It was already dark when a lit lantern beckoned the small group of travelers closer. The plains had made way for a more rocky terrain with dense undergrowth and bushes rather than lush tall grass, almost hiding the small village which laid further ahead.
Fernand peered up to the sign which hung over the door of the inn, inspecting it while a sleeping Bebe rested against his back with her arms wrapped around his neck. Right behind him stood Alys, still with him and the young Osamodas after they had decided earlier this morning to travel beyond the Cania swamps together. The rumble of thunder in the far distance caused both grown ups look up and to where they came from, a worried frown appearing on their faces. "Seems we found this place on time," the male Cra said softly before he shifted Bebe's weight to one arm so he could open the door, stepping inside to stay ahead of the thunderstorm which was brewing in the distance.
The soft jingling of a bell could be heard above the doorway once Fernand stepped inside, causing the woman behind the counter to look over to the new patrons. She examined them first from where she stood before she conjured a welcoming smile and beckoned the trio to come closer. "Evenin', luvs. You seek lodgin' for the night?" she asked and crossed her arms on top of the smooth top of the counter, the strands of her messy bun of hair framing her face.
"For tonight, yes," Fernand said with a hint of ponder as he couldn't help but glance towards Alys from the corner of his eyes, his vision almost blocked by the snow white hair of the child which continued to snooze against his back," do you perhaps have two rooms which are connected to one and another?"
"Not sharin', hmm?" the innkeeper asked while her brown eyes moved from the Cra to the blonde behind him, seeing him pull a face which didn't look too pleased. She chuckled heartily as she wove with a hand towards him before saying amused," don't get your ears in a twist, luve. I'm merely teasin'. What you do is what you do and none of me business."
"Sure," Fernand muttered as he watched the woman turn around to look at the keys which hung from several hooks behind the counter, seeking for any rooms which were available for the night and were appropriate to what he had asked for.
Alys took in the interior and the patrons while Fernand waited, making small mental notes to herself. There were a few people present like a small group of Iops sitting around the lit fireplace in the common room, all heavily armored with a tankard in their hands and laughing while talking loudly. A lone hooded figure sat in a corner with a leg propped up on the table and gazing out of the window while a Feca couple was enjoying their late meal closer to the bar. This inn was much larger than the Crunchy Gobball but it was to be expected with it being located right next to the many roads which lead towards the main city of Bonta; traffic was much higher here than it was around Emelka.
The innkeeper took two keys from a hook which had the number fifteen painted above it, saying while she smiled to Fernand and jingled both the keys," I do believe I got a room to your likin'. Petre, watch the bar for a moment." She didn't even look towards the kitchen as she called for whomever was doing the dishes, sliding out from behind the counter to be a hospitable hostess and lead the way to the rooms she had chosen for her new guests. "You're lucky. The bad weather brought in extra guests this night; not that many rooms left anymore, especially ones which are connected. Not to worry though, there would have been spare beds aplenty for any weary traveler." She went up the stairs to the first floor before going down the hallway and rounding a corner, leading the Cra and Eliatrope towards the back of the building. When she came to a stop and turned around to face them, she held up both the keys before handing one over to Alys and the other to Fernand. "Here you go, luvs. A room for each. Either of these keys can unlock the door between your rooms, if needed. I be expectin' payment either later this eve or first thing in the morn. If you need anythin', come downstairs. Kitchen is open all night and morn. Alright?"
"Thank you." Alys took the key which was presented to her before she glanced to Fernand with hesitation; they hadn't discussed payment yet but she already made up her mind on being the one to pay for this night's lodging as it was the least she could do for letting her to tag along with him and Bebe. She looked after the innkeeper when she made her way back downstairs before parting her lips to speak to the Cra, yet kept silent when he turned unlocked the door which lead to the room given to him and stepped inside. He didn't even cast a glance her way while still carrying Bebe propped up against his back. She softly sighed after hearing the door close with a soft click, telling herself she should have expected to not get along all that swimmingly with the Cra; he had been standoffish from the start though it was with good reason with being strangers and all, not to mention that she was foolish to speak of criminals during her introduction. It truly was the girl that had made this day's long walk more enjoyable.
