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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 Thirty: The Quibbling Siblings
Going around the corner, they were led to a door on the right side. The door, like the floor was made of a sturdy oak with a golden handle. Opening it, they saw a woman with long green hair that was bound at the neck level only to be left curled at about halfway down her back in a wide curl upwards. She wore a uniform that consisted of a large red coat that had puffy sleeves, gold trim and a wide purple belt with black shorts. She seemed to stand fairly average in height for a woman, with her tan leather boots. She stomped her foot as she screamed, "I hate you, Cash! I so cannot stand you!"
She continued to scream at the blue haired boy, "We're both orphans, remember!? Dad took us in when we were still babies!"
Her whiny voice grated on everyone's nerves as she made a gesture that was hard to see as she continued, "That means we don't know who's actually older! For all you know I could be your older sister!"
Airlia closed her eyes briefly as she hid a yawn from the group, gazing at the scene before them. She wondered briefly if the boy, Cash, would ever stand up for himself. The boy seemed to have had his fill as he put his hand to his short blue haired head. He was sitting sideways from them, so she could only see part of his uniform, a coat similar to the girl in every aspect; she was able to see the color of the collar which was purple. He wore long pants that tucked into similar tan boots with matching purple bangles. His hair was cut shorter than any man she had known, except for possibly Draco, but she had yet to really see him without the bandana. His irritation at his sister was evident as he spoke, "Yeah, and for all I know maybe you're actually a boy! Whatever, Carrie. Why don't you just chill out? I'm giving you an equal chance." He hopped off the desk that he was sitting on as he continued his voice as annoying as his sister's voice. "Like, how many times do we have to go over this? We do the contest. The winner inherits the Golding family's fortune. End of story." When he turned towards Carrie, she could see he had a black bib folded like a fan on top of the outfit. Truly gaudy… she couldn't help but think to herself.
Cash approached Carrie as he said, "Wait, don't tell me!" He grinned vindictively as he said, "You're too scared to go to the Dragon Graveyard," He leaned in to her, imposing frighteningly on his sister as he continued, "Even with your bodyguards."
Carrie leaned forward, pushing back Cash as she screamed, "As if! Don't be more of a jerk than usual, Cash." Airlia prayed for sanity to take hold of the two siblings as she closed her eyes in annoyance. Suddenly, as if answering her prayers, the girl turned sideways, showing she didn't have the same collar as Cash, but merely a white ruffle collar.
She did, however, have the same bangles on her wrists. "Huh!? Cash, we have guests! They could be applying for the bodyguard position!"
Cash nodded as he turned to the group, "I take it you're here about the bodyguard positions?"
Alistair nodded in agreement, "Once you explain everything, we have only one request for you."
Cash nodded as he spoke, "Glad to hear it! Park yourselves on the sofa and I'll fill you in on the situation. After that, I'll hear out your request."
The group nodded as they urged Airlia to sit down on the sofa as Angelo spoke, "Sit Airlia, I don't want you to overdo it." Airlia nodded weakly as she sat down while Angelo sat next to her with Jessica on his other side. Draco stood directly behind Airlia, with Yangus on his left and Alistair on his right side. Cash crossed his arms as Carrie sat on the desk. Both were angry as Cash explained, "Our foster father has passed away. Now we're in the middle of deciding which of us will take control of his fortune." He shook his head, "Maybe 'arguing' is a better term. My sister and I are like oil and water. We never agree on anything."
Carrie picked up the thread, "That's why we decided to have a trial. A contest, basically." She shrugged, "Whoever completes it and returns to town first will be declared the winner."
Cash uncrossed his arms as he continued, "The trial itself is a Golding family tradition. It's like a test of a potential heir's worthiness." He tilted his head to the side as he continued, "All one has to do is enter the Dragon Graveyard and obtain the mark of the family on their hands. Sounds easy, right?"
Carrie shook her head, seething with inner anger, "Not! Supposedly the Dragon Graveyard is full of monsters! We could even die, you know? Cause even if there aren't monsters, the place is old. There could be other dangerous things awaiting us! So we've agreed to hire bodyguards to protect us during the competition."
