A/N: For the benifit of this story the hero shall be called Alexander, or Alex in short. Dragonquest 8 is one of those games where the central character is called 'The Hero' and you name him. I am currently playing through the game from the beginning, but I have cheats on, such as all items, money, skills, magic etc etc so it will be easier than in the game. Plus I will be skipping out the random battles you get as you move from place to place.
An meeting of Heroes
A small mouse was staring at the rising smoke it could see from the town in the distance, giving a small squeek it scurried off through the forest.
It came into a clearing, where a small green troll like creature in orange robes was sitting. The creature looked at it and gave a small grunt, the mouse gave a squeek and ran over to a boy who looked around sixteen or seventeen. He was wearing a blue shirt, with olive coloured pants and knee high brown boots. He was wearing a yellow trench coat over his shirt, and had a red bandanna tied round his head. You could see strands of his brown hair peeking through. some hanging down just above his eyes..
The mouse scurried up and into the boys coat pocket, settling down and staring up at the boy.
The boy laughed softly before stroking the little mouse "Calm down Munchie, he's only teasing you" He murmured softly.
"Oy! Guv!" came a voice. He looked round to see Yangus, a small broad man wearing blue pants and a brown fur vest jacket, you could see the bottom of a large club over his shoulder, and he was wearing a yellow spiked helmet. He was slightly hairy, and had two scars on his left cheek that form an 'X' shape.
"It's gonna get dark if we 'ang about 'ere much longer" Yangus said. "Let's 'ead inta town. There's better places than this to spend the evenin'!"
He laughed at the boy's disgruntled look "Shake a leg, guv!"
The boy groaned but stood up from the tree stump he was sitting on. He made sure the green bag around his waist was secure, and shifted the sword strapped on his back to make it more comfortable. He headed over to Yangus, who was standing next to the small green troll like thing in the orange robes.
"I've prob'ly said it before, but it beats me 'ow you ended up workin' for an old codger like 'im" He stated, looking down at the snoozing green form. He gave a small laugh "Not that I can talk, though, eh? Guess people say the same thing about me workin' for you"
The little monster stood up and gave Yangus a dark look.
"Hm? Old codger!? I do hope your not referring to me!" He cried "What would you know? A lowlife like you wouldn't recognise nobility if it came up and bit you on the...arrrgh!"
Alex gave a small smile and shook his head. Ever since Trode and Yangus had met, they had argued non-stop with each other, it was amusing to watch, considering they could quarrell over the smallest of things.
He watched as they glared at each other before Trode looked around, his eyes showing their worry.
"Enough dilly-dallying Alex!. Wheres the princess? I can't see her anywhere..." He drifted off, looking around him. Alex and Yangues had a look about. There was suddenly a rustling in the bushes, and to Trode's horror, three small blue slime like things, called slimeys, appeared.
Yangus pulled the oak club of his back and held it up "Uh-oh! Here comes trouble Guv!" He cried.
Alex pulled out his sword and got ready to fight.
"Yangus, take the right one, the lefts mine" He ordered. Yangues nodded and dove forward, hitting the small creature. It was soon defeated. Alex slashed the slime on the left, defeating it. The final one tried to attack Yangus, who dodged and smacked it on the head.
They put their weapons away and gave a sigh, sometimes the monsters were more of a bother than a fright.
Trode looked up from behind the wagon he had ducked behind and walked up to the two men.
"Well...they certainly took us by surprise. But nothing we couldn't handle eh?"
Both Alex and Yangus rolled their eyes.
"Now, wheres the princess!? Wheres my Medea!? My precious one and only daughter!?" He cried, looking around again.
Suddenly a horse with a blue cover over it came into the clearing, from the river, where she was no doubt getting a drink.
Trode gave a sigh of releif.
"Ah! There you are! Thank goodness your safe, Media!" He cried running over to the horse.
"Aye-aye, the 'orse-princess is back..." Yangus said "I say we make a move now, before it gets dark"
Both looked up at the now red sky.
Soon both Alex and Yangus were walking by the horse and cart, walking along the path as Trode steered the cart. They made their way along the dirt path towards the town of Farebury.
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As they entered Trode got a lot of curious and scared looks from the townsfolk, he put on a smile and decided to ignore it.On their way they looked at the smoking ruins next to the Inn, curious as to what had happened. They made their way to the town centre, and halted the cart there.
Trode jumped down and looked around happily.
"Yes. Yes! Here we are. If my memory serves me correctly, this is the place" He said, looking about. "This is the town where Master Rylus lives" He explained to Alex and Yangus.
Yangus interupted "Hold yer 'orses grandad! I thought it was Dhoulmagus we was after" He asked confusadly.
Trode retorted hotly "I AM NOT YOUR GRANDAD!" He cleared his throat and continued "Of course Dhoulmagus is our man! He's the one who turned the Princess and I into such laughing stocks!"
