Rangers Apprentice: The Silver Rose

°•○●○Chapter 18○●○•°

Maddie's pov.

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Running ahead of Mathias, I spotted Lyrica and Rielle lying side by side.

Annoyance bubbled up inside me as I saw a cluster of rangers crowded around the girls.

I ran up to them and pushed the two closest away.

"Everyone clear off!" I shouted.

They knew better then to question me.

They quickly shuffled away, heading back to there camping areas. I saw some preparing to head home.

I looked back to the now nearly empty clearing.

Only four rangers hadn't moved.

"I hope your not going to chase us off as well" grinned Gilan.

Will hit his shoulder with a meaningful look.

Halt was kneeling beside Rielle while Keith was by Lyrica's side.

They were smearing on the burn cream from our medical kits.

Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at my apprentice.

"I'm such a failure" I wailed. I plopped down on the ground and hid my head in my hands.

Tears fell down my cheeks.

I felt the presence of someone sit next to me.

Peaking out between my fingers, I saw Will. My mentor, my uncle.

He gently pulled me to him, hugging me.

"Your not a failure, we all made mistakes. The situation was out of our control" he told me.

All I wanted to do was give up.

"I wish it was me instead of her" I whisperd.

Will patted my head gently.

"Don't say that, we need you Mads" he comforted me.

"But I need Lyrica" I whimpered.

"I know. But we can't always save everyone" he told me gently.

I sighed, knowing he was right.

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Rielle's pov.

My eyes snapped open.

Bright light flooded them. Well as bright as a cloud covered sky could be.

I sat bolt upright.

"Woah woah! Slow down" I heard a voice say.

I turned my head to the left and saw...

"Keith" the name tumbling out of my mouth.

I threw my arms around him.

"Your alive!" I tried to yell. But my voice was all scratchy from the smoke. So I sounded like a dying bluebird.

I felt him hug me back.

"Well that's a sight I'd never thought I'd see" said someone behind me.

I released Keith and turned around.

Gilan was watching me with a smile.

"I'm glad your ok Gilan" I smiled back.

"What about me? I went in there too!" I saw Will say as he stood up from sitting beside Maddie.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

He copied me.

I relented and gave him a quick smile.

"I'm glad your not dead Will, I'd have no honey for my coffee otherwise" I said smartly.

A quiet laughter echoed around the circle.

"So how did you two get out?" Someone asked suddenly.

It was Maddie.

I watched her cautiously. She seemed...angry.

"Um...well after I went in I heard Lyrica yelling for help, so I went to find her. It's a long story but basically she broke her legs because a tree had fallen on her, I got her out and carried her out of the woods on my back. That's all I remember..." I finished.

Silence followed my explanation.

I glanced at Gilan.

He looked worried.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Well, I'm glad your alright Rielle" he told me.

I nodded solemnly.

One thought hadn't left my mind yet.

"She's dead, isn't she". It was more of a statement then a question.

Gilan's head lowerd.

"She died an hour ago" I heard an old voice say.

I looked behind me and saw Halt enter our small camp space.

He went and stood by Gilan.

I turned my gaze to Maddie.

Her eyes were dull with grief.

I glanced back at Keith to see that grief echoed in his eyes, but a small spark was still there.

"Its my fault" I said suddenly.

Everyone looked at me.

"No Rielle-" began Will.

I stopped him.

"I was there! I let her go-" my voice choked up.

Tears came into my eyes.

She was gone. Forever. And there was nothing I could do about it.