The Ranger (Book 1)

by E. A. Whitehead

  Thomas and James were with Vincent on the left side of the road. Vincent embraced his token and sent it flowing through his body. Everything slowed as Furtivos took effect. He drew his swords and sprang into action as the first of the bandits came into full view. He darted through the group of thieves, cutting them down where they stood. Thomas and James stood transfixed, unable to move as they watched.

  They battle was over quickly. The few thieves that had survived fled to the mountains. Thomas and James still stood in awe.

  “Search the bodies,” Auna commanded. “We need to determine where they came from.”

  Vincent started searching thorough the bodies. None of them seemed to have any sort of distinguishing marks on them, but they all had very full purses of gold tied to their belts. Vincent cut the purses from their belts as he went and brought them to Auna.

  “Is this all there was?” Auna asked disbelievingly. “No pendants, no tattoos, no masks, just the gold?” Vincent nodded as Auna opened one of the purses. A look of shocked horror cut across his face as he pulled one of the coins from the bag. “This is very bad.”

  “What is it?” Vincent asked as Auna passed him the coin. It was small and had an imprint of a hand in the middle.

  “It is a special coin,” Auna explained, “that is made explicitly for the Order. When a Sanctuary receives gold, it is melted down and turned into statues for the altars, or coins, to buy provisions. When the gold returns to the hands of the Empire, they melt it back down and turn it back into Imperial coins. Having this many coins from the order could only mean that they got them directly from someone connected with the Order.”

  “Who would do such a thing?” Vincent asked in disgust.

  “There are lots of people that give in to greed,” Auna said somberly. “Not everyone joins the Order from devotion to the Goddess. Some people are looking for riches and when they find that they can’t get them through the Order, they become corrupt. It is my guess that someone in the Sanctuary in Senno was approached by a Magi operative, and accepted their proposal.”

  “Then should we turn back and investigate?” Vincent asked.

  “No, that would be playing into his hands,” Auna replied. “We need to keep moving to Spacco. They can investigate for us. Our mission takes priority here.”

  “I’ve got the monks calmed down,” Lauren said as she walked over. “We should be able to continue soon.”

  “Excellent,” Auna said, “I’d rather get into the mountains before we set up camp: there are more places to conceal ourselves.”

  They formed their lines again and continued on the road. The rain had stopped now, but the sun was setting and it was getting dark fast.

  “There should be a cave just off the road that we can stay in,” Auna called back to the group. The terrain was very rocky with a few ragged trees poking through in places. Auna led them around a large outcropping of rocks to the mouth of a shallow cave. The monks quickly huddled in the back as Auna started a fire.

  “We’ll take turns on watch,” Lauren whispered to Vincent. “I’ll take the first shift.”

  It was almost completely dark outside the cave now. The sun had set and the howls of wolves could be heard once again. The night passed slowly. Vincent thought he could see the dim silhouette of the wolves at the edge of the firelight, but they never came close.

  The dawn was a welcome guest. Vincent had slept little between his shifts at watch, Lauren even less. Auna hadn’t seemed to sleep at all. The four Knights, however, had slept peacefully along with the monks and they grumbled loudly at being awakened to travel once more.

  The sky was still overcast when they set out that morning. A light fog hung over the mountain, adding to the tension that Vincent felt.

  They moved cautiously over the rough terrain. Once again they were alone on the road. This time it was a relief, as at times the passes through the mountain were only wide enough for the group to travel single file.

  “Hey Ranger,” Thomas called to Vincent as they walked. Thomas and his companion were still following a short distance behind the rest of the group, “How did you do that yesterday?”

  Vincent didn’t answer.

  “Ranger, I’m talking to you,” Thomas said, a little louder, “are you deaf? Tell me how you moved so fast.”

  Vincent was biting his lip to keep from answering. It pained him not to be able to speak with his friend.

  “Ranger,” Thomas called a third time, this time catching up to Vincent and grabbing his shoulder, “Answer my question, or are you too high and mighty to speak with us mere Knights?”