The first thing Alys did was take off her shoes after she entered her room and locked the door behind her, feeling her feet ache. Had she ever walked for this long before? Not since she woke from a ten year long slumber, that was for certain. She took in the room while letting the cool feeling floorboards soothe the bare soles of her feet, leaving the somewhat muddy shoes by the door. It was a small room but definitely larger than what she had in Emelka. It would certainly do for the night, especially because she was someone who didn't ask for much in the first place.
She was about to take a seat upon the bed to think things over when she heard a soft knocking, causing her to peer towards the door which stood right across of the bed. Before she could say anything in response to the rapping, the doorknob turned and the door slowly opened before Fernand's head peeked around to see if it was safe to open the door which divided their rooms.
"It was already open," he said after seeing Alys was still decent and opened the door further, not releasing the doorknob as if he was doubtful about which action to take. There was still the trust issue which was bothering him but it didn't feel right to leave the woman on her own without a word said or done. He reluctantly released the wooden knob when he saw her smile, saying after he let his eyes wander across the room's interior," nice room."
It was a weak and awkward attempt at starting a conversation, but she appreciated it nonetheless. For a moment she thought she was going to be alienated further from her newly gained travel companions; she had already kept to herself to not intrude more than she already done but Fernand hadn't been giving her many chances to get to know him better. "It is..." she said as she lingered next to the bed," what about yours?" She stepped over towards Fernand to stick her head past him and into the room he had carried Bebe into, causing him to step aside and allow her through while he remained standing in the doorway. She could almost taste his uncertainty while she was so close to him, a certain tension in his posture.
"It will do," he said after he tore his eyes away from Alys and glanced over to the bed where Bebe laid face down and flat on her stomach upon the blanket, still asleep by the looks of it. He sighed through his nose before he muttered and tried to squeeze himself past Alys without touching her," best tuck her in." He stepped over to the bed where he had left the child, the rumble of thunder in the distance having him look towards the window for a moment with a thoughtful frown before he reached down to take off the striped and stitched socks Bebe wore. He felt nervous after realizing he was being watched by the mystery woman which had join him and Bebe, licking his lips while becoming uncomfortably aware of every move he made. What was supposed to be natural became stiff and calculated, causing him to almost move like a Xelor while all he did was take off the girl's footwear and gloves. He bent forward to pick the girl up the moment the long gloves were undone, hearing her sleepily moan when her face left the softness of the blanket. No matter uncomfortable while being watched, he was careful in his doing to not wake the Osamodian girl and soon enough pulled the blanket over her after he laid her on the pillow.
Bebe yawned before she instinctively grabbed for the blanket to pull it further over herself, asking while sleep clung to her voice and her eyes had trouble opening," is this mud…?"
"No mud tonight, Bebe, as promised," Fernand smirked and laid the socks and gloves upon the floor next to the bed," go back to sleep… we have another long day tomorrow." He straightened up and looked down on the girl before showing a faint smile when he got no response in return; she was soundly asleep again. It came as no surprise that all her talking and excitement this day had exhausted her. He stood still for a while longer to watch Bebe before his head snapped up and his eyes fixated on Alys. She looked as if witnessing him tucking the girl in had internally melted her, smiling to him while she stood in the doorway. He huffed when a sense of embarrassment crept up on him before he stepped over towards the Eliatrope to let Bebe sleep. "You mind if," he asked when he stood in front of Alys, not finishing the question as he nodded to the room behind her.
Alys frowned at first when Fernand stood tall before her, her eyes flitting from his face to where he had motioned with but a tilt of his head before she said slowly while nodding just as slow," of course…" She backed up to get back inside her room, seeing the Cra step inside with a single wide step before he made a beeline towards the window. She watched him as he fiddled with the lock before finally opening the window, his shoulders rising with the deep inhale of earthy smelling air while his tense posture appeared to ease up a little. He was an odd one… Alys stood there for a moment long to observe him, not certain what to make of his presence in her room before she said softly as if to change the subject rather than linger on the confusion," you have a sweet little girl. How old is she?"
