12. Chapter 12

By the time

the sleigh pulled up it was dark out but the lights burned brightly inside the

lodge making it look cozy and inviting. Tygra helped Crystalandra disembark from the

sleigh and after thanking the driver for his services they entered the building

clapping and stamping their feet in an attempt to get warm. The others—Argo, Rangerkitty, Bengali, and

Galina were seated before the grand fireplace munching on appetizers before

dinner. When they heard the front door

open they turned and greeted them happily.

“Ah there you

two are!” Galina grinned. “Did you have a good time? Come on over and tell us how the skating

went.”

Crys shrugged

out of her fur coat, letting it fall to the floor and ran over to Argo. Rangerkitty, who had been sitting beside the

Tiglon moved to the opposite couch to make space for her and was delighted that

the Sh’iar queen was happy. Tygra sat

down beside his tigress and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a brief

squeeze. Believe it or not I had a marvellous time teaching Crystalandra to

skate! He telepathically sent.

Honestly? Rangerkitty was ecstatic.

I’m so relieved to hear that…I was

agonizing over that all afternoon!

You shouldn’t have…You

didn’t trust I would win her over?

The tigress grinned at him, and then re-focused her

attention on the conversation that was taking place between the Sh’iars. Crys was actually gushing over the fun she’d had

skating. “It was incredibly uplifting!”

Argo chuckled. “I

take it then ice skating is officially your favourite sport now.”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes—you should try it…It is so much fun! Please Argo, let’s ice skate together.”

“Of course we shall, Marozi.”

Galina and Bengali exchanged subtle glances surprised by the

gruff Sh’iar queen’s change in behaviour…Yes! The ice queen had melted!

The Tiglon was quite pleased by Crys’ upbeat demeanour and

hugged her. “I’m proud of you…”

A waitress approached the group and bowed. “Excuse me my

esteemed guests, but if you will follow me into the dining hall, dinner is

served…”

Argo greedily licked his lips, “At last!”

“I hope you prepared extra food—I’m giving you fair warning

Lord Argo has quite an enormous appetite.”

Tygra informed the waitress.

She smiled. “We were

given advanced warning about that…Don’t worry there is plenty of food available

to fill the lord’s belly.”

“That’s what I like to hear!” The tiglon grinned.

The smells wafting into the massive dining hall were

intoxicatingly mouth-watering to the Tiglon whose stomach began growling loudly

in response. Crys looped her arm around

Argo’s. “Don’t worry hun; you’ll be eating soon enough… try to hold on a little

longer.”

He rubbed his belly. “I’ve worked up a voracious appetite from

snowboarding. I hope there’ll be enough

food for everybody because I can’t guarantee you that there will be any left

once I’m finished!” He joked.

Everyone chuckled over this except his wife who rolled her

eyes knowing from experience what he said would hold true—Argo’s stomach was an

insatiable bottomless pit. The waitress

led them to an elaborately decorated round table surrounded by mahogany carved

chairs.

“Please be seated and we’ll begin bringing the meal out.” She said and then disappeared into the

kitchen leaving the couples. Ben leaned

towards Gali keeping his voice down.

“Where on New Thundera does Argo put the food he eats? The guy inhales his food like there’s no

tomorrow yet he doesn’t pack on any weight!”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed…”

The white tigress whispered back dreamily ogling the Tiglon. “I think it’s due to the fact that he’s quite

physically attractive… I mean…active.”

“Is that so?” Bengali

mumbled pulling out her chair. Gali, I wish you would stop drooling so much

over him!

Who says I do? She sent back rather indignantly. You’re

imagining things…I just still can’t get over how good a snowboarder he is…

Uh huh… likely story…

Tygra rushed ahead of Argo and to everyone’s surprise,

pulled back a seat not for his mate but for Crystalandra!

“Here you go my dear lady…”

He said politely.

The she-cat giggled.

“Thank you kindly, Tygra. That is so considerate of you.” And she sat.

Removing the white dinner napkin from the plate before her, Crys shook

it out and gingerly spread it on her lap.

Ranger and Argo exchanged pleased glances with one another that the

long-time combatants were being…uncommonly pleasant and cordial with each

other. The tiglon held out a chair

beside Tygra for the tigress and then he sat regarding his wife’s beaming face

opposite him. He was simply stunned how

happy she appeared and he settled back feeling a sense of relief. This weekend was turning out better than he

had expected.

With everyone finally seated, the kitchen staff brought out

the dinner which consisted of salad; roast stuffed rosemary duck in wine sauce,

pureed potatoes, an assortment of vegetables, and an eggnog mousse for

dessert. Argo of course rejected the

side salad pushing it over towards his mate, and tucked into the main meal

shovelling food into his cavernous mouth!

Crys speared her salad munching thoughtfully. “Galina, when I was chatting with you via the

comms you had stressed that Argo and I should bring presents. We have done this

of course, but what exactly is the significance of it in relation to the Winter

Solstice? You must explain this to me.”

The white tigress grinned.

“I guess you wouldn’t know being from Tymperia, but don’t you have a

celebration where you give out presents?”

“That would the Phoenix Festival of Lights.” Argo interjected between bites of his

meal. “It’s a celebration of great

feasting, dancing, and merriment.”

Somehow I can’t

picture Sh’iars being merry. Bengali

snorted and was rewarded with a swift kick to the shins by his mate.

Argo gave the white tiger a long measured look and went back

to stuffing food into his mouth; Gali cleared her throat.

“The Winter Solstice is a celebration of renewal, good

deeds, and gift giving…my favourite time of year!” She exclaimed clapping her hands. “It is also a wonderful event that I am happy

to share with my awesome friends.” She

raised her glass of red chardonnay, “I’d like to make a toast although it has

nothing to do with the winter solstice I’ve always wanted to say this…

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Skål!

Everyone raised their glass in return, “SKÅL!” They shouted, clinking their glasses

together, and drank.

Argo finished his second plate of food which was cleared and

another brought to replace it. “What

exactly does that word mean?”

“May I answer that?”

Tygra inquired; Galina nodded.

“Please do.”

“I believe it is a old English Danish/Norwegian/Swedish word

for bowl”

Crys frowned slightly.

“What does a bowl have anything to do with drinking?”

“It actually refers to older type drinking vessels back in

the day which were probably bowls.” He

said leaning back from his finished salad plate; it was removed and the main

course was placed in front of him. “The

braised duck looks absolutely delicious!”

“It is cuz.” Argo

agreed wolfing down his fifth plate of food.

“Um, Liargo… will you have room for dessert?” The she-cat inquired taking a small bite from

her plate.

“You know I will babe…”

He replied with a wink. “I’m not

full at all.” Argo raised his hand. “I’m ready for my eighth plate, please.”