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. |
Memories
Chapter Twenty Nine: Babushka VS Leopold
Marek struggled to speak, "Mama! Stay inside! If you come out… he will attack…" Leopold took the scepter and jammed it at the back of Marek's neck, stopping him of further talk. Angry at the treatment her son was receiving, Marta walked up beside them. Marta felt her heart sink at the sight of her son being pinned by the evil dog.
Looking at the creature the elderly woman spoke, "Well, what a surprise. I come out to find the one who taunts me is a dog! But you are not just a dog. I can smell it. I can smell the evil that tells me who you really are."
He chuckled as he spoke, "If you know who I am, you must know what I want. Come quietly and I promise a quick and painless demise."
Marta angrily scoffed, "Hah… Release him first. Then we will talk."
He shook his head, "You are in no position to make demands. Be quiet and come to me."
Marta shook her head as she continued to glare at him, "Oh-yo-yoy! You reason like the monstrous beast you are. Very well. I will go to you."
Airlia shook her head as she pleaded with Marta, "He will kill you! We can find a way to save Marek."
Marta shook her head with a sad smile, "I cannot risk it Airlia. Forgive me."
She turned to the group with a smile on her face, "Farewell, my friends. Remember, together it is possible to break even an elm. Together, you can overcome even the strongest evil." Airlia's smile turned watery as she nodded understandingly, her heart breaking with every movement the old babushka made towards Leopold. Marta walked forward as the wolves growled menacingly at the group.
Leopold however spoke solely to Marta, "You choose wisely. In you, the true blood of the sages has found a true heir. Such a pity that I must spill it… But there is nothing to fear. Your son will be following you before long." Airlia growled in anger at the thought of the unneeded sacrifice.
Marta gave the barest smirk at the corner of her mouth as she said, "So that was your plan But the scythe has hit the stone! You are wrong if you think an old babushka like me has no fire left in her!" She took out a white bag as she threw it at the dog's eyes.
He growled and groaned as his eyes burned like fire. Even as he continued to thrash his head about Marta crowed, "Well? You like my nook powder!?" Airlia laughed as she realized what Marta had done. Undiluted nook powder in his eyes burned like the raging fire of the home before them.
He growled in pain as Boris quickly pulled Marek back to the group. Jessica quickly tended to him, easing the pain in his body from the scepter's blows with herbs. Leopold, angry at the attack lunged at Marta, impaling her with the scepter. Airlia screamed as she saw it, drawing the winds about her again, pushing Leopold back, which took the scepter with him. He growled deep in his throat as Marek quickly crawled over to Marta whom had fallen in the snow, which was quickly turning bright red with her blood. The scepter began to glow a deeper purple before turning red as another ring extended and shattered. Leopold was angry at the attack as he spoke, "That meddlesome old hag! Trying to cheat me of my destiny!? Of my future wife!? Argh my eyes, my eyes! But now only one seal remains. Just one more… When the last heir's blood is spilt, my spirit will finally be free of this scepter, and I will have my wife!" He began to glow a blood red as wings sprouted from his body. His face started to develop beyond that of a dog into something more … human while his ears grew sharper. His feet were no longer undefined by normal paws, as they seemed almost finger like and his tail lost the bushy fur, was now long … almost whip-like. Giving his wings a few testing flaps, he flew away as the other wolves blinked, their blood red eyes turning blue before they ran off into the mountains.
Marek sat up and saw the slump, lifeless form of Marta as he screamed, "Mama! Oh no! Maaammmmmaaaa!No! If only I had not let that dog capture me…" He cradled her lifeless head in his lap as Boris tried to nudge his master's hand. When it didn't move, he let out a howl of pain, breaking Airlia from her trance.
Airlia ran to Marta as Marek bent over the fallen sage, crying. She was vaguely aware that he was blaming himself for what happened to his mother as she placed a hand on his shoulder, "Marek, I need you to trust me. Please move aside and I will save her. I promise." Airlia didn't voice the last part, knowing he and her friends would not like what she didn't voice… He sat up as he supported Marta's fallen body on his lap. Tuning everything else out, she focused first on healing the wounds, knowing if she called the spirit back before, it would fail. Once the wounds healed from the herbs and minor magic Airlia used, she began the process to revive Marta. A golden glow took hold around Airlia, as her gaze glazed over. She focused on the magic, on calling the spirit back as the glow spread to Marta's lifeless body. Once the magic began to work, the glow around Marta turned red, and Marta began to breathe again. Exhausted from the magic, Airlia crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Alistair paled as he ran to Airlia, and checked her for a pulse. Sighing in relief, he picked her up as Jessica began to call ice magic to put out the blaze.
With the fire out and Marta fully aware of what was going on, mother and son shared an embrace before turning to the woman who was asleep in Alistair's arms… Alistair shook his head, "She has passed out every time she uses that magic to heal and revive one of the fallen sages."
Marek nodded as he said, "Let's go back to town everyone. We can't stay here with the cottage like this. We'll take Airlia back to my room." The group quickly arrived thanks to Draco's magic.
