A Ranger From Adamnar

Chapter 4

The next morning Alana was up before dawn. She ran over to the kitchen and ate breakfast under Nessa’s watchful eye. “How are ye doin’ over there?” she asked. “I heard there was a bit of a ruckus yesterday.”

“Yeah, you could say that,” Alana replied. “Lord Berol wasn’t too happy that Porter had me out on the roof.”

Nessa nodded. “Aye, he feels responsible for ye.”

Alana rolled her eyes. “Huh.”

“Now don’t ye go showin’ disrespect to Lord Berol,” Nessa chided, “He’s a fine man and the best Lord this stronghold’s had in a long time.”

Alana flushed and bowed her head. “I know he is. It’s just hard. I’ve been here a year and I hate just watching the candidacy tests.”

“Then don’t watch ’em,” Nessa said.

“But I have to,” Alana replied. “I have to know what they’re expecting so I can pass the test.”

Nessa shook her head. “Well then, don’t complain about it.”

Alana chuckled ruefully. “You sound like my uncle.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Nessa said with a smile.

“You should,” Alana replied. She got up and washed her dishes. “It was great as always, Nessa. Thank you.”

“Yer welcome miss,” Nessa replied with a smile. “Enjoy yer ride.”

“Thanks,” Alana said as she ran out the door.

Because it was early morning, many of the inhabitants of the stronghold were still sleeping. This was Alana’s favorite time of day. No one would bother her today because it was her day of rest, so she could spend more time riding as long as she was done before the candidacy test began.

Alana took her horse out to the most remote riding arena in the stronghold. She had finally decided to call him Starlight as a reminder of the night she came to the stronghold. She had spent her first few months here just watching the trainees lumber around on their horses thinking they were expert riders. She finally decided that she should try to train Starlight like she had trained Wind Dancer. Luckily, Starlight took well to the training.

One day she happened upon some Rangers who were training to fight from horseback. Some were using bows and some were using long swords. She was so engrossed in watching them that she forgot the time and was late getting back to work. Since that time, she had taken every possible opportunity to teach herself how to fight from horseback.

Today she had once again ‘borrowed’ two wooden practice swords from one of the sparring arenas. As long as she got them back to the arena before the midday meal, no one would be the wiser. Alana nudged Starlight into a canter and began her first pass around the arena, weaving around the practice dummies that were placed there. As she began her second pass, she urged her horse into a gallop and crouched low in the saddle. As she approached the practice dummy, she leaned impossibly far out on the right side of the horse, almost perpendicular to the ground, and swung her sword at the dummy, missing it by mere inches. She cursed under her breath and righted herself. She tried it again with the next dummy and this time she hit it right in the chest. She tried this same maneuver several times around the arena, from both the right and left side of the horse with moderate success. She stopped and walked Starlight around a while to give him a chance to rest and herself a chance to decide what to do next.

She had been doing this for months now, perhaps it was time to try something a little more difficult. She patted Starlight on the neck and whispered, “All right boy, let’s do something really hard.” She kicked him into a gallop and made another circuit around the arena. Holding the practice sword in her right hand, she kicked her left foot out of the stirrup and brought her leg around to the other side of the saddle. She grasped the pommel of the saddle with her left hand and leaned forward as she raced toward the next practice dummy. At the last minute, she jumped down off the horse, stabbed the dummy with her sword and then pulled herself back onto the horse and galloped away, letting out a whoop of triumph as she rode.

Unseen by Alana, two men stood in the trees that surrounded the arena. Lord Cartyet turned to patrol leader Benarion Hadrigan and said in wonder, “That’s not possible.”

Benarion smiled and said, “I knew you wouldn’t be disappointed, my Lord.”

