"You say you want my loyalty?  My strength?  You want my life resting in
your hands?  All right.  All you have to do is earn it."

-Challenge presented to the new Hereshan Council by Goran Farsight,
then- head chieftain of the Clan of the Lion

--------- 
Sugar High Productions presents 
A Rocketarian Pictures production 
in association with Improfanfic

SUIKODEN: DISTANT SHORES 
Created by Illyria and Todd Harper

Part Twenty-Seven: Past Wrongs 
by Illyria
---------

	Tavia pushed ineffectively at the mass of vines and flowers that rested
atop her head like some sort of deranged centerpiece.  The headdress allowed
itself to be centered for a moment, then slipped back over one eye. She
sighed.

	"More wine, Miss Tavia?"

	She smiled at Catherwood, then shook her head.  The butler inclined his
head slightly, disappearing back into the crowd without a word.  Not that
the action was particularly impressive; she'd barely been able to keep track
of her own wits in the clamor of the village, let alone track the rest of
the party.

	They'd been in the Children's village for three days now, each of which
pulled at the back of Tavia's brain with an increasingly insistent nagging.
They really should have been back on the road to White Cloud by now.  When
Baren described their purpose, however, they'd decided to give Tavia the
welcome any war leader was due.

	Unfortunately, they'd wanted to see just what kind of war leader she was
before they decided what would be appropriate for her celebration.  She
reached back and rubbed the base of her neck, trying and mostly failing to
work out the soreness that had settled there.  These people didn't pull any
punches, even when they were just testing someone.

	"Have you had much success against Lindael?"

	Tavia turned to the voice.  "Hmm?"

	Gundik Roughblade was the chief of this tribe of the Children of the
Wind, which went by the name of the Clan of the Hawk.  Tavia had been
astonished to learn that the Clan had been the one at Bristow, all those
months back. Upon learning more about the Children, however, it became
easier to believe.

	The Clan of the Hawk had been the dominant one among them for the past
five years, and when there was a movement to be made outside their
territory, it was them who typically took to the road.  Ever since their
defeat of the Lion Clan a half-decade back, the rest of the Children had
tended to follow whatever they pushed for.  Officially, the different Clans
were autonomous groups.  But unofficially, being united against the rest of
the world also meant that they were almost unified as a single people.
Almost.

	Gundik's position had been unsteady prior to the raid on Bristow.  So
long as he brought in booty from their raids, he would retain loyalty.  When
cracks began to appear in the veneer of Lindael's perfect government, they
quickly unified behind him, wanting to seize whatever opportunities they
could.

	That the Hereshan government was less than loved among the Children was
hardly surprising.  They prided themselves on their tribal structure, one
that had remained in place for more than a thousand years.  That it seemed
transient and fluid to outsiders only meant that they felt themselves to be
underestimated, and that was never a bad position to be in.  A smirk crossed
Tavia's face as she thought back to a day that happened a lifetime ago, when
Lierni assured her there were no organized powers that posed a threat from
the south.

	Lindael did not see their tribal system as a valid one, though, and
sought to control them the same as they did every other resident of the
southern half of the island.  All this meant that once they'd explained
their reasons for being in the area, and what they were returning to,
Tavia's group had found themselves with a whole tribe of very good friends.

	Gundik repeated his question, and Tavia smiled.  "Yes, we have," she
said with obvious pride.  "We defeated the Viper Fang mercenaries-"

	"Impressive.  I've heard stories of their skill."

	She nodded and continued,  "And took out a division of the Lindael army
at the same time.  We allied with the Kobolds to accomplish that. 
Hopefully, we'll be able to repay their bravery by restoring them to their
original land.  It would be the least we could do."

	Gundik nodded thoughtfully, but said nothing.  His expression was hard
to make out in the darkness.  The celebrations had gone on for a very long
time, now.

