After five years away from Castle Araluen, it felt strange to be returning. This time, Maddie noticed people looked at her differently. No longer was she the spoiled, arrogant princess. Now, she was a ranger, on a ranger's horse and wearing a ranger's cloak, part of the elite group that inspired both fear and awe in the population. As she returned home, she had proven herself as a capable leader, a leader who was willing to fight and die alongside her people. When she looked into her parents' eyes, she knew, without doubt, they were proud of her.
