Araluen

Leaving Home

Tahlia slid on her leather jacket. Reinforced of course, against enemy fire. Swords and daggers in their sheaths, quiver full, she dashed a little water over her face before grabbing her bow to head down to the kitchen. Breakfast was simple but filling.

It was a shame she wasn't a good cook, but at least she was warm in the sunlight. Her cabin was bright and cheery, her safe place. However she'd need to leave within the hour to make it to Ranger's Meet by nightfall.

For now, she could enjoy her home. The kitchen contained a sink under the windows, cupboards underneath. The small table was imperfectly circular, with two wooden chairs, both used to being swung back on two legs. The plain floor was clean, a testament to her care. Two separate rooms were connected, hers, and a spare. The loo was outside, as well as a small shelter for her horse. The verandah made room for her chairs if she wished to sit outside with a friend. This happened regularly, although she liked her space. There was also a mat for her dog, Jax.

Her most prized possessions were displayed along the wall. Two carefully positioned shelves, filled with the most beautiful bound books, containing all sorts of wonderous stories she could lose herself in. The biggest one contained all of the classics, such as 'The Home of Storms', and 'The Knight and the Prince', and 'Warrior Queen'. Some included illustrations of dragons and beasts, and these she used to entertain her nieces and nephews, and the children from the village.

She was constantly travelling and bringing home tales of adventure, so she was quite exciting to the small children, who would try to find their way through the woods to hear her regale in the mysterious world filled with villains and heroes.

Enough thinking. Time to pack. A small rucksack would fit the clothes necessary. A mat and rug could be rolled up. These would be attached to the back of the saddle. Spare weapons and tools joined them. Food and other items would fit in another small bag. She tied the pack together with leather straps, and carried it outside. Tacking up her horse didn't take long, she was well trained. Securing the pack to the saddle, she was nearly ready to go. Finally she locked up the cabin, and checked the hens had enough food for a few days.

Untying Anita's halter, Tahlia readied the bridle. Better to do that now instead of before, it would be a nightmare to get the reins tangled in blanks legs if she was left unattended. Not needing to check the girth - due to Anita's training - Tahlia smoothly mounted.

The woods she called home surrounded her house, which was approximately two hundred metres from the tree line. The native evergreen trees were common, weeds non-existent. There was a small amount of undergrowth, enough to conceal herself in, but not so much that it was dangerous if Blank went off track. The track was well worn, comfortably one horse wide. Anita tended to walk it when she wasn't needed, although never far enough that she couldn't reach Tahlia quickly. And it was occasionally used by messegers from the Queen, childhood friends, or other rangers.

The track extended for a several kilometres, out of earshot of the main road. The road went through the nearest town and then on across Araluen. The road winded along the coast, and crossed the mountain terrain, branching off through most of the large towns in the fifty fiefs.

People of building trades were highly valued, and responsible for maintaining these roads, among other things. They were well compensated by the kingdom, enough to sustain them and their families. Because Araluen had been living in peace for so long, there was no need to pour finances into an army, although every child grew up with some military training, and towns often held a small garrison due to small raids from Skandians.

A sharp whistle encouraged Jax to catch up, and settle to a trot beside Anita. He would jump onto the pack if he got tired. Taking her cue from the border collie, Tahlia relaxed in the saddle, ready to enjoy the ride.