  “The Ranger knows his place,” Auna said firmly, moving back to stand beside Thomas, “and you should learn yours. Rangers do not speak when on a mission.”

  “But I see the three of you talking all the time,” Thomas protested angrily. “You’re keeping secrets from us, like the ability to move fast. I want that too.”

  “You are not ready for that,” Auna said sharply. “One as self centered as you has much to learn before such knowledge is passed on. The Rangers talk to me, because I am their commanding officer here, and they talk to each other to co-ordinate their efforts. That is all they need. Now, leave this Ranger to his duties.”

  Thomas glared at Auna, but remained silent. The group moved on, Thomas and James still followed behind, but they didn’t say a word.

  The fog didn’t let up in the following days. Lauren picked her way carefully at the front of the group, painstakingly scouting ahead through the fog to lead the group around danger. Twice she called a halt as a troll lumbered across the road they followed, oblivious to their presence. For the first time, Vincent was grateful for the fog.

  By sundown on the fourth they had reached the highest point in the pass and they stopped to let the Monks rest. The climb had been difficult, and even Vincent was relieved when Auna called the halt. The spot was on a flat shelf that had a sharp drop where the road began winding its way down the cliff face.

  The monks quickly went about starting a fire to warm themselves. Vincent took his turn to stand watch. The night air carried strange howls; not wolves this time, but haunting, shrieking howls. The monks went to sleep quickly, as they were exhausted from the long climb through the mountain. The knights, however, stayed up sitting around the small fire.

  Lauren lay not far from Vincent, tossing restlessly. Finally she got up and came over to him.

  “I’m hungry,” she grumbled, “I hadn’t planned on being out here this long and my rations are all gone. I’m going to try to catch a rabbit. That should fill me up.” Lauren stalked silently into the night.

  Lauren hadn’t been gone long when she rushed back to the group, empty handed. Vincent was about to ask her what was wrong when she started kicking dirt onto the small fire that the knights sat around.

  “Put it out,” she whispered frantically amidst their complaints, “and keep your voices down.”

  “What is it?” Auna asked quickly.

  “Griffins,” Lauren panted. “There’s a whole flock of them just over that ridge.”

  “Is there any way around them?”

  “They’re a little way from the road,” Lauren answered. “With a bit of luck, and the Goddess willing, we should be able to sneak by, but we’ll have to move in complete silence.”

  “There’s no other way?” Auna probed.

  “No,” Lauren said quietly. “The road beyond here follows the side of a cliff. It’s a difficult descent in daylight, under normal circumstances. I don’t know how we’ll do it like this.”

  “We’ll just have to go slowly and carefully,” Auna concluded. “That’s all there is to it. We leave now; I’d like to put as much distance between us and them as possible. I don’t want to risk a confrontation, not under these circumstances.”

  The monks grudgingly formed their line again as Vincent and Lauren woke them and herded them down the steep, cliff-side road. They had to move slowly to keep from slipping. Every rock that tumbled fro
m the path sounded ominous as Vincent continually looked upward, expecting to see one of the great winged beasts descending on them.

  It took the better part of two hours for them to descend the cliff face, but Vincent was relieved when they finally reached the bottom unnoticed. The griffins had stared circling in the air, casting long shadows in the moonlight, but they were much too high to have seen them.

  Auna still appeared troubled, despite having escaped undetected. Vincent slowly edged his way over to where he sat, deep in thought.

  “What is it now?” Vincent asked quietly.

  “It’s the griffins,” Auna replied vacantly.

  “What about them?” Vincent inquired curiously. “They didn’t notice us and it would appear that they aren’t going to give us any trouble.”

  “That’s not it,” Auna sighed. “Griffins aren’t native to these parts. They come from north of Eresia, across the desert. They shouldn’t have been here in the first place, which means that someone probably brought them, and that someone was probably a Magi.”

