It was in the late afternoon when three people stood before the stationary Zaap within the palace's gardens, a secluded gathering which was intentionally small in size. The Master of Bonta announced his leave earlier this day to the king Sheran Sharm, his presence no longer required within Sadida after the threat of the Eliacube was dealt with. The goodbyes he shared with the people he grown close to and fought battles with were many, but there was one in particular he saved for last.
Like Joris' duties called him away from Sadida, Alys had decided to join Alibert's growing household of dragons and Eliatropes after Yugo and the Brotherhood returned from Crimson Claws, exchanging the lush forests of Sadida for the golden fields of Emelka. She would be leaving later in the evening with her newly gained protector, Phaeris and her many younger brothers, after she had seen the small master off.
"It is a shame to see you go, Joris," Alys said as she looked down to the master, the dragon Phaeris standing close behind her while the center of the large Zaap next to them shimmered and fluctuated like the rippling of thick mucky water. Beyond the portal laid the road to the city of Bonta, the Zaap prepared and ready to bring the small Bontarian master back home.
Joris' eyes and nose could be seen from the darkness of his hood, peeking out from under the stitched rim while his youthful looking eyes were large and expressive as he gazed up towards the Eliatrope. "My return to Bonta has been delayed for far too long... With peace returning to the Twelve, I must attend to my duties. My king and his council need to be properly informed about the events which occurred here, while some diplomatic matters revolving around the Eliacube need to be attended to." A hand rested on top of the wooden mallet standing beside him, a small pack slung over his shoulder while his coat still bore the reminder of his defeat at Qilby's hand during the trial. He was ready to go home.
There was a moment of silence before he reached around for the pack he carried, saying as he blindly searched for something inside with a single hand before holding it out towards the female Eliatrope with a small incline of his head," for you."
Alys leaned forward to take the thin book from him after he presented it to her, her face brightening up as she recognized the cover of the Signs of the Doziak book which Joris had used to teach her how to read again. She caressed the thick leather cover with a loss of words, her eyes gliding over the symbols which were pressed into the leather before she looked at the master and held the book against her chest. "Thank you…"
He nodded at her appreciation, believing the book would serve a better purpose in Alys' possession than it collecting dust in the Sadida library. Besides, it was a memory he did not wish for her to forget and neither did he. "If it is any consolation, Alys…" he said as he extended his hand up to her," I have no complaints or regrets about my extended stay here in Sadida."
She smiled at his modest words as she bent forward to take his gloved hand into her own, gently holding it as the dread of saying goodbye became more prominent than before. The goodbyes she endured these last few days had been heavy on her. She wanted no more of it, but knew there was no escaping it. "I am truly grateful for the time you spent here. Goddess knows how important it was to me," she said as she bent through her knees to lower herself down to Joris' eye level, inhaling deeply while seeking for the words to continue. There was so much she wished to say but did not have the courage for," I hope we'll meet again soon..."
"Bonta's gates will always be open to you and your people. Whenever you need my assistance, wish to have an audience with the king," he said, seeming apprehensive with what he wanted to say next," or wish to speak to me... come to Bonta and seek for Kerubim Crepin's bazaar. You may find me there, if luck permits it."
Alys' smile grew as she received the invitation to visit the region and city Joris represented, the goodbye they had to go through a little more bearable with the knowledge that this wouldn't be the last time they would see each other. He wished to see her again and so did she. "I will…" She released his hand to reach out for him with a slow and reluctant motion, her long fingers wrapping around the tufts of fur falling down the front of his coat. She pulled at the fur mantle he wore over his shoulders to close the distance in between them before bringing her face into the shadow of the hood to place a tender kiss upon his cheek, causing the Bontarian master to tense up with slight jerking of his whole body. He kept his head low when the Eliatrope retracted from him and brought herself to a standing, his sudden silent behavior betraying his hidden reaction to the small token of gratitude and affection he was given.
Phaeris looked to Alys from the corner of his eyes after she turned to him, having averted his gaze to not witness the personal moment which unexpectedly unfolded between the two. He kept his arms folded over his scarred chest, taking in how the Eliatrope's cheeks were a deep red as she stood before him with her shoulders pulled up and her hands clasped together, before his attention was drawn away from her by Joris' quiet voice," please watch over her, Master Phaeris." The small master inclined his head respectfully for the dragon before he lifted up his mallet to carry it over his shoulder, his eyes purposely hidden within his hood.
"Phaeris will make certain no harm comes to Alys, Master Joris of Bonta. That Phaeris promises," the dragon said with a heavy nod and laid his hands on Alys' shoulders after he uncoiled his muscular scarred arms, his blue glowing eyes remaining on Joris," may your journey be swift."
"Till we meet again," Joris nodded after he collected himself mentally and physically, grateful for the dragon's promise. He trusted Phaeris to take over the torch of watching over Alys, his own watch ending this very day. He glanced past the edge of his hood towards the Eliatrope standing with her back towards him and her draconic bodyguard one last time before he stepped up towards the Zaap to take his leave. "Alys…"
The hearing her name made her slightly turn to be able to look towards the Master of Bonta who lingered before the activated Zaap, her eyes glazed over with the tears she was attempting to hold back.
"It pleases me to know the pin has been to your liking," Joris said with a hidden smile before he stepped forth, the veil of the portal rippling before it concealed him and made him reappear miles away from Sadida, not able to witness how Alys clutched for the brooch which was pinned to the front of her gown after she heard him.
She stared at the deactivating portal in awe while the light blue glass of the oval pin pressed against the palm of her hand, a small tear rolling down her cheek. So it was him all along... Alys smiled as she rose her hand to wipe the tear away with a brush of her fingers, her guess about the mysterious gift she received several weeks ago finally confirmed. She had kept the little trinket with her ever since it was given to her from an unknown source, even when times were rough and the world was tumbling down around her, it was always in her possession for a reason she couldn't fathom then... A sense of comfort washed over her at the very thought that Joris had indirectly been with her during troublesome times, before she looked at Phaeris who watched her closely with his head slightly tilted. She touched one of his hands to reassure him she was all right before she said with a warm and gentle smile," let us go… the others are waiting."
With a nod he joined her side as they turned away from the Zaap and made their way back towards the Tree of Life where Yugo, Adamaï, Alibert, Chibi and Grougaloragran were waiting for them to head home for Emelka.
Fin
