by Pedro Urvi
“Which second cousin is closest to the crown?” Gerd asked.
“My father’s cousin, Count Malason.”
Nilsa remembered something Lasgol had told her. “Oh, the village of Skad is in the County of Malason. That’s Lasgol’s birthplace.”
“That’s right. Lasgol knows the Count. Count Malason is one of my most important allies, along with Duke Erikson and Duke Svensen. They’re the ones who created the Western League with my father. Without them, without their support, neither my father nor my brothers would have been able to go against the East.”
“And now you,” said Nilsa.
Egil sighed. “I’ve spoken to them and told them we ought to wait for a more favorable situation. Count Malason understands. He was very close to my father, and respected him. He protects me as best he can.”
“And Dukes Erikson and Svensen?” Gerd said. “What do they think?”
“They accept my decision, even though they don’t altogether agree with it. They’d like to act. They’re very impatient. I can’t blame them after all that’s happened, especially after all they’ve lost. All the same, I’m convinced that the moment will come, Thoran and Orten will make a mistake, and then we’ll seize our chance to take the crown. Until that day we have to wait patiently and be well prepared for when it happens.”
Nilsa looked skeptical. “D’you really think they’ll make that mistake?”
Egil nodded repeatedly. “Thoran’s impulsive and greedy. There’ll come a day when that greed leads him to commit himself to a situation he won’t be able to get out of, and his brother will fall with him. That is, if he doesn’t fall before that, because he’s a brute and a very unpleasant person. A pariah. And I’m sure the day will come. I don’t know whether it’ll be because of setting himself against the Frozen Continent again, or against the Zangrians, or the Nocean Empire, or some other kingdom … but I’m certain that one day he’ll bite off more than he can chew and die of indigestion. That’s when I’ll act.”
“Let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later,” Nilsa said, tapping her fingertips together.
“Let’s hope so. That’s why I suspect that the one who’s watching me is either Thoran or his brother Orten, to make sure I’m not conspiring against them. It makes complete sense.”
“Yes, it certainly does,” Nilsa agreed. “What’s more, the Rangers serve the King, so it’s natural that Rangers are the ones who are following you, on his direct order. Gondabar would give his approval to Thoran without a shred of doubt. Probably he’s directing the whole operation. Whatever the Rangers who’re keeping an eye on you report will get to Gondabar first, and he’ll inform Thoran.”
Egil nodded. “It’s more than likely that Gondabar’s involved in the spying. That’s why I take great care with my communications with him. And because of everything I’m doing now with Dolbarar sick, they’re non-stop.”
“Gondabar can’t refuse a King’s order,” Gerd hastened to defend him.
“Quite true. That’s why, though I have no concrete proof that he’s working against us, and nor do I have an openly bad opinion of him, we shouldn’t entirely trust our leader …” Egil narrowed his eyes as he looked at Nilsa, who caught the hint. She put a finger to her ear and mouth.
“Don’t worry, I understand the situation. I’ll be careful when I’m working for Gondabar. Ears open and mouth shut.”
“That’s fine. The second reason why they might be following me is because of the Dark Rangers. This seems less likely to me, but I don’t dismiss it. I’d rather be prudent.”
Gerd put his head to one side, unable to see the connection. “Why would the Dark Rangers want to follow you?”
“They don’t want us investigating them, and that’s what I’ve been doing, from here, taking advantage of my position in the Camp and all the information I have access to because of my responsibilities.”
“D’you think they’ve found out you’re investigating them?” Nilsa asked.
Egil shrugged. “I’ve been very careful, but I can’t rule out the possibility that they might have caught me sniffing into their affairs, and that’s why they’re keeping a close eye on me now.”
“That would mean both Vincent Uliskson and Musker Isterton belong to the Dark Rangers,” Nilsa said, shifting uncomfortably in her chair.
“If it’s confirmed that it’s the Dark Rangers who are spying on me, then that certainly is what it means.”
