Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Digiquest for Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero ❯ The Wages of Heroism ( Chapter 9 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Digiquest for Glory

Chapter 9

By Time Lady

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Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or Quest for Glory

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"Oh God," moaned Yamato, "make the headache go away." He lay his head
on the table of the inn's common room.

"Perhaps this will help," said Shema. The Kattamon set a mug in front
of the warrior. "It is a remedy from Shapier used for hangovers."

"Drink it down fast," advised Shameen.

"What's in it?" asked Ken as Shema handed him a similar mug. The thief
was slightly hung over, though not nearly as badly as Yamato.

"It is a mixture of herbs and other ingredients," she returned. "With
a hangover, it is often advisable to not say what is exactly is in
it."

Ken looked at the cup curiously, then chugged it down. "Ugh! That's
awful!" he coughed.

"Yes, but within an hour you will find you feel much better," she
purred. Shema turned to Yamato. "You should drink yours as well. It is
not wise to even try and wield your sword in this condition."

Yamato lifted his head and stared at the mug with bloodshot eyes. "I
don't think it would stay down right now."

"Try it," advised Ken. "Once you get it past the tongue, you do feel
better."

Grimacing, Yamato forced himself to drink down the contents of the
mug. He gagged as he tried to keep it down. Ken hit him on the back.
"I feel like I was mauled by a Cheetauromon, with a horde of Goblimon
rampaging in my head." Yamato put his head back down on the table.

"Perhaps you would like some plain bread?" asked Shema. "I would not
recommend anything spiced or fried."

"Don't even mention food. . .," muttered Yamato.

"I think I'll have a piece of your flat bread," said Ken. "Nothing on
it."

"How come you're not so badly hung over," groaned Yamato.

"I'm a little more used to the type of ale served at the Aces and
Eights. Besides, Gorimon just kept serving them up as you kept
playing."

"Be thankful he did not try to serve you the Shamamon Sweat or the
Dragon's Breath," said Shameen. "I have seen strong men knocked out
cold with one cup."

"Feeling up to any adventuring?" Ken grinned as Yamato picked up his
head and glared at him.

"I'm not moving. I'd still be in bed if the room wasn't so bright."

BANG! The door swung open and slammed against the wall. "OH MAN YOU
GUYS AREN'T GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED!" shouted Daisuke as he ran
into the inn's common room. Takeru followed, slightly embarrassed by
Daisuke's excitement.

"Keep it down," groaned Yamato.

"You look wrecked," said Daisuke. "Anyhow, you guys are _not_ going to
believe this!" Talking a mile a minute, Daisuke rattled off what
happened since he and Takeru had left. Takeru's face reddened when he
heard Daisuke glorifying his magical attacks. "You guys should have
seen it. He was awesome! So then, we took the key and unlocked the
bear. There was this flash of light and boom! Right in front of us was
the missing baronet!"

"Don't exaggerate," said Ken.

"It's true!" returned Daisuke.

"It is," agreed Takeru. "The man was dressed as a noble. Then he used
some sort of magical amulet to return to the palace."

Shema walked out of the back room with a tray of flat bread for Ken.
"I don't know about you Takeru, but after all this excitement, I'm
starving," said Daisuke. Takeru nodded. "Two really large breakfasts.
Fried eggs, bacon, sausage, fried potatoes. . ."

"Urp. . ." Yamato jumped up and dashed out of the common room.

"What's with him?" asked Takeru.

"Hangover," returned Ken as he took a piece of flat bread.

"Perhaps I should prepare another mug of the remedy," said Shema.

"I believe you should, my love," returned Shameen.

"What happened?" Takeru asked as Shema walked out to the kitchen.

"He had a few too many when I took him to the Aces and Eights
yesterday," explained Ken. "As good a musician as your brother is,
it's a poor minstrel that can't hold his ale. Or who can't recover
quickly from a hangover."

"I guess I should see how he is," said Takeru. He found Yamato
kneeling over the chamber pot in their room with a case of the dry
heaves.

"There isn't anything left to come up. Just Shema's remedy," said
Yamato ruefully. "You wouldn't know any spells to deal with this,
would you?"

"Sorry. Haven't learned any healing magic. Spells aren't plentiful
around these parts." Takeru helped Yamato over to one of the beds. The
two brothers sat on the edge of the bed.

"Damn." Yamato sighed, then grimaced. "Look, about yesterday. . . I
had some time to think before the alcohol kicked in. When Mother and
Father died, I promised them I would take care of you. I guess I
didn't think of the long term picture. We've always been living day to
day. Sometimes I look at Ken, and think how it might have been if his
brother were still around for him. When Osamu up and left town without
Ken, and I saw what was happening with Ken growing up alone and on the
streets, I vowed I would always be there to take care of you. Then we
started this whole journey. . ." Yamato trailed off.

