The corridor Joris traversed was long, his tread slow compared to the pace his thoughts were going through his head. He had accompanied His Majesty Sheran Sharm earlier this morning and only left his presence mere moments ago, leaving the gardens he and the king of Sadida had wandered through to discuss certain matters behind him.
It came as a surprise to many; Adamaï suddenly picked up on his brother's dismay and caused a small panic to rise among the those who stayed behind in Sadida while Yugo and the Brotherhood of Tofu were on a journey to retrieve Qilby's Dofus. Whatever the young dragon sensed or experienced, it made Qilby act without reluctance. With the aid of the Eliacube, they were able to to pinpoint Yugo's last location before his bond with Adamaï was severed by something unknown, the location well known to the master of Bonta.
When Qilby informed King Sheran Sharm about taking his temporary leave with the Eliacube to head for the Cania plains, Master Joris was quick to offer his services. He knew the plains all too well with it being a part of the nation he served for so many years and yet to his biggest surprise his expertise was turned down. Qilby thanked him for the generous offer but assured the master that his guidance wasn't needed; he and Adamaï would manage alone. Joris honored and respected the King's wish to set out with only the dragon, but he found it peculiar all the same.
Joris abruptly stopped in his stride when two Sadida loomed up in front of him as if they came popping out of the ground, blocking him in and looking down upon him with large eyes, batting eyelashes and very expectant looks. His gaze moved in between the two confidantes of Princess Amalia after they blocked his path, waiting for them to say something and make their intentions clear before he lowered his head a little and asked," do you require my assistance?"
"Oh, I thought you would never ask!" Canar said rather pleased as he bent a little through his knees, a hint of relief apparent on his grass covered face. "It is so good we found you, Master Joris. We were looking for you, weren't we?"
The much shorter Sadida nodded with a soft agreeing humming when Canar looked at him, a worried expression on his chubby face as he peered down at the master with his hands clasped together. Something was obviously amiss, but with these two it could be something small like a wardrobe malfunction or something actually important. It was difficult to tell at this very moment… However, if they were looking for Joris specifically then it had to be something else than a fashion disaster.
"It is urgent," Canar said with pouty lips while fluttering his long eyelashes at Joris as if to sway him more easily, causing some discomfort to brew within the master. The skeptical look Canar received from the darkness of the hood made him retreat a little in his advance. He placed the palms of his hands together with a deep breath to compose himself before bending far down and forward to bring himself closer to Joris while saying with a hushed voice," you see, it's about Alys."
He couldn't help but feel his interest piqued when the tall Sadida mentioned the female Eliatrope though didn't show it as he patiently waited for Canar to get to the point. How urgent was it truly? The two flamboyant Sadidas were prone to act all dramatic over the smallest thing and that they weren't hyperventilating or on the verge of tears was a sign enough that their form of 'urgent' wasn't life threatening. Though… Why was Alys brought to his attention at a time like this?
Canar cupped his cheek with a hand once he saw he had Joris' attention and let out a deep sigh, saying as he wove a little with his other hand," she has been so very absentminded these last few days."
Renate kept on nodding, if not a little less frantic than before. "We were hoping that the absence of His Majesty Qilby would brighten her up a little," he hushed to not speak all too loud, not wishing to be caught gossiping about presumed royalty even though gossiping was something he and Canar loved to do.
"But she remains a gloomy little flower… So me and Renate were wondering-"
"We were wondering if you perhaps know of something that could cheer her up a little."
Joris looked in between the two Sadida after they came uncomfortably close while finishing each other's sentences, not certain why the servants came to him for advice. He made himself the promise to be the Eliatrope's guardian and watch over her whenever he could, no matter that his watch over the Eliatrope had grown severely less since he left her in Qilby's hands with the hope he could guide her properly. It were Renate and Canar who were taking care of Alys' needs and pampered her. He had an understanding for Alys' current mood however; one of her fellow Eliatrope, the one who treated her like family, had suddenly disappeared from the face of this world. Of course she was upset...
When Joris did not answer and kept his eyes thoughtfully on the floor, the two confidantes looked at each other with uncertainty and also mild disappointment. This wasn't going like they had hoped for. They could have sworn the master cared enough for the female Eliatrope's well-being to act, but his silence made them doubt their own observations of whenever the two spent time together. Did something happen between them? "Surely you must know something. You two are close."
