Daughter of a Ranger

Chapter 24

They eventually made it across the border. It was in a glum silence that they got through the mountains and down to Hallasholm.

When they rode their horses through the town, Skandians from all over gave them strange looks.

"Svengal? Is that you?" Will called out to one of them.

"Who are you?" The man asked, and Will smiled. In unison, Halt and Will lifted down their cowls.

"Halt!" Svengal greeted him. "Then that must mean you're Will! My, you have grown."

"It's been a while, Svengal." Will said, shaking his hand. "But I'm afraid the Rangers are in a spot of trouble, and we were wondering if we could ask Oberjarl Erak a small favour."

Svengal looked unsure, but led them to the Great Hall, and Erak called for a meeting with all the Jarls, the Skandian war leaders. He also called the skirls that were in Hallasholm to come to the meeting, with their second-in-commands.

It took about an hour for everyone to arrive, and to be seated. Jemma kept her cowl over her head the entire time, wary of the glances she would receive. While they had waited for all of the Skandians needed to arrive, the group had left their horses in a stable.

David put an arm around her as Halt and Will stood on either side of the couple.

Once they were ready, Erak reached out a hand in greeting. 

"Halt, Will! It has been some time since I saw you last. How are you? I assume the wives are happy-" He broke off as an advisor whispered in his ear.

"My apologies Will, I forgot about the circumstances for you."

"It's quite alright, Erak." Will said easily. "It turns out that Alyss was alive, and we rescued her and our daughter from a castle in Gallica. I think that was about eight years ago now, so it really does show how long it has been."

"You're a father? Young Will, the boy who was so essential in the Battle for Skandia. My, that is some news."

Will smiled, and Halt stepped forward. "Actually Erak, Will's daughter is part of the reason why we are here now."

Erak nodded for him to continue.

"Will's wife and daughter were imprisoned before the girl's birth. When she was about twelve or thirteen years old, she escaped and found us, bringing us back to rescue Alyss as well. When they were safe back in Araluen, Jemma was brought into the Ranger Corps. As you may know, the Rangers started taking in female recruits, starting with the daughter of Princess Cassandra."

Erak nodded, and Jemma saw many of the other Skandians do so as well.

"Many of the Rangers are not happy about the females in the Corps. There have been riots, with some of the Rangers being killed. We now have about half the number we should." 

Will picked up from where Halt had finished. "Cassandra's daughter is able to stay in Castle Araluen to be safe, but we brought over the other two females to ask your permission if they could stay here in safety."

Erak nodded thoughtfully. "Well, where are they?"

David stepped forward then, lifting down his cowl. "I'm afraid to say that only one of the females made it across the border. On the way, we were attacked by a group of enemy Rangers. Holly, and unfortunately her spouse as well, were killed. There is only Jemma left."

"And who is Jemma?"

Jemma stepped forward. "Jemma Treaty, Oberjarl Erak. It is good to meet you."

She did not take her cowl down, but still looked up at Erak. He studied her, noticing a sword on her hip as her cloak moved a little.

"And you can fight with a sword?" He said sceptically.