"She isn't mine," Fernand said as his shoulders drooped and turned his upper body to be able to look to Alys, seeing her raise an eyebrow. He drummed thoughtfully with his leather clad fingers upon the windowsill before he said as he glanced towards the open door," I am taking care of her for the time being."
"Ohh… I see," she said while many different thoughts crossed her mind as curiosity began to poke her in the back. Taking care of someone could mean so many things, but in the case of Fernand and Bebe she made the wild guess that he was her adoptive father. Alibert was so with her and her brothers, so it wasn't all too surprising for her to have met a Cra with an Osamodian daughter. Though him saying it was for the time being meant that it was temporary… "She's sweet all the same," she said after deciding to not pry any further; Fernand had proven he wanted to keep a distance from her so she would let him approach on his own terms.
"That she is," the Cra smirked while looking down to the floorboards, the expression upon his face shifting from reminiscent to thoughtful. With Bebe asleep, this was a good chance to get to know the woman better. He had heard her answer all sorts of questions the girl had thrown her way during the travel earlier this day but there was one question in particular he himself wanted an answer to. He stretched out a leg to hook his foot behind the chair which stood further along the wall, drawing it closer before he crossed his arms over his chest and sat himself down. He hesitated, second guessing his intentions before he looked towards the Eliatrope from under his eyebrows with an unintended stern glance in his eyes," now that there are no children present, mind telling me about that 'bad man' you have been all mysterious about?"
Alys withheld the urge to bite on her lip after Fernand brought up the masked convict, rather having him ask about what she was hiding under her veilf than speak about what had happened in Bonta. He was already so suspicious; who was to say it wouldn't get worse? She laid a hand against the open door next to her to close it far enough to have it stand open at a crack, taking the precaution to not wake Bebe with any loud talking if it were to happen. "I could," the Eliatrope said after she released the door and walked over to the window where Fernand had sat himself down on the chair, the rumbling of the incoming storm adding an ominous tone to the situation. She examined the windowsill's sturdiness before she heaved herself on it to sit, taking a deep breath as she kept her eyes away from Fernand. Where was she supposed to start? To tell him about her dreams seemed foolish; he was a stranger with no grasp on her background and she already made a few inconsiderate mistakes earlier. She would have to go around it for now.
She leaned back to rest against the windowsill after crossing her legs, saying while looking towards the dark scenery outside from the corner of her eyes," we met in Bonta… I came across him while I was looking for the home of a... dear friend. It was my first time visiting the city; I was a little lost." She felt her cheeks becoming warmer with embarrassment for admitting she had gotten lost in the many busy streets of Bonta, keeping her blue eyes on the darkness outside. "He stood out among the crowd, wearing a mask with bright red markings on a white coat of paint."
"A Masqueraider?"
Alys arched both her eyebrows in piqued interest at the Cra, for a moment feeling clueless about what he had suddenly asked. Masqueraider… the name or title didn't ring any bells. The masked convict did appear the second time during the masquerade at the palace but she had a feeling Fernand wasn't thinking of such or was aware of it.
Fernand huffed when he saw the questioning look upon her face after her story came to a pause, asking," you haven't heard about them before?" The shaking of her head made him hunch forward to lean with his elbows on his legs before saying with a casual shrug," I'm not surprised. They are but a few from what I know. Outsiders mostly, tend to keep to their own and don't socialize much. It is the masks they wear which makes them special, having something to do with the god Sadida but I don't know the details. All I know is that the masks they have grant them specific powers."
Masks with powers. It did explain a few things. Alys recalled how fast the convict became after he changed masks on the tram. Was that truly an effect of the mask with the crying eyes and the elongated mouth? It was possible… she would have to try and do more research on the Masqueraiders now that she got to know of them.
"So this Masqueraider," Fernand said with a tone in his voice which indicated he was fishing for answers," he stole something from you?"
