“Master King’s Ranger, Lasgol Eklund Ranger Specialist reporting,” he said very formally, and handed Gondabar his orders.
“Welcome, Lasgol,” the leader greeted him, and Lasgol saw in his eyes that he recognized him. “I’m glad to see you alive. We’ve lost good Rangers in this war. Too many.”
“It’s been tough for the corps,” Lasgol agreed.
“It certainly has. And that’s why I’m glad to see you here today. Don’t think I’d forgotten about you. I’ve been following your missions.”
The comment took Lasgol by surprise. He was not expecting the leader of the Rangers to take any special interest in him.
“My Leader honors me,”
“I hope you’re well. Any injuries? Any illness, or any other problem?”
Lasgol was surprised by the questions. “Er … no, no injury or any other problem, sir.”
“You look well,” Gondabar said, looking him up and down as though making sure of his physical health.
“Thank you, sir. Our leader looks very well too,” Lasgol said untruthfully. The truth was that Gondabar appeared to be bordering a hundred, when in fact he could have been no more than eighty. Lasgol felt that he was more gaunt and worn than the last time he had seen him. His long sharp nose was whiter than snow, full of spots like his bald head. His face was so creased that each blink added years to it.
“Ha! I doubt it very much, but thanks for the pretend-compliment. If you’re perfectly well, then you can leave on a new mission at once. Eh?”
“Yes … sir …” Lasgol replied, rather taken aback.
“Perfect. That’s why I had you summoned.”
“Is it anything to do with the Dark Rangers?” Lasgol decided to venture, hoping to draw out some information on the topic. The last time he had been in this office they had both talked about it, and Gondabar had promised to look into the unpleasant business. Perhaps he had found out something significant, and had called him for that reason.
“With that ugly business? No.” Gondabar shook his head several times.
“Has there been any significant progress that might help us find out the leaders of this secret organization?”
“I see you like to go straight to the point. That’s not always the best strategy.”
“I’m sorry, sir … it’s just that it troubles me …”
“I can assure you, you’re not the only one who’s deeply worried about it.”
“I thought that maybe requesting my presence might have something to do with it.”
“No, it’s something else which also concerns you, but don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten the Dark Rangers. I’m very worried by that stain on the honor of our Corps. I’ve been able to find out one or two details which confirm the existence of the group, as I already suspected, and as you insisted before the final campaign against the West. As far as that’s concerned, you can relax.”
Lasgol gave a slight gasp. “I’m glad, sir,” he said, feeling very relieved. He had not been sure whether Gondabar was going to take the matter seriously or not. There was no knowing what leaders thought, or what direction their decisions would take.
The Leader nodded. “I understand. Nobody likes being taken for a lunatic with a head full of conspiracy theories.”
“There’ve been times when I’ve felt that way, it’s true.”
“There won’t be any more of them. You have my confidence and support in this shameful and terrible matter. The other Ranger Leaders have been informed, and they’ll help me resolve the situation. We’ll find out what’s behind all this. Unfortunately, the war and our service to the King haven’t given us any opportunity to delve deeply enough into the mystery. Whatever progress we’ve made has been minimal, and I’m not at all happy. I can’t have a group of traitors roaming the realm at will, particularly as they’re our own people. It’s a terrible dishonor, something we’ve got to resolve by ourselves, since we ought to clear up our own problems internally. I can’t take this to the King.”
“Wouldn’t King Thoran help us clear this up?” Lasgol asked, although he did not trust Thoran in the slightest. He himself might be the one behind the Dark Rangers, using them for his own dirty affairs. It was not unthinkable to imagine that he would use them to carry out secret work which he did not want Gondabar and the Leaders of the Rangers to know about. It was even possible that he was using them to destabilize the Rangers themselves, seeking to install a replacement in his own full confidence at their head without it appearing to have been forced by his own hand. It was a theory Viggo believed, and Egil had not dismissed it, which made it plausible.
“The King has too many worries already. Besides, if he knew about this business he might demand my head for bad management of the corps on my part …”
“No, sir …”
“He’d be within his rights to do so. This has happened under my leadership, and it’s a dishonor which I must take on my own shoulders and pay for the consequences. So, I will, but for the moment I must focus on keeping the corps clean, united, and working with integrity and honor. That, and finding the Dark Rangers so that I can uproot them from our revered corps. I’m going to correct my errors, even if it’s the last thing I do. There’ll be no traitors among our people operating on the fringe of the Path. I intend to find them all and get rid of them, one by one. I don’t have much time left as a leader, but I promise you one thing: I’ll
