[Fantasy] The Unburnt Ranger - Part 2

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The guard looked up.

Cedric could see in his mind the guard screaming and shooting arrows at him.

But the guard didn’t scream nor did he fire any arrows at him. He stared up at the tower for a second and then continued walking around the tower as if he never saw Cedric.

Cedric sighed quietly with relief and continued climbing.

As he got closer to the top, the voices became clearer and clearer. He could see shadows moving slightly and a lantern’s fire flickering.

Trying not to be seen, Cedric nervously peeked in the tower.
His suspicions were correct. It was a meeting. A meeting with two people.

“There is no other way”, one of the men said with sorrow.

He must be a royal guard, Cedric thought, judging by the shiny armor.

Cedric looked at the other man. He was standing against the wall, hiding in the shadows. He was wearing a dark cloak which made it looked as if he was partly invisible. His face was completely hidden.

“Very well, they shall have the boy”, the man replied softly.

“I’ll leave it to you then.”

The royal guard left, but the cloaked man didn’t follow.

He turned his head towards Cedric.

“I see my message got to you”, the man said.

Cedric’s jaw dropped.

How did he know of my presence? he thought with wonder.

He climbed into the tower and looked at the man, who was still standing against the wall. The man’s face was still not visible.

Before Cedric could let out a word, the man put up his hand.

“It sounded like an elephant was climbing the tower”, he said assuming Cedric would ask about it.

Cedric stood silent. Nobody had ever seen him hiding before.

The man stepped out of the shadows and handed him a strange piece of silver with an emblem on it.

“You have to leave Ascot immediately”, the man continued, “Pack your stuff quickly and give this coin to the stable master.”

“But why should I trust you?”

“Your life depends on it. They are coming to get you.”

“Who are they?” Cedrick asked wanting an answer.

“It will be better if you don’t know”, the man said and returned to the shadows, “Ride south, boy.”

Cedric looked down at the coin again.

When he looked up, the man had disappeared.

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Picture from pixabay.