"Then we started this whole journey and I started my own path. A
different path than you," added Takeru quietly.

"Yeah. It never occurred to me that there would become a time when you
wouldn't need me."

"It's not that I don't need you." Takeru stood and walked over to the
window. "It's that I have different needs overall. You need to learn
about using a sword, about footwork, armor, and all that. I need to
learn spells. I need to expand my mind. There is so much out there
that I want to learn." He turned to Yamato. "I can't explain the
feeling of using magic. It's like a fire in my body that I have to
harness and shape or else I'll go berserk. Talking to Wizardmon and
Sorcerymon is helping me. I can't expect you to sit through
discussions on how mana works just like you can't expect me to sit
through and listen to a discussion on the best ways to kill a
Shamamon."

"Ken pointed that out to me."

"If there's someone who really needs someone to keep an eye on them
it's Daisuke." Takeru chuckled. "He needs to learn to look at the
whole picture. If I wouldn't have been there, he might have killed the
bear, essentially killing the Baronet. And then where would we be?"

A tentative knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," said
Takeru.

Shema entered, a mug in her paw-like hands. "I have brought some more
of the hangover remedy." She turned to Takeru. "Your breakfast is
ready."

"You better stay here while we're having breakfast," said Takeru as
Yamato accepted the mug. "You're not going to find our breakfast very
appetizing."

"No doubt about that," returned Yamato as he forced himself to drink
the contents of the mug.

Shema took the mug and left. Takeru started to follow Shema, then
paused at the doorway. "Yamato. . . I'm sorry about the flame dart
yesterday," he said in a low voice.

"We both said and did a few things we shouldn't have yesterday,"
returned Yamato as he met his brother's gaze. Takeru nodded, then
closed the door behind him. Still feeling hung over, Yamato lay back
and pulled a pillow over his head.

---

"That stuff really worked," said Ken as he snagged one of Takeru's
sausages. "I don't feel nearly half as bad as I know I should."

"Then how come it didn't seem to work on Yamato so quickly?" asked
Takeru.

"It depends on the condition the being was to start," explained
Shameen. "Your brother started out in worse condition than your
friend."

"Good thing I got him out of there before some of the cutthroats got
their hands on him," said Ken. "He could barely lift his lute, let
alone his sword by the time I dragged him back to the inn."

"Yeah." Takeru picked at his breakfast.

"You going to eat that sausage?" asked Daisuke.

"No." He pushed his plate over to Daisuke. "I'm going to check on
Yamato, then see about buying some rations. The one I threw the bear,
rather the Baronet, was my last." The young magic user stood and went
back to their room. Yamato was sound asleep, his head under the
pillow. Takeru closed the door quietly, then returned to the common
room. "I'll be back soon."

"Hey, wait. I'll come with you." Ken grabbed his cloak and followed
Takeru out of the inn.

As they walked past the sheriff's office, they noticed neither he nor
his deputy were in their usual positions on his porch. Hilde the
Kentauromon was at her stand. "May I interest you gentlemen in some
fruit or vegetables? We still have carrots and apples from our farm."
Takeru walked over and examined her wares. He picked out some of the
best apples. "Thank you sir," said Hilde as she took the coins from
Takeru.

A bell tinkled when they opened the door to the general store. Behind
the counter sat a Bakumon, his nose in a book. Ken cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry, didn't see you come in," said Bakumon. He looked at Ken
and Takeru. "I haven't seen you around here before." His eyes grew
round. "Are you two of the adventurers we've been hearing about?"
Takeru and Ken nodded. "I've always wanted to be an adventurer! I'm
reading a book about one now!"

Takeru glanced at the title. "Quest for Glory: The Death of a Hero."
"Do you sell rations?" he asked.

"Yes we do. I would like to carry more things for adventurers, but due
to the brigands, I can't get many things. I of course sell rations. I
also have some throwing daggers, and chain mail shirts."

"No chain mail," said Ken. "I won't be able to move quickly in that.
Can I see your throwing daggers?" While Ken examined the daggers,
Takeru looked around the shop. This seemed to mostly be a dry goods
store. The shelves, however, were pretty empty.

"With the brigades barricading the south pass and the north blocked by
the avalanche, merchandise is short," said Bakumon as he put away the
daggers Ken didn't purchase.