	A soft sound behind her drew Tavia's attention, and she turned to see
Baren emerging from one of the tents.  Her eyebrows rose in faint surprise,
even through her grogginess.  He hadn't stepped outside the tent since they
first entered the village.  She suspected he was being punished for leaving
without permission, but he didn't appear very willing to offer an
explanation.  Tavia wasn't willing to ask.

	The bonfire was stoked, casting fresh light across the circle of tents.
Tavia blinked herself awake.  If she had the pattern of these celebrations
down, it was time for another performance.  Between fire-breathers,
acrobats, and swordfighters, she wasn't sure what was left.  Leaning forward
a bit to make out the three shadowed forms in the darkness, she yawned in
recognition.  Animal trainers.  This should be good.

	The first, a lean woman without an ounce of fat on her, stood in stark
silhouette against the flames.  Her short brown hair, cut so severely that
it looked more like ruffled fur than hair, matched the stripes of pelts
worked into her outfit.  She posed for a moment longer, then whistled
between two fingers.  A dark shape darted out from the side, jumping over
and around her without any concern shown by either figure.  When the jackal
leapt seemingly through the fire without any hesitation, then stood by its
master to be praised, a round of cheers echoed throughout the circle.

	"That's Gaela," Baren muttered to Tavia from his position leaning
against a tent post.  "Cruel woman.  No sense of humor."

	Another woman took her place before the fire.  She was blocky and
compact, but her muscles rippled with hidden grace as she moved.  She
flipped her long blonde braid over her shoulder, then whistled as Gaela had.
 A leopard raced from the shadows, circling around her.  They moved in mock
combat for a time, then broke apart to the cheers of the crowd.

	"Jiana," Baren practically growled.  "A tease, a flirt, and the cause of
many a failed marriage.  No respect for others."

	The third woman then took her spot.  She was tall, very tall, and built
enough like a man that a observer familiar only with city dwellers would
have to look more than twice.  Black hair hung to her waist, free but strung
with a multitude of crystal beads.  They glittered in the firelight every
time she moved.

	Baren's expression changed to one of faint awe as a black wolf darted
from the huts, entering into mock battle with its trainer as had the other
animals before.  "Valise.  Very strong.  If only she hadn't joined up with
those two..."

	A smirk crept onto Tavia's face at his tone.  She said nothing, though,
and settled back to watch the show as the trainers all worked their animals
together.

	By the time the show ended, she was barely able to hold her head
upright. She took another swig from her mug, which had been filled for the
third time that night with something with more kick than the strongest
coffee. As she felt the gaze of the chief upon her back, she took another
drink. Some part of her felt that this was a test of her mettle, and she was
determined to pass it.

	"A worthy celebration!" the chief finally said.  The three trainers
dropped into a bow, joined as they did by the other performers.  "Now, we
sleep.  Tomorrow, we plan."  He let out a wild cry that was echoed by the
rest of the tribe, but it barely registered to Tavia.  Sleep.  He'd said it
was time to sleep.  And that was all that mattered right now.

	*  *  *  *  *

	Tavia stared in faint astonishment at Gundik.  For all his words, the
man appeared to be serious.

	"You'll understand if I'm loathe to commit ourselves to your cause while
you're still relatively untested.  Even if I was willing, my people wouldn't
be."

	She nodded, still somewhat stunned.  "But after our next victory-"

	He nodded.  "You will be able to count on the Children of the Wind among
your supporters.  I will spread the word among my people of this, so they
will know to look for news of your army.  Assuming that you still agree to
my terms."

	She nodded, rather more quickly than she needed to.  "The Children of
the Wind would be an independent group, free of Heresha, of course.  We're
going to try and return the land to all groups that had it taken from them."

	A toothy grin spread across Gundik's face.  "Wonderful.  I'd like to
show my commitment to our agreement.  I must be on my way, but someone else
will soon be here.  They will accompany you to your castle, if you will have
them."  It didn't sound like much of a question, Tavia thought to herself.
Gundik threw back his head and let out a sharp cry, then drew his hand into
a fist.  After a moment, Tavia echoed it, realizing it was some sort of
farewell.

