Chapter 6
Two weeks after her birthday party Lilliana was reading a message sent by the Governor of Beruna. The town's blacksmith was refusing to pay his taxes, again. The whole business was getting out of hand, and to make things worse the people weren't able to get what they needed fixed. It was time to take action.
"I think you should go, Reuel," the king said. "As the heir to the throne you need to know how to deal with these kinds of situations. And I think it will be good for you."
"What good do you think I can do?" The prince asked.
"A lot."
So, despite his son's protests, King Arven sent his son to Beruna. Fortunately Lilliana asked to accompany her brother and was given permission to do so.
After riding for most of the day Reuel and Lilliana arrived in Beruna at dusk. Over dinner with the governor and his wife the topic of conversation turned to recent events that had happened over several days. Reuel and Lilliana had heard of the horse thefts but, until recently, had not heard of their return.
"Who brought them back?" Reuel directed the question toward the governor.
"Oh, just a friend of mine," he stated elusively.
"Really? And what might this friend's name be?" He questioned.
Varen swallowed nervously. He knew Ayron didn't like attention being drawn to himself, and Varen respected that. But he hadn't counted on being in a situation where he would be closely questioned about his friend's identity.
"Umm, well…" the governor stammered. "Let's - well, call him Ranger." Varen sighed in relief.
"Ranger?" Reuel and Lilliana choroused.
"Yes, just call him Ranger."
Reuel tilted his head thoughtfully. "I would like to meet this Ranger sometime."
As he spoke Varen shook his head. "I don't know if that is possible. You might see him one day and then he'll be gone for two weeks, or a year."
Lilliana went to bed that night musing over the governor's words.
This Ranger sounds like a very interesting person. I wonder if we will ever get to meet him?
Little did she know that the next morning she would do just that.