[Fantasy] The Unburnt Ranger - Part 3

Picture from pixabay.com.

Hello everyone!

It’s been a couple of days since I last posted a chapter of The Unburnt Ranger. I joined @thewritersblock, a discord group for writers (both fiction and non-fiction) and have been getting a lot of feedback on this part to help me make it as good as I possibly can. During this short time I’ve learned so much that I can apply to my future chapters and stories!

If you’re a writer yourself, be it a fiction writer, poet or songwriter, I really suggest you join the group. You can read about how to join by clicking the gif at the bottom.

The sound of Cedric's feet hitting the cobblestone echoed in the alley as he made his way to his cottage. He fumbled after his key in his pocket, unlocked the door then slammed it shut behind him. He grabbed the essentials: a bow, a full quiver, a dagger, rope and a few bronze coins.

He reached for the doorknob but hesitated. What about Ren? He didn’t know when he would see her again. She’d have to make do with a goodbye letter. He scanned the room for a pen and paper.

His hand shook as he wrote the last line. Don’t go looking for me. See you soon, Cedric. Whatever was after him had nothing to with her. She was his only friend---as close as a sister. He couldn’t risk her safety.

He ran out the door and hurried to the stable. He had to find the stable master. Quickly. His heart pounded in his ears and his breaths became shallow. The sound of armor, hooves and shouts began to roar in the distance. Cedric could feel the sweat running down his forehead. He no longer felt like he had a mind of his own. His legs were moving on their own and he hadn’t the faintest idea what he was running from.

He stormed into the inn without even trying the stables. He had seen her there after sundown several times the past couple of weeks.

He let out a huge breath when he saw the stable master. She was calmly sipping her tea and having a chat with the innkeeper.

“Gelda, I…“ He leaned forward, tried to catch his breath and held out his hand to the stable master. “I was supposed to give you this.”

She stared at the coin. “But you’re just a kid!? How can this be?”

Cedric rolled his eyes. Who was she calling a kid? He was sixteen, damnit.

She signaled him to follow and led him to the stables. Several horses neighed as she opened the door connecting the inn and stable. She walked up to a black horse, opened the stall door and started saddling it.

“This is not your average horse.” Her voice was soft.

Cedric walked up and petted it gently. What could be so special about a horse?

He remembered the coin. “You forgot this.”

Gelda turned her head and frowned at him. “You don’t know what that is?”

“No.” He rubbed the emblem imprinted on the coin. “What is it?”

She looked away. “I should not be the one to tell you.”

Cedric pressed his lips together and looked down, but he knew better than to argue with Gelda. Sooner or later he’d find out.

She handed him the light reins. Cedric tried hiding his shaking hands as he took them. He had ridden many times before, but this time it was different. Very different.

He swiftly mounted the black horse and gazed at Gelda. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“Neither do I, dear.” She wiped a tear from her cheek.

* * *

Cedric had never had any problems riding before but this time he struggled getting the horse to obey him. Everytime he would try to turn, the horse would just snort and shake its head. In Ascot the dumb beast had listened, but not now.

He grunted and gave up. “Stupid horse.”

When those words left his mouth, the horse quickly stopped.

It neighed and it sounded as if it spoke to him. Thank you for the compliment, it seemed to say, yet he could hear no words. Cedric gasped.

A quiet laughter came from behind him. “I see you’ve met Pike.”

Cedric jerked the reins to the right and almost lost his balance. He regained his seat and turned the horse around. To his relief, the horse responded.

Among the trees he had just ridden through, a person sat on a horse. It was the same man he had encountered in the watchtower, only this time it was even harder to see him. He blended in perfectly with the forest.

Cedric tightened his grip on the reins. “Who are you?”

The man took off his hood. His face was covered with small scars. He must have been in many battles.

“I’m Wilson.” He scratched his horse under its mane. “And this is my friend, Khal. Same breed as Pike.”

Glaring ahead, Cedric narrowed his lips. Who did this guy think he was? Making all sorts of demands---making him leave home. How could Cedric know if the man could be trusted?

He tried asking again. “What are you?”

Wilson urged Khal into a trot. He made a sign with his hand and Pike immediately followed.

Cedric looked at the animal with wide eyes. “This isn’t an ordinary horse, is it?”

Wilson gently slapped his horse on its side. “Indeed it isn’t.”

What else could exist outside of Ascot that he knew nothing about? Cedric's fear calmed. He was finally going to have an adventure. “How is it possible they’re communicating?”

“What? You don’t have talking horses in Ascot?” Wilson smiled. His teeth white in contrast to his brown beard. He didn’t look a day over forty.

Cedric looked at him and raised his eyebrows.

“I’m just messing with you... They’re Aldimiri horses, a rare breed found only in the Aldimiri Mountains. They’re trained by the Shadow Watchers, a league of spies protecting Northbury.”

Cedric remembered the tales Ren’s father used to tell them when they were younger. The tales of the Shadow Watchers, the secret heroes of Northbury. Some admired them, but most feared them for their abilities. They were rumored to be true masters of stealth.

Cedric admired them, but he hadn’t believed in their abilities before meeting Wilson. “So that’s what you are? A Shadow Watcher?”

Wilson nodded and pulled something from his pocket. It was the same type of coin he had given Cedric. “They might fear us, but they don’t doubt the Mark of the Shadow. It’s given only to those of importance that need protection.”

Cedric’s eyes lit up as he realized he was one who needed protection. But from what? He was still unsure how much danger he was actually in. He leaned back and looked at him sideways.

“But… how am I important? I’m just a nobody from a small village.”

His sharp green eyes drilled into Cedric’s. “Because you’re the Unburnt.”