Chapter 17

Sparke, Reuel, Lilliana, and two soldiers silently peered over the ridge they were hiding behind. Juniper was with them-having met the group in the woods and insisted on coming with them. Having made their way to the Ruins they were now trying to figure out the best way to approach.

The fur on both Sparke and Juniper's backs rose as they gazed at the tangle of boulders that hid their friend; Sparke began growling softly.

"Remember," Reuel whispered. "We're here to find out where Ranger is. Don't do anything foolish."

Suddenly a movement farther down caught his eye.

"There!" He whispered, pointing.

A dark form was slipping furtively toward the River, taking care to keep out of sight of the Ruins.

Quietly, Reuel and Sparke followed the man.

~o~o~

Enganar didn't notice who was following until they were right on top of him–literally. His feet were kicked out from under him as a hand clamped itself over his mouth. Enganar lashed out as the two forms struggled to subdue him. A set of teeth gripped his arm, and in trying to shake the creature off he didn't notice the rope that someone held.

Hands tied behind his back and blindfolded, Enganar's captors dragged him to a small camp behind the hills.

~o~o~

Sparke glowered at the man on the ground. The Fox had caught Ranger's scent on him, and that made him mad–thinking that this person had caused his friend harm in some way.

"Speak quickly." Reuel also glared at the man. "We were told you are holding our friend, a man we know as 'Ranger'."

Enganar stared at them. He thought about the man in the prison who refused to talk, no matter how he was tortured and questioned. Was that the one they were talking about?

"Describe him, then I'll know."

They proceeded–but only one thing they said caught Enganar's attention.

"You say he was wearing a gold ring shaped like a lion's head? And this ring had rubies for the eyes?" he asked.

The tall man–the one who was questioning him–nodded.

"I've seen it before." That drew a gasp from one of the others standing near-by. "There was something…strange about it. I can't say exactly what, but there was something about it that felt–magical almost."

Silence reigned while the group drew off to one side, deciding what to do next.