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AlbatrossX

Warnings : 1

Mega Kill Posts: 544 Joined: 17 Feb 2007 18273 gold

Ranger's League Stories

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:27 pm

This is my first story about the Ranger's League...Hope it rocks....

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=Born of the Rangers=

Rexxar had a feeling that he was tracked,not by any evil as far as he can sense,but it irritates him when he found out he was the one being followed.

Always had it been that the beastmaster hunts his foes,instead of being tracked by others,he just can't accept the fact that he is being observed silently.

Rexxar lowered himself to the ground,his body partly hidden by large tree roots of a tall towering tree.He held his axe in his hands,clenching it as his eyes fell on his target,the one who had been following him for the past few days.

Rexxar had finally shook him off,and now he watches as the tracker looks around for traces of the beastmaster.It is a futile search,nobody can ever find the beastmaster when he doesn't wants to be revealed.

The tracker wandered in the forest searching for clues that may lead him to his lost target.Rexxar rose,and approached the tracker silently,taking careful steps on the forest floor to make sure he doesn't make any sound.

His quill beast followed,Rexxar took extra care not to step on any dry leaves and twigs that may make cracking sounds.He moved from tree to tree,concealing himself as he moves closer to the tracker,who was still not knowing his presence.

The tracker is a hooded figure,whose movement is also as swift as the beastmaster he was tracking himself.His steps were light,making no sounds even on dry leaves as he scour the forest floor for footprints.Rexxar noticed that the tracker is not someone to be taken lightly,he may be a skilled warrior.

Rexxar is now near the tracker,not more than fifty feet away,and he now follows him with more caution.His quill beast snorted beside him while he was spying the tracker behind a tree,the tracker turned around to Rexxar,whom he already took cover,and saw only a quill beast,sniffing on the forest floor for food.

That was close,Rexxar thought to himself.In a fast movement he switched cover to another tree,leaving his quill beast behind as a distraction to the tracker.He circled the tracker,moving from tree to tree,until he was directly on the opposite from where he was nearly discovered.

The tracker took instant interest in the quill beast,he knew well that quill beasts are rare in this part of the forest,and what he knew more is that the beastmaster had a quill beast as a companion,this quill beast might lead him back to Rexxar.

The tracker took quiet strides to the quill beast,constantly checking around for any shadows of the beastmaster,he found none.But no matter,a brief checking won't waste much time.He squated to see the quill beast that was still sniffing the ground.Rexxar had told his quill beast to do so while he go around the tracker.

As soon as the tracker lowers himself,Rexxar ran out from hiding.He ran towards the tracker,making no noise as he was running,in a swift motion he held behind the tracker's neck with his left hand and raised his body up,laying his axe upon his throat.

"Who are you?And why are you following me?"Rexxar demanded as he pressed his axe harder on the tracker's neck.The tracker seemed calm,and never resisted once,never felt threaten in this situation.

"I do Furion's bidding.Why I did so you will know soon,"replied the tracker calmly.He didn't attempt to free himself,as if he knew Rexxar would never hurt him.

Rexxar didn't believed him,he never believed in a stranger,what more of someone who tracked him."Tell me the truth!And I shall spare you!"Rexxar said.

"A ranger never tell lies,I swear it in the name of gods."

Rexxar still wasn't convinced."So...you said you are a ranger,under Furion's leadership?"

"Yes,as I told you just now.And I was assigned by him to observe you.The reason behind..."Before the ranger finishes his sentence,he disappeared.

Rexxar was taken by surprise,he didn't know how the ranger did that.He turned around scanning the forest,and saw the ranger standing behind him,a unhooded man under the rays of sun that slipped through the gaps of the tree canopy.The ranger had crystal sapphire eyes,Rexxar felt as if he was pierced by ice when his cold stare fell on him,

In his hand he drew his bow and arrow,aiming at Rexxar.In a split second he released the arrow at Rexxar.Rexxar managed to avoid the arrow by a few inches,it flew pass him and dug deep into a tree trunk.