"No," Alys said though the tilt of her head and her lips pursing hinted she wasn't standing fully behind her own answer," I recognized him from somewhere. I wanted to know who he was but before I could ask him anything, he bolted and taunted me into following after him. I… needed answers, I couldn't let him get away so I went into pursuit." She heard the soft pitter patter of light rain while she talked, the sky was cloudy while the stars were hidden from sight by the thick clouds which lit up with the rolling of thunder, the rumbling echo it caused soon following. "We caused quite a commotion with our chase through Bonta. He was so incredibly fast after he changed masks… it was difficult to keep up with him but just when I gained on him, he paralyzed me mid-leap. The guards had already been tailing us for a while before… you know… I crashed into the stall."
The Cra scratched his cheek before stroking his goatee in deep thought, his honey colored eyes flickering from the woman to the incoming storm outside. She wasn't telling him everything, that was clear enough. "And you couldn't have told me this earlier when Bebe was with us, because…?"
"Because that wasn't the end of it," Alys said, her expression growing darker," I was taken into custody after he got away. I was released a few hours after of being held and didn't come across him until the next day in the king's palace. He…" She paused as she tried to find the words, not certain what she could share and what not. The look in Fernand's eyes was piercing, as if he was mentally trying to peel back layer of layer to seek the truth or anything which would assure him he could trust his new travel companion. "Since he was still a wanted criminal, his presence in the palace was discovered by the royal guard. They tried to apprehend him but he managed to escape. He is now accused of an assassination attempt on the Brakmarian prince."
"And why exactly were you in the palace?"
Alys sighed, starting to become frustrated that she had to dance around the subject. She couldn't possibly tell him she infiltrated the masquerade to get closer to the Brakmarian prince; that would only make him more suspicious of her, especially after admitting that the one she had been chasing after was still on the run after being accused of planning to assassinate that very same prince. She propped herself up against the frame of the windowsill, saying after taking a deep breath," I am an ambassador. I… was invited to attend the festivity at the palace." It was partially true…
Fernand's eyebrows pulled down to form a glare while his eyes narrowed before he abruptly stood up from the chair and took the one step needed to slam his gloved hands against the sides of the windowsill, blocking Alys into the open window as he hunched over her with his tall appearance. "Listen to me," he said hushed to not wake Bebe in the other room, the look he held serious while glaring down at a startled looking Alys," if you think you can lie to me, you really have another thing coming. I didn't let you join up with me just to have you put up a charade and play innocent to save face around the kid while you have been present during some assassination attempt on royalty. Is this a ruse of yours? Pair up with innocent travellers to have them be your shield when trouble finally finds you?"
She didn't dare to lean any further back while trying to keep a distance between herself and Fernand, having nowhere to go as she sat one floor up from the ground. Her fingers were clamped around the wood which formed the windowsill she sat on, not certain what to say nor daring to utter a word. The male Cra was bearing down at her with harsh demeanor, demanding to know the truth. She flinched when the loud cracking of thunder sounded behind her, her eyes clenching shut while her whole body jerked in startle before her eyes snapped open when a scream sounded from the other room.
"Papa! Mama!"
Fernand's glare faded instantly when Bebe could be heard shouting for her parents after the thunder rumbled loudly, his head snapping around to look towards the door which stood ajar. The corners of his mouth pulled sharply downwards before he tore himself away from the Eliatrope, not saying a word as he disappeared into the other room after yanking the door further open with a hurried step to see to the girl.
Alys looked after him, slumping a little in her posture as the pressure which had been Fernand was gone while a shuddering breath left her. To say he was suspicious of her was an understatement… She tried to swallow while sliding off the window sill to get solid ground under her feet after having hung back out of the window, hearing the rain aggressively pour down from the sky and the rooftop behind her. What was she going to do? She reluctantly looked into the other room where she saw Fernand sitting on the edge of the bed, patting a sobbing Bebe on the head. To see the girl crying and scared had her want to go and comfort her, but she fought against the instincts to care for a child; she had a feeling Fernand wouldn't allow her to come close.
