The Ranger Post

It was going to be another hot day. Above the hills, the sky was pale yellow, turning to deepest blue overhead, without a wisp of cloud. A heat haze shimmered in the distance. The breeze blew warm and dry.

Riki knelt by the saddlebags, nominally packing the supplies for another day of travel. However, she was aware that she was being very uneconomical in her actions. The big problem was her cheeks. She was grinning so much her face ached.

Admittedly, the ache was not severe enough to directly hamper her folding the blankets or sealing the tinderbox in its waterproof wrapper, but every time Riki thought about her face, she was reminded of why she was grinning. This was what distracted her. She would drift away in a daze and eventually the blanket, bag, or wrapping would slip from her hand, putting her back at step one. She was also finding even the simplest decisions difficult—decisions such as, should she fold the blanket top to bottom first, or side to side?

Riki glanced up, estimating the time from the sun's position. Sunrise was long past. She and Tanya had overslept. Remembering why they had overslept made the grin on Riki's face stretch still wider. She gazed happily at the blanket in her hand until she remembered she was supposed to be folding it. Riki sighed and shook the blanket out flat. Yet already her attention was wandering.

A few meters away, Tanya was standing with her back to Riki, looking down at the saddles by her feet—the saddles that she was supposed to be putting on the ponies. Riki studied her thoughtfully. She suspected that Tanya's productivity was no better than her own.

Riki's appraisal started at Tanya's head and then slid lower. Riki felt her stomach flip a somersault. The cloth of Tanya's trousers was pulled tight enough to reveal her outline and loose enough to hint at more. Riki's pulse accelerated. Her hands thrummed with the tactile memory of running down Tanya's back and over those hips, touching warm, naked skin.

While Riki watched, Tanya twisted slightly to one side, pulling the cloth tighter. Riki's eyes were riveted to the sight. She then realized that the movement had been because Tanya was now looking back over her shoulder. Riki glanced up guiltily and met Tanya's eyes. She felt a blush darken her face. However, Tanya only smiled before walking over and crouching behind Riki. Her arms slid around Riki's waist for support.

Enjoying the view?”

Um...yes. I was.” Denying it was pointless.

Tanya's breath was warm on Riki's neck, followed by her lips, kissing behind Riki's ear and nibbling on the lobe. Her tongue teased and inflamed.

Riki closed her eyes. The soft touch of Tanya's mouth was sending electric flares down her spine. It was all Riki could do to continue breathing. Eventually, Tanya ceased nuzzling but kept her lips close to Riki's ear.

So, you enjoyed last night?”

Yes.”

Do you think you might want to do it again sometime?”

Maybe.” Riki tried to match the light, playful tone.

Tanya's hands released their grip on Riki's waist and moved to the buttons of her shirt. The first one slipped free.

How about now?”

 

The upland area was etched with eroded canyons and buttes. The ground was hard and rocky. Most topsoil had been washed away by wind and rain. Stunted firs sprouted wherever they could attach their roots, while elsewhere, low alpine perennials clung to the bare rocks. Only in sheltered valleys was significant vegetation found.

The weather was still good for the start of October, although the heat had gone from the sun. The nights were drawing in. As they rode along the bottom of a sheer-sided canyon, Tanya considered the lengthening shadows. She estimated that two hours of decent daylight remained.

At the end of the canyon, they reached a deeper basin, a couple of kilometers wide, where a moderate covering of trees and bushes was interspersed with swaths of knee-high grass. Tanya urged her pony down the incline before noticing that Riki had stopped and was looking around.

What is it?”

I recognize this. I know where we are.”

So where are we?”

Riki grinned. Two days south of Ginasberg.”

You've patrolled out here?”

A few times.” Riki pointed to the cliff rising on the opposite side of the basin. There's a Ranger post over there.”

Tanya smiled at her affectionately. Riki had done well at finding a route through the wilderness. Tanya had never doubted that she would. Nearly home.”

Riki smiled back and geed her pony on.

A ring of Ranger posts existed around both Westernfort and Ginasberg. Tanya knew the location of the posts around Westernfort, but she had never been assigned to Ginasberg and had rarely traveled out this way. Riki was far more familiar with the terrain.

