The table was filled with freshly baked and made food, filling the room with heavenly scents. Two boys eagerly stuffed their gob while talking with their mouths full about their adventures during the time they left home in search for answers. Alibert arrived in Sadida earlier this day, a while after receiving word his son Yugo was safe and sound. He had learned about several parts of his son's adventures through the letters the young Eliatrope sent him over the course of his absence, but it was the finding of family which had been the talk of this day.
It was the first time for him to meet Adamaï in person, the twin brother of his adopted son; a dragon. He wouldn't have guessed it. No, he could never have imagined that a relative to Yugo was an actual dragon, no matter young with being twelve years old. At least he had been prepared for it through the previously received letters, somewhat. To see Adamaï in the flesh was a whole different experience but it was obvious that the two brothers were getting along well; there would be no parting them and he had no intention to.
"When do you think you'll be returning home again, Yugo?" Alibert asked after listening to the story of how Adamaï had dealt with Igole, Nox's pet that was driven mad after a too long exposure to the Eliacube. The retired Enutrof had been waiting for his son to return, even if it would be for a short while. The children of Emelka were most helpful around the Crunchy Gobball, helping with cooking and cleaning to fill in for Yugo, but this wasn't about the inn; it was about missing his son.
Yugo ran the back of his hand across his cheeks and mouth to brush away some crumbs and jam from the large bread roll he was eating, looking thoughtful. He already discussed the importance of the Eliacube with Alibert and while he longed to see Emelka again, his search for his family and people was not yet over. "I am not sure… there is still so much which needs to be done," he said while peering at the bread he held, watching some of the thick sticky jam seep down along the crunchy side," there is the Eliacube, poor Evangelyne, the tasks Amalia keeps asking us to do and then there is Alys who needs our guidance."
Alibert's eyebrows furrowed at the short list Yugo shared with him. It didn't sound like much but it was in fact a lot for a young teenager to handle. He knew Yugo could but there was still a sense of worry; there were some things nobody could help with, like Evangelyne's mourning for the loss of Tristepin. It was time that would heal the wounds... "You didn't share much about this Alys in your letter," he said while his thoughts lingered a little on the Ginger Warrior and his band of friends," have you come to know more about her since she woke up?"
The two brothers glanced at each other before Adamaï shrugged a little. "No. She doesn't seem to remember anything."
"So it is really amnesia?"
"Mmh…" Yugo hummed thoughtfully while he looked to Alibert from under the rim of his hat," Master Joris told us it may have been caused by something during her captivity and that there is a large chance she will never regain her memories. He's been doing some research this last week and has kept us up to date on his findings. It isn't much good though…"
Alibert nodded as he listened. The last letter Yugo wrote him spoke of the Eliatrope and how she appeared not to remember anything. There was also a notion of her being or becoming a sister. It was a little vague at the time, the boys' excitement having trickled through their writing and making things unclear. He could guess what it meant though. "Are you taking good care of her?"
"She is mostly in the presence of Amalia's servants, or Master Joris. We've been so busy with helping out Amalia around the kingdom, we weren't able to spend much time with Alys, even though we promised we would help her. She seems-" Yugo scratched the back of his neck as he tried to explain Alys' solemn behavior," she seems so sad and lonely most of the time. It makes me feel like it is just us three out there."
It could truly be only the three of them, along with the dormant Dofus of Grougaloragran. It was a sad tale for Yugo to finally find out what he was and what kind of people he belonged to, only to need come to terms with the possibility there were no others left. From what Alibert understood from the letters, this Alys was presumably an adult and still recovering from whatever ordeal she gone through before she woke up. "So when will I get to meet her?" he asked as he pushed his empty mug aside and leaned with an elbow on the table to smile towards Yugo and Adamaï.
"You really want to meet her?" Adamaï asked, sounding surprised by the man's interest while he chewed on some of the bread he was enjoying.
Alibert laughed a little at the surprised look on Adamaï's face and showed a grin, his long thick mustache curling up along with the corners of his mouth. "Of course! If you boys consider her to be like family, then I best get to know her, no? It's rather important."
"I'll go get get her!" Yugo said with a raised voice and his hands slamming onto the table, causing a few of the plates and bowls to rattle with his excitement. He flung himself over the bench he and Adamaï sat on before drawing a Zaap out of nowhere to be on his way. His feet hardly touched the floor when he jumped into the forming portal, hopping into it from the bench and leaving Adamaï with an outstretched claw and open mouth behind.
