erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Aug 4, 2011 21:42:14 GMT -5
Al moved quietly through the bushes and trees as he got closer and closer to the rabbit, slipping an arrow onto his bowstring. Taking careful aim, he drew the arrow back, but a sudden loud crack from nearby made him start as he released his shot, sending it wide.
'Really?' he thought to himself, annoyed. 'Right as I make the shot? Of all the times for that to happen.' Looking around, he glimpsed a figure slipping off into the trees, obviously not wanting to be seen.
'Well,' Al thought, 'that was odd. I wonder why that person ran off? Only one way to find out I guess. Besides, this is what a Ranger would be doing. Maybe if I can catch whoever it is, I will be accepted as an apprentice!'
His mind made up, he slung his bow over his shoulder and followed the mystery figure. As it turned out, his quarry was less skilled at concealed movement, and was easy to follow. Twice, Al nearly lost his footing, but managed not to be seen. Whoever it was seemed more intent on covering ground than on checking for pursuers. When the figure paused for breath, Al took out another arrow, and, setting it to his bowstring, shot it into the dirt near the figure's feet.
"Who are you, and why are you fleeing?"
"Alright, I give up," replied the man. "Just don't kill me Ranger! I'll come quietly." Al thought about telling him that he was not, in fact, a Ranger, but decided to wait to reveal the fact until in the city.
'From the sound of it,' he said to himself, 'this man is a wanted criminal. If I brought him in, maybe I will be noticed.' He decided to bring the man to the local authorities.
"Come with me," he said. "I am taking you back to the city, where you will be handed to the local authorities. Try to escape, and I will put an arrow through you." Reluctantly, the man fell in step in front of Al, and they set off for the city.
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Aug 6, 2011 7:00:43 GMT -5
"This man is wanted for two murders," said an incredulous soldier as Al brought in his captive. "How did you get him to surrender?"
"He thought me to be a Ranger. Apparently he forgot Rangers use longbows, not hunting bows."
"Wait," said the criminal, "you mean to tell me this kid is in no way connected to them?"
"No," Al replied flatly. "I am not a Ranger."
"Well Ranger or not," said the soldier, "this reward is yours for bringing him in." He handed Al four silver coins. "Although technically, if you were a Ranger, you would have just been doing your job, so you wouldn't have gotten the reward money. I guess this worked out in your favor, kid."
"Thank you. Is that all you need from me?"
"We have your account of what happened, so yes, I believe so. You are free to go." With that, Al started on his way home. The whole way out of the city, he had the feeling that he was being watched, but whenever he looked around, he saw noone. In the end, he decided not to give it too much thought.
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Post by Firehead on Aug 6, 2011 7:37:59 GMT -5
Qwade leaned against Devil and watched the exchange taking place between the castle guards and the boy who'd captured the murderer. He listened with a keen interest to the explanation, sizing up the boy in his mind. Older than Red when he'd started learning, and probably not even half as crazy or hare-brained as him either. The exchange ended, and the lad started walking away. Qwade tracked him with his eyes, debating the merits of striking up a conversation. What finally pushed him forward was the memory of Red, in all his impetuosity, telling him, "So get another apprentice--they can't find fault in that. After all, look how I turned out."
Tugging Devil forward, and battling to keep his fingers and arm out from between the animal's teeth, Qwade started after the boy. Outside the town, Qwade noticed that the lad was keeping watch of his surroundings, and felt that slight tinge of approval inside. Mounting Devil, Qwade skirted around the boy, returning to the trail at the small stream that trickled across the path. Dismounting, Qwade waited for the boy, allowing Devil to drink his fill as they waited.
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Aug 6, 2011 12:16:22 GMT -5
As the feeling of being watched passed, Al allowed himself to relax. After all, someone following him now would likely be given away by the noise they would make along this path. He kept his own steps light, however, just in case.
'Well,' he thought, 'even if no Ranger saw me, at least I got four silver pieces out of the deal.' He walked on for a short while, until the stream that crossed the path came into view. Then he noticed a horse drinking at the stream, the rider nearby.
'He must have been here for a while,' Al said to himself. 'After all, noone passed me on the trail, and I would have heard hoofbeats had he gone around through the trees. Right? Something is off about him, though. He seems hard to fully distinguish from the background. I better be careful.' As he approached, he let his hand drift back to ensure the saxe knife in his belt was secure amd ready. Satisfied, he went back to a relaxed pose. Upon reaching the crossing, he stopped in surprise. He had seen this man and his horse as while leaving the city not long ago.
"How did you get here so quickly?" Al asked in surprise. "Nobody passed me on the trail!"
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Post by Firehead on Aug 8, 2011 7:08:55 GMT -5
"How did you get here so quickly?" Al asked in surprise. "Nobody passed me on the trail!"
Qwade tugged the reins, easing Devil away from the stream. "I went around." He took down his canteen from the saddle bow and dumped out the old water, refilling it with fresh. "You did a good job, catching that man. Are you planing to become a bounty hunter?" He already had an idea as to the lad's answer, but he wanted to hear it out loud. "Or did you have something else in mind?"
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Aug 8, 2011 8:55:23 GMT -5
"You did a good job, catching that man. Are you planing to become a bounty hunter?" He already had an idea as to the lad's answer, but he wanted to hear it out loud. "Or did you have something else in mind?"
"A bounty hunter?" Al replied. "No, although it could make a fallback plan. My real dream is to serve as a member of the King's Rangers. They are probably the people I look up to most." Suddenly, he noticed The double scabbard at the man's hip, and realized he had seen such an item only once before.
'There is no way,' he thougt. 'Is he one of them? Was this all a test?'
"That double scabbard at your side," he said tentatively, "I have seen such a setup on only one other person. The local Ranger had one when I saw them in action some time ago. Are you by chance, that is, was it you I saw that day?"
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Post by Firehead on Aug 8, 2011 9:22:28 GMT -5
A bounty hunter?" Al replied. "No, although it could make a fallback plan. My real dream is to serve as a member of the King's Rangers. They are probably the people I look up to most."
It was finally out in the open, and as he had thought. "You certainly have potential to be a good one." Qwade told him, debating in his mind once more whether or not he should make an offer or leave it to some other Ranger. His thoughts were interrupted, as the lad spoke up again.
"That double scabbard at your side," he said tentatively, "I have seen such a setup on only one other person. The local Ranger had one when I saw them in action some time ago. Are you by chance, that is, was it you I saw that day?"
Qwade leaned against Devil and studied the boy again. He appeared to be the sort that saw, heard, and thought more than he spoke. Unlike Red who sometimes lacked the decernment needed for situations. "I'm not that one--that was someone else. I'm just...passing through." To the Gathering. "Name's Shane Qwade. If your as interested in becoming a Ranger's Apprentice as you say you are..." he hesitated. He had never taken on an official apprentice before--he and Red hadn't even spoken about it, but this time was different, he was sure. "I'd be willing to take you on." he finished.
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Aug 8, 2011 11:43:22 GMT -5
"Name's Shane Qwade. If your as interested in becoming a Ranger's Apprentice as you say you are..." he hesitated. He had never taken on an official apprentice before--he and Red hadn't even spoken about it, but this time was different, he was sure. "I'd be willing to take you on," he finished.
Al felt his heart jump in his throat as he heard the man's words. Not only did he think Al had the talent to be a Ranger, he would take him as his apprentice!
"I would be honored to become your apprentice. Just let me get some things from home, and I will be ready." He looked up at Qwade, determination burning in his eyes.
"I will not let you down," he said, before setting off the short distance left to collect his things, eager to begin a new chapter of his life, the life of a Ranger apprentice.
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