The Quest for Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice Fanfiction)

10

"Ok, now I know you're hiding something." Samantha said suspiciously to Gilan, who was also watching Emily practice with her bow. "What do you mean?" He asked innocently. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms stubbornly. "Oh, fine. See, a few weeks ago, I was riding out towards Gorlan with Blaze when I heard a roar. I came closer and saw something I never thought I would ever see again. I saw-" "A Kalkara?" Samantha interrupted. "You seriously did not just steal my thunder." Gilan said. Samantha smiled. Then she frowned thoughtfully. "What happened then?" "Well, as I got closer it saw me so I ran for it." Gilan replied. "What! But that means it's loose! Why didn't it follow you or something!? And why didn't you share that vital piece of information?! And-" "Calm yourself! I needed to get out alive first if I was to warn people, besides, I was not prepared to face a Kalkara that day at that time so... Yeah, sorry to disappoint." "Sorry, I freaked out." Samantha said as she stared at her feet.
~~~~~~~Skandia~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are you sure it was a declaration of war? I mean, this is Araluen! Our friends would NEVER do that!" Gundar and Svengal argued. "But the king might've changed his ways..." Erak shot back. "THE KING IS HORACE! Of all people he is one of the least likely to turn against us! Just listen to yourself Erak." Svengal cried. "I am! My daughter is in another country probably being held captive and tortured and I can't handle the thought!" Erak spat. "May you at least give them the benefit of the doubt, we could go visit and get her back, without violence or threats." Thorne, an old crewmate suggested. "I just don't know." Erak said with a whimper.
~~~~~~Araluen~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the sun finally past the horizon, the Kalkara ambled up the old beaten path up to the top of the plateau, where her master summoned her. "Ah, we meet at last! Now, aren't you glad to be out of that terribly long hibernation, my dear?" A thick, deep voice said. Malvinic, a middle aged former warlord thought Morgarath was a hero in disguise. He shouldn't have died, and because of those stupid, ignorant Rangers and that fool of a king Horace, he did. Now it was his turn to finish what Morgarath started. Yes, that was his destiny, and he will fulfill it as foretold in his mind. No one can stop him now! The Kalkara growled, snapping him back to reality. "Well, here is a half of what's promised. The other half you will receive when the job is done." Malvinic said evilly as he handed it a big bag of silver. "Oh, and in case you forgot, your job is to kill Emily Stargazer, the Oberjarl's daughter."