"Oh. Well, could I purchase some packages of rations then?" said
Takeru. He and Ken both put their purchases in their packs, then said
farewell to Bakumon.

They returned to the inn to find Gennai, Starmon, and Deputymon
talking with Daisuke and Yamato. Takeru noticed his brother looked
better. "The word is all over town," said Gennai, "that two of you are
responsible for the Baronet's return."

"Hey Takeru!" shouted Daisuke when he saw the others enter.

"Not so loud, complained Yamato.

"Oops, sorry. Anyhow, word is spreading through town about our rescue
of the Baronet."

"You two should go to the castle," continued Gennai. "The reward for
the Baronet's return is surely yours."

"Wow," said Daisuke.

"I'm sure the Baron will talk to us now," said Takeru. "We'll be able
to find out what has been going on."

Just then, the inn door swung open. A messenger wearing the Baron.s
crest entered. "Am I in the presence of those responsible for the
return of his lordship, the Baronet Barnard von Spielburg?"

"Yes," replied Takeru hesitantly.

"The Baron requests your presence at the castle this evening,"
announced the messenger.

"All of us?" asked Yamato.

"We're traveling together," added Daisuke. "The four of us."

The messenger looked the adventurers over. "I believe that will be all
right. Shall I forward your acceptance?"

Takeru glanced at the others, who nodded. "Yes, please."

After they had given their names to the messenger, he turned and left
the inn.

---

As the evening drew near, the four adventurers dressed in the best of
the clothing they had brought. Shema gave them a once-over, cleaning a
stain off Yamato's jerkin, polishing some scuffs out of Daisuke's
boots, and fixing a small tear on Ken's cloak. At last, she proclaimed
them ready to meet the Baron.

Nervously they left the inn. Starmon saw them, smiled, and gave the
party a thumbs-up. They walked in silence the short distance from the
city gates to the castle gates. Clockmon saw them coming up the road.
"Welcome!" he shouted. "The Baron is expecting you."

They exchanged a glance as the gate rose, then entered the courtyard.
Yamato and Daisuke led the way to the castle. A pair of Guardramon
saluted, then sounded trumpets to announce the adventurers' arrival.
The huge wooden doors slowly swung open. A twelve-year-old boy dressed
as a court page greeted them. "Welcome to Castle Spielburg," said the
page. "The Baron and the Baronet are expecting you in the great hall."

The page led them down a massive stone hallway. A red carpet ran down
the center of the hall. Antique swords, shields, and armor decorated
the walls. Here and there hung tapestries woven with pictures of
knights, ladies, and Digimon. Ken's mind began calculating the value.
He suddenly found Takeru and Yamato walking on either side of him.
"Don't even think about it," whispered Yamato.

"Yeah,'" added Takeru in a low voice. "If something suddenly turns up
missing in the castle, who do yo think they're going to blame?"

"All right," sighed Ken.

The page led them to a pair of huge oak doors, then paused. A pair of
Guardromon swung the heavy doors open. The page stepped inside and
bowed low. "Mr. Yamato Ishida, Mr. Takeru Ishida, Mr. Daisuke
Motomiya, and Mr. Ken Ichijouji," announced the page. He moved to the
side, allowing the others to enter.

Daisuke swallowed hard and prayed he remembered what Gennai had had
told them. He watched out of the corner of his eye as his friends.
They strode forward. A stout, older man, his reddish-blond hair
streaked with gray, sat in an ornate, carved wood chair on a dais. His
red velvet doublet was edged in gold, with a matching hat upon his
head. Next to him stood a slender young man dressed in a more
elaborate version of the elder man's suit. Daisuke and Takeru
recognized him as the man they rescued. Following the directions
Gennai had given them earlier, the four adventurers bowed low to the
Baron and the Baronet.

"Welcome brave adventurers. I am Baron Stefan von Spielburg, twelfth
baron of Castle Spielburg. Words can not express the depth of my
gratitude," said the Baron as he stood. "Not only have you returned my
son, but you have also renewed my hopes that the curse on myself and
my lands will finally be lifted. Would the two of you responsible for
my son's safe return step forward?" Takeru and Daisuke took a step
towards the dais. "Not only have you returned my son, but you have
also rid Spielburg of a dangerous Raremon. My son would like to
express his gratitude." The Baron glanced at Barnard, then elbowed his
son. "Barnard," prompted Baron von Spielburg.

"I appreciate your efforts to free me and destroy the Raremon." From
the Baronet's tone, it was obvious that he was unused to expressing
his thanks.

"Sir, might I ask how you became prisoner of the Raremon?" asked
Yamato.

