The forest’s trees were thick overhead, sunlight dappling the forest floor as it passed through the leaves. A break in the trees revealed a small clearing. In the center of the clearing a tent was pitched a few paces away from a large boulder. Placed next to the boulder was a bag, and a hunting bow leaning against it. In front of the tent was a small campfire, ringed with stones, embers flickering into the air. Next to the fire lay a slain deer, freshly dead. Its killer, a hunter, stepped out of the forest into the clearing. He was a man of average height, and medium build. Wearing a simple green button up shirt and brown trousers, held up by a fraying rope. Simple leather shoes crunched against the grass as he made his way back to the small campsite, with a bundle of logs under his left arm, an ax slung over his right shoulder.
Reaching the site he dropped the logs next to his prey. He took a moment to observe his surroundings, swinging his head in an arc from right to left. He was alone out here. The man kneeled down, gathering a few of his cut logs and carefully placing them in the fire, stoking the logs with a nearby stick. He stood back up, placing his hands on his hips, admiring his handiwork. He looked up, and jumped in surprise at what he saw.
A figure sat perched on the boulder. It was a man, wearing a verdant green cloak, the hood was pulled over his head, obscuring the upper half of his face. His left leg hung down the boulder, the right leg was tucked up to his chest, with his right arm resting on top of it. His boots were dusty and well worn, forearms and shins covered by protective leather armor, Torso wrapped in an earth brown gambeson with black pants worn on his legs. An insignia was stitched onto his chest, right above the heart. The insignia bore the shape of a green shield, with two golden trees standing side by side, their branches intertwining forming an arch.
“Quite a catch you have there.” The cloaked man said, nodding to the deer.
“Oh. Uh, thank you.” The hunter replied, still startled by the sudden appearance of this stranger. He nervously chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. “I’ve been tracking the thing all damn day! Couldn’t just let such a fine prize get away.” He spoke in a friendly tone.
“Hm.” The visitor replied, acknowledging his words. He reached behind him with his left hand and pulled out a thin dagger, the blade’s length roughly 2/3rds the length of his forearm. With his other hand he reached into his cloak and pulled out a whetstone, then began sharpening the blade. “I hope you didn’t run into any trouble out here.” He said calmly, his eyes fixed on his task. Running the stone along the length of the blade, each stroke making a distinct sound. “Seen any bears? Wolves?…Monsters?”
“Oh nothing of the sort! The hunter replied, waving his hand dismissively “A few tracks, some scattered scat, but nothing fresh.”
“Good, good.” The stranger replied, pausing the sharpening to examine his blade. “I’d hate for anyone to get caught up in some sort of trouble around here. It’s dangerous country after all.”
“Aye, but the game out here flourishes like nowhere else! That’s what I heard, which is why I traveled all the way out here to see for myself!” The hunter smiled, showing a row of crooked teeth.
“Well I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourself.” The stranger reassured. He sheathed his blade and tucked the stone back under his cloak. He cleared his throat. “Everything seems to be in order. “He said, slapping his thighs. “Now if I could just check your hunting license, I can leave you to your peace.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“My huh?” The hunter raised a puzzled eyebrow.
“Your hunting license.” The stranger repeated himself. Fixing his gaze on the hunter. “You should know the law right? Without it you can’t hunt in the kingdom’s land.”
“Oh come off it! One deer ain’t gonna hurt nobody.” He raised his voice in defensive agitation.
The man didn’t respond, he hopped off the boulder, planting his feet on the ground. Standing up straight he locked eyes with the hunter. He was tall, with a thin build. His cloak flapped in the gentle wind, shadowed eyes seemed to gleam under the hood. The only thing between them was the campfire. Smoke billowed into the air, partially obscuring each other from view. “If you don’t have a license that makes you a poacher. By order of the King’s law, you are under arrest. Come quietly or come in chains.” The cloaked figure sternly declared.
The hunter quickly bent down to pick up his ax, clenching the handle tightly in both hands. “Who the hell do you think you are?! Some sort of lawman?” He shouted in indignation, brow furrowed in anger. “You make a move towards me and this ax goes through your head, boy.”
The lawman gave a quick, dramatic sigh. “Well. In chains it is then.” He said with a small grin. Without another word the lawman kicked a burning log out of the fire, punting directly into the hunter’s face. The hunter flinched and yelped in surprise, dropping one of his hands from the ax to cover his face. The lawman deftly hopped over the fire, closing the gap between them. Before the hunter could recover he grabbed a hold of the ax’s handle in his left hand, With a flick of his right hand a small knife slid out of his sleeve, catching it in his fingers he quickly sliced the knife across the hunter’s knuckles causing him to let go of the handle. The hunter stumbled to the ground as he tossed the ax behind him.
The hunter quickly pulled himself up, hands held up balled into fists. He lunged at the lawman, throwing a wild punch. The lawman sidestepped the punch while simultaneously stabbing the knife into the hunter’s outstretched arm, leaving it embedded in the flesh below his shoulder. He howled in pain, clutching the injured arm. He spun around, throwing another punch with his other arm. Again the lawman easily dodged the punch before countering with one of his own, hitting his opponent squarely in the solar plexus. The hunter doubled over in pain struggling to stand before he drove his knee directly into his face, smashing his nose and throwing his head backwards.
The hunter collapsed to the ground. Coughing and bleeding. He looked up to see the cloaked figure standing over him. “W-who are you, stranger?” his voice strained to get the words out.
His attacker stood motionless for a moment before responding.
“I’m a Ranger” He boldly declared. “And you.” He flipped the hunter onto his stomach while pulling a rope out of his pocket. “Are under arrest.” Quickly tying up the felon’s hands.
The hunter stammered “But wait! I-I-I- please! I’m so-”
“Be quiet.” The ranger interrupted him, kicking him in the head, knocking him out. The ranger stood up straight, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling as his shoulders relaxed. He opened his eyes and turned his gaze up towards the pale blue sky, taking in the moment. “What nice weather we’re having!” he cheerfully said to himself. He brought his fingers to his mouth and gave a loud whistle before moving around behind the boulder, picking up the satchel he stashed behind there. He then moved to the fire, producing from the satchel a small vial filled with deep blue liquid, he poured it onto the fire dousing it almost instantly. He then pulled out a charcoal pen and a small piece of paper, jotting down a few lines onto it.
A small raptor flew over the clearing, sticking out his arm the bird landed on it, its beak snapping inquisitively. “Here ya go buddy, get this back to the captain.” He spoke, stuffing the note into a pouch strapped to the bird’s back. Lifting up his arm the bird took off, flying away out to the west. Walking back to the boulder he leaned his back against it, arms crossed. “You wanna know my least favorite part about this job?” He asked the unconscious hunter. “Yup, it’s the paperwork. And you, my friend just cost me an hour of my time to do it. So I guess that makes us even.” The ranger chuckled to himself before closing his eyes. Taking in the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the grass.