Ranger

By Chris Jensen

Jewel has always enjoyed a life of wealth and privilege. Her parents want her to train to be a proper young lady fit for marriage, but she is only interested in partying as much as she can. They finally decide to send her away to a convent where she learns about humility, hard work, compassion, and her gift for healing.

Kroger was raised in poverty by a single mother. Her death leaves him homeless, begging and stealing to survive on the streets until he is taken in by a band of gypsies who help him develop his agility and cunning.

The two of them meet by chance and Jewel takes him into her church where they become best friends. Then on a mundane errand for Jewel's church they become entangled in a brewing war.

They will have to depend on each other to survive the perils they encounter and help save their kingdom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Jensen
• Release date: Dec 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370010301

Chris Jensen

Chris Lives in the suburbs of Chicago(where it is a different season every day), Il with his father and a grumpy cat. When he is not writing he is busy working as a math and writing tutor and bike courier. He also likes cooking/eating pizzas and waiting for dubstep tracks to drop.

Book preview

Ranger

By Chris Jensen

Copyright 2016 Chris Jensen

Smashwords Edition

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Table of contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Epilogue

About the author

Connect with me

Prologue

Lord Hector stared at the map with longing. Soon it would all be his. All the lands he desired. Millions of people bent to his will.

At the maps again, my lord? Planning something big? asked Claude, his servant.

Indeed. See these here?

Mountains. What of them?

Not merely mountains. Volcanoes.

I don’t follow, my lord.

Of course you don’t. Volcanoes provide obsidian to power my magic and that of the other warlocks.

Splendid, my lord, but how will you mine it all?

Lord Hector smiled. The people. They will be my slaves.

Chapter 1

Jewel

I ran the brush through my hair again, but it still didn't look right. I sighed in frustration.

You'll never get to the party if you spend all night fussing with your hair, Mistress Jewel, said the servant behind me.

Shut up and fix my dress, Wilma. I did not ask for your input.

Of course, Mistress. I am sorry. She set the whale bone in the bodice and tugged on the laces. I cringed.

I stood before the mirror, admiring how I looked in the long dress of purple velvet. And remember, not a word of this to my parents.

Of course, Mistress. I will not speak of it to anyone.

I turned to the window when I heard a sound like hail hitting against it. I looked out to see my friends standing in the street throwing pebbles against the glass. I opened the window, climbed out, and dropped down into the arms of one of the boys. Then we set off for the party.

***

The house was an enormous mansion built from tan bricks. It made my home seem like a country cottage in comparison. It was three stories high, with beds full of flowers and hanging vines running along the entire side on each story, and two square chimneys. Tall columns supporting the front of the barrel-tile roof were set on either side of the doors.

The atrium we entered into rose to the top of the building where the ceiling was open to the stars. The second and third floors were supported by rows of white carved columns, with arches, railings, and potted palm plants set between them on the second floor. The floor was white marble with a copper birdbath fountain in the middle. All around the house hundreds of people were dancing, eating, drinking, socializing, and generally having a good time. It was all so overwhelming. I never imagined I would be a part of anything like this.

The dining room ceiling was decorated with gold-leaf appliqués and canvas panels that accented the crystal chandeliers hanging from it. people were seated along a long cherry table with gold scrollwork set into the sides that was set with a vast array of different dishes. Sarah and I sat where we could watch the dancing through the open windows into the atrium. I sampled fish, baked apples, and a few cheeses. Then another course came and I tried bits of pudding, lemon cakes, and cranberries.

While I ate I listened in on some of the latest gossip people were sharing over their food. I heard about how so-and-so would be a great match if anyone could afford her dowry, the latest style in tulle ruffs, and who might host the next ball.

***

My father was waiting at the back door when we finally returned.

Thank you, Sarah, he said. I will have someone escort you home.

Chapter 2

Kroger

I woke up on my pile of straw in the alley. I heard growling.

Knock it off, guys, I said to my belly. I heard that sound so often I joked with myself that a pack of wolves lived in there. Well maybe today I could get some food so they could all take a nap for awhile. I didn't want to get put in the stocks again, but I had to risk it if I didn't want to end up starving to death.