Alana was running down the pathway that led to the sparring arena. She had let the morning get away from her and now she barely had enough time to get the practice swords back before training started. Without warning, a man stepped into her path, far too close for her to have time to stop. She careened into him at full force, which sent the practice swords flying in two different directions and sent her flying backwards. The only reason she didn’t land flat on her back was that he caught her arm and pulled her back onto her feet. “Slow down there. Are you all right?”

Alana looked up and saw that it was Lord Cartyet standing there holding her by the arm. Her stomach clenched into a knot and her heart sank. The practice swords were lying there on the path in full view. She had taken them without permission and now she had been caught by Lord Berol’s second in command. “Lord Cartyet,” she said breathlessly, “I’m sorry.”

“That’s all right, Alana. I was in your way.” He looked at the practice swords and then back at her. “Are those yours?”

Alana face flushed and she looked down at the ground when she answered, “Yes, Lord Cartyet.”

“But, your Ranger training hasn’t started yet, has it?”

“No, Lord Cartyet.”

“Did you have permission to use them?”

“No, Lord Cartyet,” she answered hoarsely.

“Then why do you have them?”

Alana looked up at him and said, “I was practicing, my Lord.”

“You were practicing even though your Ranger training hasn’t started yet? Why?”

The events from the previous day coupled with her frustration about sitting out yet another candidacy test loosened her tongue more than was probably wise. She looked Lord Cartyet square in the eye and said, “Because I’m here to train as a Ranger, my Lord. I’m not here to scrub floors, wash windows or clean the Arboretum roof. I’m here to learn how to be a Ranger.”

“Well, you’re not a slave Alana,” Lord Cartyet replied quietly, “You can leave here any time you like. We will give you safe passage back to your home.”

Alana shook her head and unwanted tears sprang to her eyes which she quickly blinked away. “I can’t leave. I promised my uncle that I would do whatever Lord Berol asked me to do so I could stay here. I made a commitment and I’ll see it through. But it’s been a year and he hasn’t even spoken to me about it. I’ve seen my uncle more than I’ve seen Lord Berol.” She didn’t even bother to say that, as far as she was concerned, she had no home to go to.

“Lord Berol is very busy making sure this stronghold runs a smoothly as possible,” Lord Cartyet replied calmly.

Alana recognized that tone. She had overstepped her bounds yet again. Her head bowed and the fire of her indignation went out. “I know, my lord.”

“Now however,” he went on, “the issue at hand is the practice swords.”

She closed her eyes and bit her lip hard to keep her tears from rising. She just couldn’t have another day like yesterday. “I’m sorry, Lord Cartyet,” she said quietly. “I should have asked for permission to use the practice swords.”

“Yes, you should have,” he answered. “Now I suggest you pick them up and follow me.” Seeing the fearful look on her face he went on, “Lord Berol has asked me to have Lord Retak test you for your Ranger candidacy and I don’t want you to be late.”

Alana’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. “Really?”

Lord Cartyet smiled, “Yes, really. Now hurry.”

“Yes, Lord Cartyet,” she shouted as she ran to pick up the swords.

Cartyet chuckled and murmured, “I wonder if the world is ready for her.”

Alana came back with both swords and said, “I’m ready, Lord Cartyet.”

“Good. Follow me then,” Cartyet said as he began walking toward the testing area.

Alana stopped. “Wait, what about my horse?”

“Someone will bring him along,” Lord Cartyet replied.

Alana knew pretty much what to expect having watched the three previous candidacy tests. She knew she could outride them all, but there were plenty of older teenagers and adults in those tests who were a whole lot better with weapons than she. Then there was the part of the test that wasn’t in the practice ground that she didn’t know anything about. About a third of the way through the test the candidates, testers and various Ranger onlookers all ran into the forest and disappeared. It was because of the running she saw in those two tests that Alana had taken to running whenever she was working outside or going from building to building while working.

“Do you have any questions?” Lord Cartyet asked.