  Vincent didn’t like this new bit of information. He sat quietly thinking it over.

  “Anyway,” Auna continued, “we seem to have eluded them for the present; but we need to be watchful, I doubt that whoever sent them will give up easily.”

  The remainder of the night passed uneventfully. Vincent could hardly sleep as he continued to watch the sky, still expecting the griffins to drop from above. The griffins had disappeared by the time the sun peaked over the horizon.

  The group continued on the road, traveling a little faster now. Vincent was still watching the sky behind them, but there was no sign of the griffins in the air. The further they got from them, the more confident he felt that they had escaped them.

  The sun was hanging low in the sky as they neared the end of the mountain pass. The ruins of an ancient gate stood at the mouth of the pass, great stone pillars jutting into the sky amidst the rubble. The horizon opened up beyond them and the world seemed to carry on forever. Vincent paused to enjoy the beauty of it.

  A screech from above halted his musings. His eyes were quickly drawn to the sky in front of them. There, perched on the last column of rock, was a griffin, spreading its wings as it prepared to take flight.

  Vincent’s heart skipped a beat as three more swooped in to join the beast. The monks were frightened by the appearance of the beasts and started huddling together, unsure of what to do. Vincent embraced his token and prepared himself to use Furtivos. Auna looked at him and shook his head.

  “Furtivos will do little to help you here. You may try anyway,” Auna whispered, “but you can’t go throwing fireballs at them. We’re going to have to run for it. Once we’re out of the mountains, it’s only a short distance to the city. The guard there should be able to drive them off. Lauren will try to hold them at bay with her bow till then.”

  “Knights,” Auna called to the rest of the group, “This is a very dangerous situation. Griffins are very powerful creatures and have instincts to defend themselves against the powers of our tokens. You can try to shoot them out of the sky with your powers, but you will simply be wasting your energy. We need to run. Beyond the pillars where the griffins are sitting, the ground quickly levels out and the road follows a straight course for Spacco. You must run and not look back. If you have any extra weight, I suggest that you lose it. The Rangers will draw them away as best they can.”

  The knights started emptying their packs and discarding their spare clothes and anything else that they didn’t deem essential. Lauren, meanwhile, was stringing her bow and counting her arrows.

  “Let’s hope I have enough,” she whispered.

  The knights finished their preparations and they all got ready to run.

  “Rangers,” Auna called from the front of the group, “you take the lead. Engage the griffins as we run past. Once we’re clear, fall in behind to keep them back.”

  Vincent and Lauren took their places at the front of the line. Vincent drew his swords, hoping that he would find some way to keep the griffins back.

  “Now!”

  They dashed forward. Vincent reached the columns as the griffins launched themselves into the air. He could hear Lauren’s arrows whistling through the air as the others started hurrying past.

  One of the griffins dove toward the frenzied monks. Vincent quickly jumped, pushing himself off of one of the pillars, and launched himself at the diving creature. They collided in mid-air. Vincent managed to slash though the tough skin of its leg, but he received a large gash in his left arm from one of the beast’s talons.

  The griffin screeched in rage as it batted Vincent aside. He landed hard, but was quickly back on his feet, following behind the group of fleeing monks. They had cleared the mountains now, and there was nothing for Vincent to push against to get extra height as he jumped.

  Five more of the creatures swooped in from the mountains as they cleared the pass. Fear was coursing through the fleeing monks.

  Lauren continued to send arrows at the beasts as they dove at the group. A few times they got low enough for Vincent to swipe at them, but he did little damage.

  The towering walls of the city were in sight now, but the monks were tiring fast. They were not used to running. Thomas, however, still seemed full of energy and led the pack. Auna caught up to him.

  “Run ahead and warn the guard,” Auna commanded. “We need their help as soon as possible.”

  Thomas seemed invigorated by Auna’s words and dashed ahead, sprinting as fast as he could. The griffins continued to dive, slashing at Vincent. Lauren’s arrows were starting to run out, and Vincent was getting tired. He had been using Furtivos for a long time, and he knew he was reaching his limit. They continued to run, feeling more desperate now.

