The King of the West by Pedro Urvi

Author:Pedro Urvi [Urvi, Pedro]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Lasgol left the room and came to the spiral stone stairs of the blackish tower. They did not only go up but also went down underground, which surprised him. He was on the ground floor, so they must lead to some kind of cellar, presumably for storing food. He decided to go down and take a look, and found two Rangers guarding a barred steel door. This was not a larder.

“What are you looking for?” one of them asked him aggressively.

“Oh, nothing, I have to report…”

“Upstairs. These are the Rangers’ dungeons.”

Lasgol’s eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t know we had any…”

“Where d’you think we keep the ones we catch?”

“Access is forbidden except with Gondabar’s explicit permission,” the other Ranger explained.

“Understood. Thanks.”

“Now then, up you go!”

Lasgol did as he was told and went up the wide staircase to the ground floor of the tower. There he found a large dining-room which opened on to the kitchens. Several older Rangers were there chatting at long oak tables, and they exchanged greetings.

“Where do I have to report?”

“Third floor,” two of them answered, almost at the same time. Another jabbed his thumb upwards.

Lasgol thanked them for the information and went on. He had the impression that going in circles up that endless staircase would make anyone dizzy, but luckily the impression was false. The tower was larger than it looked from the outside, which surprised him.

On the second floor he found a wide hall where several Rangers were looking after weapons and equipment, as well as barrels and sacks with what he guessed were provisions and weaponry.

“Do you need any supplies of equipment or food?” a Ranger asked him. He was fat, and getting on in years.

“No, I have to report.”

“First time in the capital?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Third floor, ask for Ranger Liriuson.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You needn’t ‘sir’ me. I’m just a plain Ranger, veteran but plain. You’re a Specialist.” He indicated Lasgol’s clothes.

Lasgol nodded. “I’m still not sure how I’m supposed to address my fellow-Rangers.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll learn as you go on. If you need food or any piece of equipment – weapons, clothes, traps, mounts, whatever – here in the capital, I’m your man. Ranger Helmond, Quartermaster.”

Lasgol smiled. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

“Just one thing: the Royal Rangers have preference when it comes to anything to do with equipment, so all I’ll be able to give you is second-rate stuff. All the best, first-rate or above, is reserved for them.”

“Above?” Lasgol asked in surprise. He could understand that there would be first-rate and second-rate material, but what could be above that?

“There are certain components and weapons that are very hard to get hold of. Those we classify as superior level, and they’re not within the reach of all Rangers.”

“I see. I’m sure that whatever I’m given will do me perfectly well.”

“It’ll do that and more, you have my word as Quartermaster. Everything I hand out is checked and has my personal approval.”

Lasgol smiled and gave a small bow of appreciation. “I’ll pass by before I leave.

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