by Pedro Urvi
I well, Camu transmitted.
Lasgol gave him a disbelieving look and bent down to examine him. Let me make sure. If you’re in pain, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. And in any case, an injury that’s not properly healed only leads to further complications – and even death.
I no death.
I hope so too, but we have to be sure you’re well and that the medicines I’ve given you are working.
For a long moment he checked Camu to make sure: firstly, that he did not have a fever, and secondly that he was recovering from the injury.
You don’t seem to have a fever.
I fine. I tell.
And the blow? Can you move?
Camu rose very slowly. It cost him a great effort, which was not a promising sign. He tried to take a couple of steps, but could only manage one. Then he had to lie down again.
You’re not fine. You can barely move.
Almost fine?
Not almost fine at all. You’re bad. See if you can turn and go back.
Camu did as Lasgol asked, and limped back very slowly. He lay down beside Ona and did not move, looking exhausted.
You’re definitely not well. You need more rest.
I rest.
Yes, you rest while I have a look at Ona.
Luckily the panther was healing much better. Her injured leg was less swollen, and it would not be long before she was fully recovered.
Ona, you’re healing very well.
Ona gave a pleased chirp and rubbed her head lovingly against his leg. Lasgol scratched her head in return, then turned to Camu. He was already asleep, but his breathing was stable.
I’m going to get fresh food and water. Look after Camu, he transmitted to Ona, who replied by gently putting her paw protectively on Camu’s body. Good girl, Lasgol said, and then left.
It did not take him long to reach the stream and fill his water-skin. Then he went hunting, and came back to his friends with two birds. He fed them and tended to them, making sure they were making good progress. By the third day Ona was much better. She limped slightly, but in a couple more days she would be fully recovered. Camu, on the other hand, needed more care. By the seventh day he was already acting as if nothing had happened, except that he could not do his happy dance because certain movements still hurt him a lot.
On the tenth day after the incident with the Ogre, Lasgol made the decision to go back. Very slowly they set out and began crossing the mountain ranges on their way to the village. Lasgol set a slow pace to make sure they did not hurt themselves again, either with the effort or in a moment of distraction.
At the foot of the last mountain, they found Trotter waiting for them, as Lasgol had asked him to. Lasgol was very happy to see him, and so was the pony to see him – Camu and Ona less so. Lasgol smiled and stroked the pony’s muzzle.
Ona, Camu, you stay here and rest. I’m going to go to the village with Trotter to see Chief Dolstar and tell him about our adventure.
Camu nodded, and Ona protested. She wanted to go too.
You look after Camu. He’s still not completely well,
I very well.
No way. Behave yourself. And pay attention to Ona.
Camu gave him a saintly look and lay down to rest. Lasgol knew he was still not fully recovered, and that crossing the mountains had exhausted him. He took his leave of them with a strange feeling about leaving them when they were not completely well, and mounted Trotter. He still needed to report to the Chief. Then he could come back to them and leave.
On we go, to the village, he transmitted to the pony, and they set off.
As they entered the village and made their way along the streets toward Chief Dolstar’s house, Lasgol realized that everyone was looking at him. As he passed them, the villagers followed him. As he imagined that they would ask him a thousand questions, he preferred not to give them the chance and went straight on to the Chief’s home. He dismounted and knocked on the door of the great house.
“Coming!” came Dolstar’s voice.
The door opened and the Chief appeared, leaning on his crutch.
“Lasgol! What a nice surprise! Come on in!”
Lasgol put the two leather bags he had been carrying on his back on the table.
“What happened? You’ve been gone for days. I was afraid something had happened to you too …”
“It was a close call, true …”
“By the looks of you I’d say you had a rough encounter.”
Lasgol smiled. “You’d be quite right.” It was true that he looked dirty and shabby. He had not realized the fact until this moment. He had been too busy looking after his friends.
“Tell me everything. What happened? Did you manage to take care of the problem, or is it still stalking my village and endangering my people?”
“All solved,” Lasgol said. He gestured reassuringly. “There won’t be any more cattle or people going missing round here.”
“That’s wonderful news!”
“Let me explain.” Calmly, he told him the whole story, but making no mention of either his skills or Camu and Ona’s injuries.
The Chief looked perplexed. “An Ogre? Here? That’s something I wasn’t expecting.” His eyes were staring wide, as though he had seen a ghost.
“A mountain one, big and very dangerous.”
“But … we’ve never seen one before … not around here.”
“This was a smart Ogre. I’d say, judging by what I found in its lair, that it only came down to the village in times of scarcity. They don’t like humans, they stay away from inhabited areas. It must have run out of prey in the mountains and decided to come down. But it did that via the river, and at night. That’s why there were scarcely any tracks, and that’s why it hadn’t been seen.”
“I’m flabbergasted. I had no idea they could be as clever as that.”
“I don’t suppose all of them are, but this one certainly was, I can assure you. It almost put an end to me, which means there must be others in Norghana as clever as this one, or maybe even more so, and hence very dangerous.”
