Tigra and I returned to her room, she didn’t say a word about what she had been talking about earlier, which was kind of annoying me, my curiosity the only thing maintaining my patience. Tigra glanced back smiling, it didn’t matter what it was or who it was, as her Guardian I would have no choice but to listen and do whatever she wanted me to do.

When we reached her room, we found Madi waiting for us outside the door, she smiled and gave a nod when she saw me. I lowered my head back acknowledging her.

“I heard you had new Guardians your highness.” Madi bowed as we approached closer.

“Yes,” responded Tigra. “Please come in.” Tigra walked past, letting Madi in.

“Thank you.” Madi headed in, sitting herself down on the sofa.

“Have you brought news?” Tigra asked sitting next to her. I stood behind her as they began to talk.

“Yes,” she nodded. “The Vulpes Zerda are more than happy to have a meeting with you.”

“Great.” Tigra put her hands together happily.

“Vulpes Zerda?” I repeated.

“They are one of the tribes hit by the conflict dad started,” mentioned Tigra. “They live in the desert on the outskirts of our Panthera borders. We often do trade with them, but unfortunately the conflict has made tension between our trading difficult.”

“You’re planning to go there, aren’t you?” I questioned.

“I am,” she nodded. “But I wanted to make sure the Zerda didn’t mind first.”

“On one condition.” Madi chimed in.

“What?” Tigra’s attention returned to Madi.

“They want help in dealing with a problem they have been having,” began Madi. “It has made their lives in the deserts harder.” Madi now had my full attention too, my mind went straight to thinking it might be another problem caused by Dumah. “They along with many travellers to the area have been attacked in the deserts near the city by something they say can travel under the sands.”

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Hmmm…” Madi had to think about it for a moment. “Ah,” she thought of it. “The Zerda have recently fallen out with the Scorpiones over their new connection with the Leo tribe Demori.”

“Demori.” I repeated the name, knowing exactly where I had heard it. “Dumah’s talisman.”

“Yes,” nodded Madi. “Demori is the tribe in which Dumah originates from, names after their talisman guardian of which Dumah took with him when he left,” mentioned Madi “They have recently come across a bountiful crystal cave, allowing both groups to become quite prosperous.”

“Crystal caves?” I questioned.

“Haven’t you heard of crystal caves?” asked Tigra.

“Is it like the underground caverns I took you to?” I asked.

“No.” She shook her head. “They are rare deposits underground which only specific Animalia can access and extract the crystals without the caves completely collapsing in, our closest one is within the Jagged Mountains, which are run by Smilodon.”

“That close,” I commented. They were the mountains Brendan and I climbed to reach the strange room, used to harness lightning energy.

“Each crystal cave is said to house different types of crystal. Jagged mountains are home to lightning crystals which we use as lighting,” continued Madi.

“Okay.” I nodded understanding. “Sorry, keep going.”

Tigra smiled. “I think he missed that class at the academy, he skived a lot.”

“I wouldn’t have expected that considering how strong he is,” commented Madi.

“Well, he was a slacker,” smiled Tigra.

“Let’s keep things on track, your highness,” I said.

“Embarrassed?” smiled Madi. “Such a legend a slacker.”

“I work very hard for your information,” I responded, then turned my head to look away. I couldn’t exactly leave the room in a huff or anything as I was still on duty.

“Now then Madi.” Tigra let out a laugh before continuing with what they had been discussing before I interrupted with my question on crystal caves. “You said the finding of the crystal cave has somehow affected the balance.”

“Yes,” nodded Madi. “It would seem they are accumulating these crystals, selling overseas to gather more coin to fund who knows what, but young Zerda have been going missing, which might be related to this also.”

“It can’t be good if Dumah is involved, especially if he has taken over his old tribe,” I said. I looked at Madi thinking the Rattus warriors had been serving Queen Daz for years now, perhaps I could also use their skills for what I needed, they had even offered.

“The Zerda have set up a specific route for you to take to Desvulp, their main city,” informed Madi. “It is the only route where attacks have been scarce, so should be the safest.”

“Great.” Tigra seemed pleased, but I was more concerned with the kidnappings and a sand travelling Animalia, had to be Scorlax’s doing. “They are already planning for my visit.”

“They are expecting you sometime in the coming weeks, which gives yourself plenty of time to prepare, but I must warn you the city is not as grand as it once was.”

“I am not worried about that.” Tigra shook her head. “I am going there as an equal.”

Madi nodded, getting to her feet. “They will be happy to hear that.”

“Also tell them that all of Tigra’s Guardians will be accompanying her and will help wherever they need us,” I added wanting to set a better footing in the village considering the fear I had seen when I arrived at Dagan, if Desvulp was in a similar situation they would be scared to trust just anyone.

