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Memories	By : Asirainis Category: +A through F > Dragon Quest/ Dragon Warrior Views: 1615 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Quest VIII, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
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- 11
Memories
Chapter Nine: Morrie and his Monster Haven
King Pavan looked behind him to see the group of people there and smiled. Airlia looked around to see Ishmahri was gone! Saddened for some odd reason, she masked it as the king came over to the group. "I have all of you to thank for my recovery from my terrible nightmare, my friends!"
He obtained everyone's name, but when it came to Trode, Pavan found the cursed king hiding his face. "You have no need of hiding your face from me friend, it's all right."
Trode shook his head as he spoke fearfully, "You'll call me … a monster if you were to see me as I am."
Pavan shook his head negatively as he said, "Nonsense friend, if you helped me, then no appearance in this world of ours can be truly that of a monster." Trode look at him in disbelief from beneath his hood then drew it back, bracing for the shriek to come.
King Pavan merely smiled as he said, "Dear friend, you will always be welcomed within our walls. But tell me, what happened to you? I sense it's more than it seems."
Trode looked at him startled, "A foul jester called Dhoulmagus cursed my kingdom. My daughter and I were not unaffected, however, because of the protective magic circle, it merely disfigured us both. My daughter now has the appearance of a white mare, and I'm…"
King Pavan nodded as he sank to the ground to look Trode properly in the eyes, "I have you and your friends to thank for my recovery. Now, let me order the period of mourning over, and arrange a banquet for all of you since you must have been out all night and had almost nothing to eat."
Airlia smiled as she saw the black banners withdrawn from the top of the castle and the bright, proud colors flown high and proud. As people came out, still dressed in black, they saw the colors and rejoiced, hurrying back inside to change into their regular attire before coming back out. The energy in the kingdom was raised to the point that the group, even at the highest point of the castle, could feel it. King Pavan stood and bowed for a moment, "Pardon me for a moment while I get changed." He left them on the rooftop while he went to his room.
When he came out he looked like the old King Pavan that they saw from the memories. He smiled as he led the way back downstairs where his chancellor looked at him in surprise, "Your Majesty?!"
He nodded, "I've finally awoken from my terrible nightmare. Please, you have my thanks my friend for helping the country when I could not."
He smiled as they heard footsteps fast approaching, and Emma's form could be seen coming upstairs to see them. "Your Majesty?!" She was surprised, and Airlia could see her true uniform, it was the same but the color was a pale peach. She knew that it was somehow better suited to Emma.
King Pavan turned a smile to her as he said, "Emma, could you kindly organize a banquet as soon as possible so we can feed our new friends? They have done much to wake me up from this terrible nightmare."
She nodded happily as she fled to the kitchen to give the orders. He turned to everyone, "Follow me to the banquet room, please…" He led the way to the banquet room which had been set up to accommodate the extra travelers. On the table were soups, drinks and water, a roasted bird that smelled heavenly, and a delicious ham. Airlia loaded up a plate for Trode, much to his delight and then set about making a plate for herself.
Once they finished eating, Pavan looked at everyone, "Never again will I forget the things Sasha told me. It felt like a dream, but I believe in what I saw. Thank you. Thank you so much… Thanks to you and Emma, I've finally woken up from an unbearable nightmare. Now I can be a proper king to my people again."
Airlia looked at Pavan, and he seemed to regain his youthful looks almost instantly. The dark circles and puffiness were still there, but yet they somehow seemed less harsh. He had his crown on, no longer black topped, it was green and gold colored fabric over a simple gold crown. He had a red velvet cape, the trim was golden colored, but seemed to better suit the king than black and silver.
He smiled at the group as he said, "I cannot thank you enough. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask." He noticed what had been ignored by all mostly due to focus on their tasks, Airlia's stained dress.
She had the graciousness to blush, "We've been hunting a murderer, so clothing takes a bit of a back seat. My apologies."
He nodded, "I will speak with the local armory, as they have all sorts of gear. I will cover the coin, but this does not mean my debt to you all is repaid, for this is something minor I can do to help for the moment." King Trode smiled at him as he ate his fill, devouring his foot at a gentlemanly pace.
