The Phoenix King

Chapter 6

Chief Ranger Daniel Jarvis

Infernal City, Hosephia

Standing in front of the large castle, Daniel hesitates to go inside. He requested this mission personally, yet, he isn't sure why. Perhaps it is too easy to dispatch the bandits for the queen. Perhaps he was annoyed listening to the masters complain about her requests. Maybe he is still trying to prove himself, but to who he is unsure. It could be that he only wishes to prove that he is still capable of a job that men younger than him are climbing the ladder faster. Still, they do not have Daniel's skills or experience.

Shamira sits uneasily on his shoulder, feeling his uneasiness. "It is just a job." He speaks aloud, though he isn't sure it is meant to soothe her or himself. This isn't his first job, nor his first alone. He prefers doing the job alone so that it is his fault, or he gets hurt if anything goes wrong. Only once did he choose to team up with another ranger, which had devastating consequences. He lost a friend, along with his first falcon. Daniel knows it wasn't entirely his fault, but he was the elder, experienced ranger in that situation. It was his responsibility to keep the young man safe, and he failed.

It is easy for Daniel to pretend that he doesn't care, but he does. Death never sat well with him, and he refused to take a life unless absolutely necessary. Perhaps that is another reason he prefers to work alone. If the money is good, other rangers won't hesitate to take a life. They preferred to bring their targets back dead if given the choice of dead or alive. There was always some excuse given, and the punishment was minimal. Raleigh and Elleana were never at fault for the lack of harsh punishment. They saw more to training than to the matters after training was finished. They would sentence punishment on what they were told. If a Baron would request help and state that they wanted their target back dead or alive, and he or she was brought back dead, then it would hardly be the ranger's fault in that scenario. Perhaps others are blind to the bloodthirsty rangers, but Daniel isn't. He has tried to voice his concerns to the Master Rangers, but nothing came of it.

Daniel isn't sure why Raleigh and Elleana were conflicted about sending the rangers to the Hosephia Queen. However, they seemed relieved when he volunteered. Of course, their orders came in a message, not in person, but he could always read more into their handwriting and words. Something made them weary and hesitant to send help. He is unsure whether it is the bandit problem, the queen's insistence, or both.

Deciding it is now or never, he gives his shoulder a swift but soft jilt, signaling Shamira to fly. He isn't about to drag her into the castle and have more people think she is another dirty animal. Shamira often is allowed a bit of freedom to scavenge for food and stretch her wings, but she is never far away. She is always within hearing distance awaiting the shrill whistle of her master.

Daniel takes a few steps up to the main gate, which is closed with ornate iron bars and limestone pillars. The castle wall looks made of all limestone and likely wouldn't last in a battle. However, he is sure it only keeps unwanted guests out. The castle itself could be considered a fortress for its mere size. Its high walls are smooth, lacking stone patterns or cracks. It would make them nearly impossible to scale and even more impossible to use a grappling hook based on the design of the roof. He supposes someone could shoot a hook through one of the glassless windows and catch a pillar, but if it is made of something brittle, it will break when the rope grows tight. It is an interesting tactic, but with the many visible pillars, breaking enough to collapse the castle would be impossible. Even then, it would only be the outer layer of stairways and corridors.

"No audiences today. Come back tomorrow." One of the guards at the gate looks him over but assumes he is a peasant based on his lack of uniform. Daniel hardly wore his ranger uniform, but he has lately found it even more difficult to wear in the Hosephia heat.