The Mystery of the Flaming Ranch

Prologue

The night air was freezing cold, a bitter wind cutting through the trees and blowing softly over the top of the mountain. It seemed unusually quiet in the dense forest, but there was a sense of movement, of something hidden in the shadows. The young adventurer's horse, Swift, seemed slightly uneasy, as if the animal could sense something in the trees all around them. Swift has been Dalen's best friend since he was five when one of their mares gave birth to the horse. They've been inseparable ever since. Their journey had taken them higher than they had ever been before, and now they just wanted to go home.

Dalen was young, around 15, and he was sent out to help find his family's missing herd of cattle. It took him all day, and he still didn't find any sign of the herd. Even though that may be, he decided it would be best to go home. It was getting late and his only source of light was the little kerosene lantern he carried on a hook, which didn't light anything but a path a few inches in front of them. That's when he decided to make camp to the side of the path. It was too dark for them to continue on their journey.

He jumped down from the saddle, tying the Swift's reins to a nearby tree. He took fallen logs and branches to build the skeleton of a makeshift tent. Dalen was taught basic survival by his father when they were on the road about two years ago. It was a skill he kept with him any time he ventured far from home. He then searched his bags and backpack for some cloth he'd packed. It wasn't too thick but it was thick enough to provide some shelter.

After building his tent, Dalen takes a moment to rest and enjoy the peace. As he rests, his mind begins to wander, thinking about all that he has encountered on his journey. He can't help but wonder what other dangers might lie ahead, and a deep feeling of unease begins to creep in. He looks around, and he can suddenly feel eyes watching him from the shadows of the trees. The more he looks, the more he is certain that his solitude has been intruded on, but he doesn't know what to do about it. He decided he should try to fall asleep and hope for the best.

In the morning, when he woke up there were drops of dew falling from the trees and the birds were awake, singing. He was glad that nothing bad had happened that night. Dalen then packed up his stuff, mounted his horse and they went home.

He got home that afternoon, standing on the hill and looking over at the view of the ranch. The family's old ranch had been in their family for generations, a large and sprawling property that had been carefully maintained and expanded over the years. It was a beautiful place, with rolling hills and lush greenery providing a perfect view from every angle. The main ranch house was a large, quaint structure built from stone and wood, surrounded by outbuildings and barns for ranch animals. The ranch was a place of pride and beauty, and it still holds a dear place in the family's hearts.

When he looked down at the pasture for cattle, the whole herd was there. Dalen's mom and dad likely found them while he was away. He nudged Swift and they began to walk down to the barn where they kept their horses.