Airlia smiled softly in thanks as Emma stepped forward, "I haven't quite thanked you all yet, for your help with the king. May I suggest that if you continue traveling, long hair if braided can be kept out of one's way safely?"
Airlia nodded as Jessica smiled, "I can take care of that – but thank you for the incredible idea Emma."
Emma smiled as Pavan continued, "I swear I will do anything in my power to repay you. Anything at all I can do to help."
When the meal was done, the group got up as he led the way down to the armory and the weapon shop near the entrance of the kingdom. "Please, help my friends with whatever their needs are. They are the cause of our ending the mourning period."
The man smiled heartily at the group, "You have an entire kingdom's thanks friends. What shall we get all of you?"
Airlia spied the leather dress, "Can we have two of the leather dresses? One for me, and one for Jessica?"
He nodded as he handed the clothing over, "Gladly friends. Is there anything else I can get for all of you?"
Yangus looked and saw an iron cuirass and asked about that, "Absolutely, anything else my friends. This is truly an incredible occasion, so please, don't hesitate!"
Draco nodded, "Could we kindly get two bronze armors and three bronze shields as well?"
The merchant nodded as Pavan offered coin for the payment. "Nay my King, they selflessly helped you, so they are welcome to the gear today at no charge."
Pavan looked in awe at the kindness of his people as he smiled, "You have my deepest thanks."
The weapon clerk came over, "They helped you my king? Then the armory shop's offer extends to my weapon shop as well."
The King looked at his people in awe as he realized then, how truly deeply he had hurt his people with his unending nightmare. The king smiled brightly as he nodded.
Airlia looked at the stall as she said, "Three broadswords and three short bows, would that be okay?"
He nodded as he said, "Gladly, you all have my thanks everyone. Please, be safe on your travels my friends."
Pavan smiled as he said warmly, "Farewell, my friends. May fortune ride with you on your continuing journey. You are all welcome here forevermore. Especially your delightful friend, Trode. I hope we will meet again soon."
As they stood to leave Pavan called out to them once more, "Oh yes, you were inquiring about someone called Dhoulmagus who dresses like a jester, sadly no one has spoken of a jester or a man called Dhoulmagus, so he hasn't come here sadly." They left Pavan so the blond could speak with his people as they went about looking at the new Ascantha. Doors were open everywhere as they went into one house to see people about, cleaning as they saw a tiny medal sticking out of a cupboard.
The women there, smiled as she said, "Please, if you want the medal, have it and my thanks for saving our kingdom."
They thanked her as Jessica placed it in the bag with the others they had found already. "These things are strange… We've been finding them everywhere, but I wonder what they do…"
Angelo looked at them and nodded, "I have some that were found within Maella Abbey and one from the bar in Simpleton. I thought they looked interesting, but now after seeing so many, there is something odd about them."
Alistair nodded as he said, "We picked up two in the ruined abbey we went through too."
Airlia thought back, "Yeah, we got one from Peregrin Quay too…"
As they were about to leave, Emma ran up to them with a smile on her face, "I found these in the castle while I was cleaning, and they're like the one I saw at my grandmother's when I was there so long ago. I took it with me because I knew when the mourning period began; I wouldn't be able to get home again anytime soon to remember them. Please, take them as mementos of our kingdom."
Looking at them all, they put it in one bag to keep them together. "We have twelve of these things. Let's keep an eye out for any more as we go you guys."
They nodded in agreement as they put it in the communal item bag. Before leaving, the group went to the inn where they were allowed to go change into their new protective gear. Airlia smoothed out her leather dress, as was Jessica as they left the room. Airlia smiled as the men slowly joined her. She looked at Yangus with his cuirass, shining in the light, while Alistair and Draco looking distinguished in their bronze armor. As they left the inn, they went towards the gate with a smile on their faces. As they left they could hear the people cheering for them as the saviors of Ascantha.
Airlia smiled as she assisted Trode to the wagon as he looked at her with tenderness, "It's like you're my daughter made over, even though my daughter is right here."
She smiled as she said, "My father raised me properly, even for an Abbot, to respect my elders and royalty. I have respect for anyone who will show me even so little as a shred of it in return."
Angelo nodded with a smile, "Marcello always walked a very thin wire there, but I have always showed my respect with Airlia." She nodded in agreement as the group looked at the map.
