Another chapter, yay!
Guest: Tara/Raina did not know Morgarath was a traitor prior to meeting the Rangers. My reference was to her current beliefs – the Rangers told her he was a bad person so that's what she thinks. Her uncle/aunt have connections to Morgarath but she's never met him (as they didn't want to show their "trash" in front of a high ranking baron) or heard anything bad until meeting Crowley and Halt. I hope that clarifies things.
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Chapter 6: New Friends to be Made
Crowley and Egon rode into the clearing. Berrigan looked up from the log he was resting against, watching the water boil for a stew. Leander was carving up a deer for various meals. Some of the meat was placed close to Berrigan for when the water boiled. A pot of coffee was sitting next to the fire. Egon seemed to smile upon smelling the delicious aroma. Dismounting, the older Ranger spotted Halt slinking into camp. He nodded, impressed. Crowley had mentioned the group was an odd one. The other Rangers Egon recognized so that meant Halt was the new member from Hibernia. His skill was already impressive. Egon's horse nickered softly. The older Ranger started with shock. A little, alarmingly thin girl was petting his horse's soft muzzle. A broad smile was on her face. Her brown eyes looked to him. The smile turned a little shy. Her head dip, a gesture of respect. Egon knelt down. Gently his right hand ruffled her hair. A happy giggle escaped her mouth. Then her head shook, as her hair was a little damp, like a dog would do. Leander lifted his head and whistled one short note. Instantly the girl trotted over to him. The lanky Ranger asked if she could sniff out some catmint, a plant found commonly around Seacliff's rivers and streams. Egon watched as the girl turned, took two steps, then transformed into a long-legged brown dog with a rope collar around the neck.
Sitting, Egon nodded his thanks to Halt for the towels, then signaled after the girl, "So how did she end up with this ragtag lot?"
Several snickers were quickly snuffed by their owners. Crowley shook his head at his comrades. The redhead turned to Egon, "It's a long story. We don't know much about her past, but we know that she comes from Wildriver and used to bear the name 'Raina', given by her uncle and aunt. Her caretakers and their children abused and neglected her. Both of her parents are dead apparently." He shrugged weakly. "That's all we've gotten from her at this point. A couple days ago we renamed her to 'Tara' in an attempt to separate her from her awful past."
"She's still skittish and shy," Halt said softly, dropping a couple potatoes into the water.
"We've been trying to ask slowly," Berrigan continued, adding the meat and some herbs. He shook his head, "It seems there are days when she's happy and full of energy and excitement but the next day she could be scared senseless for a reason we don't know."
Leander nodded solemnly, "She's grown more accustomed to us and it seems that she's learned to trust any proper Ranger. Yet we have future plans to meet with other people and we don't know how well she'll handle."
Egon frowned, disturbed by the news, "What has this world come to? We have a traitor aiming for the throne, bandits running wild because no real men will stand against them, the Corps has been practically destroyed, and should-be family is harming their own." His head shook in exasperation. "No good, any of it." His eyes glittered with a soft light as he spotted Tara in her dog form trotting over, head high with pride, and catmint dangling from her mouth. Softly he finished, "Let me know what I can do to help."
Crowley laid a hand on his shoulder, "Be friendly. Be open and understanding, willing to listen. You're a Ranger so Tara will trust you instinctively. We want her to feel safe and healing from her suffering. Right now, that's all we can do. Once Tara opens up and tells us more, we can help strip those emotional chains," his eyes watched the girl playfully dart between Berrigan and Leander, teasing both with the catmint, before sighing, "but that'll come when she's ready."
Tara perked up as the group, now six since Norris joined them on the road, road down a dusty path. Her sharp ears had picked up the sound of horses. Brown eyes searched the land with curiosity. Open fields, guarded by a wooden fence, stretched out. A few horses grazed here or there. One ear turned as she heard Leander sighed contently. The other Rangers seemed happy, barely containing their excitement of something to come. Halt frowned at them. He had been riding next to Crowley for some time now. The redhead adjusted his grip on Tara before smiling at his friend. Halt huffed back. Dark eyes studied the land. He seemed to understand what this place was but confused as to why they were here. Tara wriggled. She wanted to learn. She wanted to know things too.
