Rangers of the Dark

by Michelle Hart

  Rangers of the Dark

  Copyright 2017 Michelle Hart

  All Rights Reserved.

  Disclaimer: This ebook is a work of fiction. Any resemblance characters in this story may have to real people is coincidental.

  No section of this book may be copied or reproduced without the author's permission.

  Description

  Jennifer Saro lived a simple life in the small town of Icebor until the barbarians attacked.

  Her mother risks her life to save her and Jennifer was able to escape.

  But now her parents have been taken prisoner and Jennifer will have to do whatever it takes to get them back.

  Arkan Ryal is a Ranger of the Dark Forest, Protector of the Kingdom of Danzar. When he heard of the raid on the village, he and his Rangers rush to their rescue.

  He finds Jennifer cornered by two barbarians and dispatches them with ease.

  Now together they will both explore uncharted territory as they fight through hordes of barbarians and fall in love for the first time.

  Chapter One

  The village of Icebor stood on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Danzar. Located a few miles from the castle, it was one of the smaller villages but was bursting with activity.

  Jennifer Saro strolled through town, holding a large wicker basket filled with dirty clothes. She walked by Guntho and his stall that was stocked with the freshest bread. Guntho was balding with a big belly that jostled when he laughed. He was always the most friendliest out of the villagefolk.

  “Washing clothes today?” he asked.

  Jennifer nodded, looking over the different types of bread. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “Smells so good.”

  “I'll let you have a loaf on the house.”

  The basket took both hands to carry and she couldn't very well put a piece of food with the dirty clothes. “I'd love some. I just don't have the room to carry it.”

  Guntho laughed and his stomach rippled. “Don't worry about it, I'll deliver it to your parents.”

  Jennifer blew him a kiss. “You're the best, Guntho.”

  Jennifer continued on, passing by more neighbors and saying hello. Everyone in Icebor knew each other. That was one of the benefits of a small town.

  She passed by the stables and could hear the horses rustling inside. Her parents didn't have enough money to own a horse but she was allowed to ride one every once in awhile. Jennifer made a promise to herself that she would one day own a horse.

  And she already had a name picked out. Illa if it's a girl. Dune if it's a boy.

  She imagined riding at top speed through the dark forest, the wind in her curly dark hair, weaving in and out of trees. She could almost feel the horse breathe beneath her.

  But it was only a fantasy. A dream that would never come true. Horses were expensive in the Kingdom of Danzar.

  She caught a glimpse of Hugo the stable boy tending to a bale of hay as she passed. He looked up and brushed his shoulder-length blonde hair out of his eyes. Hugo smiled at Jennifer and she blushed, walking away as fast as possible.

  Hugo was about the only man in Icebor that was around the same age as Jennifer. Ever since they were children, the village had talked about them getting married and having kids. But she always dismissed the idea.

  Now that she was eighteen, which was the acceptable age to marry in Icebor, she saw Hugo differently. He was always nice to her but he was very small and weak when they were younger. But after working in the stables for two years, Hugo had bulked up nicely.

  Now Jennifer could barely fumble out two words around him without making a fool out of herself. If only he would ask her on a date.

  She passed the last of the thatched-roof huts and made it to the river. It was calm today which was a relief. Rain had bombarded the village day after day and the river was too wild to get close to. The laundry had piled up and the basket Jennifer held was only the first of many.

  The Junti River bordered Icebor and was the only place to get fresh drinking water and wash clothes. She set her basket down and stretched her arms. Jennifer looked out across the river to the other side. The green hills ran high and she never knew what lay over the top. The other side always called to her but she had been told from an early age to stay away.

  “Evil men live there,” her mother told her.

  But as long as she lived, Jennifer had never seen anyone over there. The river wasn't that wide. A quick swim over and she'd finally find out if the stories were true.

  Jennifer suddenly found herself ankle deep into the river. It wasn't even deep enough to swim across.

  Before she got halfway, a voice called out to her.

  She looked behind to see Hugo at the edge of the river. “What are you doing, Jennifer?”

  Today wasn't the day to cross the river. Jennifer began to make her way back. “I wanted to wash my feet off,” she replied back.

  “Dangerous way to get your feet clean.” Hugo reached out his hand and Jennifer took it. He helped her out and Jennifer was back in the grass.

  “You really think the people on the other side are dangerous?”

  “I wasn't talking about them. The river is dangerous because of flash floods. With all the rain lately, you never know. I'd hate to see you get whisked away.”

  Jennifer could barely make eye contact with him. “What are you doing by the river?” She noticed the bucket on the ground and knew the question was stupid.

