“Take a deep breath, Jennifer,” she told herself. “You can do this.”
Jennifer took her own advice and then flew out of the hut. She ran as fast as her legs would allow her. Bodies were piled up all around as she went by. Jennifer hoped that her father wasn't one of them.
She was close to the forest when she heard shouting behind her. She turned around to see two barbarians moving towards her.
Jennifer let out a blood-curdling scream as she scrambled to the tree line.
The two barbarians broke into a sprint for the girl as they chased her into the forest. “Where are you going, pretty girl?”
Jennifer could hear them yelling at her to stop. She ignored them as she ran through the trees. The sun barely made it through the canopy of foliage, making it too dark to see where her pursuers were.
The will to survive propelled Jennifer faster and faster. Their shouts were farther and farther behind her as she made her way deeper into the Dark Forest.
A thick root ruined everything.
Jennifer toppled face first into the cool soil of the forest. It took her a moment to shake the daze from her eyes. Then she remembered she was in mortal danger.
She flipped over to find the two barbarians hovering over her.
The uglier one with a scar over his eyes dropped his club to the ground. “You're fast for a girl,” he muttered.
“Please don't hurt me!” Jennifer pleaded.
The two barbarians looked at each other and let out a howling laughter.
Jennifer hoped her death would be quick.
Chapter Seven
The Rangers of the Dark forest rushed to the village of Icebor. The sounds of battle in the distance excited them.
Arkam led his brothers to the edge of Icebor and stopped them. “Hold here, Rangers.”
Blood dripped from Demorac's wound. Arkan knew he should've stayed behind but there was no telling him.
Garel wiped his blonde hair from his eyes. “What's the plan, Boss?”
Arkan looked out at the village. Barbarians were everywhere, raiding, lighting homes on fires, and killing anyone that lived.
“I want you each in groups of two. Garel and Belim together. Demorac and Farondil.”
The other rangers looked at one another. “And what about you, Arkan?” Farondil asked.
Arkan ignored the question at first. “I want you to spread out around the village. Contain the barbarians to inside the village. Save anyone you can.” Arkan looked at Farondil. “I will take out any barbarians that happen to escape. Am I clear?”
Each ranger nodded in succession.
Arkan took an arrow out of his quiver. “Then let's get to work.”
The Rangers of the Dark Forest spread out around the outskirts of the village. Each group moved into the village while Arkan stayed outside, overlooking the scene with his bow drawn.
Even with his wound, Demorac was stealthiest of the rangers. The spiked mace he held in his grip was anything but. Demorac slipped to side of one of the huts as cover. He could hear a barbarian running around the corner. He swung his mace in a deadly arc and caught the barbarians square in the chest without even revealing himself. A fountain of blood erupted as the dirty man fell to the ground.
Farondil used that chance to stick a barbarian in the back with his rapier. The enemy turned around with blood dripping from his mouth and grinned. The barbarian lifted his heavy axe above his head and Farondil took a step back. But the barbarian couldn't hold the weight and his whole body fell backwards as he exhaled his last breath.
Belim was big, round, and loud. He didn't care about stealth. He walked into the middle of the road with his heavy warhammer in his hands. “Who will dare fight me?”
Three barbarians took him up on his challenge but they didn't know what they were getting into. Belim might be slower but he was as deadly as any other ranger. The fight was over in seconds and only took Belim two swings of his hammer.
But he hadn't noticed the fourth barbarian sneaking behind his back.
Garel jumped out of the darkness and onto the back of the barbarian. Two blades crisscrossed around the enemy's throat and Garel sliced. They spun around, dancing until the barbarian was dead.
Belim turned around in shock and then let out a laugh. “Trying to steal one of my kills again, Garel?”
Garel stood up and wiped the blood off his daggers. “Just saving your life, asshole.”
Arkan watched the two groups of rangers take out barbarian after barbarian. One slipped out of the village, thinking that he could escape. But Arkan had different plans for him.
He let an arrow slip away that traveled across the village and connected with the back of the barbarian's neck. Almost took his head clean off. Arkan didn't revel in his kill but nocked another arrow and looked for his next target.
A scream came from the trees behind him.
Arkan whipped around and stared into the Dark Forest. Someone needed his help.
His brothers didn't really need him anymore. They had already taken care of most of the raiding party. Arkan made the decision to investigate.
He ran into the Dark Forest with his bow ready. Arkan had only heard one scream but that was all he needed to pinpoint the location. He moved through the trees like a bird, quiet and quick.
Arkan saw two barbarians with their backs to him standing over a woman. He didn't need to wait to see what their intention might be. He let an arrow loose that hit one right in the back. It only took another second for Arkan to nock another.
