Author's Note: Hello, everybody. This idea has been floating around in my head for a while and I finally decided to publish it. Hope you enjoy it.
Susan glided through the forest, watching as he rode away from his cabin. As the cabin disappeared behind a bend, he stopped his horse and dismounted to inspect some strange tracks she had set up ahead of time. She silently loaded her crossbow and stepped out of the forest with barely a sound, but he still heard it. He stood up from the tracks and spun around, moving to load his longbow even as he turned.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I warned him in a dark voice. He froze with his hand halfway to his quiver, but if he was surprised or afraid, he hid it well.
"Who are you?" he asked, "And how come my horse didn't warn me of your presence?"
"My name is Susan McLaughlen. And your horse didn't warn you because I don't have a scent for it to smell."
"What do you mean 'you don't have a scent'? How can you not have a scent?" he asked, confused. I regarded him, a thoughtful expression on my face.
"Drop your weapons and I might answer your questions." When he made no move to release his bow, I raised my crossbow till it was level with his heart.
"Fine!" He threw his bow to the ground, his quiver following soon after. "Now what do you mean you don't have a scent?" he demanded.
I smiled slightly. "I'm a fire elf. Fire elves don't have scents."
"What is a fire elf?"
"That is not of your concern," I snapped. Then, in a quieter but no less harsh voice, I continued, "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to ask you some questions, and you are going to answer them if you value your life. Understood?" He nodded slightly, but I could tell he wouldn't tell me everything I wanted to know, even if it did cost him his life.
"Where is Halt O'Carrick?"
"Redmont fief."
"Does he have an apprentice?"
"Yes."
"What is the apprentice's name?"
He didn't reply to this one but it didn't matter. I could find out other ways.
"When is the next Gathering?" He didn't reply to this one either, and this time, it aggravated me. Using my free hand, I unsheathed the knife I kept in the belt of my pants and threw it at his left calf. He screamed slightly at the sudden pain and bent over to clutch at his wound.
"I told you to answer my questions. I'm not going to ask this again. When is the next Gathering?" When he still refused to answer me, I took aim at his heart once more, and this time, it wasn't a warning. I pulled the trigger and the Ranger of Norgate fief was dead.
A/N: I know, short chapter, but I really wanted to get this story started and this is all the farther I've gotten. I'll make the next chapter longer, I promise.
Might be a little early for this, but reviews are greatly appreciated.