“How did you manage to kill it? According to what I’ve heard, mountain Ogres and Trolls are very difficult to kill. They say their fur and hide protect them against arrows and swords, and that to kill one you need twenty soldiers with reinforced spears or spikes, plus large hounds.”
“So they are. I had to use traps and elemental arrows.”
“Elemental?” Dolstar asked blankly.
Lasgol preferred not to explain the Rangers’ secrets, and neither was he sure that the Chief would understand.
“Traps and fire arrows. That’s how I managed to kill it.”
“Ah! That’s good to know.”
“Fire’s our ally when we’re dealing with beasts or monsters. I use it a lot, particularly in complicated situations.”
“I’ll take your advice and pass it on to my people.”
Lasgol nodded. “I trust there won’t be any more trouble with beasts in this area for a long time.”
“I’ll drink to that as soon as I’m better. What have you brought me?” He pointed to the bags on the table, looking interested.
“You’ll see. I searched the cave, its lair, after I’d killed it. I found some things I thought you might like to have …”
“Show me.”
Lasgol opened the first bag. “They’re the belongings of the people who went missing. At least, what little I was able to find.” He poured them out on to the table.
“How many?” the Chief asked with a sigh and a look of sorrow.
“A dozen. Some had been dead for a long time, three of them had died recently.”
The Chief breathed out heavily and shook his head. “It makes sense. Over the years, people have gone missing … but we never thought there was any connection between the disappearances. We thought they must either have left the village or had an accident in the mountains. We never suspected anything like this. Some of the hunters – and I myself as well – were
sure we were facing an aggressive bear, or a tiger.”
“It’s the most logical explanation. I started the search with that idea in mind too. I wasn’t expecting to come face to face with an Ogre.” Lasgol opened the second bag and took out the Ogre’s head. “As is the custom in Norghana, I’ve brought the beast’s head as a trophy.”
“There was no need … a Ranger’s word is enough here and in all Norghana.”
“Even so, I wanted there to be some proof. This’ll silence all the rumors.”
“It certainly will. Although this’ll be talked about for years in the village and the region. You know how rumor spreads.”
“I hope it’ll mean others don’t end up like those poor wretches in the cave.”
“I’m sure of that. Many thanks for what you’ve done. To face up to a Mountain Ogre is a real achievement, even for an experienced Ranger.”
“There’s no need.”
Dolstar nodded repeatedly. “There certainly is. I’m grateful, the village is grateful. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Really, there’s no need. This is my duty, and that’s why I became a Ranger. I don’t need anything. I’ll be on my way now. I have to protect the realm and its people.”
“We’re lucky to have a Ranger like you,” Dolstar said, and offered him his hand.
Lasgol shook it with a strong grip, Northern style. “Good luck, Chief.”
“May the Ice Gods protect you, Ranger.”
Lasgol nodded and left.
As he was heading back along the main street on Trotter, he heard a great outcry behind him. He looked back and saw the Chief at his door showing the Ogre’s head to the villagers, who were crying out in horror. The murmurs and shouts became louder as the peasants went closer to see what was happening. He was about to leave the village when he heard loud clapping, and when he turned on Trotter, he saw the villagers looking back at him and applauding. He felt honored. He gave a nod and left the village.
A little later he rejoined Camu and Ona.
Is it all clear for us to go on?
I well.
Ona gave a leap to show him she was hardly limping anymore.
Right then, on we go. Let’s see that we don’t get into any more trouble – and the moment he said it, he felt things were not going to be like that. He shook off the bad omen and set off to the southeast, at an easy light pace, so that Camu and Ona could finish getting over their injuries during the trip. Luckily, they were young and strong, and in both humans and animals, youth works wonders when it involves healing from injuries or illnesses. As Edwina the Healer at the Camp had instilled in him, and he well remembered the lesson.
He regained his optimism and looked up at the sun, to feel a little of its gratifying touch on his face. It was a feeling that always comforted him. He smiled as soon as he felt the golden star’s caress and let it penetrate his face, torso and arms. He even had the feeling that his arms were weightless. He shut his eyes and smiled, and for a long moment felt so good that he could not stop smiling. His soul regained the peace he had lost when his two comrades had been injured. He sighed deeply, grateful that everything had come out well and they were going back alive. He promised himself to be more careful next time, for the sake of all three of them. They had come too close to a tragedy. Feeling his heart skip a beat, he put his hand to his chest, but the bad moment passed and he thanked the Ice Gods that everything had come out well in the end.
Suddenly a shadow passed in front of his face. Although it was only for a moment, it interrupted the feeling of pleasure and made him open his eyes. It was a bird, flying high, which had just passed over him. He put his hand to his eyes and identified it as a raven, flying in wide circles. This was surprising, since it was not the usual behavior of a raven. Or at least not in a normal one, but of course this one might not be a wild bird.
He put two fingers to his lips and whistled several times. This was a call to make the bird come down, if it was one of the Rangers’, which he suspected it might be. He watched with his eyebrows raised. The raven began to circle down, making it clear that it was coming toward him.
