A RANGER IS BORN

CHAPTER 7 - "No, I'm afraid I'm fresh out of heroes."

The next morning, Crentar changed the dressings again and gathered his belongings. He ate breakfast with the family, chose the best of the three horses, and set off toward town. Half a day lost. Damn. I've got to hurry. Thoughts of more villagers being carried off by the dragon plagued him as he pushed the horse to greater speed. At mid-day, he broke for lunch next to a pond. He watered, fed and rested his horse for all of ten minutes before he was leading it down the road. "Sorry for the lousy treatment fella," he said as he remounted a mile or two down the road.

The sky was alight with sunset when he finally reached the walls of Telen. His arm was itching insistently in an attempt to drive him mad, only the knowledge that it was a sign of the accelerated healing enabled him to endure it without complaint. The gate guardsmen gave him a cursory inspection and charged him a three silver tax for the weapons and horse. "Mind you, don't use those weapons in the city," one called to him as he rode away. Since the chances of getting in to see the lord so late in the day were slim at best, Crentar decided to try in the morning.

Instead, he entered the house of chance. As was standard, the door opened into the main worship area. The altar was behind a low banister at the far end of the room. In a side room, Crentar could hear the click of dice. The sound of people engaged in gaming drifted from the area. He ignored the gamers since he was here on business, not pleasure. He knelt in front of the altar and offered a prayer of thanks to Tym for her recent intercessions on his behalf. As was proper, he left an offering of a random selection of coinage when he departed.

He entered the Black Goblin, the inn across the street. There, he bought a room and stabling from the innkeeper and immediately retired. The room was barely worth the four copper but Crentar was in no shape to complain. Any type of bed would have looked just fine.

Morning came with the sounds of a waking city. Crentar ate the last of his provisions and changed the dressings on his arm. It was healing well and no longer needed the herbal paste. He ordered a hot bath which cost him a silver.

Drying himself off, he chose his best clothes from his pack. As a finishing touch, he belted on his sword and slipped his daggers into position. I ought to look at least presentable now, he thought as he left and locked his room. He rushed down stairs and said "Have my horse brought around immediately." to the innkeeper while tossing a copper on the counter. The money disappeared with amazing rapidity.

"Almar! Get the horse from stall six ready and out front right now!" he called into the back.

Crentar continued to walk out front to wait for the horse. In a short while, the boy, Almar, brought the horse around. Crentar tossed him a copper and nodded to the boys thanks. Trotting the horse toward the keep, it was only a matter of minutes before he arrived at the gate.

"Halt! What business do you have at the Keep?" called one of the guards.

"I have extremely urgent news for Lord Taloc. It is vital that I not be delayed." Crentar answered.

"Let's see your weapons over here then." the guard replied.

"You'll leave them here an your horse over there with the lads," he said motioning to the gatehouse and stable respectively.

Quickly, Crentar dismounted and followed the guard into the gatehouse. There, he divested himself of his weapons and received a piece of paper in return. "Don't loose that, or you'll not have your things returned," said the guard to Crentars already retreating back.

He handed the horse over to one of the stable boys and entered the entry hall of the Keep. A portly man with a balding crown approached with an air of officious superiority. As the man opened his mouth to speak Crentar said, "You will take me to see Lord Taloc now. I have news of absolute urgency for him and it cannot wait."

"And just who do you think you are?" demanded the official. "I will decide whether or not you get to see Lord Taloc. AFTER, you tell me what you want."

"As I have said, I have news the Lord must hear immediately. Every minute we delay, his subjects are being killed. I'm sure you understand that he would like to hear of such matters first hand."

With a look of indecision, the official said "follow me." He lead Crentar into a medium sized chamber with one other door. The chamber contained a desk, and three comfortable looking chairs. "Who shall I say is the bearer of this news?" he asked.

"Crentar Bronn, Ranger. Though I doubt he'll recognize the name." he answered. The official left the room and closed the door. The short wait was broken when four guards, dressed in the red and blue livery of Lord Taloc, entered the room and took positions around each of the doors. They were armed with long axes and their faces were masked behind the full helms. The other door opened seconds later, and Lord Taloc entered. Crentar stood respectfully. Lord Taloc was a thin man in his mid twenties with greasy black hair and thin mustache.

"So, what could possibly be so important as to bring a man of the woods into the world where men take baths?" he sneered as he seated himself behind the desk. Crentars mouth dropped open in shock for a moment at the total lack of civility the Lord displayed.

Crentar quickly gathered his wits. "Ummm... A dragon milord,"

Crentar began when he was rudely interrupted.

"Oh, no, not another bard with a tale of mythical beasts flying about in the lands. What new twist will you tell me?"

"One has made its lair inside your lands sire." Crentar finished.

Lord Taloc dipped a quill in ink and began writing on a piece of parchment. Asking, "Oh, really? Have you seen this beast?"

"Yes, milord. I've followed it to its lair. It is currently raiding the countryside to the North."

"So, you've been to the lair and lived. You must be more formidable than you appear," he drawled while scribbling on the parchment again.

"The beast was sleeping when I was there. Thank Tym. It did not wake."

"You are obviously the most qualified man for the job. You will lead thirty of my men and the captain of the guard to the beasts lair where you will slay it or die in the attempt." he ordered.

A feeling of horror gripped Crentar's heart. "I don't think I'm qualified sir. I'm sure you have someone else who could do this job," he pleaded.

"No, I'm afraid I'm fresh out of heroes. You'll have to do." he said standing up and walking out the door.

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**WOW...Ain't that something...?**

--Continued in the next chapter--