Ranger posts were concealed bases used for overnight stops. All the posts were well hidden and easily defendable. Should the Guards ever mount an expedition against the heretics' strongholds, the posts were intended to offer a safe retreat between skirmishes. They were also invaluable to anyone caught out by harsh weather, and were kept stocked with emergency supplies.

Riki led the way to the other side of the basin. The trees, mainly hagwood firs, grew denser here. Between them were thickets of rock holly and sugarleaf, shrouding the base of the cliff. Not until they were right on top of it did Tanya spot the dark crack splitting the rock face. Riki slipped from her pony's saddle and walked toward it. Tanya did likewise.

The crack turned out to be the entrance to a winding cave, wide enough to admit a pony. Like all the posts, if you did not know where it was, you could have passed within a dozen meters and not spotted it.

Leaving the ponies to graze, Tanya and Riki entered the cave. After a few turns, the sides fell away and the roof opened to the sky. They were at the bottom of a wide sinkhole in the rocks. A small cabin leaned against one side, and a shallow pool provided fresh water. There was enough space for the ponies to come in, although for the moment, they were better off outside.

Tanya pushed open the cabin door and peered in. The floor of the single room was hard-packed earth; the walls were rough timber on three sides and natural rock on the other. The only contents were a couple of straw-stuffed mattresses and a wooden chest for supplies. A stone hearth with a chimney was built against the rock face. Tanya had already spotted the stack of cut logs outside. She grinned. The nights had been getting cold. The thought of an evening snuggled up in front of a fire with Riki was definitely pleasant.

 

The Ranger urged her horse on at a sharp pace. She had not made as much progress as she had hoped that day. Lack of familiarity with the terrain was partly the cause. It was several years since she had last patrolled the region. The light was now fading and she wanted to reach the Ranger post before nightfall to give herself a chance to feed her horse, settle in, and get the fire going.

The summer had been chaotic. Captain Coppelli had thrown all her resources into recapturing Private Sadiq. Not surprising, yet the captain's judgment had surely been compromised by her personal involvement. Every available Ranger had been sent after Sadiq, including many who had more important things to do. They had also been kept on the hunt long after any hope of success remained, while vital jobs had been postponed.

Thinking about it, the Ranger grimaced. The year was not one she would like to repeat. Life was finally quieting down and getting back to normal, although people were still being shunted out of their routine, filling in where needed. Her current mission was an example, making an inventory of emergency supplies in the Ranger posts before winter arrived.

The sun had set and darkness was thickening under the hagwood firs. The Ranger hunched her shoulders against the chill wind. Fortunately, her destination was at hand. She had just a few hundred meters to go when she heard a horse snort.

Startled, the Ranger pulled her own mount to a halt. Who could be here at this time of year? She glanced around apprehensively. Surely a detachment of Guards could not have gotten so close to Ginasberg without being noticed. And yet, with all the turmoil, maybe the watch had slipped.

The Ranger pursed her lips and then slipped from her saddle. The most likely explanation was that the horse belonged to another Ranger—someone like herself, frantically making up for lost time with an unscheduled journey, but it never hurt to be too careful.

She tied her horse's reins to a hagwood, pulled her bow from the pack, strung it, and then stuck three arrows in her belt. Fortunately, the undergrowth here provided better cover than for most of the region. She crept between the trees, keeping her movements as silent as possible. From the shelter of a bushy rock holly, she peered at the grassy area in front of the Ranger post.

Three ponies were grazing. Only two had saddles; the other was clearly a pack animal. Although there was no sign of who they belonged to, the Ranger relaxed. A party of two was very unlikely for the Guards—they preferred to travel in number. Almost, the Ranger left her hiding place, but a niggling doubt, a seventh sense, made her wait.

She heard footsteps. Someone was leaving the cave. The Ranger ducked further behind the rock holly and peered between the leaves, trusting to the encroaching darkness to aid her concealment.

A figure strolled into view. Although the day was nearly done, the light was still sufficient for the watching Ranger to identify Rikako Sadiq, sauntering into the open. Sadiq was wearing civilian clothes, and her hair was longer than the last time the Ranger had seen her, but she was unmistakable, from her brazen swagger to the arrogant smirk on her face.

