"What an evening..."
"What a day, you mean," Renate corrected after giving Canar a sideways glance while they accompanied the female Eliatrope back to her chambers like faithful but unsuitable guards. Even though they let her be during the dinner so she could converse with some of the other guests, they were almost instantly at her side when she made signs of retreating to her room. "That pompous prince kept glaring at you like a hungry boowolf. It had my plume in a bunch."
The Sadidas had learned about how the Prince of Brakmar approached Alys earlier this evening. They were first utterly shocked by the tale, then grateful towards the master of Bonta for his interference before their gratitude turned into worry. It made two Sadida very protective over Alys, like some mother hens. "A lady shouldn't be treated like such," Renate said with a firm nod while looking like he ate something sour.
"It seems most princes could use some lessons in manners..." Canar mused, feeling less riled up than Renate about the whole situation. While there were arguments during the dinner, all had been rather peaceful. However, he or anyone else couldn't ignore the suspicious glances that were thrown towards the Eliatropes. Perhaps that was why Qilby excused himself early into the dinner. It had been a straining day for him, Adamaï and Alys. The questions and doubts came with no end, and nothing said or done seemed to satisfy the attendees of the Council.
Alys was quiet but appreciative of the company she was in, both her arms hooked around theirs while Renate and Canar continued their little gossip about the dinner. She didn't avoid the Prince of Brakmar during it. She respectfully answered a few questions he bit her way, both pretending the discussion in the gardens never happened. Each of the representatives was granted their own table with preferred delicacies, though some stood empty as some of the guests had decided to eat in their quarters. Probably in disgruntlement or because of a high desire for privacy. She sat next to Qilby, their table shared with Sadida and Bonta though the time she spent in the presence of her king was short after he either lost his appetite or felt too tired. He politely excused himself and left without asking if she would accompany him… which was odd in itself, but she didn't mind; it allowed her to freely talk with others.
"Let us know if you need anything."
It was a considerate thought from Canar and Renate after she wished them good night and closed the door behind her, hearing their chattering ebbing away as they too retreated for the night and left the Eliatrope to herself. While she was grateful for their care, she felt tired and mentally drained from the day. Hardly anything they said stuck, going into one ear and out the other. She had too much to process and think about for tomorrow, when the Council would resume.
Alys came to a slow stop when she found someone sitting at the small table by the open balcony door after she rounded the tall divider and entered her chambers, unable to stop herself from staring with her breath frozen in her throat. At first she was startled to find someone in her room, before it changed into surprise as the unexpected visitor was someone she didn't think she would see anymore this night. "Qilby?"
"Alys. Have a seat," Qilby said with his usual welcoming smile before gesturing for the chair opposite of him with but a small tilt of his long chin. The familiar book he was reading closed with a cushioned clap before he laid it on the table and shifted his weight, the bewildered look in Alys' eyes easy to pick up on. He rested his fingers on the book cover while he waited for her to sit, unaware it was the very same book Joris picked to polish Alys' reading skills and held sentimental value for the female Eliatrope. Qilby appeared casual and in a decent mood with a large bag resting beside him in the chair, though his behavior was different from earlier during the dinner.
Alys shifted her gaze from the closed book to Qilby, looking mildly confused. He appeared to have made himself comfortable in her chambers, as if it was his right to enter without permission and somewhere he had such with being her king... but it was unsettling to unexpectedly find him in what she considered her personal sanctuary. She asked no questions when she indulged Qilby's request to join him and sat on the offered chair, believing it wasn't wise to question the one who held many answers and more knowledge than she could ever dream of possessing. But she could feel something unusual, even if she was quiet and obedient. A strange sensation laid over the room, like how the air would ripple during a hot day; it was new, and worrying. She couldn't lay a finger on what it was or whatever was causing it, the small hairs on the back of her neck already standing up with Qilby's unannounced presence.
"Has today opened your eyes to the truth, my dear?" he asked after Alys showed she would listen, though the puzzled expression she wore and the light tilt of her head made clear she didn't fully get what he was insinuating. "The Council," he said, not giving much context as a short break followed his words. He rose from his chair with a soft grunt before he adjusted the sling of the bag he carried, asking as he began to wander," what kind of an impression did it give you?"
