Chapter 11 Return

The 5 trudged along the dusty path eventually coming across a small side rest shop. The serving man eyed the 5 travellers from the road. He seldom sees anyone getting off the road and approaching their little shack. He gives a tweet signaling a hidden group of bandits in the foliage, before giving a second look at the fact 3 of the riders had large longbows packed, and the 2 swords.

They left their things with their horses, and then the one with a grey beard and a young girl walked up, asking, "I need some oats, and some water" He nods and then walks to the back, "I'll be right back"

Maddie asked, "This place seems empty, and seems to rarely get visitors" eyeing the dusty tracks that seem to have been there for a long while, comparing to their fresh ones.

Will shrugged, doesn't matter as much, either they just rarely get customers or… his second thought was brought to reality when suddenly a band of attacks roars from both sides. Jack stumbled and instinctively drew his sword simultaneously with Horace. Will turned to see a large burly attack, where Will simply just ducked and flipped him backwards and let Maddie strikes him with her strikers. Will turned and went behind the counter with his saxes drew, and when behind, the servant of the shack wasn't there. Will thought, this is a trap.

They all grouped together, Horace remarked "This place is crawling with bandits isn't it"

Evanlyn gives a quick glance at Horace, "Really? You just noticed that?"

Horace lowers his sword and leans on it, "No I meant the country"

Jack laughs, "What did you expect-" parries and deflects a strike "It's the Temujai land, I wouldn't expect much better"

They brief battle continued, Will calls out, "We can't do this every time we take a stop or a break, we need to get the harbour, its taking us enough time for us."

Horace sighs, "Alright, Alright I was just taking fun with this."

With the superior swordsmanship they knew, he quickly finished the remaining attackers before anyone could disengage.

Will nodded and noticed a sudden movement on the corner of his eye, "Stop right there, or I will put this arrow right between your eyes."

The servant slowly turned, "Don't kill me please don't."

Will looked at him with disgust, "Where's the oats and water?"

He points to the hidden room, "Slide the door, there's the storage room"

Will nodded and the hit him hard in the heard knocking him out.

"Was that necessary?" Maddie inquired.

Will walked and turned his head looking back, "No, but I wouldn't want the man alarming anyone else, catching us with our pants down."

Horace laughs, "Are we still trying to prank Halt?"

Will looked at him "Always"

Ooo

Late in the afternoon they arrived at the shipyard town. Checking the map, Jack pointed out, "Okay here is the yard… which right over there" Standing on a cliff they saw 10 large ships in the harbour waters.

Horace gave a low whistle, "That's going to be a lot of ships to take down or sink"

Jack nodded in agreement. Will rolled up the map, "Come on, let's find an inn to stay, I want to sleep on a comfortable bed tonight."

In about dusk, after they ate, Will and Horace took a walk outside. In the weak light, they walked around the streets, no one payed attention to their presence.

"Let's take a look by the docks, to see what we're dealing with"

Horace nodded and then they both strode in the direction of the docks. They saw the big ships, they saw some workers still moving lumber, sheets, and all sorts of materials.

"That, is going to take a lot of force to take down that ship." Horace said with a wide eye.

Will tugged Horace, "Quick" eyeing the oncoming of Temujai patrols, "Let's go back"

Early in the morning, they all felt much rested since many nights on the road.

While the rest of the crew starts to wake up, Will rambles on at the door, "This is not possible, we need a large scale of an attack, even then how are we going to do that quickly and easily?"

Evanlyn rubs her eyes, "Why don't you get some coffee and then think things through, it's not like they are releasing the ships today isn't it?"

Then as if timed by some dark force, they heard cheering outside. Will rushed out the square and asked the nearby rushing citizen. "What is happening?"

The man looked at him with a toothy smile, "They finally finished building the ships! An apprentice to the Black Raven, leading a pirate-temujai army is arriving tomorrow afternoon boarding these 10 ships! Now the Ara-land people will suffer!" and then quickly nodded and returned running toward the crowd.

Will abruptly turned to the rest "We need to stop this army now. There simply not enough time for setting traps on the ships. We have arrived too late"

Moka shades his eyes with his hands from the beating sun, they've been travelling on the road for days and hours now. "Are you sure Taka-san we are on the right track?"

Selethen looks at the tracks, he may not be excellent trackers like the Rangers, but he still had the hunters instincts. "We are, just not sure…. There are only 5 of them"

Moka looked at him hearing the slight raise of questioning in his tone.

"But it seems like a large party just entered the tracks, like a rather large army…" Selethen suddenly pieced the details together, army and ship dock. Will must be on his way to stop another force added to the cavalry!

"Come on!" turning towards to a run downed path, where barely any tracks were made, "We need to get the Will before the army arrives!"

