Author's note: I do not own Dragon Quest VIII!

Nearing Our Destiny

Chapter 10: Curse Broken?

They walked east of Baccarat after placing their armor in the back of the wagon. Airlia thought about what would happen if the curse did break on Trode and Medea. Who would pull the wagon…? We could get one of the horses in Argonia, but I don't want to impose on my kingdom. Perhaps he would help… She thought as she fingered a bell in her pocket. She kept her eyes on the dirt path ahead as it led to a fork. "We must go south for a short time, but it won't take long to get to Melampus. I will be quite happy to see him. He taught me so much – and unfortunately almost all of it has been already put to practice in one way or another."

Draco nodded as he didn't look at his sister, knowing the expression on her face. "While I was being taught weapons, she was studying as a dutiful princess must. Sadly one day Melampus retired and we got one of the many scholars of our castle, but he wasn't as good as Melampus ever was."

Yangus observed the pair, the closer they got to Argonia, the more agitated the pair became. He sighed softly knowing what the problem was. He made a mental promise to the pair that if things didn't change he would simply spirit her away to wherever she should want to go to live freely and happily. He didn't care if he would be a wanted man knowing that Draco would give him amnesty should he ever ask it of him. He grinned jovially when he saw the looks that Alistair had been giving the princess. He had the same idea in mind it seemed as the former bandit did.

They continued through the valley between the mountains for about two hours before coming out to the expanse that would lead to the kingdom of Argonia. They walked past a caravan that was on the road, situated to sell food and equipment that a traveler might need. They continued around the bend to the wooded area where the path forked off. "Melampus is this way. Mind you he lost his sight long ago, but his mind's eye is sharp as a tack. So he will see you as you truly are, not as you appear to everyone else."

Trode smiled, he was delighted to meet such a wise man that taught these children so well. They went to the house as Airlia held her hand up to indicate to stop. "I should see if he's here before we go to the spring."

She went to the door and knocked three times. The princess had promised to use that set to identify herself to the ones who stayed with Melampus. The door opened to reveal a mudman as Yangus was quick to grab his mallet. Airlia held her hand up to stop his movements. "This is Mack the mudman Yangus. Monsters are rare in our world since the slaughter from years ago. Most have vanished somewhere and a very small handful stay with Melampus because he treats them no differently from any one of us." Yangus grumbled but complied as Airlia turned her attention back towards Mack. "How are you doing Mack? Is Melampus there?"

Mack didn't speak but merely grinned at the first question and pointed to the spring at her second question. Airlia grinned at him, "Thank you Mack. I promise to come see you more often." He nodded as he closed the door.

Airlia turned back to Yangus, "Since the monsters almost died out, bandits have been taking more to the land. But between the forces of Baccarat and Argonia, there is almost none on this continent. I do not know how things fare north of the border between Argonia and Arcadia."

The bandit thought about it because he saw the monsters thinning out and the bandit activity rise. Nodding, he became silent while the group walked into the forest, following the flowery path to the mystic waters and the man standing at them as he spoke without turning, "Is that my two favorite pupils coming to visit me? They've brought guests with them I see." Airlia and Draco both grinned jovially at how he was always able to figure out it was them, no matter how they dressed or acted.

Draco spoke, "Yes we're here Melampus. We need your help, and that of the spring."

The sage was the same as ever, half bent over with age, long white hair with a dark cap. He had a purple robe on with a simple leather belt around his waist and held a staff in his hands. Atop the staff was a silver orb with a hole in the center for a sapphire blue gem. Airlia expanded on the request of her brother, "Melampus, my friends need your help breaking a terrible curse. I had hoped the water might help them."

He smiled at her, "Of course Airlia and Draco, any friends of yours are friends of mine!" He looked at Medea, "Such an exquisite beauty!" He continued to gaze at Medea, "I saw many a beautiful princess back at the castle, but you, my dear, oh, you outshine them all except perhaps by Airlia herself. In that I'm allowed to be a bit closed minded on it since I tutored Airlia. Indeed… Indeed… But how strange, I sense the curse on her has transformed the princess into an animal, if I may examine her?"

Melampus nodded as he came to Medea's side. "Please, forgive me princess." She nodded with a whinny as he felt along her neck… "A whinny… Here is her mane, and her tail! Truly a terrible curse on this princess. And you hoped the spring might break the curse Airlia?"

She nodded as she detached the wagon from Medea. "Draco, why not walk her over to the water. Medea – drink it, hopefully it will help."

Melampus nodded, "I agree with Airlia. Try Princess."

