Author's note: I don't own Dragon Quest IV

Battle For Glory

Chapter 16: Richard

The walk was quiet, although there was a nervousness that was palpable simply because they didn't know if there were those laying in wait for them. Going inside the castle again, they didn't draw their weapons simply to try and put those who were on their side at ease that they weren't out to openly slay every monster to cross their path.

Psaro frowned as he looked around each corner before they went down the hallway, to ensure that no one would just show up and try to simply ambush them. Walking down the hallway, he shivered. "It was never this empty when I was here… What's going on here Pruslas?"

The giant creature responded, "I honestly don't know. Perhaps Aamon isn't as supported as he thinks he is… And no one wants to protect him anymore. I'm not sure but it's a fairly good thought."

The silver haired elf nodded, "Let's hope it's as simple as that Pruslas." He had his doubts, but he could hope that maybe it was the truth. He didn't want to see more lives needlessly lost like back at El Forado…

Rashaverak nodded, "Follow me… I'd rather be in the lead so that you all remain safe in the event of a trap laying in wait for us." He took the lead as they walked down the hallway, slowing down as they neared the corner. The purple dragon held a hand out to stop them as he rounded the corner before waving them onwards.

Meena frowned as she saw the floor, stained with blood. "A big battle went on here… I don't like the signs of this… They speak of horror to come."

Torneko nodded as he noticed something… "This blood, it's close to human blood color, but it's just ever so slightly not."

Ragnar nodded, "Right you are Torneko. This is about to get far more dangerous. I'd like the ladies to stay closer to the interior of the circle for their safety. As a loyal soldier of Burland Castle, your safety is paramount."

Airlia nodded as she, Meena, Maya and Alena were subsequently surrounded by the others of their group and the loyal monsters to Psaro. When they were done creating the protective ring, they went into the alcove to where some stairs were. Creeping up the stairs, they found a long tunnel lined with more of the gargoyles on either side and a doorway at the end. A shiver raced down her spine as they slowly walked out of the long hallway and back to the open balcony of the castle that led to another doorway to their right. "This is unnerving… it's too quiet… too eerie…"

Maya nodded in agreement as they walked through the next doorway. "You're right… My spine is getting tingles…"

Meena looked at her sister, knowing fully what that meant. "Then danger's around the corner… Let's keep our eyes peeled yes?"

Alistair nodded, "Right." He looked at Barbatos, "So where would the other human be kept in here then? I know it was mentioned that the human was kept deeper within the castle, making it harder to get him out so simply."

Barbatos nodded as he led the way into the other room, "Avoid that button for the lift… it won't help us with what we're trying to do. Instead, we're going to walk past this lift and go to the stairs you see in the other room. We're close…"

They slowly approached the stairs, going up to find a larger chamber with more statues. Psaro groaned as he looked around. "More blood… this doesn't look good for the ones you sent in to try and keep the human safe…" He said more to Rashaverak than anyone else.

Rashaverak nodded, "I know Psaro… I'm concerned too. Hopefully it's just the blood of the enemy who support Aamon…"

Barbatos sighed, "I think we're nearing the area… It was just outside here and along the balcony to the next room…"

Ragnar pulled out his sword, as did Torneko, Kyril, Alistair, and Psaro. They were ready for whatever combat they would be facing as they walked past the thirteen gargoyles towards the doorway on their right. Heading outside, they walked the short stretch of balcony that led to the prison chamber. In the game, it had been a treasure room… but it made sense in a weird way to Airlia that it was no longer a treasure room… "Barbatos, are you going to go in first, see what's there… or who's there before we go inside or do we all just go in?"

The satyr monster nodded, "I'll peek in first, listen for me to give the cue on when to come in. It won't be but a moment Lord Psaro." He walked over to the doorway and went inside, leaving the door purposely open...

Barbatos saw the man being shackled against the wall, the red blood of human dripping from several wounds on his body. He looked around to see a bengal tiger monster and a statue looking monster. Walking over to them he spoke loudly, "So this is the human that our Lord Psaro asked to be brought here? Reaffirmed by that of our much beloved Lord Aamon?"

The bengal monster turned and nodded. "Yes Lord Barbatos. We also heard Lord Psaro has defected to the humans' side. Is this true?"

The tall satyr monster nodded, "Sadly it is Bengal. I wanted to be sure this is the human from before. I'm glad to see that he's been roughed up a bit."

That was the sign that Rashaverak had been listening for as he nodded to the others of his kind and to Pruslas. "Now, let's go. There's two of them from the sounds of the conversation. Come!" They rushed into the room, catching the two creatures off guard as Alistair deftly slit the bengal along his belly up to his chest, killing him instantly from immediate blood loss.

Maya brewed a fire spell to hit the creature, "Kafrizzle!" A large fireball descended down on the statue like creature.