	"So," she asked after Gundik had left.  "Who do you think will be
coming?" She blinked as a tent flap opened, and her question was answered.

	Baren stared helplessly at the sight before him.  "You... three... you
must be joking!  There is no place in our army for a group of... performers
like you!  A group of women, no less!"

	Gaela smirked at him as she stroked her jackal's head.  "We, unlike some
people we could mention, got the chief's permission before we went traipsing
off to thrust our spears at the breeze."  At her words, Jiana smirked
alongside her leader.

	Baren scowled at the phrase.  "You should know that we are facing a real
enemy.  And we've beaten them, on more than one occasion."

	"There are animals in the mountains, dangerous ones," Valise said
without a hint of emotion.  "If you had trainers to work them, they might be
of some use to you.  Otherwise, you'll have to spare the men to kill them."

	"Of course, you're right," Tavia said with a smile.  "I'm afraid our
party is a little big, but if your animals don't mind-"

	Gaela cut her off with a sharp motion of her hand.  Tavia blinked, then
realized when the jackal stood up that it was a signal.  "No," Gaela said,
glancing at her compatriots.  "It would make them nervous to be around so
many, and you'd slow us regardless.  We'll go on ahead."

	As the three moved towards the north at an easy lope, Tavia looked over
to Baren and shrugged.  "They have a point.  And it'll help our friendship
with your people if you have a greater presence at White Cloud."

	"I'm sure," he replied, the noise barely more than a low rumble.  Baren
paused, then finished, "Their quarters won't be close to mine, will they?"

	"Er, no, I'm sure we can keep them apart."

	"Although... ah.. if you can only find a room for Valise in the same
tower as mine, I would understand."

	Tavia stifled a giggle.  "I'll see what we can do.  Come on, let's get
on the move.  We're ready to head home."

	*  *  *  *  *

	"This is the place, correct?"

	Alaric's face had gone pale in the last few minutes, but he managed a
jerky nod in response to Lierni's question.  "General Arik Peridon..." he
trailed off, looking up at the red and black banner that hung limply in the
window.  "I never thought I'd meet him again."

	The sudden sound of Lierni's knuckles against the door made the young
blonde jump nearly clean free of his boots.  "Don't do that!"

	"I wasn't asking just to start a conversation," she crisply replied.

	"Oh, she's a fun one," Melusine dryly said from behind the duo.

	"You have no idea," Jasin smirked at her.  Melusine giggled in response.
It was an odd noise to have come from the giant of a woman.

	Shayera just snorted and looked appraisingly at the iron bars covering
the windows of the house.

	The house itself was larger than the one than housed General Renard la
Lanterne, but unlike Renard's, Peridon's house was surrounded by nothing
more than steep cliffs and dense trees.  Renard's had been the home of a
retiree; this was the house of a recluse.

	"I thought you were looking forward to seeing him again," Melusine
offered as a conversation-starter while they waited.  She was a new
addition, but had integrated herself into the group quickly and easily.

	"I was, until I was standing right here," Alaric weakly replied.  "I
feel like I'm thirteen years old again."

	"He is physically well, isn't he?" Lierni snapped as they continued to
wait for the door to be opened.  "We won't have to help him back to the
village and put him on a horse?"

	"You're in a pleasant mood, aren't you?" Melusine asked.

	"You didn't have a village woman come up to you and agree that men
weren't worth the trouble," Lierni muttered under her breath.  Shayera was
the only one to hear her, but she snickered appropriately.

	The door suddenly swung open, revealing a slender man who stood no
taller than Lierni.  His mild expression and non-threatening bearing marked
him as a servant.  "Yes, hello," Lierni said before he could open his mouth.
 "May we please see General Peridon?"

	"You're looking at him," Alaric croaked.

	Peridon blinked at Lierni, then looked at Alaric.  His eyes widened when
he did.  "My... Mytelene, is that really you?"  Alaric nodded mutely, a
faint expression of awe replacing his anxiety.  "Is your sister with you?"