"That dastardly magician can't hide from us forever!" He huffed "We must track him down! And lift this confounded curse! Oh just look at my poor Medea. And we'd only just settled on her engagement to the Prince of Argonia...oh, that despicable Dhoulmagus!"
He turned to Alex "That's why it's imperitive we locate Rylus! Will you go and find him Alex?"
Alex, knowing he didn't have much choice, nodded his head.
"Thats the spirit!" Said Trode happily. "I knew I could rely on you Alex, I'll be waiting right here" He turned and went back to the cart.
Alex turned to look at Yangus.
"Crikey!" Yangus grumbled "I dunno wot the old codger's on about sometimes!"
"Sounds like we 'ave t find that Rylus geezer right? so what are we waiting for?"
Alex laughed "Well best place to start would be the pub, so lets head there"
Yangus grinned "Now yer talkin Guv!"
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Harry was not in a good mood, that much was obvious. He had been growling all day long since his exchange with Dhoulmagus. The fool had been toying with him! And that was something that he took offence at.
He gulped down his third beer, and asked the bartender for another. He was watching as Kalderasha was again drinking, and talking with the bartender. Kalderasha was once a famous fortune teller he had learned. But nowadays he wasn't much. He was actually on good terms with the man's daughter though. A girl names Valentina, who he had met on his thrid day in Farebury. They became fast friends.
He looked up as two people entered, a boy around the same age as him wearing a sleeve-less yellow trenchcoat, and a smaller wide man, though not fat, with a yellow spike helmet, and a fur vest like jacket.
They walked over and paused, and Harry could guess why. Kalderasha was talking rather loudly to the bartender, and the newcomers were obviously interested in what he had to say.
He studied Kalderasha for a moment, his curly hair was tied back, and he was brushing his moustache down, a habit he had he noticed the man had, and his face was flushed slightly
The bartender spoke to him "Haven't you had enough, Mr Kalderasha, Sir?"
The bartender gave a sigh when he never replied "I'm sorry sir, but I've got a business to run. This, err, Haphazard fortune-telling is costing me a fortune in free drinks!"
Kalderasha slammed his drink down on the bar "WHAT!? My fortune-telling...HAPHAZARD!? Are you a complete fool!?" He cried angrily.
"Let me tell you something for free" He growled "All fortune-telling is 'haphazard'! What do you expect?"
He held his glass up slightly "Anyway, so what if I saw it? So what if I foretold the fire? If I'd tried to stop it, then what!? It would only have led to another disaster, that's what!"
Harry scowled, after his experience with fortune-telling in America he did not beleive in the stupid thing, and now kalderasha was daring to claim he knew that Rylus was going to die?
The barman replied in confusion "I'm sorry Mr kalderasha Sir. I don't follow...If your saying you knew about the fire, shouldn't you have warned Master Rylus?
"Yes...Poor Rylus...How many times I argued with the old man...I cannot beleive he is gone..." Kalderasha ignored the question.
Harry sighed. He took another gulp from his pint, having enough experience with the drunken fortune-teller he just ignored him, but he spotted the two newcomers moving towards Kalderasha, so he watched to see what would happen.
"Excuse me?" The boy in the yellow coat asked politely.
"What? What is it?" Kalderasha asked glancing at the boy. He suddenly looked at him and stood up slightly, moving closer to the boy, who took a wary step back
"Hmm?...You! Come, show your face to the great Kalderasha! Yes Yessss! He murmured mystically.
Harry reached forward calmly and placed his hand on the man's shoulder, his eyes closed, and his mug of beer in he left hand
"Alright Kalderasha, leave the lad alone" He pulled the fortune-teller back onto his stool.
Kaldrerasha turned and looked at him "Ahh. I remember you. Master Rylus's young friend. And the friend of my daughter who found out the hardway not to give her alcohol" He scowled.
Harry shrugged his shoulders, and took another sip of his beverage. Suddenly the pub door banged open.
He and everyone else looked at the small weedy blonde standing in the doorway.
"Q-Quick, quick! Everyone come quick! Theres a monster in town!" He stuttered.
Big Bill, a large muscly man who wore a gold coloured helmet with horns, stood up "What!?" He called.
"Just come and see! The whole towns gone crazy!" The man replied.
Everyone got up and followed the man.
The boy turned to his friend "You don't think...?"
Yangus nodded "I think it is, this aint good" He headed back outside, Alex following.
Harry gave a sigh and stood up, following the two to the town centre.
He saw them turn to the left to take the steps down, Harry went across the bridge to see. There was a group of people surrounding a small green figure in orange robes. He looked down and so the two friends below.
The one in brown murmered "Wha' the...!?"
He turned towards his friend and said "This ain't good Guv, come on!
Both ran towards the crowd.
Harry watched as the crowd started throwing stones at the creature. He growled and jumped over the wall and walked towards the crowd. He noticed the horse move in front of the monster, to protect it? Most unusual...
"ENOUGH" He thundered. The crowd pausing and turning there attention on to him. He scowled at them.
"This creature has done you no harm, and you attack it why? Because of what it is? Get out of here before I get angry" He growled.