Rexxar looked at where the arrow hit,he was about to face the ranger again,"What in the name of...!"The ranger is gone,and left no trace.

He was angered by the ranger's ways,he turned to see the arrow.There is something tied to the arrow,something like a rolled parchment of paper.Rexxar untied the scroll of paper,it's a short letter,and it addresses Rexxar as the recipient.
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To Rexxar:

Dear Rexxar the Beastmaster.You had just qualified yourself as a member of the elusive Ranger's League newly founded by Furion the Prophet of Kalimdor.You are to report yourself at the Ranger's League base before sunset by the next full blue moon,which is the foot of Mount Hyjal where the Burning Legion was crippled.Being there by the permitted time is also a test for your qualification,failure to do so will result of an immediate dismissal by the Ranger's League.Good Luck.

Signed,
Aderius Dronius,
The secretary of the Ranger's League.
_____________________________________________________________

Rexxar reread it a few times."What is this Ranger's League thing?"he thought to himself.He thought of leaving it be,and go on with his daily life,a beastmaster's life,as a lone hunter in the forest,barring himself from the outside world.

But he realises that Furion never does anything for no reason,same theory applies to the founding of the Ranger's League.Deep inside Rexxar,he was quite bored of this life,living together only with his quill beast and his faithful hawk,not much of a company but he couldn't wish for more.

Now,has the opportunity come to him?Will he live on like this forever?He think not,his body flows the blood of the beastmaster,and a beastmaster never refuses any challenges,he shall join the cause of this Ranger's League.

Rexxar whistled,through the tree tops came his hawk swooping down to him.Rexxar held out his arm for his hawk to stand,the fine talons grabbed his arm.

"You shall lead me the way out of this forest and to Mount Hyjal,can you do that?"Rexxar asked the hawk.The hawk nodded silently as a reply.

Rexxar smiled to his hawk,he gave it a kiss in its head before tossing it high into the air and the hawk took off.Flapping its broad wings,it flew in the sky,towards where the World Tree is,and Rexxar followed.

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It had been three days since the encounter with the ranger.Rexxar is near the World Tree now,he can see it,and how easy it was giving him till the next full blue moon to reach there,for it is not until two more days later.

The night sky is shower by stars,like a crystal was shattered and broken into millions of pieces,all dangling in clusters in the moonlit sky.Rexxar was blessed with the light of the moons and stars,he had no trouble traveling in the cloak of darkness.

Tall grasses surrounds the trail that he is walking on,looming beyond the height of the beastmaster.He fear not though,no evil prevails near the World Tree,not in night elven territories.

He strode as swiftly as ever along the small road,his quill beast followed,occasionally letting out snorts,complaining of its tiredness.The hawk managed to find Rexxar's shoulder a pleasant place to rest,he wasn't going to shake it off,the hawk deserved a well rest after a long day's flight.

Winds started to pick up its speed,the grasses rustled.Rexxar thought he could hear someone in the mist of foliages,he stopped walking,bending down to listen.He might have been imagining things,he thought.He stood up,and sniffed the air,no one can escape his nose that's for certain,he sniffed out nothing.

But the wind can hide scents,the beastmaster never ignore this fact.He looked at where the wind blew,nothing.Only tall grasses dancing as the breeze continues.He didn't stop looking,for a moment he thought he saw a shadow moving.

Rexxar slowly lowered himself,never leaving his eyes on where he was looking.He reached for the axes he kept on his back,and found himself holding it tightly.A shadow moved again,this time making sounds as it approaches Rexxar.

The beastmaster backed a little,the figure moved closer,and then suddenly it jumped out from the grasses.Rexxar raised his axe high,he was about to throw his axe.His quill beast too was ready for attack.

It was just a small hare,jumping out from the grass to catch some beetle for snack.Rexxar let out a sigh of relieve.He hang his axes on his back again,and continue his night walk.

