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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
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Memories
Chapter Ten: Pickham and the Horse Napped
When they arrived, night was just starting to fall and there was a burly man asleep down the main aisle, but otherwise the town was still bustling as they walked. Pickham was a large town, but yet Airlia felt a sense of apprehension as they saw the dilapidated sandstone buildings. Merchants there, were seemingly dressed well, as was most of the people, but something about the town was off. She only wished she could put her finger on it. However, Trode was soaking in the fact that he didn't have to hide from anyone. He began to chatter excitedly with Yangus, "Well Yangus, at least you were right about something! No one here so much as bats an eyelid at me!"
Yangus smiled as he nodded, "I lived here for many years, so I would think I know 'ow me own town would react to ya!"
He slowed Medea down as Trode spoke with Draco, "So… the pub awaits! I'll go on ahead. I wouldn't want to get in your way. You go and find this Brains fellow. I'll be waiting for your report!"
Trode left with a smile on his face, waiving at the group as Yangus scoffed as he put his fisted hands on his hips, "Waitin'? Boozin' more like! Come on, guv! Let's forget about 'im an' 'ead over to Brains's. Some of us 'ave gotta keep our minds on the job, eh? We gotta find that Dhoulmagus." So Yangus led the way as many of the city's inhabitants wandered over to their pub of choice. Going straight back to the pub, he went to the right, over a small incline, down the same incline over the other side and around the last alleyway. "Brain's place can't be access from anywhere other than the rooftops. Follow me."
Going down the alley, they saw another pub as he led them to the stairs and onto the rooftops. He started to hurry as he led them all the way to the end of the rooftops, and then turned right – leading to a giant staircase downwards. "'E's down 'ere guv!" When they went down the stairs, he went to the door, knocked and waited for a response. When none came, he knocked again, to more silence. Finally, he opened the door and looked inside, then respectfully closed the door once more, turning to Draco. "Well, this is Brains's gaff, but it looks like 'e ain't 'ome. Oh well, we better get back to the pub an' ask the old codger wot 'e wants to do."
Draco nodded as Airlia felt that uneasy feeling well further in her. She sent a look at Angelo that spoke of the trouble she feared was brewing. He nodded, "We better hurry. Airlia's got one of her sinking feelings and it only bodes trouble."
The group hurried back up the stairs, and followed the path as she looked over at the pub while they ran. Going back to the other side of town, they hurried down the steps and back up the alleyway to the pub. They ran back to the main pub, knowing that was the one he would be at. Airlia smiled as she saw Medea there, still tethered to the wagon. They went inside the pub doors to see Trode at the bar, having a drink. He spoke sadly into the mug as he said, "It never used to be this difficult to get a drink… Another thing that wretched Dhoulmagus is responsible for! Confound him and confound this curse! But it's Medea who's really suffering. Turned into a horse just when she was betrothed to be married…"
"Your Majesty…" Alistair said as Trode jumped in his seat.
He turned to see the group as he spoke eagerly, "Oh! You're back already! That was unduly expedient of you. So, have you found out where Dhoulmagus is?"
Just as Draco was about to speak, a horse whinnied several times, in fear as Trode stumbled out of his drunken stupor, "What was that!? I thought I heard Medea…"
Airlia panicked as she fled to the door, only to see Medea and the wagon were gone!
Trode, fully out of his stupor, turning back and forth in fear for his daughter… "Medea! Where's Medea!? She's gone!"
Yangus, panicked was suddenly hit with one realization he never had to worry about before, but had to face now. "Uh-oh! Guess I shoulda known better. People round 'ere don't care where ya come from, they care wot ya come wiv!"
Trode, angry about his daughter going missing, turned to Yangus with fire in his eyes at the former thief. "Are you saying some ninny-hammer crook from this slum as kidnapped my daughter!?"
Yangus held is hands up to defend himself as he said, "Oh, keep yer 'air on, granddad! Whoever it was can't o' gone far… They'll still be in town somewhere."
Trode cooled off as he spoke calmly. "Well we must find them then! Forget everything else! Getting Medea back is all that matters!" He turned to Draco and started running in place, eager to find Medea as he demanded of the boy… "Well what are you waiting for, Draco!? You heard me didn't you!? We must find the culprit immediately and save my precious daughter!"
Draco nodded as he turned to Yangus, "You know this town best, lead the way!"
Yangus nodded in agreement as he led the way back to the alleyway leading to Brains's place. "We're not going to see Brains, but I figure that 'e must 'ave gone this way for the black market."
He saw a man lying on a mat and went up to him. "I saw Mitts walkin' off towards the watchtower a minute ago. Drunk as a newt, 'e was! I was up them steps, an' I could see 'im wobblin' all over the shop! He looked pretty pleased wiv 'imself, mind. Must've run into a bit o' luck, I guess."
He fell back asleep as Yangus led them back up the alleyway and down the next alley. "If 'e saw 'im from those steps, 'e 'ad ta go this way."
He looked up at the watchtower and didn't see any drunkards up there as they made it to that corner of town. "'E's in there likely mate. Let's sneak up on 'im." Draco opened the door quietly as they all filed into the room. Looking around, buckets were strewn on the wall and on boxes. The room was coming down on top of them as they heard something from the corner. Alistair grabbed the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it as they went around the counter of boxes to see a man hiding there, counting his gold coins.