Alys followed Qilby with her eyes, his pacing giving an impatient edge to the small strides but his demeanor was as calm like always. His behavior and aura were clashing and it confused her. She couldn't get a good read of him, the uncertainty as to why he was in her room still present and unanswered. She lowered her gaze before she lightly touched the tinted glass of the silver pin presented on the front of her hooded gown, lost in thought. "There was reluctance," she quietly said to break the silence, unable to lie about this day. She had seen, heard and experienced much, just like Qilby had asked of her. The Council meeting and the following events were a test on her patience and empathy, but to speak ill of others didn't sit right with her, even if it were the truth.
"Indeed there was," Qilby nodded with a raising of his shoulders and a deep intake of air as he stood with his back turned to the female Eliatrope, his eyes resting on the darkness outside," today proved that no matter how willing we are to talk, everyone is out for themselves... We welcome them with open arms and yet they shun us in fear, and for selfish reasons. It is an insult, isn't it?"
Alys frowned when the topic at hand grew darker, a sense of déjà vu creeping up on her. This was an all too similar subject to what she discussed with the prince of Brakmar earlier this evening, about the rights and wrongs of giving or taking when the Eliatropes and Eliacube were concerned or involved. "The inhabitants of the World may be reluctant and cautious, Qilby, but some have shown the desire to become our allies. It isn't a lost cause yet..."
She heard him scoff, a soft sound which was almost inaudible if the room wasn't so eerily silent. "It is, Alys. It can't get more lost than this. Even you felt it during and after the negotiations. While we were the first people to inhabit this world, we are no longer welcome. These new inhabitants are not willing to share, believing it is theirs alone. No matter…" he sighed before he straightened up a little, his only hand resting against the side of the bag he carried," I have decided to take matters into my own hands after witnessing the Council. We have no need for people who will only come to our side to hound and abuse the power and knowledge of the Eliacube."
"What are you trying to say...?" Alys asked while her eyes narrowed in growing worry and suspicion, a feeling of apprehension crawling up her spine. The usual serene feeling of her own chambers grew heavy, like a heavy storm was brewing. It put her on edge. Her fingers wrapped tightly around the oval pin as if it would reassure her and give her the needed courage to continue speaking," we are welcome here. The people of Sadida have treated us with great hospitality while their allies stood by us during the Council. They may have their doubts, but we can erase them by talking and negotiating, by reaching out to them. They need to form an opinion and understanding of us, something which they can not conceive after meeting us only once. It takes time."
Qilby took a step to the side to turn and look to the female Eliatrope, inspecting her from over the rim of his glasses with a slow blinking of his eyes before he shook his head and spoke," you always did try to see the good in all and everything, no matter what would happen. However, there is no turning back… and we are running out of time." His voice gradually turned colder and more monotone before he opened the bag hanging from his shoulder, revealing a sight which made Alys jump to her feet with a frightened gasp.
Her chair clattered onto the floor behind her after she frantically knocked it back, her eyes wide in utter shock and fear. The glow of the object within the bag reflected in the pin and her fearful eyes, slowly but rhythmically pulsing like a heartbeat. "Goddess…" she uttered while staring at the Eliacube within Qilby's possession, slowly backing away as the sight and aura of the cube made her panic. Though a relic of her people, that thing was responsible for her inner turmoil, agony, amnesia, nightly terrors and so much more. Why was it in her room, or Qilby's bag? Why did he have it in his possession at such a crucial time? She couldn't make sense of it, her thoughts and feelings racing and turning into a cluttered mental mess. "Qilby, what have you done...?"
"What I had to. It is time to free our people from their imprisonment, and leave this world," Qilby said sternly as he closed the distance between him and Alys, the look he held almost piercing through her. He followed while she backed up to not get close to the Eliacube, until she bumped into the wall behind her and stayed like frozen. Qilby leaned forward once he stood before her and she pressed herself against the wall with frightful eyes, saying as his usual smile shimmered through his stern expression," imagine, Alys... We will travel the Krosmoz again, like we did all those years ago. Explore new places, broaden our horizons and be free. We will become the travelers like we once were. Wouldn't you want that, for yourself and the children?"