"It is alright," Fernand hushed while the girl cried into her small fists, sniffling loudly after the thunder roughly woke her from her sleep.
"I-is it them? Are they coming to get me?"
"Nobody is going to get you… it is only bad weather, Bebe. Thunder and lightning, nothing more. You're safe…" he said, a dark undertone in his voice as he meaningfully glanced over towards the open door through which he could see Alys standing by her bed, seeing her avert her gaze from them and hug herself after he glared towards her.
"But they-"
Fernand closed his eyes and inhaled deeply through his nose as Bebe was panicking while staring with large eyes to the window, saying as he ruffled her hair before trying to have Bebe release the blanket she was clinging onto," hush… they are long gone, you know this. You should go back to sleep and tell the thunder to go suck on a Dofus. Don't let it scare you." He saw her gaze up to him with large glazed over eyes, sniffing to stop her nose from running before she chuckled softly and ran the ball of her hand across an eye to get rid of any remaining tears.
"I can't tell it that."
"Sure you can," Fernand smirked and nodded over towards the window," next time the thunder tries to scare you, just say it loud and clear. It will make you feel better." He pulled the blanket back over her after she had nodded in understanding and shuffled in the bed to lay back down, saying to her with a lowered voice as he tucked her in," I'll be close by if you need me. Now sleep and get some pleasant dreams." He wasn't the greatest father figure or the best shoulder to cry on, but he tried the best he could. He lingered when he saw her smile and hug her pillow before he turned abruptly on a heel. If it wasn't a scared girl, it was a suspicious woman he had to deal with… The small smile he had to soothe Bebe turned into a straight thin line when he entered the dark room he had left Alys in, seeing she sat herself down on the bed.
"Seems we both aren't telling everything," she quietly said, almost whispering as she slowly turned her head to look towards Fernand while he closed the door behind him, seeing his eyes narrow after she pulled him onto the same level he had tried to bring her to before the thunder interrupted them. The look upon her face was one of apprehension but there was also guilt which could be seen in the light frown she carried. "I don't wish to deceive anyone, Fernand," she said before looking away from him as he kept his scowl," but I am not the bad guy here. I didn't wish for this to happen… I was content with living in Emelka, I was happy to be part of a small family, to have a home and not needing to worry about my past or my future. And now I am in an inn far away from any place I know, trying to explain myself to a man I just met because he believes me to be a criminal while I have no clue on where to go next. I didn't leave Emelka or Bonta for this… so… apologies for not trusting you with my life story from the very start. It is already complicated enough."
Fernand seemed unfazed by Alys' little vent after he closed the door to grant them some privacy in their conversation, one ear listening to see if Bebe was still awake or had dozed back off. The Cra was mulling over what the Eliatrope was sharing with him before he said while leaning himself against the wall," if it had been just me, I wouldn't have cared what you done or didn't do; we would have parted ways after a few days and that would have been the end of it. But I have a child in my care-"
"And I have thousands in my care!" Alys interrupted him, bringing herself up as she looked at the Cra with vexation," I have the weight of thousands of lives resting on my shoulders, thousands of eyes looking towards me and two little boys to find them a home! I am the last person to ever harm a child, so don't you dare to assume I don't know what it is like to watch over one. I know!"
He stared at her through the dark, at first believing she was overreacting with her outburst and the large number she threw at him but he wasn't so certain anymore after seeing her struggle against the tears which began to form in her eyes.
"I didn't want to leave!" she exclaimed, her hands balling into fists," I didn't want to be taken away and be stripped from almost everything I was. To wake in a strange place with no memories. To be used. To fight against the one person I believed could heal me. To still not remember anything after the betrayal and pain. To hurt or trouble the ones I care for." She bit down on her lip when her vision became hazy with the tears she tried to hold back, feeling like she was alone with her troubles. "So don't," she said with a quivering voice while trying to calm herself," don't assume you know what I am like… you have no idea..."
