Note: While this is part of a much larger work, The Tales from the Wayfaring Rune, the story in itself is fairly sweet. It is also finished, unlike the parent document, so I thought I'd share. Takes place over Arshtat's Sacred Games prior to Suikoden V. Also, I don't own these characters (Except for Laren and Rubetha, but they are quite minor)

The Man from the Islands

The sun was blinding on the day of the contest. The dark haired young man raised his hand to his brow as he stepped into the arena for the first time. A light smattering of polite applause sounded through the stone structure as the announcer called out his name: Ferid of Obel. He glanced up toward the queen's box and flashed a goofy smile at the completely bored princess watching the match. Her silvery hair glistened in the bright daylight like the full moon shining at midday. So the stories of her beauty were not as exaggerated as I thought. He looked at the noble's all seated in the stands, wondering who would be fighting for the young princess's hand themselves and who have hired another to fight for them. His attention was returned to the matter at hand as the announcer called for his opponent. A fairly scrawny man stepped out into the arena. Ferid smiled a small wry smile. This will be simple.He stepped forward to shake the other man's hand.

Simple it was. With a quick flick of his wrist and sweep of his leg, the other man was down on his back and refused to get up. A small groan spread through the spectators. Apparently he had just bested one of the favorite sons. He smiled again as he glanced up at the aloof young princess, this time catching her eye. She nodded her congratulations as he exited the arena.

"Who was that?" Arshtat asked her radiant mother as she watched the dark haired young man saunter out of the arena.

"Who? Oh, let's see." Falzrahm, the would-be Queen read through the list of contestants to find the recently completed match. "Ferid of Obel it says… no title or anything. Hmm. Looks like he was fighting for himself. How odd."

"Odd indeed." Scowled Kauss, her consort. Had Arshtat not interfered, he would have been disqualified. Silly girl doesn't know what's best of us.

Arshtat, blushing as he caught her attention, followed the confident competitor's retreat from battle. Odd, but in a good way, She thought. So far all the noble families of Falena had hired champions in order to win her hand and favor. Arshtat thought it admirable that one would take on the task himself.

"Oooohhh… Sissy's got a crush has she?" Sialeeds asked leaning forward, flipping her curly silver hair over her shoulder. Arshtat shot daggers at the younger girl and shushed her harshly. Sialeeds just leaned back in her chair, giggling.

"Ah, Your Highness. It is so lovely to have you grace the people of Stormfist with your glorious presence."

"Lord Godwin, what a wonderful welcome we have received at your hands." Falzrahm smiled graciously at him. Two young men shuffled their feet behind the older gentleman, looking both bored and annoyed. The younger of the two bravely stole a glace at the princesses sitting in the royal box.

"I believe you have met my nephew, Laren and my son, Gizel." The older man motioned to the two following him. The older of the two, Laren, stepped forward and bowed low before the eldest Princess present.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again, Your Highness. I look forward to watching my champion crush the competition in the tournament." He looked fully at the elder princess. "Your Highness, it would please me greatly if you could pass a token of your favor to my champion, so as to wish him luck in the competition." He smiled a wide, yet insincere smile at the younger woman. Arshtat smiled back sweetly at him.

"Perhaps if the young Master Godwin would like my favor, he would fight for it himself."

Laren, startled, took a step back from the princess, his eyes wide and flashing with anger. Arshtat's sweet smile never wavered, but rather grew with the fact that she had caught the young nobleman off guard. Falzrahm's eyes were hot on her daughter, holding the promise of scolding later. A snorting giggle came from the seat behind Arshtat. Falzrahm's glare caught sight of her younger daughter.

"Sialeeds." Her voice, combined with her warning glance held a great threat for the youngest of the Falenas, but it could not keep the fifteen-year-old girl's shoulders from shaking or lips from quivering with laughter.

"Sorry, Mother." She spoke softly, out of fear that she would crack up laughing.

"Go take a walk." Her mother commanded. Sialeeds nodded her agreement as she stood to leave the royal box. Smoothing her gown, her eyes caught the intense blue eyes of the younger Godwin. Feeling a bit cheeky after what had happened, Sialeeds grinned and winked at the younger of the two youths. Gizel's normally stoic features cracked with a grin that danced in his eyes as a chuckle shook through his body.

"Father, Your Highness, might I escort Her Highness on her promenade?" he asked politely.

"Fine, Gizel, go." Lord Godwin waved dismissively to his young son. The hopes of power were not pinned on him so why not escort the younger sister. Perhaps by endearing the family to the younger sibling, they could save face if their champion managed to lose…

"Thank you for the offer." The would-be and future Queen smiled the same sweet smile Arshtat had flashed to his cousin earlier, but instead of chiding him, she allowed him to pass through the royal box in order to follow the younger sister. Gizel bowed slightly to the royal family before following Sialeeds.

He heard cackling laughter echo through the stone hallway as he poked his head out of the royal box. Sialeeds was leaning heavily against the stone wall, her head thrown back in riotous laughter as she wiped tears from her cheeks.

"It really wasn't that funny." He said, his voice soft so she would have to quiet down to hear him. The spindlely fourteen-year-old boy looked up at her.

"Oh yes, yes it was. Don't lie, you thought so too." She playfully pushed him in the shoulder. He rolled back with the force, making it seem she shoved him harder than she did. As he met her eyes once more, he grinned.

"You like breaking rules, don't you, Your Highness?" He asked, blushing at the touch, and got his answer in the way her eyes glittered as she looked at him and in the playful grin on her face.

"Come on…" He began leading her down the hall and was startled when she linked her arm with his, "I don't know about you, but I'm already tired of watching this carnival."

Sialeeds chuckled once more. "Yeah. I'm glad it's Arshtat that is dealing with this and not me. I would hate the idea of not meeting my husband until he won me."

"Yeah, that would suck."