Fiction: A Ranger's Tale

Oooh, found this. It'll be back up at the SA site someday. Short chapter, but someone said it was great. :)
Enjoy.


A Ranger's Tale

By Ben 'Magic' Brown ([email protected])

This is the tale of the mighty Elven archer and warrior Glinn'Trelis, as he sets out on a quest to save the Elven kingdom of Quel'thalas from the threat of the impending Horde. This is timed one month before the Horde's invasion of Lordaeron.

Chapter 1
'The balance between hunter and hunted is a very fine one. Like any scale, it but takes one moment, one critical action or reaction, for the equilibrium to differ resulting in a change that is often the last one.'

Hurrying through the forest, the elf quickly ducked and dodged behind a tree, only for a twirling axe to suddenly fly past, smashing a large branch. As it fell to the ground, Glinn breathed calmly, attempting to remember his Shahili training. Yet he still had a worried look on his face. Naturally, he was worried. Trollish raids this deep in the forest were supposed to be a rare event. Why did I have to get this patrol of all patrols?
Ducking down, Glinn quietly and swiftly manoeuvred into a crop of emerald bushes where the land dipped down. Crawling for a few metres, he noted how quiet his technique once and how he'd once been credited so.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Gin uni!" was the violent outcry he heard from the area he had fled from.
Such a rough, hoarse tone. Despicable.
The cry disturbed a small group of green Fenriden birds, previously hidden on a leafy branch, and they flew away. Then a massive cracking of branches came, as the obvious sound of the troll making its way forward was clear, determined to destroy the Elf it considered easy prey on this part of the outskirts of the forest.
It's beginning its search. It's full of anger. That anger will make the beast its own enemy. My advantage moment has came.
Gradually crawling forward, he spotted another large oak tree before him. Hearing the Troll muttering to itself, he assumed it was a dozen meters in front of him by now and so he slowly slid upwards without a sound onto one knee. Glancing quickly around, Glinn could not find any trace of the Troll at first, until he saw clear markings of its tracks- more broken twigs and grass leaning out of place. His eyes darted around, surveying the scene.
Where could it be? The track leads to my left...to the base of this tre-
It was another of those moments where he felt he was too slow in realising what was going on. Just as he realised where the beast was, Glinn readied his bow, drawing his arrow unthinkingly, due to years of practising. The sigh of the troll was obvious- it was squatted down, carefully peering from a large branch on the tree above him, fortunately in the opposite direction. The green beast did blend in somewhat, especially for non-forest folk like humans or dwarves, but Glinn was still able to see it easily, as he aimed slowly, as not to make any sound whatsoever.
Careless beast.
The loincloth around the Troll's waste was quickly pierced in its centre as it came crashing down, screaming in its utmost anger as it desperately clutched its wound. The roar deafened Glinn, as he struggled to stay upright in the din and drew his short sword. Stepping forward over the struggling creature, it glanced up at him in its agony, the arrow clearly embedded in its flesh. It reached for its small throwing axe it had dropped but was unable to lift it as Glinn rapidly and fiercely put his foot down on it, adding extra weight just in case it had extra energy.
"Destructive, filthy vermin. That's all you are." Glinn calmly spoke, yet with a tone of hate.
"All you are!" he called once more, not bothered that the Troll didn't understand. It was the manner and attitude of his voice he wanted the monster to hear- that Glinn was angry at it.
Raising his blade aloft, he quickly brought it down upon the Troll's neck and it yelled out slowly one last time. The red blood splashed partially onto Glinn's fine leather boot, but he barely noticed.
And he raised his blade once more and brought it searing down on the neck again, the Trolls eyes permanently open in a petrified gaze of death.
And again.
And again.
He stood there a moment, the only motion of his being the moving of his foot from the beasts arm, staring into its pale, yellow eyes.
"Looks like you didn't need me after all, Glinn." Spoke a tender voice from behind him.
"Not this time." He replied, without moving at all, still staring at the deceased creature.
Reaching for his sien cloth, he slowly wiped the blood of his blade up and down, before sheathing it and turning around to see his companion. Uris was a gallant, female elf, always ready to fight. Her brown hair and cheerful face seemed happy, yet she was a confident killer when the time came.
"I believe this one was just a mere scout..." Ulris spoke, prodding the corpse with the end of her bow.
"We'll discuss this when we get home to the others." Glinn responded, still retaining a partly cold, sharp tone. Ulris would have preferred more of a conversation, but understood Glinn was in one of his frosty dispositions.
"Very well. We'll make it back before evening if we get moving now. Let's go."
Looking up at last, Glinn studied the silent forest before him, as he and Ulris made their way forward.




Glossary
The Elves have their own vocabulary for many terms of the world.

Advantage moment- Term for an opportunity to end a battle or war, typically through a foes mistake. Originally from Glade Guardian Tiron-Shadorn, defeater of the mass Trollish invasion led by Gorgos in 563. When the Trolls assaulted Tiron's forest citadel, Gorgos grouped his trolls close together and believed a central charge would split the elves into two and panic them. Tiron seized the moment and ordered all of his forces to open fire, even the younger elves that were untrained in ways of the bow. The resulting barrage of arrows massacred all of the trolls. This event prevented anymore raids occurring for an entire year.
Fenriden- species of bird inhabiting Quel'thalas forests, preys on Wrinil worms on the floor bed of forests. Camouflages itself with shades of green as it spies on, before suddenly diving down to clutch the worms.

Glade Guardian- Honour awarded to successful Elven leader for defending Quel'thalas, with a green emerald tree shaped medal given.

Padron- Small herb rarely found in Azeroth due to its ultra-potency of energy, which is why only extremely fertile areas manage to grow it. Has appearance of blue bulb and orange roots. Grown abundantly in Quel'thalas by the elves.
Medivh- translates to 'Keeper of Secrets', previously a title for ancient elder scribes. Due to the free spreading of scrolls nowadays, the title is rarely given. Name was later given to by Aegwyn, Matriarch of Tirisfal, to her son at his birth.
Shahili- A standard training ability taught to Elven archers. It helps them focus aim and remain quiet by slowing down their heart beat and breathing. Highly efficient with Padron.
Sien- A small handkerchief-like cloth kept by an Elves side, attached by a small piece of string, to clean his sword or weapons. It is considered an offence or hostile act to walk within a village with a bloodied weapon.
Wrinil- species of worm, chiefly noted for its ability to enrichen soil very efficiently.



Whatcha think? :)

Awesome, except for the Troll dying. :D

Least it was the evil variant, I s'ppose.

The trolls were pretty brutal, waging war (through raids) upon Quel'thalas and allegedly Stromgarde. I doubt I'll portray them as utterly evil, aye.