The Ranger Book One: A thousand years ago.

"Was it regular army troops? Mercenaries? Brigands?" Tempest asked with a very serious expression.

"I don't have that information yet. You're one of the best fighters we have, Tempest. I have no doubt that the Princesses will recall you to either lead or be a part of the response expedition. At the behest of our hosts, I have sent a message to the Princesses informing them of the tactical situation here, as well as your progress with young Nolan. Our hosts have also offered military, medical and food relief if needed. Are you ready to depart if you need to?" The old wizard asked the Knight. Tempest merely nodded that he was. Just then a message from both of the Princesses, as it bore both of their seals, arrived in front of Star Swirl. He gripped it with his magic and after opening it, began to read.

"Sir Tempest Knight, a detachment of Equestrian Knights of the Fifth Mounted and Hoof with a platoon of twenty Equestrian Army troops from the Seventh Regiment are on their way here. Once they arrive, you are to take command. Chief Longstrider, the Princesses gladly accept your offer of support and ask if you can send some of your warriors to help with any fighting that may be encountered. If you can also get part of a relief column readied, it can set out with the one the Princesses are assembling. Sir Tempest Knight, when you take command of the expeditionary force, you and any Wolven support are to march to the coastal settlement and secure it, kill or drive off any hostile Griffins you find, take prisoners if any surrender and provide aid to the citizens." Star Swirl said as he finished reading the missive. Chief Longstrider and War Leader Frost Paw were in a hushed conversation.

"Nolan. Step Forward." Frost said gravely. Nolan squared his shoulders and did as commanded.

"You are hereby made War Leader. You may select ten Hunters or Warriors to travel with you. Help our Pony friends. Remind the Griffins why they don't bother us. Fenris guide you, Fenrir clear your path, and may Artimis keep you. Bring glory to your family and tribe and wrath to your enemies." his father told him. Nolan brought his right fist to his chest over his heart as a way of salute, the gauntlet of his armor making a strong *clang* as it hit the armor of his breastplate.

"As you command, Chief." Nolan said, then stepped back. He left with Tempest, the Knight having to see to his lance along with his spear and bow. Nolan went to the first member of the tribe that came to his mind for such an endeavor.

"Feris. I need you. Your council, your magics, your wisdom, your friendship and anything else you will give me. Nolan said as he and Feris clasped forearms.

"I am yours. What troubles you?"

"I have been made War Leader. I've been told to gather no more than ten Hunters or Warriors to march with our pony friends to their coastal settlement to the East. You will be my second. I would normally select a member of my immediate family, but..."

"You've no brothers left with the living, and I am your only male cousin in the village at the moment." Feris finished Nolan's sentence with a nod.

"I will gladly accept. I take it we don't have much time to make our selections. I know of three blooded Hunters who would be good choices. One is Sven Evenstar. He is more scholar and theologist than Warrior, but I was with him on his First Hunt and he is a trained and true Hunter. Crow Caller is even better with a bow than your brother was, and is easily my match for stealth. Hlalvar is a brute of a Wolf, and may have some of the old Timbre Wolve blood in his veins. He uses a strange weapon, a stone head rune carved hammer on a four foot long handle. He's nicknamed it "Fenris' Thunder". I know we can take ten, but I would suggest one or two more at most. Otherwise, we might weaken the village." Feris said at length. Nolan nodded in thought.

"Get them, and make sure they are wearing the best armor our people can make. Give them all wooden shields with steel rims and backings. Each should have a spear or two and at least their Hunter's knife. If any of them wish for tomahawks, get them. Make sure their packs are filled with food, water, bedding, and care kits for their equipment. I'll see if I can find one more. These are my orders as War Leader." Nolan said at last.

"By your command, War Leader." Feris said with a smirk and headed off to get the others of their force. Nolan walked into the village further, until he found the home he was looking for. This Lodge belonged to the village Shaman, who was also father to Valkiriya, and her little brother who had tested earlier than Nolan had been due to his natural affinity with spears.

"Traivor? Are you there, Traivor?" Nolan called out into the lodge. Traivor and Valkiriya walked out onto the wrap around deck. The former had a look of curiosity on his face, the latter a warm and welcoming smile.

"What brings you here, Warrior Nolan?" Traivor asked.

"I've been made War Leader in response to a situation involving our Pony friends. I've been told to gather a group of Hunters and Warriors to help the ponies fight off a group of Griffons. I have need of your phalanx fighting." Nolan said. All of it was true, but he also said it with as few details as possible since time was a factor. Valkiriya's smile vanished, and an expression of concern, not just for her brother, but for the Tribe came over her face.

"How soon? Why Traivor?"

"Valk-" Traivor began, but was silenced by Nolan raising his hand.

"My Lady Valkiriya, we must be ready to go at a moments notice. As for why I selected your brother, his is best with a spear and shield in the village. I've also selected Feris, Crow Caller, Sven Evenstar and Hlalvar. With Traivor, our force numbers six including myself. Between myself, Crow Caller and Feris we have a good bow formation that can quickly shift to other forms of combat. Sven is well trained in many of our ways and will serve as medic for our force. We all will have spears and shields, and the further we can keep the Griffons from us while still killing them, the better off we'll be. To be sure, there are others in the village I could call on. But your brother is best and at the top of my list. He is free to say no. I and no one else will judge him poorly or treat him any differently." Nolan explained to her.

