The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 11: Flowers in Her Hair (Part 1)

Fidelma was quite convinced Demetri had become a third brother. She was no longer the only one taking care of the peculiar human, but the two brothers as well took turns being of service, such as helping him bathe and other tasks which their sister was uncomfortable performing. They conversed with him regularly, prodding him with questions concerning his homeland and his craft, and what the battle was like - the latter subject he avoided if he could. At times they even questioned him as to if he had any romantic interests back home, but he would never offer much response to those inquiries either.

Medik evaded him most of the time; she was a moderately squeamish sort of woman, and a well-bred lady as she saw it, so despite her husband's assurances she couldn't bring herself to come close enough where she and the outsider might touch.

Alston had his responsibilities as chief to tend to, so he was not seen as much either, but Demetri was resolved to learn something about dryad weaponry and craftsmanship, so he frequently insisted Fidelma take him downstairs early before meals or stayed late afterward so he might catch an exchange with her father. He soon learned that first thing after supper was the best time to pursue conversations with him, as that was when everyone rested from their work, and although Alston came to expect him every night and answered his questions generously, it had been almost two weeks he had stayed at the royal home and still not been offered a glimpse into the coveted study in which he knew Alston kept a collection of blades and other weapons of Nymph make.

It was only a few days before Demetri started to maneuver himself around the palace grounds on his own; he was simply too restless to wait on others to come to his aid, nor did he find his humble state tasteful. Howbeit, once the time came for the rest of the kingdom to be introduced to the human, he was not allowed to leave the palace grounds without an escort.

Fidelma continued to perform meals for him as she had before, and spent hours on end either speaking to him or of him in the company of her kin. She'd frequently bring him to her mother's garden to show him the blooms, as well as the grandest waterfalls which lay rushing 'round the circumference of her family's property. Within the royal courtyard, the whole garden seemed to glow whether in sunlight or in starlight, as the rainbow shades eagerly met the eyes, but her favorite place to show him was the west side walls where the morning glories blossomed. Wherever she brought him, he'd sit quietly and listen on and off to her stories, only occasionally offering a remark of his own. Every plant she showed him, every route of the waterfalls she had him listen to in order to catch a different octave of the rumbling water, and every pebble she'd want him to touch from the pond near the fall's base, he simply took it all in.

She'd begun guiding him through the public streets, introducing him to everyone she knew – which was many. As you'd imagine, the common folk of Duruileon were either disturbed, shocked, or altogether disoriented by his presence, for more reasons than one, but some warmed up to him faster than expected. The younger and more curious townspeople took to him almost right away, whereas the elders took their time getting accustomed to his presence. There were whisperings and rumors floating about the city; some said he was snuck in behind the lord's back by a thoughtless daughter, others claimed he wasn't human at all, still others supposed him to be hand-picked by Alston to become a mediator between their race and Man's. Several of the older and more influential civilians inquired after the chief during a council meeting to confirm whether Demetri was truly supposed to be in the forest. In response, Alston looked at them with his hands calmly folded and said, "The human is a sole survivor of an isolated town recently decimated by Duhra's clan. He has proven to my family to be one of prudent character, and I have elected to offer my care. He is a civilian of Duruileon now. I expect you to treat him as such." And that was where he left it.

Life in the palace was peaceful, and there were plenty of times when Demetri halted while exploring the many rooms to question himself as to whether he dreamed it all. There was always the sound, however faint, of the waterfalls outside the palace walls, and the subtle scent of the deep wood. He kept to himself as much as he could, preferring the privacy of his new bedroom and the entertainment of books to the art of socializing which Fidelma and her family seemed to be so skilled at.