I made my way to the market square where the arcade doors and windows were opening for the day. The traveling sellers were busy setting up their stalls. Soon the streets were packed with people. They shopped for chickens, ivory, furs, pumpkins, silk, spices, and a bunch of other stuff. I wandered along with the shoppers, trying to fit in. The smells of fresh bread, hot cakes, and roasted nuts made my mouth water. I wanted to grab some of everything, but I knew I had to wait for an opening to snatch something. A funnel cake with a bottle of root beer would've been awesome.

I perked up when I heard the talk between two men at a vegetable stand.

Twenty Denaro for those? It is absurd!

These are the finest you will find anywhere, but alright, how about eighteen?

I won't go above fifteen.

While they were busy I strolled past and pawed a squash without them noticing.

Stop!

I looked to see my good friend the guard captain standing there. Great. I broke into a sprint, weaving through the crowd. I ran down one street going one way and then down another going the other way to try to throw him off. I dropped and rolled under a carriage that almost splatted my head like a grape with the back wheel. I leapt up on a stable and dropped off the other side. Things were looking pretty good until I ran into the dead end. I tried to scramble up the wall, but it was too smooth. I fell down on my bottom.

Marko, why you do this again? The guard captain and me looked to see a man coming towards me. He was huge, with almond colored skin. He lifted me onto my toes by the ear. Ow! Forgive my boy. He not so bright. Now I take him home, beat sense into him.

But- said the guard captain.

The giant man held up a hand. He gave the guard captain handful of coins from his purse. Here is for what he stole. Keep rest for your trouble. The guard captain left.

Speaking of trouble, I was out of one kind, but I had a feeling I had landed into another kind.

The big dude set me down. You are working for me now. Make me much money.

Why did you call me Marko?

First name I think of.

I'm Kroger.

Alright, Kroger. I am Besnik. Let us be going. Money not make itself.

Besnik led me out of town to where a group of brightly painted wagons were parked. Some of them had walls with doors and windows, while others only had cloth sides or no sides. A few had skinny metal chimneys.

A group of people had gathered to watch us coming. I waved and said hi, but they only gave me blank stares. I wondered if I had something in my teeth.

A hefty woman came over to Besnik and me. Besnik, why you bring this gadje here? He not belong. Take him away.

Besnik held up a hand. Dika, he is fast, good with hands. I use him for show.

Dika crossed her arms. I not like this.

He be good. You see.

Dika humphed and walked away.

***

While staying with the travelers I had to learn a lot of things the hard way. Like how they were real particular about how everybody used the river.

One time we set up camp by a river. I took a bath in it. When I came out Besnik backhanded me.

No. Front of river for drinking, then clothes washing, then bathing.

***

In the afternoons the caravan stopped to let the horses eat, drink, and rest. It felt good to get out and stretch after being in the wagon for hours. I was happy to run off into the woods with the other kids to gather berries, apples, pears, peaches, and whatever else we could find. Besnik's daughter, Aishe, lagged behind everyone else. She fell down when she tried to run and couldn't climb trees. I felt bad for her.

Later we parked for the day. We cooked carrots, beets, onions, and other vegetables in a pot over a fire to make soup. Hedgehogs spiced with garlic were cooked over a pit of hot coals. It was simple but good food.

I sat against a tree watching the other kids playing in the field. I wanted to be there running around with them, but I knew they wouldn't want me because I was different.

I noticed Aishe sitting by herself against a different tree. She was pretty. Her brown hair blew in the breeze. I went over to her.

Hi, I said. She looked up at me. Can I sit next to you? She shrugged. I sat down next to her. After awhile I asked her, Why are you by yourself?

I'm too slow.

I couldn't think of anything to say to that. Instead I took out the apple I had kept for myself for later. Want some? She took a bite before handing it back to me.

The two of us sat with our backs to the tree enjoying being alone together.

***

Sometimes when the wagons stopped we had practice time.

Besnik handed me a leather ball. Now you learn to juggle. Toss it to your other hand. I did. Good. Now with two. I did it. Good. Now with three. I tossed the balls and they fell on the ground. You work on it. I come back.

When he came back I had the hang of it pretty well.

Now you do four.