Without a single warning,something rock-like hit behind his head.He spun around,an arrow was shot at him,his instinct reflexes saved him.But two more arrows were shot from the thick of grasses,one missed him while the other pierced through his left arm.

The arrow is narrowly designed,and dug into Rexxar's flesh without much resistance,but it's built made it not that painful and easier to remove it.Rexxar let out a deafening roar,he snapped the arrow from his arm and ran for it,his quill beast following.His hawk was awaken,and now took flight as it scans the terrain for possible escape exploit.

More arrows came after him,one managed to cut his leg skin with the tip.Rexxar stumbled for a moment,regaining almost immediately.He ran faster than ever,with his hawk guiding his path.

His eyes grew heavy."Must've been poison arrows,"he said to himself.As he ran the poison flowed faster in his veins,Rexxar lost the strength he had to run.

Rexxar still ran as quick as his body allows,the poison had taken its toll.He kicked a rock and fell heavily,he turned his head to face his pursuers,he can see his quill beast coming at him,with an arrow biting into its body,it also laid down as the poison took effect.

Then he saw shadows moving towards and poking his quill beast,not more than half of his height but he cannot make out further what it was as his visions grew blur.He knew nothing more after that.

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The sunlight woke Rexxar up,aches filled his head,his visions are blur for a moment.He shook his head once or twice,trying to clear up his mind,and blinked as he found himself in a cave.

His arms and legs were tied,maybe while he was unconscious.He tried to free himself,it never worked,the knots were too well done,but by who?

There was no sign of his captors,probably went out hunting again.Rexxar stayed still,his efforts were futile.All the sudden,someone spook to him from the other side of the cave,the part that he didn't notice before.

"So...You've woken?"A person said to him.Rexxar squinted to get a better look at the one who've just spoken.It's a blood elf,wearing a torn robe in red.He had bruises in his face,and minors cuts that were not treated,bloods clotted in his face.

"You had been unconscious for one whole day already.I thought you're a goner.Luckily the gnoll poachers prefer not poison foods,and they fed you with antidotes.Stargrasses mixed with bitterleaves if you wanna know,"said the blood elf.

Rexxar was still feeling a bit of the after effects,his body refused to do what he wanted,tired and worn out.Rexxar looked at the blood elf,and said,"You've been caught by the gnoll poachers too?"

"Obviously,yes...I'm still trying to figure out a plan that may lead us to freedom.Got a deadline to meet tonight,"the blood elf replied.

"A deadline?"Rexxar asked.Today is the last day to reach the foot of Mount Hyjal,and it just came to Rexxar's mind as the blood elf mentioned deadline.

"Yes...Are you not too invited?The Ranger's League,I mean...,"the blood elf replied.

"Yes.What a place to meet the other member of the Ranger's League..."Rexxar grumped.He tried to untie himself again,with failure.

"Anyway,I am Nortrom,or rather known as the Silencer.Who are you?"

Rexxar wasn't in a chatty mood.He replied with annoyance in his voice,"Rexxar,descendant of the Beastmaster Clan."

Nortrom spoke no more after that,he fell into deep thinking.While Rexxar struggled to break the rope.They spoke no more until the evening came.

"They should be back by now.From hunting."Nortrom spoke.

"I think we'll fail the qualification.Hardly any way we could escape,"Rexxar said.He noticed that his axes were put far in a corner,not a place he could crawl to,for he can't even crawl,nor he can do anything with it even if he got those axes.

Like Nortrom he was also tied to a rock pillar.The gnolls had them carved out.He looked to Nortrom,wishes that he could hatch an escape plan.

"Rexxar...I think I can manipulate my magic to free us out.Do you trust me?"Nortrom asked,his face looking very serious about this.

"Well,do I have a choice?"Rexxar said in return.And Nortrom smiled.Hope filled Rexxar,maybe he is not going to be disqualified after all.

