as anything but a stopgap leader, though, until someone better comes
along-"

	"That is the best way for an honest leader to feel.  And it's
Lierni."

	Tavia blinked, casting back in her mind to when she'd referred to
her companion as that.  She finally sighed, rolling her eyes.  "Of
course.  Good night, Li, I'll see you tomorrow."  She emphasized the
nickname, waiting for Lierni to rise to the bait.  And waited.

	A tiny smile found its way onto Lierni's lips.  "I'll let that one
pass.  Good night, Tavia."

*  *  *  *  *

	"It should take two days there and as many to return on horseback,"
Charlotte estimated, nose buried deep in her maps. 

	Kyrina flashed a lopsided smile as she returned the reins of the
horse she'd been handed back to the soldier.  "We're short on mounts at
the moment, and we won't be traveling at a gallop by any means.  I'll
walk."

	"Are you sure?  I didn't get very close to the castle when I went
by, because I'm just sure I saw something running into it.  It looked
like a monster or something, and I don't know that you'd be able to get
away in time if you're not on horseback, and-"

	Cutting into Charlotte's increasingly fast talking, Baren slid off
his horse to land heavily on the ground.  "The Elf is right, we should
conserve horses for the time being.  I'll walk as well."  He puffed out
his chest slightly, striking an imposing figure as his years spent as a
nomad and raider made themselves known.  Kyrina attempted to stifle a
laugh.

	There was a short, expectant pause.  Alaric shook his head.  "You're
both insane, I'm riding."

	"Forty more!" rang out a cry from the edge of the woods.  Everyone
there turned to see Reid and Alyssa leading a pack of haggard-looking
troops and cadets from the woods, though all expressions brightened as
they saw the fortress before them.

	Kyrina turned to Tavia and smiled.  "Well, it looks as if we'd best
be on our way.  With how quickly people are filtering back in, we'll
want to get to the castle before this place becomes too crowded!"

	"Good luck, Kyrina," Tavia said.  "Don't do anything foolish, come
back and get help if there's anything in the castle to deal with."

	The part-elf waved away her concerns.  "We'll be fine.  After all, I
have these two big strong men to protect me."

	Baren puffed out his chest a bit more, heedless of her sarcasm. 
Alaric just flashed her a sidelong glance and snorted.  "Well, I suppose
we're off, then," Kyrina said, motioning Baren and Alaric forward. 
"We'll be back with our report soon."

	Tavia waved to them until she could no longer see the trio in the
woods, then turned.  She started when she saw a group of soldiers and
cadets watching her with rapt attention.  "Hello?"

	"We just wanted to thank you, Lady Tavia, for taking up the fight!"
one of them cheered.  She shifted uncomfortably, but none of them seemed
to notice.  "Those bastards in Lindael don't stand a chance... we'll
remind them what a fight for freedom is all about!"

	In the shadows of the fortress, General la Lanterne watched the
troops gather around Tavia, a frown growing on his weathered face.

*  *  *  *  *

	"Then we're agreed on the dangers of Nereida ascending to the
throne."  At the general nod of agreement through the room, Jasin
Shaendra continued.  "Then all that remains is to plot a course of
action that will prevent this from occurring."

	"You realize, of course, that Matteo has barely half the support of
the minister's daughter among the Leirstam nobility."

	As the Council members began bickering amongst themselves, Davon
leaned over to Adele.  His voice was low as he explained, "The minister
of Leirstam-"

	"Ansuro?"

	"Glad to hear Bristow isn't entirely cut off from the world. 
Ansuro's illness has taken a turn for the worse, and he's not expected
to last the month.  Nereida, his daughter, is extremely popular and has
a lot of support and respect among the population.  However, some
supporters of another noble, Matteo Serdae, have been trying to cast
aspersions on her capabilities."

	"Why doesn't the Council want her to take the throne?" Adele
whispered, eying the bickering at the table with fascination.  Her
curiosity was further stoked by Aisha's chair having been empty and
remained so ever since the beginning of this meeting.

	"She's like her father: a strong leader, intelligent, charismatic,
and wise beyond her years.  Matteo, on the other hand, is a moron. 
Quite literally.  He shows the occasional flash of intelligence, like
when he convinced his late brother to take him hunting, but is otherwise
one to be manipulated by the nobles who claim to support him." 
Smirking, Davon flicked his gaze towards the four seated around the
table.  "Or, as they hope, one to be manipulated by them."

	Adele let this turned over in her mind for a moment.  It was so
unseemly that she, a Malespoir, had let herself become so unacquainted
with world politics.  Blast that provincial town they'd built the
Academy in.  She never should have left Lindael.  Setting this knowledge
to turn over in her head, Adele turned back to watch the proceedings.