	"I'm afraid just Alaric is with us," Lierni replied when it became
apparent that Alaric was still a bit overwhelmed.  "May we come in?"

	*  *  *  *  *

	"You'll excuse me if I seem a bit surprised."

	Lierni sipped once at her tea to test the temperature, then took a
longer drink.  She set her saucer down with a faint clatter, then turned
back to the general.  "If this seems overwhelming, it's because it is.  Much
has happened over the last few months between Heresha and Lierstam."

	"And with your army," he added, raising one silver eyebrow.

	"And with our army," Alaric agreed from Lierni's side.  She glanced over
to him, but let him continue.  "The Council tried to have General Nevenheim
murdered, planning to pin it on Lierstam.  They might still... it would
certainly rally the country to war."

	"They failed, then?  Where is she?  Nevenheim is an excellent general;
having someone like her roaming free would be cause for any leader to
worry."

	"She's at White Cloud," Alaric replied with more than a hint of pride in
his voice.  "As is Nereida Ansuro and Garnof Venomspear."

	"Garnof... the mercenary leader?"  Peridon blinked, surprised.  "Between
him and Nevenheim, it sounds like you have two tigers on leashes.  Wait...
Ansuro?  Nereida Ansuro, as in the Prime Minister's daughter?"

	"She was his daughter.  The Prime Minister is dead."

	The pause that followed that statement hung heavily over the room, most
of all Peridon.  After a long moment, he quietly asked, "Cause?"

	"Natural," Alaric replied.  "We heard about it soon after it happened,
but I suppose news doesn't travel up into the mountains that quickly..."

	The former general stood and began to pace around the room.  His
moustache twitched back and forth intermittently, and he soon was raking a
hand through his thick but silvered hair.  "Even when they had a choice,
they still kept the Ansuros in power.  I thought that would extend to the
girl."

	"She would have been the next Prime Minister, but she was framed."

	Peridon turned to look sharply at Lierni.  "By who?"

	"Supporters of Matteo Serdae.  We're not sure, but if he's not already
the new Prime Minister, he will be in very short order.  Are you familiar
with him?"

	A sneer twisted Peridon's upper lip.  "Unfortunately.  He is no leader.
He is a spoiled brat who is prone to temper tantrums like a baby still
wetnursing.  And the only reason he would ever come to power-"

	"Is so his 'supporters' could manipulate him and actually seize the real
power themselves," Lierni confirmed.

	"Then it'll be civil war," Peridon quietly said as he sank back down
onto his couch.  "Our nobles are still very powerful, and without a strong
leader to rein them in..."  He shook his head.  "I can't believe I'm saying
this, but I wish to all that's holy that an Ansuro was still in power."

	"One could be again."

	He looked up at Alaric.  "Explain."

	"Nereida is the second..." Alaric turned to look at Lierni, considered
for a long moment, then amended, "Well, Nereida is a very important figure
in our army, even if I'm not quite sure where.  She's our head strategist.
Our main goal is to clean the government of Heresha of the taint that's
crept into it, but if we want peace for Heresha, we need peace in Lierstam,
as well.  The countries' fates are linked; I realized that as soon as I
could walk.  And peace in Lierstam means getting Nereida to where she should
be."  After the long response, Alaric let out a wuff of breath and looked
back to Lierni.  She nodded, saying his assessment was accurate.

	"Then I wish you all the success in the world."  Peridon looked up from
his tea.  "I don't know why you came here, however."

	"Isn't it obvious?" Alaric asked, rising from his seat to stand before
his former master.  "We are asking you to join our cause."

	Peridon looked down to the ground for a long moment.  When he finally
looked back up, his eyes belied deep sadness.  "Alaric... you know I have
great respect for you and your sister, and I believe the feeling is mutual.
But my name is not a loved one among the general populace.  It could even
drive people away."

	"We have thieves, cutthroats, and barbarians fighting alongside our
nobles," Shayera said from the back of the room.  They all turned to look at
her, surprised at her speaking up.  She just shrugged.

