Chapter 9

When the small party was just within sight of Beruna they were met by a group of mounted men. Reuel was with the group, and surprised to see his sister, the two guards, and a stranger.

"Lily! What happened? Are you alright? Who is this man with you?" The prince rattled off questions faster than she could answer.

"One question at a time please. Right now, though, I think we could all use a bit of rest and food."

Reuel stared amazed as his sister finished telling her tale. The stranger had also told it, but with more modesty and not much detail.

"Thank the Lion none of you were killed!" Reuel exclaimed. "I feel I owe you very sincere thanks for saving my sister."

"None is needed," the stranger replied in his low, soft voice. "I only did what I would if any traveler had been ambushed. It has been an honor to serve you."

"And now." Lilliana continued, "might I ask what your name is?"

Ayron hesitated. As the princess of Narnia she deserved the truth. On the other hand–having lived in many dangerous places–he felt uncomfortable with using his real name. Recalling an earlier conversation with Governor Varen, Ayron gave her his answer.

"You may call me Ranger."

Lilliana and her brother glanced at each other, surprised. They remembered their conversation with the Governor, and he had mentioned someone he knew called Ranger. But this couldn't be the same man, could it?

Later the next day the royal siblings, the guards, and Ranger were preparing to leave the small town. They had decided to return to Cair Paravel, and asked Ranger if he cared to accompany them. He said he might if they saw fit, and they did, so he went with them.

Now they had stopped by a curve of the Great River, pausing for lunch before crossing into the forest. Lilliana attempted to coax conversation out of Ranger, as for most of the ride he had been silent.

"Where are you from?" she asked.

"West." came the hesitant reply.

"How far west?"

"Many miles."

Lilliana paused, as the man obviously did not wish to go on further.

Her eyes were drawn to the ring on his hand. It was made of gold, shaped like a lion's head with twin rubies for eyes, and was very similar to her own. She blushed on noticing that he followed her gaze. Lilliana looked up and, to her surprise, saw that he actually smiled.

"I don't often wear things like this, but still. When one is literally forced to accept a gift like this the least they can do is wear it."

Her brow wrinkled. "Who gave it to you, and why were you forced to accept it?"

Eyes twinkling, Ayron launched into the tale of how the ring had been slipped into a payment bag and secreted on his horse before he left Beruna. She laughed hard as he finished the story, after which they prepared for rest to begin travel the next day.