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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 Nineteen: The Sun Mirror and Savella Cathedral
The group left the king by going down the hallway behind him. They went up the double flight of stairs to the third floor. Airlia directed them to the immediate stairs going upwards to the fourth floor. Soon as they were on the floor, they turned left and found the golden door leading to the treasury was right there. The guard smiled at the group as they entered. Draco went immediately to the mirror as the guard smiled, "Take the items in the chests as well. They're part of the reward for putting up with Charmless-I mean Prince Charmles." Airlia observed the mirror, larger than a dinner plate, but smaller than a platter; it was silver with four sapphires set in it with magic runes etched into it in between the sapphires. The center was a mirror that was recessed into the thick mirror.
Turning to the guard, she smiled and nodded, "It's quite alright, and we understand the sentiment."
They placed their new items in the bag and came out with the mirror as a scholar approached them. "Could I see the mirror?"
Alistair stared at the scholar who had an interest in the mirror, his spectacles were on, surrounded by his golden brown hair. He wore the typical faire of scholar apparel. He had a purple overshirt with gold trimming over his burnt orange undershirt that had a white collar with a tan leather belt. He wore a red tie and had brown leggings as he watched Draco hold the mirror up. The man leaned in for a closer examination, his face puzzled… "Hm? That's odd. I don't sense any magic at all. Bereft of its magic power, it's no different from a normal, everyday mirror. Could someone have snuck in and tampered with the mirror while it slumbered in the royal vault? No, surely not. Nevertheless, even without its magic, the mirror remains a priceless royal treasure."
Alistair grimaced, "We needed that magic power to cut through the darkness of a place we're chasing a very bad man through."
The scholar nodded, "I see, I see. Let me think. The mirror itself does not appear to be damaged… In which case, you should be able to 'recharge' the mirror, so to speak, by exposing it to the right kind of magic. That would restore its former power. The man who taught me was a wizard, and an expert in magical treasures. I'm sure he would know how to re-energize the mirror."
Airlia smiled, "Of course, Melampus! We'll go visit him straight away, thank you!"
They hurried outside of the castle as Airlia smiled at them, "Can you drop me off at Savella after we go to Melampus?" The group nodded as Airlia casted her magic to bring them to the mystical spring. They went to the hut where they knocked on the door. A mudman came to the door, allowing them inside with a smile. "Where is Melampus?" He smiled and pointed at the next room. She nodded as the group came inside and went into the next room. The hut was simple, but still elegant in its simplicity. They saw him staring at the hearth for warmth as Airlia went up to him. "Melampus, we need your help with regards to the mirror from Argonia's treasure vault. It's lost its magical properties."
Melampus looked at the group as he said, "What!? King Clavius gave you the mirror? Let me see it then!"
Alistair removed the mirror as he looked at it, "Yes, this is it! The sun mirror! A quite unmistakable feel it has. I'll never forget the first time I touched it in Argonia. It has indeed lost all of its magic. Curious. Oh dear! Let me clarify… This mirror that you call the magic mirror is really called the sun mirror. But now all of its magic has been lost, you can't call it a magic mirror any more…"
Yangus nodded, "There was a bloke who said the same thing. 'E said that you might be able to give us some assistation."
Melampus seemed to think, "A way to get magic back into the mirror…? Yes… I remember hearing about a spell of blinding light that was cast on the sun mirror. That's what gave it such tremendous brilliance. If there were a creature that can use the same sort of magic, then perhaps if you were to hold the mirror up when its cast, it will recharge the mirror once more. Ah yes, the sea dragon's spell. North of this land, there's a strait with a stone bridge. The sea dragon resides there. It's possible that the bright light could restore the magic of the mirror."
Airlia nodded as she smiled. She embraced her father's friend before bidding him farewell. "Yes, let's look at the map."
Looking at it, she pointed to a town marked Arcadia. "That land is rumored to be filled with magic. It's no wonder the sea dragon nests there. And Savella is on the way, but further north. Let's go to Neos and go north. The ship will follow our magic."
Angelo nodded as he casted the spell for them, "Zoom – go to Neos." The blue light enveloped them, taking them instantly to Neos. They turned around and left for the ship as Airlia looked at the map.
She pointed at an isle in the far north. "This is Savella Cathedral."
The journey took a few hours; night was just starting to fall as they landed on the coast. Airlia looked at the others, "Let's stay on the ship tonight and arrive in the morning to see everyone. I doubt Marcello or even Rolo will be up at this late hour." They nodded in agreement as Airlia smiled. They all went to bed, and in a few short hours, daybreak was just starting. Airlia had had no nightmares that night, likely because Dhoulmagus was inactive since he was injured. She awoke and, still dressed in the green shimmering gown, realized with excitement, that Elsie had placed her friend's gown in the bag amongst her belongings while she had slept that night at Argonia.