Yangus listened to the man's words as Draco stood there, "He knows 'is stuff, that ol' merchant! He could see 'ow much it was werf!" His words slurred together, making the rest unintelligible to Airlia's ears, but she knew Yangus could pick it out of anything. He growled as he nodded to Draco whom grabbed his shoulder and spun him around with a glare. He backed up into the corner as Mitts slurred, "W-Who's that!? Oh, no!" Realization hit him as he said, "You ain't the owner o' that 'orse, is ya!?"
Trode came up to him, angry and ready to kill the man. "So, it was you! You're the scoundrel responsible for taking the Princess!"
Airlia rushed to Trode, clamping his mouth as she whispered, "They don't know she's anything more than a horse. Don't give her away like that less she be given to some creature that might do worse to her than they are now!"
Mitts backed up, shaking with fear as he said, "Wot the 'ell!? Get that monster away from me! Wot's it on about? Wot princess? I only knocked off an 'orse!"
Trode screamed as he flailed his arms about, knocking Airlia away from him as he said, "Who are you calling a monster, thief!? Give my Medea back right now or suffer the consequences!"
Mitts fell to his knees, throwing the money at them, "Easy! Take it easy! I swear I didn't know! I didn't know it was no monster princess or nuffin'! This was all the dough I got for it, I swear! Just don't 'urt me!"
Airlia collected the bag and put the coins back in it as she turned to Yangus, "Any thoughts on where he got this?"
Yangus nodded, "Yea, I do as matter o' fact! Come on – let's get out of 'ere!" Airlia dragged Trode out of the room before he could shout anymore as they went back into Pickham through the side route they had taken before, dawn starting to break over the land. "I suspect 'e sold it at Dodgy Dave's place down beggar alley, that far alley we went down the first time." However, before he took there, he went back in to have one last word with Mitts and came out quite pleased with himself. "If we 'urry, an' the 'orse is there, my mate will give us 'er back if we give 'im back the dough… I mean money. The geezer, Dave, is a mate o' mine."
Trode was about to say something as Airlia said, "Let's hurry then!" As Yangus led them to the alley in question, he went into the pub.
He led them to the bar as the barkeep smiled at the group. "You have business in the back?" He led them to his side panel that he lifted up with a wave, "Be my guest!" The group filed into the room as she took stock of Dodgy Dave. He looked much like the quartermaster who helped her to escape not so long ago, strong, bulging muscles – but for a weapons and arms dealer, he would have to be. He had a mask on that covered his whole face, likely to protect his identity. Yangus approached him after turning to Airlia for the money. She smiled weakly as he went to speak with Dave.
Soon as Dave picked his head up, he saw his old friend there and moved his book and quill aside as he greeted his old time friend. "Well, well, if it ain't old Yangus! Ain't seen your mush round 'ere for a while. Got some knocked-off gear you wanna get rid of, 'ave ya?"
Yangus shook his head as he said, "Nah, mate! Washed me 'ands of all that. I'm travelin' round wiv the guv'ner 'ere now." He indicated Draco with a wave of his hand. He continued without a second thought, "But that's not why I'm 'ere. That legless old runt Mitts was in 'ere before sellin' you an 'orse an' cart, weren't 'e?" He looked around and felt concern rise along the back of his neck as he said, "It's just that we need 'em back. They belong to the guv 'ere, see. Mitts only went an' 'alf-inched 'em! I gave 'im the squeeze, an' 'e said 'e sold 'em to you. That's why we're 'ere."
Dave held back a chuckle as he said, "You 'ad 'em pinched by Mitts!? You!? You must be goin' soft, Yangus, getting' stitched up by someone like 'im!" He nodded as he folded his arms over his chest as he spoke, "Yeah, 'e was 'ere sellin' the 'orse 'n' cart. I gave 'im a good price for 'em." He then looked ashamed of himself as he said, "So… I did have 'em, but… I dunno 'ow to tell ya this… I sold 'em already…" He started scratching the back of his head, making Airlia wary of whom they were sold to. Yangus looked upset with them as Draco paled in fear at the thought of his princess not only being kidnapped, but sold.
Alistair turned to Trode, "Don't say anything right now. We need to figure this out, get them back and get out of here quickly." Trode nodded as Jessica's fingers itched near her whip.
Yangus glared as he slammed his fists down on the table, "You wot? Who did you sell 'em to?"
He stammered as he said, "Well… I dunno 'ow to tell ya this either… I sold 'em to Red."
Yangus blinked before his skin dropped a couple of shades while the words set in on him. "You wot!? Red!? The old artful dodger 'erself!? Yer 'avin' a giraffe, intcha?"
She listened carefully, wondering who Red was, that Yangus would pale so drastically and look around defeated. Dave sighed hard as he said, "Sorry Yangus, straight up. Look, it's out o' my 'ands now… You'll 'ave to sort it out yerself."
He looked at the group as he said, "Let's go outside and get some air, I know what it's gonna take for me to get 'er back for the guv." So they left through the side door and Yangus sighed heavily as soon as Dave's door was shut. "I don't believe it! Now Red's mixed up in all this… It's the last thing I wanna do right now, but we're gonna 'ave to pay 'er a visit. She lives in a gaff south-west o' town. Nice little pad, it is. Slap bang wallop in the middle of a lake. 'Owever, she an' I went after a jewel together. It wos called 'The Venus Tear.' We never got it. Now we'll get it and bring it to 'er. She will 'ave to take it in exchange for Medea."
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Memories