Gerd slammed his fist down on the table angrily. “The traitors!”
The instructors at the next table turned to look at him.
“Shhhh, quietly, Gerd,” whispered Egil.
Gerd took a deep breath and relaxed a little. He sat up straight and relaxed his broad shoulders. The curious gazes lost interest and the noise of the dining room enveloped them once again.
“They might also be spying on you because you’re a very good friend of Lasgol’s,” Nilsa said. “We know they want to kill him. They tried to in the capital.”
“That’s true. On the other hand, I think it’s more likely that they’re watching me because I’m trying to expose them.”
Gerd wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, that makes more sense to me,” he said more calmly.
“And lastly, and to complicate the scenarios we’re up against even more,” Egil went on, “we have the strange behavior of Ivana and Haakon. They’re taking too much interest in me, in what I do and what I don’t do. I find it extremely odd, since they never showed any particular interest in me in the past, either when I was training as a Ranger or when I started working here after I graduated.”
“What kind of interest?” Nilsa asked. She was watching them out of the corner of her eye at the Master Rangers’ table.
“They ask me about my duties, where I go, why, all that sort of thing, and they do it directly and rudely.”
Gerd nodded. “Now that is strange, why do they care what you do or don’t do?”
“Well, as for Eyra,” Nilsa said, “I don’t find it strange that Eyra should take an interest in you. She was the one who gave you the chance to graduate, thanks to her help. But Ivana and Haakon didn’t help you then, and they didn’t want you in their Skills … so why the sudden interest?” She went on watching them, keeping her head down. The two Master Rangers were talking together, as were Eyra and Esben. Angus went on eating in silence, but seemed to be paying attention to both conversations.
“Eyra has always been very kind to me. I see her every day, because she’s the one who looks after Dolbarar. I’m very grateful to her for letting me graduate in her Skill. Ivana and Haakon, who didn’t want me in theirs, are very interested in me now, and that makes me wonder. Neither of them have ever had a hidden agenda, so I feel it’s natural for them to ask me openly and directly. And yet I can’t imagine why they’d want to know what I do or where I go or where I come from. Why this interest? It’s certainly not personal …”
“It occurs to me they might have to report to someone …” Nilsa said, suddenly wide-eyed.
Gerd looked at Egil, then at Nilsa, then back at Egil. “But who?”
“That, my friend, is precisely the question. And it’s what we need to find out.”
“I can see we’ve got a really complicated situation here,” Nilsa said. She was moving restlessly in her chair.
“It’s worrying me,” Egil said, “the fact that we have two Veteran Rangers and two Master Rangers involved in this mess, and that’s going to make things even more complicated.”
Gerd nodded vigorously. “You can say that again. And what about the contract on your life with the guild of Zangrian assassins you told us about? D’you think it’s linked to all this?”
Egil thought for a moment. “It might very well be. Someone wants to kill me. The reason might be either of the two we’ve talked about. Maybe because I’m the last Olafstone, and I’m a danger because I have the right to the crown. Or maybe because I’m investigating the Dark Rangers and they don’t want me to go on, and the
y’ve hired someone from outside to get rid of me without arousing suspicion.”
“Which tangles up this business even more,” Gerd said. His head was beginning to hurt with so many possibilities and convolutions.
“Well, you called us because you need help with something in this whole mess, right?” Nilsa asked. “What for? What do we have to do?”
“Yeah, what are you thinking?” Gerd added.
Egil smiled. “You’re right. I’ve found out something that might mean a significant advance in our investigations and in clearing all this up.”
He was about to tell them when they noticed movement at the Master Rangers’ table, where Angus had got to his feet. He stared at them for a moment, while Nilsa and Gerd pretended to look elsewhere. Egil looked back at Angus. A moment later, very slowly, the leader walked toward the dining-room door. He stopped there and looked back again toward their table. Then he left.