"But we don't even have a small party of warriors!" Horace exclaimed

Evanlyn nodded, "There may be a band of Skandians, a group of slaves for archers, or Kikori men in the past but we aren't in neither of those places"

Will was thumped, this was a problem, without a decent opposing force, the battle will have the odds stacked at least 1-3

Jack and Maddie came through the doors, "Alright we found out where they are coming from, it's the same road we came from. Seems like they aren't worried of any opposition forces to resist"

That struck a chord in Will's mind, "Hmm…. Alright we have the element of surprise and the elevation then" pointing at the cliffs, "We can easily fire and draw attacks. Horace can provide close combat, and if needed Jack can come into it."

Maddie nervously added, "We also checked the surrounding terrain, we are in an open space, also we are really close to the remaining Temujai based here, reinforcements will be a problem"

Will nodded, "We will give them a scratch, cut down their numbers a bit, then retreat back out of the woods and decide our next step, and we can't risk a full contact battle"

All of them nodded, "Alright, rest up, we need our strengths tomorrow"

Will walked through the silent streets, seldom seeing some people walking by. What Jack said…no resistance…we got surprise….but ….that's it! Resistance! There must be a group of people around here that must go against the Temujai ways! Even the peace in Araluen Kingdom, we still get resisting bands.

Will walked and looked around, seeing where would be a likely place for some resistance would hide… somewhere most likely underground, close to enemy to keep eye on but not to draw suspicion. Must been luck or some sort, Will say a dark shadow slipped past an alley, disappearing into a wall.

Will followed promptly, up to the wall…everything must have an entrance… and there was a small loose board, which concealed a rope. He pulled it revealing a low door opened. Looking behind, he slid down holding a ladder there. There was a foul smell in the air, he heard a slight running of water nearby… slowly using his Ranger training, as he moved forward he heard laughter. Noticing a faint light coming toward sight, feeling the way through Will stumbled seeing a large room, filled with all sorts of weaponry and armor.

In the stroke of luck, he saw a large group of warriors, all sorts of ages. Not sure if they were enemies of his or possible allies, he peered in, using the shadows, where citizens of Araluen would say dark magic, he crept into the room. He saw the Temujai Flag, in the shadow, he had a clear view, the leader who is probably about in his 20s he assessed,

"Tonight! Brothers and sisters, we will strike another blow at the Temujai army! Reports show that a large army will be arriving tomorrow afternoon! We will gather at along the treelines, standard raiding attacks, pick up as you go and always never get caught in full combat, unless you want to die" receiving a throaty chuckle. "Tonight, we shall do what's right, for the citizens who actually want peace in this country!"

They all cheered, while tossing the mock-emblem of the General Haz'kam insignia into the fire. Will choosing the follow his instincts, he stepped out of the shadows. "What a mighty great plan, should I add, What will you do with the archers within the army?"

Silence pierced the air, everyone stumbling some drawing their swords and the new voice. The man who was giving the speech suddenly stop smiling, putting his hand to the hilt of his sword.

"How the bloody devil did you get in here?" someone asked.

Will replied without turning, "I followed one of you, don't worry no Temujai saw, just like you all haven't"

Eyeing closely at the cloaked figure, it was hard, he seemed to shift in and out of the shadow. Noticing one of his people, one of the tough scouts who is excellent at silent moving, prepared to strike.

Will purely said, "Take one more step, and it will be a pain for me to waste one of my arrows on you than against the Temujai"

A collective mutter hearing the threat, not only he said it without even turning, but he his remark on against the Temujai

Sensing it might be a good time to interrupt, one of the senior circles asked, "Who might you be?"

Everyone looking at his movements he slowly removed the cloak, revealing a grey bearded figure, who was small but built, seeing the large irregular long bow, similar to the Temujai, they stood warily at the sight.

"This might not concern you all, but I am the Ranger of the Araluen kingdom, that might tell you why I am in your country." Will said slowly testing for anyone against his will.

The leader of the rebels nodded, "I have heard about these green cloaked, bowmen, one of them were here a few decades back."

Will nodded, "Then you must be familiar with the failed attacked on the the Skandian territory"

A heavy growl was heard around them, a bulky man thumped his fist into his palm, "That war made my family suffer heavy costs and our town"

Will shrugged without meaning to boast, "Then your ears might know that the war was stopped by 2 of the Rangers. "

Several nodded, "That was a terrible plan to start off with, now the Temujai General, out of personal hatred is going to attack that peaceful country"

Will scoffed, peaceful, it was but threatened, it would be like a porcupine raising his quills.