Yangus puffed up his chest as he said, "I know wot it's like to be discriminated against. …Oy, guv! I've got an idea. The town I used to live in ain't too far south of 'ere. How about we 'ead off down there, eh? Sure, Pickham ain't no rose garden, but it's in the middle o' nowhere, right. Even a strange old geezer like 'im would fit in no problem. Old granddad 'ere'll be able to get 'imself a drink! An' we might get a clue about where that Dhoulmagus 'as got to an' all. There's a bloke there who knows ev'ryfin' about ev'ryfin'. We call 'im Brains. He's a mate o' mine. He'll know somefin'! Dead cert! See, two birds wiv one stone, eh! I ain't just a pretty face! Come on! Let's get goin' south! Pickham 'ere we come!"
Draco nodded in agreement, "We don't have any other leads, and if there is someone who knows everything about everything, then that's what we'll do."
Yangus nodded, "'E's about a day's walk south, then a few hours east. There's a little lodge about 'alfway south that we can stay at night. They'll give us some food to take on the road too." Airlia nodded in agreement as the bandit continued. "We've only got a few food items in the wagon these days cause it's 'ard trying to make sure we eat it before it goes stale." Trode smiled as the group moved down the path, and followed it until the path went west.
Instead of continuing on the path, they went south through the trees as they made sure that Medea was able to keep up. Continuing south, they found the hut that was there by the water. "Is that the resting place you meant for us to be able to stay at?"
Yangus nodded as she spoke. "I'll stay out here with Trode tonight. I want to see the stars."
Alistair smiled as Angelo said, "I think I'd like that too tonight." As the others went inside, night fell quickly. Alistair hunted a gorerilla for food, as Yangus took the mallet it had and placed it amongst his items. When they ate their fill of stew made from the meat and other greens, she smiled as she bid her friends good night. She unhitched Medea so the cursed princess could relax without the weight of the wagon for a short time if she wanted to. Trode went into the wagon for an apple as the horse greedily ate it, happy for a treat.
Night came passed to daytime all too quickly as Draco reattached the wagon to Medea gently with an apologetic look. With everyone situated, Alistair came out with the extra food for the group, it wasn't much but bread and some fruit were better than nothing as they continued going south. Airlia smiled as she felt the gentle wind giving her a calming breeze. They went up and down the hills until finally a well-worn path appeared in the distance. She looked at the others as Yangus nodded, "Yea, that's the way see?" She smiled as they went down the path a little further until a band of thieves jumped out to surprise them. She flinched as Alistair pulled her behind him as the men drew their weapons.
She looked at Trode and whispered to Jessica, "Get to the other side of the wagon. We need to protect it if they should get past the boys somehow." She nodded as she unhitched her whip, snapping it – irritated that bandits should try to attack them.
The bandits chuckled as they shared an appreciative look at the ladies, much to the disgruntlement of the group. "My boys… we found ourselves somefin' eh? Now 'and over your money and the girls and we'll let youse go." Draco spat as he pulled out his sword, "Over my dead body!"
Yangus glared as he pulled out his axe as he said, "I'll never let you 'urt these two birds!"
Alistair merely glared darkly as he pulled out his sword and Angelo pulled out his bow and an arrow from the quiver. "Never!" And with that, he launched an arrow, embedding itself in the man's shoulder that held an axe.
She got a quick look at the three men. They were all hooded, with broad, wide chests exposed. They had leather gloves and boots. They wore leather shorts since the weather was still quite warm as Airlia looked at them, alarmed. One man held an axe, while another held a sword. The last man held a spear and they shared the same height, telling her they were likely related. She prepared her healing magic as the man with the sword threw dirt in the faces of the men. She unleashed it as a healing wind, clearing their eyes. Yangus drew his axe back and came crashing down on the man with the spear's head, killing him instantly. Alistair, ever fast with his sword double sliced the man with the sword, striking him down with a lucky strike. The thug looked at his fallen comrades and glared at the group before he fled.
