“Attention, everyone! It is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision not to go searching for our missing rangers.” My uncle announced. Around mid-morning, my uncle had called for a gathering in the great hall. “To put it bluntly, they are all as good as dead. I will not risk any more lives.” He looked around the room. “As far as I can tell, we are on our own up here in the North. The two riders we sent some time ago to the capital have not yet returned if they will at all. There is also a chance the capital will not aid us. So all we can do is reinforce our defenses and hope for the best. Now we need to make preparations for winter. I fear mother nature will not be kind. You’re dismissed.” No one challenged him. They all respected him, no one wants to believe they are dead, but no one wants to risk losing more by trying to find out. Standing at the back of the crowded room, next to the door, it was easy to slip out unnoticed by anyone. I know he isn’t dead; I refuse to believe it. I decided to go after them since my uncle was not going to.

When I was very young, Aoro would tell me stories about hidden treasure rooms and paths that would lead you to other parts of the world. He would always warn me, however, to never attempt navigating these caverns alone. He warned me that not all paths were right, and I could quickly lose myself to the caverns forever. His stories of hidden treasure drowned out his warning in my mind. That day I made a false promise to Aoro and went exploring alone. I was lucky nothing happened, but I did find a route that leads out of the village. That day I also discovered a tunnel that leads just outside of the village; its passage was large enough for horses, yet the entrance was hidden well enough that anyone coming up on the village would not take notice of it. It is that tunnel that I will use to sneak out of the village.

The only thing left to do now was to prepare for departure. I decided one last hunt would do some good as far as food. I didn’t have time to dry my meat before I left but figured I could at least replace the stores that I would take from Rilmdra.

I made my way to the stables. I still need to feed Huia. Huia was a gift from my uncle not long after I learned how to ride. The dependable mare was as black as midnight, and whose shoulder height surpassed my own. As if to know my intentions, the mare nickered at my approach to her stall door. Huia’s stall was situated in the back corner of the stables where our more senior horses were kept. It was a quaint secluded area where I could tend to her in peace.

“Well, someone is happy to see me,” I said, reaching to scratch her nose. “Ready for a change? After tonight we make our way through the forest to find Rodyk.” I sighed, what if he is gone? No. I don’t want to believe he is gone just yet.

“Something on your mind, young one?” Aoro silently appeared down the aisle, nearly making me jump.

“Aoro, you startled me. I was just thinking about them. The rangers that disappeared.” He chuckled then, “oh, you mean you were worrying over them. Have faith, child. They are strong. However, if they need help, what makes you think that you alone can save them? Hmmm?” The old man’s grin grew wide as mine grew in shock.

“But?! How did you know what I was planning?” I blurted out at him.

“ It is not hard to see it written on your face. You might want to consider working on that should you plan to become a ranger. Otherwise, the enemy would know all your plans.”

The shock did not dissipate from my face, but a ranger? Sure, I had considered becoming one at one time, but I was always told that it wasn’t an occupation meant for women.

“Aoro, are you suggesting giving up on rescuing Rodyk and the others? Besides, aren’t women not allowed to become rangers?” I replied.

“Not give up completely merely suggesting you go about it a different way. Who in this village truly knows if women cannot become rangers? Perhaps none have succeeded in trying, or perhaps it is a ruse devised by the would-be husbands to keep the women at home? We live so far north it is difficult telling how much the truth has changed since it left its destination.” He paused, searching my face for my reply, “ you’re getting better at hiding your thoughts, or you’re so lost in thought at the ideas I have just planted in your head?” He chuckled again, “give the idea some thought.”

He left me alone with my thoughts. He’s right, though; if I do go to the capital, I will probably have better luck finding help. At that, I had made my decision to go to the capital.