“Fang.” Tigra glanced back at me. “I thought you would be against this idea.”

“It is my duty to serve and protect,” I answered.

“I will tell them, anything else?” asked Madi.

“If they have anything they need then we’re more than happy to supply it, bringing it along with us on our visit,” replied Tigra.

“Excellent.” acknowledged Madi. “I will take my leave then.” She bowed and left the room.

“Duty to serve and protect.” Tigra stood up and looked at me.

“What?” I shrugged.

“Really.”

“Well yeah…” I wasn’t sure what was wrong with what I said.

“I suppose I better get used to that line,” smirked Tigra. I just smiled. “I want you to start preparing for our journey over to Desvulp, it is a four-day trek after all.”

“Leave it to me.” I nodded. “I’m sure Madi will get back with anything else the Zerda want from us.”

“Have you ever met a Zerda?” asked Tigra.

“None.” I shook my head. “But I hear their bloodline comes from fennec foxes.”

“That’s right.” She held her hand higher above her ears. “I hear they have huge ears.”

“To help with keeping cool,” I said. I never really thought about it much, but all Animalia resembled an animal counterpart. Tigra was an album tigris which resembled the white tigers, Brendan an Ursus, which was a bear.

“Never been to a desert before,” mentioned Tigra.

“We’ll be mainly traveling in the evening as the heat during the day will be too much for us,” I informed.

“I can help with that master.” Larana sat on my shoulder. “Don’t forget master, you have power over quite a few elements.”

“I know that.” I snorted, but not sure where she was coming from.

“You can use us to regulate your body temperature,” Larana smiled. “I can keep you cool and Raziel can keep you warm.”

“Perfect,” I smiled.

“Won’t constant use of their power, drain you?” questioned Tigra.

“Not at all.” Raziel had answered. “Using such techniques requires very little of our power and yours.”

“Great.” I was glad to be getting this new information I would never be too hot or cold ever again. “Anyway, I know it might be a few days before we hear anything from Madi, but I have a lot to prepare.” I grabbed some paper from the nearby table. “I’ll have to do it here as I am still on duty after all.” I then sat down. “Alright four-day trip.”

The deserts around Desvulp could get quite hot during the day, so traveling during the evening when it was much cooler would be the best option, but we would need shelter for when we stopped during the day, perhaps I could get my hands on one of the special tents, designed for long journeys, small outside, but big on the inside, mostly used for royal affairs

“Already thinking away.” Tigra sat down next to me.

“Could you get me one of those special royal tents?” I asked.

“Sure.” She nodded.

“Good.” Next was a way to transport the supplies we needed, obviously none of us knew how to hunt in a desert environment, so it would be better to take some provisions with us.

We would be walking of course, none of our carriages or trailers were designed for the desert either, so an animal carrying them would be better. I could easily keep them cool thanks to Larana.

“Anything else?” questioned Tigra.

Without realising I had begun to jot things down on the paper, foods, potential animals to take to carry supplies, all depending on what the Zerda asked for when Madi got back. “Depends on what Madi says when she gets back. I mean we can’t carry everything, so we’ll need some animal to help.”

“Good idea.” Tigra nodded. “I would have just made you and the others carry it all.”

“Seriously, we’re not that strong.” I looked up from the paper to give her a weird look, she just laughed.

“While you work on that I think I will go and get something to eat.” Tigra stood up and headed for the door.

“Wait.” I was about to stand up, thinking crap she’s heading off without me, I must follow her.

“Don’t worry.” She opened the door, let out a whistle and Dash came running. “You need to continue with the prep; Dash can take me.”

“Alright.” I nodded, sitting back down, relaxing a bit knowing she would be taking Dash with her. I didn’t know why I was always worrying about her; she was safe in the castle well as long as she stayed away from Dumah. I stared at her, understanding exactly why, it was because I loved her, I wanted no harm to ever come to her.

“Come on Dash,” smiled Tigra as she left the room, Dash following obediently behind her.

I ended up thinking about the place in which we were headed Desvulp, a new place I had never been before. I couldn’t help but wonder what the place would be like.

I stared out in front of me, surprised at how I felt. I hadn’t felt like this in a while, a new place had just been somewhere I needed to go for a mission, had this all been brought on by my love for Tigra, finally getting to stand by her side.

I smiled, I would have to see how things went as the trip to Desvulp progressed, even if I miscalculated anything, I was sure without a doubt that I would be able protect Tigra with my life and I knew I was not alone, Dash, Link and Zack would be there with me, no harm would come to her, while the four of us stood as her Guardians.