	"General, please don't be hasty," Lierni implored.  "As my... associate
said, a person's past is not what matters in our fight.  Only what they can
contribute to the cause matters."

	"Right, what Li said!"  Kneeling down before the general, Alaric let his
voice become pleading.  "You always brought up that saying that history is
written by the victors, general.  And that's what they did, they wrote it.
They wrote it to favor them instead of the truth.  Well, we can rewrite it.
But if we're going to set things right, we need all the help we can get."

	Emotions played out across Peridon's face, some looking quite painful.
Finally, he murmured, "Even if I did join, what would be the use?  No troops
would want to follow me."

	"Strategy is as important as leadership at this point," Lierni cut in,
leaning forward in anticipation.  "We could make great use of your
experience."

	"I... don't know.  I've made a home here, I planned to..."

	"Live out the rest of your days here, in anonymity?"  Lierni snorted.
"You could do that, yes.  Or you could listen to Alaric here and take this
chance to set things right."

	The breath of everyone in the room caught for a second, and then was
released when Peridon slowly smiled.  "If this is your second," he said,
"then meeting the leader is going to be quite an experience, I'd wager."

	Alaric jumped to his feet.  "You're really coming with us?"

	"I suppose I am."  Peridon offered his hand; Alaric obligingly pulled
him to his feet.  The general dusted himself off, then looked over to
Lierni. "I don't suppose you brought horses?"  She shook her head, and he
sighed. "Well, I'm not walking up through the mountains.  I'll bring money
and we'll get mounts at the next village.  You children may not mind the
walk, but I certainly would."

	Lierni bristled at the description, but Alaric grabbed her arm before
she could say anything.  "Happy thoughts, Li, happy thoughts," he murmured
to her.  She returned his admonishment with a death glare, and he shrugged
and grinned.  Nothing could bring down his good mood right now.

	*  *  *  *  *

	"Did you find the runemaster?"

	Janna slid off her horse with an easy grace despite her week in the
saddle, then extended her hand to Nereida.  "Yes, they did.  I'm Janna
Howell, and if you show me to my workshop, I'm ready to begin work."

	Nereida smiled, surprised at the woman's forthright nature.  "Well, it's
a pleasure to have you here, Janna.  Pane here will show you to your room."
The boy in question bobbed a quick bow, then lead the runemaster off into
the bowels of White Cloud.  After they'd left, Nereida looked at the other
new figure curiously.  "I can't say I know who you are, I'm afraid."

	Ilena slipped easily off her horse, then tugged off her kidskin glove.
She smiled shyly and gave a quick curtsy before she offered her hand, as
well.  "Ilena Fehron.  You wouldn't happen to be Nereida Ansuro?"

	The strategist nodded, her eyebrows slightly raised.  "That I am.  I
can't say I expected Tavia to pick up a noble's daughter on her trip, but
I'm sure she has her reasons."  The unasked question was quickly picked up
on by Tavia, who quickly stepped over to Nereida.

	"She wanted to get out of Kesshin," she murmured, "and would only lead
us to Janna if we took her with us."

	"Oh.  Well, that's understandable-" Nereida began.

	"She wanted to come here because she's Reid's fiance," Tavia finished in
a strained voice.

	"Oh.  Well... that's unexpected," Nereida replied, turning to eye Ilena
appraisingly.  "Well.  This should... be very interesting."

	"I am looking forward to seeing him," the girl said in a bright voice.
"Do you happen to know where he is?"

	"Somewhere around... I imagine he should be here shortly.  Oh.  Before I
forget.  Were you expecting to have three wild women and their pet beasts
join our army, or did they come here on their own?"

	"Oh, they're friends.  I think."

	"Well, that's comforting.  But..." Nereida trailed off, looking off at
nothing in particular.  Tavia could practically see the gears turning in her
head.  "Tavia, we've run into a new problem.  We're starting to run short on
sword and armor."

	"Can't we buy them from Bristow?" Tavia asked as she began to remove her
horse's tack.  A stablehand came up to her to offer assistance, but she
waved him off.

