Fandri awoke the next morning with gritty eyes from the desert sand. He tried to rub them clear, but that only served to exacerbate the problem. He glanced at the floor to see his fairy sitting on her toadstool and frowning.
“Are my eyes as red as yours, sweet Fandy?”
“We feel as bad as each other.”
There was a knock on the door before Varl and Wolfer entered, panting with excitement. “Dress yourself, our transportation has arrived.” He threw a pair of britches at Fandri and the halfling rushed to dress.
The hound licked the halfling on the mouth and the poor youngster spluttered at the unwelcome affection. “Yuck! Control your hound, Varl. That’s disgusting.”
Fandri-La had the cheek to giggle which made Varl laugh aloud. “Come now, before they leave without us.” He grabbed Fandri’s hand and raced down the stairs. “You won’t believe what it is.”
Fandri’s mind raced with visions of dragons and his heart pounded. They ran into the courtyard and his jaw dropped. “What are they?”
The creatures were of a light colour, with thick, leathery hides and big round bellies which seemed at odds with their scrawny long legs. Fandri wondered if they might be some distant relation to a horse or goat, with the elongated face and curved horns.
“They are the Laurmodary. We, as you may well have guessed are the Pantheria from Metji.” The voice was soft and purred as though dripping with honey. Intrigued, Fandri and Varl moved around a Laurmodary to see the oddest creature they had met so far.
The Pantheria were a strange species indeed. Fandri would have named them ‘cat-people’, for that is what they appeared to be, with their fine covering of fur and pointed ears atop their heads. He thought it odd to see cats walking on their hind legs and covered in flowing cloth robes.
Their manner was rather aloof like a cat and they tilted their heads to one side in a feline trait.
As always, the elves were models of good manners and introduced their companions to Purla and Ryna of the Pantheria. Once the introductions were completed, the Pantheria became exceedingly friendly, rubbing their faces on the companions’ cheeks while deep purrs rumbled in their throats.
Fandri looked at Telmane with raised eyebrows, but the elf seemed to enjoy the affection. He patted Ryna on the head and scratched behind her ears, which made the purring grow louder.
The halfling copied his actions on Purla and she gave him a lick on the cheek with her rough tongue, which made him jump in fright. Eww. That feels like sandpaper.
“We will leave now.” Purla seemed to be the leader. She pushed everyone into line next to the Laurmodary with the butt end of her whip, which made Fandri-La frown at her brusqueness.
The animals were tied to each other in a line. The rope hung loose between each beast. Each was fitted with a saddle covered in layers of cloth.
Varl gave Fandri a leg up to mount one animal and pulled himself up behind the halfling. There were enough mounts for the entire company and Fandri thought that the elven queen looked quite regal at the head of the line.
Wizard Nnald and his gnome friends came out to bid them farewell. “Say Hello to young Aqualina for me. She is quite a sweetheart, despite her penchant for surprising her visitors.”
A nod was given in reply from Mage Nnarndam. “Until we meet again, my old brother.” The mage winked at Fandri.
“Who are you calling old, you ancient one? Safe travels.” Nnald huffed and his raised hand caused sand to spin around Nnarndam for a moment before it dropped. He disappeared inside the red castle with a wave.
Fandri and Varl waved goodbye to the gnomes until Desolate Castle was lost from view, and the sandy desert extended in all directions.
The sun beat down like a relentless ball of flame hanging over them, making the day seem interminable. Rivulets of sweat trickled down their skin and made them damp and uncomfortable. The Pantheria and their rotund mounts ignored the heat and trudged through the oven-like conditions without comment or complaint.
During the heat of the day, the Pantheria halted the column and erected tents. Water was handed out and succulent herbs were rubbed on sunburned skin.
Purla seemed quite taken with Fandri and spent extra time rubbing the leaves on his light brown skin, much to his discomfort. He tried hard to keep from grimacing at the odd behaviour and questioned her instead. “Are their many of the Pantheria? You are the first ones I have met and I’m keen to learn about you.”
She gave a deep-throated rumble and rubbed deep into his neck, while waves of displeasure emanated from the fairy. He looked across to see Fandri-La’s frown.
“We are unique. We have two villages, Metji and Reynak. We trade with various other villages, farmers and bring food to the desert dwellers. We tend to avoid the men of the West Lands, for they are violent and like to make war.” She glared at Sir Rawlan, who sniffed and looked as though he smelled something foul.
“Perhaps it is the Pantheria’s misunderstanding and failure to respect another’s culture that is at fault here. We knights are the epitome of honour and valour. If it were not for our bravery and diligence in protecting Reloria, we would have been overwhelmed with enemies long ago. It strikes me that may be a difficult concept for simple creatures like yourselves to understand.”
Indignation flashed across her eyes and she lashed out with her paw and struck the knight across the face. Three trails of blood appeared down his left cheek. He raised a handkerchief to stem the blood which dripped onto his tabard. No sign of anger showed on his face, which Fandri thought was quite restrained. Varl leapt over and grabbed Purla’s paw.
“Leave her, Squire Varl, it is not worth pursuing this conversation. We will join the elves in the other tent.” Sir Rawlan looked to Nnarndam and Fandri, but they nodded to indicate they would stay. Wolfer moved to follow the men outside and Purla hissed at him. The hound curled his tail between his legs and leapt out the tent flap.
Mage Nnarndam broke the uncomfortable silence that hung in the air. “Ah…what I would give for a nice pint of ale about now. This desert heat surely parches the throat. What do you have for us to drink, young Ryna?”
She fumbled around in the saddle bags and brought forth water-skins plus a skin full of ale.
“You are a wonderful lass. Many thanks.” The mage took a swig of ale and sighed with contentment. “Ah…that hits the spot.” He glanced at Fandri and winked. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Fandri took the proffered drink and copied the mage with a large swig. He spluttered at the strong, acrid taste.
Nnarndam laughed and his belly rolled with the motion. “I see I’ll have to teach you how to appreciate ale, lad. Start off slowly. We have all day.”
The halfling handed it back. “Maybe some other time, thanks Mage. I’m full for now.” Fandri-La nodded in earnest agreement.
Ryna pulled some dried meat and dates from her bag, which were more to the halfling’s taste. She gave him a goblet of fresh Laurmodary milk as well, a nutty and delicious drink.