“Is there anything else I need to do to prepare, my lord?” she asked. He just chuckled and continued walking. As they approached the practice arena she saw three other candidates; A slender, well-dressed teenage boy, a tall young woman and a much taller, broad-shouldered man who looked like he was in his thirties. There were also two Rangers she recognized as trainers, including Lord Retak, who was the head trainer, and four other Rangers, including Lord Berol, who did not normally attend candidacy tests. The three candidates all looked nervous.

The training ring was fenced with three rows of long, narrow wooden poles attached every twenty feet to posts. It was large enough for horses to run. The stable hand had brought Starlight to the ring and he was picketed with three other horses.

“Join the other candidates,” Lord Cartyet said. He walked over to stand next to Lord Berol outside the fence. Alana walked into the ring and a young Ranger she did not know closed the gate behind her.

“Good luck,” he whispered to her as she passed him. She turned to say thank you but he was looking away as if to pretend he hadn’t said anything. Now that she looked more closely at him she thought perhaps she had seen him leading patrols out the main gate.

Alana went across the arena to stand next to the other candidates. They all watched her as she approached. She noted that she was smallest person there. She wondered if she looked as nervous as they did.

As Lord Berol stood with Lord Cartyet waiting for Alana’s candidacy test to begin, he leaned over and asked, “Are you sure Alana didn’t charm young Benarion into advocating for her?”

Lord Cartyet nodded. “Yes, I’m sure. Alana has never even met Ben.”

“Then how did he know about her?”

“He told me that he came in from a patrol one night and saw her practicing here. He didn’t recognize her, so he asked around to find out who she was. He was very surprised to discover that she was a scullery maid.”

Lord Berol rolled his eyes. “Believe me, Master Iliard was none too pleased about that. But it was where she was needed. Unfortunately, I had no idea Porter had gotten so bad. Apparently neither did Errol. We had a long talk after I dismissed Porter and both decided that he needed an assistant.”

“Good idea,” Lord Cartyet replied. After a pause he asked, “Is it true that Alana pulled a dagger on someone yesterday?”

Lord Berol raised his brows in surprise. “How did you hear about that?”

Lord Cartyet shrugged. “Servants talk.”

“So it would seem,” Lord Berol replied. He clenched his jaw. “Some young thug had his hands on her and wouldn’t let her go. She persuaded him that it was the right thing to do.”

His second laughed. “A dagger can be very persuasive.” Cartyet looked over at Alana as she was preparing to begin her test. His eyes fell to the dagger on her belt and went wide. “That’s the dagger she’s been carrying around? The boy’s lucky he’s not dead. So is she for that matter. Does she even know what that is?”

“I don’t think Master Iliard fully explained it to her,” Berol replied. “I told her yesterday that she had to be very careful with it.”

“Why didn’t you just tell her?”

Berol shook his head. “That’s Master Iliard’s task, not mine. I am going to speak to him about it when I see him next.”

Lord Retak began, “Ranger training is difficult. The life of a Ranger is more so. You will have to be fit and exercise all the time. You will have to think on your feet and learn to recognize the smallest of details. Simple sword swinging isn’t enough to stay alive as a Ranger.”

Alana had learned a lot about Rangers as she was growing up. There were frequently Rangers in the castle and Uncle Iliard never minded telling her what it was like. Rangers were protectors, guides, huntsmen, warriors, and scouts. Some Rangers chose to use the magic of the forest and some chose to be minor healers.

Becoming a Ranger is all Alana had ever wanted. It was the first thing she could remember wanting to be from the very first time she traveled to Ker Deledia. It seemed so long ago now. “I said,” Lord Retak said more loudly and more firmly, “Above all, Rangers have to pay attention.” Alana started and refocused her eyes on Lord Retak.

“Trainer Wendell,” Retak said.

The other Ranger trainer walked forward. She was a wiry young woman wearing a loose fitting white tunic and a well-worn sword belt. “Cadius, how many Rangers are there in this arena?”

The burly man answered, “Two. You and Lord Retak.”

