Woes of a Ranger

Elswyth did not know what to make of her charge. He had not been what she had been expecting.

For one thing he was much thinner than she would have thought a prince should be. He was tall,

though it was mostly because he had long legs. He looked like if he wanted too, he could be rather fast. Which would have been fine if he was from Jarenkul but Amriel prided itself on strength not being quick.

And he knew how to throw knives. She would have expected him to know how to use a sword, but knives? Especially throwing them? Swordplay was at least considered by royalty as classy, but the use of knives was more sneaky, less honorable. At least by their standards.

He was handsome, though more in a slim, pale, almost sickly way than the robust, strong look she had heard of being popular in Amriel. At times he came off as arrogant but at other times he seemed rather humble. It was confusing.

But she had accepted this job and she would do it. Afterall it put food on the table, no matter how tasteless she found the job itself. At least he seemed fairly decent for a prince, caring about the lives of those under him. That was better than most.

When he found the inn of the town to stay in, she followed him in. And was surprised when he paid for her food and lodging. When she questioned him he rolled his eyes and said that if she was protecting him it was only right for him to help provide for her.

She tried to argue that he was not the one paying for her but it did not really fly very well. He ignored her! She had a feeling that this man was quite stubborn. She found herself just wanting to get this over with and get him to the capital quickly. Then she would never have to see him again.

The innkeeper annoyed Elswyth when he initially mistook them as a couple and tried to give them one room with a knowing look on his face. She almost set Sun on him. But the prince smoothly corrected him and got her a different room without insulting anyone.

Royalty must teach their young how to handle people. At least it was a useful skill. She could begrudge that at least.

After a quick meal, he bid her a polite detached goodnight and vanished to his room. She ate slower and listened to the conversation going around her. Nothing particularly caught her interest so she headed to bed soon after.

When the morning light filtered onto her face she rose and left the room. She waited on the prince for an hour as she ate a small breakfast. He never came down.

Feeling annoyed she went to wake him up only to find that he was not in the room he had gotten. He had vanished without any trace, not even the innkeeper when she asked knew where he had gone.

Vexed and with the desire to wing his neck she left in search of him. This would be fairly easy for her out in the wilderness but here there were too many tracks and too many sounds and sights. This was why she preferred the wilderness.

She had to ask people, and soon she found out something. Somehow this prince was able not to draw any attention to himself. Honestly, she had to admit she was a little impressed despite herself.

Finally though she felt a tap on her shoulder. She whirled around to look at the scraggly older man. "Ya be lookin' for tha younglin' what was with ya yesterday? I might 'ave san sumthin'. For a penny I be willin' to tell ya."

She sighed. At least he was straightforward. She fished one of her coins out and handed it to him.

"I naticed tha lad. Was nat tha only one ether." She managed to make out from what he told her that her charge had been nabbed by some cult or something. And he could also provide her with directions so she did not need to make any more inquiries.

She set off to go rescue this prince, grumbling to herself as she did so. Why couldn't he have stayed in the inn? Stupid rich men!