Joris sat quietly with his arms folded over his chest, his head held down and his eyes closed. He was either deep in thought or had dozed off after sitting by Alys' bedside for what had been hours. He was the one to find her unconscious and injured in her chambers after the palace guards sounded the alarm and commenced a search for the missing Eliacube, but the cube and neither Qilby or the dragons were anywhere to be found.

Even though guards were stationed outside of her chambers as a precaution while security remained on high alert, Joris appointed himself to watch over her in case she would make the attempt to escape after waking. He doubted she would. It was obvious she was assaulted by someone unknown, the fresh bandages wrapped around her chest clear proof of it. And while Qilby and the young dragons had gone missing, she was still in the palace's premises. Was it like before, when Adamaï and Yugo snuck into the forest with the Eliacube to harness its power but instead hatched Grougalagran's Dofus and brought Qilby here? Knocked out guards and a wounded Eliatrope didn't fit that speculation; this was far less innocent from when the brothers took the Eliacube without informing anyone.

Joris tried to complete the puzzle while the hours passed by, but so did others. The representatives attending the Council of Twelve were riled from their sleep by the risen alarm and assembled in the throne room to discuss the worrying development. The missing Eliacube was the hot topic of the discussions and arguments, as it was the sole purpose for most guests to even attend the meeting in Sadida. The night and day passed by unruly, the outrage reaching its highest peaks while accusations kept piling up as several representatives kept bashing heads. Alys remained unconscious throughout it all, left in the hands of the guards and the master of Bonta after her wound was tended to. She was feverish in her unresponsive state and didn't utter a word, heavily dreaming and in pain from the damage inflicted on her. The fact that there were no answers only rose the present frustration. People were growing impatient with waiting.

Amidst the rising tension and waiting for the female Eliatrope to wake, Joris had been thinking. The last thing he wanted was to accuse Alys of any involvement in the missing Eliacube, but she acted withdrawn and peculiar ever since Qilby's arrival. Joris wasn't able to figure out the reasons behind the change in her behavior as she deliberately kept things to herself while the distance between them grew larger. He couldn't get rid of the feeling that the Eliatrope king had a hold on her she couldn't shake off and this suspicion grew over the last few weeks, if not more this night. However, it felt different the day before in the palace gardens. The way she thanked him gave him a shimmer of hope for their budding friendship, same when he followed her into the forest when she tested her capabilities and looked exceedingly happy. Did the Eliatrope king take the Eliacube by his own will or did someone force his hand? Was Alys a part of the scheme, if there truly was one? Where was the Eliacube now?

A loud gasp coming from Alys made him open one eye ever so slightly, keeping up the pretend he was asleep so he could observe the startled looking woman. She lay in cold sweat with her eyes wide open and gasping for air, a look of horror on her face like she had woken up from a terrifying nightmare. Seconds crept by as her senses tried to gather themselves before she abruptly sat up and threw the blanket aside to hurry out of the bed, looking spooked. A burning jolt of pain went through her chest at the sudden movement, causing her to buckle over and hunch forward while grabbing the side of the bed to keep herself up. She instinctively pressed a hand against her bandage clad chest after keeping her balance, a look of bewilderment mixing with her haunted expression before it twisted into bitterness.

She remembered. She remembered all too well why she was in pain.

Alys sharply inhaled through her teeth to ignore the searing aching in her chest while her muscled tensed so she could stand up, not wishing to waste any time. For how long was she out cold? Her turquoise eyes shifted towards the windows at the realization it was no longer dark, before her gaze fell onto the small figure seated beside the bed. Her riled up expression softened when the sight of Master Joris brought forth hesitation amidst the fear and worry, but she forcefully averted her gaze to not get lost in a different kind of aching. An aching from the heart. She pushed herself off the bed to hurry over to the door, desperation licking at her heels. She had to find Qilby, before he would do anything to any of the boys or doom this world with the Eliacube.

"Where do you think you are going?"