"I was out riding with my men," explained the Baronet. "We were
separated. As I sought to join them, I found a cave entrance. The
Raremon dared to order me to leave _his_ cave. I informed him that I
was the Baronet, heir to all lands within the area, then I ordered him
to bow down before me."

"I can see why the Raremon would want to turn him into a bear,"
thought Takeru.

"The evil creature then cast a spell upon me. I remember very little
after that."

"I hope you gentlemen will continue your adventures," said the Baron.
"Spielburg is still in need of heroes. It will take time for my forces
to reach enough strength to take on the brigands."

"Now that I have returned, I shall lead our forces to victory,"
affirmed the Baronet.

"My lord, what sort of organization do the brigands have?" asked
Yamato.

"In that lies the clincher," returned Baron von Spielburg. "There have
always been brigands in the valley. Only recently have they become
organized. The brigand leader is a brilliant strategist. His raids
have little losses. By his side fights a wizard. Though not powerful,
his spells are used effectively."

"Sounds like a dangerous combination," mused Ken aloud.

"It is said that the brigands have a fortress to the south, protected
by an ambush for all," said the Baron.

"Hey, that sounds like the place we ran across the other day,"
interrupted Daisuke.

"I have heard of rumors of a secret entrance to their hideout, but no
one has been able to find its location," ended the Baron.

"My lord, how did the curse come about in the first place?" asked
Takeru.

"Several years ago, I tried to force the ogress Babamon Yaga out of
the lands. She retaliated by casting a curse so that I would lose all
that I treasured. Ten years ago, a strange creature flew over the
castle walls and stole away my darling daughter. Every one, including
my court jester Gekomon, searched for her. Gekomon was a Digimon of
infinite jest. But alas, poor Gekomon never returned. Five years ago,
Barnard disappeared as well. I lost interest in my lands and
everything else. Now I can almost envision the day I hold a ceremony
proclaiming you 'Heroes of Spielburg.'"

"It would be nice if someone finally defeated the brigands and claimed
the title," sniffed the Baronet.

The Baron glanced at his son, then turned to Takeru and Daisuke. "As I
promised, the reward posted for the safe return of my son is yours.
You will recive it when you leave. But now, I invite you all to join
me for dinner and be my guests at the castle this evening."

"We would be honored, my lord," Takeru responded.

---

They spent a pleasant evening with the Baron and the Baronet, then a
comfortable night in canopy beds with down comforters. After a filling
breakfast, a page met the adventurers and presented Takeru and Daisuke
each of them with a purse of gold coins. "I never thought I'd ever own
this much money, let alone see it," said Daisuke as the group walked
back to town. "I told you guys becoming adventuring was worth it."

Yamato and Ken tried not to roll their eyes. As they weren't involved
in the rescue of the Baronet, they didn't receive any of the reward
money. "So what are you intending to do with it?" asked Ken.

"I don't know," said Daisuke. "I'd like to see about a better weapon
or shield, but I don't know where in town they sell any."

"The dry goods store has some chain mail," suggested Takeru. "I was
about to see about a new dagger."

"With what you earned, you could buy fifty daggers," returned Ken.

"I'll probably invest in a bunch of mana potions. But first I'll see
what Bakumon has in his shop."

"Okay. Frankly, I'd like to see if the valley entrance we came through
is still blocked," said Yamato.

"I'll go with you," said Ken.

"Let's meet back at the inn at noon," suggested Daisuke. The others
agreed. Daisuke and Takeru entered the town.

Ken and Yamato continued east along the road that first led them to
town. A fifteen minute long brisk walk brought them to the valley
entrance. Snow and boulders still blocked the valley entrance. "Looks
like it's going to take a while longer before the sun really begins to
melt the snow," said Yamato.

"Too bad there isn't a local contingent of fire Digimon around,"
chuckled Ken. "They'd melt the avalanche and be done with it."

"Maybe we should suggest that to Sheriff Starmon," returned Yamato as
they turned back towards town.

A few minutes later, they found a Kapurimon with its tail caught in
the jaws of a trap. "Please help me," it said when it saw them.

"Okay, give me a second," said Yamato as he knelt next to the
struggling Kapurimon. "Ken, you hold it still while I see how this
trap opens.

"It'll be okay," said Ken as he held the Kapurimon still. He stroked
its ears. "We don't want the trap to open and close again." A minute
later, Yamato found the reset trigger on the trap and opened it.

"Thank you," said the Kapurimon as it briefly examined its sore tail.
"To show my gratitude, here's a tidbit of information I picked up in
the forest. Babamon Yaga has enchanted the Baron's daughter. Lillymon,
in the southwest corner of the forest, knows how to break the spell.
Thanks again!" The Kapurimon bounded off into the forest.

