NOTE: I don't own the Ranger's Apprentice world. The story and all characters (except Erak and Ragnak) belong to me!

Remember: any questions you have about Teller/Raven, please ask so I can answer them. I have Ranger Charlie's stored away and will be answered soon. Charlie asked: "When did Raven have Banita?" for those who want to know.

AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon: Henry managed to escape, thanks to Teller's sacrifice. He is with their father back at the farm. Only Teller, Quince, and their mother were captured.

Review and Enjoy!


Raven's Story Chapter 4

Teller opened his eyes slowly. He was still sleepy. The long year of slavery and then the dash from Halasholm had taken a lot out of him. Deep in his mind, he could remember being saved from the snow. Now he was warm, comfortable. His eyes caught sight of blurry rock high above him. He was in a cave of some sort. Where, he could not fathom. Teller began to shift with a groan. A hand touched his chest, holding him still. A cool, wet cloth touched his forehead. Gently a hand ran the cloth over his face and neck. It was soothing. Slowly his eyes closed again and his breathing relaxed. The thought of water made Teller realized how thirsty he was. He tried to open his mouth…

Pain…

Teller had forgotten about his beating. The scars were shallow but there was enough of them to make his face swell. Even the smallest movement of his mouth hurt. The hand returned, rubbing something paste-like on his injuries. It reminded Teller of when his sister put medicine on his hands after a long day in the fields. The medicine had always taken away the pain from the blisters. A similar sensation spread over his cheeks. An arm pulled him up slightly. A cup touched his lips. Opening his lips, Teller let the cool water run down his throat. It helped soothed his burning and parched mouth and throat. After he was down, the arm let him lie back down and sleep.

Later the young man opened his eyes. Now all exhaustion was gone. His eyes clearly saw a small room with a high ceiling and a wooden door. Beside his bed was a stand, on top of which was a water basin, jug, towel, and cup. Teller was lying on his side, face resting on the soft, feather filled pillow. Thick animal skins covered him. The cave was warm without a fire in sight. Under the door, Teller could see light flickering. Torches must be lit, adding their warmth to the cave system. He knew it was system because there were several near his hometown that he had gone to with his friends.

Sitting up, Teller felt his heart twist. Joseph, Gorgon, his mother, and Quince came before his eyes. He had failed all of them. He failed to keep his family safe. What kind of big brother was he? At least Henry was safe at home with Father. Teller's eyes hardened as he remember how Father had walked off, leaving them to a fate as slaves. It was like he did not care at all! With a shake of his head, Teller rid himself of those thoughts. Father loved them, in his own way. If he had tried to save them then he would have been captured as well.

The door opened. Teller glared at the figure that entered. He was dressed in all black, not one inch of skin to be seen. His face was covered by keep cloth, two eye holes that glinted red. A red sash crossed from his right shoulder to left hip. Two blades were at his sides. A long cloak hung around his shoulders. He was of medium height. Despite his height, his legs were quite long. As he came closer, Teller realized that the man had more coloring than just the eyes and sash. Stripes of dark, blood red ran along his gloves. The ends of his sleeves and pants were red as well. His torso was covered with a thick, black vest. Faintly, under the vest and cloak, was a white collar, almost like a spot. Teller almost laughed aloud, thinking of the red foxes that lived in burrows near his farm. He and Henry used to have fun hunting them.

"Greetings, young one," said a calm voice. It was rough, as if an accent was trying to pull its way out. Yet it was soothing. With a flourish of the cloak, he bowed to Teller.

Teller nodded, "Greetings, sir." He figured it was better to be polite.

"Not sir," the man replied. "Sir belongs to Master Serpent. Call me Fox."

Teller did not bother to hide his shock. The colorings were obviously supposed to remind people of the animal. Maybe to remind people of Fox's name. "Will do. I'm Teller."

"Well, Teller, how are you feeling?" Fox asked, tilting his head to the left.

Teller shrugged, "Don't know. Just woke up."

Fox approached closer. Teller tensed a little. He did not trust people who hid themselves behind cloth. They could always be thieves or murderers. Yet, somewhere deep inside, Teller liked Fox. The man seemed genuinely concerned about him. The medium sized man helped Teller slowly to his feet. His hands were firm but gentle. Once out the blankets, Teller realized that his left hand was wrapped in bandages. Carefully he raised it to eye level. Something was wrong. Looking at his right, Teller realized the truth. The forefinger (pointing finger) on his left hand was gone.

"You were lucky," Fox said softly, "Had Master Serpent not found you when he did, you would have lost more of your body. Eagle, our best healer, managed to save the other fingers. She had to remove the one or risk causing future damage to you."

Teller nodded. He had heard tales of people who had lost body parts because it froze so much that the part died. With Fox at his side, Teller took a few tentative steps. His legs held his weight. Fox nodded as Teller began stretching the rest of his body. It was stiff and sore but still in working order. Leaving the young man, Fox went over to a dresser and pulled out some black clothes. He handed them to Teller.

"Best bathe and get dressed," Fox said as Teller took the clothing. "Master Serpent will want to talk to you as soon as you able."

Teller looked at Fox, "What he is like?" When Fox titled his head to the right, Teller got the sense that the man did not understand so he elaborated. "Serpent…what is he like?"

"A great man. Blunt, truthful, and a man who respects his people but demands obedience and respect in return," Fox replied. Then he jerked his hand towards a semi-hidden door by the dresser, "Through there you will find a water pit. Bathe in that. I'll be back in half an hour."

