The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 12: Two Metal Unicorns (Part 1)

The impossible happened. Fidelma was dreading her visit with Dara. She was certain of what he would say. He didn't say anything at first, that cool Monday afternoon as the leaves had begun to fall, instead he invited her to ride with him. They used to roam across the entire land of Duruileon horseback when they were younger, and he missed it. So Fidelma fetched Melody, a lovely red mare she'd had since she was almost too small to ride, and followed Dara on his beige stallion Bard into the wilder regions of the realm. They didn't converse much until they were alone, and he was so extraordinarily good-humored that she hoped he might not even bring the matter up.

"There are rumors floating about town these last couple days."

"Oh?" She leveled her eyes at him suspiciously."

He nodded. "Mhm. Allegedly, someone spotted a dragon sniffing near the north-east border."

"Oh." She switched her head forward as they rode.

"You're not worried, are you?"

"Should I be? The border hasn't been broken for hundreds of years. Duhra and his scouts can hunt us down all they want, but unless they develop magical powers themselves, they won't be able to detect our scent beyond the lypice trees."

"Then why do you look so disturbed?"

"Maybe because you're trying to scare me."

"I'm not trying to scare you, I just wanted to pass on some information your father might want to hear, that's all. Heaven forbid such a relaxing afternoon be disrupted. Truth be told, I long for the days when we could simply enjoy each other's company without stumbling into arguments all the time."

"Indeed," she heaved a heavy sigh.

Dara smiled at her. "Look, I've been considering what you said - I don't know if you remember seeing how it was a few weeks back - but I decided it's time I started taking my aspirations more seriously, and..." He scratched the back of his head, eyeing the dirt trail ahead of them. "...I was hoping to ask Terran if he'd be willing to spar with me some days. You know, when he's not training with your father."

"That's a wonderful idea! Why don't you dine with us tonight and you can ask him then? I'd bet Ohraan will want to practice with you, too. Maybe you'll learn to fight one on two and become the most exquisite fighter in all the Duruileon army!"

"Sure," he grinned sarcastically. His expression suddenly became more twisted when he saw a pair of other lasses racing up towards them from the opposite end of the trail. One was slightly shorter than the other, had umber colored hair and always seemed to have a silly look about her countenance. The other had golden hair and was usually more composed.

"Fidelma!" They both exclaimed. Fidelma was delighted by the surprise and halted her steed right away.

"Hi Eva! Hi Lacia!"

Eva hopped to a stop, then performed an exaggerated salute. "Salutations, dear princess and dashing future royal guard!" Dara forced a toothy grin. Lacia came to a more graceful halt beside her companion, rested her hands on her slender hips, and rolled her eyes as she caught her breath.

"Sorry if we're interrupting," she huffed. "I proposed waiting for you at the south fountain, but Eva insisted on hunting you down."

"Is something amiss?"

"I'll say," piped Eva, "It's been almost a week and no you. What gives?"

Fidelma shrugged. "My apologies, girls, I've been a little busy."