"Curiouser and curiouser," said Yamato as he watched the Kapurimon go.
"What do you make of it?"

"Those Yuramon mentioned Lillymon before. Sounds like one of those
magical forest spirits. We should take Takeru along if we're going to
be dealing with magic."

Yamato nodded. "Let's go see if they're finshed shopping yet." They
returned to the village just as Takeru and Daisuke walked out of the
dry goods store.

"Man, take a look at this!" said Daisuke. "A real chain mail shirt!
I'd like to see a Cheetauromon get its claws through this." Yamato
examined the chain mail. The tightly worked metal links were of a good
quality and offered more protection than the leather jerkins they
wore. "Too bad he didn't have any shields. The Weapons Master said I
might be better off with a shield."

"We can ask Gennai about that," said Yamato. "Maybe he knows where we
can get some."

"You know, you always could just scavenge a couple from some dead
Goblimon or brigands," suggested Ken.

"I don't know," returned Yamato. "I'm still getting used to the idea
of scavenging gold from them."

"Gold, and probably weapons stolen from others they attacked and
killed," Takeru pointed out.

"True," Yamato conceeded. He then told them what happened with the
Kapurimon.

"Interesting," said Takeru. "Both Wizardmon and Sorcerymon said the
area surronding the town has a strong natural aura of magic. It may be
the reason Babamon Yaga came to this area."

"Let's check out this Lillymon!" exclaimed Daisuke. He took off
towards the town gate.

"Will you wait a minute!" called Ken. He began chasing after Daisuke.

Yamato turned to Takeru and was about to say something to him when he
noticed the large, unweildy package his brother was carrying. "What in
the world did you buy?"

"Um, well, I was going to give you this later, but since we're heading
off to the forest again, you might as well get some use out of it
now." He handed Yamato the package. The bulky package was a bit on the
heavy side. A silvery glint met Yamato's eyes as he tore off the brown
paper. Pulling off the paper revealed a piece of chain mail. "I pretty
much bought out every spell Sorcerymon had already. There wasn't much
I could use in the store. And for some strange reason, I never did
trust Ken around large amounts of money."

Yamato laughed. "But still, you should keep this for yourself."

"No. When I'm dealing with monsters, I prefer to keep my distance and
use a few well placed flame darts, while you're up there in claw's
distance with a sword. Besides. . ." Takeru scratched the back of his
head in embarrassment. "I still feel bad about that flame dart I threw
at you the other day."

Deciding not to argue further, Yamato took off his cloak and pack,
then slid the chain mail shirt over his leather jerkin.

"Will you guys hurry up?" called Daisuke, who was already at the town
gate.

"We're coming," said Yamato as he picked up his pack. The chain mail
was heavy, but it offered more security than just the leather. The
fighter fastened his cloak around his neck. Daisuke waited for them at
the gate impatiently.

"Come on already! Let's find this Lillymon." Daisuke began marching
out of town.

"We better get a move on before he gets into any trouble," said Ken.

-To Be Continued-

Author's Notes: First thing I've posted in who knows how long. I hope
more readers are out there.

I've been making lots of character revisions in this story. One of the
main characters in this story (who hasn't appeared physically yet) has
been changed at least 3 times. I've also changed a few things as to
how the whole series will develop. Those familiar with the Quest for
Glory games will probably have a few ideas. There's a major turning
point in Game 5 (Dragonfire). I may decide to take a rather shocking
twist. But I will leave things hanging until that point.

Speaking of Dragonfire, I finally found the soundtrack CD. It's
incredible.

A few of my other projects have been backburnered thanks to this new
story consuming my imagination (that's what happens when you spend a
weekend reading fairy tales online). This one will be an original
story like "A Digi-Tale" was. . . in fact, it's running away with
itself as well (I've barely gotten into writing the story and it's at
14 pages >_<).. The basic theme will be that of a princess meeting an
enchanted creature (I'm using a fairly common fairy-tale motif, but
it's _not_ a "Beauty and the Beast" story). This is being revised so
many times that odds are it won't be posted until its finished.

Postings will probably be slow. My new principal is demanding lesson
plans turned in to her desk by 8am every Monday. Until things settle
down, I'm going to be rearranging lesson plans >_<. So much for the
illusion of teachers working only from 8 to 3. I didn't leave school
till 5:30 today. I've been in by 7:20 (only because I'm getting a ride
from one of the other teachers).

Well, back to writing. . .