Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 19

Author Notes: Shit is finally ready to hit the fan for Faris. I can't wait! So let's see how miserable I make him, I do not own Dragon Quest.

3rd P.O.V

All the begging in the world would not save the fool from his wrath. "I beg for your forgiveness!" Not even the combined head bangs on the floor from the entire royal family and advisor would quell his rage. Because as Erik and the rest of his friends thought, there was indeed a reason why no one spoke of the Rainbough.

Prince Faris or rather Prince Feces(at this point Erik won't be regarding him as anything else from now on) had threatened them, forced Ace to race and fight in his place-nearly dying in the process...for a treasure that he didn't even have in the palace. All of those days where Erik went about sneaking in the palace were needless.

This whole week has practically been a waste of time. Only problem now though is they can't leave just yet, as Ace was still under extreme bed rest. Getting poisoned after being stabbed by the Slayer of Sands forced her to stay at the inn.

Constantly taking antidote herbs and going through healing sessions with Serena. Fighting with a fever that left her even more miserable than she already was. Her terrible condition had been the reason why it had taken the deadly duo so long in coming to the palace.

Veronica for once was on the same page as him as she does her utmost not to set the whole kingdom on fire. It's not like anyone could stop them. Their knights wouldn't even try fighting the Slayer of Sands. What made them think they stood a chance against the warriors that killed it?

"I apologize on behalf of my husband and son. Though I'm afraid the only thing I can tell you about the Rainbough is that the merchant who purchased it mentioned heading to Gondolia next." That didn't make either of them feel better.

According to the damned Sultan he had sold the Yggdrasil branch the day they arrived. Meaning this could've all been avoided. Pissing Erik off all the more. More so than that he questioned how this kingdom wasn't conquered already. All of his ire was for the male royals, but the queen was an ignorant ditz of a woman.

Not caring that her son was abusing his power. Manipulating both foreigners and his people to do his work for him. Not even having the audacity to address her people after said foreigners fought an annual dangerous monster that could've killed all of their civilians. She didn't even lecture her family.

She apologized on their behalf-but personally Veronica only thought the woman said that knowing that the two of them alone were ready to do more damage then the Slayer of Sands ever did! And she couldn't blame her if that was indeed the case.

Especially when they had revealed that the person that their stupidity nearly killed was not only a princess in her own right(how did Erik know that?) but also the Luminary. Someone chosen by the Goddess to save the world. To say these royal fools had a lot to make up for was the understatement of the century.

And if the look on her companion's indication, the treasure hounding thief was going to make sure they indeed paid in diamonds.

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Erik found himself silently cursing as he went about fighting with the door knob. Considering how full his hands were it was no surprise, but that still didn't make his annoyance any less as he once more fiddles his fingers, trying to open the damn door. His efforts took a good minute, but he had finally made his way in.

Only to sigh as he gives an unimpressed look. "Ace...you're supposed to be resting." She gives a sheepish smile, acting as if she didn't just try getting out of bed only to collapse onto her knees. "Serena said I'm well enough to stretch my legs."

He was pretty sure that this wasn't what the healing mage meant. "You should've waited for one of us to be here with you." Still he couldn't blame her for being restless. Each day the Rainbough is a bit further away from them. However he had to be the one to keep her from overdoing things.

"We've been here long enough because of me." Especially as she gave a small wince trying to stand up. No doubt she irritated her injury. With large strides he places the various bags down on the floor before reaching her side.

Placing her arm over his shoulder he returns her to bed. "We've been here a week and a half Ace. Another day or two won't kill us if it means you're fully healed." She huffed as she laid down, sulking as how she hardly did anything and was already tired.

The poison was fortunately out of her system, but the fatigue was still an after effect. Satisfied that she was going to stay put, her favorite thief returned to the bags he put down. Rummaging through them as he realizes someone was missing.

"Speaking of Serena, where is she? Figured she was still here after me and Veronica left to speak to the Sultan." He glanced up, worried as she sighed, resting her head on her arms. "She wanted to head to the church, figuring she could get some holy water for our journey."

His worry increases as he places a hand to her forehead, another fever. Though thankfully it wasn't as bad as it's been. "That's probably a smart move, I imagine we'll be running into more dangerous monsters as we continue on. Even then it'll be good when we're at a campsite." She smiled then.