She abruptly stopped in her hurrying when Joris' sudden voice sounded, taking her by unwanted surprise. He was awake, all this time? She had hoped he wouldn't be so she could slip away unnoticed and right the wrongs done without involving anyone else. Her reluctance made her shudder and unable to answer until she grasped for the bandages wrapped tightly around her chest. "To find Qilby," she said with honesty, not daring to look at the one who had selflessly watched over her ever since they met, the shame and fright she felt rooting her in place.

"He is gone."

Her breath froze in her throat at his cold sounding answer, the rising dread the shock kicked into gear making her shake while her knees grew weaker. "A-and the children...?" Goddess, please. Please let the children be safe and unharmed.

"They are gone too."

Alys clasped a hand across her mouth when the world crumbled away underneath her feet at the confirmation of her fears, the increasing disbelief and anger only worsening the aching in her chest. She slumped to the floor after her knees gave away when it felt like all her energy left her, the shock endured making her numb. "I-I couldn't-I am too late," she whispered as she sat hunched forward on the floor and tears welled up, before she repeated with a choked sob," I am too late." She tried to keep herself together, but the struggle to contain her senses fell apart when a small hand touched her back and rested there.

She felt sick, so very sick...

"Tell me what happened, Alys," Joris said after he knelt down beside her, the serious tone he spoke with before no longer present as it had made way for concern. The way she broke down and trembled beside him was proof enough that she wasn't an accomplice in the mysterious case of the missing Eliacube and Eliatrope king. He was very certain about her innocent. If she had any intention of leaving, it was to find the missing dragon children and retrieve the Eliacube rather than for a darker reason. He leaned closer, uncertain how to calm the Eliatrope other than to stay near and not urge her further.

Tears trickled down her cheeks after she took her hand away from her mouth and placed it onto the floor to support herself, the worry for what may happen to the children and the rest of the world too much for her to handle. She sought for the words to answer Joris, the recent memories scattered all over the place. How much time had passed after Qilby knocked her out? "I-I found Qilby waiting for me after Renate and Canar escorted me to my chambers," she stammered while trying to bring order to the mental chaos," he... he spoke of freeing our people, without the aid or consent from the Council. He wants to leave this world behind, take me and the children with him... I pleaded for him to reconsider and then-he... He showed me the Eliacube. It was in his possession."

Joris nodded in quiet confirmation. The guards posted by the Dofus chamber mentioned Qilby approached them before he warped them away and knocked them out cold, the cube gone and missing by the time the guards came to.

"I-I told him it was unwise to take the Eliacube while negotiations were still ongoing, but he was determined to set his plan in motion. He wanted me to join him, but I… I refused," she softly said, a tremble in her voice as she recalled the moment clearly," he didn't take my refusal lightly." Her lips pressed together as she touched the bandages with remorse and spite, the memory of the searing pain and blinding light from the attack flaring up the aching still present in her chest. "The children..." she said with a muted tone and hung her head in defeat while keeping herself up with a hand on the floor.

"Chibi is safe with Alibert… but Adamaï and Grougaloragran have gone missing. Nobody has been able to find a trace of them. Did Qilby tell you where he would take you if you had gone with him?"

It was a relief to know that the Eliatrope infant was safe, but the dragons… Words could not describe the swelling anger she felt within herself. Without the Eliacube, there was no telling where Qilby had gone or what he had been doing. "No," she shook her head and grit her teeth after almost growling the word while trying to remain calm. She needed to think clearly, but it was a difficult task to manage as she was torn by worry and grief. She grabbed for Joris' hand upon her shoulder to hold it tightly while dreading the consequences this turn in events may have for everyone. She felt lost on what to do.

"Like last time," the hooded master said after he leaned a little closer to speak to her," the people of Sadida have waited for you to wake, but unlike last time, they are not pleased. The Council is demanding answers, Alys and at the current, you are the only one who has them. They will turn to you to rest their worries, but beware… There is no denying that some will accuse you of treachery. The disappearance of the Eliacube, His Majesty Qilby and the dragons has brought great distrust towards your people."