	"A chance like this seldom comes along, for us or any of the other
Island Nations," Professor Serre coolly remarked.  "Between the waters
surrounding us and the mountain ranges that make it hard to launch any
continued offensive, our borders have remained the same for far too
long.  And the stability of our great republic has lead to growing
strains on this northern, fertile land as the peasants feel free to
multiply like street mongrels.  We need to gain control over Leirstam."

	"And that about sums everything up," Harran Everweir noted, leaning
back in his chair.  "Food, their silk and carving trades... this is
certainly a golden opportunity.  Our coffers could increase threefold. 
Now, all that remains to decide is how we'll carry out this plan to make
sure Matteo ascends to the throne."

	"A simple assassination might not be remiss," Serre commented, not
looking up from her scrolls.  "Especially if it could be pinned on one
of Matteo's supporters, a disposable one."

	The creak of a door being opened drew conversation to a halt, and
all present turned to see Aisha Nevenheim entering the room.  She
glanced at the elaborate clock hanging at the end of the room, then at
all of them.  A chuckle found its way past her lips.  "Here I am, five
minutes early from the time we set, and you're all here.  When was the
last time I was the last person in the room?"

	"You haven't missed much," Harran assured her.  "We were just
discussing what to do about the mayoral position down in Feron.  Fairly
dull, really, and that's all that's on the list to discuss today."

	Aisha nodded as she slid into her chair.  "Well, I know the popular
sentiment is to put that, ah, Kapson man into the seat.  He seems like a
decent fellow, shouldn't be any problems."  There was a silence around
the table, though Lukas Harfeld looked like he was ready to speak up. 
At a glance from Shaendra, Serre, and Everweir, the Minister of Farms
sank quietly back into his seat.  "What?" Aisha asked, looking around.

	"Kapson is fairly... independent," Jasin noted.  "And if too many
towns ignore the guidance we spend so much effort getting right, we
might as well give up and declare ourself an anarchy."

	"The people do like Kapson, though..."  Aisha trailed off, finishing
with a slight shrug.  "Ah well, you all know internal politics far
better than I do.  I'll trust your judgment.  Is that all, then?"  There
was a series of nods, and the Council rose from their seats and began to
file through the doors.

	As Aisha turned, a smile broke out as she saw the figure seated in
the corner.  "Adele, whenever did you get back?"

	"Just today."  Even while standing to greet her general with a
slight bow, Adele's mind was tumbling over itself.  Was the Council
hiding something from Nevenheim?  Did she already know about their plan?
 Why had they let her hear something so potentially destructive?  None
of these questions found its way to her face, and Aisha was left
ignorant of her confusion. 

	"Well, I'd invite you two to my room for tea while you debrief me,
but I'm afraid I'm needed elsewhere shortly.  Why don't you just give me
a quick overview of your mission."

	Adele found herself unable to respond.  Failure at Bristow, failure
to kill that traitor, failure loss of honor an insult to the
accomplishments of her family failed failed always a failure blood
dripping from her sword-

	"-when she killed the leader of the rebels by her own hand."

	Bringing her breath under control, Adele turned to look at Davon. 
He was giving the report with a cool efficiency, arms folded sharply
behind his back.  "This was after the routing of the Wind Children, who,
as you know, are some of the most fierce fighters to be found in
Heresha.  They even managed to cause a mass hallucination through their
tribal magics, one that scattered troops all across the area."

	Aisha raised an eyebrow.  "Fascinating.  I'd heard of their odd
abilities, yes."

	"Lieutenant Malespoir regrouped our troops, and managed to track
down the headquarters of the rebels.  She planned a surprise attack
which not only killed a good portion of the men there, but allowed her
to get into the heart of the keep itself."

	"That's when she killed the leader?"  Davon nodded, and a proud
smile spread across the black-haired woman's face.  "Adele, this is
marvelous.  You're a credit to the Malespoir name."

	"Th... thank you, ma'am."  Adele bowed her head slightly, then
raised it when she felt the general's hand on her shoulder.

	"Smile, Adele!  You've outperformed even what I expected of you. 
I'll see that you get a commendation for this."  Aisha stepped back, a
smile still beaming.  "I must be on my way, but please stop by my room
this evening.  Now that you have war stories to tell, I want to exchange
some.  Come in casual clothes, we might as well be comfortable."

	Adele dropped into a bow as the general breezed past, leaving her
and Davon alone in the Council's chamber.  She turned to him.  "I should
tell her about what the Council's planning.  It looks like she was told
the wrong time."  The gaze in his eyes intensified, and she fought the
urge to take a step back.  "What?"

	"I know you have loyalties to the general, but any officer must
first serve their country.  If the majority of your country's leaders
decide to discuss things without another, you should respect that."  A
look of realization crossed Davon's face, and he let his stance loosen. 
"That is, of course, simply my suggestion."

