Fandri's Adventures Read online

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  The first rays of light shining through the shutters woke Fandri. His fairy tugged on his hand. “Come, we don’t want to miss the departure.”

  “Must you go?” Emina sighed and cuddled closer into him, her hair spread across his chest like a sheet of brown waves. She watched the two fairies flitting above them.

  Fandri touched her dainty chin and turned her face to look at him. “I must go sweet Emina, but please believe that when my journey is over, I will return for you. Please don’t forget me.”

  “How could I ever forget you, my trouble-seeking beau? The sun will not shine until you return to me.”

  “Will you wait for me? I promise I will never love another.” As he said the words, Fandri knew it to be true.

  “I will wait for you forever.” Her dark eyes were luminous and moist with emotion.”

  Fandri brushed her lips with his own and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Until we meet again, my love.” With one last embrace, he reluctantly pulled away and climbed out the window with as little noise as possible. She had helped him write a note to his parents for Emina to deliver, later that day.

  “Catch.” Emina threw a bag out the window and Fandri caught it. He peeked inside the drawstring and saw a wheel of cheese, some bread and apples. She knew his hungry stomach too well. Emina turned away and he failed to see her wipe the tears from her eyes.

  “Thank you, goodbye.”

  In a heart-pounding surge of excitement, Fandri jogged across the fields. He was determined to reach the guest house before the travellers departed. He had settled into a comfortable stride when a sound made him jump.

  “Ma...a…a...a”

  “Oh no.”

  Fandri sprinted towards the nearest fence, but the wily goat was faster. Hooves thudded in the hard soil. The goat’s warm breath harassed the hairs on the back of his legs. Seconds later, hard bone-like horns lifted him up off the ground, into the air. He braced for impact, but it never came.

  “Hey!”

  Rather than crashing in a heap, the goat and halfling soared up into the sunrise. Fandri glanced back in terror to see that the goat had grown large white wings. In fact, as he looked at the goat, it changed into a winged horse and its head popped out between the halfling’s legs as the neck extended. The horse looked at Fandri and winked a large dark eye.

  “Hang on tight, little man. We have a ways to go to catch the elves and their guardians.”

  “You can speak, Billy?” Fandri’s eyes bulged as he gripped the flowing mane with white-knuckled fingers. He had no idea what was happening, but this was not the adventure he had been expecting.

  “Are you sure you don’t know me, young Fandri? I had thought there were more brains in your little head than that.” The horse gave a neigh which sounded surprisingly like laughter.

  Fandri-La was flying behind them, her tiny wings flapping rapidly to keep up with the horse. Fandri caught her and sat her in his lap. She too looked in puzzlement at the horse. Then she giggled and her belled cap jingled. “Grand Mage Nnarndam, it must be you.”

  The horse nodded his head and laughed once again. “I thought I’d come and hurry you along. Your own bed was empty, so I figured the farmhouse was a good bet. Now, let us find the road and catch up to our companions. I wouldn’t want the queen to worry about us being late.”

  There was a small popping sound and a blue hat with silver stars appeared on the horse’s head. “I can’t stand having cold ears when I fly.” His passengers laughed.

  Nnarndam found the road below them. Powerful wing strokes brought them up to their companions. They were greeted with a “Huzzah” by the knights, who looked rather surprised at their mode of transport. The elves however, did not even bat an eyelid.

  The queen nodded. “I’m pleased you joined our journey, young Fandri and Fandri-La. Many thanks for your assistance, Grand Mage.”

  Fandri admired the grace of the queen. With her hair in a long braid adorned with flowers, she smiled serenely. A green velvet riding cloak covered her as she sat astride a white horse.

  King Phelaeron-Sky nodded in greeting. “Your current mount may be unpredictable, Fandri. Do you wish to transfer to a pony?”

  After the shock of flying, Fandri’s voice came out in a stutter. “Y...y...yes p...please, your m...majesty.”

  The mage-winged horse whinnied which sounded rather like a chuckle. His wings gave a gentle push to lower the halfling to the ground. Varl brought a bay pony to Fandri and helped him to mount.

  “Well met halfling. It is pleasing to encounter you again. I thought there was an adventurous streak in you and I have been proven correct. I assume you know how to ride.” He handed Fandri the reins.

  “Um...yes, in principle. I’ve seen people ride before.” The halfling’s brow furrowed with uncertainty.

  “Believe me it is not the same thing; nevertheless, you will learn, one way or the other. Try to move with the pony, feel its rhythm and guide it by squeezing slightly with your knees. I will be here to aid you if you have any questions.”

  “Thanks Varl. It’s good to have a friend to count on.”