  “Getting water for the horses.” Hugo dumped the bucket into the river until it was full. “I better get back now. Hartnet will whip me if he finds me slacking off.”

  “Well it was nice talking to you.”

  “Stay out of the river, hear me?”

  Jennifer nodded and smiled. “I'll be good from now on.”

  Hugo began to walk away but Jennifer didn't want him to go. She wanted to touch his hand one more time. She wanted a kiss.

  Hugo turned back. “I was wondering if you would be interested in going on a date with me.”

  Jennifer clasped her hands behind her back and beamed. “I would love that.”

  “How about tomorrow night?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Hugo left and Jennifer was alone again. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she washed clothes. She even whistled a tune as she worked.

  Maybe some dreams do come true.

  Chapter Two

  Jennifer entered her home carrying the large wicker basket of clothes. Her family's hut was an average size for Icebor: two bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. Nothing fancy. Just enough space for a family of three.

  “Is the laundry all clean, Jennifer?” Eliden asked.

  “Yes, Mother,” she replied, setting the basket down in the living room. Jennifer wiped the sweat from her brow and let out a sigh.

  “The dishes need to be set out for dinner.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Jennifer went into the kitchen to retrieve the dishes. The smell of her mother's famous soup hit her nose. She was carried over to the cast-iron pot set above an open flame. She took a wooden spoon and dipped it into the boiling brown liquid.

  “What are you doing, Jennifer?”

  Jennifer jumped and accidentally dropped the spoon into the soup. Eliden rushed over and fished it out before it could sink to the bottom.

  “Nothing, Mother. Just checking to make sure that the soup tasted good.”

  Eliden smirked. “Go along and finish setting the table before your father gets home. We don't want to get him angry. He already has enough on his plate with some of sheep missing and all.”

  Jennifer nodded. The last thing she wanted to do was stress her father any further.

  Her family had a small flock of sheep t
hat was her father's primary business. They were used for food and wool, selling primarily to his fellow villagers.

  A couple weeks ago, a couple of sheep went missing. It was normal for sheep to escape their pen every once and awhile. But when a few more went missing a week later, they knew they were being stolen.

  Jennifer's father had been standing guard over the flock every night since the thefts and had barely slept. He was in no way going to allow anymore to be taken.

  Jennifer was finishing setting the table when Raldar walked in. “I'm home.”

  Eliden kissed him on the cheek. “How was work today?”

  Raldar took off his large coat and handed it to his wife. “It was fine,” he replied in a low voice.

  Jennifer came over and kissed him on the cheek too. “Dinner is almost ready, Father. Why don't you sit at the table.”

  “Fetch me some ale.”

  They all sat down as a family at the dinner table. Raldar ate his food in silence and Eliden and Jennifer tried to find a subject that wouldn't anger him.

  “Did the river quiet down?” Eliden asked.

  Jennifer tasted the soup and savored the rich flavor of the beef. “Yes it's almost back to normal.”

  “And did you see Hugo on your way there?” Eliden winked.

  “Mother, please it's embarrassing.”

  Eliden elbowed her. “Oh come on, your father and I both see how you look at him.” Eliden looked to Raldar for backup but all he could do was grunt while he ate.

  “Well I did see him when he helped me out of the river.”

  Raldar put his spoon down and looked up at Jennifer. “What were you doing in the river?”

  Jennifer realized she said something she shouldn't have. “I didn't mean to...I just wanted to clean my feet.”

  She remembered the blind curiosity that had taken her into the middle of the river before Hugo had called out to her. If he wasn't there to stop her, she would have gone to the other side.

  “What's over those hills?” she asked. “On the other side of the river.” Jennifer couldn't help but asked.

  Raldar inhaled deeply. “We've told you time and time again to stay away from there.”

  Jennifer sucked down some more soup. “I know but you never tell me why.”

  Eliden put her hand on Jennifer's. “Evil men live over the hills. There's no telling what they would do to you if they found you.”

  “But we've never seen them before. How do we even know they exist?”

  Raldar set down his spoon. “I've seen them before and that should be evidence enough. I will hear no more of this at the dinner table.”

  Jennifer bit her lip. She didn't mean to get her father upset. “I'm sorry.”

  Eliden tried to lighten the mood. “Anyone up for dessert? I've baked a chocolate cake.”

  “I'm too full.” Raldar got up and left them alone.

  “Don't worry about your father. Once this whole sheep business passes, he'll be back to normal.”

  “I know. I know,” Jennifer replied.

  Eliden brought over the two layer cake covered with chocolate frosting. “Try some. I got the recipe from Kyla.”