The crowd muttered and moved off, throwing Harry some dark looks.
He walked towards the group of people, the boy helped the small monster up.
"I'm sorry that had to happen" He said to them "These people are afraid of what they do not know, and after last night...well let's just say they have a reason to be jumpy"
The creature nodded it's head "Thank you for helping me, it would be best if we go"
Harry nodded "I'll see you out"
He turned and walked towards the exit, the others following him.
Soon they were standing outside the town
"I beleive introductions are due" Harry started "I'm Harry, Harry Potter"
The monster nodded his head "Pleasure to meet you, I am king Trode, King of Trodain"
He ponted to the boy in the yellow coat "This is Alexander, or Alex as he prefers. He works as a palace gaurd at the castle
Then he pointed to the guy in the brown coat "And that" he grumbled "Is Yangus. No good low life that he is"
Yangus retorted hotly "Oy, less of that"
Trode 'humphed' before turning his attention back to the town "Well, that was a fine reception! Don't they realise who I am!?"
He stomped the ground roughly "Judging a book by it's cover! Don't they know it's what's inside that counts!?"
Yangus nodded his head in understanding "Yea you can say that again"
Trode turned towards Alex "So then, did you manage to find Master Rylus?"
Alex sighed and nodded his head "Unfortunatly Sir, He was the one who died in the fire"
Trode responded in horror "What!? He's dead!? Oh no, no, no..."
He paced backwards a little slightly.
"Well" He responded sadly "I suppose theres no point in crying over spilt milk...It's Dhoulmagus we're after! He's the one who cursed the Princess and I, after all"
Harry responded sharply "Dhoulmagus? Jester with a scepter?"
They all looked at him in confusion.
"Yes" Trode replied "Why? Do you know where he is!?"
Harry frowned darkly "He was here last night, caught me off guard and got away. He was the one who killed Rylus"
Trode frowned "I had hoped Rylus would help us locate him"
"Sorry" Harry said "But I doubt Rylus could even help you then. The Dhoulmagus he told me about and the Dhoulmagus he is now are two very different beings"
Trode frowned "You knew Rylus well did you?"
Harry shrugged "We became fast friends, and he taught me all he knew about magic"
Trode looked deep in thought and Alex spoke up.
"Listen err...Harry, do you think that maybe you could help us? We need to get the curse removed from the King and Princess, and I doubt we can do it by ourselves"
Harry nodded his head after a moments thought "Sure, I owe him a lot of pain for the trick he pulled last night"
Trode beamed "Excelent! Do you have everything you need?"
Harry nodded, indicating his never filling bag.
"Well, with Rylus gone, we have nothing to gain by staying here. Lets be on our way"
They turned to go when suddenly there was a cry.
"Wait!"
They turned to see a young girl with long light purple hair. She was wearing a white dress with an orange front.
"Please...Wait..." She repeated, jogging closer.
"I'm sorry to come running after you like this. It's just...I wanted to ask you a favour"
Harry gave a warm smile "Valentina, you don't even know them, and you wish to ask for a favour?"
She seemed to notice Harry as she smiled brightly "I did not see you Harry, are you planning on leaving so soon?"
Harry nodded "Unfortunatly, the jester from last night pissed me off"
"Wait" Trode cut in. He looked curiously towards the young girl "Are you not afraid of me young lady?"
She replied, slightly confused sounding herself "I dreamt about you..." She explained "I dreamed that some people came to town with a strange creature. It was...sort of halfway between a monster and a human...And i dreamt they could make wishes come true..." She stared at them.
Harry nodded "I felt that myself when i first talked with him, the wishes part however, you lost me there"
Trode however, looked horrified "A strange creature!? Are you referring to me!?" He glared at a chuckling Yangus.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude" She said, upset she had angered him.
Trode sighed "Heh, not to worry. I've had worse things said to me today! You know, you remind me of my Medea. You look around the same age" he mused "Anyway, you say you had a dream about me? Most peculiar..."
She nodded "If you'll just come to my house, I'll explain everything there, it's by the well at the far end of town, you know where Harry, I'll be waiting for you!" She jogged back into the town
"Wot was she rabbitin' on about? Come round my 'ouse she says..." He wiggled his eyebrows meaningfully.
Harry laughed "Lay off you, keep your mind out the dirt" He smiled.
"Magnificent!" Trode yelped suddenly.
"She wasn't afraid to look at me at all! Not one bit! Ah, she reminds me of my Medea! We must give her a helping hand!"
He turned towards Alex "Right then, my boy! Go to the house by the well and see what she wants"
Alex gave a small grin "What about you Sir? Aren't you coming?"
Trode stammered "Hm? me? I'll wait here with the princess. We dont want to cause anymore of a stir!" he laughed nervously
Harry grinned and turned to Alex, who was looking at him.
"Alright lads, let's get going" They followed him as he headed back in.
'And so it begins...' Harry thought.
A/N: R&R Please people! Thanks to you all who have so far!