"Aaand he's gone," Adamaï sighed as he dropped his claw, once again left behind by his brother before he could pitch in on looking for the female Eliatrope, or at least join him. Now he was alone with the man who raised Yugo… He didn't even know what to say to Alibert, the silence that fell over the room rather awkward in tone as Alibert seemed to be at loss of words too after Yugo disappeared. Alibert was no dragon and Adamaï no mere boy; it was complicated.
The female Eliatrope Yugo was eager to find sat on a low bench elsewhere in a quiet corner of the palace with Master Joris standing beside her, the grand view that could be seen over the balustrade of the archway not receiving their attention. Their eyes were on the book Alys held, the written contents testing the Eliatrope's abilities. After Joris was kind enough to introduce Alys to the library of Sadida two days before, it came to light that she had trouble reading the language of Twelve. She recognized most of the runes but was still struggling with certain parts, like the formulation of sentences and words which consisted out of many letters. To help her regain a grasp on forgotten habits and skills, Joris gave her the 'Signs of the Doziak' book from the library; an easy read and rather informative for one who still had much to learn about the World of Twelve.
Joris read along from where he stood after Alys reached the second last chapter of the thin book, nodding slowly in approval as she softly repeated the paragraphs.
"Her fingers still wet from… sea… water? Seawater, she took some droplets and…" Alys tilted her head a little with a squinting of her eyes while trying to figure out the remainder of the sentence before giving it a vocal attempt," and magically transformed them into stars to place in the sky. Then-"
"Thus," Joris politely corrected.
A blush flared up across her pale cheeks after he made her aware of the mistake and stammered while trying not to get too flustered," thus… Thus, the Seadragon had its own conste… constellation, and everyone in the lands could honor its name." She took a deep breath before she turned the page. It was embarrassing to admit that reading was fairly hard. She knew these runes forming the letters printed on the pages, but with no memories it was difficult to recall their exact meaning and pronunciation. She was fumbling… Trying, but fumbling. "Adventurers born under the sign of the Seadragon have bravery in their blood. Saving a widow or an orphan comes natural… naturally to them; an admirable… an… I am sorry, Master Joris, what is this letter again?"
Joris tilted his head and leaned a little closer to see what letter Alys' finger was delicately pointing at as she held the book out to him, saying softly to be clear," it stands for 'q', pronounced cue. Here it reads 'quality'."
"Cue. Quality…" she quietly repeated before she sat upright to continue with reading aloud, unaware of a Zaap opening nearby out of which a head poked through and brown eyes peered about.
Yugo's face brightened up when he finally found Alys after making his way through the palace in the hopes to catch a glimpse of her and opened his mouth to greet her until he noticed she was focused on something she was holding. A book. Was she reading? With Joris? Alys was truly unaware of the boy being near as she kept reading, though his presence was noted by the master of Bonta who remained silent to let the female Eliatrope polish up her reading; she was in need of it.
"...An admirable quality, as long as they don't get too bogged down. Come hell or high water they'll do their best to help others, but might wind up being left in troubled waters themselves. In… love," she hesitated after reading the word before urging herself to keep on going, no matter the subject," in love, Seadragons have one creed; things will always go swim… swimmingly if you're not afraid of getting your feet wet." A soft inward chuckle sounded at the play of words; this book was full of them. "That might mean crossing oceans for love, or drowning your partner under a flood of presents and sweet words..."
Yugo listened with a raised brow, finding the subject a little strange but he wasn't going to question it. He could see the black eyes of the master peer at him past the stitched hem of the large hood, yet didn't hear him audible respond to his presence, all to allow Alys to continue with reading aloud. Yugo felt uncertainty wash over him, wondering if he should interrupt the one he and Adamaï only recently adopted as a sister, but made up his mind with balling a fist and softly coughing into it.
The sudden sound made the female Eliatrope flinch, an audible gasp escaping her before her eyes searched for whomever startled her. Joris took a step to the side to indicate for her where Yugo was after Alys pressed the open book against her chest, a blush settling across her pale cheeks. Her turquoise eyes were large as they rested on the boy, taking in the sight of him sticking out of the portal before easing up a little. "Yugo…" she sounded genuinely surprised to see him, perhaps also embarrassed as he appeared right in the middle of her struggle to read about the Seadragon sign of the Doziak.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Alys," Yugo said with an apologetic grin before he fully stepped through the Zaap and it closed behind him," I've been looking for you; I want you to meet my dad... if you're up for it. He arrived in Sadida this morning."
"Your father…?" There was confusion in her voice though the forming smile showed she understood what he meant. He had spoken about Alibert at length before, but she didn't think she would ever meet him in person, not so soon at least. She frowned a little after noticing Joris held his hands out towards her, the smile she had fading a little while the blush remained.
