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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 Fourteen: Neos and Marcello
The ship truly as Brains had said was magic, sailing without people manning the oars, getting from place to place swiftly. She gazed at the isle in awe as the others came to see it. Angelo smiled as he said, "Wow, your father's words couldn't have depicted it better!" When they got off the ship, they could all see the magnificent statue – even from the distance. When they got off the ship, Trode opted to remain behind to ensure that he wasn't attacked in the holy land. They followed the dirt path up to the gate as Airlia and Angelo opened the doors with reverence. Pillars of stone went down the road, which was paved with a red brick up to the main gates.
There was another inner isle as the road linked the two, the pillars sitting on the inner isle. She looked about as they followed the stone path, taking in the sights of all of the vendors there, as she saw people selling their wares. As expected, there were many priests and maidens walking about. There were a handful of vendors selling their wares as they went directly towards the main statue. Going along the path, she saw stairs leading up to the outer doors just before the goddess statue. Upon reaching the main island that held the statue, they went up the first flight of stairs, and then continued up a second flight to the huge stone building. It had red and gold flags with purple drapery lining the walls. A giant wooden door was guarded by two men.
She sighed as she heard whispers of Abbot Marcello being there as they walked past the soldier on the small isle. Her yearning to leave isle grew more, even though she hoped he would recall his words to her, that he would leave her alone. They approached the doors as a Templar who resembled Matthew from the Abbey approached Draco. Matthew's doppelganger shoved King Trode's retainer backwards as Airlia came between them, shielding Draco from further spite. The guard demanded of the group, his nasally voice grating on everyone's nerves as he spoke, "What are you doing here!? This place is off limits to anyone not of the faith!" Airlia sent the man an icy glare, frightening him. The gates started to open which effectively silenced him as Airlia saw Rolo and Marcello walking out.
She bit back her gasp of fright as Angelo put himself between her and the pair approaching them. The Templar stood at guard before them as the pair walked forward. Rolo was a shorter, heavier set man dressed in purple robes, with gold colored lining. He wore a gold rosary both against his chest as Airlia did and as a tattoo on his bald head as he smiled at the group. When Rolo noticed Airlia, his smile turned seemed to turn apologetic – and that worried her. She saw he still held Marcello behind him, whose eyes had yet to leave hers since he saw her face. Rolo's garments were jewel encrusted as he spoke, the light reflecting off of it. "This is the Holy Isle of Neos! The coronation place of the Lord High Priest! You may be the Captain of the Templars, but a man of such humble origins as yourself has no place here!"
She realized he was speaking to Marcello as he continued. Rolo's deep voice rolled over her, "Understood, Marcello? Your continued office as guard is in itself a privilege beyond your station. No doubt you're aware that it was only because I requested it of the Lord High Priest that you hold such a rank. As his likely successor, he grants me the occasional special favor."
Marcello broke his gaze with her to respond, but she could taste the spite in it for Rolo. "… Yes. I am aware of that, High Priest Rolo."
Rolo closed his eyes as he smiled smugly back at Marcello, "And you could never have attained such an esteemed position as Abbot at your age, without my recommendation. You'd do well to remember that!"
Airlia had had enough of the measuring contest the two seemed to be having as she cleared her throat. "High Priest Rolo, you know the favor came from my father after he retired from his position. He asked his best friend, the Lord High Priest Calchas, to give the position to Marcello since he held such favor with the Templars as it would cause the least amount of upset amongst them."
He paled as he looked at Airlia and quickly recovered, "Well, welcome Airlia to the Holy Isle of Neos. Your father already visited here before heading towards his friend's home." Airlia nodded as she looked at the men like a pair of snakes. Marcello sent her a small smile which vanished quickly after seeing the group step closer to protect her.
Rolo continued, "So what brings you all here?"
Airlia shrugged, "We came to see the Holy Isle, while we were in the area, knowing that there would be incredible gear to carry us forward in our quest to find the one who tried to kill father."
Rolo smirked, "Ah yes. From what I understand, he died and then was revived, is that right?"
Airlia nodded, not liking where it was going. "Yes, I ended up passing out from the exertion."
Rolo nodded, "You have the thanks of the Lord High Priest for that one Airlia. But as you know, people aren't normally permitted beyond these gates."