	The proceedings turned themself over in Adele's mind, and she stared
intently at the floor tiles for a minute.  Finally, she raised her head.
 "Of course.  A Malespoir must not let personal ties come between her
and her duty.  I do wonder, though, why they brought us in to see the
proceedings."

	"I imagine the Council enjoys seeing a Malespoir as a representative
of the military, even if as a silent one.  Take this as a sign of
respect, for that's what it surely is."

	A smile slowly found its way into the girl's expression.  "Respect. 
I see... yes, then, Davon, we will keep this knowledge to ourselves. 
Now let's tend to business before I meet with Aisha.  I don't wish to
disappoint her."

	In unison, the two turned and walked through the door, leaving only
the sound of a ticking clock behind them.

*  *  *  *  *

	"And he's just wonderful, you'd just adore him the same as I do! 
Well, not the same as I do, you know, or I'd have to get mad at you." 
Charlotte winked at Tavia, who found herself a bit bowled over by the
stream of words flowing from the cartographer's mouth as they toured the
fortress.

	"So, ah, what does he do?" Tavia asked when there was a short pause
from the other girl, assuming she wanted a prompt to continue talking. 
She was right.

	"Well, he's a cartographer too, of course!  He's really a wonderful
man, he really is, and-"

	"Wait."  Tavia turned to Charlotte.  "How old are you?"

	"Seventeen.  He's nineteen."

	"A 'man' at nineteen.  Gotcha."

	Charlotte shot an indignant look at her.  "He's got a lot of worldly
experience!  We didn't want to part, but it just made more sense to
split up and finish mapping the world that much sooner.  We're meeting
in Kanakan in," she paused to look up at the sky, scrunching her face in
thought, "two years, seven months, and twelve days."

	"You've got a good memory," came a third voice from behind the duo. 
"And what, someone can't be a man at nineteen?"  Reid shot Tavia a
somewhat rakish grin, and she willed away the wide and somewhat telling
smile she knew was spreading across her face.  "Sorry to intrude,
ladies, but I came to ask... if... what's going on over there?"

	The two girls turned, and were struck by two very different
expressions:  Charlotte looked curious, while Tavia was struck by a stab
of sheer panic.  First breaking into a walk, then a near-run, she
crossed the clearing, waving her arms in an attempt to draw attention. 
"General, General!  What are you doing?"

	Renard let slip a grunt as he swung himself up onto his horse.  "I
am getting ready to leave, girl.  Thought that to be fairly obvious."

	"Did you decide to go with them to White Cloud?  Charlotte could go
with you if you did, so you don't get lost."

	"I am not going to White Cloud.  I am leaving."  He clicked at his
horse to set it into motion, but was halted by a former cadet running
into his path and planting herself there firmly.

	"But... but why?"

	Renard looked down at Tavia.  "You do deserve an answer, despite the
reasons for my leaving.  I have to admit to some amount of
sentimentality overtaking me before, when I was approached to assist
Senrou's cause.  I have been listening to your troops talk, though.  And
I do not like what they say."

	Everyone in the clearing had stopped what they were doing to listen
to the general, and those in the fortress had slowly begun to filter
outside.  Save for la Lanterne and Tavia, all were silent.

	"It's the same thing they've been saying before," Tavia shot back,
trying not to stomp her foot in irritation.

	"Not so.  Senrou was a hardened leader with some years under his
belt.  His troops were similarly disciplined.  I truly thought they
would fight to remove corruption, and that would be the extent of their
goals."  Renard's voice dropped in volume but doubled in intensity.  "I
know there is corruption.  I have seen it among the other nobles.  But
some corruption in a solid government is preferable to anarchy, and that
is what I believe these troops now desire."

	"Are you so worried about that, la Lanterne, or is your ego too
large to ignore when you're asked to follow Lady Reinschild's orders?"

	For a moment, it looked as if Renard's shadow alone might swallow
and crush Reid.  "Yes, Arondight, I do have a problem with my decades of
knowledge serving an untested cadet.  A general is a sword, and I knew I
was being put to good use in Senrou's hands.  A novice like her is as
likely to damage those around her, or herself, when attempting to wield
one."

	He tapped his feet against his mount, setting it into a slow walk. 
As he guided the horse around Tavia, he looked down at her intently.  "I
do not wish failure upon your group.  Your ideals are not what I fear, I
fear what might come about while you try to attain them.  But I need
proof that you are what you say.  If... if I see that your troops have a
desire for real change within them, that they don't only crave power for
themselves... and if I see that you have become accustomed to the mantle
of leadership... perhaps I shall return."

	The soft sound of departing hoofbeats was all that could be heard in
the clearing for a few seconds.  Then the talking started, the soft
talking between the troops Tavia knew was about what a blow this was to
their cause.  Two sets of footsteps approached behind her, and she felt
both Reid and Alouette bolstering her with their presences.  She took a
deep breath, and gathered all the will she could muster.

