Page 1 of The Ranger

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The Muiraran city of Mishna, in the king’s palace, 3698

There isa rare white light among Muirarans. It manifests when two hearts have joined to become something so powerful, the joined heart has the capability of tearing an entire planet apart.

There is also a prophecy, one that foretells of a Muiraran princess who, when joined with the proper mate, will have such power.

Some think this princess will bring peace between the Muirarans and Humans. Others think she will destroy them both. Markhel was on the side that thought she would bring peace and help protect his race from harm. He ought to know. He knew the princess personally, and deep in his heart, also knew she was the one the prophecy spoke of. The elders of his people were, as Shona liked to say, on the fence about her. They didn’t speak much, and only whispers were heard since the nasty business of Kwaku Awahnee and his mate Zara’s abduction several months ago. But one thing was true, when Shona’s mate, Dallan MacDonald wielded their shared heart, a bright white light manifested, and Markhel knew what it was.

Other Muiraran couples had possessed this light, but the light of their hearts did not shine as brightly as the current Time Master and his mate’s. Not only that, but the other Muiraran couples were not from the Royal Houses. Shona MacDonald was.

These were the thoughts that accompanied Markhel as he ran through the woods this morning. He did some of his best thinking while running, and this particular morning was no exception. He wanted to see if he could beat his best time.

Ever since Kitty Morgan, Shona’s best friend, gave him a stopwatch, he’d been playing with the odd little time piece. He liked a challenge, and the device gave him one.

But a challenge was one thing, a distraction another. He needed distractions now. Lots of them. He was rare among his people as was his brother, Melvale. They had been odd since birth, both possessing strange “assets” as some called them. His race had fantastic abilities, some bordering on miraculous. Markhel, however, didn’t think highly of his abilities. Like all Muirarans he had two hearts. Well, he did now. He used to have three. It was an interesting tale, and Markhel was sure more than a few of his fellow Muirarans told the story in the evenings to their children.

He would tell it to his mate one day. Sometime after they joined. That is,if, they joined.

He stopped, checked the stopwatch, then smiled. “Good.”

Markhel looked around. He didn’t smile often and wondered what people would think if they saw him do it. He knew he was standoffish, stoic, silent. He stood back and observed and only engaged others when he had to. Rangers weren’t known to be talkative, and few people saw them. Unless, of course, he chose to be seen.

He headed back the way he came. He was in the woods near the replica of Clear Creek and enjoyed the company of the elderly folks residing there. They’d been brought to the Muiraran city after a string of bizarre events and had proven themselves trustworthy despite their penchant for getting into trouble.

He smiled again as he spotted his brother, Melvale, leaning against a tree, waiting for him.

Markhel gave him a curt nod. “Melvale.”

His brother nodded back. “Where have you been? You do know you’ve been summoned by the king?”

Markhel fought the urge to roll his eyes. “How can I forget? Is he to lecture me then? Tell me to bond and join as fast as possible then return here?”

Melvale had no problem rolling his own eyes. “No, of course not. King Jaireth knows the situation. This isn’t going to be easy. More likely you’re in for a lecture on keeping things quiet. You don’t want to upset the natives, as they say. Even if they are used to having you around from time to time.”

He gave Melvale a sage nod. “I understand.” Markhel drew in a long breath as he looked across the meadow toward the replicated town. Clear Creek was a small town in what Princess Shona referred to as the old west. His brother had built it in a section of the Muiraran library that was made up of forest and meadows. He thought the handful of residents destined to live there would find the beauty of the place peaceful. He hoped it was true. “When?” Markhel asked.

“Right after you’ve spoken to Sita Mihn. And don’t dawdle afterwards, you know how the king hates to be kept waiting.”

He sighed. “Yes. Lead the way.”

Melvale turned, his silver and blue robes rustling as he did. Markhel followed him across a meadow and away from the little town. Made up of one street and less than a dozen buildings, it sat in silence, its few residents going about their morning business. In this case, breakfast. He wished he could join them but that wasn’t happening today.

He followed Melvale through a thicket of trees, across another meadow and finally to a brick wall. Melvale headed straight for a door made of heavy wood and went through.

Markhel followed, then stood in the wood paneled hallway and looked both ways. “Where are we?”

“This is part of Sita Mihn’s quarters.” Melvale turned right and headed for a door at the end of the hall. Sita Mihn was the oldest living Muiraran among them and the former Time Keeper. She passed her office to Melvale who took his new position very seriously. Markhel hoped he was able to find a mate, bond and join so he would have someone to help him with the job.

He tried to study Melvale out the corner of one eye. His brother was starting to feel the effects of his inner heart’s workings. It was slowly stirring, and when woken fully, would need to join with another’s. If it didn’t, Melvale would die.

He pushed the thought aside as they entered another hall. This one led into a wide corridor. “Does Sita Mihn mind you traipsing through her quarters to get where you are going?”

Melvale waved dismissively. “She minds not. Besides, I just came from speaking to her and left through the same door to find you.”

Markhel walked beside him. “Did she... say anything about me?”

“About the journey, you mean?”

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