The Ranger's Daughter- Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Glipwood

As time wore on, the word of the fall of Anniera spread to villages and towns all over Skree. Hyldie became used to hearing the topic discussed wherever she went.

As the shock from hearing the news faded, Hyldie began to consider the reality of what she had thought. The more she considered the idea of the monsters coming to Skree, the more ludicrous it seemed. Miles of sea separated Anniera and Skree. Why would the creatures come here? What did their lowly kingdom have that was worth conquering? Skree was mostly made up of fertile farmland, and there was hardly anything else besides mountains and other impassible terrain. Most of the Skreeans were farmers or merchants. Yes, she decided, Skree was safe.

On the day after her father heard the rumor, they were travelling again. Mayor Blaggus of Glipwood had hired her father to take down a herd of unusually violent toothy cows that roamed the Southern end of Glipwood forest.

Hyldie’s father was widely known as one of the best Rangers in Skree; as a result, his jobs were usually the most dangerous. Unlike other Rangers, her father didn’t have a designated spot to protect; he went wherever he was needed. The King of Skree had given him a special pardon on that matter due to his many years of loyal service. Moreover, his skill was so much greater than many of the other rangers that he was usually called in as a last resort.

As Hyldie bounced up and down on her horse, Sugarberry, she thought about their acquaintances in Glipwood. She was looking forward to visiting Books and Crannies- she almost always bought a book when they visited Glipwood. She imagined the bookseller, a little, round man with spectacles and a brown-haired head that was just beginning to show signs of baldness.

I hope we get there before the store closes, she thought. I would like to take advantage of our time here to read some books.

“Will Mr. Reteep’s bookshop be open when we get there?” she asked her father, who was riding a few paces ahead on his brown horse, Renwain.

“If we make good time,” he replied. “But Hyldie, we’ll be there for three days, at least. There will be plenty of time to look at books.”

“I know,” Hyldie said, “I was just hoping that I could--“

“You were hoping that you could visit the bookstore every day, because you haven’t been there in months. You want to take advantage of being near a bookstore as much as possible.”

Hyldie laughed. “How did you know all that?”

“I’m your father. Also, you were talking to yourself.”

The trees were getting sparse, and Hyldie knew that in a few minutes they would be able to see the cliffs by the Dark Sea. She encouraged Sugarberry to a trot, then rode out ahead of her father.

When she came out of the trees, she brought Sugarberry to a halt at the bottom of a rise. The view was gorgeous. From where she sat, she could see the sky that had just begun to take on a golden hue from the setting sun. Beneath the sky, the Dark Sea sparkled and shimmered. The cliff narrowed the closer it got to the edge, and she could just see the smokestacks and scattered houses that made up the Glipwood Township. When she looked closer, she could see children playing on the front lawn of some of the houses.

Her father rode up from behind and surveyed the scene with his daughter. “A thing of beauty, that is,” he said.

   As soon as they arrived in Glipwood, her father secured a room in The Only Inn (Glipwood’s Only Inn), then left to announce his presence to the Mayor and meet the rangers who had already tried to eliminate the toothy cow herd. Thinking that there would be enough daylight left, Hyldie decided to visit Books and Crannies.

Hyldie had been in Glipwood several times, but even during her first time she had discovered that it was easy enough to find one’s way around. Not only was it small, but there were plenty of street signs throughout the township in case one got lost. Even if they did get lost, there were too many kind people around for the person to stay lost for long. That, she thought, is the magic of this place.

As Hyldie was making her way to Books and Crannies, she heard the sound of footfalls behind her.

“Oy! Hyldie!”

Hyldie turned to see a red-haired girl of about her own age running toward her, a friendly smile on her face.

“Marina!” Hyldie smiled and waved. Marina was the daughter of Barnes Fitzwarden, one of the rangers assigned to Glipwood forest. She, like Hyldie, was an only child.

As soon as Marina had caught her breath, she talked in a rush. “Hyldie, you won’t believe all that’s happened! Pa broke his arm trying to hunt those ‘ol Toothy Cows. You know, my Ma always said that the Ranger life is too hard on someone like Pa. Not that Pa can’t do it, but he always did get hurt easy. But he’s a fine hunter, my Pa is. Took down two cows the other day, even though he did get hurt. Did I tell you he broke his arm? I think there must be 20 of ‘em out there still. I asked Pa knows how those herds form, and he said that they gather at special meeting places. Do you believe that, Hyldie? I think it must be one of those ‘ol folk tales, but of course you never can know. Zounds! I think you’ve grown! You must be taller than me!”

Hyldie smiled. She didn’t think so, but she appreciated the compliment. “I’m sorry about your Pa,” she said.

“Well, that’s what your pa is here for, isn’t he? He picks up the stick when everyone else drops it. Say, did your pa ever drop the stick? Seems like most people rely on him.”

“Yes,” Hyldie agreed. “But don’t forget that people rely on your pa, too. He’s a fantastic hunter. What did you say happened to his arm?”

Marina took a deep breath, and Hyldie knew that a story was coming. “Well, you remember how my pa likes to experiment? He knows how to get a toothy cow straight on, see, but he gets bored. Doesn’t your pa get bored with his job?”

Hyldie was about to speak, but Marina continued: “Well, Pa thought that climbing a tree and waiting for the toothy cow would be the way to go. So he hid in this tree, waited for the cow, and when it came along he swung down by a vine, seeing as he couldn’t climb down with his weapons ready. See what I mean? So he takes this vine and swings down, but it breaks, see, and he about falls on his head. He didn’t, though; he fell on his arm instead (you know how I was telling you that he broke his arm) anyway, that’s how it happened.”

“I’m glad your Pa wasn’t hurt worse,” Hyldie remarked.

“Oh, he’s fine. He’s a creative one, my pa is. If he were about to die, he’d figure out a creative way to not die. Plus, now that your pa’s here to help, those toothy cows will be gone in a jiff.”

“It’s good to see you, Marina,” Hyldie said. “Would you like to come with me to Books and Crannies?”

Marina’s face fell. “Sorry, Hyldie, but I can’t. I have to get on home; I promised Mama I’d help with supper. How long are you staying in Glipwood?”

“My pa says three days, but it may depend on how long it takes to clear the toothy cows out.”

“Great!” Marina smiled as wide as her face would allow her. “See you tomorrow, friend!”

“Goodbye!” Hyldie waved, feeling a small wave of sadness wash over her. If they had lived in Glipwood, she really would have friends. Because her father moved often, she only had what people would call “acquaintances”.

At least Marina considers me a friend, she thought. I should be grateful to know her at all. Maybe, someday, we’ll settle down someplace. Maybe even in Glipwood.