	"Troops!" she cried out, her voice surprisingly loud even to her. 
All conversation stopped as those gathered in the clearing turned
towards her.  She swallowed hard and continued.  "To say things are
going poorly is certainly true... at the moment.  Senrou is dead.  La
Lanterne may not return."

	"Are you going somewhere with this?" she heard Reid softly ask.  She
ignored him.

	"But you must know... it is only for the moment!  When you were
first traveling towards Lindael, did you ever think a group of people
such as yourself, brought together only by a common cause, could defeat
an entire army of Wind Children?  That you could send trained soldiers
scattering?  Now the leader you followed to those battles is gone, but
no one here joined to serve Senrou, you joined in hopes of seeing the
same future he did.  That future is still a possibility!"

	Focusing on her task, she was barely aware of Lierni and Alyssa
approaching.  The feel of the quartet flanking her, though, steeled her
nerve and quieted her shaking knees.  When she spoke again, it was with
even greater intensity.  "That was when you were nomads, centered around
a keep that was barely able to contain your numbers.  But look at us
now!  A legendary castle to launch our goals from will soon be ours, and
even now we have a fortress to further those missions!  Already, cadets
from Heimdall have begun to join the cause, and as word spreads, more
will come!  From the place where peace was maintained for centuries, we
will bring about a new age of freedom!"

	Dizziness threatened to overwhelm her, but Tavia fought it down.  "I
stand behind the ideal of freedom no matter what difficulties are
rallied against me, and I will not abandon that!  Are you with me?"

	The roar was overwhelming.  All traces of apprehension had vanished
as quickly as they'd come.  Cries of "Lady Tavia!" echoed across the
clearing and throughout the forest, raised by many as soon as one began
it.

	Breath coming swiftly, Tavia strode towards the entrance, pace
quickening as she proceeded.  Reid, Alouette, Lierni, and Alyssa came
close behind, boots clicking sharply against the paving stones as they
entered the fortress proper.

	"That was wonderful, Tavia!" Reid cried once they were away from the
troops.  "We all knew you had it in you!  ... Tavia?  Tavia, are you all
right?"

	"I think," she slowly said, "that I am going to be sick."  She was
so.  As she picked herself up off the floor, wiping at her mouth, she
found her knees suddenly unable to support herself.  Alouette and Alyssa
helped her up, again when her legs grew weak under her once more.

	Forcing her shaking to quell, Tavia slowly grew aware of an
approving smile on Reid's face.  "You don't have to look so happy about
this," she muttered.

	"You were wonderful," he repeated, more softly this time.  "I knew
my trust wasn't misplaced.  You're the one, Tavia.  The one who will
lead us to victory."

	The weight of all she'd agreed to in her speech suddenly came
rushing back upon her, and Tavia feared she might be sick again.  She'd
hardly had to think about what to say at all, it had just come to her. 
Everyone was depending on her, now.  She could never back out, not after
that speech.

	She took a few moments to concentrate only on breathing, the
steadying motion of air in and out of her lungs.  Finally, she turned to
Alouette and Alyssa, favoring them both with a smile in turn.  "Thank
you, but I think I can stand now."

*  *  *  *  *

Stars added: Charlotte (Chimou Star)


Location of Stars:

Tavia, Reid, Lierni, Pane, Daniel, Alyssa, Alouette, Charlotte: Sindar
Ruins / Temporary Rebel Fortress

Kyrina, Baren, Alaric: En route to White Cloud Castle

Werner: Wrangling with politicians in Bristow, the poor fellow

General la Lanterne: Has taken a leave from the cause


Author's Notes:

I started writing... and then couldn't stop! *flails*  It was just too
much fun to be writing DS again. ^_^  I'm really happy with how things
have been proceeding, and that people who aren't familiar with Suikoden
risked writing for the series and turned in really good chapters!  You
rock mightily, and soforth!  

A note on Renard: he's still around, and still a Star. It sometimes
happens that, for whatever reason (usually to keep the hero's group from
getting too strong too early) that someone will leave for a while, then
return when a "darkest hour" situation arises.  And yes, The Castle has
been found.  It's tradition that the castle the army uses is 1) near
water and 2) infested with monsters that have to be cleared from it (in
the previous games, it was undead, but that's unlikely to be the case
here for various (spoiler) reasons).

Thanks to Kate Malloy and Scott Johnson for prereading and brainstorming
help... they caught a lot of little things that really helped to polish
this up.  Thanks also to Brian Stricklin, who is a wonderful human being
for agreeing to switch with me in the queue and saving me from a
complete mental breakdown as I tried to deal with 50 things at once.
^_^;;

And now, I sign up again. ^_^

-Illyria
illyria@redshirts.net