Gerd whistled. “When he looks at you, he really glares.”
“Why did he look at us like that?” Nilsa wondered.
“I don’t know,” Egil said, “but I think we soon will.”
Gerd looked puzzled. “Why d’you say that?”
Egil nodded toward the door. “Look who just came into the dining-room.”
They saw a well-known figure coming in energetically. He took up a confident pose and looked down all the tables sternly until he found the one he was looking for. It was their own. He came over with a determined stride.
“Ranger Egil,” he said, courteously but gruffly.
“Master Instructor Oden,” Egil said in return.
“Angus requires your presence at his office.” He turned to the others and gave them a nod. “And that of Ranger Nilsa and Ranger Gerd.”
They bowed respectfully. “Master Instructor Oden.”
“I’m glad to see you all in one piece.”
“Thank you, Master Instructor.”
“I have to escort you.” Oden’s gesture left no doubt that they had to go with him right away.
Egil exchanged a glance with Nilsa and Gerd. “Of course.”
They stood up and left the dining room, wondering what the interim leader of the Camp wanted with them.
Chapter 10
Oden crossed the Camp in the direction of the Command House with his usual powerful strides and the familiar unfriendly expression on his face. As they passed the Library, the pupils who were coming out of it stared at them, intrigued. On the bridge which crossed over to the island three veteran Rangers were conversing, and a feminine voice suddenly hailed them joyfully.
“Hey, what’s this I see? Three dangerous Snow Panthers!”
A very pretty girl with long blond hair and large blue eyes was holding up her arm in greeting. There was an enormous smile on her face.
Nilsa recognized her immediately. “Val!”
“Hello, my friends!” Valeria called. She came over to give each of them a hug.
Nilsa looked her up and down, smiling. “You look great!”
Val opened her eyes wide. “Is it just me, or do you seem more calm and serene than ever? You give out an air of repose.”
“Yeah, sure!” Nilsa said amid giggles as they hugged.
“I’m very glad to see you, Val. You … you’ve … grown up a lot …” Gerd stammered. He was clearly taken by the young woman’s beauty and attractiveness.
She winked roguishly. “And you’re looking stronger and more alluring than ever.”
Gerd went red. “Well … I …” He was too embarrassed to go on.
“How long it’s been, Valeria,” Egil said with a smile. “I’m delighted to see you.”
“Yes, it’s been a while. And I’m very happy to see all three of you too.”
“What are you doing here?” Egil asked.
“Just passing through. Waiting to be assigned a mission.”
“You finished your training as a specialist?” Egil asked, obviously interested.
She gave him a radiant smile. “That’s right.”
Nilsa was calculating how long it had been. “A little early, isn’t it?”
“Yes, this year a few of us were allowed to graduate early.”
“That’s strange,” Gerd asked. “Why?”
Valeria shrugged. “Requirements of the times we’re in. There was an order from the King that all Rangers had to go to the battle against the Hosts of the Ice and the Frozen Specter. The Elder Specialists selected those of us who were furthest ahead, and they speeded up our training so we could graduate early and go and help.”
“The King needed all his Rangers for the final battle,” Egil explained. “Something like that happened here: Accelerated Graduations, we call them. I’m glad to see you were one of those chosen.”
Valeria smiled broadly. “I made it, that’s right. Can you guess which specialty?”
“That’s more complicated,” Egil said with a smile.
“Infallible Marksman?” Gerd guessed.
“No, but you’re not far off.”
“Mage Hunter,” said Nilsa, whose private wish this really was.
“No, but you’re doing well. It’s an Archery specialty.”
Egil half-closed one eye. “Elemental Archer.”
“You got it!” she cried with a dazzling smile.
“We must go on, Angus is waiting,” Oden told them brusquely.
“Forgive us, Master Instructor,” Valeria apologized. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, it’s just that I saw them and it made me really happy.”
“The Ranger must always honor his own, so says the Path,” Oden said. “But now we’d better go. We’re expected.”