When they went in, the guard there looked at the unconscious girl in fear, "Where are you going with her Doctor Marek?"
Marek shook his head, "We're taking her back to my room to rest. There was a fire at Marta's cottage. Can you bring a second bed downstairs so she may stay with me for now until her home is rebuilt?"
The guard nodded his head, "It will be done right away Doctor Marek." The group went to his room as they waited for the girl to wake up.
Airlia struggled to stand up, pain shooting through her leg. She forced it as she gritted her teeth and continued to walk towards her room in the Abbey with Angelo alongside her. She would never allow her pain to show. She thought back to the situation moments ago… A blonde had been seeking Marcello's attentions, only for him to tell her he simply wasn't interested in any relationships at the moment. For a short time that evening, the blonde had let it go, until she saw him looking at the brunette. Biting the inside of her cheek, she pondered how to get her revenge on the unknown woman. She had tried giving biting remarks, had tried to trip the girl verbally in any way possible to make her show her true personality, but it had all been for not. Angry, she sat at a chair a few tables away and plotted as she held her drink in her hand. Suddenly, it had come to her. She could fake a spill on the ground that would result in her spilling her drink. From there she could do something to her chair to keep it from moving, forcing the brunette to fall flat on her face… or worse…
So she had taken that spill, acting as if the girl had tripped her as she tried to pick up the pieces of glass. She wedged some behind the leg of the chair before she got up to go get a cloth to dry the wine up. As predicted the brunette got up when she saw the blonde had wandered off – supposedly to find something to dry it, but didn't realize that the blonde had done more. So when the girl tried to get up, she fell, twisting her leg painfully as the girl suffered in silence. Angelo who had seen it and had been angry at what the blonde had done, but knew if he went to her immediately, Marcello would blame him for it all. Going over to her after seeing her fall, he helped her up.
He turned to her, his voice low, "I saw it all from here, and she had to have done something to your chair Air. Want me to throw her out?"
She shook her head, "No Angelo. I must have done something somehow to upset her, it doesn't matter. Can you help me up to my room?"
He nodded; amazed that she was letting the matter go, so he would too… He spoke softly, "Would you like just to get some rest Airlia?"
She smiled up at Angelo and nodded. "Yes, I think I'm done relaxing out here for the evening Angelo, I appreciate it."
He helped her up the stairs, marveling that she was able to hide her limp and whimpers as well as she did. When they reached the room he asked, "You sure you don't need me to come in and look at it?"
Airlia shook her head, "No, I'm fine Angelo, but thank you for your concern." He grinned impishly in response as he bid her good night.
Bidding him good night she went into her room alone. She got to her bed so she could look at her leg and saw while it wasn't as much of a problem… One quick glance further down her leg spoke to her ankle was swollen, indicating a sprain. Sighing, she got up and gingerly grabbed a strip of cloth to try to compress it as a knock came to the door. She quickly tucked the strip away and allowed her uniform to hide her injury as she went to the door. Marcello stood there, his eyes boring a hole into her as he stormed into the room, angry with her. "What happened to you Airlia? We were supposed to dance tonight... You had promised me a seat on your dance card after all…"
Airlia feigned a yawn as she spoke, "My apologies Marcello. All of the sudden, I was just really exhausted."
He looked at her as he watched her go to her bed. Frowning he saw what she was hiding as the Templar Captain exclaimed, "You're limping!" His gaze turned concerned as he spoke in a gentler voice, "What happened Airlia?"
She looked at him and saw genuine concern for her as she shook her head. "I tripped, it's nothing Marcello. Really." She insisted as he didn't break his gaze from her.
He lifted the hem just enough to see the badly swollen and discolored ankle. "Airlia, this is a serious injury! You shouldn't hide something like this. Does Angelo know?"
Airlia shook her head, "No he doesn't know about my ankle. He saw me trip, but he was over at the other side of the room, so he couldn't have possibly reached me in time." He sighed heavily as he knew something like this wasn't by accident, and he was angry at himself for taking his eyes off of her for even a moment. The one time he had, she had gotten hurt! He had her sit on the bed so he could focus his magic on her to heal the ankle. It reduced in swelling, and lightened in color, but she still had to take it easy. Airlia reached under her pillow to retrieve the cloth that she tried to hide that she was going to use for her ankle. He took it and tenderly wrapped it along the ankle, ensuring it was tight enough to keep the ankle from getting worse. When it was done he looked at her, "If you need anything, just speak out into the room. I'll have someone nearby often be it a Templar, Angelo or preferably myself. Get some rest Airlia and stay off your ankle." She lay back on the pillow, bringing the blanket around her as she fell fast asleep.
She awoke to see a dog nearby, keeping guard by her side as she moved slowly. She smiled as she recognized him. "Boris?" He came up to her and gave her a lick on the cheek, making her smile. She got up and wobbled for a moment as the thick coated dog came around to make sure she wouldn't fall again. When she was sure she wasn't going to fall, she began to walk outside of Marek's room, having recognized it after a moment. She went to the door and opened it to see everyone sitting, just staring at the fire. They looked up at her as a mixture of relief and worry crossed each of her companions' faces. She focused only on Marta and smiled, happy that she was able to help the gentle herbalist.