Sadiq had been tried in her absence. Captain Coppelli's orders were clear. The renegade was to be shot on sight. The Ranger pulled an arrow from her belt and nocked it on her bowstring. She placed her fingers at either side of the shaft. But before she could draw, she heard someone else.

The presence of Rikako Sadiq, so close to Ginasberg, had been a huge surprise, but this was nothing compared to seeing Tanya Coppelli also emerge from the cave mouth.

The Ranger lowered her bow, her head reeling. What was going on? How had Tanya escaped from the Guards? And what was she doing here, in the company of Rikako? Stunned, the Ranger remained frozen as the two women claimed the ponies and led them into the cave.

Only once the scene was deserted did she retreat. She had no idea how the two women had come to be at the post together, and she was not about to ask. Apart from easing her curiosity, the information was unnecessary. The obvious conclusion was that Rikako Sadiq and Tanya Coppelli were on their way back to Westernfort, and they had to be stopped.

Leading Ranger Loke Stevenson slipped away through the darkening woodland, back to her horse. She had plans to make.

 

Midnight was close. Loke pressed herself against the rocks of the cave entrance and peered in. Laurel was rising behind her, but the weak moonbeams could not pierce the blackness. Loke concentrated on her ears. Faintly she could hear hefty breathing from the ponies, and nothing else. She slipped into the cave and inched her way forward, testing each footfall.

At the point where the cave opened into the sinkhole she paused, studying the scene. She did not need to rush. Moreover, she must not rush. She would have just one chance and could not afford a mistake. Weak moonlight fell on the rock face on the far side. The three ponies were standing motionless around the pool. Their tails twitched intermittently from side to side, but they were clearly sleeping.

Loke strained her eyes. The door of the cabin was outlined in dull red. By the look of it, a fire was burning down inside, but no lanterns or candles were lit. Loke cautiously advanced. As she passed, one of the ponies shuffled its feet; the hooves clattered loudly on rock. Loke froze and waited, but no other sound or motion disturbed the silence. She reached the cabin door and slowly drew her sword.

Again Loke paused, listening, while weighing up her plans for the last time. She had to kill them both. Loke felt her jaw tighten in an involuntary grimace. She did not like the idea, but she had no choice. Tanya had the more damaging testimony to deliver, but Rikako returning to Westernfort alone would be nearly as bad. They must have been together for some time. Who knew what they had told each other? The mere fact Rikako had chosen to return would ensure that she got a hearing. She might even be carrying letters.

Loke hoped she would be able to kill both in their sleep; a quick stab through the throat, that would prevent the one she struck first from crying out and waking the other. However, Loke knew nothing was certain. She had to allow for some disturbance, and possibly a struggle with her second victim.

Rikako Sadiq was the one to dispose of first. In Loke's estimation, she was the more dangerous and less predictable of the two. Undoubtedly, Tanya Coppelli was a competent Ranger, intelligent and skilled with a bow. Yet she was no match for her mother, Captain Chip Coppelli. She lacked aggression and fire. She could put a dozen arrows into the heart of a target, but Loke did not think she would be so quick to put one into the heart of a woman. Tanya had never killed, never been in a fight with deadly intent. If it came to one on one, Loke counted on having the advantage, because Tanya would freeze, just for that split second, before striking the fatal thrust.

Loke edged the door open, a millimeter at a time, and slipped inside. As she had thought, the remains of a fire in the hearth were sinking into glowing embers. The soft red glow flowed over the room. Loke waited for her eyes to adjust before moving.

She looked for the two sleeping bodies. One blanket-covered form was immediately apparent, but there was no sign of a second. Loke's forehead furrowed in confusion and her eyes returned to the first shape. This time she studied the outline in closer detail and realized that two women lay under the same blanket, fitted close together, like spoons. Loke could not restrain her wry smile. So that was how it was.

Loke stood over the sleeping figures. The frown deepened on her face. Rikako was closer to the wall. Tanya lay behind, with her right arm over her lover's shoulders, holding her close. Her hand was in front of Rikako's face. Although unintentional, the positioning effectively shielded Rikako. Tanya's throat was in turn equally well protected by Rikako's head.

