Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Quest For Love ❯ The Magic Map ( Chapter 4 )

Stepping into the village once more, Jou looked at the shops. The bookstore… the inn… the pawnshop! Quickly, he ran up to the door pushed it open.

There was junk everywhere! A stuffed bear towered next to him and in the far corner he could see a human skeleton. Lining the walls were shelves that brimmed with small trinkets and even some large things like stuffed dolls and even a drum set.

Standing near the door was a tall man, hunched over and leaning on a gnarled cane. Dressed completely in a black robe, the only thing Jou could really determine about him was a pair of unnaturally bright blue eyes that sparkled in the light.

When the blonde stepped inside, clutching his book in slight amazement, he heard a voice ring out, "Good day, stranger."

Looking up at the counter that was covered in bits of junk, Jou saw a tall teenager, probably around his own age with green-brown eyes and dark brown hair that came to a point on his forehead.

Walking up to the counter, Jounouchi smiled and said, "Excuse me, Mr. …"

"Hiroto Honda," the merchant smiled. "Just call me Honda."

"Then excuse me, Honda, but the ferryman mentioned that you might have a magic map of the Land of the Green Isles."

Honda blinked and narrowed his eyes in thought "Why… as a matter of fact, I do." He gave a sheepish chuckle and explained. "I keep it under the counter. It has been gathering dust for so long that I've nearly forgotten about it."

The brown-haired man ducked behind the counter - Jou, seeing his chance, quickly darted out a hand and snagged a mint from a small candy jar on the corner of the counter and placed it in his pocket - and, after a moment, stood again with a rolled up, dusty piece of parchment. Placing it on the counter, he continued, "It was quite a few years ago, you see. The estate of a wealthy wizard fell into my possession when he died. It was useless magical junk anyway - which reminds me, I've still got some things of his in the back I need to dump out.

"Anyway, the magic map was one of the two true treasures in the lot. The wizard was quite old and feeble and had enchanted the map to aid in traveling. It is said that one need only desire to be on an island in order to find oneself there.

"It is a very valuable map, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, no one is interested in traveling these days. It is far too dangerous with the current state of the kingdom."

Eyeing the map on the counter, Jou questioned, "What would you take for the map?"

"Normally, I would want something magical in return, but since I'm hardly overrun with prospective buyers, I would be willing to take anything of equal value in exchange."

Jounouchi frowned slightly, biting his lower lip in contemplation. Gently, he took his hand in his other and began running his thumb over his ring. Was the map really worth it? A sudden vision of Yuugi being forced into marriage - into leaving him - filled his mind and he knew it was.

Pulling the ring off his finger, he held it out to Honda and asked, "Would you be willing to take my family ring in exchange for the magic map?"

Curious, Honda took the ring and inspected it closely. Noting the small 'D' upon it and remembering seeing it somewhere, he closed his eyes and thought, before murmuring a moment later, "Daventry." Glancing back at Jou, he asked, "Are you a king then?"

The blonde shook his head. "No. That's my father, King Pegasus. I'm just Jounouchi."

"Well, Prince Jou, she is a beautiful ring. Are you sure you can part with such a unique family heirloom?"

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Jou said, "The ring does mean a lot to me. I didn't always have a family, you know. Still," he sighed softly. "It is only gold.' He thought briefly of Yuugi. "And there are more important things at stake now."

Nodding in slight understanding, Honda said, "Then you now own a magic map, Prince Jou." At the blonde's downcast look, Honda said, "I will keep your ring out of sight for a few days."

Jou perked up immediately. "Would you really?"

Honda nodded, smiling slightly. "If you find anything else of great value on your travels, you can return for your ring. I would hate to see it melted down for the gold."

The prince gave a heavy sigh of relief. "Thank you so much, Honda."

The brown haired teen smiled. "No problem. And a warning about the map - it will only operate when you are out in the open and in sight of the sea." He gave a light shrug. "The limitations have something to do with the spell ingredients. You might try the beach."

Picking the map off the counter, Jou looked at Honda. "You are very kind. And I'll remember what you said about the map."

Suddenly, the cloaked old man hobbled up to the counter. With a quick dart of his hand, he grabbed a mint from the candy jar and stuffed it into his mouth. Looking a bit dizzy, the man staggered out of the shop.