"I don't, no," Fernand said with a shrug and a shake of his head, having his arms crossed over his chest while he was focusing on Alys' hands rather than her face which was distorted with the agony she felt. She had much pent up within her from what he could tell. "But perhaps you can give me an idea." He pushed himself away from the wall to step over towards the woman which was on the brink of crying, taking a stance before her. "Lets start over," he said as he tilted his head slightly to the side, the window behind him casting a shadow over his face which bore no smile. He held a gloved hand out to Alys after uncoiling an arm, saying formally," I am Fernand, ex bowman of Division seventy-four, on my way to Osamodasia to seek the relatives of a girl named Bebe."
Alys gazed upon Fernand as if she couldn't believe he was standing before her like he did, reluctantly taking in the gesture of him making the attempt to clean the slate. She swallowed awhile trying to blink away the tears which had formed upon the edge of her lower eyelids, saying as she took the extended hand in her own," I am Alys… ambassador of the Eliatrope people, on a personal mission to seek the meaning behind a prophetic dream." She didn't shake his hand, merely held it loosely while still feeling a little in disarray after having allowed her thoughts and feelings to take the upper hand.
"I don't know who or what the Eliatrope people are," the Cra said after he retracted his hand and set it upon his side," but I get a feeling I will get to know about them in the upcoming few days. What I want to do first is to be certain I truly don't have a criminal in my company, so…" He shrugged with his eyebrows as if to quietly urge Alys on to talk, still coming across as a little stern towards her.
When the room lit up with a white flash and an almost instant rumble which caused the thin glass of the window to vibrate, both Eliatrope and Cra glanced over towards the closed door when suddenly a voice could be heard shouting," go suck on a Dofus!" They blinked in bewilderment after hearing Bebe yell from the other room, Fernand's surprised expression turning into an embarrassed scowl before he hid his face behind a hand with a grumble while Alys couldn't help but laugh inwardly, though quickly looked apologetic when Fernand disgruntledly peered at her past parted fingers.
"You… did tell her," she said softly as if doubtful to state the obvious.
"I did," he mumbled, not wishing to admit it. He dropped his hand down after the room next to them grew silent, saying as he straightened his back and looked at Alys from the corner of his eyes," at least you both stopped crying."
Alys lowered her gaze when Fernand was straightforward, nodding slightly as he was right. He may not be the most compassionate person out there, but he tried in his own way. Perhaps she should open up a little more. What harm could it do? "The Masqueraider… I knew him from my dream," she began while remaining standing in front of Fernand and brushed some of her hair aside," I don't know his name or where he is from but I had seen his mask before; it is how I recognized him in the crowd. He was also emitting this feeling which made me feel drawn to him... I needed to know the meaning behind it. I… I lost my memories, you see… there was a hope that he knew me or that he was a missing link to my past. He ran before I could ask him anything and when I got the chance after catching up with him, he dodged every question and instead taunted me to follow. I chased him through the city as I was determined to get answers while he tried to dispose of me to get me off his trail. He succeeded when he paralyzed me with those darts… I couldn't sense him anymore after I was brought to prison."
Lost memories. Prophetic dreams. Strange headwear. She was an enigma… It would take a while for Fernand to get a good grasp on who she was. "You did meet again, correct?"
"Yes… I told you I was lost in Bonta because I was looking for a friend. That was true… The very same friend got me out of prison and allowed me to attend to the festivities in the palace where I met the Masqueraider once more."
"This friend of yours sounds important if he managed to get you out of prison and into the palace..."
"He is," Alys nodded," he is a master of Bonta and adviser to the King. He… was my tutor and guardian a while back, still is." She slightly smiled when the time she spent in Sadida suddenly felt like a long time ago.
"You mean Joris, the master of Bonta?" Fernand asked with a hint of disbelief before he smirked as she nodded in silent confirmation, asking as he brought his neck down to lean a little closer to Alys," so if I were to ask him to vouch for you, he would?"
"Without a doubt."