He tilted his head to the side while keeping his gloved hands stretched, kindly gesturing to take the book from her as he spoke encouragingly," you should go and meet him, Lady Alys. Alibert knows a thing or two about Eliatropes as he is the one who raised Yugo, not to mention that he is family." While Yugo and Adamaï didn't urge Alys any further to view them as something like little brothers, she shared a bond with them which shouldn't be ignored or denied. They were Eliatropes and the only known to exist; they had to stick together.
"You can come too, Master Joris," Yugo offered when Alys gingerly handed the book over to the small hooded master," papa Alibert made plenty of food to share with others."
Joris held the book under his arm after turning his attention to Yugo, appearing to consider the offer though shook his head to politely decline," thank you, but I think this is something which doesn't require my presence. Besides, there is some paperwork I need to attend to, along with other important matters." Nox's research still required his expertise, the deciphering of the Xelor's found notes almost done, but it wasn't the main reason for turning down Yugo's invitation. He and Alys spent the last few days together whenever his presence wasn't needed elsewhere, and while it was interesting to teach the female Eliatrope and help her rediscover certain things like her ability to read, he knew she needed to broaden her tiny circle of contacts a little further. To meet Alibert was a good step to make without him.
Yugo nodded a little as he waited for Alys to join him, watching the young woman rise from the bench to make her way over to him before he cracked a smile. "Adamaï will be with us too," he said before motioning with a jerking of his head down the hallway to show where to go, catching Alys glance back to Joris to somewhat raise a hand towards the master in quiet goodbye while he bowed for her in response. Yugo smirked a little after watching the two keep a certain formality between themselves before he began to walk and said to Alys," it sounds like you are doing better."
"I still have a long way to go," Alys said, repeating what the royal Eniripsa told her, along with the concerns and warnings from Canar, Renate and Joris to mind herself," but… yes, I would like to think I am making progress."
"That's good! I am sorry me and Adamaï haven't been around to keep you company and to teach you a thing or two. Amalia is really keeping us busy. Though… Adamaï is asking about the Eliacube again…" His demeanour grew a little darker, his brown eyed gaze cast downwards. His brother kept trying to convince Yugo to start figuring out how to use the Eliacube so more of their people could be found, if there truly were more, but he had been reluctant; he didn't feel ready.
Alys lightly laid a hand against Yugo's back, the smile she held encouraging but also caring after she easily picked up on the shift in his mood. "Don't worry about the Eliacube, Yugo… We'll have a look at it together; perhaps with the two of us, we can figure it out." She pushed back the headache that weakly throbbed at the thought of coming face to face with the Eliacube, knowing she had to face her demons some day, like Yugo. They had to support each other for their people, fears or not.
"Thanks," the boy smiled, the worry he had lessening a little, though it lingered somewhere among other worries," but let's get you acquainted with my father first. He came all the way from Emelka to see us and has been wanting to meet you. I am sure you'll like him; he gets along with almost everyone."
"Like you."
The ears of Yugo's hat perched up when he heard Alys, needing to tilt his head to be able to look up to her from under the blue cloth of his hat before he grinned as it was a compliment. Like him, yes; from what he was told, he was a good judge of character and he had yet to find someone he couldn't change the mind of. It was a good trait that had been in his favor. The young Eliatrope hurried a little in his step when they reached the chambers he shared with Adamai, opening the door before rushing inside. "I'm back!" he called out as he rounded the corner, looking rather gleeful towards Alibert and Adamaï. His upbeat behavior instantly punctured the awkward atmosphere that had fallen over the duo, both of them relieved to see him again. "And I found Alys," he peered around the corner to see if the female Eliatrope would come in before he took a few steps back and said while gesturing for the retired Enutrof wearing a long chef's hat," Alys, meet papa Alibert; my dad."
While Adamaï seemed fairly unfazed as he had come to know Alys, Alibert blinked and stared after the female Eliatrope stood next to his son. She was unlike what he expected her to be. Yugo had rubbed off on him so much that he envisioned the Eliatrope people to be more like him; short in size, playful, adventurous and open. Yet what he gazed upon was rather opposite, throwing him off a little. Before him stood a tall woman, regal and elegant with a timid but gentle demeanor. While Yugo had big dark brown eyes, tanned skin from spending time outside and unruly dirty blond hair, she had turquoise colored eyes, pale skin and curling hair colored like wheat. The differences between them were striking but she obviously was one of Yugo's people, the head wear she wore hiding what he knew about since Yugo's infant hood; Wakfu wings.
"Well met, Alibert. I hope I am not intruding," she said with a small but polite incline of her head, her eyes gliding from the young dragon to the large man who couldn't help but stare.
