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Chapter 14: Riders blade.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
They made their way to the farm. On the way Naruto asked a few questions.
Naruto: How did you find out I was a rider?
Ranger snorted derisevly.
Ranger: There were clues everywhere I only had to pay attention.
Naruto: That's what you said last time.
Ranger: I know, well I guess I should ellaborate. One your plam mark that was the biggest give away. The gedwey ignasia, the shining palm. You have touched a dragon hatchling. The second was your questions and the very poorly made excuse of a trader.
Naruto: I thought fooled you with that?
Ranger: Nope. I just went along with it until I could get somemore information.
Once they were at the farm Ranger cursed and Naruto's eyes filled with greif. The barn and house were already being reclaimed by nature. Weeds and grass began to sprout up in the feilds, house and barn. There was a rush of air as Cortana rushed over head and landed. Ranger gazed in wonder as she made her way over to them. His eyes were filled with an emotion Naruto couldn't quiet register. Joy? Sorrow? Loss? He couldn't tell. Then Naruto heard Ranger whisper something that Naruto could just barely hear.
Ranger: So it starts again, but how and where will it end? My sight is vailed, I cannot tell wether this be tragety or farce. But even so my station is unchanged and I...
What ever else he said Naruto didn't hear as Cortana got close enough to them. He rubbed her scales. She looked at Ranger curiously and started sniffing him. Ranger didn't move but had a look of caution on his face.
Cortana: You know I haven't seen any other humans but you and Hohenheim and he was badly injured.
Naruto: You've seen people through my eyes.
Cortana: Its not the same.
She looked at Naruto her face critical.
Cortana: You really are a queer race.
Ranger finnaly spoke.
Ranger: Whats her name?
Naruto: Cortana.
Ranger seemed a little suprised by this so Naruto kept talking.
Naruto: It was the only name you gave me that she liked. I think it fits.
Ranger: Fit it does.
He stood up a little straighter which was only when he had to give an important sentence.
Ranger: Greetings Cortana. I am honored to meet you.
Cortana sniffed raising her head.
Cortana: I like him.
Naruto: Of course you do, everyone likes flatery.
Ranger reached out and rubbed one of Cortana's scales and she drew back hissing.
Naruto: Whats wrong?
She didn't say anything but Ranger seemed certainly happy. Naruto sighed and started diging through the wreckage of the house. In a corner he found his bow still intact as was the quiver although several of the arrows were broken.
Naruto (thinking): Finnaly some good luck.
He found his pack. THe frame was broken in a few places but could be repaired. There was little else that was usefull so he clambered out of the wreckage to his compaions. Ranger eyed the bow.
Ranger: It takes a strong arm to pull that.
Naruto took the complement wordlessly. Ranger glanced around a little as though he were uncomfortable.
Ranger: Now what?
Naruto: We find a place to hide till we're ready to go.
Ranger: Do you have anything in mind?
Naruto: Follow me.
Naruto glanced at Cortana.
Naruto: Its to thick in the trees. Could you stay above us?
Cortana: Sure but be careful.
She took off while Ranger and Naruto made their way towards the woods. Naruto lead a winding road trying to confuse any pursers even though where they were going was close by It still took them most of the after noon to get where he was leading them. They entered a concealed that was large enough for two people and a dragon to fit with decent comfort. Ranger looked around with intreast as Cortana landed.
Ranger: Does anyone else know about this place?
Naruto shook his head.
Naruto: I found this place a few months after we moved into the house. It took me a month the clear out all the rocks and another week to get rid of all of the dead wood.
Naruto sat down as Ranger started gathering some twigs for a fire. As soon as it was lite Naruto spoke.
Naruto: Can I ask a few questions?
Ranger: Sure.
He popped a peice of gum into his mouth and started chewing.
Naruto: I find it hard to believe that a village story teller knows so much about the riders. And how can you speak to Cortana?
Ranger was silent for a minute then he spoke.
Ranger: Well this should be delt with first.
He dug through his pack a pulled out a long thin package. He unwrapped it slowly with reverance until to Naruto's suprise Ranger held a long sword. Its sheath was made of fine black leather. The hilt was wrapped in silver wire. A blood red ruby was set into it the guard. He handed it to Naruto who drew it carefully. It fit his hand like a glove and the blade was wine red. Etched on the sheath was a strange black symbol.