"I understand..." she whispered while faintly nodding, the pale blonde curls falling outside of her hood swaying with the motion. This was why she warned Qilby to not continue with his plan. He turned the whole world against himself and any other Eliatrope with a single action. To first ask for help in exchange for the Eliacube's power and knowledge to then disappear with it all was the worst thing he could have done. Now he would also destroy this world, simply so he could take the entrapped Eliatrope children on a journey through the Krosmoz. It was too much. "I will take responsibility for my people," she quietly said while raising her head so she could look at Joris through a haze of tears," I will not let Qilby ruin our future here on this world. I won't stand for it…"

Joris nodded in understanding before he rose to a standing and glanced over towards the door," I will inform king Oakheart of your awakening. I suggest you get ready for what may come, Alys… just know that you aren't alone in this." He stepped away from her to deliver the news to the throne room, but slowed in his steps when a thought crossed his mind. He only turned his head slightly as if to look back over his shoulder and said with a composed tone in his voice," there are guards placed outside your door. However, I know you have other means to leave your room if you wish for it. Please don't consider them…" He didn't wait for her response when he took his leave to inform the king and his vexed guests, leaving Alys alone with herself and troubles.

Her eyes were upon the floor, the fright she felt wrapping her in an invisible cocoon. Her greatest worry wasn't for herself, but for the fate of her people, of Adamaï and Grougaloragran, of this world and its inhabitants. What ever would happen to them? If Qilby were to continue with his plan, what could she possibly do to stop him? He had the Eliacube and all she had was faith, something which didn't even mean anything in the greater scheme of things. But Joris was right. The people needed a scapegoat, someone to answer for a heavy committed crime and at this point in time it was her, all because she was Qilby's confidante and the only adult Eliatrope currently present within Sadida.

She forced herself up while trying to ignore the aching underneath the bandages and steel herself for the problems she had to face, refusing to run. She couldn't and she wouldn't. Instead she got dressed in silence as thoughts crossed her mind with no rest or respite. She hoped the representatives of the Twelve's Disciples and nations would see reason and not condemn the innocent Eliatrope children for the actions of one man. If there was a chance to save this world and bring the lost children here, she would take it with both her hands. She truly didn't believe in the sacrifice Qilby was willing to make and couldn't make sense of why the supposed king wanted to use this world's energy to seek a home elsewhere. If they would ever settle somewhere... This was their home before, so why couldn't it stay that way? She refused to think too deeply about it. There was no point in guessing what may happen as long as this world remained like it was. The main priority was to find Qilby and stop him.

A knock on the door made her rise from her bed while she pinned her veil in place with the silver brooch, having finished with getting dressed in the nick of time. Her nerves shook when she looked over to the opening door, the nod she received from Joris one of relief as she was still present in her room rather than finding it empty. The Bontarian master was the first one to enter, though behind him was the chamberlain Toufdru with two guards, the elderly Sadida looking a little lost on where to go with all that facial grass obscuring his vision.

"Miss Alys, the Council is ready to receive you," the chamberlain said after he figured out where the female Eliatrope was within the room, not mistaken a doorpost for her like he had done before on several occasions. The guards standing behind Toufdru acted the moment he finished talking to not waste any time or take any risks and made their way to Alys. "Some of the uhh-Council requested for you to be bound," Toufdru explained with mild hesitation after one of the guards held out a short but thick vine towards Alys and the other took a stance behind her with his spear at the ready," it is for everyone's safety, including your own."

She grimaced at the explanation, but nodded to comply before bringing her arms up to present her hands and wrists to the awaiting guard. She understood, although the lack of trust stung. The guard made quick work of the bindings, the vine he held tightly wrapping around Alys' wrists and fingers until it hardened. She wouldn't be able to break or tear them on her own strength, or create any Zaaps, let alone use her Wakfu without injuring herself. She was completely defenseless. She gazed with a heavy feeling in her stomach upon the shaped wood which bound her hands together, the trembling breath she took unable to reassure her. She was no longer in control of the situation or her own fate. "I'm ready," she quietly said while trying to stand with confidence, the doubts and fear she felt making it difficult to pretend she was strong.