Crowley, accurately sensing the reason for her movements, whispered, "This place is called a horse stud. It's where horses are bred. There are several across the country for Araluen's mighty battle horses." He chewed on his lip uncertainly. Bright eyes darkened before he turned to look at Egon. The older Ranger glanced from Crowley to Tara then back. He shrugged halfheartedly. That made Crowley sigh, "You'll understand why we're here later. For now, we have to greet the owners."
Softly the girl whined. Cropper instantly nickered to her. She responded by sticking her tongue out at him. The exchanged made several Rangers smile. Tara, like them, seemed to communicate with the horses. Norris, upon learning of her shapeshifting ability, asked if she could actually understand what their noises meant. Tara had shaken her head. She could transform into a dog and maybe – a big maybe – communicate with dogs. Horses were a whole other grain. It made the Rangers slightly sullen. They were hoping she could translate and help the Rangers finally get the last word against their four-legged partners.
The group reigned in. Crowley looked to the house and called out, "Bob? Are you home?"
Halt continued to look around as the group waited. None, by silent agreement, dismounted. Tara knew it was considered rude to dismount before a house owner invited it. Some people could even construe it at as threat. She shook her head as a fly buzzed past. Cropper copied the action, his mane smacking the annoying creature. His big eyes turned to look at her. She smiled at him. Being around Declan had apparently passed on a few manners to the black Ranger horse. The girl felt Crowley suck in a breath. He was about to call louder for this Bob character. That's when Tara's sharp ears picked up the sound of boots on wood. She quickly nudged Crowley. When his hazel eyes dropped to the girl, Tara pointed towards the stable. As if on cue, a man pushed open the sliding barn door. Turning, the man spotted the figures on horseback. Quickly he shielded his eyes to look at them. Then a huge, bright smile spread over his face.
"Rangers!" he called gleefully. Tara tilted her head left, studying him. He was short with bowed legs, brown tufts near his ears but bald otherwise, tanned skin was covered in sweat from work, yet the man seemed to beam with joy and humor. Tara found herself liking him. The man clapped his hands together, "My you lot are sight for sore eyes! Step down and come inside. It's been far too long since you visited us."
The Rangers gratefully obeyed the invitation. Tara untied the protective rope that helped keep her in the saddle. It had been a suggestion by Egon – in case something happened the Rangers wouldn't need to hold her. Crowley untied the rope on her other side. Then she easily slid into his arms. The redhead embraced her briefly before putting her down. It was well-used signal. It meant that she was safe here and could relax. If she wanted, the girl could run around and play. Tara froze uncertainly at his side. The man, known as Bob, had walked over. He was currently shaking hands with Leander. He laughed alongside Egon as the two embraced. This man was obviously a member of the Rangers. Tara knew they wouldn't be so welcoming otherwise. A deep breath helped gather her limited courage. Cautiously she approached the man.
"Who's this little one?" Bob asked, spotting her approaching.
"Tara," the girl replied quietly.
"I'm Bob Saddler, the caretaker of Saddler's farm," the man said with an amused tone. He knelt down to meet her gaze with his own. "You look like you could use a big meal. Come on inside and meet my wife. I know she would love to meet a cute kid like you."
His words were gentle. His tone was filled with humor. Tara couldn't help but return his smile. What fear she had evaporated. With a nod, she let Bob take her hand. The group trudged into the family house. Bob gently plunked Tara down on a wooden chair. Berrigan waited until Bob disappeared deeper into the kitchen before picking Tara up, sitting, and putting her in his lap. The bald man would appear with large mugs of apple juice. He nodded approvingly at Berrigan when the Ranger helped Tara to take a drink. The apple juice was cold. After days camping and riding, it was refreshing for the whole group.
Leander finally spoke up, focusing on Halt, "Halt, this is Bob Saddler. We typically call him Young Bob. Bob, this Halt, a new Ranger amongst our ranks." Bob tilted his head towards Halt, a cheerful smile on his face, and winked.
Crowley spoke up, "Halt is from Hibernia. He trained there under Pritchard. You remember him?"
"Remember him!" Young Bob exclaimed. The man acted hurt, "Who wouldn't remember him? He was a fine man. A great Ranger." His eyes turned to Halt, "You got good training in you, young man."
"Indeed," Halt replied, more so to Bob's remark about Pritchard being a great Ranger.