"I'll just have to see if I could move your axes with my magic.I think the gnolls forgot about me when they left those there,you see,they locked up my glaives in the other chamber where I can't use my magic."

Rexxar felt dumb,how could he had never thought of that.Surely the blood elves know magic,they are born with it,and used it in everyday life.Rexxar anticipated excitingly as Nortrom channels his magic.

"Just a little longer..."Nortrom said,his eyes were closed,a bluish aura appeared out of nowhere surrounding the Silencer.

Rexxar's ears caught some noise,it's from outside the cave,a few person chatting in language that Rexxar could recognize as Gnollish."I think you must make haste,they are coming back."

Nortrom stayed quiet,his eyes now open,emitting bluish flames.Rexxar can see one of his axe started to jerk a little,and was lifted off the ground."Rexxar,I will cut you off from the pillar,then you must take hold of your axe and free me first,do you understand."

Rexxar nodded to him.Nortrom chanted something under his breath,the axe cam closer to Rexxar,and was dropped on the rope tying Rexxar to the rock pillar,cutting him free.

Rexxar held the axe and cut the rope tying his legs.He couldn't do anything to the knot tying his hands,so he ran to Nortrom.He cut free Nortrom's hands and feet.

"Now free me!They are coming!"Rexxar said.But Nortrom didn't do so.

"I need to get my glaives,"Nortrom said before running deeper into the cave,leaving Rexxar's sight after a turn.

"NO!!Where are you going?!"Rexxar yelled.

The gnolls came back,five of them.Two holding crossbows in their hands while the other two were shouldering a small doe.The tallest gnoll stood in front of them.Their dog-like faces turned into rage as they saw Rexxar trying to escape.

"He's trying to escape,shoot him!!!"Ordered the tallest gnoll who is their leader in Gnollish.The two wielding crossbows took aim,Rexxar backed off as he anticipate the arrows.

A glaive flew pass him,not from the gnoll he could tell,it was from behind him.The glaive hit the leading gnoll and sent it off balance,bowling down two of the others carrying a doe behind.

The other two who was aiming at Rexxar let loose their arrows.Rexxar was ready to dodge,but he need not to do so.The arrows stopped at mid air,and were incinerated at the spot,turning into ashes.

Seeing this,the remaining for gnolls ran for their lives,leaving their leader behind,dead.Rexxar was amazed at what he saw,he turned to face Nortrom,who held his the other axe in his hand.

"A blood elf never betrays..."Nortrom said while walking to Rexxar in light steps.He cut free Rexxar's arms,Rexxar smiled as he took his axe from Nortrom.But Nortrom didn't smile back.

"Quick,we must go now,the sun sets in less than an hour.We have not much time left,"Nortrom said,he walked pass Rexxar and retrieved his glaive.

Rexxar agreed.He too followed Nortrom out of the cave.

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For the pass half an hour they ran for none stop,three quarter of the sun is now not visible under the horizon.Rexxar's hawk had join him,leading the way in the air.

The mountain grew larger as they ran,they must be nearing Mount Hyjal.Never Rexxar could've imagine that blood elves can run so fast,in fact Rexxar had trouble catching up with Nortrom.

Not far ahead he can see light,it looks like a camp.Maybe a camp for the Ranger's League.They ravished at the thought of finally resting,and kept running.

They could see figures against the light of the setting sun,big round sized figures.

"Is it not where we should gather?"Rexxar asked Nortrom.Rexxar don't remember night elves being large and round.

"Maybe Furion had arranged others to meet us?"Nortrom suggested.They continued to approach camp.The sun is nearly gone,a thin strand of light is the only part of the sun that still can be seen.

Upon reaching the camp,they were greeted by furbolgs.Rexxar hesitated for a moment accepting their hospitality.

Someone pushed his way through the furbolg crowd,someone tall."Well well...You've made it after all?Rexxar the beastmaster and Nortrom the Silencer?"