"Well, you were close before Qilby came here..."
"They still are," Canar corrected with a stern voice while throwing a disapproving glance to Renate after he was little too straightforward with the truth. It didn't escape their attention that the Master Joris and the Lady Alys didn't spend much time together since Qilby arrived, the one-armed Eliatrope having replaced the Bontarian master. In the servants' eyes, Alys had become Qilby's shadow and it was rather worrying because she grew gradually more withdrawn and solemn for reasons which had yet to become apparent while she was at her King's side. Whatever influence did he have on her?
A silence fell over the trio present in the hallway until Renate suddenly gasped and almost squealed with sudden excitement, causing both Canar and Joris to look at him with an arched brow," I have a brilliant idea!"
It had been a few days since Alys last visited the library, though it did feel longer than it actually was; it felt like weeks. The female Eliatrope was by herself this time around, gazing down at a familiar map she had looked upon several times before. The map of the Bontarian nation laid spread out before here, her shadow cast over it as she stood by the table rather than sitting down. Her eyes were pinned on what was the Cania plains on the map, the place where something presumably had happened to Yugo.
Qilby and Adamaï left the kingdom of Sadida in a hurry to make their way to the Cania plains in the west, guided by Adamaï's instincts after he sensed Yugo disappearing from this world. Though Alys had yet to come to terms with the Eliacube, it was able to help Adamaï in locating where Yugo was before he vanished. Qilby decided to take the Eliacube with him in case its power was needed and while it was his right to do with the Eliacube as he pleased, the removal of atrifact from the Dofus chamber left the royalty of Sadida on edge. They were aware of the importance however; if Yugo had truly left this world, he may be in another and would need the help of the Eliacube to return. Qilby had been rather certain about the cube's capabilities, but then he was the one who had the memories and knowledge to make full use of it.
She had requested to come along to find Yugo and make certain he was all right, but her King insisted she remained in Sadida without giving her a reason. She obediently complied, no matter her own doubts and objections. She could guess the reason however, or at least one of the reasons. With Adamaï gone, Grougaloragran was on the prowl and enjoying his freedom while it lasted. Even though the small dragon wasn't capable of causing havoc, he could still create plenty of trouble. The female Eliatrope lost sight of him after she left Chibi in Alibert's care, assuming the black dragon whelp was keeping a close envious eye on the Enutrof now that Adamaï wasn't there to lecture and train him.
Enjoying freedom while it lasted… Alys closed her eyes and softly sighed, feeling an inner conflict which had been present since the last few days. It was such a joy to learn about her people, no matter that her own past remained muddled. Qilby knew much but he was of course unaware of the life Alys had before the attack of the Mechasms. He claimed to have been friends with her, or at least close enough to be considered as such… yet it didn't feel that way. There was still this void whenever she would interact with him. She felt trapped by the new developments, even after Qilby left for Cania.
Several times he suggested for her to be more considerate of the Eliatrope traditions, to no longer listen to other people's beliefs, to disregard what the Disciples of Twelve had discovered about the ancient race of the Eliatropes after they disappeared. She became his pupil as he continued to teach her about a forgotten past, keeping her near... and away from others. She wasn't certain if it was intentional but it felt like it at times. How wrong it felt to doubt her King. How wrong it felt to believe she was slowly being locked away. Surely that wasn't the case? But if it wasn't then why did she feel this way? What piece of the puzzle was missing?
She pressed her lips together and clenched her eyes shut as she waded deeper into her worries and troubles, coming across dark thoughts she pushed far back to not be confronted with them, too scared to find the truth. Yet for how much longer could she ignore them? For how much longer would she deliberately push away the wonder about why she felt fear when alone with Qilby? Why was she afraid of him if he claimed they got along in the past? It terrified her not to know. Her only link to learn about her past was one she was apprehensive to fully trust and yet she obeyed and listened to him without question because he was the only link she had. It felt wrong; it disgusted her.
Alys felt herself shudder as she leaned with both hands on the table, the internal struggle overwhelming her and causing her to be on the verge of tears. Her knuckles turned white as she balled her hands into fists and hung her head, the negative feelings gaining the upper hand in her solitude while control to remain poised slipped. Her mask was beginning to crack… and all she could do was internally curse herself for feeling the way she did.
