The Ranger

Nina looked down at the village. Farmers tended their crops, children ran around squealing with delight, the woman of the village gossiped about each other.

    To them today was like any other day. Today would be the same as yesterday, and tomorrow would be the same as today.

    She remembered that feeling, the security and pleasure this life brought.

    Now she was returning, and everything was different. She frowned at the people below her, all they cared for was the next harvest, or the chores that always seem undone. 

    The end of the world would never cross their mind.

    She took the first step from on top of the hill, quickening her pace as she made for the town hall. The villagers stopped their work as she passed, staring in amazement. Whispers followed her, hissing with fear and awe.

    “ Is that Nina?”

    “ It can’t be…”

    “ Wasn’t she called by the King?”

    Nina felt her unease grow and she took off into a sprint before she could think twice.

    “ Nina!” A voice called.

    She spun to face a young man, his face was tanned from the sun, and he dropped the wheelbarrow he was carrying. Relief washed over her as Edward embraced her.

    “ you’re back!” He laughed. “ I thought I would never see you again.”

    Nina pulled away. 

    “ I’m sorry Eddie, I have to go

    Eddie shook his head.

    “ You  only just got here. If I don’t take you in for a meal, mother will never forgive me.”

    Nina tried to resist, but the thought of seeing Zelda again, and tateing her wares, was too tempting. Edwards' hand gently pulled her into the tavern. Nina felt her cheeks flush in their old, uncomfortable way.

    Edwards pushed the doors open to the tavern and Nina saw Zelda scrubbing a counter as if it had offended her.

    “ We’re not open until-” 

    Zelda went quiet as she noticed Nina, she looked her up and down. Then smiled kindly.

    “ You look so much like your mother.”

    Nina’s throat constricted and she swallowed the tears that threatened to burst.

    “ Come dear, sit down. You're deathly pale and thinner than a stick.”

    Nina was too hungry to pass an offering of food. Zelda quickly slipped into the kitchen as she and Eddie took a seat at the bar. The wood was stained from alcohol, but shined with polish. The Tavern itself looked no different than when she was little, the same chairs and tables, the same moose on the wall, the same creak in the floor. The only thing new were the scuffs in the wood, given to them by swords and fists. 

    Eddie watched her, but she couldn’t meet his eyes, she stared down at the counter-top, examining a particularly interesting stain.

    “ You still are beautiful.” He sighed.

    Her cheeks flared with heat, and she felt a spark of irritation with herself. Nina watched him finger something in his pockets. 

    “ Is there nothing that would convince you to stay?” 

    Nina opened her mouth, then closed it again. Remembering the devastation that was coming.

    “ None of us can stay here.” She whispered.

    Eddie lifted her hands, forcing her to look at her. Her breath caught on his brilliant blue eyes.

    “ Nina, I don’t want to lose you again.”

    She felt a warm band slip onto her hand, slowly she looked down at her hand, a small silver ring, with a plain gem sat on her finger. She gazed at it numbly, her mind had stopped thinking. Then she gazed back up at those brilliant eyes, searching her for an answer.

    “ Eddie, you don’t know what you're asking for.” She choked.

    He smiled kindly. “ I don’t care. I love you Nina, I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”

    She looked back down at the ring.

    “ Even if it means leaving everyone behind.”

    There was no hesitation in his answer.

    “ Yes.”

    She stood, this suffocating feeling of warmth was hard to swallow.

    “ I have to go talk to Herrick.”

    Panic flashed across Eddie’s face.

    “ What for! You're not asking me to…”

    Nina shook her head. “ We need to evacuate the village. I have to try and convince him…”

    She slipped out of his grasp, ignoring the hunger that burned in her stomach, and out into the street. Running until was met face to face with the scene in her nightmares.   

    The house stood as orderly as it had before, a flag flew on the porch, the furniture was dusted and washed. The paint looked as if it had just finished drying. 

An old man swung on the wooden porch swing. He took the smoking pipe out of his mouth and blew out a ring of smoke. He seemed older than the last time they met, making him even more the stranger.

    Nina caught her breath, standing as tall as she could, trembling furiously on the inside.

    “ What do you want?” he rasped

    “ We need to talk.”

    “ Need, or want? ”

    “ Father, everyone here is in danger. I’m supposed to be in the Eastern regions by now, but I couldn’t allow you and everyone here to stay in harm's way.” 

    “ What exactly is going to harm us?”

    “ The ranger, he is coming this way and he won’t hesitate to destroy you all.” 

    Father snarled. “ Get out. You and your fairytales aren't welcome here.”

    Nina walked forward, and he stood. Nina forced herself to continue forward, the familiar sensation of power came from the man like a waterfall. You could never press against it. 

    “ Father. I am begging you, come to the east region, gather all the supplies, evacuate the village. The ranger could get here at any moment.”

    “ Get out.”

    “ Father please, put your infuriating pride aside and listen to me. If you all stay here-”

    “ Get out!” He screamed “ Get out you cursed spawn of magic, GET OUT!”

    Nina stepped back, a familiar fear coursing as her fathers anger radiated through the air. Nina shook her head, grief and heartache suffocating her.

    “ May the ranger grant you a slow and painful death.” She spat.

    Nina ran, refusing to look back over her shoulder as the houses and people passed by her. Eddie called out her name, she was sure of it, but she kept running, the ring growing cold on her finger. 

A tingling in her neck warned her that if she stopped, she would be caught in the deviation. If she stopped, she would stay and die for them.

    Something her father would never do.

    She didn’t cease till the sun was low in the sky. When she was far up into the mountains she looked out onto the village, fire glowed and screams rose. Nina watched as her childhood burned in front of her.

    A ghostly voice, filled with anger and hatred called to her. Screaming and growling like the ghost he would soon be.

    Footsteps came up in front of her, but she was too entranced, to run to grieved to think clearly.

    “ Nina!”

    Eddie took her by the hand, his face pained, and weary. He turned to watch the fire, his breath stilling, and his hand slipping.

    There was hurt in his eyes as he spoke.

    “ Will any survive?”

    Nina whispered. “ Only those who ran for the east.” 

    Tears filled her eyes, but she turned from the horrifying scene behind her, knowing if she didn’t start now, she would never escape the Ranger’s grasp.