Cash had one arm against his torso while the other arm laid over it as Carrie placed hers on her knees with the brother continuing, "The only thing is, we haven't been able to find bodyguards of the right caliber." He sent a sideways glance to Carrie as he continued, "But I've got a good feeling about you travelers. What do you say, little sister?"
It was only when Carrie got off the desk and turned back to her brother that Airlia noticed Cash had a leather belt around his waist, Carrie held her hands out as she shook her head, "I hate to say it, but I agree. Wow, this is a first."
Cash smirked victoriously as he spoke, "Well, there you have it. Before I hear your request, since we're all in agreement, why don't you go ahead and choose which of our backs you'd like to cover? Whomever they don't pick will use bodyguards picked from the mansion staff. Won't you, Carrie?"
She glared as she pointed a finger at him, in a stance reminiscent of a toddler throwing a tantrum, "Whatever. You're going down either way, Cash."
Cash turned away from his sister, "Sure sis, sure. Oh, and one more thing. You'll be compensated regardless of who wins. So don't worry about pay."
Draco looked at each sibling before turning to the group. "Left or right?" He spoke softly. It was a unanimous decision that they picked Carrie.
Draco nodded as he spoke to them, "We'll pick Carrie. Now about the condition. I'd like for Airlia to be able to stay here while we go out to the graveyard. She's been through enough in a short period of time and needs her rest. Please."
Carrie nodded as she examined the brunette and saw the exhaustion there, "Of course she can." Cash looked at the girl and pretended to examine her, while enjoying the physical appeal that the girl held.
Carrie smiled at Draco and the others as she spoke, "Coolness! Thank you! We're going to leave at first light tomorrow. I don't want you oversleeping, so you're going to crash here at the mansion tonight, okay? Airlia will be free to stay here while we're all at the Dragon Graveyard. Now, let's eat something before we go to rest for tomorrow. It's going to be a big day tomorrow!" Yangus nodded as the staff from the house brought in extra seating so everyone could have some of the feast brought before them. There were several soups, salads and meats to choose from. From the corner of her eye, Airlia saw Cash nod to the servant as an uneasy feeling settled in her gut.
Looking at the food, she knew something was off, not by smell, but on instinct something was amiss. She went to reach for the glass of wine when the maid accidentally knocked it over, as she reached over to put the gravy down. Airlia picked up the goblet as the maid flushed, "I'm so sorry ma'am. Please, forgive me."
Airlia smiled as she handed it over to the woman. "It's quite alright, accidents happen, and at least nothing spilled on the food or me." The woman nodded as she collected the goblet and went into the kitchen, returning with a fresh one.
Airlia smiled as she took the goblet and remained relatively silent as everyone ate and drank their fill. She made a play at eating her food, while she studied everyone carefully. Once the meal was done, she would have to wait and see what happened. Cash turned to everyone, "I had them add two beds to the guest room to accommodate the group. They should be ready now."
Airlia smiled as she said, "Thank you Cash. I'm going to go up and rest."
Cash smiled at her as he spoke, "When you go upstairs, you'll see three rooms. It will be the door at the top of the stairs. Pleasant dreams." She walked up as she found the room and collapsed on the nearest bed, sleeping soundly.

She was back in the Abbey… Younger this time as she gazed at her hands in speculation. She got up, and dressed in her abbey clothing before looking out in the courtyard. Right, when Marcello was first learning the art of sword fighting. She watched in horror as Marcello took a deep slice to his upper arm. Frowning, she grabbed her small medical bag that she always kept in her room and went outside and down to the courtyard. They were still practicing even against the elder swordsman's orders to stop and tend to the injury.
Marcello finally relented when Airlia showed up, bag in hand. She gave him a chastising look, "What is your problem Marcello? He told you to stop and seek medical treatment."
Marcello looked properly chastised as he responded, "I wanted to keep practicing because in a real fight, they won't stop to let you heal your wounds."
Airlia shook her head, "You won't be fighting for the Abbey at a young age. This is merely to get you used to the weight and length of a sword." The elder said in agreement to Airlia's irritation.
Marcello frowned as he said, "What if something happens and you're away? Who will protect Abbot Francisco and Airlia then?"
The elder laughed, "Boy, there will always be proper swordsmen here to protect the Abbey. Eventually you will be trained into one, but for now, your injury needs to be tended to. By your leave Airlia." The young girl smiled up at the elder with a nod.
