The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 19: Porcelain City

He opened his eyes and blinding sun poured onto his cringing face. Finally, it had come. He knew the dryads of the woodland kingdom were at this very moment finishing their preparations for the anniversary of their princess's birth, and for once he didn't entirely loath the thought of a festival.

All the shops and businesses were closed, and so he spent his free time reading on a far street corner on the quieter side of town, sitting on a huge stone, studying one of Alston's research pieces. Sunlight trickled into the forest from the vat of clouds above. Patches of snow leftover from the latest fall spotted the ground, and faded green could be seen across the landscape. The air was chilled, but not as badly as it had been the last couple of weeks. It felt as though spring was already around the corner. He pulled at his dark blue coat with his fake arm to help seal in the warmth, and heaved a contented sigh as he slouched over the leather-bound book. He gnawed on a stalk of wheat he'd snuck from the family's kitchen. A little bit before noon, when the festivities traditionally began, a voice rang out from somewhere behind him.

"Demetri, good morning!" Fidelma projected as she came frolicking from the north-east end, slowing to an eager trot once she noticed he looked disturbed by the break of silence. He did a double-take. She wore a dress so rich a purple, the bold amethyst shade overwhelmed his eyes and initially he had to turn away. He attempted to lay another glimpse upon her. The royal velvet fabric washed over her like a waterfall. There were clean silver bands wrapping around her upper arms, the long gaping sleeves flowed down from her wrists like little falls, and a matching silver and violet belt adorned her waist. The intense color struck against the raven waves of her hair and her moonlight skin. Her sapphire eyes gleamed giddily at him.

"Do you like it?" She turned herself around, letting the skirt and sleeves flare out. "Papa and Mama gave it to me just this morning for my birthday, so I could wear it to the celebration this afternoon! I think it's my new favorite, what do you think?"

Demetri sat frozen. The wheat fell from his mouth. His blood blazed to an unpleasantly high temperature, and he drew his legs together. "Uh..." he blinked several times.

Fidelma tilted her head. "Are you alright?"

"Wha-a-I'm fine..."

"You look like someone stabbed you in the gut."

"I'm fine, fine. You look, um..."

"You don't like it, do you?"

"No your dress is beautiful, you look, absolutely, beautiful."

She clapped her hands together and beamed brightly. "Really?"

"Yeah uh, could you wear something else?"

She cocked her head back again. "I don't understand."

"Never mind, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Say, what did you come here for? You were just wanting to show me your new present?"

"And to see if you are ready to head over to the party. My family's already there by now."

"Yes, I can join you." He closed the book and gingerly slid it into his satchel which was already slung across his shoulders.

"Would you like to drop your satchel off at home, first?"

"Actually there are some items I require for the festivity."

"Oh? Do you intend to read for the duration of my birthday?"

"Not the entire duration." He turned his chin up smugly.