Transformation of A Farmer, Part Three: The Meeting

Here's my second free build for April, and Part Three of the Wallace Rand trilogy, in which all is revealed. 









                                      Transformation of A Farmer, Part Three: The Meeting
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------

“There it is.” Lina said. She was riding alongside Wallace, at the rear of the group.
It was late in the afternoon, of the day after McGraven and Lina had rescued Wallace, from the Queen’s Soldiers. Having awoken early, they had broke camp, and headed out.
Now, as the shadows began to lengthen, they had finally reached their destination.
Wallace looked closely at the cliffs all around them.
“I don’t see it.” He said finally.
Lina laughed.
“That’s the point.” She said. “If you could, then it wouldn’t be any good, would it?”
“That’s true.” Wallace admitted, feeling embarrassed.
“Come on.” McGraven called, from ahead of them. “There’s not a lot of daylight left.”
They caught up to the rest of party, and rode deeper into the little valley. Presently, they stopped, before what appeared to be a huge, flattish, olive colored bush.
“This is it.” McGraven said. Wallace looked closely at it. Sure enough, this close, it became apparent that it was concealing an entrance, into the cliff face.
The two male Scout Snipers pulled it aside, and, after the company had dismounted, led the way inside, followed by McGraven, and Wallace, with Lina bringing up the rear, leading their horses. After they were inside, the Scout Snipers replaced the bush, re-concealing the entrance. Lina handed their horses, Dasher included, off to them, and the three of them headed deeper into Locvale. Up two ladders, and down countless tunnels, they finally came to a stout, wooden door. McGraven turned to Wallace.
“Before we meet with Sir Haymar, there is one precaution we must take. Please hand over your bow. Just temporarily,” he said, hastily, as he saw the other’s expression, “until Sir Haymar’s sure of you.”
“Humph.” Wallace said, but handed his bow to McGraven. The other accepted it, and, turning to the door, opened it, and led the way in.
Inside, was a small chamber, with a large table right in the middle of the room.
Standing around the table, were three people, two on the left, one on the right. The one on the right was a Scout Sniper, but one of high rank, as his dark green cloak suggested.
Of the two on the left, one was male, the other female. The man could only be Sir Haymar, by his dress, and weapons. The young woman standing beside him, judging by her resemblance to Haymar, was his sister, Ana.
The table they were standing around, held a large map of Lenfald.
All three turned, as the little party entered.
“Sir Haymar,” McGraven said, “we have returned, and, found an old friend of mine.” As he spoke, he stepped aside, allowing Wallace to enter, which he did, Lina following, behind him.
“Wallace.” Wallace said, extending his hand. Haymar shook it.
“Pleased to meet you.” He said. “I assume you came to join the rebellion?”
“Yes.” The other replied.
“Were you followed?” Ana asked McGraven.
“No,” he replied, “ we only encountered one patrol, and that was the one that had stopped Wallace.” He grinned. “They didn’t survive that confrontation.”
“Good,” she said, “we can’t let ourselves be discovered.” She turned to face Wallace. “So, what skills do you have to offer the rebellion?”
Wallace hesitated. He had never told anyone about his old life. McGraven was the only one who knew. You knew this was coming, Wallace told himself. For too long you’ve hid from it. It’s time to face it. He took deep breath.
“I used to be a Ranger,” he said, “and I’ve still got the skills.”
Haymar looked at him, in surprise.
“Why did you quit?” Ana asked.
This is it.
“Because I came home one day, after a long mission, and found my family, and the entire village, slaughtered, and the village burned to the ground.” His words were met with shocked silence. “It was an Outlaw raiding party,” he continued, “they had come while I was gone, killed everyone, and taken everything of value. Wether or not I could’ve done anything to stop them, I’ll never know. But I did take revenge for it. I hunted down, and killed, all the Outlaws, except their leader, who I could never find. Then I quit. I settled down, started a new life, and promised myself I’d never go back to my old life.”
Silence descended, as Wallace finished his tale. Ana was the first to recover.
“Wallace,” she said, “I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. Please forgive me.”
“Don’t be,” the other said, “it was time I faced it.”
“Why did you choose to come back?” Haymar asked, curiously.
“I realized if I just stood back, and didn’t fight, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I saw it as my chance at redemption.”
“Then I’ll make sure you get that chance.” Haymar said. “Welcome back, Ranger Rand."


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The End.