I left Rilmdra in the kitchens and headed for my uncle’s study. It has been too long. The Rangers should have been back by now. I paused when I reached his study door. It doesn't sound like anyone else is in there. I proceeded to knock, then entered, “Uncle? May I speak with you?” He looked up from the map he was so intently studying. “Ah, Draia. Yes, come in.”

“Uncle, is there any news?” His face didn't give any signs of what his thoughts may be.

“No, we have not heard any word. Our scouts haven’t seen any signs either,” he sighed as he sat down in his chair.

“How far are they scouting?”

“As far as I deem necessary to scout.” He curtly replied. He was tired and in no mood for my questions.

“If they do not return in two days, then we must prepare to assume that they won’t be returning at all.” With that, he went on continuing to study his map.

“So that’s it?” I stated. “After two days you’re just going to give up on them?” My anger was starting to get the best of me, and when he didn't bother to look up I continued, “So when they are seen as missing will you send out a search party?”

He stood up fully and said coldly, “when they are determined missing and as such, are as good as dead. If the wild men didn’t destroy what is left of them, I could assure you something else probably did. So I will not waste any more time or men to go looking for what is no longer there. Instead, I will have everyone here preparing for the coming winter.”

There was no sympathy in his eyes. He doesn’t care if they’re gone. “You’re dismissed Draia. I will hear no more on the matter.” He stated as he went back to studying his map.

“Uncle, I believe this wasn’t just some wild man attack.” I paused, waiting for him to look at me. “Uncle, this attack was too well organized. I believe the Rangers have fallen into a trap.”

“Wild men don’t organize their attacks, that is why they are called wild men. Brutish beasts that shouldn’t even be considered men. No one can control them; they follow no one.”

With that, there was no point in arguing with him any longer. There’s something he is not telling me. I know there is a connection with all of this; the attacks and the rangers disappearance. I stormed out of his study.

After my argument with my uncle, I wasn’t feeling the need for human company. With the recent attack, hunting wasn’t an option, so I decided the company of horses would be better. Aoro was likely busy or asleep in the tack room. As I made my way to the stables, a loud commotion distracted me. It’s coming from the main gates. Maybe they are back! My heart began to race, hoping that they were back and I was wrong. I hastened my pace towards the main gate as it swung open just enough to let the rider through. The horse was hysterical as it came stampeding through. The passenger was slumped in his saddle. What? Where were the rest of them? Several men standing nearby cautiously surrounded the nervous horse. As one reached for the reigns, the horse shied away. It was evident by the symbol on the man’s cloak he was one of the rangers that left with Rodyk’s troop. NO! I ran towards them to help move him from his saddle. This task was proven difficult as the nervous horse could not be easily calmed. Once he was removed from his seat, it was clear he was severely wounded, but still somewhat conscience.

“Someone fetch the doctor!” I shouted as I started checking for more wounds. “Someone help me get him to the infirmary, we will just meet the doctor on the way.” I decided as I started to lift the man under one arm, another helped me get him to the infirmary.

Once we got him to the infirmary we laid him on the first bed we came to. Just as I began to step away from the wounded ranger, he grabbed my arm with more strength than I thought possible for the man to muster. “Please! You have to warn the village!” he coughed. “What do you mean?” I leaned in closer so that he would not strain himself to speak. “There are too many of them; we were greatly outnumbered. Half of us were slaughtered instantly. I fled like a coward. I didn’t want to die, but I’m afraid that is my only fate as a coward.” He started sniveling. His grip on my arm loosened enough I was able to pull away. I didn’t have a chance to ask him about Rodyk before I was ushered out. There is no point now trying to convince my uncle to send out a search and rescue party. This news only gives him just cause to not do it. There was only one thing left to do at that point. I will find them on my own.