Chapter 68: Meti Hartfield

    When Jasper said he would show them what happened in a dream she didn’t know what to expect. She was shocked to see a fair skinned little girl staring back at her through the river’s reflection. When she moves, the pretty brunette child moves as well, her lovely green eyes shining with wonder. She has suspicions of who this child might be, she recalls seeing a picture of the late Queen Meti in a history book. She too had green eyes and long brown thick hair.

‘Is this Queen Meti when she was younger?’ She doesn’t ponder the thought long before she finds herself running into the forest. The action is not of her will but Meti’s, she watches like a spectator as the little girl runs into the deep forest. The late queen must have been a tomboy in her younger years, bravely swinging from trees in the forest like it’s her playground with no adult to caution her at all. Arie was beginning to worry, wondering just how far into the forest she would go when Meti suddenly stops. She pauses, listening for something before changing course.

She turns left and wonders into a clearing with overturned trees and flattened brush. Ariellia’s heart leaps into her chest at the sight of the massive black dragon resting at the center of the crater. She feels her fine hairs stand on edge as Meti fearlessly approaches the resting beast. Only when she’s close enough does Arie finally notice the deep sword wounds on the black dragon’s sides and wings. It’s no wonder why it’s lying here in the middle of nowhere, flying with those wounds would be impossible.

Despite her small steps, it still senses her approach, large serpentine eyes snap open. Red clashes with green as they are locked in a staring contest. Ariellia feels her heart nearly beating out of her chest from the giant dragon’s death stare. She wants to leave this place immediately, but this is not her body and she has no choice. Brave Meti, knowing no fear, keeps approaching the beast even as it snarls and roars at her. Its demeanor is very threatening, enough to convince Ariellia…but not Meti.

“It must hurt pretty bad, right? That’s why you’re so irritated. My Dad said not to avoid others when they lash out in pain, that they don’t mean to.”

It would only take a single snap of its strong jaw to swallow her whole, yet the black dragon doesn’t move. An unimaginable scene occurs, the wounded beast lets her get close enough to touch its scales, still on its guard but making no moves to get rid of her. Meti smiles like this too is well within her expectations.

“Mom was the same way too…always saying things she didn’t mean till the very end.” Her green eyes become more adultlike, speaking of a painful memory still too fresh to be forgotten. Perhaps sensing the hidden pain in her words, the dragon concedes, lowering its hunches back to the ground. It watches her with curiosity, trying to figure out what she plans to do next.

[Heal]

Large red eyes are taken back when a bright light expands from her small hands. The large ugly wound on its wings begin to slowly mend back to their original state. It’s an absolute impressive display of healing magic from someone so young, even Ariellia is floored. Rei’s talent for the healing arts makes a whole lot more sense now. He likely got the trait from his grandmother. Both beast and child are enveloped in serene silence as her green healing power works to repair the damage.

‘You are an odd human. Most would run, why do you heal me instead?’

“If I hope to become a great healer like my father I can’t turn a blind eye to a wounded patient.”

‘And in return, what would you have me pay?’ the dragon asks.

“Nothing, healing is a healer’s job.” She promptly gets off her knees once first-aid has been rendered, checking over her work with satisfaction. If it’s like this, he should be able to fly at least.

‘That cannot be, I am not shameless enough to forget my benefactor. Tell me little human, what do you wish? My collection is full of priceless treasures.’

Meti shakes her head with childish indifference, never even considering the fortune she is forsaking. “I did not heal you for money Mr. Dragon.”

‘Then why did you heal me, are you not afraid I might be a bad dragon? I might fly off to burn your village next.’

“You won’t.” Her response came immediately, without any hesitation.

‘How can you be so sure?’

“I just know. You said it yourself, you owe me now. You wouldn’t repay my kindness with ingratitude, would you?”

‘Such a big word for a child.’ Though he says this with much sarcasm, Mr. Dragon does stop trying to play the part of a villain. ‘Admetus…my name is Admetus, I grant you the honor of calling me by my true name little human.’

“Nice to meet you Mr. Admetus.” Her smile is quite sweet, free of worldly troubles and greed. Admetus’ large red eyes blink, startled by the mark on her left shoulder.

‘That mark?’

“Oh this, I’ve had it since birth. My father says it’s a very special birthmark, that I shouldn’t show it to others.” She pulls her jacket closer, tightening the strings to keep it from slipping off again.

‘What is your name child?’

“Meti Hartfield” In line with her age, she twirls and strikes a hero pose.

‘Meti…I am in your debt little Meti. In the future, should you ever need anything blow this whistle and recite my name three times in your heart.’

A pretty crystal whistle emerges from a ball of light, dropping into her little palms without any further explanation. Meti smiles, marveling at the pretty colors trapped within the crystal under the sunlight.

“Meti!”

“Oh no, that’s my father. I must go before he gets worried. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on your wounds Mr. Admetus.” She doesn’t dawdle, waving goodbye before sprinting off into the forest towards her father’s voice. Their eyes make contact one last time before the clearing is no longer visible to her, but Meti isn’t worried. In her head she is already thinking of what to bring tomorrow to assist with Mr. Admetu’s healing. She meets her worried father at the forest entrance. He looks relieved to see her unharmed, taking her hand and leading her back to their village.

“Father you won’t believe what happened today!”

“What happened sweetie, you know I’ve warned you about going too deep into the forest to gather herbs. We have more than enough in the clinic for now, you don’t need to keep going into the forest to pick more.”

“But you always said the fresher the herbs the more potent they are.”

“That is true, but I always feel worried when you go into the forest alone.” She can see the concern he tries to hide behind his spectacles. It’s more than just the concern of her running off by herself, Ariellia understands. As an adult he must know what Meti’s birthmark means. His true worries stem from a fear of losing his beloved daughter to some wild dragon one day.

“We need to hurry back if we want to make the next stagecoach.”

“Stagecoach?”

“Father has an important patient to treat at the capital. You’ll come and watch father work, right?”

“Of course!”

In her innocent excitement she completely forgot to mention the dragon incident. She wouldn’t meet Admetus again for many years.