Secrets of Emerald

Chapter: 1

Waltzing Matilda


Well this is an interesting idea I spawned while working. Mix only two hours of sleep, non-thinking work, and a pinch of the idea of St. Patrick's day coming up and you might get something like this. Just a little playing with some Irish myths. So I hope everyone enjoys.

Note: Before anyone asks the term, 'Waltzing Matilda,' means that you are living like a vagabond at the time. Constantly traveling on foot with a backpack is the the meaning of the term.

Also if anyone can name what Zelgadis is traveling on in the first chapter then you know you Irish folklore.


He breathed deeply as he took in the morning sun rising above the flowing green hills. It was a beautiful sight when all you had seen for years was the pavement of the city. Yes, Zelgadis Greywords had lived and worked most of his life away in the big cities of the world. It was an ever changing world and he was a successful man so far in his business ventures. The climate had been so well in the past couple of years that Zelgadis found it was a good time for a vacation. So here he was on the emerald isle of Ireland on his long deserved vacation. "It feels good to get away from the noise of the city for a while," he sighed as he began from the small town he was staying.

He had stayed at a small inn the night before and had prepare for his vacation. The idea of walking from town to town and just enjoying himself was Zelgadis' vacation and he began after watching the sun rise. He began to walk with his walking stick and pack off into the wild. There were some of the villagers that had offered to go with him but he had kindly refused. He wanted to go, 'Waltzing Matilda,' by himself and see what he could see. As he continued looked down at the cuff of his sleeve to see the shamrock that the inn owner had place. He laughed slightly and said, "I guess a little luck never hurt."

He continued on his way until he came to what looked to be a well worn path in the grass. He stopped and looked at the path for a moment before looking both ways. This was not a road and there was not another path to suggest a cart of any kind. He then shrugged and pulled out the map he had with him. As he looked at the map he felt a slight breeze and looked to see that nothing was there. After a few moments with the compass he found that the path ran in the same direction with the nearest town. He folded up the map and began to walk down the path. He hummed slightly to himself as he thought, 'Won't be that easy to get lost with this path as a land mark.'

Zel continued on his way as the sun slowly rose in the sky. By lunch time he had traveled a decent distance from his starting point and felt it was time for a break. He found a spot near the path and sat down under a tree. Zel then took out an apple and began to eat as he watched the country side in front of him. As he continued to eat he felt another breeze go by him but noticed that nothing moved under the wind. He looked around for a second before sticking his finger in his mouth and then testing for wind. "No wind at all," Zel said to himself as he tried to figure out the breeze he felt.

He was caught up in thought as he tried to figure what was going on. He was about to take another bite out of the apple when he noticed it was gone. Zel looked to the side to see a lone sheep munching what was left of his apple. He just glared at the animal for a moment and received a bah in return. He shook his head as he when to fish another apple out when he heard a laugh. Zel looked in the same direction of the sheep, thinking it was the herder, but found no one there. He looked around his resting place but found that no human was there. The only things he saw was grass, trees, and the occasional sheep. He scratched his head in confusion as he wondered if his mind just was not playing tricks. He shrugged after a moment and stood up before shouldering his pack saying, "It's time I got moving. I've got more land to cover."

Zel began to walk back down the odd path as he continued on his way. He walked for about a mile when he felt a force against his back. He stumbled forward and fought to keep his balance. After a moment he was able to stop and stand correctly. He spun around to be greeted with nothing but air. He scratched his head in confusion for a second while thinking, 'I know I felt something push me. But, there is nothing here for anyone to hide behind that is close enough that I wouldn't notice.'

Zel continued to think while he watched for any kind of movement. Nothing answered him for minutes before he turned back around and started towards the town. Zel continued on down the path until it turned off in a different direction and he continued to the north and the destination for the evening. Right before night fall he strolled into town and went towards the inn while thinking, 'I wonder if any of the locals ever had a day like this?'


I know it's kinda short but it is harder to write just a single point of view with no other character interactions. It will be longer in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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