Loke held her sword out experimentally, judging angles and swings, and then stepped back, chewing her lip. The wall was too close to let her put a forceful blow into Rikako's chest. The only guaranteed quick killing strike on either woman was to Tanya's back, between her ribs and piercing her heart.

Loke stepped forward again, tightening her grip on the hilt of her sword. She drew back her arm, and then stopped. She would kill Tanya, but it would leave her with Rikako to confront, awake and forewarned. Even so, she would have the advantage. She ought to win. Yet Rikako was quick and far too good in the wilderness. If she chose to flee rather than fight and made it to the woods, the odds did not look good at all.

Loke stared at the two figures. What was her best option? What other opportunities to kill them would she have? An ambush on the trail was not a good idea. If she picked her position, she would be able to put an arrow through one, but the other would then be a fast-moving target, and far harder to hit.

Loke's thoughts churned through plans and conjectures. They had to be heading for Westernfort, but they would undoubtedly stop at Ginasberg on the way. Their next night would be spent at the Ranger post below Turner's Lookout. Loke's frown faded as a new plan seeded itself. It should work, and even if not, she would have lost nothing. The chance would still be there to stab them in their sleep, and maybe tomorrow night they would be a little farther from the wall.

Slowly, she backed toward the cabin door and left. With a little effort she would arrive at the next post several hours before Tanya Coppelli and Rikako Sadiq, which would give her plenty of time to prepare a surprise for them.

 

Sunset was more than an hour away as they rode along the ridge toward the next Ranger post. The exposed location meant that few trees grew to obscure the panoramic view over the land below. This was the last of the high hills. The terrain ahead leveled out into softer contours, and forests of firs replaced the dry, barren uplands.

Riki fixed her eyes on the horizon, following the direction of her thoughts. Ginasberg was a mere forty kilometers due north, a day's journey. In her heart she was both eager and worried. Would she be able to find the words she wanted? How would they be received? Would her mother forgive her?

Tanya rode beside her in silence. Was she also thinking ahead to being reunited with her mothers? Although for her, the occasion was guaranteed a good outcome.

At the end of the ridge, they descended into a depression in the hillside that turned into a steep-sided ravine. The route was traveled often enough to leave a visible trail along the bottom. They rounded a sheer escarpment as the valley walls fell away. Before them lay an area of bleached grass, scattered bushes, and spindly trees. A ring of limestone fists punched up through the thin upland soil, between cracked fissures.

Riki pointed to the largest stone bastion and reined her horse to a standstill. The Ranger post is in there. And I think someone's already home.”

Why?”

Do you see that wooden bridge over the crevice in front?”

Yes.”

It's the only way in that doesn't involve a climb. But normally we don't advertise the post's location by leaving the bridge out. It gets hidden under those bushes.” Riki nodded at the ones she meant. Either somebody's been lazy and not put it away when she left, or she's still here.”

No sign of horses.”

They get put to graze a little farther down the hillside where there's a stream and the grass is better.”

Tanya raised her voice to a shout. Hello? Anyone here?”

They waited while the echoes faded over the hillside.

Maybe she's down seeing to her horse,” Tanya suggested.

Should still be in earshot.”

Riki hopped down from her pony and walked the short distance to the bridge. The fissure it spanned was less than four meters across and of a similar depth. The outcrop on the other side rose in a flat wall, except for the small cleft the bridge led to. The fissure ran for a dozen meters in either direction before more cliffs sealed it off. As far as could be seen, the floor was flat, but it was hidden beneath a covering of dover ferns. Windblown soil could accumulate at the bottom, and it was sheltered from direct sunlight. Footprints marked the ground around the bridge, scuffed in places, but definitely caused by a Ranger's boots.

These prints are fresh. Two hours at most. The wind would have blown them away if they were any older.”

Tanya had remained seated on her pony. She stood in the stirrups and scanned the surroundings before also dismounting. Must have had to go and do something. There's still an hour before dark. She might come back.”

