History of Angelica
Legend of the Rangers
Angelica I
The storms raged on and on. A peculiar horn could be heard off in the distance. The streets of Kugnae were beginning to flood and this years crops were surely destroyed. Even the most water resilient animals sought shelter. The streets of Kugnae were deserted, except for one lady carrying a basket....and the soldiers, who were blowing the horn, pursuing her at a distance.
The lady's wails and pleas of mercy could be heard from the village huts. But as the people knew, any cries for help heard while the horn blows must go unanswered for fear of harboring a criminal. The Imperial Soldiers would hunt her down and detain her, possibly worse.
The lady, knowing she would not recieve help, eluded the guards all the way to the Walsuk Tavern, near the West Gate of Kugnae. Yes, even in this flood, the Walsuk Tavern was open. The soldiers were gaining on her as well but she was still out of their sight. Walsuk, so busy serving the workless farmers, did not even notice the rain drenched lady come in. The lady glided through the room to the bar. Hastily, she sat the soaked basket on the bar and uttered a few words to Walsuk. The sudden entry and request of this woman startled Walsuk. She did not know what to do. Before she could say a thing the lady was out the door and in the storm again. As the exhausted woman made way for the Vale, two soldiers rushed her and carried her to the palace. The woman was never heard from again.
II
Some Yuris later, the baby, found in a basket, grew into a young girl. Walsuk, a kind hearted person by nature, had taken care of this girl, whom she named Angelica. Angelica grew up a tomboy who preffered the company of Nature and the Wilderness rather than the normal things a young girl enjoys. She excelled at hunting, especially with the bow she made herself. Walsuk also made sure that Angelica understood how a lady had left her at the bar and was detained by the guards. Walsuk pointed out that the attire of the woman was unusual, more like someone from the wilderness rather than of Kugnae. Nonetheless, Angelica grew into a fine young woman that truly did not understand her past, or her future.
The Hunt I
On one midsummer-eve, Walsuk was supposed to prepare a meal for a party of Pilgrim Monks on a Mission for the paupers of Kugnae who were to arrive in a week. Alas, Walsuk did not have enough meat to prepare a large meal for such a deserving band of people. So, Angelica was sent on the hunt. She did not mind, Angelica would enjoy the few of days away from Kugnae. Angelica experienced much success in the wilderness far to the north of Kugnae but it was not enough for Walsuk's guests. Angelica decided to go deeper into the wilderness. Before she knew it, Angelica was in unexplored territory for even herself. Also, the animals were more primitive in this area. Larger and stronger than the animals around Kugnae, Angelica had a more difficult time hunting, but the spoils were better ten fold. At this rate, Angelica would have enough meat for Walsuk in a couple of days.
On the third day, Angelica was tracking a rather large Tusked War Boar. She decided arrows would not pierce the tough skin of the boar enough to cause a fatal blow. She also decided that using an anesthetic herb on the arrows would not cause this boar to pass out for at least several hours. A snare trap would be the best way to capture the creature. Angelica paced ahead of the War Boar and set the snare trap. Using bits of squirrel, Angelica led the Tusked War Boar into the snare trap. *SNAP!* The boar was caught in a snare that literally hog tied the creature in an instant. Strangely, the boar did not squirm. Angelica stepped out of the foliage to make the kill and head home, after this beast she had more than enough food for the guests. Angelica drew her knife and was within a foot of the beast when all of a sudden the Tusked War Boar hulked up! As the leathery muscles flared and bulged, the snare snapped like a burnt twig. In an instant, the enraged boar was on it's feet and ready to gore the hunter. Angelica, fearing the silverthread of her mortal life would soon end, slowly backed away from the snarling beast. As the Tusked War Boar continued to hulk up, his body mass doubled, and now it was the size of a small ox. Perspiration poured from Angelica's body as the beast bellowed and prepared to charge.
The beast roared yet again and leapt into the air ready to tear apart Angelica. Out of nowhere, seven silver-tipped arrows flew in a frenzy at the Tusked War Boar. The arrows caught the boar in midair and pierced through his heart and his thick skull. In almost-flight, the best yelped, crashed and rolled into the surrounding trees. Angelica sighed with relief. From the trees to the south, a man in a peculiar wilderness garb stepped from the trees, Angelica found him to be ruggedly hansom, a bit older, and quite larger than the men of Kugnae. He seemed to have a laid back air about him and he even winked at her. All of a sudden, his lighthearted attitude changed to dire, grave posture. He asked, astounded, "Leelyia?"
II
"I am sorry, I do not go by the name Leelyia." Angelica had a puzzled look on her face. The Man mused out loud, "The resemblance is astounding, you have never heard the name Leelyia?" "No." "Well, I suppose it is a coincidence." Angelica tried to stand up, but winced in pain as she fell to the ground again. "Your ankle is swelling already, must have happened in all the confusion. He winks, "Not in me to leave a lady of your beauty out here alone, we can ride my horse back to camp."
Leader I
The hidden camp astounded Angelica. All about here were people wearing the same garbs. Angelica was impressed at how the people used the wilderness to their advantage. The camp was in a symbiosis with the forest, but by the looks of how the camp was put together, these people could pick up and leave this spot at any given moment. That would explain why the knowledge of these people was nonexistant, until now. For once in her life, Angelica felt at home.
Angelica was brought to the leader of these people, all of her questions would soon be answered. The leader and Angelica spoke for many hours. His name was Gorrath, a fairminded, strong man by appearance. Angelica learned that the band of people she chanced her way into was known, or rather not known, as the Rangers. According to Gorrath, the Kugnae Royal Guard caught wind of a band of Rogues who resided in the wilderness (without paying tribute to the king) and they wished to prove their existance. The Rangers have been avoiding capture and contact from anyone for Yuris. The only proof the KRG ever had was a female Ranger by the name of Leelyia and her baby who traveled too close to Buya many years ago. Obviosly, since Kugnae never found the Rangers, Leelyia never divulged the position of the Rangers. Gorrath also noticed the uncanny resemblance between Leelyia and Angelica, but when he took Angelica's arm and observed birth mark that was on the same spot as Leelyia's newborn baby, he knew it was her. Angelica was a long-lost Ranger by birth.
II
Angelica, a proud fully matured Ranger, sadly watched her Elder Gorrath pass away. She smiled, mournfully remembering the Yuris of his great leadership. Over time, Gorrath learned to trust her completely, and the other Rangers now looked to her for leadership. Gorrath's time had honorably passed, and now it was Angelica's. Perhaps now the Rangers should come out into the public eye. no more hiding is necessary.....
Ranger's are a subpath within Nexus TK, (c) Kru Interactive