  A wearisome voice caught Fandri’s attention. “Must we wait all day for this small person? I fail to see how he will be of any benefit to our company.” Prince Celdar-Moon looked down his nose with distain at the halfling struggling to urge his pony to walk. The elf held a kerchief to his nose, as though the smell of the halfling offended him.

  Fandri frowned, unused to such rudeness. He glanced out the corner of his eye to see the elf’s curled lip. He looked at the pearl embedded in Celdar-Moon’s forehead and wondered what that could mean. He spoke in a low voice to his fairy. “Maybe it gives him a constant headache and that is why he is rude.”

  It was obvious Celdar-Moon’s keen hearing heard his whisper, for the tips of his ears and nose turned white with anger. “Let us be on our way and not tarry this morning away. I trust there’ll be no further interruptions.” He glared at Fandri, who tried without success to hide from his gaze.

  “Give the boy a chance, Celdar-Moon. I think you have forgotten how it feels to be young.” To Fandri’s surprise the support came from the ancient winged mage.

  Celdar-Moon gave a last sneer and galloped ahead to the lead knights.

  The horses and pony took off at a steady canter. “Do you remember being young, sir?” Fandri-La spoke with curiosity to the winged horse that now sported blue hair with stars as it flew above them.

  “Yes, sweet fairy. I am somewhere past 400 year years old and still count myself as young. I guess it’s all relative in a possibly eternal existence. The day I feel old may be the day that my life fades away. Who knows for sure?” As though to prove his youth, the mage changed colour through every shade of the rainbow and changed his head back to the goat with horns and winked at Fandri-La.

  Varl laughed aloud. “I am very much enjoying the change you both bring to our company, Fandri and Fandri-La. The Grand Mage hasn’t been this much fun in the past two months of travel. I believe you have awoken his youthful mischievousness.”

  Southlands

  The morning passed without event as the road wound south through small villages and farmlands. The company was rather larger than Fandri had first imagined. There were elven hand maidens, six elven guardians as well as a company of ten knights and four squires from the Diagro Plains. With the addition of Fandri and his fairy, the company now numbered thirty and with the fore and rear guard, their procession stretched along the grassy path.

  The majority of the travellers ignored the halfling on the short pony. He was beneath their line of sight and beneath their notice for conversation. Fandri felt invisible to them and thought maybe this would be a smart move on his part.

  His train of thought was interrupted by a creature almost as large as his pony. It was tan with brown markings, long claws and had a muzzle containing sharp teeth. Fear widened the halfling’s eyes and he shifted nervously as far away as he could manage astride the pony. “What is that creature?”

  “Do not fear Wolfer. He is my loyal hound and is well trained to hunt and retrieve game. He can track the scent of prey over many leagues and is unparalleled amongst the Bloodhounds of Diagro. Rest assured you are safe in his presence. Here…I will introduce you.”

  Varl reined his gelding in to the side of the track and bade Fandri copy him. They dismounted and Fandri was alarmed to see that the hound’s head was as high as his own. Saliva dripped from Wolfer’s mouth and a growl ensued at the unfamiliar scent of the halfling.

  “Easy now, Wolfer. Fandri is a friend. Fandri put your hand out palm-downward for him to smell. All will be fine.” Varl smiled to reassure him and nodded his encouragement.

  The halfling extended a trembling hand to the hound, who sniffed it with curiosity. Its eyes narrowed and the lips parted to reveal dozens of sharp, stained teeth. A low rumble escaped between his parted lips. This increased in volume and intensity to a deep throated growl. Fandri stepped backward only to have Wolfer match his stride. A loud menacing bark told the newcomer to beware.

  “No, Wolfer. Stand down.” Varl’s tone was harsh and the hound gave a whimper of confusion. “Steady on boy. This is Fandri who is a friend to the knights. Bow, Wolfer.”

  To Fandri’s surprise, the hound lowered both front legs to the ground and touched his nose to the halfling’s feet. “No way.”

  “Indeed, it is the only way, Fandri. Bloodhounds must be taught who their master is and what behaviour is expected of them. They are an intelligent species with an instinct to kill like a wolf; if not trained. Come, I will show you how he can scent the trail of an animal and track it for me.”

  Varl led them through a meadow away from the track. The company of elves and men continued past them. “Wolfer, find me a rabbit. Go!”

  The hound glanced at the squire and Fandri saw its mouth widen into what he believed was a broad smile. Wolfer gave a quick bark and set off across the meadow, sniffing each mound and furrow as he went.

  Varl grinned and beckoned Fandri to follow him. He hobbled their mounts and they chased the hound, faces flushed with excitement. The fairy too was aglow and they caught up to the hound as he entered a thick copse of trees surrounding a dead end with a cave.

  They paused as low growls echoed around the grove. Wolfer turned this way and that in confusion, with his nose sniffing to determine the creatures.