Marta smiled at her in relief, "Welcome back my friend. I heard what you did for me. That was very dangerous for you to do!"
Airlia merely shook her head. "No, it's not overly dangerous, just drains me of my energy for a short time. Once I get some sleep, I'm okay… Really."
Marta shook her head as she said, "I'm glad I gave you the extra dreamscape herbs before those wolves burned my cottage down. Please use them to help you sleep from time to time. As I said before, one quarter of a leaf steeped in hot water for five minutes will be potent enough without giving you harmful lasting effects."
The group gathered together as Marta and Marek walked them upstairs to where the townspeople had congregated. The mayor stood there, proudly beaming at the group as he extended his hand with a heavily ladened bag. He gave it to Draco as he said, "For helping two of our own, our beloved Doctor and his mother."
Draco opened it to see several weapons and armor for everyone. "Wow, this is incredible!" Angelo spoke, seeing the items in the bag.
The mayor shook his head, "You selflessly helped them and managed to bring one of them back, it's the least we could do for you all."
Alistair nodded as he smiled, he placed a hand on Airlia's shoulder as he spoke, "Airlia did all of the work reviving Marta, let her get some of the credit."
Airlia shook her head, "Nonsense everyone, it was a group effort. Anyways we should check over our gear first before we leave to go anywhere." They were shown the way to the inn where they could change into their new equipment.
Airlia remained in her green gown that had been from King Clavius and kept her velvet cape on. As they all updated their equipment, they prepared to leave as Trode looked at Airlia, "You have my thanks for reviving that good woman. She never batted an eye at my… condition."
Airlia nodded, "I could never allow her to die. She deserved better than that."
He nodded as a young man came up to two of them. "Could you lend a hand over at Baccarat, I hear the kids who are to take over the Golding estate are at odds. They would probably lend a hand to your cause if you can help them with their problems."
Airlia seemed to ponder it as she turned to the others once they were ready to go. "What do you guys think? It seems plausible to help them to get equipment in return perhaps?"
Draco nodded as he said, "Let's go help them then. It will be a quick stop on the way to the pirate cove, wherever that maybe."
Marta nodded, "The cove I heard was hidden under a bridge south and east of Farebury." Draco smiled as they bid everyone farewell in the town of Orkutsk. Once they were outside, Angelo casted Zoom to take them to Baccarat.
After they arrived just outside of the gambling town, the group found that they were exceedingly warm as they quickly shed their cloaks and extra insulating items into the bag. They went up the stone steps and into the town. They looked around Alistair pointed out a young man walking around outside the inn. Draco smiled as he went over to the man. "Where might we find the Golding children? We heard that they were looking for personal bodyguards for some reason."
The man gave him a halfhearted smile. "Go straight back and to the left. You'll see a wrought iron gate with a giant stone mansion behind it. They live there." Draco smiled and nodded as the group followed his advice, going to the right of the inn and straight back past all of the shops there.
Going left, they saw a statue of whom they assumed was either Golding or his ancestor carved in stone, as well as a fountain on the path leading there. They hurried along, being careful to not nudge people on the path to the mansion. When they arrived, they saw a guard who nodded to them and allowed them to go into the courtyard, beyond the gates. "Hope you're all as strong as you look."
Yangus grinned at him as he spoke boastfully, "Course we are!" They went inside the gates to see a dejected female soldier walking towards the gate.
She looked at the group as she said, "I applied but didn't get accepted. They must be looking for someone pretty fearsome!"
Angelo nodded as he said, "I'm sure you'll find work somewhere. You seem pretty strong Miss." She nodded, hopeful once more as she left the mansion grounds.
Jessica turned to Angelo, "That was nice of you to say Angelo."
He grinned at her, "Well it's true. She does look strong Jessica. Not as strong as you or I, but considering who we're after; we have to be stronger than anyone else!" She nodded as she looked at Angelo, seeing the honesty in his eyes. He grinned impishly at her as they went inside the giant mansion on the hill.
Angelo held the door for everyone as they went inside, anxious to get this trial over. He hadn't liked the fact that Leopold had grown wings, or that they now needed to fly, in order to find him and kill him. They were at a serious disadvantage now… There was a small maid there, dressed in yellow as she looked at the group, "Are you here to petition to be bodyguards?"
Draco nodded, "Yes. Where are we to go in here?"
She smiled as she said, "This way, everyone." They were guided past a giant bear on its hind legs that had been killed long ago and stuffed into that position.
As they went left and deeper into the mansion, they passed the priest who had been among the people sent to get revenge against Dhoulmagus as he looked at the large group hopefully. "Are you going to apply? I remember you from the Dark Ruins to the north."
Jessica grinned, telling him the response as he said, "At last, sounds like we'll be able to get this on the move."
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