"It is an honour to be here and serve you,Furion,"Nortrom said with a bow.Rexxar too bowed a little so that he could still see Furion.

"Good good,it's an honour too for me to have someone like you serving me,"Furion said in return,"What happened to you two?Nearly disqualified if you had not been any earlier.And what's that bruise on your face,Nortrom?"

"I'm fine,been ambushed by those pesky gnoll poachers.Rexxar here might still be poisoned from gnoll arrows,I think he must be cured immediately,"Nortrom said,gesturing at Rexxar.

"Oh my,you must be treated immediately..."Furion said to Rexxar,he turned to the furbolg beside him and muttered something in night elvish.

"You two should rest now,follow him to your camp,I will have healers to oversee your conditions in a moment.Tomorrow only we shall officially name the members of the Ranger's League in the Ranger's League base.Sleep well,Rexxar,Nortrom,"Furion said and walked away.

The blue moon was as full as a perfect circle,while the other sickle-like.Rexxar and Nortrom went into their respective tents,night elven healers got rid of the poison in Rexxar and bruises on the face of Nortrom.Dinners were served and brought into their tents.

Rexxar never felt more warm and comfortable in his life.Maybe this was meant for him after all.He brushed his hawk in its head,wondering what will happen tomorrow.And extinguished his light before dozing off.

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The next day Rexxar and the other qualified members of the Ranger's League gathered outside the camp with Furion leading them.

Rexxar saw Nortrom,wearing a red helmet he had never seen him wearing before,and Nortrom's robe are brand new.Furion gathered all of the members around,all only five of them.

"Now I want everybody listen to me.I will teleport all of us to the Ranger's League base.In the mean time I want everyone of you to hold hands,so I can teleport all of us at once,"Furion said.

Rexxar and Nortrom did as they were told,beside Rexxar is a drow,who is half hooded,strung a quiver of arrows on her back and holding a fine,strong bow,made of eaglehorn wood.From her size Rexxar could judge that she is a female.

"All ready?",Furion asked,then continued,"Good.Now on the count to three.One...Two...Three-..."

Rexxar felt his body being lifted off the ground,and was squeezed through some small portal opening,he closed his eyes.Seconds felt like minutes as they were teleported to their base.Then,Rexxar hit the ground,backside first.

He could smell a familiar air around him,the scene of the spirits of the woods.He opened his eyes,and found himself in a forest,not as dark and gloomy as his last dwellings were,but bright and full of life and energy.

The other members were all standing,only Rexxar was sitting on the floor,rubbing his aching back because of the fall.He quickly stood up,patted his clothes to rid the leaves.

What standing in front of him is the most marvelous thing he had ever seen,a tree house.But it's no ordinary tree house,it is a tree house on a tree nearly a third of the size of the World Tree,and it is fully furnished too as far as Rexxar could see.

"Gather around rangers,gather around,"Furion said,standing on a rock.Beside him is a human,Rexxar thought he looked familiar.The man glanced at Rexxar,cold sapphire blue eyes,a the strange sensation surrounded Rexxar again.Rexxar knew,he was the one who tracked him back in the forest,the one who nearly shot him.Rexxar turned back to Furion as he cleared his throat.

"Now,everyone,I'm please to bear the news that all of those who were invited has qualified themselves to be a part one the Ranger's League,"Furion said,"First of all,I would like you all to meet the secretary of the Ranger's League,who was also once a ranger of the original Ranger's League.Rangers,I introduce,Aderius Dronius."

Furion clapped as soon as he made his announcement,the other rangers clapped too,and Rexxar and Nortrom too followed.

Aderius smiled,he held his hand to indicate them to stop.And cleared his throat like Furion just did.He spoked in a charismatic voice to Furion,"Thank you,Furion,"and made another again.

