The news a dragon had crossed the borders of Sadida and was headed for the Tree of Life reached the king swiftly. It was within moments of receiving the news and Alys confirming the approaching dragon was peaceful, that Oakheart was joined by his son, his chamberlain, the Cra matriarch, Master Joris and Alys in the lush gardens of the palace. All eyes were on the blue sky showing through the roof of leaves and branches high above as royalty, friends, family and grateful citizens gathered to welcome the group of adventurers that rode on the dragon's back. The whole clearing soon filled with excited faces when the slender and long dragon circled high above, the wooden statue of the legendary sir Tristepin Percedal looking on from through the trees.
The canopy swayed with the strong gusts of wind the dragon created with the beating of his wings while he sought for a place to breach through after spotting the gathering far below, the group he carried on his back waving with their arms and hollering down to the crowd, all thrilled to be back in Sadida. Phaeris made a careful descent among the tall trees to land before the king and his entourage, forcing the many onlookers back as he was larger than expected. He bent his long neck to look at the ones he had carried all the way from the Crimson Claws to Sadida, knowing the journey had been long as he had flown for a whole day and night.
Before Phaeris folded his wings and allowed everyone to climb off once he settled after landing, something small shot from Adamaï's shoulders towards a smaller part of the gathered crowd. Alys and Joris looked up when the black blur came towards them with a sharp nosedive and a shrill squeal, revealing itself to be Grougaloragran.
"Grougal!" Alys smiled as she was relieved to see him, quickly spreading her arms to catch the small black dragon as he threw himself at the female Eliatrope, rapidly beating those tiny little wings while his small size hardly made her budge. She held the baby dragon as he pressed himself against her, nuzzling her like they had been parted for more than a few days time. "Thank goodness you are all right…" Alys said as she hugged the small dragon against her chest and the bend of her neck, feeling his hot breath against her skin as he held onto her with a soft wailing. She stroked along his back and tail to soothe him with a soft hushing before she looked down to Adamaï who had followed after Grougaloragran, smiling down upon him. "And you, Adamaï… Goddess, you had me so worried." It was good to see him as himself again, in control of his own mind and body rather than possessed by a demon. She could only hope Anathar's possession hadn't left any permanent damage.
There was a hint of doubt in Adamaï's eyes as he stood before Alys, recalling glimpses of his possession. He was forced to fight against someone he considered close, no matter that he wasn't in control of his actions. The fact that his body had been abused and he had nearly killed Alys along with hurting Phaeris and Yugo was enough to make him feel like the trust between them was not the same anymore. It would need time to mend… and he needed time to accept what had happened to him.
"Master Adamaï," Joris said respectfully with an incline of his head towards the young dragon while he kept his arms folded behind his back, receiving only a nod in return; there was nothing else to say aside from formal greetings.
The small master quickly took a swift step to the side when Yugo came running and leaped at Alys with a cry of laughter, witnessing her catch the boy in a clumsy manner while juggling Grougaloragran before she got smothered in a tight hug. She received no respite as Adamaï soon followed his brother's example with a faint snicker and joined in to shake off his brooding, jumping at woman who struggled to keep her balance. The playful tackle toppled her over into the grass with a yelp, soon followed by laughter while trying to embrace all three children in her arms while she lay on the ground. No words could describe the relief she felt to see all of them well and returned.
Nearby the small reunion, the princess Amalia was hugged by her father and brother who were pleased to have her back safe and sound, while Evangelyne and Tristepin were scolded by Canar and Renate for having allowed Amalia to get dirty and once again dress in those atrocious commoner's clothes. A little further away, Phaeris was being admired from a safe distance by an intrigued crowd, seeming unfazed by the looks and observations he received. It was the first time for many to see an actual dragon… an adult dragon in this case.
"You came back!" the young Eliatrope grinned as he bit back tears of joy while he sat on Alys' stomach, the surprise she had left Emrub and the children rendering him completely speechless though he had enough to say," I didn't think you would after we said goodbye. I thought you were going to stay with them. I even told Adamaï and Grougaloragran that you would."
"I couldn't possible leave my little brothers behind," she smiled with a shake of her head, not regretting her decision to leave Emrub. She stayed for a little while, having talked with Baltazar and the children but the dragon noticed she was conflicted about her decision and offered to send her back to the World of Twelve while assuring her that he would continue to watch over the children like he had done before. He was convinced that she had to follow her own path and it wasn't in Emrub.
"Did you tell anyone about… you know?" Yugo asked with a whisper-like voice after adjusting his hat and shuffled off Alys' stomach to sit on his knees beside her and allow her to sit up after being brought down so easily by three youngsters. Both the Eliatropes still looked worn from the fights they had gone through, though the only difference was that one of them had a chance to see a healer and get a change of clothes.