After all this time, why couldn't she remember?
"-lys."
A breathless pant escaped her when a voice reached her through her mental struggle, the tears she wasn't able to hold from forming lingering on the edge of her lower eyelids and hazing her sight. She blinked rapidly with her eyes in an attempt to blink away the tears before they could trickle down her cheeks, her hood hiding her struggle from the one who tried to claim her attention. Her focus was in shambles, her heart racing as she knew exactly who was standing behind her… and he was the last person she wished to see her like this. "Master Joris," she whispered while trying to gather herself and safe face," you startled me…" She slowly turned to gaze down to the small master, the smile she held weak and feigned.
Joris' focused demeanor changed the moment he laid eyes on her, a silence falling between them. The hesitance which crept up on him was apparent in his visible eyes as he stared at her, before she averted her gaze as both knew he was aware of what occurred before he spoke up and gained her attention. One could not hide tears so easily… The look in his eyes hardened as he gathered himself, saying while inclining his head respectfully to no longer stare," apologies…"
He was uncertain what he walked into, but to find Alys in such a state only proved that the confidantes' worry was justified. He had his suspicions but he never- Joris stopped his own thoughts to remind himself himself that Alys had received bad news with Yugo's disappearance. Hopefully she was upset and worried for the boy's well-being rather than feel distraught about something else. Though… why would she try and hide her distress from him? Why was she trying to smile instead? What truly troubled her? It wasn't the boy.
"Do you perhaps have a moment?"
Alys slowly nodded in response, the feigned smile fading as she reluctantly glanced back at Joris after deliberately looking away in the fear he would start asking questions she didn't dare to answer. "Of course…" she said with a quiet voice before plea began to seep into her doing," is this about Yugo? Do you have news of him...?" Yugo. Yugo was the important subject, not her own struggles. Was he all right? Did they find him already? As long as it was anything good, she could pretend that she wasn't struggling with herself.
"Unfortunately not…" Joris' eyes were large as he continued to look at the Eliatrope before him from under the edge of his hood, seeing her bite her lip before her delicate hand slipped over the brooch she wore to hold it as if it gave her courage or comfort. He rested his gaze on her hand while pushing away the returning wonder about the true reason behind her crying, before he exhaled through his nose and said while tipping his head forward," I was asked by Renate and Canar to escort you to them. They wish to show you something."
She was silent when Joris brought forth the reason of why he came to her, the gaze she held a little distant before a weak smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She couldn't guess what the two servants were up to, but if they had gone through the trouble of sending Joris in their stead, then it was something she couldn't possibly turn down… and they knew she wouldn't if it was the master asking her. Hopefully it was a distraction from everything that caused her heart to sink. "Thank you…"
Joris nodded while a sense of relief washed over him, pleased she didn't decline his offer to escort her to the place Canar and Renate told him to meet if he were able to gain Alys' interest. He motioned with a gloved hand to show her where to go before he joined her as she began to walk, quietly guiding her along. No word was shared between them as he lead her out of the palace and through the gardens, neither when they crossed the long bridge and ventured into the forest which surrounded the Tree of Life. Sticking to the path, the master did keep a close eye on the Eliatrope. She was thoughtful, even with the distraction he was putting her through. Her face brightened up however when the two confidantes could be seen up ahead, waving for the approaching pair before they skipped over and either took one of Alys' hands.
"So glad you came! Come, come," Canar ushered while gently pulling at the pale hand he held to bring Alys to the edge of a very large clearing that was visible through the many trees the path weaved through," we figured you would be very interested in visiting this place."
Renate hooked his arm with the Eliatrope to walk alongside her, saying with a sense of pride," it is one of the marvels of Sadida. I am sure you'll be impressed!" He made no mention of the sole purpose behind bringing Alys here, having agreed with Canar to not bring her mood further down and just let her enjoy what they had in store for her. There was no need to feed any worries; she had enough already.