	"If the lines remain open, certainly.  But we'd be fools to assume
things will remain favorable for us.  We have an idea.  The Kobolds were
thought to be gone, but they managed to hang on.  Well-"

	"The Dwarves might be around, as well," Tavia finished for her.  She
sounded somewhat annoyed as she added, "I should have thought of that
myself.  Who should we send?"

	"If we want to show solidarity with the other races, Kaleen and one of
the Kobolds would be best."

	"Kelsea," Tavia instantly decided.  "Sending Brennon would probably
spark an interspecies incident.  Who else?"

	"They appreciate craftsmen more than any of the races, so my first
thought is Cerus."

	"Perfect!" Tavia agreed.  "We'll send Marionette along, too.  If nothing
else gets their attention, she should."

	"Exactly," Nereida confirmed.  "And it turns out that a goodly amount of
goods that are thought to be Dwarven shows up amongst the trade in Kesshin,
and they might be friends with the noble families there.  Which means we
have an in with-"

	"Tavia!"

	The brunette turned at the voice, a grin replacing her look of
concentration.  She waved at Reid, and returned the call.  He jogged towards
her, and it was only when he was nearly within arm's length of her that it
processed that there was another figure standing beside her.  An unexpected
figure.  And what appeared to be an entirely unwelcome figure.

	"Reid!" Ilena cried as she threw her arms around him.  "I'm so glad to
see you're alright!  I've been worried sick about you ever since you and
Kyrina ran off!"  Reid made only a strangled noise of confusion in response,
and Ilena's smile grew.  "I am sorry to startle you like this, but it wasn't
exactly like this was planned.  We have so much to catch up on!  How on
earth did you wind up here, for one?"

	From the look on Nereida's face when she broke into their conversation,
she was trying to be kind to Reid.  From the look on his face, he
appreciated it.  "There is... one other thing, Tavia.  When you were gone,
we received word that..."  The strategist trailed off, her voice thick.

	"What is it, Nereida?" Tavia asked, apprehension building, though about
what she didn't know.

	"Lierni's back!"

	Nereida blinked a few times, her mouth still open.  She turned towards
the front gate, relief plain at being able to delay her news.  "Ah, bring
them in!  We might as well get the status of both missions at once."

	"What is it, Nereida?" Tavia repeated, more insistently now.

	"It... can wait until after we talk with Lierni."

	The raven-haired girl entered the stables, remaining on her mount while
the rest of the group swung out of their saddles.  She was probably too sore
to move, Tavia thought to herself in amusement.  Lierni never did like to
ride.  "Tavia," Lierni said, "I'd like to introduce General Arik Peridon."

	Tavia looked through the group, finding the silver-haired man.  She
extended her hand to him.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, General.  This is
Nereida, our chief strategist.  Thank you so much for coming."

	He nodded once, though his expression upon seeing Tavia was one of
unhidden surprise.  It was, Tavia noted with satisfaction, just surprise,
though, not surprise mixed with condescension.

	"You must be tired from your trip.  Jasin, Shayera, would you please
show the general to the room down the hall from mine?  I believe that will
be suitable for him."  Nereida smiled at the general, then suddenly blinked
up at the other unknown person as she came to stand before her, and tower
over her in the process.  "Er..."

	"Melusine.  Don't worry about finding me a room, I'll just tag along
after Jasin."  With that, she padded off after her friend.

	Nereida glanced at Alaric; the boy simply shrugged.  "Well, she looks
like she can pull her own weight, at least."

	"Nereida... what was it you were going to say?"

	The good humor on her strategist's face instantly vanished at the
question.  "Ah.  Yes.  Tavia... we received some news during your absence.
From Bristow."

	"Is there a problem with the supplies?"

	"No, it's... it's that..."  Dropping her gaze, Nereida opened her mouth
again, then closed it.  She forced herself to meet Tavia's gaze with obvious
reluctance.  The weight that had been in Tavia's stomach earlier was
returning, with greater mass this go around.  "It's about your parents."

