The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 7: Rebirth (Part 1)

Black washed over him like a nightmare, then faded into night and then into nothing. For a moment, the pain seemed to have fled from his body. A voice like crystal water poured over him, softly serenading him, and at that moment he felt as if he was being born all over again. Shapes and then colors slowly materialized before his eyes, until they became as crisp as new paint on a canvas. He saw towering trees with layers of fanning leaves and slender stalks of rich brown, and veiled blue skies high above behind the varying kinds of greenery. At his feet, young grass blanketed the patch of earth he found surrounding him, and sweet morning air wafted across his face. Breathing came easy to him, though he felt like he'd been disconnected from the rest of his body. But most puzzling to him was the figure from which the singing emanated; a young lass with rich black hair streaming all around her shoulders. She was pale and sapphire-eyed, and clothed in flowing purple attire. She sat there on her knees with folded hands and a face that looked like it was about to break into laughter.

His arms wouldn't budge. Perhaps the song had made him numb, or he had been asleep for several days and that caused the strange sensation – he couldn't tell. The peaceful notes of music ceased falling from her mouth.

"Oh, I'm so excited you're awake!" She piped up with overwhelming enthusiasm. "It is a delight to finally meet you, it truly is, sir! I do hope you are feeling well." He could barely process any of her words; much of his mind was still caught in a queer haze. As he attempted to answer, it felt like he was pushing himself through a deep vat of gravel and mud. His throat hurt him at first, and he stumbled over his own words. Then, as he forced the words out his voice was so rough, he hardly recognized himself.

"Wh-where..." His eyes roamed around quite a bit and squinted at the mild sunlight. "Are you...I'm not in Heaven, am I?"

The girl giggled, "No! Of course not. You're still kicking, sir, and I'm so glad! I rescued you from the ruins. How do you feel?"

"...I can't feel anything...I can't move."

"Well, you have been unconscious for at least three days – that is, I've had you here almost three days, which was after I found you in the ashes, and you must have been there a while too, so it's been more like four days, and you've lost a lot of blood, so it would be understandable that you feel so tired." She stared at him briefly, her eyes growing wider. "It was a lot of blood."

He glanced at her, then around again. "Then, what are you?"

"Of course, silly me! My name is Fidelma, daughter of Lord Alston. You are just on the border of the dryad kingdom. You are my personal guest. And what is your name?"

A dryad? Now I must be dreaming. Or...could it be, what the old smith said, for all those years...She looks so familiar – wait! In the forest with Noble that day...It couldn't be, could it? He looked up at her inquiringly then noticed her eyeing him so brightly, anticipating an answer. He had nearly forgotten what she'd asked him. "Demetri."

"Demetri? What an enchanting name! Wow..." Her voice was softer now, like an eager rabbit kitten. "...A real human, I can't believe I finally get to meet one."

So, the village was destroyed...He affirmed to himself, deducing from the strange woman's words. "Miss..."

"Fidelma; you are welcome to my name, Demetri."

"Fidelma...where are the others?"

"Others, sir?"

"The other humans, the town...How many? How many survived?"