Alys had trouble with tearing her eyes away from the Eliacube while she was forced to listen to the much taller Eliatrope, looking torn in what to say, do, think or feel. She dreamt of traveling among the stars after Qilby came to this world and unearthed the history of the Eliatropes. To see other worlds and visit galaxies was something she would love to experience, but she had to remind herself that her people became galactic nomads by force. Qilby told everyone the Eliatropes fled from their home world due to a dispute, chased and hunted across the Krosmoz like prey. She found it far too important to discard. It was a dark start of a journey and it shouldn't ever be repeated. "At what price, Qilby...? This world is our people's home, we don't have to leave. You will harm the trust of everyone here if we were to leave now with the Eliacube. We would unintentionally declare a war we can not fight or win, not with just children."
Qilby stared at her, the kind smile he wore gone and replaced by a blank expression. This was the first time she didn't vocally agree with him. She hadn't questioned or doubted him before, not that he knew of at least, and so her objection took him by surprise. Did she come to love this planet more than his ideals for their people? After all he told her and shared, she would reject his proposal and choose a planet that hardly held any worth? It was stupendous... and not part of his plan. "Price? The price would be meaningless once we leave all this behind," he said while laying his hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch by his touch before he lowered and softened his voice to reason with her," this world is too small for us, Alys. We cannot prosper here... This planet doesn't hold the sufficient amount of Wakfu required to power the Zinit and begin our journey. It will barely be enough."
"Not enough-?" She didn't finish her question when thoughts clicked into place and she understood what Qilby was insinuating, albeit that he didn't confirm it directly. The sudden realization behind the meaning of his words made her stomach turn. The Eliatrope vessel that would allow her people to roam the stars needed Wakfu in the same way the Eliacube required it to create a portal to Emrub or to properly function when it was in Nox's possession. The Zinit ran on the Krosmoz's life force and if Qilby admitted the World of Twelve and its inhabitants didn't have enough Wakfu to spare to power the Zinit, then... The only logical conclusion she could come to scared her, her expression paling at the mere thought that no one on this world would survive the launch of the Zinit. This world would be destroyed, drained from its vital essence! Was Qilby truly willing to sacrifice this world and all the people on it? He, the man who had shown compassion and a wisdom beyond anything imaginable? Had she all this time unknowingly supported his plan, all so he could go elsewhere and drag the children with him? What else hadn't he told her, or anyone else? What was truth and what was a lie?
The look in Qilby's eyes betrayed he wasn't joking, his mind set. Nobody would or could stop him.
The glow of the Eliacube added to her paleness as she shifted against the wall, feeling like she was facing a nightmare she couldn't defeat. "You…" she said with a trembling breath, the betrayal she felt burning in her chest causing her to quiver," you are a monster, Qilby. Can't you see what this world has to offer...? It is full of life, precious life we could be a part of! Why do you wish to turn our people, all those innocent children, into murderers for the sake of-of… of travel? We are better than that!"
"I prefer to call myself a realist," he added serious with a narrowing of his eyes before he sighed in disappointment," I thought I would have your continued support, but it seems I allowed you too much free rein after all. Mingling with the locals and spending quality time with that short runt in the library made you meek and naive to your own people's traditions. I believed you to be loyal to our people and those waiting children, but most of all to your king. So disappointing."
His grip on her shoulder tightened with his persuasion to have her join his cause, but his hand was slapped away with a quick lash before he could break her. Her glare was surprisingly foul when her hand struck his wrist, her defiance taking him by surprise and allowing her a fraction of a second to bolt away and make a break for the door.
A disgruntled crinkle appeared across Qilby's nose as he grabbed for Alys the moment she slipped away, his fingers grasping tightly around her wrist before he yanked her back to prevent her escape. Her legs got caught in the long skirt of her gown when the yanking sharply spun her around, causing her to trip and helplessly smack against the wall. Qilby leaned far down after Alys slumped onto the floor, his hold on her wrist like a vice while his nails dug into her skin. "We could have guided all those children into a new future with me as their rightful king," he said with a lowered voice, his held back frustration shimmering through," but you had to reject me, just like everyone did before. Some things truly don't change."