With that, Fox bowed slightly and left. Teller went through the indicated door. Indeed there was a massive pit in the ground. Water bubbled to the surface from underneath the mountain. Touching it gingering, Teller found that the water was warm but not scalding. Undressing out of the thin slave clothes that the people had kept on him, Teller slid into the water. As he bathed, he wondered about who he was with. They certainly had some odd names. All animal names. His green eyes narrowed. Where he was from, people believed that certain animals meant something. Serpents, or snakes, were known for trickery and cunning. Fox for cleverness with deception. Eagles were respected for their skills and prowess as hunters.

Then there was the raven, which meant death.

By the time Fox returned, Teller was ready. The man guided Teller through the many halls. Evidently, Teller had been hidden in the sick wing, closest to the healers. Serpent was in a completely different area. Along the way, Teller spotted other members of the group. They all wore black. Their faces could be seen or were covered with a half mask. Other colorings, in many different patterns, could be seen under the black cloaks. None wore the red that Fox had. Teller was wondering if that color was for the man alone because of his animal. That thought, however, was soon discarded. Reaching a lone hallway, Teller found two more men dressed like Fox. However, where Fox had red beyond the sash, these men had other colors. It was mark a different man. The red sash was obviously a sign of some special group. Further down the hall, passing twenty other doors, they came up a massive, one hinge door. On this Fox knocked then opened it. He signaled for Teller to go first.

The room was massive. Two couches sat in the middle. Animal skin rugs covered every inch of the floor. On the left was a small bar with several glasses and a bottle of wine. To the right was a table and some chairs, its purpose for dining. Three doors were closed, signaling bedrooms. Directly across from the doors, on the far side, was a massive desk. Animal carvings covered everything below the top. Two chairs sat before it. A large one sat behind it. Sitting in it was a man…

Serpent.

Looking up, Serpent let a smile appear on his features. Blue eyes studied Teller as Fox guided him forward. The man's blond hair was spikey, sticking out in all directions. Either he liked it that way or the hair refused to go flat. Teller did not know and did not care. A blond mustache grew beneath a broken nose and above a square jaw. As Teller stepped up to the desk, Serpent rose. He was of medium height, a head and a half shorter than Teller. Like his people, he was dressed in all black. A green sash crossed from his right shoulder to his left hip. His cloak was hanging neatly on the back of his chairs. Unlike Fox, who carried many smaller knives, this man only carried two sabers. The ends of his sleeves were a deep green like a snake's skin. A thick, ornate, black vest covered his torso with a green shirt beneath. In all, he was handsome figure. Teller found nothing about the man that told him to be weary.

He remained so, just in case.

"Have a sssseat," Serpent said, his right hand indicating the chair on Teller's left. As Teller did so, he spoke to Fox, "Thank you, Fox. You are dismissed. Wait outside until I call you."

Fox bowed and did as he was told.

Teller swallowed nervously as Serpent sat back down, blue eyes still locked on him. Finally he managed to mumble, "Thank you for saving me, sir."

"You are a respectful one," Serpent said, his voice smooth and calm. It was almost hypnotic. Like a snake, Teller thought with an internal frown.

Teller looked at the desk, not desiring to meet Serpent's gaze, "My father taught me to be respectful to authority."

"I sssssee. Your father must be a kind man," Serpent said, his eyes still locked on Teller.

Teller stiffened a little as he thought of his father's blades, "At times. He likes to drink a little too much."

"Ssssso he isss the one who gave you those sssscars on your armssss," Serpent hissed smoothly after a pause. Without Teller realizing it, he rose from his chair and moved closer to the young man.

Teller shrugged weakly, "He's not the nicest man when drunk."

"No one issss," Serpent said. His hands landed softly on Teller's shoulders. The young man stiffened in an instant. Serpent sensed this and whispered in his right ear, "Peace, young one. All issss well. No one here will hurt you in any way."

Teller let his voice harden, "How can you be sure?"

"Because I rule here with an iron fist. Any who crosssss me, any who disobey me, will die by my own hand," was the hissing, firm reply.

Teller tried to turn to face the leader but Serpent held him firm. Realizing this, he contented himself with a snapping remark. "I don't trust you. Any of you. I want to go home, where I belong, where what is left of my family remains."

"I understand your fearsss," Serpent whispered. "All ssslavesss want to go home. However, many are not welcomed home by those they love. You can go, young Teller. One of my men will ssssee you get home sssssafe and ssssound. Just remember sssssomething: Among the Hunterssss, you will alwayssss be welcomed with open armssss."

With that, Serpent patted Teller's right shoulder as he stood to his full height. "Fox!" he called. When the man in question came in, Serpent told him that Teller wanted to go home. Thus, Fox was to escort the young man to Rzeka. There he would wait until Teller was sure he wanted to stay "home". Only then could Fox return. The man instantly bowed low to Serpent.

"It will be done, Master," Fox replied. He then winked at Teller, "I'll pack a few things right now. We will tomorrow morning."

Teller nodded, satisfied with that answer. Fox turned and left the room once more. Teller rose to follow the man out. Serpent stood beside one of the couches, hands clasped behind his back. Carefully Teller stepped forward. The man's blue eyes stared at the door. He did not even move as Teller passed by him. Touching the door, Teller suddenly felt an odd feelingly. His right hand trembled on the doorknob. He breathed deeply, not understanding why his heart pounded deep inside his chest. It was as if he was afraid to the room. It was if he did not want to go back to Rzeka.

"Remember," Serpent said gently, "we alwayssss be here, waiting for you. Those who hurt you will pay for the pain they caused you. We will protect you, care for you, love you. I will for eternity for you to come home. I ssssaved you for a reason. I could ssssee what you would become under the right guidance. No matter what, I will be here, for you…

My sssson."


Next chapter should be up this weekend. It will take place back in Rzeka. Believe me when I say it, this is when Teller truly turns.

And yes, Serpent planned all of this for the moment he found Teller in the snow.