Joris walked behind the trio, hands held behind his back as he knew what laid ahead. It was rare to visit it however; this would be his third time to set foot on what was a crucial element to the Sadida culture. It was a place other Disciples wouldn't get to visit without a permit. The many guards they passed were proof of it; they wouldn't allow anyone who wasn't associated with Sadida near the fields Canar and Renate were headed for, but today Joris and Alys were excused thanks to their chaperons who would giggle and wave to any guard that looked their way.
What loomed up before Alys was a large field filled with crops, a strange patch of land within a dense forest. It was open and reached quite far as it followed the hilly landscape towards the mountains. She blinked slowly in surprise at the unexpected sight in front of her before her attention turned to Canar as he spread out his arms and cheerfully said," welcome to the birthing fields*!"
"The birthing fields…?" She could hardly hide her surprise or the uncertainty she felt while she allowed her eyes to wander over the many strange crops that were lined up in almost perfect rows. This was the first time she heard of it. What was it?
Canar dropped his arms a little before he pursed his lilac colored lips and threw a judgmental, if not a little harsh, look over his shoulder towards the Bontarian master. "Master Joris hasn't told you about them? For shame."
Joris stared at Canar with a hint of silent bewilderment before his eyes slowly shifted from one side to the other, a soft clearing of his voice sounding from the shadow of his hood," we… haven't exactly talked about procreation among the Disciples, in detail." He sounded a little reluctant though tried to play it off as casually as he could. It didn't go by unnoticed that his confession made the cheeks of the female Eliatrope deepen a little in color after she heard what he said, only making the situation more awkward for them both.
"Procrea-?"
Renate chuckled as he pulled at Alys' arm with his own while pointing at a few of the crops growing nearby, interrupting her flustered question as if it was intentional before he spoke," these aren't your ordinary cabbages, flower."
"Sadida, no! Why, these are our precious future children!" Canar said with an ecstatic tone tied to his voice, the glint in his eyes and the smile he carried matching how he felt. he was extremely excited to share this with the one he and Renate had taken under their wings.
She couldn't help but gawk at Canar before she quickly shook her head and rose a hand while an insecure smile crept onto her lips. "I am sorry. Your children...?" she asked with squinted eyes, the skepticism apparent in her expression but also her question.
"Oh, not ours," Canar chuckled as if Alys just made an amusing joke. He stepped up next to her to lay his hands on her shoulders and redirect her attention to the many crops instead of him, saying with a small nod," these are all little sprouts waiting to be chosen by people who will nurture and raise them."
"All of these are… babies?" Alys asked as she looked down at the crops, sounding and looking like she didn't fully believe him. It looked like an ordinary field of odd looking vegetables, all lined up perfectly in long rows and under heavy guard as guards kept patrolling the paths and edges to keep the new life safe. It felt rather unnatural… and yet it seemed to be the most normal thing for the Sadida. But then, she was born from a Dofus and so were Yugo and Qilby. It wasn't as peculiar as it seemed.
"Why yes!"
"Canar and I were born here in this very field," Renate grinned while he wove a little with a hand and wiggling fingers towards the field which spread out before them as he vaguely pointed out where their crops were located when they were born. They had long since been replaced by several generations of new Sadida offspring.
Joris took a few steps forward to no longer linger behind the small group, gazing out over the field before he tilted his chin up so he could see Alys' face, seeing she was confused but also intrigued by what she was seeing and told about. "The Sadida do not become pregnant like other Disciples, Lady Alys. Within these crops are infants, dormant but with a soul. They will wake once they are picked… It is different from how other Disciples of the Twelve give birth, but it also explains how the Sadida are partially vegetation and have a strong affinity with nature."
Canar huffed with a feigned scowl while peering down at Joris, saying with what could easily be described as mock as he protectively wrapped his arm around Alys' and pulled her closer," ohh, now you tell her all about it after we warmed her up for you, hmm? Figures."
"Are we allowed to be here...?" Alys asked, intentionally a little quick to not have anything escalate between the tall confidante and the short ambassador of Bonta after Joris slowly cocked his head to meet Canar's teasing words and expression with a raised brow and a stern expression of his own. Confrontation was the last thing she wanted at this point in time, especially between the people she cared about.
"You're with us, flower. There is nothing to worry about," Canar smiled after he instantly snapped back to his usual mood, his taunting laid aside and forgotten," this is something you have to see with your very own eyes. It is quite special."
