Gray Cloaks and Oakleaves (An RA Fanfic)

Chapter 11

I've decided it will be mostly in Justin's POV for the majority of the story!

I woke in the morning feeling very hopeful; knowing how mysterious the Rangers were, I suspected I would live in secret fortress or something that was going to unknown and unique. So when we got to the place, I was pretty disappointed.

"So this, little dusty cabin, will be our house, or base of operations?" I asked incredulously.

"But the brown-haired Ranger simply snorted, saying "Why, did you think we would live in a underground castle-like luxury fitted with servants and maids?" to which I had no answer. That was what I thought. To Will's rhetorical question, I could only speak a simple "Well, I guess not."

"Yes, another thing in the future; stop guessing." Will spoke simply. "Should you have to fight someone, you can't guess that you'll survive. That's how you come home in a wooden box." to which I gulped, but then realized the underlying meaning. 

"Wait, are you saying I'll learn fighting skills, like cool bow shots or wicked sword slashes?" I wondered hopefully.

"No, I am not saying you'll learn 'cool bow shots' or 'wicked sword slashes'. In fact, if you would stop asking so many questions, you'll will learn your place here." He responded sardonically. 

"Yes, Ranger Treaty, I understand."

"And enough of that 'Ranger Treaty' business already! Look, we all Rangers, of Ranger apprentices, of the Ranger Corps. This means that you will address me as Will, as you will address any other member of the Ranger Corps likewise. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good. Now that you've wasted enough of our time here with all of your questions, we can get down to the order of business." Will said as we entered the little cottage. 

As we entered the cottage, I was astounded by how clean it actually was. Everything except for the door hinge, which for some reason were corroded with rust and creaked like a loose floorboard, was fairly neat. The oak planks of the floor were simple and basic; so was everything else in the cabin. 

"Here's how everything will go; you, as my apprentice, will be the keeper of this household. Therefore, you will be responsible for keeping this place orderly and fully functional. Every day, you will needed to fill the water-holder with water from the river. You will also need to get firewood every morning in addition to getting the water. Understood so far?"

"Yes, I do."

"Good, also you will take care of the household in other ways like polishing the brass and silverware and beating out the rugs. There is the bucket for the water and the axe for the wood. Got it?" to which I nodded. "Any questions?"

"Well, can you tell me what a Ranger does? I mean, as a kid, a Ranger I met..." I started.

"No, you don't understand. I meant any questions about the cleaning and maintaining. We can't waste time with nonsense like that. Look, you want to know what a Ranger does? A Ranger is officer to the King of Araluen. It is a highly respectable and honorable occupation in life, to serve your King and country like this. You think he would at least enjoy the luxury of not having to get his own  firewood supply, cook his own food, and clean his own, right." to which I couldn't help but nod. "But," he continued, "If he can't cook, hunt, get firewood by himself, or even clean his own damn house, you know what happens to him?"

"Well, wouldn't he will be, um...I'm not really sure..." I began weakly.

"He would become a fat, weak, insufficient, slob who can't even take care of himself. It happened once, when the Rangers Corps became corrupt, and it was so embarrassing that it disgraced the very name of being a King's Ranger. It's a lot to explain, but just remember this...you will always have to do something by yourself. Everything you need will have to come from your sweat and labor. Become indebted to no one. That's the Ranger's way." he concluded.

Nodding my head and taking this into mind, stood there idle. It was a lot to take in, but I was determined to become a Ranger, a good one at that. "So in that case, what should we do?"

"Well, if you follow me, we'll begin weapons training."