Riki shrugged and walked onto the bridge. The structure was light enough to be put out by one woman, yet robust enough to take the weight of several. However, as she approached the middle, Riki felt it bouncing under her feet more than she remembered. She glanced back. Tanya was a few meters behind her and had not yet set foot on the bridge.

You better wait there. I think the bridge is in need of—”

Suddenly, the planks under Riki's feet gave way with a loud snap. Her knees flexed in an automatic but pointless attempt to keep her balance. The bridge cracked in two and Riki tumbled to the bottom of the ravine.

She had no time to think, but fortunately her instincts kicked in. Her arms shot out for balance. Her knees bent, ready to take the impact. Her feet hit the ground and she pitched forward into a roll. Fire erupted in her ankle, but faded almost as quickly—nothing worse than a sprain. Fortunately, the thick plant cover cushioned her from worse bruising, and the falling timbers landed away from her. Riki rolled once more and ending up sitting among the crushed ferns and broken wood, more surprised than hurt.

Riki!” Tanya shouted.

Even before Riki could draw breath to reply, Tanya's head appeared at the top of the crevice.

I'm okay.”

You're sure?”

Yes.” Riki took a deep breath. Just a bit shook up.”

What happened?”

The bridge broke when I was standing on it.”

The fear on Tanya's face faded to an amused pout. I guess if you can come out with smartass answers you must be okay.”

You asked the question.”

Wait there. I'll get a rope to help you out.”

Riki grinned and looked at the remains of the bridge. The largest section had fallen against the side of the ravine and now stood propped beside her at an angle. She could see where the under-strut had cracked. To a first glance, the wood appeared weathered but sound. Then her eyes caught a glimpse of clean white wood. Riki pulled away the shrouding ferns to take a better look.

Tanya!”

What is it?” Tanya's head reappeared. Her expression showed rekindled alarm.

The bridge was sabotaged.”

What!”

Here. Somebody has hacked at the strut to weaken it.” Riki looked up. It's a trap.”

Who would—” Tanya met Riki's eyes. I'm not going to leave you here.”

They'll be watching. You're exposed. You can't help me by being a target.”

I—”

Abruptly, Tanya broke off and ducked out of sight. Riki heard her run away, and then the unmistakable twang of a distant bowstring.

Tanya!” Riki could not stop herself from shouting, although she did not expect an answer. Her only comfort was that she had heard no cry and no thud of a body hitting the ground.

Leather creaked. A pony snorted, followed by rapid hoofbeats echoing between the rocks, and then fading into silence.

Riki got uneasily to her feet. Who had sabotaged the bridge? It was not a likely tactic for Guards, even if a company was in the region and had discovered the post. Had she and Tanya been the targets? Or had they stumbled unwittingly into a trap intended for another victim? In which case, who and where was she? But if the trap had been for Tanya and her, who might have seen them approaching and wanted to stop them? Who would shoot at Tanya?

At that point, Riki's thoughts lurched to an uncomfortable stop as one plausible answer presented itself. She peered around the fissure. Was there any point in hiding? The saboteur would have seen her fall and would know where she was. Lying down and playing dead was not a good idea. Even if her words to Tanya had not been overheard, anyone with a modicum of caution would put a few arrows into an easy target, just to be sure.

Riki looked up at the sound of footsteps. She was about to find out the saboteur's identity—not that she felt much doubt. Riki was unsurprised when Loke Stevenson appeared at the rim above her, holding a strung bow with an arrow nocked on the string. It took Riki a split second to realize that there was a point in hiding after all. She dived into the space behind the solid timber remains of the bridge. An arrow hit the rocks by where she had been standing.

Five seconds of silence followed.

Tanya,” Loke shouted at the top of her voice.

The silence continued.

Tanya Coppelli. If you don't come back, I'm going to kill your girlfriend.”

Use of the term girlfriend made Riki frown. When had Loke spotted them, and what had they been doing? It was decidedly unpleasant to think they had been spied on.

Come on, Tanya. I know you. Even if you weren't fucking her, you wouldn't run off and desert a comrade. I know you're still here, listening.”

Riki heard Loke as she stamped up and down the length of the ravine. Riki shifted from side to side behind the bridge panel, to keep herself covered.

You better come out. Now. Or you'll regret it.” Loke was sounding increasingly desperate.

