Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Ranger's Task

The flat cedar box didn't look all that special. Yes, the wood was polished to a glassy finish that made the grain seem almost three dimensional in appearance, but there was nothing else about it that made it stand out. No markings, no ornamental designs carved upon it's lid. The fact was that if the young ranger had not specifically been looking for it, it's location among the many trinkets in the pile of junk would have hidden it from his eyes. He knew what he was seeking. Doubtless many others who came before him had overlooked it, a heavy layer of timeless dust covering the gloss of it's lid.

His hands trembled slightly as he slowly opened the cover. This surprised him. How many times had he sighted an enemy with an arrow knocked to his longbow with a granite-like steadiness, while the target sat unaware of him? How many times had he sized up an enemy in one to one combat, his dual blades flashing in the sun without a single measure of tension or anxiety in the pit of his stomach? Even the war-hardened he had encountered in his young life told of the uneasiness they felt heading into battle. This was foreign to him. Yet here he was, opening the small case with fingers that looked like the movement a small insect might make when a spider stuck it and filled it with it's poisonous venom.

The ranger's eyes widened as the lid opened full and he took in the sight of the long lost Dagger of Peril, the skilled dwarven craftsmanship evident in it's keen silvery blade. The hilt was wrapped in a dark leather binding, from the ball shaped bell guard to the simple crossguard that protected the user's hand. Slowly he reached to take it from it's case, but before he could touch the weapon, an unbearable pain struck his hand and he pulled it away. He should have known better. Weapons such as these were only made to be handled by the single owner they were bound to and he was not that person. Before reclosing the lid, he shook his hand to relieve some of the pain. He would bring the dagger back to it's rightful owner as he had been instructed.

10 comments:

  1. Wow, Michael. This is really frickin' awesome. You put me right there in the character of this ranger, and I have to say, I hope you continue this story with this character. This is great stuff. I love all the beautiful descriptive words, the mystery, the magic, and the world-building that comes across in just a few paragraphs.

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    1. That is a great compliment Michael. It surprises me that anyone would respond like you did considering I wrote it in a coffee shop in fifteen minutes with no edits. I appreciate you reading it first and foremost, as well as your feedback. This is one the a couple of posts I have considered developing further.

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  2. I second Michael Offutt. It reminds me a little of the sword in the stone.

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    1. Thank you Reina. As I said above, it just kinda flowed right out of me.

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  3. Loved this piece of writing, and I hope that this character carries on with this adventure.
    I can't wait to find out what is in the box...is it Pandoras box? ;)

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    1. I just might move forward with this piece Megan. (The Dagger of Peril was in the box.)

      :)

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  4. Love the mix of description and the revealing of character.

    BTW there's a blog award waiting over at my blog for you.

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    1. Thanks and thank you for the award. I'm working on it ;)

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  5. I love the idea of the weapon being bound to a specific person. Cool.

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    1. Thank you. I'm trying different things with my posts before I start my next book.

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