Renate hushed while waving with both his hands towards Canar and Alys to motion for them to be quiet before saying with excitement and a lowered voice," look over there!" He nodded towards a Sadida couple further away that appeared to be intrigued by a particular crop among the many rows growing in the field. The couple conversed with each other before the female Sadida kneeled down and reached for the crop that caught their interest, carefully peeling down a few of the large leaves with a certain care to reveal a large tuft of grass. She took a hold of the grass sprouting from the center of the pod and pulled at it, soon revealing a newborn child, a girl who cried out the moment she left her crop and was pressed against the Sadida's chest for comfort. The male leaned in after the female rose to a standing and presented their child to him, appearing to be pleased with what God Sadida had given them.
"Isn't it precious?" Canar asked, seeing Alys was enamored by what she was allowed to witness, her eyes large as she watched the new parents and their newborn. To bring her out here proved to be a good idea, even if it was Renate who thought of it. No matter… it worked.
"It is beautiful…" The Eliatrope sounded speechless. This was the first birth she remembered witnessing, having missed out on Chibi and Grougaloragran's hatching. It may not be the norm for other Disciples, but she couldn't get over the radiance both parents had as they carried their child off the field to return home, her crying having subdued once she was loved by the two Sadida," it makes everything worth it…"
Joris glanced towards Alys from the corner of his eyes while she spoke with Canar and Renate and observed the Sadidas and their newborn, taking a moment for himself. The female Eliatrope had distanced herself from most after Qilby was brought to this world and he believed it to be by choice… But watching her smile and be open towards those who were close to her since her awakening made him wonder if it truly had been her own choice. She seemed more like herself when not in Qilby's presence, a lot more happier too… His eyes narrowed when a dark thought crossed his mind, one he wished to dismiss but knew was too important to discard. Something wasn't right… That he found her on the verge of crying in the library still bothered him as he remained convinced her tears had nothing to do with the distressing news about Yugo.
"Pardon me, Lady Alys," he suddenly spoke up after making up his mind, causing the trio to fall silent and look at him with expecting glances," will you walk with me, for a moment?"
Alys wavered and swayed a little on the spot after Canar softly prodded with his elbow into her side to quietly urge her in accepting Joris' humble request, before Renate placed both his chubby hands on her hips and gently nudged her forward," she would love to, won't you, flower?" He looked at her with large eyes and fluttering eyelashes, making it difficult to object all though objection didn't even cross her mind.
She took the few steps forward after she was carefully pushed before the confidantes' hands left her as they stayed put to watch the development, saying with a small nod as she smiled down to Joris," of course…"
She may be a little bashful thanks to the urgings of the Sadida but he was pleased with her acceptance nonetheless. He turned around to walk ahead of her, guiding her along till the end of the path where he waited for her to join him before he would continue to casually walk across the field that was abundant with life. "Have you been well?"
Alys' eyebrows rose ever so slightly at the question before her soft expression became a little darker with a faint frown, saying in answer while she shifted her focus to the many crops they passed to not look at the master," as well as I can be. Though..." She hesitated as she was swift to stop herself from speaking about her true worries, still not believing it was something she should talk about with anyone. How could she explain her distrust in someone she was forced to blindly trust? "I am worried about Yugo…" she said to finish her sentence, once more keeping her other worries to herself.
He had hoped she would let something shimmer through when she hesitated and paused in her talking but when she brought forth her Eliatrope brother rather than something else, he closed his eyes and nodded. Perhaps there truly was nothing else, though he highly doubted it. "There is no need to worry about Yugo's well-being. He surely has gone through worse than whatever may have occurred in Cania. Whatever the case may be, you shouldn't underestimate him… or yourself; your kin are survivors."
The smile he got was appreciative when her turquoise eyes turned to him but he couldn't help but notice the underlying tone of ponder in her whole doing. At least there were no more hints of tears… The idea of the two confidantes to distract Alys with what she held dear the most seemed to have worked in a way. Her affinity for children calmed her down enough to not excuse herself from the three who took her out here and seek out solitude once more. She had been doing such too much as of late...
The fields were peaceful as they slowly followed the sand path to reach the top of the hill this part of the field was grown on, revealing more of the forest and the birthing fields as it spread out like a large green speckled blanket. Though there was something else in the distance among the green of the trees which caught the Eliatrope's eye while she tried to indulge herself in the master's company, the sight alone causing her to stand still and look towards it with a focused but inquisitive expression.