Knowing that despite there not being any previous issues, he didn't trust the goddess statues protecting them. "How'd things go with you and Veronica? If there aren't any guards banging down my door I'll assume it went well?" The smirk that formed on his face didn't really reassure her.

He waited a moment before answering, continuing to go through his belongings. "Let's just say...they were very generous with assisting us on our quest." It wasn't a lie. But the look on his face said that it wasn't necessarily because the rich family wanted to make amends out of the goodness of their heart.

Just taking a glimpse from her position she could see in one set of bags had a lot of gold, jewels, weapons, armor. The other two or so having bandages, medicine and food. "How did you manage to lug all of that here?"

Her answer came with a little wave. The chimera wing glinting in the light, making her giggle. "We've been stockpiling quite a bit, figured using one or two wouldn't hurt." She didn't mind at all, it made no difference to her since everything they had was stuffed into her grandfather's enchanted bag.

Chalky compared it to that of a bottomless pit on multiple occasions and it fit. If someone needed something from it, all they had to do was get it themselves if Ace didn't have it on her person. Other than Gemma's charm...she really didn't have any valuables that she'd worry about being messed with.

"Promise me you'll come back and visit!" Gemma was doing her utmost not to cry as she all but thrusted the little gift her friend's way. "Of course. Just because i'm off on a journey doesn't mean I won't come home." Honestly Ace wanted to ask her to come with her. Not wanting to travel alone.

However they both knew what her answer would be. Unlike her, Gemma had everything she could ever want here in Cobblestone. She had a life here that she was happy with. Any day now her lover would ask for her hand in marriage now that she was of age and would make a living as the talented seamstress she was.

Ace would always be welcomed, but this life of trying to settle down and being judged just wasn't for her. "Besides...I expect an invitation to the wedding the instant you pick a date. Hell I'll even zoom back to wear a dress for the occasion just for you."

At that the blonde haired girl laughed, tears coursing down her face. Up until now, since the day old man Chalky brought Ace to the village the two of them were inseparable.

Sisters in all but blood. "You better! I'll find the frilliest thing I can find and show you off to the world. Forget the wedding, you dressing up will be the most memorable thing." The image was horrible and neither of them could stop laughing.

"I think your future groom would be upset over that." All Ace got was a grin. "He loves me and will have to deal with it. If he can't accept my family and how much they mean to me then the ring will be thrown right in his face." They could stay there all day, talking about the future.

It wouldn't be the first time they just lazed the day chit chatting away. "Just make sure if you find a lover of your own-you introduce him to me. I wanna see just what kind of magical being managed to tame you."

Wouldn't that be the day. "Don't think that'll ever happen but i'll be sure to torture him by letting you and mum kidnap him." Without another word the two share one final hug. The tears fully fall from their faces, puffing their eyes and reddening their cheeks.

It took ages for the two of them to let go, and even longer for the supposed Luminary to find the strength to leave her hometown and the people who meant the world to her.

"...on?" Ace blinked as she felt a finger tap her head, bringing her back to reality. "Pardon?" A small smile formed on Erik's face as she tilted her head. "I said I got you something to help with this damned heat to try on. More importantly where'd you go? You have a long awaited vision show up suddenly or something?" A blush formed as she apologized.

It wasn't a vision, but she was indeed lost in thought. "No. Just thinking is all. Wait-what'd you get?" His brows furrowed as he stared at her for a moment, suspicious. But he let it go for the moment to pull it out from the bags. "Hopefully it's the right size..."

to be continued

Author Notes: Another chapter done. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Especially since I get to cry all over again for killing Gemma. I didn't really care for her in the game but being besties/sisterly to my version of Eleven really brings some warmth I didn't know i needed.

At the very least I made this Gemma really funny as I would pay to see her throw her engagement ring at her fiance if he so much as look as Ace wrong. But I'm rambling, so that's it for now.

Ahem. Ladies and gents, thank you all so much for reading my story. If you like what you see so far, please feel free to fav/follow/review as it always makes my day knowing someone else is enjoying my series right along with me. See you next time, tchao for now