“No,” Trainer Wendell said. “Look over at Lord Berol.”

All four candidates looked over at Lord Berol, who had come through the poles and was now inside the arena leaning against the fence.

“Uh, three,” Cadius corrected.

“Nata, how many Rangers are in the arena?” Wendell asked the other teenage girl.

“Seven, Trainer Wendell,” she said. Alana noticed she was mostly average in every detail, which probably meant she had a pretty good chance of succeeding.

Lord Retak chuckled, “We shall see.”

“Alana, why do Rangers fight two handed?” Wendell asked.

“Shields get in the way, Trainer Wendell,” Alana said. She remembered when she had asked her uncle the very same question.

“So why, then,” Lord Retak asked Alana, “do fighters use a shield?”

“They don’t have to move as fast as Rangers do, Lord Retak,” Alana answered.

“Ellard, what is the most important task of a Ranger?” Wendell asked.

Ellard’s pale cheeks went bright pink as he stammered a half-hearted answer. “To kill the evil creatures in the forest?”

Wendell’s eyes slid over to Nata, who said, “Ranger have two tasks—to protect travelers from the creatures in the forest and to protect the creatures in the forest from travelers.”

The questioning went on for about twenty minutes. Ellard did not do so well. His pale cheeks spent most of the questioning bright pink and his neatly trimmed hair exposed his equally pink ears.

“Now we run.” Lord Retak finally said.

“Just try to keep up,” Wendell said to the candidates as she trotted to the edge of the practice arena, through the posts and out into the forest. This proved to be not so easy as Wendell took them deep into the forest. She ran over all the shrubs. Sure, they came along paths every now and then but she never took them, they just crossed over them. It was very difficult but still exhilarating for Alana to finally be performing as a Ranger. All the candidates fell repeatedly. Wendell never stopped or slowed down. Alana got the idea Wendell wasn’t running that fast anyway, but it was still all she could do to keep up. Just like all the others, whenever she fell, she had to sprint to catch up. Lord Retak kept up the rear. Alana wondered if Lord Cartyet or Lord Berol were running with them as well. Ellard was furthest back and occasionally walked.

“And now to weapons,” Lord Retak said when everyone was back in the training ring. They took turns throwing daggers at practice dummies. Only Cadius and Nata could use the bows with any sort of accuracy. Everyone was pretty good with the long sword, except Cadius who was very good. He bested Wendell one time out of five. Wendell disarmed everyone else all of their five times.

Next came riding. All the trainees mounted. Wendell began to tell them to start trotting in a line around the ring, but Lord Cartyet stopped her.

“Alana, wait this out,” Lord Cartyet said. “You will go last and by yourself.”

“Yes Lord Cartyet,” Alana and Wendell said together.

Wendell worked the other three candidates for a half hour on their horses. They rode in all the styles and gaits they knew. They attacked practice dummies from horseback with wooden practice swords. They attacked each other and tried to unseat each other.

Alana’s stomach was filled with butterflies. She didn’t mind riding alone in front of people. She had done it many times in her life in front of crowds of hundreds watching her trick ride at competitions. This was very different to her. For those competitions she was showing off and loved the attention. Now, she was very worried she wouldn’t ride correctly. She didn’t know if her style of riding was even suitable for Rangers.

When the other candidates were done, they walked their heavily breathing horses around the ring to cool them down. Wendell had them move over to the side of the ring. and then looked to Lord Cartyet for direction.

“Alana, show us everything you can do,” Cartyet said.

“Yes, Lord Cartyet,” Alana replied. She walked around to Starlight’s head and whispered in his ear. His ears perked up and he nodded his head vigorously up and down.

“Can you feel the link she has built with the horse?” Lord Berol whispered to Cartyet.

“Yes, I can.” Cartyet replied, his eyebrows raised as he watched Alana talk to her horse.