She went to Jessica. "I want you to have this shimmering gown Jess, may it keep you safe in battle."
Jessica looked it over, "Wow Airlia, it's beautiful." Jessica went to get changed in her changing area. When she came out, the gold was truly striking on her.
Airlia smiled, "He won't be able to pretend for long about how he feels for you Jess."
She raised an eyebrow as she said, "Who won't?"
Airlia grinned as she said, "Angelo." Jessica's vivid blush told Airlia everything she needed to know as the pair left to find the others.
The pair of women made the men blush as Angelo stuttered, "Wha… Wow…"
Airlia grinned as she nodded, "Yes gentlemen. Shall we go?" They nodded and went up the path as Airlia led them to Savella Cathedral. The path was well worn with grass and trees growing along it as they went around the mountains. She smiled as she explained, "I was here once when I was very young. It's right around the bend." Going around the last bend, they could see the small doors leading inside a very high brick wall surrounding the town and cathedral. On either side of the doors was a statue dedicated to the Goddess. The brick path began just before the doors as Alistair opened it. When they went through the doors, they saw the large flight of stairs leading up, and torches on pedestals in a smaller bowl than the fire pit of Argonia. Going upstairs they saw the ground level beneath the cathedral, which had various shops on either side of it, basic structures as the weather seemingly never changed. The only paved path was the one leading up to the cathedral. On the right side, they saw an inn as they kept going up the many steps towards the back of the cathedral.
Going up the second flight of stairs, she showed them the path of the stairs leading to the giant structure which could now be appreciated for the sheer size that it was, stretching as if to the very heavens above. Angelo whistled as he said, "It's incredible!"
Airlia nodded as she supplied. "That is where the Lord High Priest, Calchas, resides. That tube that runs along the length down and up is the only connecting piece to the isle and to this land as the actual land that Calchas lives on is a sheer cliff all the way around into the sea."
They nodded as they went around the cathedral that stood over several stories high. They found the path along the side of the cathedral easily as they continued to climb more stairs. Sighing, they saw the path spill out to the back of the cathedral and one set of stairs left to climb. Climbing it, they found the area where the Lord High Priest resided was surrounded by a small moat and several tiles linking the island to the mainland. Going past it, Airlia looked at the two guards who regarded the group with her with mild hostility before she opened the door. Angelo stepped into the small chamber with her as a small tile came down the chute, and on it was none other than Marcello. He looked at Angelo with unmasked disdain as he spoke, "Well, well, who have we here? Haven't we met somewhere before?" He then took in Airlia as he sucked in his breath.
"And it appears we have a beautiful angel before us. I could never forget that beautiful face. Airlia, I'm so glad you could come here." Her glare stalled him as he said, "Enough fun, I do hope I didn't cause offense."
Airlia shook her head, "Marcello, I'm here to see father and Calchas."
He nodded, "Right this way my dear. Are they going to be waiting for you to come back down?"
She shook her head as her braid swung gently with the movement, "No, they're heading off to fight a sea monster, then to take on Dhoulmagus in his dark nest. I'm to remain away from there, so he can't try to capture me."
Marcello smiled at her as he turned to them, "Well then, I wish you all good luck. May the Goddess protect you all." Airlia remained with him as the others left. She ignored his hand on her own as he led her to the lift. "Right this way my dear."
She stood next to him in an uncomfortable silence as he admired the gown. "Where did you get that dress? It is stunning on you I must say."
She took a breath in and slowly let it out trying to ease the fright away, "I got it at Argonia. The king there had it made for me by the seamstress, Elsie."
When the lift finally arrived at the top, Marcello smiled at her as he said, "They are right this way Airlia, follow me." She nodded as he took her along the stone path and up the stairs to the right of the giant lion's head fountain in the stone wall. Once they went up the stairs, she could see the land was as she remembered it. Luscious and green with many tall trees decorating the property as she recalled a beautiful garden in the back that led to a small pond. Once they were past the iron gates, he led her towards the mansion just a few meters away from where they were.
She had time to admire the brickwork of the mansion even to the giant pillars that supported the roof with the elegant carvings – even though it was simple sandstone, it was still somehow elegant. The red roof was on both levels of the house with an overhang of about a foot to shelter people from the elements if caught in a sudden rain. Moving her eyes from the rooftops, she saw the beautiful stained glass window where his study was. She grinned in thought of seeing her father and his longtime friend after being away for so long. Going up the stairs to the door, Marcello held it open as she nodded. "Thank you Marcello, but I'm not a dainty woman."
