"Always a pleasure to serve my most noble compatriats," she said with a impish grin. Lol!

The final parting of Nanda and Tallah was just as Nanda had thought it would be. Tallah shed but two tears, and she tried hid those from him. She never wanted him to know how much she worried about him.

                As Theron and Aberle passed the great waterfall that had for years concealed Theron’s hiding place, Nanda couldn’t control a chuckle. He never could. It was always so funny to him that a large, stone wall and a waterfall could keep Bian from finding him, but he was grateful for it. However, he knew that Bian’s people prowled around this place a lot, and that they could even now be near. So he said to Aberle, “Keep a watchful eye. This spot here, just outside the trees, is heavily watched by my enemies. If you see anyone, please do not hesitate to shoot them.”

                “You seem very unfortunate in your enemies,” Aberle said in return. “It appears that you have many.”

                “As far as I know, I only have one, but he has many people beneath him. In his threats, he claims to be strong in Deutsh and able to eliminate me easily.”

                “Oh? And who is this man?”

                “I imagine that his promises are all lies. I’ve never seen any proof to anything he says. I’ve already told you his name: Bian; but I doubt you have ever heard of him.”

                To Theron’s surprise, Aberle reared up his horse sharply and his back became rigid. The Förster didn’t move for several seconds, and when he did, he let out a long, ragged breath. “I’m such a fool,” he muttered. “Such a blamed fool!” He turned his dark head around so swiftly that his hair swung about majestically. Aberle gazed intently at Theron as he brought his horse to Aktivkohle’s side. “Never heard of him?” he asked. His voice held no note whatsoever of its usual humor. “Are you trying to make fun? I should have realized this before, but do you really think that that’s funny?”

                Theron’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

                “I should have put my brain into motion. This could get me into more trouble…” Aberle trailed off in speechless frustration.

                Theron was silent with voiceless confusion. Aberle noted this and chilled his temper reluctantly. He took a deep breath. “Bian,” the Förster explained, “is a major threat to the Försters’ operation. He is considered the only real threat we have! You didn’t know? How could you not? He has half the southern territory under his control!”

Theron was dumbfounded. The thought that his long-term enemy could be the enemy of so many others was a thought too much to absorb at once. This meant that becoming a Förster wouldn’t at once free him from Bian’s terrorism. It might even make it worse.

Aberle wheeled his mount around. “Come,” he said. “We must make haste. We have no time to lose if I am to get you to the Kollegium in one piece.” He bolted off in the direction of the still-rising sun. After a second’s hesitation, Theron followed him, but not without apprehension that tickled his spine.

*              *              *

Upon arriving at Stadt, a city about forty miles from their starting point, around midnight that night, Aberle led Theron through the dark maze of houses and shops toward a well-structured abode with a single candle in the window. Aberle dismounted and knocked on the door. Theron shifted uncomfortably when there was no answer. Aberle just sighed and knocked again.

This time there was movement heard from within. Aberle stood straighter, contented. The door opened after a few moments to reveal a tall man. Theron took in his profile with curiosity.  His chest was wide, and his sandy hair was bedraggled and un-brushed. With the help of the light from a lantern the man held, Theron saw that he wore an earth-toned tunic and pants of  thin, worn wool. His muscled hands and arms betrayed the fact that he was familiar with the weight of a strong weapon in his hands. Unlike Aberle, this man wore facial hair in the form of a well-checked beard. At first glance, he looked rough but also benign which portrayed one message to Theron: that he was a man who knew responsibility and took care of his own.

The man raised the lantern in order to better see Aberle’s face. Aberle raised his arm to shield his eyes.

“Cut it out, Jarrett!” cried Aberle. “We’ve come to stay the night. Can you accommodate two?”

Jarrett lowered his light hurriedly. “Oh, Aberle! How good to see you.”

“Yes, well, I only hope that we haven’t disturbed your sleep.”

“Naw.” Jarrett stepped aside enough for Nanda and Aberle to see inside his domicile. Behind him, there was a desk hidden under two open scrolls and loose paper besides. An ink well and pen had been put carefully on a corner of the desk not covered with paper. “I was just doing some more of my writing,” said the man. “Who is your companion?”

“His name is Theron,” answered Aberle.

Jarrett nodded and looked at Nanda who dismounted from his horse in order to shake the Förster’s hand. “Good luck with the Kollegium,” said Jarrett.

“Thank you,” returned Theron.

“I’ll take the horses,” said Aberle as he led the animals around the house where, Theron assumed, was a stable.

“Come on in,” said Jarrett ushering Theron inside. Theron saw that there were two beds and wondered where the third would sleep. “There’s a cot under the bed by that wall if you want to get it,” said Jarrett as he rolled up a scroll.

“Of course,” said Nanda. “Where should I put it?” he asked when he had gotten it out.

“Anywhere I won’t get stepped on,” Jarrett chuckled.

“Oh, I can take the cot,” volunteered Nanda. “You don’t have to give up your bed for me.”

Jarrett paused in rolling up the second scroll to glance at Theron. “Listen here, newbie, if you pass your test and become a Förster, you’ll learn to take what kindness is offered to you by your host.”

Nanda sat down on a bed. “Sorry.” Theron watched as Jarrett finished with his scrolls and paced over to a large fireplace with a kettle over it.

“Are you hungry?” asked the big man while dishing out a bowl of stew.

“Yes, thank you,” Theron replied. When Aberle came in from outside there was a warm bowl of stew waiting for him as well. He grabbed it with a nod to Jarrett and began to eat.

Jarrett watched the two of them silently for a time. Nanda expected nothing less. He judged the Förster as a kind of contemplative man. When he did speak again, Jarrett didn’t address Nanda but Aberle.

“You’re stressed, brother. What is the problem?”

Aberle swallowed a hunk of meat. Meat. Oh yes, Kippte needed to eat. “He,” said Aberle, pointing with his spoon. “He is the problem.” Nanda was mildly surprised with the accusation but remained silent. “He’s Bian’s prey; I didn’t realize it until after I should have.”

Jarrett gave Theron a quick and almost accusing look. He let out a low whistle and leaned back a little to fix his gaze on the opposing wall. “The Kollegium will be very pleased with you for bringing him in. You may be commemorated.”

Theron set his jaw. After a slight pause, Aberle said, “But?”

The larger Förster shrugged. “But this could lead to a slight problem. It fixes the problem of looking for him; for that, you will receive their high thanks. However, if Bian learns of his membership –,” Jarrett turned his head toward Nanda, “and now I have no doubt that you will pass your tests – it will make his blows to deflect us more frequent and severe. This may cost lives.”

Nanda stood, “May I get a little more of that food? Please?”

Jarrett’s eyebrows sank a centimeter, but he nodded. As Nanda turned his back to the rangers, he felt a cold wind of admonition settle over them. He tried to ignore them as he dished out two pieces of meat and something green he thought would make Kippte happy. Before he sat down again, he asked, “I dislike being spoken of as some sort of prize to be brought in to a game master. Maybe I should reconsider joining your order.”

Aberle shook his head. “Forgive us, friend. I didn’t mean for it to sound so. It’s just that we’ve been looking for one of you for years, and to find you willing to join us so suddenly is quite surprising.”

“And to find you alone was also a surprise,” added Jarrett.

Theron paused before bringing his pet into view, confused. “But I wasn’t alone. Tallah was there when Aberle got me. And what do you mean ‘one of you’?”

“Why, your brother, of course,” said Aberle.

Nanda dropped his hand to his lap, his pet forgotten.