A Ranger Story

A Way Back

Jack went outside of town. He found the dwarf who had insulted him earlier. The dwarf looked at him, as all the dwarves had. Jack smiled and pulled out his sword. The dwarf gave out a hardy laugh as Jack was hit on the back of the head. He fell to the ground.

When Jack woke he was in a cell. He looked around. It wasn't any ordinary cell! It was the one in the fortress he had lost to these dwarves. He'd have to fight his way out of this one. He looked around and noticed his sword hanging on the wall of far wall. He smiled to himself.

"Recognize it?" the one dwarf asked.

"Quite," Jack smiled.

"I'm surprised, for one who lost it to me," the dwarf laughed.

"I will gut you," Jack said as he sat back in his seat.

"Ha! Gut me? I think you'll be gutted long before I will ever be!" the dwarf spat.

"We shall see, fool," Jack said confidently.

"Hmph," the dwarf said and sat at a chair by his sword.

"Like the blade that's going to be your death?" Jack asked.

"I doubt that," the dwarf laughed.

Jack looked around for something to use, but there wasn't a thing to use.

"There's nothing to use as a weapon in there," the dwarf said.

"Try me," Jack said.

"Good luck," the dwarf laughed as he left.

Jack began to pace. There wouldn't be anyone looking for him for days. He couldn't rely on them finding him anyway. He looked out the window in his cell. Dwarves walked the outside too. There must be an army here.

Jack then looked farther out and noticed the elves. He couldn't believe it. Arrows filled the dwarf occupied area. The first line obviously fell to this surprise attack. Jack watched as the battle raged outside. Dwarves fell so quickly that it couldn't be considered a battle. He couldn't believe that the elves had totally out matched the army he had led. He heard the fight come inside the fortress. The crashing of swords and axes filled the room. Jack began to think of a way to get out. Nothing came to him. He then noticed an elf come in. He could trick him.

"Hey! Help me!" Jack said. The elf, obviously oblivious to who he was opened the door. "Thanks," Jack said and grabbed his sword. Now he had to find a way out. He noticed the Elf King, but paid no attention to seeking revenge on him. Jack ran outside. None of the elves stopped him. He then ran to a horse and started off.

"Stop!" An elf called to him.

"Just don't. If you know what's good for you, just don't," Jack said with a smile. The elf, confused, but he stopped and let Jack go. Jack rode for a day before reaching his home. He hoped to never encounter the dwarves, or elves again. They seemed too occupied by each other anyway. They would lead to their own extinction through war. Jack didn't care.

He walked inside, and got a hug from Felicity. Beth hugged him too. They both wondered where he had been, but he never told.