'Through the Blessed Lady all things are possible. It was She who brought you into this realm. I arranged for you to come here.'
'You mean you arranged for me to come to your mother's village?'
She tweaked his ear ... her manner playful again.
'I wanted to see what a big handsome giant was like.'
'And now you know ... are you pleased you brought me here?'
'Yes.' Adrina's fingers ran up and down the stainless steel chain that said he was allergic to penicillin. 'I think I am, Sky Warrior.'
Tom pointed to the chain. 'You're wearing my token.'
'It is a beautiful token.' She lifted the chain to her mouth and touched the links with her tongue. 'It is made from some sort of iron. One that does not rust.'
Tom was surprised by her knowledge of metallurgy.
'Is it common where you come from?'
'Very common,' Tom said.
She stroked his arm.
'And a big strong giant, like you, knows the secret of how it's made?'
'Of course I do,' Tom lied.
Her hand slid down, landed on his knee and ran up to his belt. The buckle was made of a cheap casting metal and coated to look like pewter. Adrina lost interest in it and turned her attention to the clasp on Tom's zip.
'What's this?'
'Pull it down,' Tom laughed,' and you'll discover what giants are made of.'
'Can I have it?'
'You can if you pull it down.'
Adrina tugged and the zip opened.
Her eyes widened. 'Oh. You are a big giant.'
'I knew you wouldn't be disappointed.'
'I want it,' she giggled.
'I'm not stopping you ...'
She yanked at the zip and a searing pain struck Tom's vital regions as part of him became entrapped. His hand shot down. Then, before he could stop her, Adrina dragged the clasp past the obstruction. It broke off and she held it in her hand.
'Thank you, Sky Warrior. It is a noble gift.'
Tom forced the zip back down and freed himself from the offending mechanism. The damage was superficial and his wilting passion began to revive.
Adrina smacked his wrist.
'You are a naughty giant. It's time for you to go to bed. There's lots for you to do tomorrow.'
He took her arm. 'There's lots for me to do tonight.'
'Let go. You're frightening my ferret.'
'Bring on the ferret.' Tom tried to pick her up.
'Bad ferret.' Adrina smacked something. 'You've bitten Sky Warrior.'