Chapter One
The early morning mist surrounded the small cabin. In the distance, the immense Castle Redmont stood as a monument to the success of the nation. The front door of the cabin slid open noiselessly, and out stepped the Queen's Ranger, Will Treaty. In his right hand, he held a thick sheaf of papers –reports from around the Kingdom of Araluen- and his left he held a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee.
Will sat down in the wooden chair on his deck, and began to read through the reports. Every so often, he would mutter a "Hm…" or an "I see." Will paused only when his dog, Sable, came from behind the cabin and sat next to him, her long breaths matching his.
After a few minutes, a girl of about sixteen, Madelyn, walked out the front door. Will, not looking up, said, "I made breakfast. It's on the table." She sat down in the chair next to his. "I saw it. Not hungry." She did, however, take a long swig from the coffee mug in her hand. "Anything interesting in those reports, Will?" He glanced up. "Not really," he said, tossing the papers onto the small table in front of them. "Just the usual things." "Can I have a look?" "Go right ahead. I doubt you'll find something worth looking at."
Madelyn was silent for a few minutes as she rifled through the stack, barely stopping to read a word until she saw an envelope addressed to Will in gold ink. "Will," she started. "Yes?" "What's this?" she asked, handing him the envelope. Will took it, and sliced it open using the saxe knife on his belt. He quickly read through it, his eyes darting back and forth across the parchment. "What's it say?" Madelyn asked. "You can read it if you like," he replied, handing the letter back to her. She began to read aloud.
"Ranger Will. You have been selected to compete in a competition of the highest importance, one that will determine the outcome of many equally important events. Your presence is requested at Castle Araluen to compete in the Royal Archery Tournament taking place there in two weeks' time. The competition will be stiff, and I hope you will be able to uphold the pride of our wonderful nation. Love, your dearest friend, Cassandra. PS: Say hello to Madelyn for me."
Madelyn put the paper down. "What does this mean?" "It means we better get packing if we're to arrive at Castle Araluen in a fortnight." "You're going?" "Of course I'm going. It was personally requested of me by your mother, who, as you know, is not one to go against. So get packed, and be ready to leave in five minutes." And just like that, it was decided.
Madelyn rushed inside the house to her small room, and took her saddlebag out from inside one of the drawers. She immediately began packing it with her spare uniforms, camp gear, and cooking supplies. The latter she doubted she would get a chance to use, as Will quite enjoyed making their meals. She grabbed her quiver off the wall, slung it over her shoulder, and went the grab her recurve bow from the main room.
She locked the front door from the outside, then went into the stables, throwing the saddlebag over the back of her horse, Bumper. She then jumped into the saddle on the small horse, then immediately began cantering out towards the road, where she knew Will was already waiting for her.
True to form, he was there, and as she arrived, the two set off at the forced-march pace that the Rangers used to travel. Will and Madelyn set off on the long road that would lead them to the great castle Araluen, and eventually the archery tournament.