Airlia nodded, "We don't need to enter Rolo," She began sweetly. "You see, it falls into the category of 'nice to be able to see once in our lives' sites to observe." She continued, her voice getting icier by the minute, "However, Templars shoving people around isn't quite the reputation you should be looking for. Thank you for that sour taste in our mouths now. We're going to go get our gear and leave Rolo. Good day."
She spoke coldly as she turned and left the area, the others following her as Marcello shot Rolo an angry look. "Consider any favor you had with the Lord High Priest in flames for how you treated his godchild. He may not have been able to make it formal, but with how close he is to Francisco, he dotes on the girl. He was the one who sent the armband to Francisco to give to her to keep her safe." Rolo was left sputtering as Marcello ran off after the group.
"Airlia! Airlia!" Marcello called after her. She gritted her teeth as the group slowed down so he could catch up with them. "I apologize for that display… it almost made me forget; here are some items I came across while taking your father to Savella after coming here. The Lord High Priest, Calchas, asked me to come here and work with Rolo. I know you were looking for these little things as I saw the others studying them while you slept at Maella Abbey. I also remember King Trode telling me you were working on alchemy, so I wrote down some things I came across, as well as grabbed little items that could be used in it in hopes to make up for some of the bad behavior from before, and even that little escapade back there. Now, why don't we go to the armor and weapon shops to get your new gear…?"
Airlia nodded not yet reaching for the bag, "Thank you Marcello, but you certainly didn't have to go through all of this for us…" He turned her to face him, the bag still in his hand, and as she studied his face, she saw that urge of possessiveness emerge before being squashed quickly as fright spread through her eyes.
Instead he gave her what he thought was a charming smile. "Happy Birthday Air."
When he said that, she had to think about what day it was and blushed lightly at having forgotten it. Shrugging, she said, "Birthdays don't matter much when you're being chased by some evil being. Nor do they matter when you spend your days on the road traveling in hunt of said being." He shook his head as he handed her the bag. She shook her head as she pocketed the items to review later.
They approached the armor shop as the stout man greeted them excitedly. "Welcome everyone. What can I help you all with?"
Marcello smiled as he said, "I need to upgrade their gear, as much as I can please." The merchant smiled as he pulled out the list of what he had to offer.
Marcello looked at the list as he handed it to Draco, "If there is anything that can help you, please pick it out."
Draco nodded as he said, "Are you sure about this Marcello?" He nodded as Draco picked out the list of armor. When they were given the items, he pardoned them for the moment to go change into their new equipment as Airlia added her light shield in place of her old shield. Alistair and Draco emerged in their new full plate armor, while Yangus had his silver cuirass on. The pair in their full armor also had complete iron face masks to protect them.
Airlia smirked as she said, "My, don't you both look dashing in your new attire." She chuckled as she could practically smell the blush on them as she saw Marcello's look darken slightly as her lips drew in a tight line of warning.
Before anyone else saw it, he changed his look to a grin as he spoke, "Shall we go to the weapon shop next?" They nodded as they went to the weapon's shop and proceeded to look at the list the clerk provided them. Alistair listed off their needs as Marcello gave them their requested items.
When they gave up their old equipment that replaced it, Airlia held onto Draco's boomerang with a shake of her head. "I can give that one new life Draco."
He nodded in agreement as Airlia turned to Marcello, "Thank you Marcello. I'm going to go to Savella and see father. Do you think you can get the guards to let me go see him?"
He nodded, "Of course Airlia. I'm sure the Lord High Priest will be happy to see you also."
She nodded happily, "As I would be equally delighted to see Calchas."
They started to part ways as the Abbot reached out to grab her hand. "Please, care to stay a few more minutes?"
Airlia shook her head, "We're getting closer to locating the man who is trying to kill innocent people, and force me to marry him. Once he's gone, and I'm safe, then I can consider staying in one place for any length of time, but no sooner Marcello." She slipped from his grip before he could tighten it. She saw the look on his face once more before she ran for the others, worried by the darkness she saw in his eyes. He could certainly fool many, but never her. When they boarded the ship, she could still feel his eyes on her even as the ship left the coast.
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Memories