When Ranger woke up, she was already reaching for her belt for a knife when she saw North sleeping on the seat beside her. She sat up and looked around in confusion. Where was she?
She looked around as she quietly got up and put her cloak back on. A large room, two couches, and two chairs all facing each other in a semicircle, two doors on the wall behind her, spread apart enough to look like a whole other room was in between them. The theme seemed to be red, warm, and cozy. And a window to the far right told her she was somewhere way up north.
She concluded this wasn't enough information. She needed to know more. So she got up, not even trying to be quiet, and went through one of the doors and into a long hallway. "Time to explore and hope there's no guards this time." She said with a light sigh. Maybe she could find a way out of here that didn't lead into a battle or into the snow and ice.
"What do you mean, she's gone?!" Bunny asked as he jumped on North.
"I mean exactly that." North said. "I woke up and she gone. Poof!"
Thirty minutes after Ranger woke up, everyone else came back to check on her, accept for North and Jack. Every assumed Jack was still sleeping and didn't want to bother him. Bunny woke North up by jumping on his face and Tooth had to hold him as North explained.
"After you left, Jack and I talked. He went to bed and I fell asleep. I didn't hear he move." North said as he watched Bunny, who seemed awfully mad. "Why are you upset?" He asked.
"I'm not." Bunny replied sharply.
"Bunny did snap awake, saying something about a Anneliese." Tooth said, earning a glare from Bunny which didn't look very intimidating at the moment.
"Did you remember something?" North asked.
Bunny sighed and hopped onto a chair. "Yes, I did. It was about someone I met a long time ago. She was the first female soldier in the nation. A friend of mine during the Dark Ages."
"Really? Tell us more." North said, his interest rising slowly.
"I'll go look for Ranger while you're at it." Tooth said softly before running away so no one could object.
Bunny sighed and looked at North. "Might as well. You won't leave me alone about it until I tell you anyway."
North nodded. "That's right."
"Well, her name was Anneliese Mainwaring. She had an older sister named Alysa. She was the girl every boy went after and was asked by the prince to marry him at age 16. so yeah, Anneliese had a lot to live up to." Bunny said. "So she trained with an archer who taught her how to fight and negotiate. I met her while she was practicing hunting and tracking. She was rather good at it, almost shot me. She told me about her, and I told her about myself. She helped me, and I helped her. But, she left one day, leaving a note that said she was chosen to negotiate a peace treaty. She never came back. I few years later, I heard she died." Bunny breathed deeply. "She was young ankle-bitter."
"Did you ever find out what happened to her?" North asked.
Bunny nodded. "She got involved with a rebellion, she was defending the young prince alone. She was backed up against a cliff and stood there for an hour before she was hit. The prince got away and told her story, that's how I heard." The Bunny got silent, obviously not wanting to say anymore.
"Does Ranger look like Anneliese?" North asked.
This surprised Bunny. "Wait, what? No way. She can't be." Though, as he thought about it, they did look alike. He knew what North was getting at, but he didn't believe it.
"Maybe that why you dream about her while you slept." North said, his eyes twinkling lightly.
Bunny sighed and shook his head. "Maybe. I'm not saying she is, but maybe."
Meanwhile, Ranger was on the roof. If you're wondering how she got there, it's because she climbed. That and certain spirit said it was a great view. And it was. With the sun rising it shone on the ice and snow, making it shimmer and glow. It was still cold.
"So, you trust me now?" Jack asked with a smile.
Ranger was messing with the toys when Jack found her. He got her to open up a bit, but not smile yet. She looked more relaxed and talked normally, not trying to seem tough and older.
"Fine. If that's what you want. I can see how you're younger than me." Ranger said, glancing at Jack to see his reaction.
He looked at her and opened his mouth, closing it again. "And what does that mean?"
"You act very carefree, even in this state. You're getting back in by yourself, you know." Ranger added.
"Haha. I can still put ice down your back you know."
"I'd like to see you try."
"Is that a challenge, Ranger?" Jack said, moving so he could stand up.
"Yes." Ranger said before suddenly jumping up and running.
Jack smiled and went to go after her. "Not fair. I can't run."
"Not my problem." Ranger responded as she stood on the other side of the rooftop. It was slanted with snow on top, but Ranger had a stable foothold. One wrong move and she would go over the edge.
Jack saw this and continued walking towards her, but at a slight angle so he would be beside her instead of in front of her and limiting her options of movement. He didn't want her to fall off and get hurt. A gust of wind came and blew Ranger's hood off her head, and lifting Jack up a bit. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening. Ranger was having fun and it was making him stronger. Did this mean she believed in him? But she was only one kid. He would need at least five to fly, right?
Jack looked back at Ranger, pushing his thoughts away for later. Her eyes were looking straight at him and his blue eyes locked with emerald green ones. But it didn't look like she was having fun anymore. Her eyes looked sad, like she was about to cry.
"Ranger?" Jack asked. "Is everything alright?"
"I have to go." She said before suddenly she disappeared.
"Ranger!" Jack said in surprise. What just happened? Where did she go? Jack hurried back inside, finding it easier to move. But only a little bit.