"Forged in the fires of rebellion, tempered by the blood of martyrs, and crowned with the thorns of sacrifice, our kingdom stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of freedom."
- Ancient Proverb of Eldoria
Robert pointed at one of the empty chairs and asked her to sit. "It''s an honest question, Anya, if you could do anything what would it be?" Anya sat down and after looking around to see who was close whispered, "I love nature, and if I could do anything I''d be out in the wilds. I''ve always loved the stories of the great rangers and the freedom that had." Robert smiled and replied, "I can see the appeal, let me see, I could give you bladed weapons, hunting, leatherworking, Equestrianism, foraging, survival, tracking, herbalism, and archery. I''m not sure if that would be enough, but it would be a lot of what I think a ranger would need."
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Knowing how to trap game, handle animals, administer first aid, and navigate unfamiliar terrain.</td>
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"Well then," Robert mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "it seems we might need a few more tools in our arsenal. Trapping, animal handling, and navigation would certainly come in handy." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I''m already quite proficient in first aid, thankfully, but those others..." Anya''s face, which had lit up with excitement, fell at his words. "Oh," she mumbled, "it''s alright. Just a silly thought." Robert chuckled, reaching out to gently squeeze her shoulder. "Nonsense! Just because I haven''t mastered those skills yet doesn''t mean we can''t acquire them. Tell me, is there somewhere in town that sells skill books? And while we''re at it," he added with a wink, "what level are you, young adventurer?" Anya''s brow furrowed in confusion. "The general store might have some, but they''re terribly expensive. I could never afford them..." She hesitated, then added, "As for my level... well, I suppose you could just... see it, couldn''t you? But I''m only level 3. Not many opportunities to gain experience as a server, you know."
Robert considered this, a thoughtful furrow in his brow. "Would your father support this decision?" he asked Anya, then turned with surprising swiftness to address Orin, who had been attempting a stealthy approach. "Well, what do you think?" Orin, startled by Robert''s awareness, stumbled over his words. "Think about what? I''ll tell you right now, if you''re trying to steal away my eldest daughter, you can pack your bags and get out of my inn!" Robert threw back his head and laughed. "Not to worry, old man. Your daughter is quite safe from me." Orin paused, his expression shifting from anger to confusion. "What''s that supposed to mean? My girl''s not good enough for you?" "Good heavens, no!" Robert exclaimed, still chuckling. "It''s not that at all. She''s practically a child, and I, well... I''m already married."
"Married, eh?" Orin grunted, a skeptical glint in his eye. "Doesn''t seem to stop some folks, but I''ll take your word for it. Now, you still haven''t told me – think about what?" Robert glanced at Anya, a subtle encouragement in his gaze. Anya, her cheeks flushed, spoke softly, her eyes fixed on the floor. "We were talking about... about Robert giving me some training. He''s a teacher, you see, and he thought he might be able to help me... get a class." Orin''s brow furrowed in confusion. "A class? What kind of class would you need? You think he can teach you to run this inn better than me?"
"No, Papa," Anya murmured, her voice barely audible. "It''s not about the inn." Orin''s confusion deepened, etching lines across his forehead. "Well, if it''s not about the inn, then what in the blazes is it about?" Anya finally met her father''s gaze, a spark of defiance igniting in her eyes. "I want to be a ranger," she declared, her voice ringing with newfound conviction. "A ranger?" Orin sputtered, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Why in the world would you want to be a ranger? Who put such a foolish notion in your head?" He turned a suspicious glare on Robert. "Now hold on!" Robert protested, raising his hands defensively. "Don''t look at me. It''s her dream, not mine."
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Orin turned back to Anya, his bewilderment plain. "But why a ranger, of all things?" Anya''s face lit up with a radiant smile. "Because they''re free, Papa," she explained, her voice filled with longing. "They get to travel the world, explore the wilds, and live life on their own terms. Imagine! Sleeping under a canopy of stars, the wind in my hair, and the thrill of adventure around every bend in the path!" Orin shook his head, a frown creasing his brow. "More like danger around every corner," he countered, his voice heavy with concern. "You''ve never slept a night outdoors, Anya. You don''t know the first thing about it. Being a ranger isn''t all fun and games, you know. The wilds are called that for a reason." Anya''s smile softened, but her eyes held a determined glint. "I understand it won''t be easy, Papa," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "But it''s my dream. Won''t you let me at least try?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
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Orin turned to Robert, his expression a mix of skepticism and hope. "Can you truly help her with this... ambition?" Robert nodded, his gaze steady and reassuring. "I can, if she''s willing to put in the effort. I''ll even try to help her unlock her potential for nature magic, if she has the aptitude." Orin''s head snapped up, his eyes widening. "You''d teach her magic? True magic?" Robert smiled warmly. "Of course. It would be an honor to help her begin her journey. But," he added, his voice taking on a serious tone, "she needs to understand that it won''t be easy. It will be demanding, challenging, even dangerous at times. She must be prepared to persevere, to face adversity head-on, and never give up when things get tough." Both men turned towards Anya as a gasp escaped her lips. "Papa," she breathed, her eyes wide with surprise, "I just received a quest! A real quest!" Orin mirrored her astonishment. "A quest? What kind of quest?" Anya eagerly opened the quest window and angled it so both men could see.
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<td width="128">Name</td>
<td width="64">Type</td>
<td width="343">Description</td>
<td width="91">Award</td>
<td width="64">Notes</td>
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<td width="128">Walk the path of the Ranger</td>
<td width="64">Chain</td>
<td width="343">You have expressed a desire to become a Ranger. Robert Williams has agreed to start you on the path. Agree to become his student to start this quest chain.</td>
<td width="91">A Teacher (and the second part of the chain)</td>
<td width="64">This is a multipart quest chain. All parts must be completed to unlock the class.</td>
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Orin, his brow furrowed in confusion, looked at Robert. "How are you able to generate a quest? Normally, only town leaders or those with higher authority can do that." Robert shrugged, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "I honestly have no idea. But it''s not the first time this has happened." He turned back to Anya, his expression gentle but serious. "So, Anya, the choice is yours. Will you accept this quest and embark on this new path, or will you remain on the one you already walk?" Anya sat up straighter, her gaze unwavering, a newfound determination radiating from her. "I accept the quest!" she declared, her voice ringing with conviction.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Required Quest Gained!</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">New Student Gained, Teaching Level +1!</td>
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<td width="183">Name</td>
<td width="103">Type</td>
<td width="259">Description</td>
<td width="118">Award</td>
<td width="126">Notes</td>
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<td width="183">Teaching the innkeeper''s Daughter to walk her path</td>
<td width="103">Required</td>
<td width="259">you have offered and gained a new student. Help Anya complete her quest chain, and gain a new class.</td>
<td width="118">Level +1</td>
<td width="126">Anya must complete the entire quest chain.</td>
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A flicker of sadness crossed Orin''s face, but it was quickly replaced by a proud smile. "Well then," he declared, "I guess I''ll be needing to hire a new server! You''ll be far too busy with this ranger business to pull pints, eh?" He turned to Anya, his eyes twinkling. "Are you absolutely certain this is what you want, lass?" Anya beamed, her eyes shining with unwavering conviction. "With all my heart, Papa." Orin nodded, satisfied, then turned back to Robert, his voice taking on a playfully threatening tone. "You take good care of my little girl, you hear? And if she doesn''t come out of this with at least a rare class, I''ll be tanning your hide!" Robert threw back his head and laughed. "Rare? Why aim so low, Orin? We''re shooting for Epic!"