Alys' eyes squinted with her growing smile as she knew what Yugo was wondering about and leaned closer to whisper to him before resting her forehead against his," not a soul." It wasn't her secret to tell. She would let her king announce his newly gained title when he felt ready. For now he was just Yugo, savior of the World of Twelve and her brother. She was proud of him either way. She looked up from the boy when a large shadow cast over her and the three children, seeing Phaeris stand over them in silence as if he awaited the right moment to speak. "Phaeris," Alys said with a hint of rejoice as she gazed up towards him, bringing herself to a standing with Grougaloragran held in her arms.
"Alys the Generous... It is good to see you well," Phaeris spoke after he brought his long neck down to bring his slender but pointy maw closer to Alys, huffing out a puff of air as she tenderly laid a small hand in comparison upon his scarred snout. They had fought bravely together, no matter that she stood no chance against Anathar. It was her attempt to help and protect which proved her in the dragon's eyes.
"And you, Phaeris," she said with gratitude while caressing the rough scales," thank you for keeping me safe..." If it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't have survived the fall down from Shukrute, or Anathar's twisted desires. She owed this dragon her life.
"A true dragon charmer, hmm?" Armand hummed thoughtfully as he watched the dragons and Eliatropes after coming closer, not seeing Master Joris nod in silent agreement to his words while Amalia was being smothered by her overjoyed confidantes in the background. To see such a large dragon act kind and calm in the presence of humans was quite a sight to behold. Armand hadn't been very approving of the small dragon Grougaloragran, but to witness one a fully grown dragon and knowing how they were responsible for saving the world, he couldn't think so ill of them any longer. He worried however. The royal steeds would not appreciate the influx in dragons after Grougal kept wreaking havoc in the stables. Who knew what the adult's vision was on hunting and feeding...
"Yugo! Yugo!" Alibert's voice could be heard over the many voices which filled the clearing, the large man waving an arm over his head while carrying Chibi in the other as he made his way through the crowd to meet his son. Grougal flitted up from Alys' arms with a rapid beating of his wings when he heard Alibert's voice and dove straight for the retired Enutrof, because where there was Alibert, there was also his twin brother.
"Papa!" Yugo called out ecstatically after hearing his father, jumping up to his bare feet to meet him and his little brother while Adamaï was quick to follow after him to not linger behind. Alibert knelt down with an arm stretched out, soon pounced at by the Eliatrope and young dragons. His laughter was heartwarming, the sight of him hugging and patting the boys even more so. He had been so very worried about Yugo, Adamaï and Grougaloragran. When Alys brought him the news that they were safe, he had been eager for their return while baking and preparing a large amount of food which would keep the boys filled and content for days to come.
"Thank you for bringing them home, Phaeris. All of them," Alys said while she watched the heartwarming reunion, the air filled with laughter, joy and good news. It was difficult to be thoughtful during it all, but she couldn't help but wonder about the dragon. He had shifted into his humanoid form to preserve his energy after the long flight, rolling his neck and shoulders while his leathery wings folded across his back. He stood out among the crowd as he was so very tall, his scarred but dark turquoise skin making him stand out in the vibrant scenery of the forest.
"It was the least Phaeris could do," Phaeris said after he stepped up next to Alys and looked at all the people who had gathered to welcome back the adventurers and saviors of the world. He wasn't one to mingle with others, having lived in solitude for so long that he preferred to be alone," now that his task of protecting the Traitor's Dofus has come to an end and others have invaded the island, Phaeris no longer deems the Crimson Claws his home. It is time to move elsewhere."
Alys nodded in understanding. Things had changed for everyone, even for her, and it hadn't stopped just yet. Although her stay in Emrub was short, she learned a lot from Baltazar, about herself and about her people. Once she feels more comfortable with herself, she will ride the wind of change and try to prepare this world for the coming of the Eliatropes while searching for her dragon brother and their Dofus… wherever they may be. It was her new goal in life rather than linger on a past which was lost to her.
"Wherever you will go, promise me you will visit once in a while. Don't be a stranger," the female Eliatrope said, hearing the dragon grumble thoughtfully before he gave a hardly noticeable nod like a silent promise. She inwardly chuckled at his reaction, pleased enough with his answer and sighed contently as she looked to everyone she had come to know, all dear friends and family. Her future was so much brighter than it had been before. She no longer feared it.
When she heard her name being called out by Yugo, she smiled towards the boy and said as she began to walk over to join her little family while casting a glance back to the dragon," come Phaeris, let me introduce you to everyone."
This day would be dedicated to celebration and the telling of stories. Any worries and concerns were for another day.
To be continued
