The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 10: The Human That Came to Dinner (Part 1)

Silently, he followed her inside. Medik disclosed herself from the sitting room, watching them in suspense. Through the halls and up the winding corridors Fidelma lead her father, and as she opened the door she found Demetri hauling himself up to the right window. His one foot was propped under him, and his half-arm insistently grappled over the tree sill.

"What on earth are you doing?" She nearly broke into laughter when she asked him.

"I've never seen a dryad community before, I thought I might steal a peak. Who's- oh!" He caught sight of the tall, staunch dryad lord standing behind her. He had long dark hair, rich apparel, and a potent presence. Demetri dropped himself back on the floor, his eyes broad and his mouth half open with surprise. He stifled a cough. "Ah, your father, I presume?"

Alston stepped into the room with pure astonishment. In that daunting moment that he laid eyes on him, he felt his heart plummet to the bottom of his chest like he hadn't felt in countless years. His eyes threatened to tear up, but he swallowed them back. "This...This is the human?"

"He's the only one left of his village. May he stay?"

Alston and the human observed each other, and then abruptly he took his daughter by the hand and walked her out of the room. "Fidelma," he whispered to her in the corridor, and for a second, she thought she had somehow committed a more fatal mistake than she already had.

"What is it? Papa? Papa, why do you look at me so!"

Seeing her fright he offered a warm, calming smile and wrapped his arms around her. "My sweet, precious daughter..."

"I, I don't understand."

"Foolish and reckless, you may be. But you are no traitor."

"Does this mean..." her voice quivered. "...Demetri can stay?"

"You both can."

"Truly? You mean I'm not going to be banished or, or executed?"

"As long as your friend remains dependent on us, I see no threat in him. Nor does there seem to be any harm dealt regarding our city, seeing as how his village is gone. But I warn you, Fidelma, should you elect to disobey my orders again I will not be merciful."

"Yes sir."

"And it will take some time before our bond of trust is repaired."

"Yes sir, I understand. I shall work hard to earn back your trust. I hate this whole dishonesty business."

He stepped back again and looked her in the eye. "Good. Now, I don't suppose we can very well keep him locked up in your room like a dog."

There was a knock at the door. They both turned curiously at her bedroom, and Alston opened the door to find Demetri sitting upright and alarmed behind it. "Ah, Mr. Alston," he stated promptly, "or, do you go by Lord Alston instead?"

Alston raised an eyebrow. "Either will do, I suppose."

He nodded briskly. "Sir, I understand your daughter has brought me here against your wishes, and with such conduct comes certain consequences. So, if it will make matters easier, will you please take my life in exchange for hers?"

"Demetri!" Fidelma gasped.

"Stay out of this!" he snapped. "Will it not satisfy you, sir, if the danger to your people is neutralized and your child is restored to you?"

Fidelma switched glances between the two men, fearing her father might change his mind. Alston, in fact, could not restrain his surprise at the stranger's proposal.