  Jennifer took a fork and carved a bite out of the round cake. “It's very good.”

  Eliden joined in. “Now are you going to tell me what you and Hugo talked about?”

  Jennifer smiled and was about to dish out some gossip when a large commotion outside stopped her. “What is that?” she asked.

  Eliden shook her head and stood up. “I don't know.”

  An shout from outside echoed throughout the small home. “ENEMY RAID!”

  Chapter Three

  Arkan scouted ahead silently, slowly moving through the trees. His dark green tunic kept him perfectly camouflaged against the foliage. His prey thought they had concealed their tracks but Arkan knew the Dark Forest better than anyone.

  Broken twigs, imprints in the soil, the smell in the air. There were so many ways to track and the Rangers of the Dark Forest were the best at what they do.

  Arkan followed his prey at a suitable distance. Not far enough away for his quarry to be out of sight but not close enough to be detected.

  His prey was an intruder of the Dark Forest. A barbarian from over the hills. They rarely made it this far into the kingdom and the Rangers were the last line of defense before getting to the castle.

  And ultimately to the King.

  The barbarian set his battle axe down and drank from a small creek. His horse joined him, neither one of them aware of their impending doom.

  Arkan quietly brought out his bow carved from wood. The same bow that belonged to his father before he died during the War of Swords. He carefully placed an arrow in the nook and pulled back on the taut string.

  The barbarian was clear in his sights. Arkan took a deep breath and held it. He let go of the bowstring without hesitation. The arrow tore through the air with tremendous speed, landing in the shoulder of the barbarian.

  The barbarian looked down at his wound and howled a battle cry. The horse neighed and tugged at the rope tied around a tree that kept him in place. The intruder picked up his axe and faced the direction of where the arrow came from. Another arrow hit him in the throat, blood spurting from the wound.

  The barbarian went to his knees, his eyes glassy, red blood soaking his winter coat. He tried to utter a word but nothing came out. The barbarian fell face first into the dirt, his body drained of life.

  Arkan finally let go of his breath. He put away the third arrow that was already nocked and ready to go. He wouldn't it need anymore.

  Arkan left his hiding spot and calmed down the horse, whispering into his ear. He went over the dead body and inspected his clothing, digging through his winter pelts.

  Nothing of significance.

  “Was he a scout, Arkan?” a voice asked from behind.

  “Must be,” Arkan replied.

  Garel came through the trees wearing the same dark tunic as Arkan. The Rangers always hunted in pairs. “What does it mean?”

  Arkan picked up the battle axe and examined it. Dried blood had stained the blade. “There could be a larger party looking to invade the kingdom.”

  “Should we alert our brothers?”

  Arkan shook his head. “Not yet. Let's first see if there are anymore scouts we need to take care of.”

  Garel agreed. “How many could there be?”

  Arkan grabbed a few of the pelts off the barbarian and stowed them in his sack. He could sell them at the castle for an easy profit. “If I were them, I'd send out a couple at least. They could cover more ground and be able to report back more information to their leader.”

  Arkan looked out towards the edge of the forest. “We should check the opposite end of the forest.”

  Garel nodded.

  The two set out deeper into the forest, walking five feet apart. The Rangers never left a trace.

  Arkan bent down and examined the trunk of a tree. A piece of bark had been scraped away just slightly.

  Garel looked over Arkan's shoulder. “He's moving west.”

  Arkan nodded and moved on. The forest was unusually quiet today. No birds or animals making noises. Sunlight broke through the tree cover.

  It wasn't long before Arkan and Garel found the second scout. The barbarian moved through the woods slowly, looking around for any sign of activity. His eyes peered in the direction of Arkan and Garel but they weren't discovered. Their dark outfits were the perfect camouflage.

  Arkan pulled out his bow again and nocked an arrow. He placed the barbarian in his sights but Garel placed his hand on Arkan's and pulled the bow down.

  Garel wanted to take the kill and Arkan couldn't argue since he had the last one. He nodded and put his bow away.

  Garel crept towards the barbarian, making sure to stay out of his wandering sight. He pulled out two silver curved daggers with ornate handles. Garel was only a foot away from the barbarian's back and he didn't even notice.

  The f
irst dagger cut through the barbarian's throat like butter. Blood shot out in an arc. His second dagger drilled into his victim's back. The barbarian was already going down as Garel twisted the dagger in his back.

  The whole affair was over in seconds.

  “Good job, Garel,” Arkan said. He searched through the body and found nothing noteworthy. The only weapon on him was a old beat up club.