	A faint buzzing began to echo through Tavia's head at the words.  She
knew what was coming, some part of her did, but everything seemed suddenly
unreal.

	"Someone went by their house - your house - and... Tavia, your
parents..."

	"They're dead," she found herself saying alongside Nereida.  The group
looked at her in mingled shock and sadness, but it barely registered.  The
pounding of her heart began to echo through her ears, building to a
crescendo until it was all she could hear.

	Reid came up to her, tried to say something, but it didn't register.  So
did Alaric, but it was all so much buzzing.  The buzzing, it was driving her
mad.  She couldn't make it stop, and everyone talking was just making it
worse.  Li was still on her horse, and Li looked sad.

	Li looked sad.  Li looked sad because her parents were dead, and Li felt
sorry for her.

	A stab of reality shoved through Tavia's gut, and the buzzing
disappeared in a flash.  The situation suddenly came into focus, and she
began to shake.  "They're... they're..."  Reid's arms came to rest around
her shoulders, squeezing slightly, but she shook them off.  The buzzing had
vanished, but it was replaced by a surge of anger so strong she could barely
find the words for it.  She could hear everything with crystal clarity, even
though red was filling her vision.

	Nereida watched with sudden horror as Tavia swung herself up onto the
horse Peridon had vacated, spinning it towards the stable doors without a
word.  Only when she kicked it to a gallop was she able to find her voice.
"Stop, Tavia!  You can't do thi- Someone stop her!" she finished in
desperation.

	Lierni had already spun around her horse and was in hot pursuit of
Tavia; she was followed a second later by Alaric.  Reid had leapt up onto
Melusine's mount and followed close at their heels.

	Ilena began to run towards Jasin's horse, but Nereida snagged her by the
arm before she could follow.  "Don't," she choked out, still sounding a bit
stunned.  "They'll bring her back."  Unless my stupidity in telling her here
in the stables proves even worse than it looks now, she snapped at herself. 
An amateur mistake, that had been.  And she wasn't an amateur.

	"But Reid..."

	"Will be back soon.  And if he's not, we're going to need your status as
a Kesshin noble to do his job for us with the Dwarves."

	Ilena looked at her with equal parts of confusion and panic.  Nereida
could tell she wanted to go after her fiance, wanted more than a minute with
him, but now was not the time for emotions to rule the proceedings. Look
what emotions had just wrought.  As had lack of foresight, which she also
planned to remedy in the future.

	She gave a momentary thought to sending an entire division after Tavia,
but quickly shook it off.  Three would certainly bring in one person
quickly, and it was best if the entire army didn't know that their leader
had run off in a surge of uncontrolled emotions.

	That was a mistake Nereida could avoid, at least.  Whether it made up
for the first remained to be seen.

	*  *  *  *  *

Stars Added:

Gaela - Tenken Star 
Jiana - Tenzai Star 
Valise - Tenpai Star 
Arik Peridon - Chikai Star

Author's Notes:

	Midterm week. Visiting relatives week. All this lead to "write 26k in a
day" week.  Er, day.  Whatever.  It is LATE and I am TIRED.  I don't think
this is my best work or anything close to it, but then, I was planning a
rather functional chapter from the start, and that's what I got.

	Todd and I had tossed around the idea of animal trainers before, and
when I decided to intro another member of the Children or two, I thought of
that idea.  I also thought of the trio of stars, and decided to combine the
two. Unlike Suikoden II, where the trio was fairly important to the plot
(the early plot, anyways), this trio is more like the one from the first
game... important only if you're a completist.  They do serve a political
function, however, and if anyone wants to bring in monsters along the line
of the ones from the second game, they'll make a good excuse for that.

	Um... hope I didn't screw up on Peridon.  All I can say about that. 
Like I said, time was not kind this week, and not screwing up is what I'm
most worried about.

	Thank you thank you thank you to Coldfury for a last-minute readthrough.

-Illyria
Who is very much looking forward to her midterm break this upcoming week 
(stupid timing)