Ranger: This was once a riders sword. It is called Zar'oc. Don't ask how I got it, its way to long of a story to tell in one night. Sufice to say it was one hell of a ride. I don't give out descriptions of my lfe to anyone. Nor have you earned the right to that yet.
Naruto: Who was the rider who owned Zar'oc?
Ranger: A mighty warrior who was much feared in his time. But I won't give his name.
Naruto was about to interupt but Ranger spoke on.
Ranger: I don't want to keep you in the dark far from it. But certain knowledge could be dangerous to you. Until you have the time and power to deal with such matters. Now.
He glared at Naruto to stop him from interupting.
Ranger: Anyone can be taught how to speak with their mind and it dosen't mean a damn thing if they can.
Naruto: Well what else do you know about dragons. I mean by like what they can do.
Ranger: Well there is a reason why I'm traveling with you. You have questions and I'm probably the only person for one hundred miles willing to tell you. I can teach you what it would take years for you to learn on your own. I'm offering my knowledge as a short cut.
Naruto showed the sword to Cortana how sniffed it.
Cortana: It has power.
As she touched it the sword's blade shimmered uncontrolably. When she with drew the color returned to normal. Disturbed Naruto sheathed the sword while looking at Ranger who had an eyebrow raised.
Ranger: Told you.
This was a little to much for Naruto who just had to spill it all out.
Naruto: Who are you? Your not the person I've known in Carvahal for all of these years! Who does a mere village story teller have a riders sword! Explain yourself.
Ranger: I thought I had made it clear that I was not going to give you my whole damned life story.
Naruto: My uncle is dead because of this! Dead! I've tolerated you so far because Cortana trusts you but no more!
Ranger was silent for a moment then he spoke.
Ranger: You've probably never thought about it, but most of my life has been spent out side of this valley. It was only in Carvahall that I took up the role of story teller. I have played many different rolls to different people.
Naruto: Then who are you?
Ranger eyed him carefully.
Ranger: I am one who is willing to help you. Do not scorn those words for they are the truest I have ever spoken.
Naruto sighed and sat back down.
Naruto: Then tell me what you know. About the strangers I mean.
Ranger: They are called the Razac. I don't know if thats the name of their race or if thats what they call themselves. I can tell you this though. They are not human. The one time I glimpsed ones face it seemed to have a beak and eyes as large as my fists. They cannot use magic but they are stronger than most men and can jump great heights. They have a dislike of the sun as bright light pains them but it won't stop them long. They also have a morrbid fear of water for they cannot swim.
Naruto: How many of them are there?
Ranger: As far as I know only the two you have seen there might be more though. Before Xemnas's rise to power they were never seen. He must've found them during his travels and brought them into his service. They are his personel dragon hunters. Whenever word spreads of a rider in the land they are dispatched to investigate. A trail of death usually follows. Now I want to know a few things. Like how you found Cortana's egg that should clear somethings up.
Naruto told him everything. It felt good to be able to confied in some one after all of the secrecy. Ranger only noodded. When he was finished Naruto sighed.
Naruto: I just wish I knew where she came from.
Ranger: Well you've at least made a few things clear to me. The Razac definatly didn't have a source of information from inside the valley until they meet Barken. The one who gave them that info is probably dead. Second is that if Barken had just used his common sense all of this could have been avoided.
Naruto: When you saw the mark on my hand why didn't you tell me what it meant. I could have warned Hohenheim before going to get Cortana and the three of us could have fled!
Ranger sighed and his gaze fell to the ground.
Ranger: I wasn't sure what to do. I thought I could keep the Razac off your back and then confront you about Cortana. I went looking around their camp that night trying to get some information but they out smarted me and ambushed me. It was a hell of a fight but they underestimated me. Near the end however one threw a rock at me and I was knocked out until mid afternoon the next day. By that time it was to late. I am sorry.
Naruto sat there in silence mulling it all over. They ate a simple dinner and then finnaly hit the sack. They had a lot work ahead of them.
Ranger24: And that is were I end this chapter. Remember this friday lord of the rings starts! Read and review.