The sun warmed his skin. Daire blinked against its brightness and looked around. He was sitting on grass at the edge of a stream, leaning against a downed tree. A fishing pole had been discarded beside him.
A raven skimmed the water. Another chirped to its companion. The rustle of clothing was so slight he almost missed it.
Daire looked over when the man sat. Black hair, as dark as the feathers of that raven. Had he been asked to describe the man’s face he would not have been able to recall his appearance. Though it seemed so familiar.
“And so we come to our end,” the man said. “Wherein you are released from your oath.”
Daire looked down. Saw the blood across his body, injuries now making themselves known. If he was dead, surely he wouldn’t be able to feel every one of them.
“The druid is no more.”
Daire frowned. Across the stream a deer wandered down for a drink. “And me?”
“Always humanity’s first question,” the man said. “What about me? As though that is the most important thing. Still, I suppose your lives are ordered in such a way.”
“If we’re going to continue with this conversation I’m going to need some Ibuprofen, so I can think.”
The man chuckled. He inclined his head. “My apologies.”
He touched Daire’s shoulder. Warmth rolled through his body. Skin knit back together and his strength returned.
“Thank you.” He hesitated, then said, “What now?”
“That, my friend, is entirely up to you.”