Riki decided that she might as well get the answer she wanted, rather than listen to the inane threats. Why did you call me her girlfriend?”

I saw you last night.”

Ah.”

I crept into the Ranger post. I was going to stab you, but you were all wrapped up in each other's arms. I couldn't get a clean stroke.”

Oh. You saw us asleep.” Riki felt a sense of relief that was completely disproportionate, giving the situation.

Yes.” Loke's tone was terse and distracted. She raised her voice again. Tanya. I know you're close by. This is your fucking last chance.”

Last chance or what?”

Loke ignored Riki and carried on shouting. If you don't come out, I'm going to get some lamp oil from the supplies in the post. Then I'm going to toss it down into the ravine, with a torch. The ferns will go up nicely. Do you want to hear your girlfriend scream as she burns?”

Riki looked at the dover ferns. They were starting to wilt with the end of summer and would burn well enough. She leaned her head back on the rocks and caught her lip in her teeth. She was sure she knew the game that Tanya was playing, and wanted to give her every last second.

I'm going to get the oil.”

You've left yourself a jump,” Riki pointed out.

Loke merely snarled and stomped along to where the ravine narrowed to little more than a meter. She slipped her bow over her shoulder and stared at the rock face where she would land. Riki peered between the wooden slats, watching her. Loke backed off a few steps, clearly preparing to take a running jump, but then stopped and looked around, shifting her weight. She took an indecisive half step away from the crevice.

Riki spoke again. You know she's gone, don't you?”

You think she'd run off and leave you?”

It depends on how you look at it.”

She's too damned noble to ditch a comrade.”

What would you know about being noble?”

Loke spun away from the ravine. Her head jerked left and right. Tanya.”

She's not stupid, you know.”

Abruptly, Loke pulled her bow off her shoulder and set off at a run, away from the ravine.

Loke, before you go. There's something you need to know. Something I found out about Tanya when I was in Landfall.” Riki shouted, unsure whether her words would get any response, but through the gaps in the timber, she saw Loke reappear on the brink.

What?”

The Coppellis. They run half of Landfall. Tanya's grandmother, Isabel Coppelli, she's sharp. She's the shrewdest woman I've ever met in my life, but the whole family are the same. And Tanya's a Coppelli.”

Where's this going?” Loke was fidgeting, impatience manifest in every muscle of her body.

When you started shouting threats, Tanya would have still been quite close, so she'd have heard your voice and recognized you. And what you were saying. All that ‘Come out or I'll kill your girlfriend' rubbish. She knew that if she did what you said, you'd have killed us both for sure. It wouldn't make my life one iota more secure. You need us both dead, else you're sunk. You were bluffing with a completely empty hand. And I can tell you that any Coppelli would have spotted it in an instant.”

This is fucking pointless.” Loke turned away.

No. Wait. What I want to say is that Tanya would have known that the only way to keep me safe was for her to run away. She knew when you eventually realized that she'd gone you weren't going to hang around, wasting time, trying to kill me. Because even though you'd be safer with us both dead, she's the one you really have to stop from getting to Ginasberg and talking to people. And she's got a big head start. She took two seconds to work out what's taken you twenty minutes. Because she's smart and you're not. Like you've just wasted another two minutes, listening to me tell you something you'd finally work out for yourself.”

Fuck you.” Loke darted out of Riki's sight. The sound of her running footsteps pounded away.

No, thanks. I'm already claimed.” Riki pulled a wry smile. She had no hope of getting Loke to waste more time listening to her. She could only pray that Tanya had enough of a lead for what she had to do.

Riki heard distant hoofbeats that faded almost immediately. She crawled from behind the planks of the bridge and examined the fissure wall. The rock face was vertical, but covered with cracks and nodules. It ought to be readily climbable.

Riki flexed her ankle experimentally, testing where she had sprained it when she fell. A few twangs darted up her leg, and it was going to be stiff when she woke the next morning, but it would not stop her from climbing out. Riki reached up, seeking her first handhold. She wanted to get on Loke's trail as soon as possible. Unfortunately, she was unlikely to do it quickly enough to be of any help to Tanya.