Tara suddenly twisted. Brown eyes desperately searched the nearby doorway. A low, uneasy growl rose in her throat. She knew what she heard. Small feet. Children. Two of them to be exact. Her body tensed. The last children she had been around were her cousins – three boys who loved to torment her constantly. Would these children be the same? Or were they different, like the Rangers and Young Bob?
"Come out you cheeky monkeys!" Bob called, seeing Tara's reaction. His eyes glanced towards Crowley. The redhead shrugged apologetically. That made the man wave his hand. Whatever Tara was going through, Young Bob knew the Rangers would handle it. Two children, a boy and girl, appeared in the doorway. Both were ten years old, three years older than Tara. They looked nearly identical to Bob with their small stature, high foreheads, wispy brown hair, and large, infectious smiles. Their father mock glared at them. Both merely giggled. He spoke, "These are the twins – Little Bob and Roberta. We fondly call them the Bobbities. Children, say hello to the Rangers and Tara."
"Hello, Rangers. Hello, Tara," the two children replied with giggles.
Tara slowly relaxed. Her eyes glanced to the Rangers. All were smiling at the children. A pang of jealously hit her as she spotted Halt's small smile. The Rangers returned the greeting. She returned her attention to the kids. Both seemed to be laughing at a secret joke. Was it about her? They had barely met. Why would they want to mock her? Berrigan patted her head gently. He shook his head when she looked up at him. That's when she realized that all the Rangers besides Halt had an air of expectation. Halt glared at his comrades. He was sensing the same thing.
That's when Little Bob spoke up, "Has the beardy man come for a horse, Da?"
"Can we watch?" Roberta instantly added.
A woman's voice piped in at that moment, "Children, leave your father alone with the Rangers." Tara watched as a plump, short woman with gray-blond hair walked into the room. She smiled at the Rangers, "Greetings, Rangers."
Halt immediately stood upon the woman's entrance. Tara groaned as Berrigan and the other Rangers followed suit. She glanced at Halt. It was a courtly action to stand when a woman entered the room. Huh. Maybe there was more to Halt than the girl or the Rangers knew. The woman chuckled. Her hand waved, saying there was no need for formality. Then she turned and shooed her children out of the house, ordering them to finish their chores.
"Rangers, Tara, this is my Robina. I call her Bobby when we aren't being formal," Young Bob explained.
The little girl glanced to the horse breeder. It seemed everyone in this family was called Bob or had the nickname of Bob. It seemed so weird to her. Her attention returned as Robina spoke, "Its good to have your company again. We feared you good Rangers were gone." Humor-filled eyes landed on Tara. They widened with horror. Instantly she raced forward. Her hand swatted at her husband, "Bob, why didn't tell me to make something to eat." Tara balked as Robina scooped her up, "This little one looks like she's needs a month's worth of decent food."
"That she does," Berrigan answered. He patted Tara's dangling left arm, "Robina won't hurt you, Tara. She'll take good care of you."
With that, Robina headed for the kitchen. She would put Tara on a counter then start preparing some food. Buttering some bread slices, she commanded the little girl to eat while supper was cooking. Then she fetched the girl's apple juice, refilling it on the way. Tara could see the Rangers talking with Young Bob. She wondered what they were discussing.
She wouldn't have long to wonder as the Bobbities soon snuck her out of kitchen for a game. The next day she would learn the purpose of their visit.
Whew. That took awhile.
I absolutely love the Bob, Robina, and the Bobbities. They always make my heart warm. I initially planned to have the Saddlers offer to take Tara in before Tara had her first transformation but decided to change it up.
Also, I know the order is reversed – Egon and Norris come after Halt meets Abelard – but I forgot and with the Coronovirus I had to pack all my stuff and move home (as I go to school out of state). By the time I found my book again, I had already written this and didn't want to change it.
A little bit on Egon's relationship with Tara - he kinda plays the "grandfather/great-uncle" for her. When another character (you'll know who if you've read the Tournament at Gorlan book) appears, he plays more the great-uncle role. Overall. he primarily plays with her, tells her stories of his younger days, and enjoys letting her cuddle. However, he'll lay down the law if he needs to.
Next chapter: Halt meets Abelard! And I may have a surprise for Tara too.