Ona, Camu, don’t frighten it. It could be one of ours.
They were both watching the raven’s flight intently.
No trying to catch it. Seriously. I mean it. Both of you.
Ona moaned unhappily.
I very well-behaved.
Lasgol stretched out his arm and waited. The bird flew down and in a low swoop landed on his arm with amazing coordination. He nodded. There was no doubt about it, this was one of the Rangers’ messenger birds. He took the message tied to its leg and saw, written on the back of the note: Lasgol Eklund.
He opened the note and read:
Message for Ranger Lasgol Eklund.
Present yourself at the capital within a week.
Lasgol was surprised that the Rangers should have known where he was and traced him. Then he thought of their leader Gondabar and the control system he had set up in the capital, in the Rangers’ tower, and was not surprised. His assistants knew their job perfectly well, and were aware of where most of the Rangers were at any given moment.
He was wanted in the capital. He gave a deep sigh. This was never good news. The situation might have improved as far as the war and the risks it posed for the Snow Panthers, but as far as the Dark Rangers were concerned it was not the same. The last time he had been in the capital they had tried to kill him, and nearly succeeded. He bit his lip, feeling troubled. He could not disobey the order. The only cheering thing about that order was that it gave him the chance to see Nilsa again, because she was still acting as messenger and liaison for Gondabar. Seeing Nilsa always cheered him up. The freckled redhead was capable of raising the dead. He smiled at the thought.
Mission? Camu asked.
Yes, pal, in the capital.
Capital fun.
Ona protested with a long whine. She did not like the capital. She was always left outside, just in case.
He smiled at each of them in turn. I knew you’d be delighted at the news – and you wouldn’t.
He would have to go to the capital and face whatever was awaiting him there, but before that he was going to make a quick stop at a particular place on his way. He did not know when he would be able to do so again, so he would take advantage of the opportunity.
Chapter 7
A few days later Lasgol was able to see the spot where he had decided to stop before he went on to the capital. It was ahead of him, at the end of the road. He took a deep breath and filled his lungs with the characteristic wild scents of the region. They were fragrances he knew well, which made him recall moments from his childhood. Memories he had buried in the attic of his mind suddenly burst forth, painting images which were distant, blurred and yet at the same time familiar. He smiled, happy to be back.
Happy? he asked Camu.
Very happy.
Ona, you’ve never been here before, but I can assure you you’ll love it. You’ll see. For me this is a very special place.
The panther chirped as if saying she hoped she would.
He stroked the faithful pony’s mane. Trotter loves this place, don’t you, old friend?
Trotter moved his head up and down.
Trotter like farm stable.
And you like the farm.
I like attic.
Lasgol smiled. I dare say you do like the attic. It’s full of things to play with and places to hide. I thought you were too old for that sort of thing.
I not old, Camu transmitted, sounding offended.
Lasgol burst out laughing. The usual thing would be for you to want to grow up. Being young isn’t something that’s considered desirable. All youngsters want to grow up, and they take offense if they’re not treated as grownups, not the other way around.
I not old. I happy, Camu transmitted proudly.
Ona chirped and puffed herself up to show that she was older.
See? Ona wants to be older.
&n
bsp; Ona young. I young. I happy.
It surprised Lasgol that Camu should attach so much importance to staying young, rather than growing up. He rubbed his chin and pondered this for a while. Camu meanwhile was watching the river. He had spotted some trout under the bridge and wanted to go after them. Unfortunately, he had still not fully recovered, and if he started bouncing around, he would be in pain – and he knew it. Ona too could see the trout, but unlike naughty Camu, she was good and simply ignored them.
Lasgol had an idea. Ona. Catch trout, he ordered.
Ona got up from the grass where she was lying beside Camu and very stealthily approached the river. Lasgol and Camu watched her with interest. The panther, like the expert hunting cat she was, hid among the tall grass of the riverbank and waited for a long moment.
Not succeed.
Of course, she’ll succeed. You wait and see.
Trout escape.
They may escape from you, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get past Ona.
I know.
You want to bet?
Bet? the creature asked, not having the slightest idea what the concept meant.
While Lasgol tried to explain as best he could what betting consisted of and when it was done, Ona went on staring at the water, her eyes were fixed on the trout, which swam around in ignorance of the danger they were in.
…. and that’s what betting is.
Fun. I bet.
What will you bet?
Before Camu could think of something, Ona plunged into the river with an enormous, well-judged leap. With one swipe of her claws, she sent a trout flying out of the water. It fell on the ground of the bank, flapping its tail.
Very good, Ona.
The panther went over to the trout, picked it up in her jaws and took it back to Lasgol, who thanked her by scratching her head and ears.
Ona. Good.
Lucky, Camu transmitted in disbelief.
It wasn’t luck. Ona’s an excellent hunter. Not like some I could mention …
What some?
Lasgol slapped his forehead. That was sarcasm. Do you remember, I explained that to you?
Remember, but not understand.