She knelt down and drank the water. She began to glow bright white as the horse faded and a beautiful princess remained. She looked at everyone before speaking, "By the Goddess, I'm restored!" Airlia smiled as she ran to Medea, "I'm truly glad for you Medea!" Medea smiled at her friend before she turned to Draco and her father. "Father… Father! Look! I've returned to normal!"

"Father! What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything? Am I just dreaming?" Her blue eyes filled with fear and tears as her hands came to her mouth in fright. "Or is this some new trickery?"

Airlia shook her head, "It's not any sort of trickery. He is likely in shock that you've been returned to your form Medea."

Trode smiled as tears came to his eyes as he spoke, his voice breaking on every word. "No, no, my dear! Airlia's right… I'm sorry. It's just that you take my breath away. Come here and let me look at you!" His arms held outwards as he ran to Medea with such joy. The pair reunited as Airlia smiled at the joy that was overflowing between the family. King Trode whimpered as he spoke to his daughter, "I'm so sorry for making you pull the carriage. It must have been so hard for you. I promise… I'll make it up to you!"

Medea shook her head as she spoke to her father, "Oh, no, Father! You mustn't worry! This isn't just about me. I'm just happy that I could be of service to everyone."

Trode rejoiced as he said, "That's my Medea. Well, it's high time I restored my own visage to its former glory!" He turned to the water and dipped his hands into the cool waters to fill the self-made cup. Bringing the water to his lips, he drank it eagerly to try and reverse his own curse. Glowing white, he slowly changed into the small king that Airlia remembered. She grinned happily as she said, "Welcome back King Trode."

Alistair pinned Yangus with a look when the bandit opened his mouth. Sensing the unspoken message, he shut his mouth for a moment before speaking, "Nice to see you back in the flesh rather than in the green flesh majesty."

Trode smiled as he stroked his small beard thoughtfully. "Thank you Yangus. I'm so glad this worked, but how can we break the spell on my castle?"

Airlia looked at the pond thoughtfully. "I think the magic circle protected you from the curse, but it wasn't big enough to protect the whole castle. I think the only way to free the kingdom might be to go after Dhoulmagus. Either destroying the scepter or killing him will break it. I don't know though."

Melampus nodded, "Indeed Airlia has learned well from my stories. She is probably recalling her lessons from stronger curses. Yes, the only way to break a powerful curse is to break the object that casted it, or to return it to the magic circle. However in the case of Dhoulmagus, he won't likely let go of the scepter of his own free will."

Airlia frowned in thought about the jester going to the northwest isle, something about it bothered her but she couldn't put her finger on it. Pushing it aside, she turned to Melampus, "Can you bless their gear to keep them safe from the darkness of what may lurk in the northwest isle?"

He nodded, "Of course. Bring all of the gear to me, weapon and armor alike and I will bless it."

Within minutes, all of the newly acquired gear and in the case of the women, the dresses along with their new weapons were in a small pile as the sage dipped a hand into the water. Lifting his hand up, he had a small amount of the water in his palm. He gently splashed it amongst the equipment and said a small prayer softly. The equipment gleamed brightly before dimming back to normal. He smiled as he said, "It is done. I've also put an extra blessing on the dress for you Airlia."

Her head shot up as she spoke, "For me?"

At his gentle smile with a nod, he explained. "Even in my seclusion I heard about what your family is doing. I put a special blessing on your gear to protect you, regardless of who it may be from. If someone tries to hurt you in any way, the blow will not touch you so long as you wear this. I've also put it on a necklace I wanted to give you but never had a chance to do so. Wear it always my princess." She took the necklace with reverence before putting it around her neck.

"Thank you Melampus. Unfortunately it's time to pay a visit to my family to get the Sun Mirror." Draco said as the group turned to the wagon to ponder just how to move it now that Medea was no longer a horse.

Airlia thought for a moment before sticking her hand in the pocket of her skirt to feel that familiar bell. She didn't see any sabercats on the other continents and wondered it if it was only their own lands that had it. She pulled out the bell and rang it to hear the familiar roar. Smiling she kept her eyes open for the familiar golden fur with dark spots and the streak of orange fur along the top and on his tail. He came up to her bouncing happily as he nuzzled into her hand tenderly.

"I befriended him one day while on a walk just outside of the kingdom. His leg was pinned and I helped him. Then this bell showed up one day and when it accidentally rang, he came back to me. I've started calling him Talen for his loyalty. He does seem to understand what I say though…" She explained as she gave him a sad smile.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you Talen, could you help us? We need to move the wagon." He bounded over to the wagon as she slipped a blanket over his back to protect him before she put the harness on him. He merely accepted the harness before Trode and Medea sat on the wagon. Once Talen saw his friend walking, he followed her as they left the mystical spring with their equipment now placed in the back of the wagon.