Between the Veil and Crown

Kylin 11

            The Rangers had built their base years ago into the side of a cliff deep in the forest. A waterfall poured down the cliff, obscuring half of the structure. The other half was carved out of the cliff, with intricate designs found in the walls and pillars. As time went on, the headquarters had extended to a nearby tree that stood at the same height as the cliff, and was as wide as three cottages side by side. Branches that had been groomed and secured to the cliff served as bridges to the treehouse portion of the headquarters. Rooms were nestled in the sturdy branches close to the trunk. Doors dotted the trunk, indicating areas where the center of the tree had been carved out to make hidden rooms and levels. Anymore, it was necessary to climb the stairs nailed into the tree to reach the structure in the cliff. There were many open areas to the headquarters, allowing for animals that the Rangers had semi-domesticated to join and leave the Rangers' company as they pleased. The open areas also allowed for Rangers to keep a hidden watch, placing them high enough to see far into the forest.

The Rangers had refrained from giving it an official name, preferring to refer to the place as the base, headquarters, or even home. While the Ranger camps had names for practicality's sake, headquarters never received a name in order to prevent an establishment of a city-state or kingdom.

"Home" was usually Kylin's word for it, especially when he was seeking its comforts. He had a room in the treehouse portion, with a window that had a glimpse of the cliffhouse, waterfall, and just a peek over the top of the cliff. The room was just large enough for a bed, bureau, desk, and small shelf to fit in it, as well as some sitting space between all the furniture. Small as it was, there was usually a sense of coziness, decorated as it was with all the things Amelia felt it needed whenever she saw it.

Usually being key.

In the dim light of the evening, the cliff was hidden from view, and the wilted flowers that never received care created a lackluster environment.

Things that would not have mattered, if he was there for any other reason.

To emphasize the point that he did not believe Kylin to be at fault and he was not at headquarters for punishment, Rei sent him back with instructions to report to Ivelios. Ivelios was heading the investigation of the Veil Forest, after the trouble with the eroding barrier of the evil's prison and the dobharchus being out of place.

Ivelios would not have boring tasks for him, he knew. Especially if there was anything else that was causing problems. Perhaps after he got started, he would be too invested in the work to be concerned about not being around in case Amelia needed his aid.

The other Rangers would be there for her in a heartbeat, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time. Even if the soldiers were informed to keep an eye out for the missing prince, and Amelia was in danger of being suspected, there wasn't a Ranger who wouldn't make sure that she was safely kept out of the soldiers' way.

Even so, he preferred to be there himself, and not staring out his window at the darkening landscape.

When the sun had completely vanished, and the only light to be seen was that from the windows of headquarters and his own candle set on the desk, there was a hurried knock on the door.

He had just stood from his place on the bed when it opened, the knocker not waiting for his answer.

Ivelios stood in the doorway. His skin glistened with sweat, and his hair and clothes claimed that he had been out for a long time. Despite just having opened the door, he was already halfway out of frame, a still gloved hand gripping door as though it was the only thing keeping him where he was.