A Ranger Story

A New Rule

“Where’s my sister?!” Jack yelled.

“What? Not here!” the guard said.

“What do you mean ‘Not here’?!” Jack said.

“She’s in the council room, just let me go! Please!” the guard said. Jack let go of him and let him go. He then proceeded to the council. Beth stood in the middle of it.

“You let go our ranger!” a council member said.

“He’s my brother! You were going to kill him!” Beth said.

“Then you will take his punishment!” another council member said.

Jack looked around and found a shield hanging on the wall. He grabbed it and ran in. He put the shield up expecting archers, but there were none. He heard solders marching in from the entrance.

“You are a bold one, ranger,” a council member said.

“Thank you! I take pride in that!” Jack laughed.

“Petty boy, you could have been so much more!” another council member said.

“So could you!” Jack spat. He aimed an arrow at one and fired. It hit the council member and he fell.

“Kill him! Kill him now!” the first council member said and he was shot, but by Beth, who had stolen Jack’s bow.

“Hold it you two! We don’t want any more blood,” a new council member said, bringing in Felicity at sword point.

"Jack..." Felicity said, struggling from the member's grasp.

“How?” Jack asked.

“She walked in seeking you. But lucky for us, she found me!” He laughed.

“Who are you?” Beth asked.

“Why I am the King of the Elves!” he said.

“Name?” Jack asked.

“Not for you!” the King spat.

The guards came closer. Jack pulled out his sword at them, and the King pushed the sword in slightly into Felicity’s back. She gasped a bit. "Please no," She begged the king.

“Tell them to drop their weapons, or you will die. That also means they die,” he whispered into her ear.

"No," She spat. He pushed a little harder.

“They will die if you don’t!” he said convincingly.

"Drop your weapons!" She called out quickly, feeling blood begin to drip down her back.

Jack looked and dropped his and Beth dropped the bow. “Very good,” The King said, “Take Beth to her cell. The guards took her away. Jack looked at the King, who was coming down with Felicity. “You will join me and do as I say,” The King said.

“Never!” Jack shook his head. The King threw Felicity to the ground.

“On your knees!” He yelled at Jack. Jack got on his knees. “Now join me or she dies!”

“I will do as you say,” Jack said slowly.

Felicity stealthily pulled Jack's sword closer to her as she watched Jack and the king. "Jack!" She called, pulling the sword even closer. The King stepped on the sword so she couldn’t lift it.

“Nice try child,” he laughed.

“I’ll make you a deal, Jack. You will fight my guards, then me. If you win, you get to leave and we’ll never harm you, Beth, her, or her father,” The King said.

“Deal!” Jack smiled.

"No deal!" Felicity called.

“Felicity, I’ve got this,” Jack said with a smile.

"No!" She said and struggled to get up, blood seeping through her gown.

The King kicked her over and grabbed the sword. Jack came over to her. “I can heal you,” Jack said and put his hand on her wound.

"Don't," She said.

He healed her and took her up to the stand. “I’m ready,” Jack said and went to the center of the council room. “Can I have my sword?” Jack asked.

“Not part of the deal,” the King laughed as the first wave of five guards came in.

"Jack!" Felicity screamed as she looked up, her hair in her mouth. She rested on her elbow, but was unable to stand. "Jack!"

Jack looked at the charging guards. He couldn’t help but smile. He ran and slid under them. He tripped one and grabbed his sword and killed another guard, who was coming after him. The guard he had stolen the sword from backed up as Jack killed the other guards.

“Please, spare me,” the guard said. Jack nodded and tossed him his sword. Jack picked up one of the other guards swords as the first one charged him. Jack stabbed him and kicked him down. Another guard came charging towards Felicity as the king looked amused. Jack chucked his sword at him and hit him.

“Impressive, young ranger,” the King said amused.

“Keep your side of the deal!” Jack said picking up another sword.

“No, I think I’ll leave,” He said and walked out of the room.

Jack ran up to Felicity. He picked her up and carried her out to his horse. No elf dared stop him. She smiled up at him lightly. He put her up on the horse, and then turned to the Elves. “Only one thing I can say! We rangers will fight! You can’t take our pride, and we won’t be denied! You are the ones who have lost!” Jack said and hopped on the horse. Felicity nodded at his words.

They rode back to Mulberry End, to their home. Jack stopped and looked back before he rode into town. They then went to their home. Her father and Aria both waited for them. He carried her inside and laid her down on the love seat. “She’ll be fine tomorrow,” Jack said.

She yawned. "What about Beth? Will she be alright?"

“I know where she is. In fact she should walk in with your brother in 3…2…1…” Jack said and she walked in with Joshua.

Felicity rolled her eyes. "The King was so kind to you, Jack," Joshua smirked with a chuckle.

Jack looked at him and felt weary now. “Long day, I think I’m going to go to bed,” Jack said.

“Something tells me that it’s not going to be here,” Beth said eyeing him.

“No, I’m going to go out for a day or two,” Jack said.

Joshua looked over at Felicity who was already sleeping, wincing a few times from the pain at her side.

“I’ll be back,” Jack said and put his hand on Joshua’s shoulder. Beth nodded as Jack walked out the door.