Rangers Apprentice: The Silver Rose

×+○◇Chapter 16◇○+×

Keith's Pov.

"WHAT!" I nearly choked on air.

The rangers faces were grim, they didn't look hopeful.

"Why weren't you with them?" I acused. "We were- started Will. I scoffed. "Really? Then where are they?" I spat. I was getting mad, first my sister goes missing. Then my untrained apprentice runs in after her.

"How stupid could they be" I whisperd.

Halt looked up from his coffee mug.

"Actually, they were braver then most of us" he said. "I know for a fact Rielle went in because I didn't" he said darkly.

"I should have taken her back with me" he confessed. He shook his head in a hopeless motion, then rested it in his hands.

"We're all at fault. Started Maddie. We should have kept a better eye on them".

Will let out a sigh.

                                                          ~♡~

We all were waiting around for the search parties to return. Hopefully with the girls.

Rain had begun pouring not long ago. And now all the fires were put out. Some rangers had some tarps that were still attached to there saddles.

Most of the horses were grouped at one edge of the ditch. Some were lost in the chaos of the fire.

Luckily all our horses were ok.

Maddie sat up from her resting place. She stretched and paced around our small campsite.

She then turned to the others. Her back to me. I lost interest and closed my eyes to sleep.
                            
                                                           ~◇~
Maddies POV.

I told Halt, Will and Gilan that I was going to have a look around.

I began walking to the other end of the camp.

The command tent that was set up near the end was full of senior rangers. Well, all of them who weren't injured.

I crept up to the tent and listend in to the conversation.

"How am I supposed to know what to do! This is chaos!" Said one.
"Then leave. Your obviously to old to be of any use." Another muttered.

I grimaced. It didn't sound like they were making any progress.

"Welp time for me to intervene" I smirked. I ripped the flap open and stepped into the tent.

The three rangers looked at me and scowled.

"This is the seniors tent" the oldest one said. I shook my head.

"No its the Commander's tent, and I don't see any commands being given. So I'm taking over" I said smartly.

They all looked at me like I was crazy, I probably was...but they didn't need to know that.

"Alrighty then, no objections so let's get started" I said cheerily.

I clasped my hands together and racked my brain for what we needed done.

"Alright, I want..." I looked around and my eyes landed on the oldest ranger.

"Ah yes, Harv, you gather the letters from ranger Halt and see to it that there sent right away" I ordered.

Harv didn't make eye contact but he nodded and left the tent.

I began to address the other two.

"I want both of you to go tell the ones who are able, to go home" I told them.

They nodded and went to exit the tent.

"Ah, Mathias" I began. One of the men turned back to me. He looked at me expectantly.

"Inform me immediately when the search parties return" I told him.

"Right" he huffed. He then pulled up his cowl and went to brave the rain.

I sighed. Relived that they actually listened to me.

I relaxed my shoulders and rubbed my neck. When I was in the burning forest a small burning branch landed on my neck, Will said the burn was at least five inches long.

Will put some ointment on it from Tug's saddle bag. It still hurt but I knew it would heal quickly.

I then peaked out of the tent and looked at the still burning forest. It was now more smoke then fire thanks to the rain.

We'd be able to venture in soon to see if there is anything salvageable from the gear that was left behind.

I then went back inside to come up with more plans to get everyone home.