She fished into a bag and found the required herbs and cloth to tend to it. Pulling them out, she first turned to the herb, as she mashed it in her small mortar and pestle. While she made the paste, Marcello took off his jacket and moved the offending sleeve out of the way. Taking the second leaf of the herb, she used it to scoop out the paste and applied it to the wound. Once it was sitting fully on his wound, leaving the leaf in place, she took the cloth and wound it carefully around the wound, ensuring it was tight, but not so tight that it would hurt him further. Once it was done, he rolled his sleeve back down and put his jacket back on. He gave her a tender smile, "Thanks Airlia."
She smiled in return as she put her items back in the bag. "The wound should be healed by nightfall, no later. But only if you leave the bandage in place. Thanks Marcus." She went back into the abbey and up to her room to continue her studies.

Airlia awoke to someone shaking her, urging her to wake up. Blinking, she saw Cash's face as he smirked. "I know we agreed to let you stay here, but it's really not fair that they have so many, and I only have three bodyguards. So I've decided abjectly that you will be coming with us. Let's go."
Airlia glared at him as she shook her head, "I'll scream, and wake them up!" He merely laughed as the three bodyguards frowned.
The soldier turned to Cash, "We'll talk to her for you sir. Why not wait outside?"
Cash turned to the man and nodded. "You have two minutes." He walked outside as the guard gave her a pleading expression.
"I apologize for his behavior, and doubly so that he is going back on the arrangement that you had. I've already written a detailed note, explaining the situation, for you to leave on your bed so your friends understand what's going on. My group will ensure you stay safe until they catch up with us. I promise you, they will find you and everything will be okay."
The man said as she frowned. "I want to make it known that I'm very angry about this."
He nodded, "Please my lady." She nodded as she got up and grabbed her sash that held her sword. With it tied around her waist, she grabbed her items and tied them around her sash as she came out with the Priest and Mage.
She glared at Cash, as they went to the stairs, Cash said, "After you." Rolling her eyes she went downstairs as she prayed her friends would wake up and stop him.
Once they left the house, the soldier caught up to her and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We will protect you my dear. I know you don't want to come, and that's understandable given the circumstances."
Airlia nodded, "Thanks." They quickly left town as she thought to call out to her friend at the wagon, Trode.
Cash however glared at her, "You don't say one word. Understand? Your job is to go with me to the Dragon Graveyard." She frowned as she fished into a pouch and grabbed her ring from the Abbey and dropped it on the ground, just hoping and praying that Trode would have seen her, would understand to give it to Angelo and tell him of Cash.
When they were far enough away, Cash turned to the group. "So, my father took Carrie and I to the Dragon Graveyard when we were little. It was to show us where it was when it was time to deal with inheritances, probably never suspecting it would be this soon. Now, I will take all of you there so we can get there ahead of Carrie and her group."
Airlia frowned… What was he talking about? What did he do to my friends?! She growled low as he flung the chimaera wing in the air, whispering, "Dragon Graveyard." When they arrived, they were in the middle of a desert as she saw a giant skeleton there, its mouth open leading into a cave. Her trepidation rose as they descended into the mouth. She grabbed her sword as the others readied their weapons and went down the dusty slope. Inside the cave, the ground was a hard stone, dusty from the entrance she allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. She took a look around to see it was expansive as she shuddered in fear from the lack of her friends.
When they went down the main entrance, they saw a chest as Cash nodded, "That's the map of the area. There are two maps, be sure to take them both." Airlia grimaced as she walked over to the chest, and opened it. She saw how many pages there were, and reached into the bag subtly to grab another map of the same size to hold behind it, hoping he wouldn't ask. She reclosed the chest as she went to Cash, I have it, and it's in my bag."
He nodded as he said, "Give me one copy Airlia." She was glad she saw enough of the path to know what she had to do as she relinquished the map.
He laughed, "Now let's move onwards."
She sent him a glare at the back of his head as the soldier smirked at her, speaking only so the two of them could hear. "You didn't take both did you?" She replied with only a smirk as he nodded. He didn't like lying to his boss, but he didn't like what his boss was doing to this lady more so, easing his conscious a bit.
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Memories