He could hear concern in the masculine voice, and felt something heavy and wet being dragged across his brow.
“What? Where am I?” He heard his slurred speech and wondered what was happening. Waves of confusion and fear pulsed through the bond from Fandri-La and panic began to germinate in him as well. “I can’t see. What is happening?” His heart thumped in his chest and he felt beads of sweat form all over his body. Despite the warm air, he shivered uncontrollably.
“It is, but a temporary after-effect of the healing. You will be well momentarily, now that you have awoken.”
“Telmane, is that you? I can’t see anything.” Fandri’s hands reached out in all directions, before latching onto someone’s arm. “I can feel you, thank goodness. Can we remove this cover from my eyes now?”
The elf gradually removed the damp cloth and Fandri tested his sight. “I see only vague outlines of light and dark. What is happening to me?”
“The brightness of the healing light was too intense for you. Your eyes will recover in time. Here, hold out your hand and I will pass Fandri-La to you. She looks as frightened as you.”
Fandri felt warm hands cup his own and the light weight of his fairy remained once the fingers left him. He patted her with a gentle finger and brought his hand up to his face to try and discern her features. “Can you see me, Fandy? I can vaguely make out your body, but not your wings at all.”
She sighed. “Honestly, everything looks like a painting that has water spilt over it, with the colours merging together. I do feel an inner satisfaction that we were able to heal the Grand Mage. I saw his wounds knit together before I passed out.”
Fandri felt her joy.
He heard panting a split second before a warm moist tongue licked his cheek and mouth. “Ugh, Wolfer. Pfft.” He spat to rid the dog taste from his mouth, and his nose wrinkled with disgust. “I love you, boy, but this is stretching the friendship. How in Reloria did you swim all the way here from the shipwreck?”
He was answered by an excited bark, and the hound nuzzled his hand. “Sure boy, we’ll be up in a minute when we can see clearly again. Hey, does this mean that Varl is nearby?”
“Indubitably. I would not leave your side, friends Fandri and Fandri-La. I was distraught at the thought that our dear fairy would burn up with the intensity of the magic. May I have this dance, Fandri-La?”
Fandri-La’s clearing vision revealed the royal squire bowing before her and extending his hand.
She stared at him in surprise and raised a brow. “What dance do you mean, Varl? There’s no music playing. I think you must have bumped your head during the battle on the seas.”
To the surprise of all the companions, Varl burst into a lively song and led the fairy through a series of steps around the cave. They danced finger to palm, with bows, curtsies and twirls.
“There once was a lady who stole my young heart
She stole my heart away
She led me to dance ‘cross the grass of Diagro
Across the Diagro Plains
Not a knight of the lands could drive us asunder
Drive my fair maiden away
Her heart she would promise forever to me
Forever and yet, still a day.”
The fairy’s enthusiasm for his courtship was clear to see in the blush of her cheeks and the way she glowed with happiness. She giggled like a small child and broke free from him. She spun around and around in the air above his head, humming along as he repeated his ditty.