She sounded certain of herself. The Cra huffed softly before muttering as he brushed past Alys to lower himself down on the edge of the bed rather than stand tall in front her," not like I'll get the chance to ask him. Since you are both diplomats I shouldn't be all too surprised by you knowing him on a more personal level… and you getting privileges where others don't. What about that clown, the Masqueraider? Why was he at the palace?"
"I am not sure… He was as surprised to see me as I was to see him," Alys said after she took a deep breath to sigh, taking a single step back to drop herself down upon the bed and sit next to Fernand while keeping a fair distance between them. "He thought I had followed him into the palace, meaning he was there for a reason. I didn't manage to figure it out… He ran off when the guards became aware of his presence in the palace, causing this whole commotion which made the Prince of Brakmar believe the Masqueraider was there to assassinate him."
Fernand cocked his head a little while he observed her before saying as he thoughtfully stroked his chin," you don't seem very convinced about that accusation."
Alys blinked before she pulled her shoulders up and clasped her arms between her legs, saying with a light shake of her head," that's because I don't believe it. But me and Brakmar have a history together which I won't go all too deeply into. At least not now… What matters is that I didn't learn anything about the Masqueraider. He is now wanted by the Bontarian guards and Council and I continued on to try and unravel my dream further. So… as a late answer to your question; no, I am not a criminal. I am just looking for answers..." She wisely kept her mouth about her infiltration into the palace and that Ush Galesh had shown an interest in whatever she was trying to find; the Masqueraider was the most prominent threat, if he truly was one after all that had happened and after Alys left Bonta behind her. Talking about him was enough for this night.
Fernand harrumphed softly, still looking a little unconvinced though gave her the benefit of a doubt after she had gone more in depth about what had happened between her and the Masqueraider and how she came to fall down from the sky. Still, that history with Brakmar she mentioned sat not right with him. "So you are headed for… Sadida? Something from your dream nudging you there?"
"No… I have old friends there. Sadida is merely a destination to head towards. I am hoping to find hints along the way which will guide me into the right direction."
"Do you even know what you are looking for?"
"A riv-" she stopped herself when she was about to say something which may not be the smartest thing to say to someone as tightly wound as Fernand, biting down on her lip before she finished the sentence in one quick breath,"- er of blood… or similar." She shrugged as if seeking for a river of blood was the most normal thing to do, seeing him raise a brow before he propped his hands onto his knees and pushed himself up to a standing with a shaking of his head.
"Of course… a river of blood, or similar. I should have guessed that one. Right, well…" he said with sarcasm and a feigned chuckle as he spun around to face Alys," how about you and I get some sleep and agree on that you'll look for such a river after we have crossed the Cania Swamps so me and Bebe won't be involved in any massacre? Sounds fair? Yes? Good." He strode over towards the closed door to open it without waiting for an answer, saying with a stiff nod towards the Eliatrope," we'll see you in the morning."
Alys looked after him while he took his leave to not hear anything more about what she had to say, leaving her to herself and the rain which continued to fall outside of the open window. She sighed with a roll of her eyes before she dropped herself backwards onto the bed, sprawling out onto the top of the blanket while staring up towards the ceiling. It wasn't her fault her nightmares were peculiar: masks, eyes in the dark, massive golden hands, shattering glass, a river of blood, a hole in her chest. Her line of thought stopped when she was reminded of the pain and loneliness she would feel when the hole in her chest formed in her dreams, instinctively grasping for her chest to press her fingers down upon where her scar was still healing, almost faded. What was she missing…? What caused such a void in her very soul? She was afraid to find out.
She listened to the rain while she tried to not think about the future, wanting to concern herself with the day ahead and to become tired so she would sleep this night. It wouldn't be easy to be with someone like Fernand if he were to question all and everything she did; at least they could part ways if it became unbearable though she didn't want to leave him with a bad impression of her. She didn't need to explain herself towards him, she was aware that she had such freedom but there was something inside of her which was willing to give this a chance. She would endure his suspicion for a while longer to see where it would lead. Once they reach the ferry which would sail him and Bebe to Osamodasia, it would all be over anyway and she would continue on her own.