Borya brewed an ice spell to slice through the creature, "Kacrackle!" As several ice spears pierced the monster, killing him instantly after the assault from the fireball.

Barbatos sighed as the deed was done. "At least you made it quick for them, I thank you for that." He looked over to see the ones that Rashaverak had sent in to try and find the human, to help him escape if possible… They were all dead. Kneeling beside them, he looked from one to the next to the next. "I'm so sorry for the unnecessary deaths Rashaverak. They were completely unnecessary."

The purple dragon shook his head. "They will be missed and we will properly honor them when Aamon is gone for good. He is a blight on monsterkind. For now, we have to do what we have to do. Let's help the human who is badly injured back there." He walked over to the lock and destroyed the gate separating them from the other half of the room. There were still treasure chests there, but it seemed almost as if all of the treasure of the castle was there in that tiny cell.

Alistair walked over to the human and paused immediately. It was as he was told… a human was being held there… Richard was being held there. "Richard… it's me. Alistair."

The man weakly moved his head, "Alistair? You're… you're alive! Thank the Goddess! Thank the Dragon God!"

Airlia walked over as Alistair started to break the manacles that were binding him to the wall. He took the man and helped him to sink to the ground while Airlia looked over his wounds. She decided on the best course of action to heal the man was first by sealing the wounds, then to use magic to cleanse any poisons from his body. "Fullheal…" She said, focusing on her powers that were unlocked by the Dragon God. The bright white light came forward to heal his injuries, sealing the cuts, mending the broken bones and ribs. It mended any internal organ damage before she continued with the next spell, "Squelch." This one was to detoxify him of any poisons that might be in his body.

He looked up at the brunette. "It's you… from the village… you helped us that day…"

She nodded, "That I am. I've been helping him since then. I'm glad you're alright Richard." Her silver eyes flashed with uncertainty as he slowly stood. The clone had been programmed to turn Alistair and the others against her… but was that his real feelings to begin with? Or were they just fabrication.

Richard extended his hand to help her stand. "Thank you for helping me… thank you for saving my people… thank you for helping Alistair."

Airlia took his hand and stood, her eyes watching his every move with suspicion. Alistair shook his head, "Please Richard, don't take her suspicion too deeply to heart. She was almost killed by our suspicions that your double implanted in our heads. She's scared of you still… You almost killed her yourself at one point at the Palais de Leon."

The knight nodded, "Forgive me. I would never strike a lady down, nor would I try to throw such suspicion on her that it would turn others on her unless I had actual proof that you were a monster in disguise."

She nodded, "I understand and you need not seek forgiveness because it was not you." Silver eyes observed Torneko looking through the treasures, holding onto a strange stone as she smiled. "That's a sage's stone. Hold on tightly to it Torneko as it can heal us even if you can't use magic. It's invaluable to us."

He smiled with a nod. "That I will. At least I don't necessarily have ta be on the front lines. This is a boon for me."

Alistair nodded, "Right you are. Now, let's hurry through this place… let's find Aamon and put him in his place for good."

They slowly made their way back down to where the lift was as Psaro stepped on the button once everyone was loaded onto it. Slowly it descended to the floor below, to fill the gap between the rooms on the second floor. Alistair frowned as he looked out into the hallway, "Again it's really quiet… We have food on us, why don't we sit for a short time, eat to regain our strength… and then we'll continue."

Psaro nodded, "That's a wise idea. I don't know what to expect when we get past this castle. It could be more of the same or it can be lined with monsters like a gauntlet… or it could even be a battle between those allied with me and those allied with Aamon."

They sat down to eat of the bread, dried meats and fruit that were with them. Airlia leaned against Alistair as they ate while Kiryl and Meena helped Richard to eat. Once they were filled and Richard consumed much of the water single handedly because he had been denied food and water for much of his stay there. They didn't mind because there were more casks of water in the wagon for when they eventually got to the other side of the castle and were able to use the Baron's Horn to bring it to them. The knight smiled at the pair. "So you fell in love then Alistair? With young Airlia I mean."

The green haired man nodded as he wrapped his arms protectively around her. "I did. She's sweet, kind, caring, giving… all of the best qualities. I don't give a damn about looks because I know they'll fade when we reach my father's age… All I want is for us to be together, to be happy."

He nodded, "Then you better keep the young woman safe and happy." Richard looked at Psaro, "And you've joined us? As has these beings?" He didn't want to offend them by calling them monsters.

Psaro nodded, "We did. Airlia risked her life to help my lover. I wasn't about to throw away that knowledge… The knowledge that not everyone of their kind was as hateful as they seemed. Then when I found out that Aamon had arranged for it to happen… it told me that there were those of monsterkind who would kill anyone they wanted to – even if they had never hurt them before."

Richard nodded, "I see. Well, I'm glad you're on our side now as are they. It feels somehow comforting."