When the barbarian noticed his friend fall over. He looked over his shoulder right on time to get an arrow through the eye. The woman screamed as the corpse fell on her.
Arkan rushed over. The girl strained to get the heavy man off her but Arkan was able to push him off with just one foot.
He revealed the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Chapter Eight
Jennifer was completely out of breath. Either from trying to run from the barbarians or from the perfect example of a man standing before her. His bounding muscles under his tunic, his brown short hair and nicely groomed beard made her heart skip.
Arkan reached out his hand and she took it out of instinct. She felt a spark jump between them but that quickly turned to nausea as she stood up. The smell of blood mixed with dirty corpses was a sickening recipe.
“Are you all right?” Arkan asked.
Jennifer looked down at herself. She had a couple scratches but was otherwise fine. “I think I'll be okay.”
Arkan stowed his bow behind his back and his eyes traveled up and down Jennifer's slim body. “My name is Arkan.”
Jennifer blushed. The only man to ever look at her like that had been Hugo. “I'm Jennifer.”
“It's nice to meet you. We should get out of here.”
Realization hit Jennifer. “We need to get back there. My parents are in trouble.”
Arkan didn't get a chance to reply. Jennifer darted back the way to her village.
Arkan followed and called out ahead. “We need to be careful. There could be barbarians around.”
Jennifer could barely hear Arkan over the blood pulsing in her ears. She had to get to her parents. She had to make sure they were okay.
Arkan and Jennifer made it to the outskirts of the village. Smoke from burned-down homes filled the sky. The place was quiet. The fight was over.
Jennifer ran straight for her house. She opened the front door expecting to see her mother and father standing there.
But the place was empty.
“Mother, are you in here?”
No response.
Jennifer went through each room and found nothing.
Arkan entered behind her with his bow drawn. “Looks like nobody is here.”
“My mother was in the middle of a fight when I ran away.” Jennifer fell to her knees with tears hitting the ground. “Why did I run away? How could I be so stupid? My mother needed my help. And now she's gone.”
Ark
an inspected his surroundings. “There definitely was a fight here. A small amount of blood was spilled. Most likely your mother was injured.” Arkan put a hand on Jennifer's shoulder. “The barbarian tribes don't always kill. They sometimes take slaves.”
Jennifer wiped her eyes and looked up at Arkan. “You think she might be alive?”
“I'd bet my life on it.”
Jennifer got up and swayed for a moment. Arkan steadied her. “I need to find my father too.”
She left her home and began turning over corpses. Every dead body was a neighbor or a friend. She broke down crying. But her father was nowhere to be found.
Arkan left her alone to meet with the Rangers. They stood at the edge of the village, cleaning their weapons.
“Everyone all right?”
Garel nodded. “No injuries.”
Belim slapped his big belly. “Unless you count my empty stomach. When are we going to eat?”
Arkan laughed. “You all deserve a big feast after this.”
“Who's the woman?” Farondil asked.
Arkan looked behind him at Jennifer crying over one of the bodies of the villagers. “Found her in the forest. Name's Jennfier. Two barbarians had her cornered.”
Jennifer approached the group of rangers. The forest was spinning behind them. Her legs were weak and could barely hold her up. “We need to go after them. They took my parents.”
“We can't just yet,” Arkan replied. “We have no idea how many barbarians lie across the river. We need to see the King for reinforcements.”
She tried to protest but her heart was pounding in her chest. Jennifer's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she dropped to the ground.
Chapter Nine
The heat of a fire shocked Jennifer awake. She found herself in the Dark Forest laying next to a campfire surrounded by the Rangers in the middle of the night.
Arkan hovered over her holding a bowl. “Don't try to get up.”
Jennifer felt so weak. “What happened?”
“You fainted.” Arkan took a spoon of soup. “Eat this. You need to regain your strength.”
Jennifer let Arkan feed her. The soup was thick with meat and vegetables. Jennifer savored every bite. “This is so good.”
“You can thank Belim for the food.”
Jennifer looked past Arkan but didn't know who Belim was. “Thank you for the soup.”
Belim let out a rumbling laugh. “There's more where that came from.”
Arkan pointed to the rest of the rangers. “Jennifer I'd like you to meet the Rangers of the Dark Forest: Garel, Farondil, and Demorac.”
Each Ranger nodded as Jennifer's eyes fell on them. They looked like a rough bunch to her.
Jennifer looked up to Arkan. “I need to thank you for saving my life.”
Arkan shook his head. “It was nothing.”
