A Ranger Story

Back Again

They stood in the kitchen of Felicity’s house. Jack looked around seeing Felicity’s shocked face. "Jack!" Felicity said, standing from the rocker and dropping her book, "Where have you been?!"

“Well, long story,” Jack said with a deep breath.

“What he means is: elves are coming after him, your father, you, and me,” Beth said.

“Why would you take me there?!” Jack said to her.

“I’m sorry, they said they would redeem you! Not order you like that!” Beth snapped.

“You’re right, sorry,” Jack said, “I need a drink of something.”

“As do I,” Beth said.

"Ale?" She laughed and went to the cupboards and out fell a note. She quickly scanned through it and dropped one of the glasses, glassing falling everywhere.

“What?” Jack asked as Beth used magic to pick up the glass shards.

"Note," She said and poured ale into two glasses.

“Aye, but what’d it say, love?” he asked.

"They're after us. They want my father dead. Tonight. And they plan to kill me as well," she choked.

“I hate to kill elven folk, but I guess I have to,” Jack said and went for his cloak.

"Jack," Felicity stopped him.

“What?” He asked stopping an inch from her.

"We must flee," She said.

“I know of a large city called Thorp of Breetle,” Beth said.

Felicity shook her head, "They'll find us there. They’ll find my father."

“Thorp of Beetle is past a dwarven fortress, no elves get past there. That is unless you’re a ranger,” Jack smiled, though she was still hesitant.

“We must get past some elves first though,” Beth said, “There’s a camp before the fortress.”

"We should wait," she said.

“For what?” Beth asked shortly.

"My father!" Felicity snapped.

Beth jumped back, “Sorry.” She went past her and upstairs.

"Where are you going?" Felicity snapped again.

“Anywhere,” she said quietly.

“She’s only fourteen,” Jack said, “She may have the skills of a master sorcerer, but she’s still young.”

She shrugged and hid her face in her hands. "Why does this all have to happen?"

“Rangers accept this, I was going to die. She saved me. Your father knows and accepted that the elves would come for him,” Jack said.

She began to pace, "I am not ready for all of this!"

Jack grabbed her shoulders, “Hey, relax. As hard as this may seem, relax. It’ll be a lot easier if you just calm down.” Light sobbing came from upstairs. “Besides I think you have something else to worry about,” Jack said. She nodded slowly. “Are you going to go to her?” Jack asked.

She went upstairs. "Beth?" The sobbing came from behind the door in Jack’s room. "Beth?" she asked.

“What do you want?” Beth said quietly.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you, sweets,” Felicity said.

“You can come in,” Beth said.

She went inside slowly, "What is it?"