Alys grabbed for his hand to try and pry it away from her wrist, wincing as he refused to let go. She didn't expect him to be this strong but then she also believed she couldn't stand a chance against anyone, not with how weak she was. But she had to get away from him at any cost. She had warn others about what unfolded in her chambers and what her so called king was planning; too many lives depended on it. She stopped clawing at his fingers when she felt herself grow desperate, halting her attempt to wring herself free before she clenched her eyes shut and rose her free hand. A small Zaap appeared right underneath one of Qilby's feet, the sudden hole swallowing up his leg and tipping his balance.
Qilby was forced to release her when he partially sunk away through the floor, granting the female Eliatrope another chance to escape. She quickly scrambled up to her feet to run for the open archway leading to her balcony after swerving around Qilby to get away from him, running like her life depended on it... until the inside of a Zaap blinded her. She stumbled after she ran through the sudden appearing portal and ended up in the exact same spot she sat on the floor seconds before, looking bewildered until Qilby's voice brought clarity to what had happened.
"I wasn't aware you rediscovered your powers, nor did I expect you would so soon. Quite a surprise… It seems there is more you have yet to tell me," Qilby said while his Zaap closed behind her, calmly composing himself from his little stumble," what else have you been keeping from me?"
Alys said nothing as she slowly backed away from him while assessing the situation, her hands held up in futile defense. She knew that if she were to try and run again, be it to the door or balcony, he would intercept her with another portal. There was no escape from someone more powerful and experienced than her. She had no choice but to give in to whatever demand Qilby had… or stand up for her beliefs. Choosing the latter, she rose her hands with hesitation to mimic what Yugo had shown her before he left for the Crimson Claws isle, praying to her Goddess and beyond she could pull off what the boy was capable of. Two Zaaps appeared in front of her held up hands before she brought them together with a frantic waving of her arms, the merging of the portals spewing forth a blast of Wakfu which almost knocked her back. She wanted to avert her gaze to not see the harm she may inflict when the beam of light shot straight at Qilby, but was unable to turn her eyes away when another Zaap blocked Qilby from her view.
Her attack missed its mark, the newly summoned portal catching the blast of Wakfu before it sealed and revealed a strident but heavily disappointed looking Qilby. Alys stood frozen in awe and fear after he countered her attack as if he anticipated it, the cyan glow of her held up hands fading away while the trembling of her fingers and whole body became more apparent. His face distorted in disapproval before he rose his only arm towards her and said," you never were a fighter, Alys."
The Zaap he opened blinded her as he diverted the Wakfu he caught back at her, the strength of the eruption pushing against her and rooting her in place with a heart stopping fear. She was unable to dodge his counter attack, the blast hitting her in her chest and knocking her back with the sheer force of the impact. No scream left her when she crashed into the foot end of her bed, the cracking of wood and her body hitting the floor sounding instead. Smoke rose from her chest when she laid motionless on the floor, skin singed and flayed by her own Wakfu Qilby so cleverly used against her.
Qilby lowered his arm with a tilt of his head before he stepped over towards the downed Eliatrope, inspecting her with only his eyes. She was knocked unconscious by the collision against the piece of furniture and the overwhelming pain from the direct hit, the wound he inflicted on her severe. "What a pity," he said bitter while standing over her with utter disappointment and disdain," I truly hope Adamaï will be more easily persuaded, though I may have to change my approach. I have lost too much time on you already, Alys, but not to worry... I will come back for you after I have set my plan in motion. Some suffering might make you more open to my ideas." He turned his head when distant sounds coming from outside caught his attention, listening intently before a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "As if on cue." He strode onto the balcony to find the source of the sounds, already guessing what it could be. He made out the palace's stables in the dark of the night, far below and almost out of sight and where the sounds of alarmed dragoturkeys and angry guards came from.
Grougaloragran.
His guess was confirmed, although it was a simple one to make. The complaints about the dragon whelp preying on the royal dragoturkeys was known to him and he also knew of Adamaï's growing impatience with the locals' complaints. To expect a dragon to go against their instincts and not hunt... What a cruel thing to do. Qilby knew he could use this stroke of luck in his favor. This was his chance to persuade Adamaï in leaving behind the ungrateful Sadidas and head for the Zinit to be among their own kin, to leave all this behind.
He threw a final glance back into Alys' chambers and to the injured woman lying on the floor before he disappeared through a Zaap with the Eliacube in his possession, not allowing anyone or anything to get in the way of his plan.
To be continued