"Now,I congrats you all for qualifying to be a part of the Ranger's League.Now,I shall name the new members of the Ranger's League,and as I call out your name,please raise yor hand high so that everyone can see you.Alright now,firstly I introduce to everyone,Gondar the Draenei,or rather known as the Bounty Hunter,"Aderius said while reading a piece of paper.

A tall Draenei raised his hands,all eyes were fixed upon him.While Aderius continued to recite the speech,"Rikimaru the stealth Satyr."

Rikimaru raised his hands,Rexxar looked at him,and for a moment he thought he saw wrong,Rikimaru's skin faintly blended with the surrounding,and then reappeared again.

"Next is Nortrom the blood elf,the Silencer."

Nortrom raised his hand,radiating an aura of elegance around him.Rexxar was sure that he was quite different from the one he met back in the gnoll cave.

"Miss Traxex the Drow ranger."

Rexxar looked upon the mysterious drow,she was not hooded,her red eyes were shining,like ruby with ferocity of fire.Rexxar noticed that she is quite a beauty of her kind,with long silk hairs reflecting the rays of the sun.

"And now...I shall introduce to you your new leader of the Ranger's League.From now on,you rangers must believe in him,for a leader without trust,is a useless weapon against the enemies.Rangers,this is Rexxar of the Beastmaster clan,once a lone but skilled hunter,now your new leader,"Aderius announced,he looked at Rexxar,who was dumbstruck hearing the news,and smiled to him.

Rexxar couldn't believe what happened,the other rangers stared at him."Let's give a round of clap to our new leader,"Traxex said in a sweet voice.The others agreed,and clapped,even Furion and Aderius,who had never smiled that much in a day before.

Aderius stood back,and Furion raised his hands to call for silence.He said happily,"And now,I want each of you to take these."Furion walked down the rock he was standing on,and handed out all similiar lockets to the rangers,lockets bearing the mark of the Rangers.

Rexxar reached out to grab one,Furion stopped him.Instead,he was handed a ring,gold and finely forged.

"This is the Ranger Master's ring,only the leader bears it.It allows you to summon the rangers,and communicate in far distance when worn,"Furion said to Rexxar.Slowly he dropped the ring into Rexxar's hand.He curled his fingers on it.

"But why me?"Rexxar asked Furion.

Furion smiled at him,"Son...I've seen a great potential in you.A prophet is never wrong.You have what it takes to be a leader,you have natural-born leadership,that's why I've chosen you."

Rexxar looked at the others,they were examining their lockets,and didn't notice the conversation between Furion and Rexxar.Rexxar stared at his ring,Furion gave him a pat on his shoulders.

"One day you'll see..."Furion said.Afterwards he left Rexxar and walked back to the rock again.

"I now officially declare,you are now a full ranger of the Ranger's League.Ah,and before I let you to check out your new base,I would like to introduce to you of the still active rangers of the original Ranger's League."

A huge tree-like being strode out from behind the tree behind Furion,and following the treant is a female dryad,hopping gracefully,with many wisps surrounding her.

"They are Rooftrellen the Treant-Protector,and Aiushtha the Enchantress,together of old and young blood,the Ranger's League will have a dynamic team."

The dryad waved at the rangers,who awkwardly waved back at her.While Rooftrellen went off to pull down a ladder that leads to the tree house after Furion made an introduction of them.

"And now,if you would just follow me,I will lead you to your new home.Where you will await our next orders as you live,"Aderius said,he led the way and climbed up the rope ladder."Come on...Don't just stand there."

The rangers followed him to their base.As soon as they reach the main hall of the tree house,Furion,who teleported up to the tree house,said in a serious tone,"And now,I shall do a briefing with you on your first mission as a ranger."

Rexxar's blood runs hot as he heard what Furion said.He was eager to try out his new team and see how will it fare.He felt a familiar instinct rush in him,a usual feeling he had everytime he was hunting...

=The End of "The Born of the Rangers"=

Last edited by AlbatrossX on Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:49 pm; edited 3 times in total