Airlia relaxed as Angelo turned to her, "I promise, you're safe with all of us here Air. I'd never allow him to touch you!" She nodded with a weak smile on her face as they continued to walk going south. Suddenly an odd tower came into view, grey walls with a peculiar red and green paint on it. A ramp led up to a door, one coated in red pain and the other in green with gold almost spikes coming out of the sides, almost teeth like.
Vines grew along the building, as they looked around. Alistair tried the doors to find them locked as he shrugged to them. "This is peculiar." Looking up, they saw a man with a black moustache who was balding with a poof of black hair out of the back of his head. He had a long white scarf, and a red and green alternating uniform. One sleeve was green, with that leg being the same color, and the other side was red. His shirt was opposite, red and green with a black belt around him. He wore grey leather gloves and shoes.
They looked around, wondering how he got up there only to see a ramp along the right side of the building as they followed it to the roof. They got up there, to see him; his back was still to the group. Draco approached him, but all that greeted him was silence. After a moment, they turned to leave. As they started to leave, the man turned around to speak to them. His thick accent coming to them over the wind as he spoke, "Ah, you come to see me, and I ignore you! What was I thinking? Come! Speak! I listen!"
They turned to face him as he smiled, his eyes filled with the fire of passion as he continued, "Allow me to introduce myself! I am Morrie! Here I borrow my ears to the wind." He returned to his post, standing there, watching the world go by him.
Draco went up to him, feeling his own pull to the man for some strange reason. The others watched in anticipation as he stood proudly, speaking with confidence, "I hear it on the wind. There is someone magnifico come here soon." He turned to Draco as he spoke, "So, Ragazzo! You are a traveler si?" He pointed right at Draco as he nodded. Morrie then looked at the rest of the group as he smiled. "You're here with bimba," and with a wave, indicated Jessica, "Signor," and pointed to Yangus with that one. "Casanova," he indicated Angelo, "Guardian," he indicated Alistair and with a final wave to Airlia he said, "Signorina."
Airlia looked at Morrie curiously as he chuckled, "Then I ask you one favore! Here, take these." He handed them three pamphlets. Airlia took them and gazed at them… They were drawings of monsters!
Morrie spoke again as the strange man focused on the group, "When we have finished talking, you take the look at these memos, ay! Each one has written on the informazione of the notorious monsters. They need your help!"
"People have been trying for years to kill them. I want you to find them and send them to me, for I will protect them! They will be safe here Ragazzo, that I promise!" Draco cocked his head to the side for a moment before nodding.
He was able to prove to Ascantha that Trode wasn't a monster, so perhaps some 'monsters' weren't truly monsters either. "Once you have sent them to me, I will give you items to help you on your journey. The more you send once you've sent me the three of them, the more I give you."
Draco nodded, happy to be able to protect some who may not truly be all that bad. "It is not to worry, Ragazzo. For you, it will be a slice of cake! I see it in your eyes! Buona fortuna!" The group nodded their agreement and farewells as they left the arena. Airlia looked at the memos, carefully studying them.
She looked at the first of three memos. It was a simple blue slime. His name was Smiles as she noted the location, "Spotted near a dilapidated castle?"
Draco nodded as he spoke up, "Near Trodain. I recall him, he was just acting badly, but wasn't truly bad because there are creatures around there that are downright wicked."
She put it back in the bag as she pulled out the second memo and gazed at the being depicted on it, "restless armor, probably protecting people… People can misunderstand so easily when it comes to someone trying to protect them simply because they look different from anyone else…"
Angelo nodded, "I recall that one. He was protecting a woman and child, but they ended up running in fear from him because he looks like other monsters of the same variety. He was on the river bank near the Abbey." Airlia nodded, recalling the tale. After putting the second memo into the back, she held the third memo in her hand. Looking at the paper, it held the image of a Khalamari kid named Squiggles. She noted it was near the water's edge near a lady bandit's lair.
She looked at it thoughtfully as she smiled. "This one is but a child, no wonder he wants us to find these guys and send them to safety!" Draco nodded sadly, worried for the three creatures as they proceeded forward.
"Before we get poor Joe from Maella, let's go to Pickham and see what we can learn there. It will make it easier to go and get him on his way without having to deal with people worrying about us interacting with him." Airlia suggested as Angelo nodded. They continued west for a few hours, down the worn path on the road to Pickham.
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Memories