"Right, can we lose the heavy threats in the air? The Temujai-Pirate army is heading on its way here now. Me and my friends are planning to attack here" without thought, walking towards the map on the wall.

"There's more of you?" one of the asked.

"Yes, 2 more plus 2 warriors" Will said absentminded. "We need a group of warrior capable to attack, and handle themselves, and I think I found them"

An advisor pulled the leading rebel, "Hawkin, you trust this Ara-land bantam?"

Looking at him, and then hissed "You know what, he proved a point, what we are going to do about the archers in the army, and they will pick us off one by one. We don't have anyone here that uses the bow. Unless your hunting."

Then turned Will, "Alright, My alias is Hawkin, leader of the resistance, we have decided we will believe you and your story, any attempt to deceive us will result a permanent hate for your kind."

Will looks at him in the eye, "No, you're wrong"

Everyone was taken back at the tone of command and the shot of reply, "Any of you, DECIDES to DECIEVE us, will mean that we will add you to the Temujai army list and the King of Araluen will destroy you without a second thought" seeing some confused looks.

Making the point clear, "That's right, I am more worried about trusting you lots then my bacon, but if anyone of you didn't understand, let me put this short, turn us in, your dead. Not turn us in, we might have some common grounds between us."

Getting some nods, Hawkin decided we should get on with this, "Okay Ranger, here is our plan, you said there's the problem with the archers…"

Ooo

A tweet was heard, Will and Maddie perched on the cliff edge. They could clearly see the rebels hiding on the sides, they planned that Evanlyn and Maddie will hit them a few pellets. Since their weapon was deadly and hard to trace.

Hawkin signaled they were ready, Will said, "Target the officers, we need the leading man alive"

Both of them nodded, they quickly slinged and fired.

The officer talked to another officer nearby when suddenly he held up his hand to his forehead, and then fell off his horse. Everyone around him halted and looked at him with amazement and surprise. Then suddenly another man and officer went out… soon everyone began to shift uncertainly. The Black Raven's apprentice looked at her officers. She looked around seeing no one, and then held her hands to halt. Suddenly 3 arrows shot out hitting 3 officers next to her, transfixed with a Grey, Brown, and Black arrow.

Hawkin, who was an intelligent leader didn't shout attack, instead notified the party of rebels to engage silently. Without the roaring of attackers, the defenders were briefly distracted at the fallen officers, giving the rebels enough seconds to engage the fight without extra eyes on them. The knight in armor wheeled the horse away, where the soldiers returned attacking. In the midst of the confusion and attack, someone signaled the nearby watchtower in the docks, notifying the Temujai there. During the bloody battle, the Temujai came to reinforcing the defensive positions, but along the way they were intercepted by a small band of warriors hiding low in the high grasses. Slowly pushed back they were trapped.

Will, Maddie, Evanlyn and Horace stood behind the trees, returning shots. Thunk! Thunk! The arrows hit, and whizzed by. Will grabbed the arrow nearby and returned fire taking down a couple more archers.

Horace laughs, looking at the rebels, "You always seem to make a habit of creating small armies out of nowhere"

Will grins, 'Apparently, yes I do" then taking another 3 arrows off the ground and firing back.

Hawkin shouted, "REBELS, REGROUP"

They all retreated to the far end of the wide road, blocking the enemy's way. Horace and Evanlyn joined them whereas Maddie, Jack and Will stood in the shadows.

The knight, surprising them, was a female voice called out "Stand aside rebels, and you will be spared this once, choose wrong and you will be destroyed."

Hawkin, standing close to the bushes talked to Will although his adviser was standing beside him.

Will, who has been closely kept watch at how many men has fallen, said "Hawkin, you can't hold off another attack, you will take more damage and casualties!"

Hawkin laughed gruffly, "As long these soldiers are taken down, I will NOT allow these 10 ships to leave, aside from the leader, everyone will be taken down."

Before Will could say anything or Hawkin giving the order to attack without Will's imput, a rumble of chanting Chocho! Chocho! Chocho! Will raised his eyebrows at the name of it… the only way someone would call that in a chant would be….he looks to the far off side, there was as if bathed in golden light, Senshi warriors drawing their swords, he clearly saw Moka in the lead with a curved blade wielder on his side….Selethen! The Temujai and pirates scrambled to cover their backs, seeing a new threat rose behind them.

The rebels looked uncertainly at each other; Will called out "They are allies and FRIENDS of mine"

Hawkin looked at them nervously and then nodded. Hawkin shouted "Tem'jai! SURRENDER NOW, OR BE DESTROYED"

The Temujai stood, not moving, or relenting. The pirates gave a second thought. They plundered ships and small towns, retreating at sign of heavy danger, but this was a new chain of command, they shifted side to side.