Alibert had to stop himself from clumsily bowing back after she inclined her head in greeting, the smile she gave him bringing a deeper color to his cheeks. He huffed at himself as he kept himself upright before pushing his stool back and rose to a standing to return the smile and nod to the food he brought along and freshly baked. "Not at all, come join us; there is enough for everyone." He kept leaning on the table as he watched Alys glance down to Yugo as if to seek a form of approval after she was invited, the boy grinning up to her before he hurried to the bench to reclaim his spot.
Yugo wasn't kidding when he spoke of how she appeared to be lonely; she looked lost as well. But then… no memories can leave one easily bewildered. Alibert continued to observe the female Eliatrope after she followed Yugo and walked around the long table to take a seat next to Alibert, still trying to form an opinion. She appeared too young to be a mother… Yugo's mother in fact. Were they even related in any way other than being Eliatropes? It was difficult to tell.
"Yugo told me you cook," she suddenly said as she brushed her hands over the skirt of the ivory colored dress she wore, speaking a little slow as if uncertain how to begin the conversation after she sat herself down," you do it for a living?" Whatever she was looking at and was presented on the table, it smelled divine; it was different from the food that was served to her here in Sadida.
"Ah, uhh… Yes. Yes, I run an inn, a place where travelers can stay for the night or have something to eat. It's a place I built shortly after Yugo came into my care, and it's been our home since." So Yugo really told her about him beforehand... Good, that meant Alibert didn't need to go into any stiff introduction and talk more calmly about the life he had in Emelka. Alibert's smile grew a little after noticing how the young woman was intimidated by the amount and variation of food upon the table, saying as he leaned a little towards her," don't be shy and try some; it is there to be eaten."
Alys took her eyes away from the food to look at the Enutrof before she slowly nodded, saying with an embarrassed chuckle," there is so much… I don't-"
"Here, try this; you might just like it," Adamaï said as he stood up on the bench and leaned over the table to hold out a plate to Alys, presenting her with buttered baked buns before pushing a jar with honey forward," smear them with this. I find it to be good, but it may be a little too sweet."
Yugo snickered a little as he watched his fellow Eliatrope take the offered plate," nobody can say no to nice bread! Not even Adamaï. Papa Alibert always goes overboard when it comes to food though. It is like he is afraid we'll go hungry."
Alibert snorted as he leaned forward on his stool to take the jug of milk and refill his mug while motioning around with his other hand. "Sadida doesn't have appropriate food! I am sure they've been serving you some watery grass soup," he joked though he was rather right with his presumption," unlike Sadida, Amakna is a nation of farmers; we love our food and I am no exception. I only wish to serve people the best I have to offer."
"Like your stew," Yugo nodded while sounding and looking proud, no matter that his mouth was full and jam once again stained his cheeks," will you make some while you're here?"
"I will later. I am sure the smell alone will lure Ruel from his underground excavations," Alibert laughed, already informed about how his best friend had been absent from the Brotherhood of Tofu since the fight against Nox. Surely he'll meet Ruel later on; they had a lot of catching up to do, especially because he had left Yugo in Ruel's care in the search for his people and family.
The boy received an ecstatic glint in his eyes at the thought of tasting the famed stew of the Crunchy Gobball again after months of being away from home, making his stay in Sadida easier to endure. That his father was here made it all better, though his friends and brother eased the sensation of being homesick for Emelka. "We should invite the others, have a little feast. We haven't celebrated or taken a break since… well…" He glanced to Alys," since then. It would be nice."
Alibert nodded in agreement," or perhaps another evening. I only arrived today; I'll be here for several more days to come. I wouldn't mind to spend some time with my sons first."
Alys rose a brow as she picked up on the plural Alibert used, not just speaking of Yugo but also Adamaï. So he already considered the dragon to be like a son to him? Because he and Yugo were twins? It was so… selfless.
What exactly was a father? She was hesitant to ask yet curious to know about the true meaning behind the word. She thought she figured it out after meeting the royal family of Sadida and witnessing the King interact with both his children, but this was different. Yugo was born from a Dofus, an egg. Wouldn't the one who created the Dofus be his actual father? Did it work that way? There were no blood ties between Yugo and Alibert and yet Alibert was the boy's father. Why…? Because he raised Yugo after he was left in his care? Is that what a father truly is; the male who raised a child and earned their respect? It sounded too simple and yet… she could believe it. Yugo thought of the Enutrof as a father even while knowing the truth; the love they had for each other was genuine and fairly different from how she saw Yugo act towards any other males. It wasn't wrong; it was beautiful.
