Sleeping during the heat of the day and travelling during the cold nights became a pattern for the next few days. The desert was long, dry and boring for the travellers and Fandri found their cat-like companions to be rather odd. Even the elves were polite, but kept their distance from the unpredictable Pantheria. Only Nnarndam seemed oblivious to their odd behaviour and spent his time creating cool breezes during the day and warm ones at night. Fandri was grateful for this comfort, but found that more often than not, he and Fandri-La were left alone with Purla and Ryna.
Fandri was rather a novice to dealing with females; having run away for adventures straight after his first kiss. He was at a loss with how to refuse Purla’s advances in a manner that would not upset her, particularly since she was their guide. Therefore he put up with a good deal more of unwanted face-licking and cheek-rubbing than he would have from any travel companion.
Mage Nnarndam finally intervened when he realised that Purla had taken to sleeping with her arm across the halfling’s chest, despite him retreating to the furthest corner of the tent to avoid her. To make matters worse, Ryna had placed herself nearby to prevent him wriggling away in the night.
“Purla, that halfling is under my protection and is not a plaything for your games. Let the lad sleep in peace.”
At a click of wrinkled fingers, flames flickered into place around Fandri. The Pantheria leapt away with eyes and mouths agog.
Fandri also jumped back with a pounding heart. The flames followed Fandri, surrounding him like a force field. He soon realised they were maintaining a distance and not coming closer, so he relaxed back into his corner to sleep, with periodic glimpses to ensure the flames were intact. He heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
Before sleep overtook him, he heard Purla’s reply. “You really are a spoil sport, Ancient One. I’m sure he would have been purrfect as a plaything for a few months among the females.”
“Perhaps he would, if he consented and if the male Pantheria didn’t rip him apart in a jealous rage. I know enough of your ways to know how much danger he would be in. Besides, Varl has plans to train him as a squire for the knights. He would be of no interest to you in that case.”
An angry hiss caused Fandri to tense up in a ball. “What a waste to make such an innocent thing into a knight. Very well. You win this round Mage, take him if you wish. I will touch nothing belonging to those violent knights.”
Fandri heard the tent flap open and both the Pantheria speaking outside. He let go a deep breath he did not realise he had been holding. He opened his eyes to see Narndam’s purple eyes staring into his.
“Be careful around those cat-women, Fandri. They have been known to kidnap young lads before and sometimes they never return home. I wouldn’t want that fate for you.”
Fandri-La’s wide-eyed look of horror turned into one of anger. She clenched her fist and smashed it into her palm. “I won’t let that happen. I will protect him.”
Fandri looked at her with pride. “I’m sure you would try, sweet Fandy, but the mage is right here. Imagine if we were never heard from again. Our family would never know what had been our fate.” He turned to Nnarndam and gave a low bow. “We are in your debt, sir. If there is anything we can do to repay you, you have only to name it.”
“No trouble at all, lad. There is no debt to repay. Any decent fellow would have done the same. Think nothing more of it.” Nnarndam returned to his side of the tent and resumed creating cool air currents to combat the desert warmth.