His appreciative look along her form told her much as he said, "But you are a lady. I remember Francisco telling me I should always treat a true lady with the utmost respect."
With a tight smile, they went inside as she saw giant ceilings as she walked around taking in the magnificence of his home. Everything was just as she remembered it with a luscious carpet paving the way to the back door. And while the floor was a magnificent blue marble, the stairs were regular stone leading upwards in the center of the room on the second floor. She saw High Priest Rolo there, watching her with frightened eyes from down the main hallway on the first floor. She ignored him as she went up the stairs – following Marcello still. He turned to her, "I was recently made Captain of the Lord High Priest's guard. So I need to go put a team together, forgive me for the short time together my lady."
She nodded as she breathed a small sigh of relief when he left. She went around the last few steps and knocked on the only set of doors there. "Come in…" Calchas called.
She recognized his deep, rich voice as she smiled and opened the door. Slipping inside, she closed it behind her. Seeing her father, she beamed happily, "Hello father! Hello Calchas!" They looked up to see Airlia and smiled equally happy to see her. She briskly walked to the pair as she embraced her father, leaving Calchas time to get up from behind his desk. Once he was away from his desk, she was able to give him a small hug of greeting. It was as if he had never really aged beyond his hair turning white. He stood tall; at least a head taller than Marcello, regally dressed in his white uniform that held gold trimming all along the edges with a purple shawl that went along his back and upper shoulders. His beard parted just above his gold rosary designed into the purple bib that, unlike a normal bib, went down the entire length of his uniform to his ankles. The purple bib also had gold color trimming. His hat was predominantly white, while having the same gold trimming along the edges, it held purple in the center just above his face with another gold rosary designed in it. He held a long silver staff that had a blue orb held at the top by a pair of silver bands that intersected in the middle along the top of the staff.
Francisco looked at her with a concerned expression, "Where are your friends Airlia?"
She frowned as she responded, "They're recharging the sun mirror to be able to get into the Dark Ruins that Dhoulmagus went into. He's injured and they don't want to risk me getting hurt, captured or worse…"
He nodded in agreement, "I see. We can only pray for their safety and survival of that fight."
Airlia nodded in agreement as they noticed her gown. "Where on earth did you get such a lovely gown Airlia?"
She blushed, "Elsie at Argonia made it for me. Well it was already made, but wasn't claimed by anyone and King Clavius asked her to give me a gown… It seems I remind him of someone he lost…"
Calchas looked at her in shock, while Francisco said, "Does he know your family my daughter?"
Airlia shook her head as tears quickly formed in her eyes, "I … I don't honestly know. He said I remind him of his missing brother, Eltrio. I'm not sure if it's the man I keep seeing dead in my dreams and until I'm sure of it… because the resemblance he holds to the man is so…" She took a deep breath before continuing, the pain welling in her chest from the mere thought of hurting the gentle king. "So striking, that for me to mention it would cause him unnecessary duress if I'm wrong." He nodded in agreement as he reached up with his hand to soothe his daughter.
Calchas sighed hard, "Such a terrible burden for a young woman. Not knowing her family, hoping to bring closure to another. The burden of not wanting to hurt them, or bring their hopes up until you can confirm it. I'm so sorry." His beard moved with his movements, his moustache was ever neatly trimmed. He had the face of a grandfather to her, which always seemed to bring her peace. He smiled at her, "Marcello should be kept busy for a while so we can talk."
Airlia gave him a gentle smile, "I also worry about Rolo. He lords over people, causing dissention amidst the people as does Marcello. I fear the rumors of greed within the church are true Calchas… I see it in Rolo most of all, but with Marcello, I fear it's because of what happened when he was but a tot. At first it wasn't anything serious, but then Angelo came to the Abbey and things just went downhill from there." He nodded in agreement before he turned to Francisco.
"She is truly perceptive Francisco, you did well raising her." He said with a small smile beneath the moustache and beard.
Airlia grinned impishly in response. "Well it's one thing I've always been, observant to protect those I care about." He nodded in agreement as she continued, "Marcello is still as slippery as ever Calchas, father. He remembered my birthday and played nice with his brother. Then he's toying with him the next time they meet. I don't like it… Then there was Rolo's behavior at Neos. He was telling Marcello that the status he held at that time, Abbot, was due solely to his own work because he held such favor with you Calchas." He nodded while holding a hand up briefly as she became silent.
As she suspected, a knock came to the door. "Lord High Priest, I've returned with men selected to form your guard."
She looked at him as he nodded to her. "Come in Marcello." Airlia stood beside her father as he gripped her hand.
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Memories