Alana took one step to the side and Starlight bolted straight forward into a gallop. Alana caught the saddle horn as the bay lunged past her and swung herself up on to the saddle, drawing her practice sword with her free hand.

The big bay was at full speed when he reached the first practice dummy, which he jumped. Alana leaned out of the saddle, hanging on by one leg and one arm, down on the side of the horse and hit the practice dummy with the sword with enough force to knock its head off.

Starlight turned hard to the right at the end of the ring and Alana used the momentum to remount. Now they were galloping right for the other candidates, who were looking to Wendell and Lord Retak for permission to get out of the way. Alana stared straight at Cadius and held out her hand. He had about a second to decide. He stepped forward away from his horse and the other candidates and held out his hand. Alana hit his forearm with a loud smack and hoisted him up on to the back of Starlight.

“That’s not possible,” Cartyet said.

“Master Iliard says she hears that a lot,” Lord Berol replied while continuing to watch.

Alana had not yet let go of Cadius’ arm. She was holding her sword in the other. “Hold on to the saddle,” she yelled at him as Starlight reached the end of the arena for the second time and wheeled hard for another run at the training dummies. She stood in the saddle and pitched out over the side. It caught Cadius off guard for a moment, but he leaned slightly off the other side of the horse to compensate as Alana lay full out sideways from the bay, her feet in the one stirrup. She took a training dummy off at the base with her sword,. Just as quickly Alana was back up on the saddle. “Slide off the back,” she shouted. Cadius slid off the back to stand, somewhat dumbfounded, at one end of the arena, staring open mouthed at Alana’s retreating form.

As Starlight galloped towards the last two remaining undamaged practice dummies, Alana bolted first from one side of the horse to the other, to stand on the ground beside Starlight as he galloped on. She stabbed the practice dummy then sprang up over the bay and prepared to come down to stand on the other side and have a go at the last practice dummy.

Lord Cartyet threw Alana the other practice sword she had brought with her to the arena. Alana grabbed it in midair and hit the dummy hard in two places and then sprang back up onto Starlight, while still holding both swords. She came to a quick stop right in front of Lord Berol and Lord Cartyet. Starlight spread his legs out slightly, lowered his head and breathed heavily.

“That’s not possible,” Lord Berol said.

“I hear she gets that a lot,” Cartyet replied.

Alana walked out of the arena, dirty and sweaty, but very happy. At last she would begin her training. Lord Berol came and shook her hand. “Congratulations Alana, your uncle will be very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Lord Berol,” Alana replied with a tired smile.

“And don’t forget to tell Lord Vistor that you’ve been reassigned.”

“Yes, Lord Berol, I will,” she replied.

Lord Cartyet came over and also congratulated her. The young Ranger who had wished her luck was standing next to him. Lord Cartyet put his hand on the young man’s shoulder and said, “Alana, this patrol leader Benarion Hadrigan. He’s the one who brought your considerable skills to my attention.”

Alana stared at Benarion in surprise. “Really? But how…?”

Ben smiled, “I’m a patrol leader. I see lots of things.”

Alana smiled at the handsome young Ranger and put out her hand. “Thank you, patrol leader Benarion.”

Ben took her hand and said, “It’s just Ben. And you’re welcome.”

“Come on Nadran!” Lord Retak called out, “It’s time to get your gear to the barracks.

Alana started a bit and let go of Ben’s hand. “Goodbye,” she said hurriedly as she turned and ran back to Lord Retak, who was talking to a very dejected Ellard.

As they watched Alana leave, Lord Cartyet leaned over and said quietly in Ben’s ear, “Just remember the rules about Rangers and trainees.”

Ben blinked and shook his head, realizing that he had been staring at Alana as she walked away. “Um, yes. Of course, Lord Cartyet. I won’t forget.”