"Master Joris… what is that over there?"
Joris came to a slow stop to see what Alys was trying to bring to his attention and followed her gaze towards something beyond the trees. A large clearing had drawn her eye, an odd empty patch of land among the hills and lush forest. It reached fairly far, the hill they stood upon giving them a good view of the peculiar sight. "That is the scar, as the Sadida call it. It is where the battle against Nox's Clock took place. One of his constructs used Stasis to level the forest and clear a path for the Clock to reach the Tree of Life..."
"Stasis…?"
He nodded after he stepped up next to Alys and folded his hands together behind his back, remembering the devastation of that day all too well. "It is a volatile form of Wakfu, purple in color… Rather destructive and dangerous in nature and an unstable energy source. It is harmful to most living beings with different kind of side effects, but luckily it is rare to find in its crystallized Stasili form. It is best left alone." It had been a few months since the fight yet the forest appeared to struggle with regrowing where Razortime had swept the ground clear from any vegetation. "The people of Sadida have been attempting to regrow the trees, but the soil still contains too much Stasis residue to allow anything to properly grow. They keep trying however," he said while nodding towards the edge of the large clearing where small trees could be seen, still young and being forced to grow by the magic the Sadida possessed," more rain along with a few more months time and the ground should be clear enough for the scar to heal over."
"How awful… and so close to here," Alys said while she turned a little to look out over the field where many infants were growing and waiting to be picked by loving parents. To think the battle had waged right on the doorstep of budding life… it was a scary thought.
"No matter the hardships, Sadida continues to prosper," Joris said as he looked out over the field, forest and the scar in the distance, recalling how he rushed out into the newly formed wasteland in an attempt to protect the Princess Sheran Sharm. Luckily his services weren't needed as the boy Yugo had somehow managed to stop Nox before he could reach the Tree of Life.
"I was found out there, wasn't I?"
He observed her fidgeting with the oval pin clasped to the front of her gown, simply watching her fingers caress the polished glass the silver setting held before he softly said while inclining his head for her," you were… Although it was tragic, it was also fortunate that you were within the Clock during the event. It allowed us to find you and reunite you with several of your kin. Not only bad things have come from the fight against the Xelor, Alys…"
Alys averted her gaze when she felt herself become flustered after her eyes met Joris' while he peered at her from under the rim of his hood, his sincerity and not calling her 'lady' like he had done all this time catching her off guard. It made her falter. It had been a little while since last they spent time together, even if it was in the company of others. She missed their little talks, him sharing his knowledge or simply sit together while going through the many books the library had to offer. They didn't even need to say anything; being in his presence was enough for her. "I..." She brought a hand up to brush some of her hair aside while trying to find the words before lightly cupping her cheek. It felt warm," I… I should head back to the palace. It is my turn to watch Chibi tonight. Alibert has enough on his hands already..."
Although he nodded for her and showed no sign to stop her, Joris lowered his gaze when Alys suddenly turned on a heel to take her abrupt leave but the expected crunching of soil and gravel under her feet as she would walk away couldn't be heard. He rose his eyes up at the sudden observation, only to find Alys standing still as if reluctant to take another step away from him, her hands balling into fists before they relaxed and she turned slightly to look back at him.
"Perhaps you would like to join me…?" she asked, knowing that this could be one of the few chances she would get to spend more time with Joris before Qilby would request her presence at his side again... if he were to return. She could see Joris smile in response, the rounding of his cheeks which caused his visible eyes to squint in the darkness of his hood giving away his hidden smile. His silent answer was enough for her, though the small nod he gave and him stepping up beside her was more than she had hoped for. He hadn't given up on her just yet, no matter the changes since Qilby's arrival.
Canar and Renate could be seen waving when Alys and Joris began to make their way back to return to the palace, leaving any future parents to seek out the right pod under the watchful eye of the guards.
To be continued
sub(*: The 'birthing fields' were introduced during the end credits of season one's final episode. It is the only time it is brought forth but is considered canon no matter that there is no specific lore about it. I filled in the blanks so please do not consider the information in this chapter as confirmed canon.)/sub