Jennifer woke up to the sun peeking through the forest trees. The campfire had died during the night and only a wisp of smoke remained.
She sat up and was surprised to see Arkan sleeping so close to her. She watched him sleep, his chest lifting up and down. He wasn't like anyone she'd ever met before.
“Did you sleep all right?” Arkan asked, rubbing his eyes.
Jennifer didn't even realize he had woken. She flushed with embarrassment, not knowing if Arkan had noticed her staring at him. “Not as comfortable as my bed back home but it was okay.”
Arkan sat up and stretched his arms over his head. Jennifer watched his large biceps strain against his green tunic.
The other rangers woke up at the same time, stirring in their beds of leaves on the ground. Sleeping in their tents wasn't the safest when barbarians were out there.
“What did King Uzmar say?” Jennifer asked.
The rest of the group perked up at the question. They wanted to know the answer too.
Arkan looked at his Rangers and stepped around the dead fire. “The King gave us permission to go over the hills and rescue the prisoners. We should set out in an hour or so.”
“After breakfast of course,” Belim added.
“After breakfast,” he replied.
Farondil ignited the fire with a spark from a piece of flint. Belim cracked two eggs over a pan and they began sizzling.
Arkan leaned over Jennifer. “May I speak to you alone?”
Jennifer nodded and followed Arkan into the forest. They came to a spot next to a tree with a scarred trunk. They were just far enough away from the camp to be out of earshot.
Arkan turned to Jennifer. “You should return to your village and wait for us there.”
“You've got to be insane if you think that I'm going to let you go after my parents without me.”
Arkan put his hand on Jennifer's shoulder. “This is a dangerous mission. We might not all come back alive. You'll be safer at Icebor.”
Jennifer shrugged off his hand. “There's nothing left for me back at Icebor. I don't care how dangerous it's going to be. My parents are out there...”
Arkan interrupted Jennifer with a kiss. He believed it was the only way to keep her from talking anymore.
Jennifer's eyes shot open at the shock of what just happened but she quickly settled into his lips. He smelled like a man and that only excited her more. His arms wrapped around her and his hands pressed against her back. Their tongues danced lightly together and Jennifer moaned.
Arkan broke away and began walking back to the camp. “I'll let you come with us.”
Jennifer stood there, dazed and confused. She'd never felt anything like that before. Her whole body tingled from her nipples all the way down to her toes.
She returned back to the camp to the smell of cooked eggs. The Rangers sat around the fire and ate their breakfast in silence. The impending mission was a lot to think about even for a group as experienced as the Rangers of the Dark Forest.
They knew they might not all come back from this.
Belim handed Jennifer a plate with a big smile. “Made special just for you.”
“Thank you so much,” she replied. She sat down next to Arkan and took a bite of eggs. The flavors lit a fire in her mouth. Her eyes grew big and she realized how hungry she actually was. Her plate was clean in seconds.
Arkan stood up and poured water on the fire. “Gear up,” he ordered the group.
Each Ranger gathered their weapons while Belim packed the provisions.
Farondil looked at Jennifer who was just standing there. “She's not coming with us.”
Jennifer stood her ground. “Oh yes I am.”
“Arkan, this is not a mission to bring little girls with.”
Arkan nodded. “I agree with you, Farondil. But she has made it clear that she will follow us no matter what.”
Jennifer nodded to Farondil.
“Then we tie her to a tree and leave her until we get back,” Farondil replied.
Her blood boiled in her veins. “You wouldn't dare,” Jennifer said.
Arkan shook his head. “Jennifer will come with us and I'll be responsible for her. My decision is final.”
Farondil knew better than to argue any further.
Garel approached Jennifer. “You're going to need a weapon.” He handed her a silver dagger.
She gripped the cold steel in her hand and remembered her mother handing her a knife in the kitchen. She couldn't be a little girl anymore. She'd have to protect herself.
Garel showed her some quick moved with the dagger. Jennifer mirrored his movements, pretending to slash her enemy's throat. The thought of killing another human being was foreign to Jennifer but she'd have to come to terms with that soon enough.
“All right, Rangers. Let's show those barbarians who the Rangers of the Dark Forest are,” Arkan announced.
The Rangers cheered together.
Jennifer stowed the dagger in her belt and joined Arkan's side as the Rangers set off.