Alys smiled as she watched Yugo converse with Alibert before her gaze shifted to Adamaï. What of him? Was this dragon, this Grougaloragran he spoke of, his father? She never got the feeling Adamaï viewed him as such though he did hold a great respect for the deceased dragon. Was it different for dragons? Did they not have the need for a parent in their life, but rather a guide to teach them everything? It was strange… and something she wasn't capable of wrapping her head around with so many memories missing.
What of herself? Did she ever have a father figure in her life?
"You will visit Emelka with us, won't you?"
Yugo's voice drew her out of her thoughts and back to the conversation at hand, causing her smile to return. "Of course, I would love to..." It felt like she wouldn't though; the future was too uncertain for her. She hadn't thought much about it, other matters having taken priority but it did make her wonder what her future held for her. Where was her home? Was it in Sadida or elsewhere? Could it be Emelka? "If Alibert doesn't mind me visiting, that is... "
"Mind? Absolutely not, you are more than welcome," Alibert smirked ," Yugo and Adamaï told me about how they wish to see and treat you; who am I not to do the same? I trust their judgement. We're practically family." His eyes flicked towards Adamaï with a small nod of his head; even the dragon was a part of it. He was Yugo's twin brother after all and with Yugo being his adopted son, it was only natural and right to treat Adamaï the same. Why not Alys as well?
How they wish to see and treat her? Alys blinked slowly before she looked to the boys seated across of her, able to guess what Alibert was talking about. They were still musing to consider her as a sister, no matter that they knew nothing about her other than what they had learned since she awoke. She smiled to them before she returned her attention to Alibert," thank you…"
He chuckled a little, pleased with how accepting everyone was about the situation. There was still a long road ahead of them but at least a beginning was made. He had to remain considerate of the fact that Alys' identity was still in shambles with her suffering from amnesia; there may be unexpected or unpleasant surprises in the future if certain memories were to return. Though… She seemed like someone who tends to ponder a lot. It didn't escape him that she hadn't taken a single bite from the offered food. Was she uncomfortable? She must be, but then this was a strange situation for her. He couldn't ask her many questions; with not knowing or remembering, there wasn't much she could give an answer to. He could try however. "Other than the food, has Sadida been treating you well?" he asked, directing his question to Alys rather than the youngsters.
"Very well," Alys answered quietly, still struggling with the guilt of how much she had to rely on others," everyone has been most helpful, including Yugo and Adamaï. I don't know what I would have done without them…" She would still be in captivity if it weren't for them, unaware of her situation and position for who knew how much longer. It was a big debt to pay...
Alibert rubbed his chin with a large hand as he hummed a little before murmuring," I left the inn in capable hands so I can stay in Sadida for a while. Perhaps I can teach you a thing or two in the mean time. If I managed to teach Yugo how to work everything in the kitchen and have him prepare stews alone at his age, I am certain I can work a miracle with you."
"She'll be too busy with Master Joris," Adamaï grinned before letting out a puff of air when Yugo elbowed his side, more in a playful manner than anything else. The brothers snickered after seeing the expression on Alys' face change from bewildered at the sudden mention of the Bontarian master to bashful before Alibert joined in with a short laugh.
"He-he is… well, my mentor," she said with lack for a better answer, not certain what exactly Joris was to her. He had taught her many things these last few days and kept her company during it all; calling him a mentor seemed the best title without things becoming too embarrassing. She looked in between the three observing her before huffing softly and said in her own defense while trying to dismiss the blush she held," he is currently teaching me how to read, nothing more…"
Alibert's laughter increased in volume as he could swear the female Eliatrope was on the verge of pouting before he leaned over to lay a hand on Alys' shoulder. "Adamaï is only teasing, piwi. I am certain the master's teaching are of more value and purpose than me teaching you how to cook, or the likes. Perhaps you already know how… That said, we should try and get to know each other better when time permits it. I have a feeling you'll be around us for quite a while, even after you manage to regain a life of your own."
She nodded a little while thinking about what he said. Joris did say it… they were family, no matter if it wasn't by blood. It felt wrong to question it after sitting at the same table as them and see them interact, herself included... She looked down at the plate Adamaï had offered her before picking up one of the buttered buns to give the bread a try and start eating, not noticing Alibert was watching from the corner of his eyes while listening with half an ear to Yugo and Adamaï conversing about a possible dinner with friends. His smile grew when her face brightened up after carefully chewing the small bite she took, her reaction to the strong but pleasant flavor silent but appreciated; Amaknian food still remained better than that of Sadida, and she proved it by enjoying one of the buns he made with his own hands.
They would get along just fine.
To be continued