  A griffin dove again. Vincent wasn’t sure he would be able to dodge this time, but he didn’t have to. A giant bolt rocketed through the air, hitting the griffin and blasting it out of the sky in a puff of feathers. Vincent looked ahead. On the wall of the city, the guards were loading a second bolt onto the ballista mounted there.

  Another bolt flew, this time just missing the flying creatures. They screeched in anger once again. The third bolt hit another of them. The griffins turned and started retreating toward the mountains.

  The city guard was waiting for them at the gate of the city. Most of the monks were on the verge of collapse and the knights could hardly stand. The guard assisted them as they walked to the abbey. The priests there had obviously been told of their coming, and stood at the gate of the abbey, waiting to help.

  Vincent, Lauren and Auna were led to a private room deep beneath the abbey, where they were left alone. Vincent finally released his token, dropping the effects of Furtivos. The room started to spin wildly. He had held it far too long. His legs gave out and he collapsed as everything went black.

  Chapter 15: Spacco

  When Vincent woke up his head was still throbbing. He was lying on his back, still on the floor, and he could feel a trickle of blood oozing down the side of his face under his mask.

  Everything was blurry as he opened his eyes. The light in the room stung. He could hear Lauren and Auna talking to someone, but it sounded like they were underwater. Vincent groaned as he started clawing at his mask, trying to get it off.

  “Leave it for a minute longer,” Auna said compassionately. “As soon as Abbot Foster leaves you can take off your mask.”

  “Then I’ll finish here quickly.” The unfamiliar voice of the Abbot came from beside Vincent. The orange glow of healing skewed Vincent’s vision even further, but the throbbing lessened, and he could feel the trickle of blood slowing. “There,” the Abbot said as he got to his feet, “good as new. I’ll leave you for now, Master Auna, but I would speak with you in the morning. There is much that troubles my mind.”

  The Abbot excused himself and closed the door to their room. Vincent pulled off his mask and sat up. Despite the healing, his body felt like a lump of lead, and he had d
ifficulty balancing.

  “You hit your head pretty hard when you passed out,” Lauren said smugly as she too removed her mask. “You seem to have a tendency to make things harder than they need to be. There was no need to hold Furtivos that long. Once we were out of the mountains it was useless.”

  “Yeah, well,” Vincent grumbled, at a loss for an excuse. He knew she was right, but didn’t want to admit it. “At least we all got here alive.”

  “Vincent,” Auna cut in, sounding very serious, “you need to be more careful. You very nearly died. It is difficult to repair damage caused by overexerting yourself with your token. There is little that the token of healing can do for you. Fortunately, Abbot Foster is one of the most skilled healers of this century. Had it not been for him, you may have died. You still have limits, and you must be aware of them.”

  The words stung Vincent. Auna had said them gently, with kind intent, but he might as well have shouted. Vincent felt foolish.

  “I’m sorry,” Vincent said sheepishly. “It won’t happen again.”

  “See that it doesn’t,” Auna said as he helped Vincent from the floor. Vincent took a tentative step, but his legs gave out and he would have fallen on his face again if Lauren hadn’t caught him under the arm.

  “I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere else today,” Lauren laughed. “You should get some rest.” She helped him to one of the five beds that lined the walls of the room. “This room is meant to house an entire company of Rangers. The abbeys are a lot more accommodating than the local sanctuaries.”

  Vincent sat on the edge of the bed. It wasn’t a feather mattress, like the one at Senno, but it was still soft. He pulled off his armour, with difficulty, for the first time in three days. It felt good to be free of it. He lay on the bed and closed his eyes. He heard Auna say something to Lauren and then leave before he fell asleep.

  When Vincent woke he felt much better. His legs were still stiff, but he could move again. Lauren was already awake and dressed, sitting in a chair in the corner of the room reading an old, leather-bound book.