Mere seconds later, in the castle, a tall, brown haired man suddenly appeared in a darkened room, causing a woman with short-chopped oak-colored hair to jump. Narrowing her dark blue eyes at the man, she snapped at him. "Well?"

"Mas'er!" he slurred, swaying in a non-existent breeze. "I followed P'ince Jounouchi as you - hic­ - wished. From the Pawn Shoppe, he just obstained…" He frowned. That wasn't right. "… just reprived…" He hiccupped. "He just got a magic map!"

He fell over.

The woman growled deep in her throat. "You idiot! You've been eating those mints again, haven't you?! I thought I ordered you to stop that!"

Pulling himself into a wobbly sitting position, he bowed his head. "Yes - hic­ - master."

She took a deep breath and mentally counted to ten. Once she was calm enough, she looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Now. What was this about a magic map?"

Looking at her with glazed, bright blue eyes, he said, "With the map, Prince Jounouchi can travel anywhere as bickly… uh…" Blink. "Quickly as I can."

"What?!" He winced at the volume of her shriek. "I thought I took care of the only means of travel! By the gods I can't have him stirring things up now!"

Reaching sown, she grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked him into a, more or less, standing position. Tilting his head back so he was looking her in the eye, she said slowly and carefully, "Get a hold of yourself and listen to me, Seto! Go to the other islands and tell them…"

Back in the Pawn Shoppe, Jou reached into his pocket and ran his thumb over the coin. Clutching it in his hand, he pulled it out and showed it to Honda.

"I have this copper coin. Is it of any value to you at all?"

Taking the coin, Honda inspected it closely. "Interesting… I've never seen a Daventry coin before, but it is copper genuine. I might even find a buyer interested in foreign currency."

Honda motioned to the objects before him. "The items on the front counter are the only things I can let go for one copper. You may make your choice from there."

Jou looked at upon the items. A fake nightingale, a flute, a paintbrush and a tinderbox. Gazing at the items, he picked up the tin bird. "This mechanical nightingale looks intriguing."

The brown haired man smiled at Jou. "Very well. Your coin is well spent. Remember, this is a pawnshop. I am always willing to take my own goods in trade."

"I'll remember. Thank you."

Looking at the bird in his hand, the map in his other and the book being held close to his body by his arm, Jou made a face. With a small chuckle, Honda kneeled behind the counter, placing the ring and coin on a shelf and grabbing something else.

"Here - catch." Jou peered over the counter only to be smacked in the face with something soft. Quickly, he reached out and snagged the thing on the hand with the nightingale. Looking at it he saw it was nothing more than a satchel made of soft, pliable brown leather with a single strap to place over his shoulder. Glancing at it, and then at Honda, who was standing, he quirked an eyebrow.

Honda smiled and explained, "That is the only other treasure on the wizard's. Since most of the magician's spells required many ingredients he enchanted the bag to carry and infinite amount of things without getting too heavy."

Jou brought it closer to himself and inspected it closely. Peering at Honda, he asked, "How much?"

Honda chuckled and grinned at him. "Free of charge." Before the blonde could question him, Honda continued. "I can see in your eyes you're a man of adventure. And, should you come across one, I would rather you not have your arms full."

Opening the satchel, Jou placed the book, nightingale and map inside. Slinging it over his shoulder, he was slightly amazed at how light it still was. Looking to Honda once more, he smiled and said, "Thank you very much."

"No problem."

"Well then' Jou gave a slight nod, "I must be on my way now, Honda."

"Then may you fair well on your travels, Prince Jou."

Done! ^^

Kura : Took you long enough.

Angel: Quiet you.

Yami: He's right. What took you so long?

Angel: School and laziness are a horrible combination when it comes to writing.

Yami and Kura : Ah.

Angel: But no need to fear - school is almost out. Just two more days left! ^^

Yami and Kura : *deadpan* Yay. More torture time for her. -_-

Angel: ^^ Anyway, time for the RQaABtRCA!

Q - Why did you do that to Seto? Do you hate him that much?

A - Angel: *glances at fic* I don't know. I just sorta wrote it. And tho I don't like him very much. Not even he deserves that. I can't believe I did that to him. Poor Kaiba.... *blinkblink; shrug* Oh well.

Angel: … And that's all I can really come up with now. If you have any more questions or are confused about something - go ahead and ask. As always, I don't own YuugiOu or King's Quest 6. Ja ne!