Toufdru nodded and beckoned for the guards to follow him and lead the bound Eliatrope to the throne room where a gathering of people were impatiently waiting, the small ambassador closing the line. The silent walk towards the upcoming trial slowed down with Toufdru's reluctance however when a familiar face came into view and caused the Sadida to lessen the pace. Alys looked up from her bound hands and through her wheat colored bangs when the happy sounding babbling of a child could be heard, the familiar face which halted the small group belonging to none other than Alibert. "Ahh, uuh-Alibert," Toufdru said after taking a moment to correctly guess the Enutrof's name before he tilted his head a little and tapped once with his staff onto the floor," we are on our way to the throne room, yes."

"I know," Alibert solemnly nodded, well aware that he interrupted something of importance. He heard the news the night before and after a while of pacing in his sons' quarters and worrying about his children's future, he couldn't sit idly by any longer. "I wanted a word with Alys, if I may?" He sounded humble while he adjusted Chibi in his arms, the infant trying to reach out for Alys as he was oblivious to what was happening. The Enutrof's eyes shifted to Joris with a certain hope, though no words were exchanged. There was nothing the master of Bonta could do in this situation and Alibert knew this to be true.

Toufdru stammered after hearing Alibert's request, not certain if he should allow it as it wasn't exactly the norm, nor was there enough time. He nodded a little awkwardly after thinking it over and took a step to the side to grant Alibert permission to converse with the female Eliatrope, though the guards remained close behind her. They intently watched her every move while acting skeptical to the approaching man and child, not trusting it completely after what happened.

Alys straightened up a little when Alibert came closer, the shame she felt for being in her current position showing clearly as she pressed her bound hands firmer against her stomach. While she had done nothing wrong, she carried many accusations on her shoulders and there was a sense of guilt for having been unable to prevent what had happened. The future of Alibert's sons was uncertain due to it... She was pleased to know that the foster father of her fellow Eliatropes was unharmed by the whole ordeal and that Chibi was safe in his care, but it didn't rid her of her fright and the shame she felt.

"You had us worried," Alibert said somber, unable to find the words to wish Alys luck for whatever she was to face in the trial. He eyed her bandages and the wooden shackles with heldback prejudice, not agreeing with how she was treated but he wisely kept his objections to himself. He instead rose Chibi in his arms to hold him out to Alys, saying to inform her and hopefully ease her worries," he is missing his brothers, but he has been well behaved."

"Chibi…" she weakly smiled as she reached out for the child with her bound hands before the small smile grew a little, the child's innocence warming her heart even though it didn't last. Her smile grew stale and faint within mere moments at the reality and severity of the situation after Chibi's small fingers patted her wooden bindings, reminding her that there was still much left that needed to be dealt with. She rose her gaze to the one holding the Eliatrope infant, the look in his eyes betraying how he felt. He was worried for his children, perhaps even more than she was. For such a large man, he had a heart which matched in size. His care for others was unconditional and admirable. Why was Qilby so blind to see how full of life this world was, how much love one being could have for another...? Why didn't he want to be part of it?

"We'll be waiting for you, won't we?" Alibert asked Chibi when he shifted the infant in his arms, before growing more serious," Yugo may not be here, Alys, but I know that he would have stood behind you. He always had a strong sense of justice and a love for all living things, to see the innocence in others no matter what they had done-" Alibert's voice trailed off as it became too difficult to talk about Yugo. The boy was elsewhere on a mission which was no longer clear, in a location which was unknown. It could have been a trap set up by Qilby all along and they allowed Yugo to walk straight into it. It was a heavy thought to bear...

"Alibert..." Alys said softly to gain his attention and have him look at her, the smile he forced not going by unnoticed and either did the way his hold on Chibi tightened," I will stand up for your sons, I swear. I will fight for them and this world with all that I have. I owe it to you, to all of you. Please watch over my little brother..."

Alibert nodded in promise before he shrank in size when Alys leaned forward to place a kiss on top of Chibi's brown hat, the tender motion making him waver. The look they exchanged didn't make it any better and neither did the following silence after she turned away from him to face her trial, no goodbye or see you soon uttered. She didn't wish to make any promises she couldn't keep, the uncertainty of what was to happen ruling too strong. Not even he dared to say anything reassuring, nor did he know what to say at this point in time.

Alys' escort towards the throne room and the gathered Council continued with Toufdru leading and the guards forcing her forward to no longer linger, leaving a troubled Enutrof and his son behind.

To be continued