Jennifer remembered the two barbarians looming over her. The sense of dread she felt was like nothing she ever felt before. “If you didn't come along, I'd be dead...or worse.”
Arkan sat down next to Garel and served himself his own bowl of soup. “You should get some rest.”
“What about the King? Those barbarians might have my parents. I need to save them.”
Arkan nodded. “I will be leaving soon to meet with the King Uzmar. I was worried about you and just wanted to make sure you were safe before I set off.”
Jennifer blushed. She didn't know why this stranger cared so much about her wellbeing but she kind of liked it.
Arkan finished his soup and threw the bowl into the dirt. He stood up and hooked his bow behind his back. “The King awaits me, Brothers. Wish me luck.”
“I'd like to come along,” Jennifer said.
“The King only meets with Arkan,” Farondil replied.
“I'm sorry Jennifer, but I don't think the King would see me if you came along,”
Jennifer slumped on her log. She felt so utterly helpless. Her parents were out there somewhere as slaves of the barbarian tribes.
Arkan looked at his group a last time before heading into the Dark Forest. “Take care of her.”
Farondil nodded.
Chapter Ten
The Castle of Danzar with it's tall towers stood on a hill overlooking the entire kingdom. A wall surrounded the fortress with one gate as an entrance.
Arkan exited the Dark Forest and came upon the King's Path, a dirt road that ran through the kingdom and led directly to the castle. Various merchants in carriages pulled by horses were coming and going in the night. No one had any idea that the barbarian tribes had just attacked Icebor.
The gate to the castle was open and protected by four guards. They were dressed in red armor and held spears to their sides. Arkan stopped before the gate and was approached by one guard.
“What business do you have here?”
Arkan bowed slightly. “I'm a Ranger of the Dark Forest and I have business with King Uzmar.”
The guard was new and didn't recognize Arkan. He looked to one of the senior guards and they nodded at him. The young guard stepped out of the way and let Arkan in.
He walked into the castle and went straight to the royal throne room. The large double doors stretched to the ceiling and was guarded by another few guards.
Arkan bowed before them. “I have business with King Uzmar.”
“King Uzmar has been asked not to be disturbed,” a guard said.
“I'm sorry, but this is urgent.”
The guards looked at each other and shrugged. The two big doors swung inwards, revealing the lavish red room. A dark red carpet led straight to a throne made of gold. Candelabras were situated underneath tall stained-glass windows that lined the walls.
A guard whispered, “Good luck,” to Arkan as he passed.
King Uzmar with his gray hair and beard sat on his throne, his head hung low asleep. The day had been long and the night was late.
Arkan didn't know how Uzmar would react to being woken up. He got down on one knee and cleared his throat loudly.
The King didn't even stir.
Arkan cleared his throat louder.
Uzmar's head bobbed up once and then settled back into sleep.
Arkan cursed to himself. “King Uzmar, I have come to report,” he said with a full voice.
King Uzmar shot awake and his eyes darted around. He wiped the drool from his mouth and his vision settled on Arkan.
“Arkan, a Ranger of the Dark Forest. What are you doing here at this late hour?”
“I have news to report, your majesty.”
Uzmar shifted in his seat and scratched his beard. “Go ahead.”
Arkan didn't want waste any more time. “The barbarian tribes attacked Icebor today.”
King Uzmar jumped out of his seat. “What!”
Arkan had never heard the King with so much emotion before. He gulped before continuing, “The Rangers and I arrived after they had raided most of the village already. We took out any leftovers and I came straight here.”
That wasn't entirely true. Arkan had taken a long break around the campfire to make sure that Jennifer was all right. But getting to the King sooner wouldn't have changed anything. The barbarians had gone back across the river and over the hills. They wouldn't attack again so soon. Not when the Kingdom would be on its guard.
“And how many dead?” Uzmar asked.
Arkan lost his train of thought as the image of Jennifer with her long dark hair entered his mind. Her beauty had truly taken his breath away.
“How many dead, Arkan?”
He snapped back to reality. “I'm sorry, my lord.” Arkan bowed his head. “Most of the village was killed. We saved a woman who claims that some were taken prisoner by the barbarians.”
King Uzmar sat back down in his throne and rubbed his beard. “All of Icebor?”
Arkan nodded and let the news sink in. “I'd like permission to go across the river and rescue any prisoners.”
“And what makes you think that they're still alive?”
/> Arkan didn't quite know how to answer that. Before meeting Jennifer he would've assumed they were already dead. The barbarians weren't known for keeping prisoners. Jennifer believed that they were still alive.
Biker's Heir Series Box Set Page 57