Two long, hard riding days ensued with Fandri and his boar often trailing behind the war steeds. Each day he set forth with the advance scouts and crawled into bed behind the pack horses and rear guard.
Sir Rawlan appeared at dusk to inspect Fandri’s stabling of the boar. Its front legs had been hobbled, as per squire regulations and it had been brushed down, fed and watered.
Sir Rawlan inspected the boar’s flanks, head and hooves, the same as he would have any horse or pony. He grunted and nodded to Fandri. He then inspected the piebald pack pony which was also Fandri’s responsibility. After a careful study of the hooves, the knight gave a wink to the fairy. “Hmm…he seems quite the capable lad. It is no surprise you chose to travel with him.”
The fairy raised an eyebrow in surprise at this rare mention from the often stern knight. “Oh sir, it is not really a choice. Our bond prevents us from going separate ways. Where Fandri is, there am I.”
“And that is a splendid arrangement, my dear. Come, rest awhile on my palm. No harm shall befall you. You have my word on this.”
The knight opened his hand and she alighted on his calloused fingers. “Oh, your hands look so weary and worn, my lord. I wish I could heal your pain and sorrow like I do for Fandri.”
The knight gave a rare smile and raised a finger on his other hand to stroke a curly lock of her hair. “You are such gentle creatures that I fear our conflicts will be too great for your tender hearts. Promise me you will remember your homeland and return there one day.”
Fandri-La gazed into Rawlan’s eyes and smiled. “Yes, my lord, but for now, our home is wherever you are.”
He laid the briefest of kisses upon her check and turned to the halfling. “Your trial with the boar is complete, Squire Fandri. Take the pack pony as your own and change their equipment in the morn.”
Fandri’s face lit up with a huge grin. “Seriously? That’s wonderful. Oh…thank you, thank you, Sir Rawlan.” He pumped the knight’s arm up and down with vigour as though he were drawing water from a well.
His fairy noticed a frown starting on Sir Rawlan’s countenance and hurried to calm the knight before he changed his mind. “Fandri is most grateful to you, my lord. Now please excuse us as we go scrub ourselves for dinner.”
She poked Fandri in the shoulder as she flew past; waves of frustration seethed through their bond.
The halfling slapped his palm to his forehead, amazed at his own stupidity. He then regretted his reaction and set off at a run after the fairy. He tried to sound light-hearted. “Righto, I’m starving.”