Hawkin, sensing the resistance, and the new back up he began to issue the order when he heard a sharp sound, "HALT!"

Will stepped out of the shades, and walked onto the battle ground; he can't allow the Senshi fight and lose brothers in this petty battle. "STOP" Will called out, "Temujai, stand down now, and you will be spared, you are clearly outnumbered, as my people would say, rather live to fight another day" then looking into the eyes of the leader, he saw some recognition and fear.

The officer beside her shouted "WE WILL NEVER RETREAT FROM YOU ARA-LAND BANTAM ARCHERS"

The Temujai' who got a clear look at the familiar cloaked figure and the bow on his back, they growled with dissent. The Temujai and pirates began to raise their swords when suddenly the leader said, "Put your weapons down men, stand down. We surrender"

Late in the night in the forest area,

Horace gives Selethen a mighty hug, "Where in gorlog's ears did you spring from?"

Selethen laughs, "Emperor Shigeru thought that the 5 of you won't be enough to stop or destroy an opposing force like the Temujai's so he sent us, and Moka's warriors to come. "

Will laughs seeing an old friend "You sure did come on time alright"

Moka went up to Will and bowed, which Will returned the bow "It is an honor to meet you again Chocho-san"

Will smiles, "It's great to see you again Moka-san, I trust Mikeru is doing well?"

Moka brightens up "Yes, Kikori Mikeru has been helpful to the emperor with far Kikori village expeditions. He has been cared and had been a great help"

Will laughs, then Will bows and leaves, and goes to the spot where the prisoners were kept. He saw the female warrior who sat comfortably there, and asked one of the Senshi to take of the helmet she was still wearing, and then ordered them to leave. They both bowed and left. She looked up, Will raises his eyebrows, she doesn't look like the Temujai, and he saw fear in her eyes.

Will asked, slowly walking around her, "Why are you afraid of me, Maddie and Jack every time we pass you or near you?"

She looked up suddenly at the name of Jack, and then seeing that she looked into the dark eyes of the Ranger, she quickly looked down.

Will noticed this and pressed on, "You're not obviously from here, why do you fear us, only us, and where are you from?"

She replies with a soft voice, "Y-you are a Ranger, protectors of the Araluen"

Will widened his eyes at the perfect pronunciation of Araluen, and the way she said Rangers. As if she knew them. "That's right" Will said slowly.

"I-I was born in Araluen." She stutters.

Will asked grimly, "What is your name?"

She replies, "Faye, My name is Faye"

Will assessed her, She didn't look much older… than Jack… and how come is she a commander of a rather large army?

Will asked something with a super soft voice that she even had to lean closer to hear, "Then tell me, did you have a brother when you were younger? And possibly, just possibly, were you in a fire accident?"

She widened her eyes, these rangers were uncanny, and how on earth did he know this? She thought.

"Yes…" she spoke uncertainly.

Will nodded slowly; feeling the emotions about the fire, and then the sudden knew information. He turned and walked towards camp. He signaled the Senshi guarding her, "Give her fresh water and some decent portion of the food. Make she stays alive and not harmed and give her a good blanket, not those musky ones"

The senshi nodded and bowed and then quickly went to do those things. Will poured himself a cup of coffee. Slowly drank it, Jack appeared at his side, soon enough , he asked, "Why were you talking to the girl prisoner?"

Will gave him a baleful look, "You don't ever stop asking questions don't you?"

Jack laughs, "That doesn't stop Maddie either"

Will nodded accepting the fact, "She is not from here, and she knows the Rangers."

Jack craned his neck to hear about this, "She is also from Araluen."

He nodded and sipped his coffee, continuing with a level tone, "She also happen to have a brother, and also had been in a fire accident coincidently to your case, and she perked up at your name Jack"

Jack nodded and then suddenly stopped nodding at what Will said has sank in, "Wait, what? Are you saying that she is my little sister?"

Will looked at him and at the direction of where she's kept, "If she is your sister, that would makes sense, because, she looks around your age, same previous-incidents-, has a brother named Jack. And you say that you lost your sister when Dark Raven attacked?"

Jack nodded sadly.

"Well she is under the Dark Raven's wing, and there is a slight chance here, that all this makes the fact that, she might be your little sister, and tell me Jack, when you were young, was she really good with plain stick and flimsy bow firing?"

Jack recalled his memories, nodding.

Will gave a gesture, "What was your little sister's name?"

Jack replied without a second thought, "Faye, her name was Faye"

Heyo all, and OHHHH anyone expect that? anyone? anyway

Well, things just got realz hahaha

Likes and reviews appreciated! i want to see how people are feeling about this!

Thats all! eyes peeled for the Chapter 12!

PulserRay out~~