Page 177 of The Ranger

Kwaku’s booming laugh reached them before he did.

Everyone, including Markhel, watched as Kwaku sauntered out of the trees, Zara at his side. “What is dis?” He opened his arms wide. “Look at you cub! I knew it!”

Zara stepped into the clearing and looked around. “Lissa was here...”

Maida noted how sad she looked, then knelt before Markhel and dug her fingers into his thick mane. “How is this possible?”

“Dat is his heart, little jewel,” Kwaku said. “A powerful heart. The heart of a king’s ranger.”

“The couple that was just here, they seemed afraid of him,” she said.

Kwaku smiled at her. “A ranger must be brave, and full of courage to work away from his people. It is why there are so few of dem. Markhel is aking’sranger, an extension of King Jaireth and his rule. Deyshouldbe afraid of him.

“What does that mean?” Maida asked.

“It means, little jewel, dat Markhel is not only powerful on his own, but if needed, can draw from the power of the king and his people.”

“Sort of like the royal guard,” Makama said. “The ones that protect the Time Master and his mate?”

“Exactly,” Kwaku said. “But Markhel, a king’s ranger, protects de king and is an extension of the king himself. Once joined, he can act on behalf of his ruler.” He looked at Major and Harrison, who were still gaping at Markhel, then fixed his eyes on Maida. “Dis means little jewel, dat you will be taken to de palace, so your mate can begin his true service to King Jaireth. But first, I will join the two of you once his heart is satisfied you are out of danger.”

35

Everyone watched in fascination as several things happened at once. Zara went to Duncan at a nod from Kwaku, knelt before him and took his hand. She sang, and no sooner than she started, Markhel’s black fur shifted to a snowy white. His eyes were just as blue, and he was still the most beautiful thing Maida had ever seen.

“What just happened?” she breathed.

Zara glance at Kwaku who now stood in the clearing by the table. He had his eyes closed, hands on hips and Maida could feel him scanning the area with his heart!

“A king’s ranger travels on behalf of the king to carry out his orders and if need be, his justice,” Zara explained. “He checks on colonies and outposts, protecting them.”

“I think I understand,” Maida said. “But why did his fur change color?”

Zara looked at Markhel them gave her an apologetic smiled. “When he is white, he is protecting. But when his fur is black, he is about to mete out justice.”

Maida gulped. “What kind of justice?”

“All kinds, child. Including death.” Zara smiled at Duncan, then got to her feet. She went to stand by Markhel and put a hand on his white mane. “He is a rarity among our people. There has not been a king’s ranger since we escaped the Dissans.”

“What’s a Dissan?” Maida asked.

Zara gave Markhel a pat. “That is a discussion for another day. Suffice to say, there will be much celebrating once our people know we have a king’s ranger among us again.”

“How do you know he’s a king’s ranger?” Maida asked. “Markhel never said anything about being one.”

“He is a ranger, that is true. But only after his heart answered your final Call would he shift. A Muiraran man’s heart usually doesn’t begin to shift until a good year after joining. But a king’s ranger, will shift immediately. King Jaireth suspected Markhel might be one, so appointed him his personal ranger as soon as Markhel entered his ranger’s training.”

Before Maida could comment, the air around them moved, and within seconds, the lion was gone, and in its place was Markhel.

Maida gasped. He wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.

“Kawahnee,” Zara called.

Kwaku stopped what he was doing, took one look at Markhel, and laughed. He removed his outer robe as he approached and laughed harder. “You will have to remedy dis by keeping someting nearby.”

“Like pants?” Pa quipped. He finished tying the last of Brennan’s henchman’s hands behind their back. “I’m not going to question anything yet, but you folks had better be prepared to answera lotof questions later.”

Kwaku put his robe over Markhel’s shoulders. He was still on all fours, and quickly wrapped himself in it. “Maida...”