“See you later,” Nilsa said to Valeria.
“Sure. You’ve got to bring me up to date!”
Oden, who was already on the bridge by now, led them to the Command House. The sober-looking building was empty, even though a fire was burning in the hearth.
“Follow me,” he said and went upstairs to Dolbarar’s office, which was now occupied by Angus.
Nilsa was looking down to the personal quarters of the Leader of the Camp at the end of the hall. “Dolbarar …? Could we see him?”
“I’m afraid visits are forbidden unless you have the approval of Master Ranger Eyra or Healer Edwina,” Oden said sternly.
“Oh,” she said sadly. It’s just that I’d have liked to see him and say hello to him.”
“We might persuade Eyra or Edwina to let us,” Gerd whispered in her ear.
Egil looked dubious at the prospect. “We’ll ask them anyway,” he said to the Master Instructor.
At Angus’s office, Oden beckoned to them to follow him in. “I’ve brought them as you requested, sir.”
“Thank you very much, Oden. You may leave,” Angus said, kindly but firmly.
Nilsa, Egil and Gerd felt that it was very strange to see Angus sitting at the elaborate desk, as if a thief or an impostor were occupying it with no right.
Angus greeted Egil with the trace of a bow and looked the others up and down: first Nilsa, then Gerd. “I see you have company I don’t know.”
“Yes, sir. This is Nilsa Blom, and this is Gerd Vang, Rangers and friends of mine. They’re visiting.”
“And how do you come to know each other?” Angus asked bluntly, apparently not caring that it was a rather discourteous question.
“We trained together here at the Camp and we were in the same team, the Snow Panthers,” Egil explained calmly, as if he were used to answering Angus’ questions frequently.
“Oh, I see, old team-mates. That creates a strong bond. I remember my team-mates too, and it’s been ages since we graduated.”
“Are you still in touch with them?” Egil asked. He was trying to make the conversation friendly, rather than one of Angus’ usual interrogations in which he wanted to know everything – and in particular, wanted to control everything. Egil had no doubt that this was why he had called them: to know what was happening and to be in control of the situation.
Egil was taken aback. “All of them?”
Angus smiled, his gaze distant. “Yes … it was our lot to live through difficult times … they didn’t survive.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“The Path shows us that the Ranger will confront many dangers in his or her life. Not all of them get to retire at an advanced age.”
“Yes, sir,” Egil agreed. He could not even begin to imagine the countless dangers they themselves would have to face.
“Why are your names familiar?” Angus murmured thoughtfully, staring at Nilsa and Gerd as if he wanted to remember, but was unable to.
“Nobody knows us,” Nilsa said with a shrug. “We’re ordinary Rangers … not even veterans yet.”
“What was your last destination or mission?”
Nilsa and Gerd exchanged a glance. “We accompanied Eicewald, the King’s First Mage, on a mission,” Nilsa said.
“That’s it! That’s how I know your names! Gondabar told me about the mission and the success and honor it brought the Rangers. The King was very pleased with your services.” His inquisitive gaze relaxed a little, to be replaced by one of pride.
“We just did our duty as Rangers,” said Nilsa. The look she gave Gerd showed her disbelief that the King should have mentioned them, still less praised them for their work.
“Gondabar has assured me it was a real accomplishment, and that you went beyond the call of duty. Literally, since I understand you travelled to some islands lost in the middle of the western ocean.”
“We went a long way, that’s true,” Gerd said.
“Allow me to congratulate you,” Angus said. He stood up and nodded to them in salute.
Surprised by this unexpected praise, Nilsa and Gerd followed his example and returned the salute.
Angus sat back down at his desk. “I understand you’re visiting?” he said, and his eyes and voice once again revealed the hint of an interrogation.
“That’s right,” Nilsa said, trying to make it clear that there was nothing strange or intentional about it. “We’ve been given extended leave.”