"I give you my word that I will do all I can to see to it he returns home safe." Nolan added.

"I choose to go. If not me, then who? And would they be better or worse? No, I will go." Traivor said with conviction.

"Get your shield, armor and spear. Make sure you bring your Hunters Knife and pack." Nolan said as the younger Fox went back inside for his equipment and gear.

"He's too young for this. The Griffons are relentless and savage combatants." Valkiriya said seriously to Nolan.

"Perhaps, but if not now, then when? I've seen how some of the other Hunters treat him. While not unkind, they don't let him test himself. I heard that on his hunt, he was tracking a bear, but part way through he was convinced to divert to the deer he brought back. It will be a number of days travel, and I and Feris can spend that time getting him ready for this. The older Hunters won't give him a chance. As War Leader, I can give him a leg up and give him the chance to gain a few accomplishments that will help him once he comes of age for looking to start a family." Nolan said to calm Valkiriya.

Traivor came back out at that point, fully kitted out.

"I'm ready, War Leader."

Valkiriya just shook her head,the concern for her little brother palpable.

"Come back with your shield, young warrior. Or on it. Good luck, good hunting and may Artimis guide you." Valkiriya said as she then gave her brother a tight and loving hug.

"Come, Traivor. The others should be gathered by now." Nolan said as they left.

🐺

Once Nolan and Traivor arrived out front of the Council Lodge, it was proven that the rest of the group Feris had been sent to collect were indeed there. They were all equipped as Nolan had requested, along with their specialized gear. There were also bows, arrows and replacement bowstrings for everyone. They would all carry three spears, a shield, their knives, a bow with a full quiver of arrows, their own personal weapons, care kits for their weapons and armor, food water, bedding and medical supplies.

Traivor and Crow Caller were able to get chain mail, which while adding some weight, it would still allow them to move more freely, and in the case of Crow, wasn't too noisy. The others, aside from Feris, were outfitted in the best scale mail armor the village could create. Feris elected to keep his hide armor, but chose to reinforce it with a chain shirt and gambeson. Nolan was wearing his his heavy plate and chain, which he added a gambeson to as well instead of the padding he normally had. Everyone was given a pair of tomahawks, and in the case of Hlalvar he had a double headed battle ax, his rune carved stone hammer, and on his back a large barrel.

"Hlalvar? What's in the barrel?" Nolan asked pointedly.

"Fravfnir! The best batch I've made yet! It should be fully ready by the time we get to where we're going. That should be a good moral booster. What are we fighting?" The big Wolf asked, pride slipping into his voice about his brewing skills.

"Griffons. Is that going to be a problem for you?" Nolan asked with a little concern.

"Not at all. My grandfather had a necklace of Griffon Claws when he was my age. Perhaps I will too!" Hlalvar replied with a smile. He was a Wolf with a near permanent sunny disposition.

"Maybe you will." Nolan said as he made a final check with all of his wolves. Feris had done an excellent job. Everyone had everything Nolan had outlined and several things besides. Not only did they have food and medicine for themselves, but they were bringing enough with them for three times their number so that they could give the besieged ponies some immediate aid. Nolan walked up to Tempest as the older Knight turned to look at the young wolf.

"Pup."

"My Hunters are ready and equipped. I only have six including myself. Feris said that more than that could weaken the villages defenses, and I agree. In addition to our gear and equipment, we have enough food, water and medicines for ourselves, but also enough medicine and food for three times our number so that the ponies of the settlement can get some immediate aid. I can give you a full run down of what we're carrying if you feel a need for it." Nolan said with a small smile.

"No, I trust you and Feris to equip and manage your Hunters. You're War Leader, but you have a smaller force, and none of you have been in a fight like what we're likely to ride up on. None of you have ever fought Griffons. I'm not going to say I know more than you, but in this case, I do. Listen to what I have to say, but don't think you can't make suggestions or give your own opinions. This is a joint effort, and if you're anything to go off of, even six Wolven would be a huge boon to our overall fighting force. I'll more than likely utilize you and your Hunters as scouts and skirmishers. That being said, your hunter are yours. They report to you, you report to me, and we try to dislodge the Griffons." Tempest said as he looked up.

"They're here." he said as he pointed out the soldiers walking up to the Wolven Village. The Knights were all Pegasi in this instance, and had armor and weapons similar to Tempest. The Army troops were equipped with heavier armor and were lead by a Unicorn Captain. She was a primrose colored mare with a very light pink mane that was peaking out slightly from her helmet.

"Sir Tempest Knight. I'm Captain Shining Star of the Seventh. I have additional orders for you." the Army officer said as she approached and saluted. Tempest waited for her and returned the salute when she was closer.

"This is War Leader Nolan Nightwolven. He'll be leading the Wolven contingent. Now, before you grouse over the small numbers, they're coming as a courtesy and a sign of good faith. I've seen what they are capable of. We've got a very nasty surprise for the Griffons." Tempest said with a malicious grin.