  Two wolves stepped forward from the cave and the boys saw the glint of smaller eyes in the darkness of the cave.

  Fandri sighed with relief. “Don’t worry, it’s only a couple of wolves defending their pups. Just walk slowly backwards and they won’t chase us.” Still facing the wolves, the boys shuffled back. Fandri was right, the wolves didn’t chase them.

  “Wolfer, come.” Varl watched Fandri heave a sigh of relief, but he did not believe they were safe yet. That felt a little too easy.

  When they reached the entrance to the hollow, Wolfer stopped and snarled again. Another four larger wolves with teeth bared, blocked their retreat. Their colours ranged from black to lighter shades of grey. The black wolf appeared to be the alpha male and communicated to the others with low growls and grunts. Two grey wolves moved to either side of the boys.

  Varl gasped. “We are surrounded.”

  “Stay calm.” Fandri had encountered wolves many times before and knew they would attack sooner if they detected weakness. Fandri-La tried her best to transfer bravery through their bond.

  Wolfer lay his belly on the ground and whined with fear. The hound was larger than each individual wolf, but no match for the pack.

  A grey female with white facial markings emerged from the cave, making an attack force of five.

  Varl grabbed his shield from over his shoulder and drew a wooden practice sword from a sheath at his belt. “Draw your weapon, Fandri.”

  The halfling turned white with alarm. “I only have a slingshot and a small knife.” His heart thundered in his chest and his eyes were large pools of worry.

  “They will attack together. Release one pellet at the black alpha and then I will take him. You go for the large grey wolf with the white paws with your blade. If we survive, remain close to me and we will take the others together.”

  Fandri drew the slingshot and a small stone from his pocket. His hands shook when he saw the alpha take a step towards him.

  “We’re going to die.” Fandri panicked and backed into Varl, causing them both to fall to the ground. He panted. “Sorry.”

  When the black alpha barked, the pack raced in to attack the fallen boys.

  Fandri fumbled with the slingshot and released the pellet as the wolf leapt for his throat. The shot struck him near the eye and the alpha crashed into the halfling with a yelp. A second wolf latched its jaws around Fandri’s calf. He screamed in agony.

  Varl bellowed and attacked the grey vixen who leapt for him. His blade missed the mark and her teeth sank deep into his shoulder. “Aargh!” He fell to the ground where another wolf pounced on his legs.

  The alpha recovered from the shot and clamped his jaws around Fandri’s wrist. He shook with fervour until the knife clattered to the ground; out of the halfling’s reach.

  Fandri-La watched in helpless terror as the boys were about to be slaughtered. She knew she would die at the same instant as her halfling.

  A flapping of wings distracted the wolf pack from their prey. Five muzzles raised to the sky above them while the boys kept silent and still.

  Three large creatures descended upon the battle ground below. Not birds, fairies, nor winged horses. These were like nothing the Relorians had ever seen before. They appeared to be woolly, floppy eared dogs with feathered wings and webbed yellow feet. Stranger still was the noise they were making – Fandri would describe it as a cross between a quack and a bark. The flying dogs descended over the fight and lifted one of the wolves high into the air, before dropping him. The wolf yelped and limped into the cave.

  The other two newcomers flew down and pounced upon the other snarling wolves. One struggled to grab hold of the wolf’s nape, so bit its ear instead. The wolf lay down in submission. The other dropped a wolf and it tumbled down through branches to lie whimpering on the ground.

  The wolves paused their attack and looked to their alpha. With a bark he broke off the melee with the boys and led his pack back into the depths of the cave. Their gleaming eyes were all that could be seen in the darkness.

  “What in Reloria?” Fandri stared open-mouthed at this bizarre turn of events. “I thought we were goners for sure. Are you alright, Varl?”

  “I think I need a moment to reorientate myself, friend Fandri. This is indeed a fortuitous circumstance.” The boy stood up in a careful manner, testing each of his limbs and declared himself to be well, apart from a bleeding shoulder. His thin hose were torn, but Fandri was pleased to discover the skin of Varl’s calf was unbroken.

  He helped Fandri to his feet and noticed the halfling was bleeding in several places on his arm, leg and deep gashes marred his chest. Fandri was unable to put weight on the leg and leaned heavily on Varl. “I think my ankle is twisted or worse. I won’t be able to walk back to the horses, Varl. You go for help. Hopefully these flying dogs will keep the wolves away while you’re gone.”

  Varl shook his head. Fandri noticed his blond hair was matted with blood and his skin was turning ashen from blood loss. That shoulder was soaking from a steady trickle of blood. Fandri balled up his shirt and held it tight against the wound.

  “I cannot go either, Fandri. We are indeed in dire straits.”

  Artwork: ‘Fandri and his fairy’ in pencil and texta, by BJ, grade 5