Lord Cartyet smiled knowingly, “I’m sure you won’t”

The room Alana shared with Hesta was empty when she entered. She breathed a small sigh of relief. She really didn’t have the energy to deal with Hesta trying to make her feel guilty for leaving. Alana packed up her things as quickly as she could. She didn’t want to keep Lord Retak waiting. She was just about to walk out the door when Hesta walked in.

“What’s going on?” Hesta asked.

“I took my candidacy test today,” Alana answered. “I’m a Ranger trainee now.”

“But,” Hesta replied in dismay, “I thought you weren’t going to be doing that for another five months.”

Alana shrugged, “Lord Cartyet decided to test me today at the last moment. I passed.”

“But…that’s not fair,” Hesta said tearfully.

Alana frowned. She really didn’t have time for this. She had to report to Lord Vistor to tell him she had been reassigned. “Hesta” she said firmly, “you knew this was coming. I’m here to train as a Ranger. That’s what I’m going to do.”

She moved to get around her roommate, but Hesta blocked her way. She took hold of Alana’s arm and said, “Wait. I just wanted to tell you something.”

Alana looked down at the hand that held her and then back at Hesta and said quietly, “Hesta, let me go.”

“Alana, I just…” and before Alana could move, Hesta pulled her close and kissed her.

Alana’s eyes went wide and she pulled away forcefully. “What are you doing?”

“Alana, I wanted to tell you for a long time…”

Alana shook her head. “Hesta, don’t. I’m not…” She backed up further and said, “I have to go now.” She walked around Hesta out the door and hurried down the hallway without looking back.

Alana practically ran to Lord Vistor’s office. Ula was sitting at her desk as usual. She looked up at Alana and barked, “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to see Lord Vistor,” she said breathlessly.

“Well, he’s not seeing anybody right now,” Ula answered.

Alana drew herself up a little and said firmly, “Lord Berol told me to see Lord Vistor.”

“And what would Lord Berol have to do with the likes of you?” Ula asked with a sneer.

“I’m a Ranger trainee now,” Alana replied, “And Lord Berol sent me here to speak to Lord Vistor.”

Ula opened her mouth to retort but, just then, Lord Vistor came out of his office to see what the commotion was about. “What’s going on, Ula?”

Ula pointed at Alana and said, “This little runt says she’s a Ranger trainee now and that Lord Berol sent her to talk to you.”

Lord Vistor looked at Alana in surprise and said, “Is this true, Alana?”

“Yes, Lord Vistor,” Alana replied. “I took the candidacy test today. Lord Berol told me to tell you I have been reassigned.”

“Well,” Vistor said. “Well, well. This is quite unexpected. You will missed for sure. I suppose congratulations are in order. Well done, Alana,” he said as he put out his hand. “And good luck.”

“Thank you, Lord Vistor,” Alana said as she shook his hand. She couldn’t help but flash a small triumphant smile at Ula as she turned and left the office.

Lord Retak led them into the barracks and said, “Neve, here’s your next batch of trainees.”

Neve bowed her head and said, “Thank you, Lord Retak.”

Alana was very familiar with the way the barracks were set up, having spent the last year cleaning them. She recognized all the women standing around them, including the trainee who always gave her a hard time.

“Everyone,” Neve called out, “This is Alana and Nata.” She led the pair to a set of bunks and said, “This is your home for the next four or five years. Welcome to Adamnar.”

Alana smiled to herself as she unpacked her gear. Home. This place would be her home from now on. She pulled the blue vase out her backpack and set it on the small chest next to the bunk.

“What’s she doing here?” she heard the unpleasant trainee ask from behind her, “We don’t need anything cleaned.”

“That’s enough Laren,” Neve said sharply.

“So, what’s that?” Laren asked quietly after Neve walked away, “Are you gonna put pretty flowers in the bay to make it look nice?”

Alana turned to look at her and shrugged. “Maybe,” she replied.

“Yeah well, little runt, you’re never gonna make it here. You’re gonna fall apart as soon as things get hard.”

Alana focused a level gaze at her and answered, “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we.”