Ferdinand Becomes a Ranger

[youtube:https://youtube.com/watch?v=N07gcm1YFFw]Story Script:

four remaining men surrounded by dead pillagers.

The quartet of men returned from the pillager outpost carrying 2 fallen comrades and the artifact they required.

Four men returning. Thawkins, Rikon, Ferdinand, and Quarly

The Arrow of Thania was thousands of years old, and it was said, it would point to the tree of Celaya. Odds were good the pillagers didn’t even know it was an artifact, or they would have sold it for more than all their other goods combined.

Artifacts in the Realm of Vasten are very very rare. Only a handful exist, and they are said to gain power from other worlds. No one knows how they work, but if the tales are true, this arrow could guide the group across the frozen wasteland and to the home of The Frost Druids.

“Return to my home, we will rest the night, then be on our way. I must go speak to the families of these men.”

Sage Rikon of the Order Of Man, Thawkins true was the only “religious” man in Monument to the Fallen, as the other religions of the world were not represented in this particular village.

“We?” Ferdinand Keet asks the Sage - “will you be accompanying us?”

Rikon looked back to Ferdinand and Thawkins as he walked out the door. There was sadness in his eyes, both fallen men were married, and Hin had a child. “I don’t think I will be welcome in my home after news breaks that their trusted Sage led 2 men to their deaths.” He paused, thinking for a moment, “Also, the chance to travel to see the tree of Celaya doesn’t come all that often, I will be traveling with you.”

Rikon and Quarly left, carrying the makeshift stretchers carrying Hin and Okel. Thawkins motioned for Ferdinand to have a seat at the table. Pouring a cup of water for both, he looked up at the boy, “I’ve led men to their deaths before, both necessary and not. Let’s hope this is the former.”

The two men sat in silence for a long while, watching the sunset.

Ferdinand Keet, Ranger Thawkins, and Sage Rikon set off. Leaving the Sages home of a few years, Monument to the Fallen.

Rikon was right. After telling the families of the two men killed in the Pillager raid of their deaths, word spread quickly that the Sage had to lead them to their deaths. He was no longer welcome in his home.

The journey would be long, but with The Arrow of Thania to guide them, they could find the way to Celaya and The Arbor Druids. Ferdinand sought help in defeating the Nether, Rikon sought knowledge, as do all in the Order Of Man, Thawkins true contract had not been revealed yet.

The first day was uneventful, Ferdinand was taken back by the stories told back and forth between the Ranger and the Sage. As the miles were left behind, so was the sadness of the loss of Hin) and Okel.

That night, they pitched camp off the road. Thawkins left Rikon and Ferdinand to set up camp while he hunted for dinner. “What will you do after you find these Arbor Druids?” Rikon asked Ferdinand.

“I’ll ask… beg if I need to, them to come to Port Breigh and help”

“And What makes you the one to go get them?”

Ferdinand had no real answer. He felt it in his gut, he had been saved by The Frost Druids, he was meant to be the one to bring them into the fight!

The next day the trio made a better time. Waking up on a sunny morning to the smell of Thawkin’s breakfast pork chops put a smile on their faces and a little bounce in their steps.

Thawkins had asked Sage Rikon to scout ahead, leaving the Ranger and his apprentice to walk in silence. “Rangers have to follow their contracts.” Thawkins Said.

“Of course,” replied the boy.

“You don’t understand,” Thawkins stopped and looked at him. “We have to finish our contracts, even when we disagree with them.”

“Yes, I see.” Ferdinand was confused. What was his master getting at?

“You’re not officially my apprentice yet, but I’ll take you if you want it.”

Being a Ranger's apprentice, and later a Ranger, was never something Ferdinand had ever dreamed of. But now, after seeing Thawkins work and following him for weeks, it was all he wanted. The Frost Druids might not listen to a boy, but they would have to listen to 2 Rangers and a Sage!

“A Rangers pledge isn’t something to be taken lightly, Ferdinand.” Thawkins paused, thinking. “There is no going back”

Ferdinand nodded solemnly.

That morning, the boy who left Port Breigh to seek out The Frost Druids, with no bigger plan for his life than just bringing them into the war, became a Ranger of House Donao.

> “I, Ferdinand Keet, swear to uphold the laws and honor of the Rangers, to protect this realm from those who would do it harm. By these words to I bind myself to the servitude of the good, as a dispatcher of evil. Should I waver or falter in the face of any contract, strip me of my honor, my name, and my humanity."
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> -Ferdinand Keet saying Ranger's Pledge
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People In the Story:

* Ferdinand Keet

* Thom Thawkins

* Rikon Gerro

* Quarly

Locations are shown in Cinematics:

* Celaya

* Monument to the Fallen

* Celaya

* Port Breigh

[timeline:be785ffa-0d03-42ea-8651-d5d6507f2a82]